Metabolic disease is a disorder of the body’s metabolic system that leads to health risks and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, abdominal obesity, progressing to arthritis and kidney disease. These are conditions within the metabolic disease group (Metabolic Disease) If left unattended without prompt care and treatment, it may lead to severe complications.
What is metabolic disease?
Metabolic syndrome (Metabolic Syndrome) or insulin resistance (Insulin Resistance) is a disorder of the body’s metabolic system that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems, such as:
- Heart and vascular disease, myocardial ischemia
- Stroke, paresis, paralysis
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Peripheral arterial occlusive disease
- Diseases of the aorta
- Progressing to kidney and liver disease, arthritis, and degenerative joint disease in the long term
What causes metabolic disease?
Insulin resistance (Insulin Resistance) is a key culprit of metabolic disease because when the body cannot manage sugar well, it responds poorly to insulin, causing the pancreas to produce more insulin. This affects obesity and fatty liver, and may lead to prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, abdominal obesity, arthritis, and kidney disease in the future.
Risk factors for metabolic disease
- Abdominal obesity Accumulated fat around the waist and visceral fat are the main causes of insulin resistance. Body fat stimulates inflammation and reduces the effectiveness of insulin. The more excess fat you have, the higher the risk of insulin resistance. Excess abdominal fat causes more insulin resistance than subcutaneous fat.
- Lack of exercise and movement Muscles play an important role in using glucose and glycogen for energy. Regular exercise helps the body become more insulin-sensitive and increases muscle capacity to absorb blood sugar more effectively. If you do not move or lack exercise, the body uses less sugar, increasing the risk of insulin resistance.
- Genetics People with a family history of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or high blood lipids are more likely to develop insulin resistance than the general population, even with behavioral adjustment and control.
What are the symptoms of metabolic disease?
Metabolic syndrome is a silent threat, and most patients often do not show abnormal symptoms. Symptoms vary from person to person depending on the coexisting disease or condition. For example, when blood sugar is high, you may experience frequent thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weakness, thickened dark skin in the armpits or back of the neck, blurred vision or visual blurring. However, not everyone has symptoms. In some patients, even when health values begin to become abnormal, there may still be no symptoms. Therefore, having no abnormal symptoms does not mean you are not at risk. Annual health checkups and following medical advice will help you take appropriate care of yourself.
How is metabolic disease diagnosed?
Metabolic syndrome often does not show symptoms, but accumulates until it becomes a chronic disease. It can be detected through annual health checkups. The doctor will take a history, perform blood tests, and other tests as appropriate to assess the risk of metabolic syndrome. It can be considered based on the following 5 criteria. If you have at least 3 criteria, it indicates you may have metabolic syndrome and should begin adjusting health behaviors immediately as advised by your doctor.
- Abdominal obesity (measured by waist circumference)
- Men waist circumference greater than 36 inches (90 cm)
- Women waist circumference greater than 32 inches (80 cm)
- High blood triglycerides (Triglyceride)
- Blood triglycerides greater than or equal to 150 mg/dL or currently taking triglyceride-lowering medication
- Low HDL (good) cholesterol (HDL Cholesterol)
- Men less than 40 mg/dL
- Women less than 50 mg/dL
- or currently taking medication to increase HDL
- High blood pressure
- Blood pressure greater than or equal to 130/85 mmHg or currently taking antihypertensive medication
- High blood sugar (Fasting Glucose)
- Blood sugar greater than or equal to 100 – 125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes
- Blood sugar greater than 125 mg/dL suggests a tendency toward type 2 diabetes
How is metabolic disease treated?
Metabolic syndrome can be managed and controlled through lifestyle changes such as dietary control, regular exercise, and holistic health care, which help reduce risk and improve overall health. In some patients, the doctor may consider using medications as well to control blood sugar, lipids, or blood pressure. The doctor will plan treatment and provide close guidance to the patient.
How can metabolic disease be prevented?
- Lose weight and keep waist circumference within the specified range
- Exercise regularly, choosing an appropriate intensity level
- Consult a doctor to assess risk and plan appropriate care and treatment
- Get enough sleep 7 – 9 hours and sleep with good quality
- Avoid refined starches, sugar, unhealthy fats, red meat, and processed foods; increase vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and lean meats
- Manage stress well, because chronic stress increases blood sugar, lipids, and blood pressure
- Stop smoking, as it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease
- The doctor may consider prescribing lipid-lowering drugs, blood pressure control medications, or blood sugar control medications to manage risk factors; therefore, strictly follow the doctor’s instructions. Do not buy medicines to take on your own or stop medication without consulting a doctor.
Hospital specialized in treating metabolic disease
Internal Medicine Clinic, Bangkok Hospital is ready to provide assessment, diagnosis, and close care and treatment for patients with metabolic diseases, as well as consultations and accurate guidance, with a team of specialist physicians and a multidisciplinary team with expertise and extensive experience to help patients achieve a good quality of life.
Doctors specialized in treating metabolic disease
Dr.Chayapon Cheetanom Internist Bangkok Hospital
You can click here to make an appointment yourself.
