In a segue from my last SharePost about coping with loss when you have schizophrenia, I wanted to talk about the alarming statistic that people with this diagnosis die 25 years earlier than the general population. You might wonder why that is and if it is under your control. I understand you could be justifiably worried because of the health risks associated with the medication you take. Armed with knowledge you have the power to make the changes that will benefit you. It will not be quick and it will not be easy yet it can be done.
Most of the atypical medications used to treat schizophrenia and symptoms of other conditions like bipolar cause weight gain and as a result put people at risk for diabetes and heart disease. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for these and other diseases. People diagnosed with schizophrenia or other conditions who take atypicals often develop metabolic syndrome.
I'll talk here about what it is and what you can do to prevent it or halt it once it has started. This is one instance where making lifestyle changes like getting enough physical activity and exercise and eating heart-healthy food are the prime tactics for stopping the condition before it starts or managing it once you develop it.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors linked to overweight and obesity. These factors elevate your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes and stroke. The five risk factors often occur together although any one can occur by itself. You are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if you have at least three of the following:
• A large waistline or abdominal obesity. This is the classic "apple" shape as opposed to pear shape body type where your excess fat is concentrated in the abdominal area instead of the hips. Women with a waist measurement of 35 inches or more and men with a measurement of 40 inches or more are at an increased risk of heart disease and these measurements are a metabolic risk factor.
• A higher than normal triglyceride level. Or the use of medication to treat your triglycerides. This is a type of fat found in the body. A level of 150 mg/dL or higher puts you at risk.
• A lower than normal HDL cholesterol level. This is the "good" kind of cholesterol that helps remove cholesterol from your arteries. It is also a risk factor if you're on medication to treat this. An HDL of less than 50 mg/dL for women and less than 40 mg/dL for men is a risk factor for heart disease and metabolic syndrome.
• Higher than normal blood pressure. Or the treatment of your blood pressure with medication. This is indicated when your blood pressure is 130/85 mmHg or higher.
• Higher than normal fasting blood sugar. Or the use of medication to treat your high blood sugar. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL is normal; between 100 and 125 mg/dL is prediabetes; 126 mg/dL or higher is diabetes. Above 100 mg/dL you have a metabolic risk factor.
