Our body is shaped and controlled by metabolism. This regulates the various cycles that every body goes through day after day. Eating, digesting, excreting and also sleeping and being awake are just two of countless examples that are ultimately due to metabolism. But they are also vital, which is why a metabolic disorder or the various metabolic diseases can quickly end drastically.
What is a metabolic disorder?
What exactly is a metabolic disorder? This question is asked by many affected or interested people when they are confronted with the diagnosis of metabolic disorder for the first time. In doing so, most people know the term, but not the actual definition. A metabolic disorder or metabolic disease is basically understood to be a pathological change in the metabolic processes of the human body. Even though not every metabolism is the same as another, there are still pathological cases despite all normal and harmless deviations. Examples of this are gout, diabetes mellitus and also hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. These are also metabolic disorders – but all have a different clinical picture.
Causes
Metabolic disorders can have an immense number of causes. However, most and best known causes are still due to genetic factors. This means that many cases of metabolic disorders are inherited within a family, so to speak. Very often, genetic transmission occurs in diseases such as gout and also in thyroid dysfunction. Still other metabolic disorders, on the other hand, can have physical causes that are “self-inflicted,” so to speak. Severe and long-term obesity, a very unhealthy and one-sided diet and heavy alcohol, medication or tobacco consumption can alter the healthy and natural metabolism. The situation is similar with an unnatural sleep rhythm in the long term. Here, too, the body’s biorhythm could react with a metabolic disorder.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Metabolic disorders can manifest themselves through a range 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 associated with uncomfortable tingling and sensory disturbances. In addition, episodes of fever, chills, fatigue and exhaustion may develop. So can gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain and heartburn. Furthermore, a metabolic disorder can make itself felt through acute cardiovascular complaints. Diabetes patients, for example, then 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 gland leads to hair loss, sleep disturbances, weight loss and listlessness. Hyperthyroidism causes restlessness and nervousness, cardiovascular problems (such as palpitations and tachycardia), as well as severe thirst and diarrhea. Cystic fibrosis is associated with respiratory disorders: Shortness of breath, cough, mucus and recurrent infections, and pneumonia. Symptoms usually become more severe 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 circulatory disturbances occur in most disorders, making a definite diagnosis possible.
Diagnosis and course
Few other overarching diseases have as many different faces as a metabolic disorder. It can affect every organ in the body, from the heart to the thyroid and liver to the brain. And, of course, each case of a metabolic disorder presents itself entirely differently. On the one hand, hyperfunctions and hypofunctions of individual organs can occur. On the other hand, several organs are often affected, which can alter the symptoms again. Metabolic disorders, however, often show themselves through a strong physical malaise, through sleep disturbances, through mood swings and through very drastic weight loss or a very strong weight gain in an unnaturally short time. Pathological changes in the skin and hair loss can also occur.Therefore, it is immensely important to see a specialist as soon as possible if you have any unexplained symptoms.
Complications
Metabolic dysfunction is associated with various complications, which of course can also occur in varying degrees of severity. In such a dysfunction, vital organs are usually severely impaired in its function, resulting in various complications. Many people suffering from a metabolic disorder are overweight. Even if attention is paid to a balanced diet, nutrients ingested cannot be properly broken down and utilized due to the metabolic disorder. This results in considerable overweight, so that the affected person will also be very restricted in everyday life. If, on the other hand, too little food is consumed, deficiency symptoms can also occur in conjunction with a metabolic disorder. Headaches, nausea, vomiting and a general feeling of malaise are just some of the complications that can occur in this context. Problems with blood pressure are also common complications faced by people suffering from a metabolic disorder. Those who seek medical treatment at an early stage can avoid possible complications or make them much more pleasant and bearable. However, those who forgo such treatment must expect significant complications that can worsen significantly over time.
When should you go to the doctor?
In the case of a metabolic disorder, the affected person suffers from a variety of complaints and irregularities. In many cases, a temporary disturbance manifests itself and is often not given further attention. However, if it occurs repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted. Vomiting, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, for example, are signs of health impairment. Dizziness, circulatory disturbances or a strong feeling of thirst should be further observed. A doctor is needed for heartburn, abdominal pain or chills. Fatigue, tiredness, or decreased performance are also indications of disease. In case of fever, sensory disturbances or a tingling sensation on the skin, the organism shows that something is wrong. If the complaints occur regularly within several weeks or months, consultation with a physician should be sought. Pain after eating, changes in weight, skin abnormalities or a shortness of breath are complaints that should be discussed with a doctor. A comprehensive examination is necessary so that a diagnosis can be made. A metabolic disorder is often only recognized after many years, as the symptoms often appear diffusely and incoherently. As soon as the affected person has the feeling of an irregularity, he should approach a doctor about it and ask for a comprehensive examination. Chills, an inner restlessness, nervousness, and coughing are also among the signs of health impairment.
Treatment and therapy
The best place to start is the attending family doctor, who can initiate the first examinations. He or she can also treat many metabolic disorders immediately; for others, he or she will need to refer the patient to an endocrinologist. However, it is important that the metabolic disorder is recognized and treated as soon as possible. After all, although not all metabolic disorders are of a truly worrisome nature, a few can even be fatal. Either way, successful treatment envisions finding the exact cause of the metabolic disorder and treating it along with the symptoms. In most cases, this is done through the use of appropriate medications. Some metabolic disorders are entirely curable, others need to be treated and monitored throughout life – such as diabetes, gout and also thyroid dysfunction. In each case, however, treatment requires some time. This is because the drugs do not have an immediate effect on the body and only take effect over the long term. And: often a change in lifestyle is also necessary to achieve a successful treatment.
Prevention
Metabolic disorders can only be prevented to a very limited extent. Here, as already mentioned, it always depends on the genetic makeup. If one belongs to a risk group, one should be examined regularly. Otherwise, metabolic disorders can be prevented quite well and kept in check by a healthy lifestyle.These include eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress well, and avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol, medications, and tobacco as much as possible.
Follow-up
Because a metabolic disorder can have very diverse underlying causes, follow-up care must also be very individualized to the patient. Thus, there is no simple direction in the aftercare of the metabolic disorder. It is often not a disease in its own right, but a symptom or consequence of another systemic disease. Depending on the underlying disease and the severity of the metabolic disorder, the specialist must adapt the aftercare to the patient. In some cases, it is not possible to cure the causative disease, 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 achieved by the long-term administration of appropriate medication. The respective specialist monitors the underlying disease, the administration and dosage of the medication, and the possible cure. If the causal disease for a metabolic disorder can be eliminated, long-term follow-up care is generally not expected. Here, however, at some intervals, it is initially indicated to ensure and maintain the success of treatment.
What you can do yourself
With a metabolic disorder, the affected person 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 unpleasant. To prevent further deterioration, food intake should be optimized. A balanced and healthy diet, which is completely adapted to the needs of the organism, strengthens the general well-being. In addition, it can significantly contribute to alleviation of symptoms. If sleep is disturbed, sleep hygiene should be reconsidered. Optimizations should be made so that sleep is perceived as restful and pleasant. Often, the affected person has to experiment with the possibilities until he finds his best possible sleeping position, time or sleeping utensils. Relaxation techniques help to strengthen mental power. These can be used at any time on one’s own responsibility in everyday life. In addition to yoga and meditation, many patients report that they find autogenic training or cognitive exercises particularly recommendable. This helps to achieve an inner balance that is helpful in coping with the disorder in everyday life. Characteristic of a metabolic disorder are complaints such as malaise or a feeling of illness. The affected person is well advised to initiate activities to promote his or her own well-being.
