🛀🏼 🤔 🕯️ Metabolic syndrome in women: causes and treatment 🎋 ⌛️ 👨🏼‍✈️

One of the most common and dangerous pathologies in modern man is now considered a metabolic syndrome. Doctors do not attribute this condition to individual diseases; rather, it is a combination of several serious metabolic diseases and the cardiovascular system. Pathology is common in middle age, mainly in men, but after 50 years, metabolic syndrome is more common in women. This is due to a decrease in estrogen production at this time. Recently, pathology is becoming more common, almost a quarter of the population of civilized countries suffer from metabolic syndrome. He also began to amaze children. This is due to a sedentary lifestyle and a carbohydrate diet in most people.

Metabolic syndrome in women: what is it

This pathology is not a separate disease. The metabolic syndrome includes a combination of these four serious diseases:

type 2 diabetes;
hypertension
coronary heart disease;
obesity.

All these diseases are serious in themselves, but when combined, they become even more dangerous. Therefore, doctors call the metabolic syndrome a "deadly quartet." Without adequate treatment, the pathology often leads to serious complications and even death. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the metabolic syndrome in women on time. What it is becoming known most often to women during menopause. And many women associate their ailment with menopause. Therefore, a doctor is consulted already in the late stages of the development of pathology, when changes in the cardiovascular system are noticeable. But with the help of competent treatment, you can still stop the progression of health disorders. Although it is believed that pathology cannot be completely cured.

Metabolic syndrome in women: description

This complex of changes in the state of health is associated with metabolic disorders. The main one is the development of cell insensitivity to insulin. As a result, this hormone ceases to fulfill its functions, and glucose is not absorbed by tissues. This leads to pathological changes in all organs, especially the brain suffers.

The main function of insulin is to trigger the mechanism of glucose transport inside the cell. But if the receptors involved in this remain insensitive to this hormone, the process is disrupted. As a result, glucose is not absorbed, insulin is still produced, and they accumulate in the blood.

In addition, the metabolic syndrome in women is characterized by an increase in the level of "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides due to impaired fat metabolism. There is also an excess of uric acid and hormonal imbalance. As a result of these changes, blood pressure rises, obesity appears, and the work of the heart is disrupted.

All these changes develop in the body gradually. Therefore, it is not immediately possible to diagnose metabolic syndrome in women. Signs of it are found when changes affect the work of many organs. But first, due to malnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle, the sensitivity of cells to insulin is disturbed. As a result, the pancreas begins to produce even more of this hormone to provide glucose to the cells. A large amount of insulin in the blood leads to metabolic disorders, especially the process of fat absorption. Obesity develops, blood pressure rises. And an excess of glucose in the blood leads to diabetes mellitus, as well as to the destruction of the protein coat of cells, which causes premature aging.

Causes of metabolic syndrome in women

Pathological changes in the body with this pathology are associated with insensitivity of cells to insulin. It is this process that causes all the symptoms that characterize the metabolic syndrome in women. The reasons for insulin resistance may be different.

Most often, the pathology occurs due to excessive consumption of carbohydrate and fatty foods. As a result, a lot of glucose and fatty acids enter the bloodstream. They do not have time to digest and are deposited in the tissues. Therefore, obesity develops. And fatty acids cause changes in cells that disrupt insulin sensitivity.
Oddly enough, but low-calorie diets also lead to metabolic disorders. The body makes reserves of adipose tissue, resulting in poor absorption of glucose.
Lack of physical activity causes a slowdown in all metabolic processes. Especially because of this, the absorption of fats, which are deposited in the subcutaneous tissue and on the internal organs, is impaired.
Sometimes a metabolic syndrome in women can be caused by a genetic predisposition. In this case, with a sedentary lifestyle or malnutrition, obesity quickly develops.
Some drugs can cause insulin insensitivity of cells. These are corticosteroids, thyroid-stimulating hormones, oral contraceptives and some hypoglycemic agents.
Frequent stresses and prolonged mental stress disrupt the hormone production process. Often this affects the production of insulin and the sensitivity of cells to it.
Hormonal disorders lead to the fact that metabolic syndrome in menopausal women often develops. This is due to a decrease in estrogen production.
Circulatory disorders, increased blood pressure or oxygen starvation of the brain also reduce the sensitivity of cells to insulin.

How does metabolic syndrome manifest

Pathology develops imperceptibly, in recent years it has been increasingly appearing already in adolescence. But many of its manifestations are not noticed at the initial stages. Therefore, patients often turn to the doctor when serious violations in the functioning of internal organs and systems are already observed. How can one determine in time that a metabolic syndrome develops in women? Symptoms of the pathology may be as follows:

increased fatigue, loss of strength, reduced working capacity;
with a long break in eating, a bad mood appears, even aggression;
I constantly want sweets, the use of carbohydrates improves and improves mood;
there is a rapid heartbeat, and then - pain in the heart;
headaches often occur and blood pressure rises;
nausea, dry mouth, and increased thirst may occur;
digestion slows down, constipation appears;
symptoms of pathology of the autonomic nervous system — tachycardia, excessive sweating, impaired coordination of movements, and others develop.

There are also external signs of this pathology. An experienced doctor can already diagnose metabolic syndrome in women at a glance. The photo of such patients shows a common sign for all: obesity by the abdominal type. This means that fat accumulates mainly in the abdomen. Moreover, not only in the subcutaneous tissue, but also around the internal organs, which further disrupts their work. It is believed that abdominal obesity develops if the woman’s waist size exceeds 88 centimeters.

In addition, you may notice red spots on the neck and upper chest. Their appearance is associated with vasospasm with increased pressure or stress.

Complications and consequences of metabolic syndrome

This is a chronic pathology with a severe clinical course. Without proper treatment, metabolic syndrome in women leads to serious consequences. Most often, disruption of blood vessels causes myocardial infarction or stroke. Atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, or chronic coronary heart disease may also develop.

And improper treatment of type 2 diabetes leads to the development of its insulin-dependent form. A prolonged increase in blood glucose is the cause of blindness, premature aging, and malfunctioning of peripheral vessels. Gout or fatty liver can also develop. These patients are usually immunocompromised, so they often suffer from colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

If metabolic syndrome develops in women of reproductive age, this can cause infertility. Indeed, violations in this pathology affect not only carbohydrate and fat metabolism. All organs and tissues suffer, hormonal disruptions are often observed. Polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, decreased sex drive, menstrual irregularities may develop.

Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome

Typically, patients with such symptoms first go to a therapist. After examining and collecting a medical history, the patient is referred to an endocrinologist for further examination and the choice of treatment methods. A survey of the patient allows you to determine the features of lifestyle and nutrition, the presence of chronic diseases. In addition, the endocrinologist does an external examination of the patient: measures the volume of the waist, calculates the body mass index. But not only by these signs is metabolic syndrome in women determined. Diagnosis of pathology also consists in laboratory tests. Most often, blood and urine tests are performed for this. The presence of a metabolic syndrome is indicated by such indicators:

elevated triglycerides;
reduced concentration of high density lipoproteins ;
elevated levels of bad cholesterol;
fasting glucose level of at least 5.5 mmol / l;
high concentration of insulin and leptin;
Protein molecules and elevated uric acid levels are found in urine.

In addition, other examination methods are also used. Tests for glucose tolerance, a study of blood coagulability indicators, daily blood pressure monitoring can be performed .

The doctor may prescribe an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, MRI of the adrenal gland or pituitary gland, ECG of the heart. An important indicator is also the hormonal background of the patient.

Treatment principles

Each patient needs an individual approach. Treatment of metabolic syndrome in women is prescribed depending on blood counts, the degree of obesity and the presence of concomitant diseases. Its main tasks should be reducing body weight, increasing the sensitivity of cells to insulin, normalizing metabolic processes and blood pressure, correcting hormonal levels and improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Most often, the following methods are used for treatment:

a special diet for metabolic syndrome in women is a mandatory and most effective way to reduce weight and normalize metabolic processes;
the patient is also advised to change his lifestyle by increasing physical activity;
various drugs are used to correct disorders in the work of internal organs;
Psychological support and maintaining a positive attitude are very important for women with this pathology.

Additionally, the patient can apply other methods. With the help of traditional medicine recipes, metabolism is normalized, body weight is reduced, blood circulation is improved. It is effective in a sanatorium to treat metabolic syndrome in women. The principles of physiotherapy used there, improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, calm the nervous system, and normalize blood pressure. Most effective for these purposes is balneotherapy, massage, mineral water intake, electrotherapy.

Drugs for the treatment of metabolic syndrome

Drug treatment is prescribed depending on the severity of the symptoms of the pathology. Most often, drugs are used to normalize lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, to increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin, as well as to lower blood pressure and improve heart function. Sometimes drugs are used to normalize the hormonal background. Medicines are selected by the doctor individually after a full examination.

For the treatment of lipid metabolism disorders, drugs of the group of statins and fibrates are prescribed. It can be Rosuvastatin, Lovastatin, Fenofibrat.
To improve the absorption of glucose by cells and increase their sensitivity to insulin, special means and vitamins are needed. These are "Metformin", "Glucophage", "Siofor", "Alpha Lipon" and others.
If metabolic syndrome develops in menopausal women, hormone therapy is used. These may be drugs containing estradiol and drospirenone.
ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers or diuretics are used to normalize blood pressure and improve heart function. The most common drugs are Captopril, Felodipine, Bisoprolol, Losartan, Torasemide and others.

Often, treatment of the metabolic syndrome in women with drugs is aimed at weight loss. In this case, means are used that block the appetite and improve the psychological state of the woman when refusing food. This may be, for example, the drug "Fluoxetine." Another group of drugs for obesity allows you to quickly remove fats from the intestines, not allowing them to be absorbed into the blood. This is Orlistat or Xenical. It is undesirable for metabolic syndrome to use such popular anti-obesity drugs as Prozac, Reduxin, Sibutramin, as well as modern dietary supplements without consulting a doctor. They can cause serious side effects.

Metabolic Syndrome

In order to establish metabolic processes and increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin, it is very important to increase the physical activity of the patient. But when playing sports it is necessary to observe several rules, then the treatment of obesity will be effective:

you need to choose the kind of sport that would bring pleasure, since you need to engage in a good mood;
training should be daily for at least an hour;
loads need to be increased gradually, one cannot overwork;
You can not deal with increased pressure, serious violations of the heart or kidneys.

What training will help people with metabolic syndrome? For women under 50, anaerobic exercise and strength training are suitable. This is jogging, training on simulators, squats, swimming at a fast pace, aerobics. After 50 years, it is better to do Nordic walking, swimming, quiet dancing, cycling.

Proper nutrition for metabolic syndrome

Weight loss is the main goal of the treatment of this pathology. But in order not to harm health even more, losing weight should be gradual. It is believed that the body perceives without stress a monthly loss of 3% of the initial mass. This is approximately 2-4 kilograms. If you lose weight faster, metabolic processes will slow down even more. Therefore, a woman is recommended to pay close attention to the selection of a diet. It is advisable that the diet be individually drawn up by a physician. In this case, the degree of obesity, the presence of complications, the age of the patient will be taken into account.

The diet for metabolic syndrome in women should be low in carbohydrates and fats. You need to abandon confectionery, pastries and pastries, sweets, fatty meat and fish, canned foods, rice, bananas, raisins, refined fats and sugary drinks. The diet should contain green vegetables, unsweetened fruits, low-fat meat, fish and dairy products, whole grain bread, buckwheat, barley groats. In addition, you must follow these rules:

you need to eat in small portions, but do not allow large breaks between meals;
foods are best cooked, stewed or baked;
all food must be chewed carefully;
food can not be washed down;
you need to limit salt intake;
a food diary is recommended.

Metabolic Syndrome Prevention

It is believed that most modern women are predisposed to this pathology. Therefore, you need to know how to behave in order to prevent the development of metabolic syndrome:

eat right, do not starve and do not follow low-calorie diets;
move more, do sports;
regularly undergo a course of massage and physiotherapy;
after 40 years, monitor the level of cholesterol and glucose in the blood;
give up bad habits and fast food.

This pathology is now found in every third person. It is especially important for women over 50 to monitor their weight, since the metabolic syndrome greatly disrupts the activity of all organs. Therefore, when the first symptoms of the pathology appear, you need to see a doctor for help. Moreover, not only examination and selection of an individual diet is important, but also psychological support.

Metabolic syndrome in women: causes and treatment