Metabolic Syndrome Pocket Guide: Illustrated 2016

Metabolic Syndrome Pocket Guide
Introduction
Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe a particular cluster of health problems that were first identified in 1988 by Gerald Reaven, an endocrinologist at Stanford University.1 He originally called it syndrome X, and at various times the syndrome has also been referred to as dysmetabolic syndrome, insulin resistance syndrome, and obesity dyslipidemia syndrome. The term metabolic syndrome is now widely accepted, whereas syndrome X fell into disfavor due to confusion with a similarly named cardiac syndrome.
In essence, metabolic syndrome is characterized by abdominal obesity and insulin resistance (reduced responsiveness of the body tissues to insulin). Metabolic syndrome is often accompanied by hypertension and two lipid disorders: high blood levels of triglycerides and low blood levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Compared to someone without the syndrome, a person with metabolic syndrome has a fivefold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and is three times as likely to have – and twice as likely to die from – a heart attack or stroke.2
A major public health problem, metabolic syndrome affects one-quarter of the world’s adults.2 A 2009 study found that individuals with metabolic syndrome incur almost 1.6 times the medical costs of those without the syndrome ($5,732 vs. $3,581 annually). Additionally, annual medical costs were nearly double among individuals with diabetes who had risk factors for metabolic syndrome, compared to nondiabetics who had such risk factors ($8,067 vs. $4,638).3

Table of Contents
Introduction
History of Metabolic Syndrome
Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Insulin Resistance
A Precursor to Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
Developing and Reconciling a Formal Definition
Population Differences in Prevalence
United States
Norway
Turkey
Iran
China
Korea
Diagnosing Metabolic Syndrome
Medical History
Waist Circumference
Blood Pressure
Laboratory Testing
Two Possible Accompanying Diagnoses
Cushing’s Syndrome
Hypothyroidism
Causes of Metabolic Syndrome
Intra-Abdominal Obesity
Insulin Resistance
Dyslipidemias
Hypertension
Pregnancy
Urinary Symptoms in Men
The Health Consequences of Metabolic Syndrome
Coronary Heart Disease
Type 2 Diabetes
Other Disorders
Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome
Goals of Treatment
Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Medications
Psychological Counseling
Surgery
Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome
Healthy Weight
Healthy Diet
Physical Activity
Routine Health Maintenance
References