What is metabolic syndrome?

It refers to a set of organic abnormalities that appear simultaneously and that increase blood sugar level, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides; factors that can trigger various serious illnesses.

It is a condition associated mainly with genetics, sedentary lifestyle, overweight, and obesity, as well as with insulin resistance, which is the hormone produced by the pancreas so that glucose enters the cells and the body consumes it as energy.

Metabolic syndrome, also known as Reaven’s syndrome or insulin resistance, is more common in adults, especially when overweight or obese. Therefore, it is important to regularly check blood sugar levels, cholesterol, triglycerides, and measure blood pressure.

There are several factors that can contribute to the onset of metabolic syndrome, including:

• The older you are, the higher the risk of suffering from it.
• Sleep apnea.
• Diabetes.
• Family history.
• Fatty liver.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Overweight or obesity, mainly in the abdominal area.

With a healthy diet, exercise program, weight loss, and smoke-free living, it is possible to prevent and control the diseases that cause metabolic syndrome.

Conditions related to metabolic syndrome, for the most part, do not cause symptoms, but the most obvious signs are:

• Significant accumulation of fat in the waist.
• Excessive thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Blurred vision.
• Tiredness.
• Weakness.
• High triglycerides and cholesterol.
• High fasting blood glucose.
• High blood pressure.

Possible complications of untreated metabolic syndrome are:

• Stroke.
• Diabetes.
• Cardiovascular diseases.
• Kidney failure.
• Death.

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request blood tests to corroborate the diagnosis.

Treatment consists primarily of incorporating a healthy lifestyle, including:

• Daily exercise program.
• Quit smoking.
• Establish a low-fat, low-sodium, and low-processed foods diet.
• Keep an adequate body weight.
• Reduce alcohol consumption.
• Stress control.

Depending on your case, you may require medications to help control glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides.

At the ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, of chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory