The fourth-largest American city, Houston, TX is located in Harris County and covers 579.4 square miles. As of July 2009, 2,257,926 lived there. This marks a population increase of 15.6% since 2000. Of those residents, 19.5% lived in poverty. There is a nearly even balance between males and females in the city. 42.7% of the population is Hispanic, with the other majority balancing between White and Black. Just 5.4% are Asian.
The median age of a Houston resident is 30.9 years, slightly younger than that of the state of Texas. The state's largest city, Houston boasts many zip codes including: 77001, 77002, 77003, 77004 and 77005. The median income per household is $44,315 Renters pay a gross average of $775 per month in rent.
Houston, Texas is home to an impressive array of hospitals including the Menninger Clinic and The Institute for Rehabilitation & Research. The city also houses the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world. The facility boasts 13 hospitals, including Texas Children's Hospital and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Known for its innovation in medicine, the city hosts patients from all over the world. Countless disciplines are represented, including ear, nose and throat, neurologists, plastic surgeons and cardiologists.
Insulin resistance, syndrome X, dysmetabolic syndrome. These are all names given to a condition that is not a disease in itself but an obesity-related series of risk factors, including insulin resistance, excessive abdominal fat, excessive fat levels circulating in the blood (triglycerides), and hypertension. Patients with metabolic syndrome are prone to suffer from many illnesses, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
Only a qualified physician can make a proper diagnosis for metabolic syndrome; however, if you have three of the following metabolic risk factors, most doctors will make the diagnosis for metabolic syndrome.
- an apple-shaped waist, especially > 40 inches
- systolic blood pressure > 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >85 mmHg
- high triglycerides: > 140 mg/dL or taking cholesterol medication
- low HDL (good cholesterol): <40 mg/dL in men, <50 mg/dL in women, or taking HDL medication
- insulin resistance or high blood sugar: fasting glucose > 100 mg/dL or taking medication to control blood sugar
As the number of risk factors increases, so does the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is linked with your metabolism and probably insulin resistance. In normal conditions, your body breaks down food and produces insulin to use that food as fuel. With insulin resistance, your body can't use the insulin as efficiently, and the fuel can't enter your cells as readily, so your body just produces more insulin. This extra insulin can lead to diabetes.
It is harmful to have elevated levels of insulin even if you are not considered diabetic. Many physicians call this condition "pre-diabetes." Elevated insulin levels increase your triglycerides, interfere with your kidneys, and cause hypertension. The net result is a risk of stroke, diabetes, heart diseases, and many other illnesses.
If you have metabolic syndrome, your chances of developing heart disease are doubled, and your chances for developing type 2 diabetes are increased five fold.
Studies have shown that certain factors play a part in who tends to develop metabolic syndrome. The following risk factors are prevalent in metabolic syndrome patients:
- Middle Age or Older
Less than 10% of metabolic syndrome patients are in their 20s, yet 40% of people in their 60s have metabolic syndrome. - Hispanic or Asian
Other ethnicities also develop the syndrome, but it is more prevalent in these races. - Obesity
Having a BMI >25, especially with an apple-shaped body rather than a pear-shaped body increases your risk. Check your BMI. - Diabetic History
Having a family history of type 2 or gestational diabetes puts you at more risk for metabolic syndrome. - Hypertension, Heart Disease, or POS
Ever being diagnosed with high blood pressure, heart disease, or polycystic ovarian syndrome increases your risk. - Sedentary Lifestyle
If you do not exercise, you are at an increased risk for developing metabolic syndrome. - Socioeconomic Status
People classified as under middle class have an greater tendency to develop metabolic syndrome.
If you are diagnosed with or are at significant risk for developing metabolic syndrome, aggressive measures are necessary to reverse the symptoms. One method that doctors often recommend is weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery provides fast and effective weight loss for most obese patients. In study after study, weight loss surgery has shown to help metabolic syndrome sufferers lose weight and regain their health.
- Study 1
One year after surgery, metabolic syndrome sufferers lost 31.9% of their body weight, on average. The patients' "bad" cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure were reduced. There was a 95.6% metabolic syndrome reversal in these patients. - Study 2
In adjustable gastric banding patients, 95% reversed their metabolic syndrome. For gastric bypass patients, over 98% saw a reversal of their symptoms. - Study 3
In a 13-year study by the Mayo Clinic of 180 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients with metabolic syndrome, 87% reported a decrease in their metabolic syndrome symptoms.
Other treatments for metabolic syndrome include dieting, exercising, and taking weight loss drugs. Seek counseling from one of our weight loss specialists to determine the best method of treating your symptoms.
For more information about Houston Weight Loss Surgery Center, or to schedule a consultation, click here and contact us today!
