Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic risk factors that come together in a single individual. These metabolic factors include type 2 diabetes (because of insulin resistance), hypertension (high blood pressure), cholesterol abnormalities, and an increased risk for blood clotting. Affected individuals are most often overweight or obese. An association between certain metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease has been known since the 1940s.

Insulin resistance refers to the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in promoting the transport of sugar glucose, from the blood into muscles and other tissues.

Metabolism

The word metabolism is used to describe the chemical processes that are taking place in the body , these processes include the building up of complex substances, such as proteins from simpler ones and the breaking down of complex substances usually with the release of energy into simpler ones.

The chemical processes take place in every cell and are controlled by enzymes (a type of proteins) which often require the help of vitamins and minerals to function effectively.

In healthy person, these processes are balanced, but this balance can be lost as a result of inherited abnormalities, disturbances in the secretions of hormones (such as those produced by the thyroid or adrenal glands) or poor nutrition, metabolic disorders (such as severe diabetes mellitus), can be life threatening and these will usually require conventional treatment.

Minor metabolic disorders may require no treatment at all.

In chronic fatigue syndrome the exact metabolic problem has not been identified a variety of research projects have highlighted possible areas of unbalanced metabolism and it seems likely that there are several areas of unbalanced metabolism and there are several areas where the normal controls are not functioning properly including those involved in the release of energy with in the cells.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) & Other Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

The name “Myalgic Encephalomyelitis” is a descriptive term for the illness—–Myalgia=muscle pain , Enceph=affecting the brain , Myel=affecting the nerves , itis=inflammation.

Low recovery from influenza or some other viral infection is not uncommon and should not be a confused with the more unusual myalgic encephalomyelitis .

By convention Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is not normally diagnosed until the symptoms have lasted for more than 6 months after an infection, after excluding other diseases.

About 20 % of people with ME symptoms show no evidence of infection being the cause, some of them may be suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities, a controversial condition that is poorly recognized by doctors, the term “chronic fatigue syndrome “ will be used to include all causes.

Key Features of CFS(always present)

Extreme physical and mental fatigue after trivial exertion and recovering only very slowly symptoms fluctuate from day to day or even with in one day .

Other Symptoms :

1. muscles pain and weakness
2. brain poor memory , impaired concentration
3. speech difficulties
4. emotional variations
5. sensory changes for ex-over sensitivity to sound or light
6. severe headaches not helped by painkillers
7. sleep disturbance .

Nerves Regulating Normal Bodily Functions :

Disturbed digestive function for example , nausea and diarrhoea , palpitations breathlessness and blood pressure changes , poor temperature control , inappropriate sweating , blurred vision , disturbed bladder function.

Miscellaneous:

Recurrence or continuing symptoms of original infection. Intolerance of alcohol and sometimes food. Adverse Reactions to chemicals, including medicines, perfumes and household cleaning agents, electromagnetic fields, including fluorescent lights and even television.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is a term that allopathic doctors use to describe a reaction to a food that can not be explained by there present knowledge of the immune system, it is therefore not strictly a food allergy in the way that, for example a peanut allergy is many doctors dispute the diagnosis altogether; to complicate matters further, the reaction can be any of a wide variety of symptoms for example migraine , joint pain and swelling or irritable bowel syndrome, asthmatic attack etc. Despite the medical controversy a growing number of people experience symptoms after eating particular foods and get better if they avoid these foods, unfortunately the cause or causes of food intolerance are unknown to allopaths and there are no tests that reliably confirm the diagnosis.

But in my (Dr Qaisar Ahmed) opinion any type of allergy is the sign and sometype(s) of some type(s) malnutrition especially minerals; For example to my asthma patients along with other symptomatic treatment I always prescribe Vit=B complex, Vit-C and Phosphorus; To skin allergy patients – Calcium, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Vit-C, Potassium (kali…); To patients allergic to dust, perfumes and smoke – Sodium Chloride (Natrum Muriaticum), Phosphorus, Arsenic (Arsenicum Album), B-complex, Potassium (kali), Iodine (Iodum), Thyroxine (Thyroidinum) etc. Patients allergic to milk – Calcium phosphate (Calcarea Phosphoricum), Sodium Chloride (Nat. Mur), Titanium Metal (Titanium), Zinc (Zincum Metallicum), Platinium (Platina) etc.

Hypoglycemia

hypo=low, glyc= glucose, emia= in the blood.

It is rare, except in diabetics who have taken too much insulin, however there is a condition Homeopathes called it “reactive hypoglycemia” in which the symptoms often start suddenly and may appear before breakfast after missing the meal, or 2-5 hours after eating or during exercise.

Symptoms Of Hypoglycemia:

weakness faintness fast heartbeat cold sweat and dizziness, mental disturbance, anxiety, panic irritability and mood swings, hunger but also nausea, migraines and headaches, waking hungry, night hunger.

Reactive hypoglycemia not only requires a constitutional prescription from a Homoeopathic doctor but help yourself by; eating whole grain products in preference to white flour, rice, pasta etc, eating small meals frequently, cutting out coffee, tea and alcohol; avoiding sugar chocolate, carbonated drinks, etc; regular exercise and reduce stress.

Based on the guidelines, any three of the following traits in the same individual meet the criteria for the metabolic syndrome:

1. Abdominal obesity: a waist circumference of 102 cm (40 in) or more in men and 88 cm (35 inches) or more in women, the cutoff values are ≥90 cm (35 in) in men or ≥80 cm (32 in) in women
2. Serum triglycerides 150 mg/dl or above.
3. HDL cholesterol 40mg/dl or lower in men and 50mg/dl or lower in women.
4. Blood pressure of 130/85 or more.
5. Fasting blood glucose of 100 mg/dl or above.

Approximately 48% of the population on the planet has metabolic syndrome, and about 85% of those with type 2 diabetes have metabolic syndrome, and rates are rising in almost all countries. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases with age, and about 40% of people over 60 are affected.

As is true with many medical conditions, genetics and the environment both play important roles in the development of the metabolic syndrome.

Genetic factors influence each individual component of the syndrome, and the syndrome itself. A family history that includes type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and early heart disease greatly increases the chance that an individual will develop the metabolic syndrome.

Environmental issues such as low activity level, sedentary lifestyle, and progressive weight gain also contribute significantly to the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is present in about 12% of people with normal body weight, 28% of those who are overweight and 70% of those considered obese. Adults who continue to gain five or more pounds per year raise their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by up to 55%.

While obesity itself is likely the greatest risk factor, others factors of concern include:

• Post-menopausal women
• Smoking
• Eating an excessively high carbohydrate diet
• Sedentary lifestyle

Metabolic syndrome is a condition that in general, has no symptoms. If a person has risk factors for metabolic syndrome (particularly a large waist circumference), your doctor can help evaluate your risk.

Metabolic syndrome is worth caring about because it is significant risk factor for the development of both type 2 diabetes and heart disease, two of the most common and important chronic diseases today.

• Metabolic syndrome is associated with fat accumulation in the liver (fatty liver), resulting in inflammation and the potential for cirrhosis.
• The kidneys can also be affected, as there is an association with microalbuminuria — the leaking of protein into the urine, a subtle but clear indication of kidney damage.
• Other problems associated with metabolic syndrome include obstructive sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome, increased risk of dementia with aging, and cognitive decline in the elderly.

The major goals are to treat allopathically both the underlying cause of the syndrome, to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, and also to treat the cardiovascular risk factors if they persist.

Lifestyle modification is the preferred treatment of metabolic syndrome. Weight reduction usually requires a specifically tailored multifaceted program that includes diet and exercise. Smoking cessation is an important component of treatment, in very rare cases allopathic medications may be useful.

Homeopathic Treatment

Anacardium

Nervous dyspepsia, relieved by food; impaired memory, depression, and irritability; diminution of senses (smell, sight, hearing). Weakening of all senses, sight, hearing etc, Debility (severe weakness). Empty feeling in stomach; eating temporarily relieves all discomfort. Fixed ideas. Hallucinations. Brainfag. Impaired memory. Absent mindedness. Vertigo. Itching and little boils on scalp. Frequent sneezing. Sense of smell perverted. Blue rings around eyes. Face pale.

Painful vesicles; fetid odor. Weak digestion, with fullness and distention. Empty feeling in stomach. Eructation, nausea, vomiting.

Pressure in chest, as from a dull plug. Oppression of chest, with internal heat and anxiety, Cough excited by talking, in children after fit of temper. Cough after eating.

Neuralgia in thumb. Paralytic weakness. Fingers swollen with vesicular eruption. Intense itching, eczema, with mental irritability; vesicular eruption; swelling, urticaria etc.

Uranium Nitricum

Glycosuria, polyuria, nephritis, diabetes, degeneration of the liver, high blood pressure and dropsy. Great emaciation, debility and tendency to ascites and general dropsy. Backache and delayed menses. Dry mucous membranes and skin.

Head: Ill-tempered; dull, heavy pain. Nostrils sore, with purulent, acrid discharge. Mental depression.

Eyes: Lids inflamed and agglutinated; styes.

Stomach: Excessive thirst; nausea; vomiting. Ravenous appetite; eating followed by flatulence. Boring pain in pyloric region. Gastric and duodenal ulcers. Burning pain. Abdomen bloated. Gastritis.

Urinary: Copious urination. Diuresis. Incontinence of urine. Diabetes. Emaciation and tympanites. Burning in urethra, with very acid urine. Unable to retain urine without pain. Enuresis (Mullein oil).

Male: Complete impotence with nocturnal emissions. Organs cold, relaxed sweaty.

Acid Phosphoricum

Listless. Impaired memory. Apathetic, indifferent.  Lids inflamed and cold. Pupils dilated. Glassy appearance. Averse to sunlight; sees colors as if a rainbow. Feel too large. Amblyopia in masturbators. Optic nerves seem torpid. Pain as if eyeballs were forcibly pressed together and into head. Roaring, with difficult hearing. Intolerant of noise. Distention and fermentation in bowels. Enlarged spleen.

Diarrhoea, white, watery, involuntary, painless, with much flatus; not specially exhausting. Diarrhoea in weak children.

Urine: Frequent, profuse, watery, milky. Diabetes. Micturition, preceded by anxiety and followed by burning. Frequent urination at night. Prostatorrhoea, even when passing a soft stool.

Chest troubles develop after brain-fag. Hoarseness. Dry cough from tickling in chest. Salty expectoration. Difficult respiration.

Weak. Tearing pains in joints, bones, and periosteum. Cramps in upper arms and wrists. Great debility. Pains at night, as if bones were scraped. Stumbles easily and makes missteps. Itching, between fingers or in folds of joints.

Skin: Pimples, acne, blood-boils. Ulcers, with very offensive pus. Burning red rash. Formication in various parts. Falling out of the hair. Tendency to abscess after fevers.

Syzygium Jambolanum

Has an immediate effect of increasing the blood sugar, glycosuria results. A most useful remedy in diabetes mellitus. No other remedy causes in so marked degree the diminution and disappearance of sugar in the urine. Great thirsts, weakness, emaciation. Very large amount of urine, specific gravity high. Old ulcers of skin. Diabetic ulceration.

Insulinum

Besides the use of Insulin in the treatment of diabetes, restoring the lost ability to oxidize carbohydrate and again storing glycogen in the liver, some use of it homeopathically has been made by Dr. Wm. F. Baker, showing its applicability in acne, carbuncles, erythema with itching eczema. In the gouty, transitory glycosuria when skin manifestations are persistent give three times daily after eating. Given a persistent case of skin irritation, boils or varicose ulceration with polyuria.

Lactium Acidum

Morning sickness, diabetes, and rheumatism offer a field for this remedy. Troubles in the breasts. Locally, in the tuberculous ulceration of vocal cords.

Tongue dry, parched. Thirst; voracious hunger. Canker, copious salivation and water-brash. Nausea; morning sickness, especially in pale anaemic women. Hot, acrid eructation. Nausea; better, eating. Burning, hot gas from stomach to throat, causing profuse secretion of tenacious mucus, worse smoking.

Throat: Fullness or lump like a puff ball. Keeps swallowing. Constricted low down.

Chest: Pain in breasts, with enlargement of axillary glands, and pain extends into hand.

Extremities: Rheumatic pain in joints and shoulders, wrists, knees, with much weakness. Trembling of whole body while walking. Limbs feel chilly.

Urine: Large quantities passed, frequently. Saccharine.

Argentum Nitricum

Desire for sweets, the splinter-like pains, and free muco-purulent discharge in the inflamed and ulcerated mucous membranes. Faintish and tremulous. Melancholic; apprehensive of serious disease. Loss of smell. Itching. Ulcers in septum. Coryza, with chilliness, lachrymation, and headache. Belching accompanies most gastric ailments. Nausea, retching, vomiting of glairy mucus. Flatulence; painful swelling of pit. Painful spot over stomach that radiates to all parts of the abdomen. Gnawing ulcerating pain; burning and constriction. Ineffectual effort at eructation. Great craving for sweets. Obesity. Desire for cheese and salt.

Stool watery, noisy, flatulent; green, like chopped spinach, with shreddy mucus and enormous distention of abdomen; very offensive. Diarrhoea immediately after eating or drinking. Fluids go right through him; after sweets. After any emotion with flatulence. Itching of anus.

Urine passes unconsciously, day and night. Urethra inflamed, with pain, burning, itching; pain as from a splinter. Urine scanty and dark. Emission of a few drops after having finished.

Chronic hoarseness. Suffocative cough, as if from a hair in throat. Dyspnoea. Chest feels as if a bar were around it. Palpitation, pulse irregular and intermittent; worse lying on right side; Painful spots in chest. Angina pectoris, nightly aggravation.

Trembling, with general debility. Paralysis, with mental and abdominal symptoms. Rigidity of calves. Debility in calves especially. Walks and stands unsteadily, especially when unobserved. Numbness of arms. Post-diphtheritic paralysis.

Kali Bichromium

The special affinities of this drug are the mucous membrane of stomach, bowels, and air-passages; bones and fibrous tissues. Kidneys, heart, and liver are also affected. Incipient parenchymatous; nephritis. Nephritis with gastric disturbances. Cirrhosis of liver. Anaemia and absence of fever are characteristic. General weakness bordering on paralysis. It is especially indicated for fleshy, fat, light complexioned persons.

Headache over eyebrows, preceded by blurred vision. Aching and fullness in glabella. Semilateral headache in small spots, and from suppressed catarrh. Frontal pain; usually over one eye. Bones and scalp feel sore. Florid complexion. Blotchy, red appearance. Acne.

Feels as if digestion had stopped. Dilatation of stomach. Gastritis. Round ulcer of stomach. Stitches in region of liver and spleen and through to spine. Dislikes water. Cannot digest meat. Chronic intestinal ulceration. Soreness in right hypochondrium, fatty infiltration of liver and increase in soft fibrous tissue. Painful retraction, soreness and burning.

Burning in urethra. After urinating a drop seems to remain which cannot be expelled. Ropy mucus in urine. Urethra becomes clogged up. Congestion of kidneys; nephritis, with scanty, albuminous urine and casts. Pyelitis; urine mixed with epithelial cells, mucus, pus, or blood. Hemato Chyluria.

Voice hoarse; worse, evening. Metallic, hacking cough. Profuse, yellow expectoration, very glutinous and sticky, coming out in long, stringy, and very tenacious mass. Tickling in larynx. Catarrhal laryngitis cough has a brassy sound. True membranous croup, extending to larynx and nares. Cough, with pain in sternum, extending to shoulders; worse when undressing. Pain at bifurcation of trachea on coughing; from mid-sternum to back.

Heart: Dilatation, especially from coexisting kidney lesion. Cold feeling around heart.

Chininum Arsenicosum

The symptoms of general weariness and prostration produced by the drug have been utilized in prescribing it homeopathically as a general tonic, often with very marked beneficial and prompt effect. In diphtheria with great prostration, cases that are prolonged, especially, and in malarial affections, neuralgia, etc, it has been found curative. Asthmatic attacks which recur periodically, with great prostration. Icy skin. Pressure in the solar plexus, with tender spine back of it.

Head: Tired feeling. Head feels too full. Throbbing. Great anxiety. Great irritability. Vertigo; worse looking up. Dull, heavy headache, frontal and occipital. Darting pains running up into head.

Eyes: Intense photophobia and orbicular spasm; gushing hot tears. Flickering with pain and lachrymation.

Mouth: Tongue thickly furred; yellow, slimy coating. Bitter taste. No appetite.

Stomach: Alternation of hyperacidity and decrease of acid. Hyperchlorhydria. Thirst for water, yet it disturbs. Anorexia. Eggs produce diarrhoea.

Heart: Palpitation. Sensation as if heart stopped. Suffocative attacks, occurring in periodical paroxysms. Must have open air. Short of breath on ascending; cardiac dyspnoea; circulatory weakness after acute infections; early myocardial degeneration.

Kali phosphoricum

One of the greatest nerve remedies. Prostration. Weak and tired. Especially adapted to the young. Marked disturbance of the sympathetic nervous system. Conditions arising from want of nerve power, neurasthenia, mental and physical depression, are wonderfully improved this remedy. The causes are usually excitement, overwork and worry. Besides, it corresponds to states of adynamia and decay, gangrenous conditions. In these two directions it has won many clinical laurels. Remember it in the treatment of suspected malignant tumors. After removal of cancer when in healing process skin is drawn tight over the wound. Delayed labor.

Anxiety, nervous dread, lethargy. Indisposition to meet people. Extreme lassitude and depression. Very nervous, starts easily, irritable. Brain-fag; hysteria; night terrors. Somnambulance. Loss of memory. Slightest labor seems a heavy task. Great despondency about business. Shyness; disinclined to converse.  Short breath on going upstairs. Cough; yellow expectoration.

Occipital headache; better, after rising. Vertigo, from lying, on standing up, from sitting, and when looking upward. Cerebral anaemia. Headache of students, and those worn out by fatigue. Headaches are relieved by gentle motion. Headache, with weary, empty, gone feeling at stomach.

Diarrhoea; foul, putrid odor; occasioned by fright, with depression and exhaustion. Diarrhoea while eating. Dysentery; stools consist of pure blood; patient becomes delirious; abdomen swells. Cholera; stools have the appearance of rice water. Organs: Enuresis. Incontinence of urine. Bleeding from the urethra. Very pale urine.

Natrum carbonicum

All the Natrums stimulate cellular activity and increase oxidation and metabolism. Mental weakness and depression; worries; very sensitive to noise; colds, change of weather. Anxious and restless. Freckles, yellow spots, pimples. Swelling of upper lip. Pale, with blue rings around eyes and swollen lids.

Stomach feels swollen and sensitive. Hungry at 5 am. Very weak digestion, caused by slightest error of diet. Averse to milk. Depressed after eating. Bitter taste. Old dyspeptics, always belching, have sour stomach and rheumatism. Sudden call to stool. Escapes with haste and noise. Yellow substance like pulp of orange in discharge. Diarrhoea from milk. Dry cough, when coming into warm room from out of doors.

Old sprains. Great weakness of limbs, especially in morning. Easy dislocation and spraining of ankles.

Picric Acid

degeneration of the spinal cord, with paralysis. Brainfag and sexual excitement. Acts upon the generative organs probably through the lumbar centers of the spinal cord; prostration, weakness and pain of back, pins and needle sensation in extremities. Neurasthenia. Muscular debility. Heavy tired feeling. Myelitis with spasms and prostration. Writer’s palsy. Progressive, pernicious anaemia. Uraemia with complete anuria. A one per cent solution applied on lint, is the best application for burns until granulations begin to form. Sallow complexion.

Lack of will-power; disinclined to work. Cerebral softening. Dementia with prostration, sits still and listless. Vertigo and noises in ear. Boils within ears and back of neck. After prolonged mental strain, with anxiety and dread of failure at examination. Brain fag.

Urinary scanty; complete anuria. Dribbling micturition. Urine contains much indican, granular cylinders and fatty degenerated epithelium. Inflammation of kidneys with profound weakness, dark, bloody, scanty urine. Nightly urging.

Tired, heavy feeling all over body, especially limbs; worse, exertion. Feet cold. Cannot get warm. Acute descending paralysis.

Zincum Metallicum

The provings picture cerebral depression. The word “fag” covers a large part of zinc action. Tissues are worn out faster than they are repaired. Poisoning from suppressed eruptions or discharges. The nervous symptoms of most importance. Defective vitality. Impending brain paralysis. Period of depression in disease. Spinal affections. Twitchings. Pain, as if between skin and flesh. Great relief from discharges. Chorea, from fright or suppressed eruption. Convulsions, with pale face and no heat. Marked anaemia with profound prostration. It causes a decrease in the number, and destruction of red blood corpuscles. Repercussed eruptive diseases. In chronic diseases with brain and spinal symptoms, trembling, convulsive twitching and fidgety feet are guiding symptoms.

Weak memory. Very sensitive to noise. Averse to work, to talk. Child repeats everything said to it. Fears arrest on account of a supposed crime. Melancholia. Lethargic, stupid. Paresis. Hydrocephalus.

Hiccough, nausea, vomiting of bitter mucus. Burning in stomach, heartburn from sweet things. Ravenous hunger about 11 am. Enlarged, indurated sore liver. Reflex symptoms from floating kidney. Griping after eating. Hysterical retention. Involuntary urination when walking, coughing or sneezing.

Burning pressure beneath sternum. Constriction and cutting in chest. Hoarseness. Debilitating, spasmodic cough; worse, eating sweet things. Child grasps genitals during cough. Asthmatic bronchitis, with constriction, of chest. Dyspnoea better as soon as expectoration appears.

Lameness, weakness, trembling and twitching of various muscles.

Natrum Muriaticum

The prolonged taking of excessive salt causes profound nutritive changes to take place in the system, and there arise not only the symptoms of salt retention as evidenced by dropsies and oedemas, but also an alteration in the blood causing a condition of anaemia and leucocytosis. There seems also to be a retention in the tissues of effecte materials giving rise to symptoms loosely described as gouty or rheumatic gout. The provings are full of such symptoms (Dr. Stonham) A great remedy for certain forms of intermittent fever, anaemia, chlorosis, many disturbances of the alimentary tract and skin. Great debility; most weakness felt in the morning in bed. Coldness. Emaciation most notable in neck. Great liability to take cold. Dry mucous membranes. Constrictive sensation throughout the body. Great weakness and weariness. Oversensitive to all sorts of influences. Hyperthyroidism. Goitre. Addison’s disease. Diabetes.

Hungry, yet loose flesh. Heartburn, with palpitation. Unquenchable thirst. Sweats while eating. Craving for salt. Cough from a tickling in the pit of stomach, accompanied by stitches in liver and spurting of urine.

Tachycardia. Sensation of coldness of heart. Heart and chest feel constricted. Fluttering, palpitating; intermittent pulse. Heart’s pulsations shake body. Intermits on lying down.  Every movement accelerates the circulation. Palms hot and perspiring. Arms and legs, but especially knees, feel weak. Hangnails. Dryness and cracking about finger-nails. Numbness and tingling in fingers and lower extremities.

A detailed discussion of diet therapies, pros and cons of various diets etc. is beyond the scope of this article. However, there is now a trend toward the use of a Mediterranean diet — one that is rich in “good” fats (olive oil) and contains a reasonable amount of carbohydrates and proteins (such as from fish and chicken).

The Mediterranean diet is palatable and easily sustained. In addition, recent studies have shown that when compared to a low fat diet, people on the Mediterranean diet have a greater decrease in body weight, and also had greater improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other markers of heart disease — all of which are important in evaluating and treating metabolic syndrome.

Other nutritional plans that may be recommended for people with metabolic syndrome include the American Dietary Association (ADA) diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

A sustainable exercise program, for example 30 minutes five days a week is reasonable to start, providing there is no medical contraindication. (If you have any special concerns in this regard, check with your doctor first.) There is a beneficial effect of exercise on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and insulin sensitivity, regardless of whether weight loss is achieved or not. Thus, exercise in itself is a helpful tool in treating metabolic syndrome.