In this Article

• What is metabolic syndrome?
• How is metabolic syndrome defined?
• How common is metabolic syndrome?
• What causes metabolic syndrome?
• Why should I know about metabolic syndrome?
• How is metabolic syndrome treated?
• Summary
• Patient Discussions: Metabolic Syndrome - Effective Treatments
• Metabolic Syndrome Glossary
• Metabolic Syndrome Index

Summary

The term "metabolic syndrome" is a way of identifying individuals at high risk for the development of heart disease and diabetes. Intuitively we all know that obesity, high cholesterol, and hypertension are bad omens. We also know that insulin resistance precedes type 2 diabetes, and can itself be an important condition meriting treatment. Everyone reading this article knows someone who is overweight, hypertensive, or has cholesterol levels that are "a little high." It may be a brother, sister, parent, neighbor, or even yourself.

For the physician, while the actual definition of "metabolic syndrome" may vary, the known clustering that occurs means that adults with any major cardiovascular risk should be evaluated for the presence of other risk factors. Patients at risk should receive education and counseling on lifestyle modification, and all risk factors for heart disease should be treated aggressively.

For the patient, the main point to understand is that it is important to treat the risk factors as bad things, before worse things happen. And while these changes can be addressed at a doctor's office, the other 99.999% of the time, they need to be addressed in the real world. We need to start having healthier food options readily available. We need to have time during the day to take a walk.

The final take home message is:

• Find a walk buddy.
  
  
• Take a walk during your work break, even if it is just around the building.
  
  
• Go to a health food store.
  
  
• Evaluate what you feed your kids.
  
  
• Urge children to go outside and play.

It all adds up. Preventing metabolic syndrome really means having a healthy lifestyle.

Previous contributing medical editor, Barbara K. Hecht, Ph.D.

Metabolic Syndrome - Effective Treatments

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe what treatments have been effective for metabolic syndrome.

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