Metabolic syndrome--a combination of insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure and elevated cholesterol--is treated with a combination of lifestyle changes, medications and surgery. Adolescents with metabolic syndrome should eat a healthy diet and participate in regular exercise as the first part of their treatment. If lifestyle changes alone do not work, prescription medications that target blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol may be needed. Bariatric surgery may be required in rare cases.
Lifestyle Changes
Adolescents with metabolic syndrome should consider lifestyle change, which includes diet and exercise, as the first and most important part of their treatment, according to Drs. Rachel Nelson and Andrew Bremer in the February 2010 issue of "Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders." While dietary changes and exercise may result in weight loss, weight loss alone is unlikely to adequately treat metabolic syndrome, according to Drs. Martha Cruz and Michael Goran in the February 2004 issue of "Current Diabetes Reports." Cruz and Goran specifically recommend either high-intensity aerobic exercise or strength training, as well as diets that include whole grains and fiber. Nelson and Bremer also recommend that adolescents limit sweetened beverages and other high-fat and high-calorie foods, while adding fruits and vegetables to their diet.
Medications
Adolescents with metabolic syndrome may require prescription medications to treat elevated blood sugar, elevated blood pressure or elevated cholesterol. A number of medications can be used, but a common type of oral diabetes medication for this syndrome is Metformin, according to an article by Brittany Harris Sanders and colleagues in the September 2006 issue of "The Annals of Pharmacotherapy."
Bariatric Surgery
Surgical interventions for weight loss may be effective in treating metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents for whom lifestyle changes or medications do not work, according to Nelson and Bremer. Different surgical options are available, including gastric bypass and gastric banding.
References
- "The Annals of Pharmacotherapy"; Prevalence and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes; Brittany Harris Sanders, Lisa Lubsch, and Donna West; September 2006
- "Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders"; Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome in the Pediatric Populaion; Rachel Nelson, M.D. and Andrew Bremer, M.D., Ph.D.; February 2010
- "Current Diabetes Reports"; The Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents; Martha Cruz, Ph.D. and Michael Goran, Ph.D.; February 2004
- "Journal of Pediatric Surgery"; A Prospective Trial for Laparscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding in Morbidly Obese Adolescents: An Interim Report of Weight Loss, Metabolic and Quality of Life Outcomes; Ai-Xuan Holterman, Allen Browne, Lisa Tussing, Sandra Gomez, AMy Phipps, Nancy Browne, Christiane Stahl, and Mark Holterman; January 2010
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