Why Oprah Decided Do Hormone Replacement Therapy, And Is Glad She Did

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.

There are some things that Oprah Winfrey knows for sure, and one of them is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly helped her glide through menopause without her hormonal symptoms getting in her way. After one single day of bioidentical estrogen, Oprah reported, “I felt the veil lift.” After 3 days, she shared that her brain fog cleared, her memory was sharper, and she was back to her happy self.

One full decade later women all over the country have taken Oprah’s advice to, “take control of your health.” The Joy Medical team is grateful that Oprah Winfey started the conversation with an ever increasing group of women who report having their joy sapped from them when they hit their 50s and their hormones started to wreak havoc with their lives with symptoms of sudden and frequent hot flashes, trouble sleeping, weight gain, vaginal dryness and discomfort and irritability.

Bioidentical hormone therapy is sometimes referred to as “natural hormone therapy” because the body responds in the exact same way to the bioidentical version (which are an exact match to the natural version), as it does in response to the hormones the body naturally creates.

There are different types of HRT. Many women, like Oprah, are given systemic estrogen. This can be taken in a pill form, gel, skin patch, spray, or cream to relieve menopausal symptoms. Estrogen HRT has even been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease when taking post menopause – which is one year after your period has stopped entirely.

Another form of HRT is a combination of estrogen and progesterone, which has been shown to lower the risk of colon cancer, and diminish osteoporosis.

If your life if being disrupted by menopausal hormonal changes, please schedule an appointment with us to have your hormones tested. If have a male partner who is showing signs of hormonal related symptoms, such as low libido, lack of endurance and strength, we often treat partners at the same time – who go on to report the difference HRT has made a huge difference in their lives.  Please contact us at (818) 464-4870 to set up an appointment.