The Right Choice
Four years ago, a woman was faced with a life altering condition. Her physician told her that unless she followed through with a medical procedure she wouldn’t see her daughter graduate high school. Her daughter was a freshman at the time. She didn’t even consider not having the procedure. Her daughter was more important. However, that didn’t take away all of the questions and anxiety that she had about her condition and the procedure that would eventually save her life. She was diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome and after years of failed treatments, the only procedure that would save her life was Gastric Bypass surgery. This woman is my mom.
“Metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself. Instead, it's a group of risk factors -- high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and abdominal fat.” (Metabolic Syndrome Health Center, 2013). Having just one of these conditions doesn't mean a person has metabolic syndrome. However, any of these conditions can increase the risk of getting a serious disease. If more than one of these conditions occur at the same time, the risk is even greater. According to the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, there are five risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome.
Large Waist Size
For men: 40 inches or larger
or women: 35 inches or larger
Cholesterol: High Triglycerides
Either
150 mg/dL or higher
or
Using a cholesterol medicine
Cholesterol: Low Good Cholesterol (HDL)
Either
For men: Less than 40 mg/dL
For women: Less than 50 mg/dL
or
Using a cholesterol medicine
High Blood Pressure
Either
Having blood pressure of 135/85 mm Hg or greater
or
Using a high blood pressure medicine
Blood Sugar: High Fasting Glucose Level
100 mg/dL or higher
To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you would have at least three of these risk factors. (Metabolic Syndrome Health Center, 2013). Since metabolic syndrome is a...