5 Main Reasons Why Thyroid Disease Is On The Rise

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health conditions that significantly increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. At Joy Medical we will delve into the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options for metabolic syndrome, as well as share lifestyle changes that can help manage and prevent it.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is not a singlular disease but rather a collection of interrelated conditions, including excess body fat around the waist, and high or abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. When these conditions occur together, they elevate the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Risk Factors:

Several risk factors contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome, including:

1. Age: The risk of metabolic syndrome increases with age.
2. Ethnicity: Certain ethnic groups, such as Hispanics and Asians, are at a higher risk.
3. Obesity: Carrying excess weight, particularly around the waist, increases the likelihood of metabolic syndrome.
4. Diabetes: A personal history of gestational diabetes or family history of type 2 diabetes could increase the risk.
5. Other conditions: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fatty liver disease, and sleep apnea have also been linked to metabolic syndrome.

Symptoms and Diagnosis:

Metabolic syndrome is often asymptomatic, which means that many people are unaware they have it. However, some visible signs can include a large waist circumference and the presence of skin tags or darkened patches of skin, typically around the neck or armpits.

A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is typically made when an individual has at least three of the following criteria:

1. Abdominal obesity: A waist girth of 35 inches (88 cm) or more for women and 40 inches (102 cm) or more for men.
2. High triglycerides: A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher.
3. Low HDL cholesterol: An HDL cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL or less for women.
4. High blood pressure: A systolic blood pressure equal to or exceeding 130 mm Hg, or a diastolic blood pressure at or above 85 mm Hg.
5. High fasting blood sugar: A fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL or higher.

Management and Prevention:

There is no specific medication for metabolic syndrome. Instead, treatment focuses on addressing the individual conditions that make up the syndrome.  The goal of Metabolic treatment is to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Some approaches include:

1. Weight loss: Shedding even a modest amount of weight can have a notable impact on reducing the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome.
2. Exercise: Regular physical activity helps lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and control blood sugar.
3. Healthy diet: Adopting a diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and nutritious fats can aid in controlling metabolic syndrome. can help manage metabolic syndrome.
4. Smoking cessation: Quitting smoking reduces the risk of heart disease and improves overall health.
5. Medication: Depending on the specific conditions, doctors may prescribe medication to help control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

Metabolic syndrome is a critical health issue that is increasingly impacting individuals across the globe. By understanding the risk factors and making lifestyle changes, individuals can effectively manage and even prevent the onset of metabolic syndrome. If you suspect you may have metabolic syndrome or are at risk, consult a healthcare professional for a proper assessment and tailored treatment plan.

Call (818) 477-1764 or Contact us to schedule your appointment with Dr. Sheybani today.

Thyroid disease is an autoimmune disorder. According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Shockingly up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition, and women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems! In addition, one woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime.

Sadly, since thyroid disease is dominant in women and because the symptoms are vague, oftentimes the disease is misdiagnosed as depression, or chalked up to normal aging, or excessive stress. As a result, millions of women are left untreated for their thyroid imbalance – which causes the disease to progress.

These alarming statistics lead most people to wonder why thyroid disease has become so prevalent. The answer lies almost entirely in lifestyle choices, such as poor eating habits, chronic stress, and exposure to toxins. Leaky gut (which is caused when bacteria and other health hazards actually leak into your bloodstream, triggering an inflammatory response that leads to many autoimmune diseases) has also been identified as a culprit in the development of one of the main forms of thyroid disease – hypothyroidism.

Your thyroid controls your metabolism. If you are experiencing weight gain, brain fog, chronic fatigue, low body temperature and heart rate, depression and  low libido, you could have hypothyroidism. At the other end of the spectrum is hyperthyroidism – where everything speeds up, causing insomnia, fast heart rate and weight loss.

The Joy Medical team believes that the best patient care starts with listening to our patients, and ensuring that we get to the bottom of the problem. That’s why when we hear the above symptoms, we turn to medical science and order a complete thyroid work-up for our patients.

Once we can provide our patients with an accurate diagnosis, we then develop a customized treatment plan – which will include lifestyle modification recommendations, such as cutting out sugar and junk food entirely.

If you are experiencing symptoms like these that are taking the joy out of your life, we’re here to help. Please contact us at (818) 464-4870 to set up an appointment.