Metabolic disorders are conditions or diseases that affect the body’s ability to break down food into energy. The energy is then insufficient to be used up by the body to enable the growth and repair of tissues, maintain body temperature, and fuel physical activity.
A metabolic disorder happens in two ways
- The body does not break down the food consumed effectively into energy and nutrition
- The body is unable to absorb the broken-down energy effectively
The most common metabolic conditions include diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, obesity, and high cholesterol. These conditions can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, amputation, and even death.
A metabolic condition occurs when the body does not properly use or store carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, or water. This may occur due to genetic factors, lifestyle choices, or poor diet. Some people with metabolic conditions also develop complications like nerve damage, eye problems, skin rashes, and infections.
People with metabolic conditions often have symptoms including fatigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, blurred vision, dry eyes, and mouth sores. They may also have trouble sleeping, feeling cold, or sweating excessively. People with metabolic conditions may also have increased thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss.
Table of Contents
What Are Some Common Metabolic Diseases?
Diabetes
Diabetes is a type of metabolic disorder that affects how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Diabetes causes the pancreas to produce either too little insulin or no insulin at all. Insulin helps the cells absorb glucose for energy. When there is not enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream. High levels of glucose in the blood can lead to serious health problems. Diabetes is an outcome of untreated conditions like hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, among many other possible causes.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is another type of metabolic condition that occurs when the level of glucose in the blood drops below normal. Hypoglycemia usually happens after eating foods rich in carbohydrates, such as breads, pastries, potatoes, rice, pasta, and starchy vegetables. Symptoms of low blood sugar include headache, weakness, shakiness, irritability, hunger, sweating, anxiety, confusion, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, and seizures. If you experience these symptoms, eat something containing protein and fat instead of carbohydrates.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is yet another type of metabolic disorder. It occurs when the level of blood sugar is higher than normal. Hyperglycemia can happen when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or when the amount of insulin produced isn’t effective. Over time, high blood sugar can damage nerves, kidneys, and other organs. Signs of hyperglycemia include excessive thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), blurry vision, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, and muscle aches. To prevent this from happening, follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Obesity
Obesity is another type of metabolic disorder. Obesity develops when more calories are stored than used. Excess pounds put stress on joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. Obesity increases the risk of many chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
Heart Disease
High cholesterol is another type of metabolic problem that can increase the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by the liver that helps carry oxygen through the body. Too much cholesterol in the blood can clog arteries and lead to atherosclerosis, which narrows the blood vessels and reduces blood flow.
Other types of metabolic diseases include:
* Anorexia nervosa
* Bipolar disorder
* Bulimia
* Cystic fibrosis
* Epilepsy
* Fibromyalgia
* Hemochromatosis
* Huntington’s disease
* Multiple sclerosis
* Myasthenia gravis
* Parkinson’s disease
* Prader-Willi syndrome
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Schizophrenia
* Sickle cell anemia
* Thyroid dysfunction
* Tourette’s syndrome
* Tuberous sclerosis
* Ulcerative colitis
* Wilson’s disease
What are the most common causes of Metabolic Diseases?
Metabolic disorders are very common nowadays. They include diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, etc. These metabolic diseases are caused due to improper dieting, lack of exercise, stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, and genetic factors.
Diet
Most of us eat unhealthy food every day. We consume junk foods like chips, pizza, burgers, fried chicken, ice cream, cakes, cookies, chocolates, soft drinks etc. In addition to this, we also drink lots of water and coffee. This all leads to weight gain. To avoid this problem, you should eat healthy food and reduce your intake of junk food.
Lack of Exercise
We usually sit at our desk for hours together without moving. This makes our body lazy. Lack of exercise results in weight gain. To overcome this problem, you should take regular walks or go for jogging.
Stress
Our life becomes stressful when we face problems. Stress affects our health badly. When we are stressed, our body releases hormones which increase hunger. This leads to overeating.
Smoking
Smoking is another cause of metabolic diseases. Smoking increases the risk of cancer, heart attack, lung infection, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses.
Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol is harmful for our health. Alcoholic beverages damage our liver. Our liver has to work hard to detoxify these toxins. As a result, our liver gets damaged and we develop various diseases.
Genetic Factors
Genetic factors play an important role in developing metabolic diseases. Some people have a tendency to get affected by these diseases. If your parents had these diseases then there is a higher chance of getting them too.
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How do I know if I am suffering from a metabolic disorder?
If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms mentioned below, it means that you may be suffering from metabolic disease.
Fatigue
You feel tired even after having slept for a long time. You don’t want to do anything. You feel weak and lose interest in doing things. Your energy level goes down gradually.
Weight Gain
Your weight starts increasing rapidly. You start gaining extra pounds. You feel bloated and uncomfortable. You feel hungry all the time. You find yourself eating more than usual.
High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure becomes abnormally high. You feel pain in your chest. You feel shortness of breath. You feel lightheaded. You feel faint. You feel nauseated. You feel dizzy.
Depression
You feel hopeless. You feel helpless. You feel worthless. You feel guilty. You feel lonely. You feel empty. You feel suicidal.
Insomnia
You can’t sleep properly. You feel restless. You feel fatigued. You feel drowsy. You feel anxious. You feel agitated.
Memory Loss
You forget things easily. You feel confused. You feel disoriented. You feel forgetful. You feel forgetfulness.
Sexual Dysfunction
You experience erectile dysfunction. You experience premature ejaculation. You experience lack of desire. You experience low libido. You experience inability to reach orgasm.
What are the ways to prevent Metabolic Diseases?
In order to prevent metabolic diseases, one should follow certain precautions. Here are some tips to prevent metabolic diseases.
1. Avoid Sugar Intake
Sugar is known to cause metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid sugar intake, especially processed sugars.
It is recommended to eat fruits instead of sugary foods. Fruits contain natural sugars, but they do not lead to any health problems.
2. Eat Healthy Food
Eating healthy food is another way to prevent metabolic diseases. Eating junk food leads to obesity and diabetes.
Therefore, eating healthy food is essential. One should choose whole grains over refined ones. Whole grains are rich in fiber and nutrients.
They are also low in calories. On the contrary, refined grains are high in calories and low in nutrients.
3. Exercise Regularly
Exercise helps in maintaining a healthy weight. It also improves insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity is the ability of the cells to respond to insulin properly.
When this happens, glucose levels remain normal. This prevents the development of diabetes.
Regular exercise also reduces stress levels. Stress causes inflammation in the body.
This leads to the development of metabolic diseases.
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4. Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption has been found to increase the chances of developing metabolic diseases.
The reason behind this is that alcohol lowers the level of HDL (good cholesterol).
HDL is necessary for proper functioning of the liver. If the liver does not function properly, then there may be damage to the pancreas.
Pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas gets inflamed. This leads to the development of diabetes. In addition, alcohol also makes the muscles weak.
5. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is important. Excess weight puts pressure on the organs. This leads to organ failure.
6. Quit Smoking
Smoking is harmful to the lungs and cardiovascular system. People who smoke are at higher risks of developing chronic lung disease and coronary artery disease.
Smokers also tend to develop cancer. Therefore, quitting smoking is highly recommended.
7. Limit Salt Intake
Salt is added to processed foods to enhance their taste. However, excessive salt intake leads to water retention.
This results in swelling of the hands and feet. The kidneys cannot remove the extra fluid.
As a result, the person becomes dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to kidney stones.
8. Get Enough Sleep
Getting adequate amount of sleep is very important. Lack of sleep causes poor concentration.
Poor concentration can lead to making mistakes while performing tasks. This can have negative effects on your work performance.
9. Keep Your Body Hydrated
Keeping the body hydrated is another important tip to prevent metabolic diseases. Drinking enough water helps in keeping the body well-hydrated.
Drinking too much water can lead to dehydration. As a result, the body loses its ability to regulate blood pressure.
Dehydration also increases the risk of kidney stones.
10. Follow a Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is essential if you want to stay fit. A balanced diet includes all types of food groups.
It should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
Include these foods in your daily meals.
11. Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods contain preservatives and additives. These chemicals make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients properly.
They also affect digestion. They also cause the release of toxins into the bloodstream.
12. Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of vitamins and minerals. They help in improving metabolism.
Eating more fruits and vegetables will help in maintaining a healthy weight.
13. Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly ensures good health. It improves metabolism. It also reduces stress levels.
Regular exercise prevents obesity. It also improves sleep patterns.
14. Reduce Stress Levels
Stress is one of the major causes of metabolic disorders. Reducing stress levels is an effective way to prevent them.
In conclusion, metabolic disorders are caused by a wide variety of factors, including genetics, diet, lifestyle, and environmental toxins. However, one of the main causes of these conditions is insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when cells become resistant to insulin, which leads to high blood sugar levels. This causes fat storage in the liver and muscles and eventually leads to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
The good news is that there are several simple steps you can take to prevent metabolic disorders from happening in the first place. These include cutting back on processed foods, increasing physical activity, and reducing stress. By following these guidelines, you can help keep your metabolism working properly and avoid the complications associated with metabolic disorders.
FAQs
What are some metabolic disorders?
Hypoglycemia, Hyperglycemia, Obesity, Some Heart Diseases, Anorexia nervosa, Bipolar disorder, Bulimia, Cystic fibrosis, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Hemochromatosis, and Huntington’s disease.
What are the 5 Components of a Metabolic Syndrome?
Body Mass Index (BMI) SDS >2; Blood Pressure (systolic and/or diastolic) ≥90th percentile; Triglycerides ≥0.98 mmol/l; High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol ≤1.03 mmol/l; Glucose ≥5.6 mmol/l
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