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Syndrome X, also known as metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance syndrome, is a collection of medical problems. It is not a diagnosis but rather a way to identify those at a greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The primary problem of Syndrome X is insulin resistance, where the body does not respond normally to insulin. To compensate, the body produces more insulin. This increased insulin can create a progression to type II diabetes, which in turn, increases the risk for cardiovascular problems such as heart disease and other problems associated with arteriosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the arteries, such as stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

But this is not a problem reserved for the aging – with the growing number of obese, inactive children Syndrome X has become an ever expanding problem!

{According to the American Heart Association, roughly 47 million people have this syndrome}

Risk Factors of Syndrome X

Do you struggle with weight that settles around your middle?

Are you as active as you should be?

Do you have high blood pressure?

Are you struggling to keep your cholesterol in check?

Having one of these problems is frustrating and potentially hazardous to your health – but clustered together, you increase the risk of serious health complications.

What to Do If You Have Syndrome X

Syndrome X is best treated by taking preventative steps to increase your overall health. Things like taking control of stress, diet and physical activity can help overcome the complications of this serious medical problem.

Work towards getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day

Take a look at your eating habits and try to incorporate healthier options

Get help to lose that extra body weight – (ask a dietician, book an appointment with a personal trainer, etc)

Take a time out to get a grip on stress – (try deep breathing or guided imagery techniques get a massage, consult with a specialist, etc)

Enlist the help of your primary physician to monitor progress

Change is sometimes a frustrating, lonely venture, but staying the course and seeking support can give your body the health boost it needs to overcome these health hazards called Syndrome X.

(Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Seek medical advice if you experience any of these symptoms)

Having an excess of fat isn’t a good thing. And having a protruding paunch is not only troubling to your self esteem it’s generally bad for you. Unlike having some extra padding around your hips or thighs, belly fat can actually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance, which increases the risk of diabetes. This cluster of symptoms referred to as Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X can have a devastating effect on your overall health. (Want to know more? Jump ahead to 09/05/09 post: “What the Heck is Syndrome X?”)

We all need a little bit of adipose tissue, or fat. It not only cushions and insulates the body, it also provides energy. But what can you do when you have too much of a good thing?

Anyone struggling to lose that extra body fat can tell you one of the most difficult areas to get rid of it is around your middle. So why not think outside the box and try a massage?

Not only does getting a massage feel spectacular, it’s good for you – and that extra fat!

Stress increases a hormone called cortisol. Secreted from the adrenal gland, cortisol is important to help regulate blood pressure, provide energy, stimulate fat and carbohydrate metabolism for fast energy, and stimulate insulin. But prolonged secretion of this hormone can alter blood sugars causing things like mood swings, fatigue and a lowered immunity. It can decrease muscle and bone mass - and it is also a prime culprit of excessive belly fat.

Massage may be a way to jump the hurdle of stress that’s packing on those paunchy pounds.

{Massage is a technique known for its ability to decrease muscle and emotional tension. It can leave you feeling energized and revitalized. But did you know that it can also provide an immediate and significant decrease of cortisol?}

So if muscular tension is decreased, the subcutaneous fat cells (the outer most layer of fat) can be released. And the increase circulation benefits of massage aid in the removal of these fat cells along with increasing oxygen and nutrient flow throughout the body. This allows the muscles to burn more calories for activities rather than saving it for circulation. Massage also aids in digestive functions which also helps rid the body of waste products.

Though a healthy diet and regular exercise are still a vital part of ridding your body of that excessive belly fat, massage can actually help boost your physical stamina and performance by allowing your muscles to work optimally and improving recovery time while decreasing exercise soreness and injury risks.

And while massage is only a temporary solution, its benefits are cumulative, so receiving a massage on a regular basis is your best bet. But be not misled, massage, though it may not the cure-all for managing your middle, it can help jumpstart a healthier outlook, get you back on track with your fitness and weight loss goals, and be a valuable addition to your overall wellness toolbox.

(Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Consult with your primary physician before getting a massage)

Virtual reality has been integrated into our gyms for years. It started as simple as a stationary bike mapping out a series on inclines and declines with a line graph. Today it gets as sophisticated as “virtual routes” complete with trees, houses, even falling leaves or a rabbit hopping across a yard. It can be as simple as a small monitor or as sophisticated as giant wrap-around screens with 3-D technology.

{Referred to as “exer-tainment” these gym-version pieces of fitness equipment were created to beat the boredom of long sessions and provide a more challenging workout.}

But the technology doesn’t stop there. The Nintendo game company has the Wii Fit. This virtual game acts both as a motivator and personal trainer of sorts, tracking progress and providing feedback. It offers over forty options that appeals to just about everyone.

And still, technology doesn’t stop there. Nowadays you can shop online, do research online, even get a personal trainer to design a workout program or a dietician to recommend a healthy diet.

Virtual exercise is just in the beginning phase of life.  These days some gyms offer streaming fitness classes you can view and perform at home.

This new form of exercise is interactive 3-D virtual reality complete with the sights, sounds and motion of taking an exercise class at the gym. Sounds great, huh? But what about face-to-face interaction?

Sure, you will be able to communicate with fellow exercisers. And it may help with the growing epidemic of obesity. But what about that personal touch? Are we going to lose the experience of personal interaction and replacing it with even more human-to-computer interaction?

When we lose human interaction we can create challenge distortions. This is when things of minor consequences take on a bigger role in our lives causing mental stress. A solid human social network plays also an important role in our overall wellness. Human interaction can have a favorable influence on certain disease processes and illnesses such as heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Being around people makes your life feel fulfilled.

Talking to a person face-to-face allows you to see genuine physical responses, like a smile, a smirk or a frown. It allows you to experience emotions and gives you the opportunity for tactile responses such as a handshake, a hug or a pat on the back. It allows you to read-between-the-lines of what is said and what is meant by subtle changes in body language or tone of voice.

So while technology plods ahead offering us more and more options that may fit very nicely into our busy world, perhaps it is time to step back and realize virtual fitness may be a great addition to your life but it should not take the place of good old fashioned human interaction.

(Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only, and the opinions represented here are my own. Please feel free to disagree.)

When a disc in the spine is bulged or herniated, symptoms can vary quite a lot – from absolutely no indication to excruciating, local pain to muscle spasms. Why is there such a difference? It depends on the area and size, stressors, and if the problem affects something else, like a nerve.

{Want to know more about bulging or herniated discs? Refer to 09/01/09 post: “Bulging Disc or Herniated Disc – What’s the Difference?”}

If the abnormal disc doesn’t press against a nerve, you may feel an achy or tight feeling in the area – or you may feel nothing at all.

If the abnormal disc does press on a nerve, you may experience pain, numbness and tingling, shooting zaps of pain and/or muscle weakness. But these feelings are not limited to the disc area. A herniated disc in your neck, for example, may cause these symptoms in the neck, chest, shoulders or arms. A low back disc herniation may cause radiating pain down the back of the leg and into the ankle or foot area, whereas a problem a bit higher up may cause pain in the front of the leg.

Pain or discomfort in another area, also known as radiating pain, typically follows the path of the nerve the bulging disc is affecting. Take sciatica for example (Refresh your memory – refer to 07/09/09 post “Sciatica vs Piriformis – What’s the Difference?”).This pain syndrome is a result of a low back problem.

Symptoms can come on gradually or suddenly, and wax and wane. You may not feel any discomfort until you move, stand too long or sneeze. The best course of action if you suspect a problem with a disc is to consult with your primary physician.

(Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only)

Back pain comes in many different forms. Sometimes it is sustained through some sort of injury and is acute, or having a rapid onset with symptoms short in duration. Other times back pain is caused by chronic conditions such as a bulging disc or herniated disc. But what’s the difference?

The Disc

The spine consists of 24 veretbrae bones separated by spinal discs. These discs are comprised of a fibrous outer cartilage called the annulus fibrosus and an inner, jelly-like center called the nucleus pulposus. The discs act as shock absorbers for the spine. A disc bulge or herniation refers to a problem with the disc.

Bulging Disc

A bulging disc is a disorder of the disc which is contained. In other words, the center, or nucleus pulposus, has protruded outside of the confines of the disc space but has not broken the outer annulus fibrosus.

{Think of blowing a bubble with bubble gum and pinching it off before it pops}

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc, also referred to as a ruptured disc, is a disc disorder where the nucleus pulposus causes a break in the annulus fibrosus, or is uncontained. This causes the inner disc material to leak out of the disc space.

{Think again of that bubble gum – only this time the bubble breaks before you can pinch it off and the gum gets stuck to your face and chin}

(Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only)