Syndrome X is a set of symptoms indicative of an increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Patients with this condition exhibit a number of risk factors that make them a cause for concern. There are some steps a doctor may recommend to address syndrome X and maintain a patient's health. This diagnosis is controversial in some regions, where physicians may argue that it is too vague or does not represent a recognized medical condition, only a constellation of risk factors.
A patient with syndrome X is obese, with large depositions of abdominal fat. In addition, she has abnormal cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels. These indicate metabolic imbalance and may be warning signs of insulin resistance. Syndrome X also includes elevated blood pressure. Under some diagnostic criteria, patients must also show signs of inflammation, such as elevated levels of C-reactive protein in their blood.
Patients with this condition are at increased risk of issues like coronary artery disease and may develop diabetes if the insulin resistance persists and becomes more severe. They may experience other quality of life issues such as limited mobility, difficulty engaging in physical activities, and so forth. Sometimes syndrome X shows up as a comorbidity with other medical issues like schizophrenia or dementia. When it occurs in conjunction with another medical issue, it can be more challenging to treat, as the patient may have difficulty adhering to a treatment plan.
Also known as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance syndrome, and cardiac syndrome, this condition can represent serious health risks. Some of the causes are genetic. Certain genes can predispose patients to insulin resistance and depositions of abdominal fat, for example. Lifestyle can also be a factor; patients who are less active, under stress, or not eating well may develop this medical issue. Patients can also experience it as a result of reactions to medications; some psychiatric drugs, for example, are associated with weight gain and metabolic imbalances.
Treatment focuses on addressing the risk factors. Patients may make lifestyle changes like eating different foods and exercising more to see if it is possible to lower their weight and address the metabolic issues. Exercise can also help patients eliminate the dangerous abdominal fat. Sometimes medications may be necessary. If a patient's cholesterol levels don't change in response to lifestyle adjustments, for example, he may need to start taking medications to force cholesterol levels into a safer range. The doctor may also recommend routine medical evaluations to identify signs of diabetes and heart problems early.