Our body is shaped and controlled by the metabolism. This regulates the various cycles that every body goes through every day. Eating, digesting, excreting, as well as sleeping and being awake are just two of the innumerable examples that can ultimately be traced back to the metabolism. But they are also vital, which is why one Metabolic disorder or the different Metabolic diseases can end drastically quickly.
What is a metabolic disorder?
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What exactly is a Metabolic disorder? Many sufferers or interested parties ask themselves this question when they are confronted with a diagnosis of metabolic disorder for the first time.
Most people know the term, but not the actual definition. Having a metabolic disorder or Metabolic disease one understands fundamentally a pathological change in the metabolic processes of the human body. Because even if not every metabolism is the same, there are still pathological cases despite all normal and harmless deviations.
Examples of this are gout, diabetes mellitus and also hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism. These are also metabolic disorders - but they all show a different clinical picture.
causes
Metabolic disorders can have many causes. However, most of the most well-known reasons are still due to genetic factors. This means that many cases of metabolic disorders are inherited within a family, so to speak.
Genetic transmission very often occurs in diseases such as gout and also in thyroid dysfunction. Other metabolic disorders, on the other hand, can have physical causes that are “self-inflicted”, so to speak.
Excessive and long-term obesity, a very unhealthy and one-sided diet and heavy consumption of alcohol, medication or tobacco can change the healthy and natural metabolism.
It looks similar with an unnatural sleep rhythm in the long term. Here too, the body's biorhythm could react with a metabolic disorder.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
Metabolic disorders can manifest themselves through a number of symptoms and complaints, depending on the type and severity of the disorder. Possible signs of a metabolic disorder include burning pain in the hands and feet, often with an uncomfortable tingling sensation and sensory disturbances. In addition, there may be attacks of fever, chills, fatigue and fatigue.
Likewise gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain and heartburn. Furthermore, a disturbance of the metabolism can become noticeable through acute cardiovascular complaints. Diabetes patients, for example, suffer from a sudden drop in blood pressure and dizziness.
Gout is manifested by cramps in the toes and fingers, severe pain, and restricted mobility. An underactive thyroid leads to hair loss, insomnia, weight loss and listlessness. An overactive thyroid causes restlessness and nervousness, cardiovascular symptoms (such as palpitations and tachycardia), as well as strong thirst and diarrhea.
Cystic fibrosis is associated with disorders of the respiratory tract: shortness of breath, coughing, mucus and recurrent infections as well as pneumonia. Symptoms tend to get worse with age. Due to the large number of possible metabolic disorders, no clear symptom picture can be defined. However, certain signs such as gastrointestinal complaints or disorders of the circulatory system occur in most disorders, which makes a clear diagnosis possible.
Diagnosis & course
Hardly any other overarching disease has as many different faces as one Metabolic disorder. It can affect any organ in the body, from the heart to the thyroid and liver to the brain. And of course, each case of a metabolic disorder shows up completely differently.
On the one hand, overfunction and underfunction of individual organs can occur. On the other hand, several organs are often affected, which can change the symptoms again. Metabolic disorders, however, often manifest themselves through severe physical discomfort, sleep disorders, mood swings and very drastic weight loss or very strong weight gain in an unnaturally short time.
However, pathological changes in the skin and hair loss can also occur. It is therefore extremely important to consult a specialist as soon as possible if you have inexplicable symptoms.
Complications
A metabolic disorder is associated with various complications, which of course can also occur in different degrees of severity. With such a functional disorder, vital organs are usually severely impaired in their function, so that various complications arise. Many affected people who suffer from a metabolic disorder are very overweight.
Even if a balanced diet is observed, the ingested nutrients cannot be properly broken down and utilized due to the metabolic disorder. There is a significant overweight, so that the person affected will be very limited in everyday life. If, on the other hand, too little food is consumed, deficiency symptoms can also occur in connection with a metabolic disorder.
Headache, nausea, vomiting and a general malaise are just a few complications that can occur in this context. Blood pressure problems are also common complications faced by those with a metabolic disorder. Those who seek medical treatment early on can avoid possible complications or make them much more pleasant and bearable. However, those who refrain from such treatment must expect considerable complications that can get significantly worse over time.
When should you go to the doctor?
In the case of a metabolic disorder, the person concerned suffers from a variety of complaints and irregularities. In many cases, there is a temporary disorder that is often neglected. However, if it occurs again, a doctor should be consulted. Vomiting, nausea, constipation or diarrhea are, for example, signs of a health problem. Dizziness, circulatory disorders or a strong feeling of thirst should be observed further. A doctor is needed for heartburn, abdominal pain, or chills. Fatigue, tiredness or reduced performance are also indications of an illness.
In the event of a fever, sensory disturbance or a tingling sensation on the skin, the organism shows that something is wrong. If the symptoms appear regularly within several weeks or months, you should consult a doctor. Pain after eating, changes in weight, skin abnormalities, or shortness of breath are symptoms that should be discussed with a doctor.
An extensive examination is necessary so that a diagnosis can be made. A metabolic disorder is often only recognized after many years, as the symptoms are often diffuse and incoherent. As soon as the person concerned has the feeling of an irregularity, he should speak to a doctor about it and ask for an extensive examination. Chills, restlessness, nervousness and coughing are also signs of impaired health.
Treatment & Therapy
The best point of contact is the treating family doctor, who can initiate the first examinations. Lots Metabolic disorders he can also treat him immediately, with others he will have to refer the patient to an endocrinologist.
It is important, however, that the metabolic disorder is recognized and treated as quickly as possible. Because although not all metabolic disorders are truly worrying, some can even be fatal. Either way, successful treatment involves finding the exact cause of the metabolic disorder and treating it along with the symptoms.
Most of the time, this is done through the use of appropriate medication. Some metabolic disorders are completely curable, others have to be treated and monitored for a lifetime - such as diabetes, gout and malfunctioning of the thyroid gland.
In any case, the treatment takes some time. Because the drugs do not have an immediate effect on the body and only in the long term. And: A change in lifestyle is often necessary in order to achieve successful treatment.
prevention
Metabolic disorders can only be prevented to a very limited extent. As already mentioned, it always depends on the genetic make-up. If you belong to a risk group, you should have yourself checked regularly. Otherwise, metabolic disorders can be avoided and kept under control through a healthy lifestyle. These include a healthy diet, a healthy weight, dealing well with stress and avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol, medication and tobacco as much as possible.
Aftercare
Since a metabolic disorder can have a wide variety of causes, follow-up care must also be tailored to the individual patient. There is therefore no simple direction in the follow-up care of the metabolic disorder. It often does not represent an independent clinical picture, but is the symptom or the result of another systemic disease.
Depending on the underlying disease and the severity of the metabolic disorder, the specialist must adapt the follow-up care to the patient. In some cases, the causal disease cannot be cured, which means that follow-up care must also be permanent with regular check-ups and doctor's appointments. As a rule, the symptoms can be largely suppressed, this can be done by long-term administration of appropriate medication.
The respective specialist monitors the underlying disease, the administration and dosage of the medication as well as possible healing. If the underlying disease for a metabolic disorder can be remedied, no long-term follow-up can usually be expected. Here, however, it is initially indicated at some intervals to ensure and maintain the success of the treatment.
You can do that yourself
In the case of a metabolic disorder, the person affected often reacts more sensitively to food intake or life events. Depending on the severity and development of the disease, risk factors for an increase in symptoms should be avoided.
Often there are changes in weight that are perceived as unwanted and uncomfortable. So that there is no further deterioration, food intake should be optimized. A balanced and healthy diet, which is tailored to the needs of the organism, strengthens general well-being. It can also make a significant contribution to alleviating the symptoms. In the event of sleep disorders, sleep hygiene must be rethought. Optimizations should be made so that sleep is perceived as restful and pleasant. The person concerned often has to experiment with the possibilities until he has found his best possible sleeping position, time or sleeping utensils.
Relaxation procedures help to strengthen mental strength. These can be used independently in everyday life at any time. In addition to yoga and meditation, many patients report that they find autogenic training or cognitive exercises to be particularly recommended. In this way, an inner balance is achieved that is helpful in coping with the disorder in everyday life. Characteristic for a metabolic disorder are symptoms such as malaise or a feeling of illness. Those affected are well advised to initiate activities to promote their wellbeing themselves.
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