Summer BanksDiabetes and Syndrome X
November 10th 2006 02:00
testing of diabetes and syndrome X
If you have type 2 diabetes, you more than likely also have Syndrome X. The two together can be deadly unless you take steps to monitor them regularly and keep them both under control.
In the mid-1970s, Dr. Gerald Reaven at Stanford University Medical Center described a condition that he coined "Syndrome X." He noted a clustering of medical conditions that were associated with a very high rate of coronary artery disease (a common type of heart disease that affects the blood vessels feeding the heart). These conditions included high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, and high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood; these, in turn, were associated with insulin resistance and, consequently, high insulin levels. Since the discovery of Syndrome X, there has been a great deal of focus and many studies conducted to try to understand what causes it. Some of the resulting fingers of blame point to our ever-expanding waistlines.
The Role of Weight Gain in Syndrome X :
Each of us is here today because our ancestors had the genetics that allowed them to survive during times of frequent famine. Back then, if you had a fast metabolism, required a lot of food to maintain your weight, and lost weight readily when food was scarce, you didn't survive. Those that did survive the lean times passed on their genes, and that inheritance is still apparent today. These "thrifty" genes are still helping us conserve calories and are reluctant to let us lose fat stores.
A One-Two Punch to the Arteries :
The combination of Syndrome X and diabetes causes the blood vessel disease atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries. Cholesterol builds up in the artery walls because there is too much LDL cholesterol in the blood and too few HDL molecules taking it away. The LDL cholesterol becomes oxidized, which makes it more irritating to the artery and often leads to a localized inflammation of the artery wall
Treating Syndrome X :
Increasing your level of activity and changing your relationship with food are a great place to start in treating Syndrome X. These changes are usually inexpensive and are generally quite safe -- and they are the cornerstones of treatment for both Syndrome X and diabetes. For some people, these changes are enough to decrease the levels of insulin resistance and diminish the signs of Syndrome X.
Low-dose aspirin :
A 75 to 162 mg aspirin tablet, taken daily, is moderately effective in making the platelets in your blood less "sticky," so they are less likely to attach to rough spots in your arteries. This significantly counteracts the clot-forming tendencies of Syndrome X and can reduce the risk of death from heart disease by more than one-third.
Statins :
Newer medications called statins have made managing dyslipidemia easy. These medications have proven themselves to be very safe and yet powerful in lowering LDL cholesterol. Common statin brands include Crestor, Lipitor, Loescol, Mevacor, Pravachol, and Zocor.
| 14 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
