WHAT IS METABOLIC SYNDROME?
Metabolic syndrome, also called syndrome x and insulin
resistance syndrome, refers to a group of symptoms that
increases risk for serious health problems including
diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke. In the United
States, metabolic syndrome is becoming more common
due to the increasing number of overweight and obese
Americans. The National Institutes of Health report that
approximately 85 percent of people who have type 2
diabetes also have metabolic syndrome.
RISK FACTORS
Both being overweight and not getting an adequate
amount of physical activity are linked to risk of metabolic
syndrome. In order to be diagnosed with metabolic
syndrome, an individual must either have or be taking
medication for three of the following five conditions, which
tend to occur together.
1. A large waistline
2.A high triglyceride level
3.A low HDL cholesterol level
4.High blood pressure
5.High fasting blood sugar
The more risk factors an individual has, the greater his or
her risk for diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke.
METABOLIC SYNDROME:
ARE YOU AT RISK?
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
According to the National Institutes of Health, it is possible
to prevent or delay metabolic syndrome, mainly with
lifestyle changes including quitting smoking, losing weight,
becoming physically active, and eating a heart-healthy diet.
In some cases, prescription medication may be necessary to
manage or treat high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low
HDL cholesterol, and high blood sugar.
For more information regarding your risk factors for metabolic
syndrome, consult your physician.
SM
SM
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Take Control of Your Diabetes
People who have diabetes can reduce the risk of dangerous
complications—such as heart disease, nerve damage, and blindness—
by monitoring and managing their blood glucose levels. Make sure
that you have the skills you need to manage this disease effectively.
For information regarding new diabetes
treatments, call Mercy's Diabetic Education
Department at (712) 279-2345.
Wellness Tips
NOVEMBER 2013
American Diabetes Month
Diabetes doesn't stop. It is a 24/7, 365 days a year disease that affects
nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States.
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body's ability to produce any or
enough insulin which causes elevated blood glucose (or sugar) levels.
Insulin is a hormone created in your pancreas that is needed to convert
sugar, starches and other foods into energy that is needed for life.
Are you
looking for
a lifestyle
change?
Mercy Business
Health Services
offers Health
Coaching. If you
would like more
information, please
contact Holly
Bartsch at 274-4248
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults;
which was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes,
the body does not produce insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and also referred
to as hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is where your body does not use
insulin properly and will cause the blood glucose levels to rise higher
than normal. The pancreas is not able to create enough insulin to keep
the blood glucose at normal levels causing your body to become insulin
resistant.
Physical Activity is key for people with Diabetes
Not only is physical activity important for your overall well-being but it
can also help with controlling your diabetes. When you are active, your
cells become more sensitive to insulin so it can work more efficiently.
Your cells can also help remove glucose from the blood using a
mechanism totally separate from insulin during exercise.
When you start exercising consistently, you can lower blood glucose and
improve your A1C (a test that shows you a picture of your average blood
glucose levels in the past two-three months). When your A1C is lower,
you may be able to take fewer diabetes pills and less insulin.
Facts about Diabetes
Prevalence:
•
•
79 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for
developing type 2 diabetes.
Recent estimates project that as many as one in three American
adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take steps to Stop
Diabetes
The Toll on Health:
•
“Always turn
a negative
situation
into a
positive
situation."
-Michael
Jordan
•
•
•
•
Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or
stroke.
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among
adults.
The rate of amputation for people with diabetes is 10 times higher
than for people without diabetes.
About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe
forms of nerve damage that could result in pain in the feet or
hands, slow digestion, sexual dysfunction and other nerve
problems.
Cost of Diabetes:
•
•
•
The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total
national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245
billion.
o Direct medical costs reach $176 billion and the average
medical expenditure among people with diabetes is 2.3
times higher than those without the disease.
o Indirect costs amount to $69 billion (disability, work loss,
premature mortality).
One in ten health care dollars is spent on treating diabetes and its
complications.
One in five health care dollars is spent caring for people with
diabetes.
Healthy Breakfast Smoothie
Strawberry-Yogurt Smoothie
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
1-1/2 tsp. CRYSTAL LIGHT SUNRISE® Tangerine Strawberry Flavor Drink Mix
1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
1 cup frozen strawberries
Preparation
Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.
Holly Bartsch
Wellness Specialist
712-274-4248
[email protected]
Source: American Diabetes Association; www.diabetes.org