Medical Specialties

Metabolic Syndrome

What is metabolic syndrome?

The metabolic syndrome includes the presence of several cardiovascular risk factors. For example, high blood pressure alone is a serious condition but, when combined with high levels of fasting glucose and abdominal obesity, then we speak about metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome affects about 35 percent of adults and puts them at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The underlying causes of metabolic syndrome include obesity, overweight, physical inactivity and genetic factors that promote insulin resistance.

What are the risk factors?

Metabolic syndrome occurs when a person has three or more of the following factors:

• Abdominal obesity.
• Triglycerides > 150 mgr / dl.
• HDL cholesterol < 40 mg / dL in men or 50 mg / dl in women.
• Systolic blood pressurea > 130/85 mmHg.
• Fasting glucose > 100 mg/dl.
• Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (the body can not properly use insulin or blood sugar).

How do you prevent or metabolic syndrome treated?

Although metabolic syndrome is a serious illness, you can reduce your risks significantly by lowering your weight, increasing physical activity and sticking to a healthy diet. In addition, it is recommended to monitor blood pressure, glucose levels and blood cholesterol levels under medical supervision.

Diabetes Mellitus

“Últimamente noto que tengo mucha sed, orino mucho y he perdido mucho peso.”

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that occurs when the body loses its ability to produce or to use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that controls blood sugar (glucose) in the blood. As a result, high levels of blood glucose occur.

There are two main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction that alters the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin.
• Type 2 Diabetes: the body can produce insulin but either not enough or the body does not respond to its effects. Risk factors that are induced obesity, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and family history.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

The usual symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, increased appetite, frequent and large urine volumes. Furthermore, they include dry mouth, fatigue, sudden weight loss, vision loss, recurrent infections and delayed wound healing.

What are the complications of poorly controlled diabetes?

Diabetics are at increased risk of developing diseases that affect the heart, arteries, vision, kidneys and nerves.

How is diabetes treated?

Type 1 diabetes must be treated with insulin.
Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with oral antidiabetic agents and / or insulin.

Aggressive treatment of diabetes and the risk factors (cholesterol, overweight, hypertension) are the most effective in preventing the development of vascular complications as future.

How to prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications?

Maintaining a healthy body weight and an active lifestyle are the most important steps in preventing the development of type 2 diabetes.

How important is food in the management of diabetes?

Nutritional therapy is a key part in the care and treatment of diabetes.

Nutritional support is not only to achieve glucose levels close to normal but also to provide optimal levels of fat in diet and to maintain daily calories. This is achieved by improved metabolic control and reduced complications.

Should I control diet if I am already on insulin?

Food is an important part of the treatment of diabetes, both type I Diabetes and Type II Diabetes. In both cases the diet will be a protective factor against potential complications and associated diseases.

In type I diabetes, nutritional therapy should complement the pattern of insulin to maintain levels close to normal sugar and prevent future vascular complications.

Obesity and Overweight

“Everybody recommend me to lose weight doctor, family, friends … but I feel good about myself as I am.”

Is obesity a cosmetic problem?

Obesity is more than a cosmetic issue. The WHO (World Health Organization) defines obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that can be harmful to health.

This is a very important factor of cardiovascular risk that promotes numerous diseases and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, joint problems and breathing.

What should be my right weight?

The body mass index (BMI) is a relationship between weight and height of an individual and often is used to identify overweight and obesity in adults. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilos by the square root of your height in meters (kg / m2).

The value obtained by applying the formula it is interpreted as follows:

• BMI < 18,5: Underweight
• BMI 18,5-24,9: Normal Weight
• BMI 25-29,9: Overweight
• BMI 30-34,9: Obesity type I
• BMI 35-40: Obesity Type II
• BMI > 40: Obesity and Morbid

So, a person that measures 1.72 meters, depending on your weight can have normal weight (weight 70 kg) or obese (weight 100 kg).

What should I do if I am obese and I want to correct this?

The first step is always prevention. The best treatment is not to get obese. It is important to have good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle as soon as possible, since childhood.

Nutritional and food education is required. Avoid calorie preparations, sugary foods and / or high in fat and increase consumption of vegetables and fruit.

Whenever we talk about the treatment of obesity, you must not forget physical activity since the combination of diet-exercise are the mainstay of treatment for obesity.

Thyroid Disease

“I noticed a lump in the neck while looking at the mirror. My doctor thinks it could be a thyroid nodule.”

What is a thyroid nodule?

The thyroid nodule is any abnormal growth of thyroid cells which leads to a tumor mass. Although the vast majority of nodules are benign, regular clinical evaluation to rule out cancer development in the thyroid is always recommended.

What are the symptoms of a thyroid nodule?

Most thyroid nodules do not cause any symptoms. Some patients may manifest pain in the neck, jaw or ear, difficulty swallowing, a tickle in the throat, or difficulty breathing.

How the thyroid nodule diagnosed?

Your thyroid is palpated to detect an increase in size, presence of isolated nodes or multiple nodes.

UA blood test will show the amount of thyroid hormone (thyroxine or T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). They will indicate the thyroid function.

A thyroid ultrasound scan will determine the characteristics and size of the nodule. Sometimes a nodule puncture is indicated to analyze their type cell.

If it is associated with hyperthyroidism, a thyroid scan may be recommended.

How are thyroid nodules treated?

Nodules showing cancer cells or suspected malignancy, should be surgically removed.

Any thyroid nodule not removed needs to be watched closely, with a clinical and / or ultrasound examination of the nodule every 6-12 months.