Syndrome of insulin resistance, Syndrome X

Causes

Metabolic syndrome is becoming increasingly common in the United States. Researchers are not sure whether the syndrome is due to a single cause, but all risk factors are associated with obesity.

The metabolic syndrome is associated with many conditions and risk factors. The two most important risk factors are:

* Extra weight around the middle of the body (central obesity). The body can be described as “apple shape”.

* Resistance to insulin, in which the body does not use insulin effectively. Insulin is needed to help control the amount of sugar in the body.

Insulin helps sugar (glucose) from the blood into cells. If you have insulin resistance, the body does not respond to it and the sugar in the blood can not enter cells. As a result, the body produces more insulin. The levels of insulin and blood sugar rise, affecting kidney function and raising the level of blood fats such as triglycerides.

Other risk factors include:

* Aging
* Genes that make you have more chance of developing this condition (genetic predisposition)
* Hormonal changes
* Lack of exercise

Symptoms

* Extra weight around the waist (central or abdominal obesity)

Exams and Tests

According to the American Heart Association (American Heart Association) and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute), metabolic syndrome is present if you have three or more of the following signs :

* Blood pressure less than 130/85 mmHg
* Blood sugar (glucose) in the fasted less than 100 mg / dL
* Waist circumference (length around the waist):
o Men: 101.6 cm (40 inch) or greater
or Female: 88.9 cm (35 inches) or more
* Low HDL cholesterol:
or Males under 40 mg / dL
o Women: below 50 mg / dL
* Triglycerides at or above 150 mg / dL

Tests that can be done to diagnose metabolic syndrome include:

* Blood pressure measurement
* Glucose test
* HDL cholesterol level
* LDL cholesterol level
* Total cholesterol level
* Triglyceride level