Metabolic Syndrome: a group of conditions that include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. These occur together, increasing an individual’s risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Having just one of these conditions doesn’t mean an individual has metabolic syndrome. However, any of these conditions increase the risk of serious disease. Having more than one of these might increase the risk even more. Most of the disorders associated with metabolic syndrome have no symptoms. However, large waist circumference is a visible sign. If an individual’s blood sugar is very high, they might have signs and symptoms of diabetes, which include increased thirst, urination, fatigue, and blurred vision. This syndrome is closely linked to excess weight/obesity and inactivity. Excess weight and obesity can add unnecessary pressure to the joints which may ultimately cause sciatica. It’s also linked to a condition called insulin resistance. Normally, the digestive system breaks down foods into sugar (glucose). Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps sugar enter the cells to be used as fuel. People with insulin resistance, their cells don’t respond normally to insulin, and glucose can’t enter the cells as easily. As a result, glucose levels in the blood rise despite the body’s attempt to control the glucose by churning out more and more insulin.