If you aren’t familiar with the term, a diagnosis of “metabolic syndrome” sounds terrifying. Its relationship to obesity and diabetes makes it a diagnosis that is becoming increasingly commonly these days. Understanding what it means and how to prevent it can help you protect your health in the future.  

Metabolic syndrome isn’t a single condition, but a cluster of two or more of five specific ones. These conditions include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, high blood sugar, and excessive abdominal fat. You can have just one of these conditions without having metabolic syndrome. When they occur together, it means you have an increased risk of developing serious disease such as heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, and stroke.

Some previous research studies have also shown a connection between people with overactive bladder and metabolic syndrome. Although these studies showed that these two conditions occurred together, there was no real understanding about why or how.

The Connection Between Metabolic Syndrome and OAB

A recent research report explains the scientific reason that metabolic syndrome and OAB occur together. According to the report, research showed that women with OAB persistently exhibited three urinary metabolic markers that were predictive of OAB symptoms while four others correlated with symptom severity. Although the research only brings scientists a little closer to a comprehensive answer, it could lead to effective treatments for both conditions in the future.

Defining Overactive Bladder

Overactive Bladder often occurs due to neurological disorders such as stroke, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. These conditions cause involuntary muscle contractions in the bladder, creating the urge to urinate. Many people with OAB also have incontinence and are unable to control the loss of urine. Urination occurs more frequently than normal and often causes you to wake up to urinate at night.

Common risk factors for OAB include aging, having had a stroke, diabetic neuropathy, dementia, spinal cord injury, multiple pregnancies, and some diseases including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Most patients with OAB symptoms are also evaluated for metabolic problems including diabetes.

Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome

The five conditions listed to describe metabolic syndrome are also considered risk factors. All of these factors are closely linked to being overweight or obese and a lack of physical activity. The best way to prevent or delay the condition is by making lifestyle changes. These including losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough exercise. Once you are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, your doctor may provide medications to lower your blood pressure, prevent blood clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke, and relieve other symptoms of coronary heart disease. Even with medication, you should live a healthier lifestyle to reduce the impact of your symptoms.

The link between metabolic syndrome and OAB is another reason to take steps to prevent metabolic syndrome. The condition can have a big impact on your quality of life. Some of the same preventive methods for metabolic syndrome apply to OAB. These include eating a healthier diet and avoiding foods that are known irritants. These include alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners.

In the future, there may be effective treatment that prevents the onset of metabolic syndrome and OAB without the need to treat each symptom or condition individually. For now, patients should take a preventive approach to keeping these conditions from developing. If you have symptoms of OAB, contact Mississippi Urology Clinic. Make an appointment and talk with a urologist to get answers to your questions. When it comes to your bladder health, getting answers is something that you should never put off.