Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero

Department: Health and Social Security

Career: Degree in Nursing
Subject: Community Health III
Professor: Lic. Valeria Cros

Diffusion Project
of the
Metabolic Syndrome

Student: Hordás, María Laura

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 INDEX

Introduction Pg. 3

Getting to know the Metabolic Syndrome. Pg. 4

What is the cause of the Metabolic Syndrome? Pg. 7

What are the signs and symptoms of the Metabolic Syndrome? Pg. 9

How does your doctor know if you have Metabolic Syndrome? Pg. 10

How can you prevent the Metabolic Syndrome? Pg. 11

What other diseases can Metabolic Syndrome precipitate? Pg. 12

How is the treatment for the Metabolic Syndrome? Pg. 13

Conclusion Pg. 15

Bibliography Pg. 16

Annex Pg. 17

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 INTRODUCTION

It is surprising how the "bad habits" are being incorporated into our society, becoming a part of our
everyday life. That is why today we face situations of poor nutrition (such as fast food with high content
of saturated fatty acids, sodium and/or sugar), high degrees of stress and replacement of physical activities
for idle activities, getting even worst lately because of the massive use of computers, TVs and office jobs.
As these are the main risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome, it is becoming more and more important and
appears as an urgent topic to learn about, prevent and treat.

The insidious increase in the elements that compose the metabolic syndrome (Obesity, Insulin Resistance,
Hypertension, Dyslipidemia), is responsible for the current global epidemic of type 2 diabetes. For
becoming a public health issue, it is duty of all those involved, to bring to society all the necessary tools to
prevent and promote their own participation and self-care.

In this project, we seek to summarize the information, so that it can be spread in an understandable, but
also complete, way. Emphasizing on pathologies that could appear in the absence of periodic medical
controls, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. There are also attached some different models of
brochures that may be of utility, and another one designed by myself, which seeks to instill all
manifestations and its measures of prevention through the visual impact.

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 GETTING TO KNOW THE METABOLIC SYNDROME
The Metabolic Syndrome (also known as Dysmetabolic Syndrome, Syndrome X or Insulin
Resistance Syndrome) is the term used to describe the pathology of a person who has three or
more of the following specific conditions:

 Insulin Resistance:

Insulin is required to use (or burn) the glucose and thus provide the necessary energy
for the body. Glucose is the name given to the sugar, and the amount thereof that is
circulating in the blood is called Blood Glucose Level. Insulin resistance occurs wh en
your body does not respond to the insulin that produces, allowing the blood glucose
level to rise and making the body not to receive enough energy to carry on the daily
activities.

 High Blood Pressure (also called Hypertension):

Your blood tension is the pressure exercised by the blood against the walls of your
arteries during its circulation. We measure it with a blood pressure monitor, which will
give us two measurements: The systolic pressure, which corresponds to the contraction
of the heart muscle, and the diastolic blood pressures, indicating the pressure by the
time that the heart is at rest. Normal values for the first one is up to 140 mmHg and the
diastolic one is up to 90 mmHg If the readings are 140/90 mmHg or higher, it means that
you have high blood pressure.

 Obesity

Obesity is the term used to describe excessive overweight. Being overweight is bad,
especially when a lot of the weight builds up around your waist or stomach area. Your
doctor can use the term "abdomen" when speaking of your stomach. Men with a waist
of 102 cm. or more are generally considered to be obese. Women with a waist 88 cm. or
more are generally considered obese.

Another way of assessing the weight is BMI or body mass index. Your BMI value is
obtained from a table, using his height and weight. If your BMI is 27 or more high, you
are overweight. If your BMI is 30 or more high, you have obesity

 Abnormal cholesterol levels:

Cholesterol and triglycerides are forms of fat found in your blood. We all have
cholesterol and triglycerides circulating in our blood, but it is important for our health
that we have the right amount for each. Fat in the blood is sometimes also called lipids.
Your doctor may refer to the total cholesterol and its various components (H DL, LDL, and
triglycerides) as your lipid’s levels. He can tell that you suffer from abnormalities in
yours lipid’s levels. This is just another way of saying that fat circulating in your blood
are in an unhealthy level.

You can have a blood test done to f ind out your cholesterol levels. The analysis measures
the amount of lipids that are present in a specific amount of blood.

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 When you get the results, you will know your total cholesterol level, and the levels of
the parts that compose it. Ideally, your total cholesterol level should be under 200 mg/dl.
Over 200 mg/dl is not good.

Doctors often speak of good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol refers to
HDL or high-density lipoprotein. Bad cholesterol refers to the LDL or low -density
lipoprotein. The LDL is 'bad' because it has a tendency to adhere to the walls of your
blood vessels and can build up and block your arteries. HDL is the cholesterol 'good'
because it keeps the LDL moving and flowing as it should.

Triglycerides are a type of fat that your body produces naturally. It can also be absorbed
from the fat of foods that you eat. High triglyceride levels can generally lead to a high
level of cholesterol, which is not good for you.

 Increased blood clotting:

The ability of the blood to clo t is very important. Without it, we could not stop the
bleeding if we cut ourselves. However, it is not good to blood clots form within the blood
system. Blood clots can block the arteries or vessels and cause heart attack or cerebral
embolism. Obesity can cause your blood to clot more easily than it should.

If you have three or more of the above conditions, you may have Metabolic Syndrome. This puts
you at risk of developing serious or life -threatening diseases. Individuals with metabolic
syndrome are up to 30 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, compared with those who
do not have it. Although diabetes is treatable, it is a serious, chronic disease and may cause
other heart and blood vessels pathologies, blindness, kidney failure, nerve damag e, problems
for the teeth and gums, and amputations of toes, feet or legs.

The risk of developing diseases of the heart, heart attacks or strokes also increases in
individuals with metabolic syndrome. If you have metabolic syndrome, you are two to four times
more likely to develop heart disease than those who do not have the syndrome. People with
the syndrome also get the risk of developing liver and kidney disorders.

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  What is the cause of the metabolic syndrome?

It is believed that insulin resistance is the major cause of the metabolic syndrome, and may be
the most important condition, which, combined with other conditions, leads to the pathology.
The main causes of insulin resistance and other conditions that form part of the metabolic
syndrome are genetic, and are related to lifestyle, food selection and weight. All these interact
among themselves.

 Genetics:

Genetics simply refers to what is inherited from our parents at birth, as the color of their
hair or eyes, or how tall you will be. However, genetics may play a huge role in your
health. It contributes to metabolic syndrome through the inherited tendency to develop
resistance to insulin, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or abnormal cholesterol
levels.
These conditions occur more frequently in some families, which means that if your
parents, or other close family members, have some of these conditions, you may have a
higher risk of developing them and must be aware to its symptoms, and try to actively
avoid that they manifest.

 Lifestyle:

Lifestyle contributes to the development of the metabolic syndrome because people who
do not exercise are at an increased risk of being overweight or obese. People who do
not exercise often also have high cholesterol. Exercise can help prevent resistance to
insulin and normalize your blood pressure.

 Food Selection:

Food high in carbohydrates or sugar can contribute to the development of insulin

resistance. Your selection of food can also affect your cholesterol levels and is also an
important factor in your blood pressure.

 Weight:

Being overweight (especially at the level of obesity) seems to be an important factor in

the development of the metabolic syndrome. It is considered that obesity causes insulin
resistance and that plays an important role in high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol
levels, and increment in blood clotting.
Here are some facts that reflect the importance of weight control to prevent disease:

o Only about 5% of people with normal weight will ever develop metabolic
syndrome.
o About 22% of overweight people are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
o Around 60% of persons who are obese, will suffer from metabolic syndrome.

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 This means that more than one out of two obese people will develop metabolic
syndrome, and many of them will develop diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, or other life -
threatening diseases.

If you consider the causes of metabolic syndrome, you will notice that they seem to be
connected. Food and inactivity can lead to weight gain. People who are overweight often are
harder to exercise and staying active, leading to more weight gain. Inactivity, weight gain, and
a poor diet can become a vicious circle in which things deteriorate and finally the metabolic
syndrome develops.

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  What are the signs and symptoms of the metabolic syndrome?
Many of the signs and symptoms of the metabolic syndrome are not the kind of thing that you
would notice. For example, you may not know if your cholesterol is high, but by getting an
analysis done. You do not get your blood pressure without a measurement, nor notice if your
insulin is doing its job, and changing the sugar to energy, properly. You cannot tell if your blood
is clotting the way it should, nor if your kidneys or other organs are working correctly.

Your weight is the only sign that you can notice if you have Metabolic Syndrome. If you are
overweight, obese, or increased by five pounds or more per year, for several years, you know
it. This may be a sign that you have Metabolic Syndrome. Unfortunately, you may not find out
about the other signs until it is too late and it has developed a serious illness such as diabetes,
heart disease or stroke, and that is why periodic clinical inspections are the key to detect it in
time.

Your doctor can determine if you have the signs, symptoms or condition s that lead to Metabolic
Syndrome, by measuring your blood pressure, determining your cholesterol levels, and
conducting other analyses. If you have a sign or symptom of Metabolic Syndrome means that
you are more likely to have other components of it. Whil e more symptoms you have, higher is
the risk of developing the syndrome and the other serious diseases that accompany it.

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  How can your doctor tell if you have the Metabolic Syndrome?
Your doctor may need further analysis to determine if you have Metabolic Syndrome. Some of
the tests that your doctor can perform include:

 Measure your blood pressure.

 Get your weight and your waist measurement.
 Calculate your BMI (body mass index). This is determined by considering your height and weight.
 Manage a lipid profile. This blood test measures your cholesterol and fat level.
 A glucose test in fasting. This measures the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood and indicates
how well your body converts glucose into energy.

Your doctor may order other analyses to learn more about your general Health State and to
determine if you suffer from some of the conditions that tend to develop if you have Metabolic
Syndrome. These analyses include:

o Analysis of insulin in fasting.

It measures the amount of insulin in your blood. In individuals with the Metabolic
Syndrome, insulin level is usually higher than normal, and your doctor will let you know.

o Analysis of Micro albumin or an analysis of the proportion of Micro

albumin/creatinine.
This analysis provides information on how your kidneys are working. Since individuals
with Metabolic Syndrome have a higher risk for kidney disease, this analysis helps to
determine if you need treatment for kidney problems.
o Analysis of High Sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP).
This analysis determines the amount of a specific protein that is in your blood. That
protein is not bad by itself, but in high levels, it indicates an increase of inflammation in
your body. Though most people think in inflammation as a swelling that occur s when a
bruise in a muscle or an ankle, you can have inflammation throughout your whole body
without feeling anything. Your blood vessels can get inflamed as well as any of your
organs, for example, your heart.
High levels of inflammation can predict a hi gher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke or
heart attack, and these are just some of the serious effects of the Metabolic Syndrome
in health. It is believed that high levels of cholesterol cause inflammation inside your
blood vessels.

o Other analyses are being tested in the research of Metabolic Syndrome.

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  How can I prevent the development of metabolic syndrome?
Investigations have shown that proper feeding, exercise, and lifestyle are important factors in
the development or prevention of Metabolic Syndrome. Inactive and overweight people have a
higher risk of manifesting it. Other factors of lifestyle, such as smoking, can also contribute,
but anyone who begins to exercise, keep a healthy diet, stop smoking, and drink alcohol in
moderation, has an excellent opportunity to avoid it , and even reverse it.

About the exercise, researches show that you can make great improvements in your
cardiovascular health by walking for 30 to 40 minutes a day at least five days a week. The more
intense the exercise is, such as jogging, cycling or swimming, for 20 to 30 minutes a day, three
to five times a week, the better physical condition you will get. Start slowly, if you need it, but
just do it.

A recent newspaper article reported that "television addicts" have a high risk of metabolic
syndrome. You do not have to become an Olympic athlete to prevent Metabolic Syndrome, but
you have to be physically active and eliminate the habit of "inactivity".
Food is another aspect you can change to help prevent Metabolic Syndrome. What you
consume, and when you consume it, can make a huge difference. Here some tips:

o Reduce the amount of fats and saturated oils in your food. Olive and canola oils are healthy
alternatives.
o Increase the amount of fibers, vegetables and fruits in your diet .
o Weight loss (if having it in excess) should be a high priority. To reduce at least 5% to 10%
of your body weight proved to have a very positive effect on all the serious Metabolic
Syndrome components.
o Eat smaller portions, but do not skip meals. Many studies indicate that six small meals,
distributed during the day, are better than two or three larger meals.
o Do not skip breakfast, but try to avoid fruit juices as the first thing in the morning. They are
high in sugar and can cause large variations in the level of insulin. Oats, whole wheat bread
and poached eggs are better than meat, crackers or fried eggs.
o Talk with your doctor about your diet.

If you smoke, quit! Smoking makes many cardiovascular symptoms worse. Researches have also
shown that smoking has negative effects on cholesterol.

You should avoid excesses of alcohol. Drinking no more than a cup per day, can have some
benefits as lowering cholesterol and improving cardiovascular health. Red wines seem to be
most beneficial among all alcoholic beverages.

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  What other diseases can the Metabolic Syndrome precipitate?
If you have been diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome, you have a higher risk of cardiovascular
disease and premature death. Cardiovascular disease includes stroke, heart and cerebral
embolism. In addition:

 You are 6 times more likely to develop life-threatening heart diseases, including
atherosclerosis.
 You have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which can be a life -threatening
condition.
 Your risk of suffering a stroke is higher.
 You can be twice more likely to develop chronic kidney disease, which leads to kidney
failure.
 Because of hormonal failure, you may develop polycystic ovary syndrome, with future
problems related to fertility.
 Acanthosis nigricans, manifested by velvety dark spots on your skin folds, may also relate
to the Metabolic Syndrome.

If you have the Metabolic Syndrome, you are facing serious health problems, unless you:

 Take control of your life.

 Follow your doctor’s instructions.
 Begin to delete every one of the conditions that led to the diagnosis of the Metabolic
Syndrome.

Changes that may save your life:

 Improve your diet.

 Start exercising.
 Quit smoking.
 Reduce or eliminate alcohol, and increase your water drinking.

If you make these changes, the Metabolic Syndrome can stop being a problem.

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  How is the treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome?
Considering that the metabolic syndrome is a combination of disorders, your doctor may choose
to treat each disorder separately.

 Cholesterol treatment (also called Hyperlipidemia)

If you suffer from abnormal cholesterol levels, your doctor may prescribe medications to help
correct the problem. The name of the drugs can be confusing and complicated. Your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist can help you explaining which drugs will take, why and how they may be
useful.

Drugs prescribed for cholesterol problems are more frequently called statins, which are sold
under different brand names. As most of the medications, they can have serious side
effects. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about them.

Your doctor will probably tell you that the eating and exercise may be beneficial in your
cholesterol levels. The eating and exercise that leads to weight loss almost always improve their
cholesterol levels, and a healthy diet does not have negative side effects.

 Treatment of high blood pressure. (Your doctor can call hypertension).

Your doctor can prescribe you medication if your blood pressure is high. Many drugs are useful
to decrease blood pressure. These medications can have side effects that you should talk to
your doctor or pharmacist.

Lifestyle can have a great effect on your blood pressure. Put attention to:

o The quality of food consumed

o The amount of salt used.
o How much exercise done
o If you smoke
o Your weight

If you eat and drink healthily, and you quit smoking, you will discover that your blood pressure
improves.

 Treatment of inflammation and coagulation disorders.

Your doctor may ask you to start taking aspirin on a daily bases. This helps to prevent or to
reduce inflammation. It also helps to avoid thicker blood and coagulation.

 Treatment of insulin resistance or glucose intolerance

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to help treat insulin resistance or
glucose intolerance.
While drugs may be useful, the majori ty of health care providers agreed that healthy eating
and exercise are essential factors to manage insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.

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 Recommended:

o Develop a diet that is low in calories, low in cholesterol (Fat) and that has many
fresh fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
o Make every effort to keep your weight within 20% of what is considered ideal for
you
o The habit of exercise 20-30 minutes per day does not have to be unpleasant and
it can be as simple as start your day with a 20 minutes’ walk.
 Treatment of obesity
It is likely that you have seen ads on TV about "magic" drugs for weight loss. It is questionable
whether some of them are as good as they want to, and some may not have benefits at all. In
fact, the Food and Drug Administration has approved only three medications for the treatment
of obesity. All these are available only with yours doctor prescription.

In extreme cases of obesity, you can get surgery to reduce the amount of food that you can
consume or absorb.

Neither drugs nor surgery can work but are also healthy changes in lifestyle. Food and exercise
are the key components to control obesity and achieve we ight loss.

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 CONCLUSION

“The importance of life-style”

You can realize, after reading about the different treatments, that food, exercise, and lifestyle
are frequently mentioned. Modifications in those factors can improve, or even eliminate, every
one of those problems that, in joint, cause the syndrome metabolic.

You can improve your health through food, exercise, and lifestyle without worrying about side
effects or cost of the drugs.

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 Bibliography.
· NIH. U.s national library July 27, 2017. Medline Plus. November 18, 2017.
[https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/metabolicsyndrome.html]

· The Texas Heart Institute cardiovascular information center. August 2016. Texas
Heart. November 18, 2017.
[http://www.texasheart.org/HIC/Topics_Esp/Cond/metabolic_sp.cfm]

· American Academy of Family Physicians. October 2017. Family Doctor. November 18,
2017. [https://es.familydoctor.org/condicion/sindrome -metabolico/adfree=true]

· ADAM, Inc. May 17, 2016. Medline Plus. November 18, 2017.
[https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/007290.htm]

· Rosende, a., Pellegrini, C., churches, R. Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in children and
adolescents. Service of Cardiology, Sanatorium of the Trinidad Mitre, Buenos Aires. 2013
Scielo. November 17, 2017.
[http://www.scielo.org.ar/pdf/medba/v73n5/v73n5a19.pdf]

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ANNEX

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 nuestra autoría.

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 Boletín de Vigilancia. Enfermedades no transmisibles y factores de riesgo. Obesidad. (Febrero 2016)
http://www.msal.gob.ar/ent/images/stories/vigilancia/pdf/2016-2_boletin-de-vigilancia-8.pdf

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