“Obese” women are at risk of “ovarian cysts” and metabolic disorders. Have you gained weight? A gentle greeting, but why does it feel so painful? Even though the person being asked knows very well whether they have gained weight or not, but whenever someone greets you, you start to feel annoyed. Think positively and take the greeting as a warning. Because in reality, being fat is not a good thing. It is harmful to your health in all aspects, whether it affects Metabolic Syndrome or also increases the risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in women.
What is metabolic syndrome?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suthep Udomsaengsap, endoscopic surgeon and bariatric surgeon, Bariatric Surgery and Treatment Center, Bangkok Hospital, said that metabolic syndrome is a group of metabolic system disorders. According to Interasia, a study conducted on the Thai population aged 35 and over, totaling 5,091 people, the prevalence of the disease is 21.9-33.3 percent, depending on the criteria used for diagnosis. It is more common in women than men. Especially in the elderly. The most common abnormality is low HDL-Cholesterol levels. It was found that as people age, the chances of having metabolic syndrome increase.
The cause of metabolic syndrome is currently believed to be the result of obesity. Especially pot-bellied obesity, leading to high blood pressure, high สมัคร ufabet blood sugar, high blood triglycerides, low blood cholesterol, as well as cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance. Which can be caused by both genetics and external causes, such as the effects of certain medications. People with pot-bellied obesity are more insulin resistant than people with hip obesity.
Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome
There are several criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome. Here we will use the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) 1999, which are: people with insulin resistance With abnormal blood sugar levels (Fasting Blood Sugar) after fasting for 8 hours greater than or equal to 110 milligrams per 1 deciliter (mg/dl) or a blood sugar test 2 hours. After eating with a result greater than or equal to 140 milligrams per 1 deciliter (mg/dl) together with at least 2 of the following 4 abnormalities:
- Obesity : When the Body Mass Index ( BMI ) is found to be greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 or the waist-to-hip ratio is greater than 0.9 in men and greater than 0.85 in women.
- Triglyceride levels greater than or equal to 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) of blood or good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) less than 35 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) of blood in men or less than 39 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) in women.
- Blood pressure less than or equal to 140/90 mmHg or currently taking blood pressure medication.
- Albumin in urine greater than or equal to 20 Microgram/Min or the ratio of Albumin:Creatinine greater than or equal to 30 mg/g. However, obesity and overweight in Asians are different from Westerners because the BMI or body mass index, which is an indicator of diabetes and high blood pressure, is different. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in Asians should use a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2 and a waist circumference greater than or equal to 90 cm in men or greater than or equal to 80 cm in women.
How to treat metabolic syndrome
- Control your food intake, choose foods. That are beneficial to the body and in appropriate quantities.
- Exercise regularly
- No smoking
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Lose weight to a healthy level. Studies have shown that losing weight to a healthy level can improve metabolic syndrome through diet and exercise.
- Sometimes, the doctor may prescribe medication, such as drugs that block fat absorption or drugs that help reduce appetite, which must be under the supervision of a doctor only because the use of drugs may be effective in the short term and have a chance of causing side effects.
- Surgery is used in cases where patients are obese and cannot lose weight as targeted. Currently, it is used in patients with metabolic syndrome. Which shows results both in the short term and the long term. Importantly, there are many methods depending on the decision of the doctor who makes a detailed diagnosis, including:
1) Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Surgery to reshape the stomach to have a capacity of 150 cc by removing approximately 80% of the stomach and the part that produces hormones that control hunger. It is a laparoscopic surgery in the abdominal area with a small wound of 0.5 cm. The surgeon who performs the surgery must be experienced. This method is suitable for people with a BMI or body mass index not exceeding 45 and with comorbidities.
2) Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: Surgery to separate the stomach into a smaller sac shape with a capacity of 30 cc. Then, the intestine is cut into two parts. One part is connected to the stomach to bypass food for a length of 100-150 cm. It is suitable for people with a BMI or body mass index higher than 45 and with comorbidities.
Obesity VS Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
At the same time, obesity also affects Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ( PCOS ) in women. This condition is an abnormality of the endocrine or hormonal system in the body. There will be cysts or multiple sacs in the ovaries. When the cysts or cysts press on the ovaries. It results in abnormal ovarian function. The cause of this condition is still unclear. It may be due to genetics or abnormalities of many systems in the body, such as the pituitary gland, ovaries, and adrenal glands.
Therefore, being overweight is not a good thing, especially for women who are obese. Which can result in irregular menstrual cycles. Obesity is part of the body’s abnormal production of estrogen, especially pot-bellied obesity, because estrogen is produced from fat. When there is too much fat. The production of estrogen, which controls ovulation in women, may be abnormal, resulting in no ovulation, irregular menstruation, or absent menstruation, which is often found in reproductive age groups of around 25-35 years. If not treated promptly. It may result in infertility, risk of abnormally thickened uterine lining, and endometrial cancer in the future.
Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome
Symptoms that women should watch out for are:
- Menstrual periods are long-term, more than 35 days apart, or occur no more than 6-8 times per year.
- Menstrual irregularities, or irregular periods for more than 3 consecutive cycles compared to women with regular menstrual periods, or menstrual irregularities for 6 consecutive months in women with irregular menstrual periods, indicate chronic anovulation.
- Menstrual bleeding is irregular, excessive, or prolonged, and may cause abnormal thickening of the uterine lining.
- Androgen overload is a male hormone that is present in both men and women. When women have too much, it causes excessive hair growth, acne, oily skin, and baldness.
- Obesity and being very overweight can cause insulin resistance and increase the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If left untreated, the severity of PCOS can lead to infertility or increase the risk of endometrial thickening, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer.
How to treat polycystic ovary syndrome
Lose weight, control weight. If you are not sure, you should see a doctor and take medication as prescribed strictly to prevent long-term complications, such as treating insulin resistance. Reducing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, treating and preventing thickening of the uterine lining, etc. Therefore, women who are at risk should prevent by controlling their weight to be in the appropriate range, eating a healthy diet with all 5 food groups, emphasizing vegetables and fruits, avoiding starches and high-fat foods, exercising regularly, and not being stressed. Keep your mind bright because stress causes hormone abnormalities.
Both treatment methods focus on changing behavior to lose weight and taking medication first. However, if it is not effective. The doctor will consider surgery. Surgery is often effective in cases where the patient is also obese, helping the patient regain their health and shape, reducing the risk and keeping them away from chronic diseases.