What Is Metabolic Syndrome? What Are Its Symptoms?

Metabolic syndrome is a group of health problems that, depending on various causes, leads to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Known as “insulin resistance syndrome” or “dysmetabolic syndrome”, this condition is formed by the combination of multiple factors. In the presence of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, plaque buildup in the arterial walls and organ damage may develop in parallel.

Excess weight or obesity, genetic predisposition, and a sedentary (physically inactive) lifestyle may play a role in the emergence of the syndrome. This syndrome, which carries serious health risks, can be reversed with the necessary interventions.

The syndrome tends to begin most often with a disruption in body fat distribution. Fat accumulation around internal organs and under the skin may play an important role in the development of insulin resistance. Therefore, especially a large waist circumference, high blood pressure and high blood sugar values may contribute to the development of heart and vascular disease, stroke and diabetes.

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of metabolic disorders that increase the risk of serious health problems such as insulin resistance and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Under the influence of various factors, metabolic syndrome may lead to the combined development of coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes. In the development of the syndrome, fat tissue accumulation and tissue dysfunction may be primarily responsible. Accumulating and expanding fat tissue may trigger the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Insulin resistance may occur mostly under the influence of these factors. In some individuals, insulin resistance may be present from birth or develop later, depending on genetic predisposition. All these disorders together may cause damage to the autonomic nervous system and circulatory system. Having three or more of the items listed as criteria for metabolic syndrome may allow a diagnosis to be made:

Waist circumference of 88 cm or more in women and 102 cm or more in men,

Blood triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or higher,

HDL cholesterol levels below 40 mg/dL in men and below 50 mg/dL in women,

Systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg or higher,

Fasting blood glucose of 100 mg/dL or higher

What Are the Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome?

Symptoms of metabolic syndrome may vary from person to person. However, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels, high triglycerides and other health problems within the syndrome generally present with similar symptoms. Signs and symptoms that may be seen with the simultaneous progression of various health problems may include:

Fat accumulation around the waist,

Frequent urination,

Increased thirst,

High or low blood sugar,

Blurred vision,

Fatigue,

Darkening of the skin in the neck and armpit folds.

Metabolic syndrome may present with symptoms of varying severity. High triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol values may often not show themselves with specific symptoms.

Which Diseases Does Metabolic Syndrome Lead To?

Insulin resistance syndrome may negatively affect the functioning of the body in many ways. Insulin resistance may cause damage to small blood vessels. This may increase the tendency toward inflammation in the vessel walls and lead to dysfunction of the inner surface of the vessels. Damage to vessel structure may trigger vascular stiffness and hypertension risk. As this condition progresses, the danger of heart disease and kidney failure may arise. Additionally, complications of metabolic syndrome may include:

Ischemic heart disease,

Coronary artery disease,

Aortic stenosis,

Atrial fibrillation,

Venous thromboembolism,

Type 2 diabetes, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy),

Colon, prostate and breast cancer,

Erectile dysfunction (impotence),

Stroke.

In addition, liver, pancreas, kidney and gallbladder damage, chronic inflammation, and cognitive problems have the potential to be consequences of the syndrome. Preventing the complications of insulin resistance syndrome may be possible with certain treatment methods and precautions.

What Are the Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome?

Genetic and environmental conditions may have an effect on the development of metabolic syndrome. Identifying these risk factors and taking the necessary precautions may slow down or stop tissue and organ damage. In this context, situations regarded as risk factors for metabolic syndrome may include:

Smoking and using tobacco products,

Excessive alcohol consumption,

Not being physically active,

Inadequate and unhealthy eating,

Insufficient and poor-quality sleep,

High BMI,

Aging,

Family history of diabetes,

Stress.

Shift work schedules and disruption of the circadian rhythm, fatty liver, polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep apnea and similar conditions may be among other risk factors. Since individuals’ ethnicity and genetic predisposition are unchangeable factors, precautions can be directed toward environmental conditions.

How Is Metabolic Syndrome Diagnosed?

In individuals with risk factors, suspicion of metabolic syndrome may require early diagnosis and initiation of the treatment process. The reason for this may be that tissue damage occurs more severely in some individuals. During diagnosis, blood and other tests may need to be performed along with physical examination. The physical examination specifically includes measurement of waist circumference, BMI and blood pressure. Medical history and family history are also other data taken into consideration. Diet and sleep patterns, presence of physical activity, medication use, and current diseases are evaluated. If there is diabetes, hypertension, obesity or other health problems in the family, the effect of genetic predisposition in the individual is observed. Tests and procedures that need to be performed for diagnostic purposes can mainly be listed as follows:

Lipid panel: In this panel, evaluated through a blood draw, triglycerides and measurement of 4 different cholesterol types are provided. Triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dL and low HDL are factors that constitute dyslipidemia.

Basic metabolic panel: It is a necessary test for monitoring blood glucose levels and kidney function.

Blood glucose tests: Apart from the basic metabolic panel, they may be applied to evaluate insulin resistance and the likelihood of diabetes.

Blood tests: May be necessary for other values that should be investigated to support the diagnosis. Insulin resistance, hemoglobin A1C, C-reactive protein and thyroid hormone values can be observed with blood tests.

Electrocardiogram: May be preferred in cases of suspected arrhythmia, infarction, hypertension, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease or cardiac ischemia.

In addition, if deemed necessary, various tests and imaging methods such as liver panel, hormone tests, electrocardiogram stress test, computed tomography and cardiac stress test may be used.

How Is Metabolic Syndrome Treated?

Metabolic syndrome treatment aims to take precautions when serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and similar conditions have not yet developed. However, existing diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases may require drug treatment and lifestyle changes. Among the treatment options applied to manage metabolic syndrome, the following may be included:

Achieving weight loss and maintaining ideal weight may be effective in preventing possible health risks.

Being physically active may have positive effects such as maintaining ideal weight, improving insulin resistance and sustaining cardiovascular health.

Including fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, meat, fish and chicken, milk and dairy products in the diet instead of processed foods high in fat, sugar and salt is important.

Exercise, breathing exercises, yoga and psychotherapy methods can be tried for stress management and quality sleep.

Limiting cigarette and alcohol consumption is an effective option in preventing the syndrome.

Taking cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes medications under physician supervision may slow the progression of metabolic syndrome.

In cases of obesity, bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery) methods may be recommended for some individuals. Bariatric surgery options may be effective in improving problems such as type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. Metabolic syndrome surgery may be necessary for high-risk cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

The metabolic activities that contribute to the development of dysmetabolic syndrome are interrelated. For this reason, individuals with risk factors need to take the necessary follow-up measures and precautions. You can read the rest of the article to see frequently asked questions and answers within the scope of diagnosing and controlling metabolic syndrome. Dysmetabolic syndrome is generally more likely to be seen in people with high body mass index, excessive smoking and alcohol use, stress and anxiety, who are physically inactive, have poor eating habits, and have disrupted circadian rhythm. Additionally, some diseases may also play a role in the occurrence of this condition. Metabolic syndrome, which is among metabolic diseases, is evaluated by the endocrinology department. Diagnosis and creation of the treatment plan are carried out by endocrinology and metabolic disease specialists. Multidisciplinary work may be necessary during the treatment process. If metabolism works less, the calorie intake needed by the body may begin to decrease. When basal metabolic rate is slow and more calories than needed are consumed, weight gain may occur and metabolic homeostasis may change. Metabolic slowdown may be seen depending on more than one factor. The risk of metabolic syndrome is that, when suitable conditions are not provided, the likelihood of the syndrome appearing is high, also under the influence of genetic predisposition. Individuals with factors such as disturbed blood glucose balance, blood pressure irregularities, deterioration of the body’s internal fat profile, poor-quality sleep and eating program, and a sedentary life may have higher risk. Metabolic disorder may manifest through various signs and symptoms. Fat accumulation under the skin and around organs, hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, excessive thirst and hunger, frequent urination, frequent rises or drops in blood pressure, darkening in the neck folds, and blurred vision, exhaustion are among the symptoms caused by metabolic syndrome.