Metabolic syndrome: symptoms and diagnosis of metabolic disorders

Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that keep a person alive. Our body receives all useful elements from the external environment, mainly from food and water. Metabolic disorders can negatively affect the condition of all organs and systems, and therefore require mandatory treatment. There are metabolic disorders:

• protein;
• carbohydrate;
• fat;
• water;
• mineral;
• other substances (iron, iodine, etc.).

Symptoms of metabolic syndrome

When diagnosing MS, 4 parameters are distinguished:

• hypertension (high blood pressure);
• high blood sugar;
• obesity (waist circumference more than 102 cm in men and more than 88 cm in women);
• abnormal cholesterol levels (decreased high-density lipoprotein levels and/or increased triglyceride levels).

Each of these conditions is dangerous individually, but together they trigger a cascade of pathological processes and turn into a mortal threat to blood vessels and human life and health in general.
Doctors nicknamed this complex of diseases the “deadly quartet.” In fact, metabolic syndrome is not an independent disease. This is a group of symptoms that often occur together and increase the risk of other - even more severe - disorders.

Fast and slow metabolism

The metabolic situation described above is ideal. In life, sometimes everything seems to be the other way around: the more a person eats and moves less, the less he wants to move and eat more. And someone is thin, eats very little and cannot eat anymore.

To understand about fast and slow metabolism, you need to know this. The human nervous system consists of two sections. The first is the central nervous system. It consists of the brain and spinal cord. The second is the autonomic nervous system. This is the main regulator of metabolism. It controls the functioning of the glands, organs, digestion, manages the nutrients supplied by food, and does other things important for life.

The autonomic nervous system has two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic.

• the sympathetic nervous system is activated during times of mental or physical stress, and in the wild - during flight, defense or attack. It “accelerates” metabolism and is responsible for the mobilization of energy from reserves and its use. It controls the functioning of the muscles, heart, thyroid gland, reproductive system, and stimulates the release of adrenaline.

• The parasympathetic nervous system restores the body after stress. It “slows down” metabolism, stimulates digestion, accelerates the absorption of nutrients and their storage. It also controls the immune system.

Depending on the situation - stress or recovery - any person turns on either one or the other branch. But for some people, each may dominate most of the time. This determines the metabolic rate.

It is important to understand: when talking about fast and slow metabolism, we are not talking about metabolic diseases that need to be treated by a doctor. Everything else is within the normal range of a healthy person, but with deviations in one direction or the other.

Fast metabolism

People with a dominant sympathetic nervous system are the lucky ones for those who spend their entire lives trying to lose weight. They are slim and have no problems with being overweight.

These are usually lively, active, emotional people, with fast, sudden movements. Their pulse is more frequent, and their blood pressure is increased. Their thyroid glands are more active. They are always a little nervous, excited about life and spend a lot of energy during the day. They don't get fat, but they also have difficulty gaining muscle.

Slow metabolism

People with a dominant parasympathetic nervous system gain weight easily but have difficulty losing weight. These are sedentary, calm, relaxed, and in extreme cases - apathetic, lethargic people. They quickly absorb nutrients, which, coupled with a very good appetite, creates problems with excess weight.

In response to excess food, the hypothalamus may not reduce appetite in the following days, as it might in an ideal situation. One of the metabolic problems is poor sensitivity of the brain to leptin.

Leptin is a hormone produced by adipose tissue. With its help, the hypothalamus sees the amount of stored energy (fat) in the body. Lots of fat = lots of leptin. The hypothalamus reduces appetite and increases activity, because there is no need to be afraid of starvation. Low fat = low leptin, which means there is little energy, appetite needs to be increased, and the desire to move needs to be reduced.

But sometimes the hypothalamus does not see leptin, even if there is a lot of it and fat. This means constant hunger and decreased activity. A person begins to eat more and more over time.

Sometimes poor leptin sensitivity is acquired, due to poor lifestyle and excess weight. And sometimes it is genetic, when a mutation in the structure of the hormone itself or in the receptors of the hypothalamus prevents the signal from being received correctly.

If a person with a slow metabolism suddenly decides to go on a starvation diet, great suffering awaits him: his appetite becomes simply brutal. Begins to crave everything fatty, sweet or salty. Activity drops very significantly and puts him in amoeba mode with constant thoughts about food, bad mood, lack of strength and libido. The function of the thyroid gland worsens even more.

Added to this is the low sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin, which makes fat storage easier.

From an evolutionary point of view, those who survived were those who could store more fat to survive famine, long winters and pass on their genes to their offspring. Now this is no longer an evolutionary advantage, but many of us carry these genes and struggle with excess weight throughout our lives.

Alarming trends

Until recently, metabolic syndrome primarily affected older people (over 60 years of age).
The picture has changed significantly over the past 20 years. The dynamics have shown that this problem is getting younger and becoming relevant for the younger population. In some countries, the proportion of adults suffering from these symptoms reaches 25%. Metabolic syndrome has another name - “new world syndrome”. The fact is that mainly people who lead a sedentary lifestyle (and this applies to the majority of residents of large cities) and consume large amounts of fast carbohydrates and trans fats suffer from obesity and related pathologies. As a result, there is a worldwide surge in cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome affects both developed countries (where high-tech production has eliminated the need for the population to move a lot) and developing countries (a large percentage of the population of which has to save on food and consume more fast carbohydrates - pasta, bread, potatoes, corn).

There is another trend in recent years. Women of reproductive age began to suffer from metabolic syndrome. What this is connected with is not entirely clear. Presumably, oral contraceptives may have a negative effect.

Just imagine: over the past 20 years, the number of people with metabolic syndrome in the world has increased by more than 100 million - that is, by a third.

The problem of childhood obesity, and with it childhood MS, is especially acute. Scientists link the increase in childhood obesity to frequent refusal of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding eliminates early introduction of complementary foods, which can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Protein and total energy intakes are higher in formula-fed infants, leading to increased infant weight. Formula feeding also slightly increases insulin levels, which in turn promotes fat deposition and the early development of fat cells (adipocytes).

Thus, rapid weight gain in infancy is associated with childhood obesity. Breastfeeding can help program a person to maintain a healthy weight as an adult.

What is metabolism?

Evolutionarily, the human body strives to maintain the ideal weight and fat percentage from a survival point of view, which are set by genetics. This protects a person from any extremes: both from exhaustion and from obesity. Both reduce the chances of passing on your genes to offspring in the wild.

The “ideal” weight for survival is controlled by a part of the brain—the hypothalamus. It is he who slows down or speeds up the metabolism if he sees any deviations from the norm for a particular person. With the help of a variety of substances - hormones, the level of glucose and amino acids in the blood and much more - it collects information about what is happening in the body: whether there is enough fat stored, whether food is regularly supplied, how high-calorie it is.

Comparing the data with the “ideal” genetic setting, the hypothalamus turns the metabolism up or down, depending on the situation. Let's look at examples of what an ideal metabolism looks like.

If a person has eaten an unusually large amount for one or more days, his appetite itself decreases in the following days. A person will eat less without noticing it. At the same time, he will be more mobile and active. And even if he does gain excess weight during vacation or holidays, he will quickly get rid of it as soon as he returns to normal life, without doing anything special to lose weight. The hypothalamus will regulate appetite and activity levels to bring the system back into balance.

And the opposite situation. The same person suddenly began to eat unusually little for himself: he went on a diet and stopped eating due to stress and busyness. In response, the hypothalamus increases appetite in the following days to make up for the average caloric intake. At the same time, it reduces activity - the person becomes more lethargic, sleepy, moves less and, at the first opportunity, wants to sit or lie down.

It turns out that a person with a healthy metabolism can have approximately the same weight for many years without doing anything special.

How does the hypothalamus do this?

The brain controls appetite through a variety of mechanisms.

• Leptin, glucagon, obestatin, neuropeptides S and FF, cholecystokinin, neurotensin, enterostatin, thyroid hormones and other hormones reduce appetite.
• Amino acids and glucose in the blood are a sign that a person has eaten.
• Full stomach: it has sensors for mechanical distension. They tell the hypothalamus about food inside.
• Contraction of the gallbladder and its production of bile after eating.
• Intestinal filling.

The following chemicals increase hunger and push a person to search for food and craving for certain foods, especially high-calorie ones: ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, orexin, galanin, noniceptin, motilin, B-endorphins, etc. As well as low levels of glucose and amino acids, empty stomach.

A person begins to receive greater pleasure from food - from its taste, smell. Food becomes a source of pleasure. Dopamine and endorphins are responsible for this, which are released every time a person eats.

This is an excellent defense mechanism against starvation and exhaustion: if we were indifferent to food and not motivated to seek it, we could not receive almost narcotic pleasure from it, things would be bad with survival. Although, today this plays against us: we no longer need to look for food. The most delicious, fatty and sweet food is in abundance at arm's length. Because of this, dopamine and endorphin receptors are bombarded more often, stronger and more than nature intended. This disrupts all the internal settings of the body in terms of eating behavior.

What are the reasons?

The main reason why metabolic syndrome develops is external factors: poor nutrition, low mobility.
These bad habits ultimately disrupt the normal functioning of adipose tissue and lead to insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome has a hereditary predisposition, which, however, is also largely explained by external factors. People who grow up in the same family are more likely to have similar eating habits and attitudes toward exercise. If there is a huge amount of fast carbohydrates and fats on the parent’s table and few vegetables, herbs and fruits, the child develops an unhealthy relationship with food from childhood. It's the same with sports: a child is more likely to be active if he has active parents.

Causes of metabolic disorders

There are a large number of possible reasons, including:

• improper, unbalanced diet;
• physical inactivity;
• hereditary predisposition;
• physical, emotional stress;
• eating disorders;
• dehydration;
• intoxication associated with work in hazardous industries and other reasons;
• taking certain medications;
• chemical dependencies;
• diseases of the endocrine system.

In some cases, there is a combination of several unfavorable factors.

Risk factors

• Elderly age. The older a person is, the higher the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, according to statistics.
• Ethnicity. Hispanics are at greatest risk for developing metabolic syndrome. But this does not mean that Russians do not suffer from this disease.
• Obesity. As already mentioned at the beginning, excess weight increases the chances of developing MS.
• Diabetes. The likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome increases if the patient had diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). A family history of type 2 diabetes is also a reason for close attention to your health.
• Other diseases. The risk of metabolic syndrome is higher if the patient has had fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, or sleep apnea.

Features of treatment

Treatment is always complex, since metabolic disorders affect the condition of the entire body and often occur against the background of chronic diseases. If the cause of the disease is congenital genetic changes, then therapy is required on an ongoing basis. In this case, it is important to regularly see a doctor so as not to worsen your condition. This way, the specialist will be able to evaluate the results of treatment and adjust it if necessary.

Acquired diseases are easier to completely cure if you consult a specialist at the initial stage.

Any therapy consists of a diagnostic search for the causes of the disease and their subsequent elimination. In addition, it is important to ensure the normal intake of vitamins, micro- or macroelements into the body through diet therapy and, if necessary, drug therapy. Any case of metabolic disorder requires correction of diet, water regime, and lifestyle.

A therapeutic diet is developed by a doctor based on a specific case and professional dietary recommendations. In most cases, you need to adhere to a balanced diet: follow a diet, give up alcohol, spicy foods, marinades, spices, fried and fatty foods. At the same time, you need to eat often, in small portions.

It is important to pay attention to your overall lifestyle. Many disorders in the body are triggered during periods of stress. Therefore, it is necessary, if possible, to eliminate it or learn stress tolerance skills. A psychologist or psychotherapist can help with this. Attention should be paid to physical activity, sleep and wakefulness.

If the metabolic disorder is minor and has recently appeared, general recommendations for recovery may be sufficient. However, most often, this applies to those cases when the disease is caused by external causes.

If the pathological process arose a long time ago and was provoked by genetic (congenital) factors, then comprehensive medical care is necessary. Thus, in case of diagnosed diabetes mellitus, drug therapy together with diet therapy and some physiotherapeutic techniques may be required, in case of ovarian diseases - hormonal therapy, in case of thyroid pathology - taking thyroid hormones or, conversely, thyrostatics, etc. In rare cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, for example, with detection of large thyroid nodules, complicated ovarian cysts or hyperprolactinemia associated with pituitary macroadenoma.

Complications

There are two main dangers with this disease:

1. Diabetes mellitus type 2. If you don't make lifestyle changes and get your excess weight under control, you may develop insulin resistance, which can cause high blood sugar levels. It ultimately leads to type 2 diabetes.
2. Diseases of the heart and blood vessels. High cholesterol and high blood pressure contribute to the formation of plaque in the arteries. These plaques narrow the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Popular questions

What happens if metabolic disorders are not treated?

Lack of treatment can lead to serious illness. For example, when there is a lack of iron in the body, iron deficiency anemia develops. This disease can cause a decrease in the body's defenses, poor healing of wounds and injuries, disrupt the contractile function of the heart, lead to respiratory failure and impaired circulation in organs, and slow down the synthesis of thyroid hormones.

Lack of iodine leads to irreversible changes in the function and structure of the thyroid gland, decreased intellectual abilities, slower metabolism and other more severe consequences. Dehydration is completely life-threatening; this condition should be treated as soon as possible. That is why it is important to seek professional medical help for any type of disorder.

Can endocrine diseases disrupt metabolism and cause weight gain?

Among the internal causes of metabolic disorders, endocrine diseases occupy the first place. A lack or excess of certain hormones can be associated with congenital anomalies, neoplasms, inflammatory processes, stress, deficiency of micro- and macroelements, drinking disorders, severe infectious diseases, etc. Yes, excess body weight can be associated with metabolic disorders and endocrine diseases, but more often appears due to external factors - family nutrition stereotypes, chronic overeating, high calorie food and physical inactivity.

Can metabolic disorders be prevented?

Only acquired metabolic disorders can be prevented. To do this, you should follow some medical recommendations:

• eat rationally, do not starve or overeat. Refuse mono-diets, limit intake of flour, fatty foods, fried foods;
• take vitamins, micro- and macroelements in consultation with a doctor in case of insufficiency and, if you are forced to limit the consumption of certain products;
• get enough rest, sleep at least 6–8 hours a day;
• quit smoking and alcohol;
• pay attention to physical activity;
• learn to resist stress or, if possible, eliminate emotional turmoil.

It is important to deal with eating disorders in a timely manner and at the first symptoms of pathology, consult a psychotherapist or nutritionist. Specialists at the VegaMed clinic successfully treat metabolic disorders. We provide comprehensive assistance: we carry out fast, accurate, informative diagnostics, and offer consultations with specialized specialists necessary for the full treatment of the disease. We have everything necessary to take effective measures - modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. The clinic's doctors are qualified specialists with many years of experience.

Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome

Diagnosis of MS consists of a visual examination by a doctor and laboratory and instrumental studies.
First of all, the doctor evaluates abdominal obesity. But excess weight alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. Other symptoms and test results are also assessed. It is also important to discover the cause of obesity. Excess weight can be a consequence of endocrine disorders, hormonal imbalances or other pathologies. Another important criterion when making a diagnosis is blood pressure. In metabolic syndrome it is usually increased.

An ECG is required to check the functioning of the heart and detect pathologies in time if the disease is already advanced.

Angiography. A complex study that allows you to assess the condition of blood vessels. Carried out only as prescribed by a doctor.

Laboratory tests that are prescribed if metabolic syndrome is suspected:

1. Glucose. The first and most informative analysis. In MS, plasma sugar levels are significantly elevated. More detailed information about glucose metabolism can be obtained by taking a blood test for glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c), which reflects the average blood glucose level over the past 3 months.
2. Lipid profile. For diagnosis, it is important to know the level of low- and high-density lipids (LDL and HDL), total cholesterol, and triglycerides. With MS, these indicators do not correspond to the norm; the content of “harmful” fats in the blood increases, which increases the risk of plaques in the blood vessels.
3. Insulin. Its level also usually increases in MS.
4. Homocysteine. Elevated levels of this amino acid increase the risk of blood clots and problems with the heart and blood vessels.
5. C-reactive protein. A marker of inflammatory processes in the body. In metabolic syndrome, its level often exceeds the normal limit.

A glucose tolerance test may also be prescribed.
This study checks glucose levels over time: on an empty stomach and two hours after a carbohydrate load. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is a complex and complex task, which is complicated by the variety of forms of the disease, its causes and methods of correction. This condition is also dangerous because a person does not feel sick for many years. Well-being begins to suffer when significant deviations in the body’s functioning appear and complications develop. No person can experience elevated blood glucose levels or impaired cholesterol metabolism. Only very serious problems caused by these disorders make themselves known - for example, purulent inflammation of the toes or a heart attack.

The International Classification of Diseases does not distinguish metabolic syndrome as a separate disease; it is a whole complex of diseases.

No diagnosis can be made independently, but any deviation in research results is a reason not to delay going to the doctor.

Signs of metabolic disorders

Symptoms of metabolic disorders vary. As a rule, the following signs indicate a possible illness:

• deterioration of the condition of the skin, hair, nails;
• weight fluctuations;
• increased sweating;
• change in complexion;
• swelling;
• sleep disturbance;
• unsatisfactory condition of teeth;
• pain in the back, neck, muscles, joints;
• dyspeptic symptoms, stool upset, bloating, etc.;
• chills or hot flashes;
• skin rash;
• breathing difficulties, etc.

Treatment of metabolic disorders requires mandatory additional examination and accurate diagnosis. This collective term refers to many diseases, each of them has its own causes and treatment tactics. If you find yourself experiencing similar symptoms, consult a general practitioner. You should not engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication.

Treatment

Comprehensive treatment of metabolic syndrome includes the following equivalent aspects:

• lifestyle changes;
• obesity treatment;
• treatment of carbohydrate metabolism disorders;
• treatment of arterial hypertension;
• treatment of dyslipidemia.

This is a complex and lengthy process that must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist.
In relatively mild forms of metabolic syndrome, progress is noticeable once the patient returns to normal weight. Maintaining a healthy physical shape and maintaining normal weight are the two main rules against metabolic syndrome. In more advanced forms, the use of drugs that reduce insulin resistance and treat arterial hypertension may be required.

Diagnostic methods

During the initial appointment, the therapist will conduct a general examination, collect anamnesis and listen to complaints. Based on this information, the doctor will refer you for a comprehensive in-depth examination. Diagnostic methods that may be used include:

• laboratory blood tests - general, biochemical, and, if necessary, more specialized tests;
• Ultrasound of internal organs;
• MRI, CT;
• urine test.

Based on the results of the examination, if necessary, the patient is referred to specialists - an endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, gynecologist, etc.

Drug therapy

Metabolic disorders (symptoms in women require the help of a therapist, and, if necessary, other specialists) in some situations are provoked by congenital pathologies or various diseases.

After diagnosis, the doctor will establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe medication:

To restore impaired metabolism, taking into account the provoking factor and the characteristics of pathological processes, antidepressants and drugs that accelerate or slow down metabolism are also prescribed. In some situations, homeopathic remedies are used.

Medicines are prescribed by the doctor after a complete diagnosis based on the results obtained. Many drugs cause side effects, which should be taken into account and self-therapy should be avoided.

Restoring metabolic disorders in a woman’s body is a long process. You will need the help of a general practitioner who, based on complaints and existing symptoms, will select the most effective solution. Therapy is carried out comprehensively, starting from a correct lifestyle and ending with medications if the disorders are complicated.

Article design: Oleg Lozinsky

Treatment with folk remedies

It is recommended to discuss the use of recipes from witch doctors and healers with your doctor to prevent possible side effects. Many components can provoke an allergic reaction or worsen health conditions. There are also certain contraindications that you should pay attention to before starting treatment with folk remedies.

Effective alternative medicine recipes:

To restore the metabolic process, it is also recommended to consume dandelion leaves in a salad or juice obtained from them. The leaves of this plant can also be brewed and drunk instead of tea.