Syndrome XYour Health by Shirley Learthart What is Syndrome X? In case you’re wondering, it has nothing to do with hot cross buns! Syndrome X is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.It’s also known as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance syndrome, Reaven’s syndrome or CHAOS (Australia). The characteristic disorders include:
Syndrome X is quite common. Approximately 20-30% of the population in industrialised countries have it. If the figures are correct that means about 18 000 to 27 000 people in the Hastings area are affected by it. Syndrome X is present in about 5% of people with normal body weight, 22% of those who are overweight and 60% of those classified as obese. Adults who continue to gain 5 or more pounds per year raise their risk of developing Syndrome X by up to 45%. As is true with most medical conditions, genetics and the environment both play important roles in the development of Syndrome X. A family history that includes type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and early heart disease greatly increases the chance that an individual will develop Syndrome X. Environmental issues such as low activity level, sedentary lifestyle, and progressive weight gain also contribute significantly to the risk of developing the syndrome. Other factors of concern include women who are post-menopausal, smoking, eating an excessive high carbohydrate diet, lack of activity (even without weight gain), and consuming an alcohol-free diet. Lifestyle changes are the preferred treatment of Syndrome X. The majority of sufferers are overweight with sedentary lifestyle so weight loss and exercise regime can significantly minimise the risk factors of heart disease and diabetes. Exercise has a beneficial effect on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and insulin sensitivity, regardless of whether weight loss is achieved. Therefore exercise seems to be the most helpful tool in treating Syndrome X. For more preventative health information, |
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