By 2040, Malaysia’s demographic will include an almost equal share of young (18.6%) and older populations (14.5%), with the elderly population surpassing six million – a key milestone in the country’s transition to an ageing nation.
As this demographic shift unfolds, managing conditions such as metabolic syndrome (MetS) will be crucial to promoting healthy ageing. Consultant nephrologist and internal medicine physician Dr Radzi Rodzlan explained that MetS is characterised by at least three of the following five risk factors:
- central obesity;
- high serum triglycerides or too much fats in your blood;
- low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or not enough”good cholesterol” in the blood;
- raised blood pressure; and
- raised fasting blood sugar levels.
“MetS affects both men and women, with the overall prevalence of MetS among adults in Malaysia lying between 25% and 40%. Risk factors include age: you are more likely to have it the older you are.
“Other risk factors include having diabetes or a family history of diabetes, as well as unhealthy eating habits, smoking, history of heavy drinking, stress, leading a sedentary lifestyle, or being past menopause,” Radzi outlined.
He added that having MetS can increase one’s risk of developing type-2 diabetes as well as heart and blood-vessel disease, eventually leading to heart attack or stroke.
Urinary issues in men
MetS is also linked to several urological conditions including kidney stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate, lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile dysfunction, male infertility, and prostate cancer.
“There is increasing evidence that men with MetS are at an increased risk of experiencing moderate to severe urinary symptoms as they age,” explained consultant urologist Dr Selvalingam Sothilingam.
“Lower urinary tract symptoms are frequently caused by an enlarged prostate. Symptoms include delay in initiating urination (hesitancy), poor urinary flow, incomplete bladder emptying, urinary urgency or frequent urination, and disturbed sleep (nocturia),” he said.
Patients with these symptoms are urged to seek medical attention as, left untreated, BPH can lead to complications such as urinary tract infection, blood in the urine, acute urinary obstruction, urinary incontinence, renal impairment, and bedwetting.
BPH may also cause kidney swelling, which could result in failure of the organ.
Indeed, MetS can result in significant changes to renal structure and function, including decreased ability to filter out waste and extra fluids from the blood, and increased urinary microalbumin, which indicates protein leakage from the kidneys.
Such changes could lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD), which could progress to other complications including end-stage renal disease that requires dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Early symptoms and signs of MetS-associated kidney problems include leg swelling, frothy urine, and abnormal results in blood and urine tests. To prevent the progression of CKD, Radzi and Selvalingam stress the importance of regular health screenings for early detection.
Both doctors encourage lifestyle changes such as regular exercise to combat insulin resistance, and adopting a heart-healthy diet by avoiding excessive amounts of carbohydrates that stimulate excess insulin production.
These proactive measures can significantly improve overall wellness and reduce the risk of kidney-related and other health issues.