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What are the Different Types of Metabolic Disease?

Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Metabolic disease is a blanket term for many different genetically inherited conditions in which metabolism is impaired. Basically, this translates to an inability to initiate catabolism and anabolism, the two processes necessary to produce and utilize energy needed for a variety of cellular functions. The primary reason for this dysfunction is a diminished availability or even complete lack of certain enzymes required to catalyze the correct metabolic pathways that trigger biochemical reactions within cells. Depending on the specific enzymes and metabolic pathways involved, disorders designated as metabolic disease have numerous classifications. Many fall into the categories of faulty amino acid, organic acid, carbohydrate, or lipid metabolism, but thousands of other types may occur for other reasons.

For example, Tay-Sachs is one type of metabolic disease that’s caused by an insufficient amount of beta-hexosaminidase A, an enzyme that catalyzes the metabolic pathway for the metabolism of fatty acids called gangliosides. This leads to a toxic build up of fatty acids in the brain, which slowly causes the deterioration of the nervous system and brain. Although Tay-Sachs is rare, it most commonly occurs in infants under the age of six months and usually causes death within four years.

If some types of metabolic disease remain untreated, the disorders can cause visual disturbances or even seizures.
If some types of metabolic disease remain untreated, the disorders can cause visual disturbances or even seizures.

There are at least half a dozen different types of metabolic disorders that occur due to impaired glycogen storage, which is classified under impaired carbohydrate metabolism. Lesch–Nyhan syndrome, on the other hand, results from dysfunctional purine metabolism and leads to a condition known as hyperuricemia in which the body produces too much uric acid and causes kidney damage. Kearns-Sayre syndrome and Zellweger syndrome are caused by flawed mitochondrial and peroxisomal function, respectively. Examples of metabolic disorders involving amino acid metabolism include homocystinuria, phenylketonuria, and maple syrup urine disease. The latter condition is so-named because an accumulation of amino acid by-products causes the sweat and urine to smell like maple syrup.

Patients suffering from Tay-Sachs, which is a metabolic disease, who are unable to swallow food may have to use a feeding tube.
Patients suffering from Tay-Sachs, which is a metabolic disease, who are unable to swallow food may have to use a feeding tube.

Symptoms of these and other types of disorders vary greatly and may include kidney malfunction, enlarged liver, muscle pain, neuropathy, visual disturbances, bone malformations, and seizures. Whenever a metabolic disease is suspected, the patient will typically undergo a series of diagnostic tests, including neurological evaluation, blood tests, urine tests, electromyogram to measure muscle weakness, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Treatment also varies depending on the type and severity of the disease, but typically includes nutritional therapy, physical therapy, medication, and, in the case of muscle or bone abnormalities, surgery or bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, many types of metabolic diseases cannot be cured. However, with early detection and appropriate treatment, many children and adults can enjoy active lives.

Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Contributing articles to TheHealthBoard is just one of Karyn’s many professional endeavors. She is also a magazine writer and columnist, mainly for health-related publications, as well as the author of four books. Karyn lives in New York’s Catskill Mountain region and specializes in topics about green living and botanical medicine.

Learn more...
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Contributing articles to TheHealthBoard is just one of Karyn’s many professional endeavors. She is also a magazine writer and columnist, mainly for health-related publications, as well as the author of four books. Karyn lives in New York’s Catskill Mountain region and specializes in topics about green living and botanical medicine.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon319629

If anyone wants to know how you can seriously change your life and have diabetes free life then follow the Paleo diet! Get rid of all carbs, even complex ones. You get enough carbs from your vegetables. Carbs are just sugar and with all that sludge in your system, it's not surprising people have metabolic disorders.

serenesurface

I have Hashimato's disease which is the cause of another metabolic disease and its symptoms for me, hypothyroidism.

It's one of those mystery diseases because a cure cannot be found. Basically, my immune system cannot identify my thyroid tissue and attacks it as if it's a foreign matter. My thyroid is damaged because of this and cannot function normally. It doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones which control metabolism.

So my metabolism is slow and it's hard for me to lose weight. I'm also lethargic, tired and cold all the time. I'm taking synthetic hormones which help but I still have symptoms of the condition.

fify

@burcidi-- Diabetes is definitely a genetic metabolic disease.

You're right that some environmental factors can contribute to diabetes, but it is still a genetic disease, especially type one. Type one diabetes patients are genetically not able to produce enough insulin to metabolize all the sugar in their blood stream. As for type two diabetes patients, they suffer from insulin resistance, which is also seen to be a mainly genetic condition.

So you do have a metabolic disease. After all, the body depends on the glucose which we get through food for energy. The glucose is picked up from the blood stream by insulin and transformed into ATP which our cells use. If diabetes isn't treated and kept under control, metabolism and many other vital functions would be wrecked.

burcidi

Is diabetes considered a metabolic disease?

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes recently. My blood sugar tests came out too high and I've been put on tablet medication. Diabetes definitely has to do with metabolism, but I'm not sure if it fits in with some of the other diseases mentioned here.

I know that type 2 diabetes can be genetic or not. Gaining weight for example can make someone a diabetic. And it can be reversed with weight loss. So what's the verdict on diabetes?

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    • If some types of metabolic disease remain untreated, the disorders can cause visual disturbances or even seizures.
      By: bellemedia
      If some types of metabolic disease remain untreated, the disorders can cause visual disturbances or even seizures.
    • Patients suffering from Tay-Sachs, which is a metabolic disease, who are unable to swallow food may have to use a feeding tube.
      By: sudok1
      Patients suffering from Tay-Sachs, which is a metabolic disease, who are unable to swallow food may have to use a feeding tube.
    • Symptoms of metabolic disease may include an enlarged liver.
      By: maya2008
      Symptoms of metabolic disease may include an enlarged liver.
    • Children with PKU must inherit a recessive gene from both parents in order to acquire the condition.
      By: Monkey Business
      Children with PKU must inherit a recessive gene from both parents in order to acquire the condition.
    • Symptoms of metabolic disease may include kidney malfunction.
      By: designua
      Symptoms of metabolic disease may include kidney malfunction.
    • Someone who metabolizes food slowly may experience weight issues.
      By: tchara
      Someone who metabolizes food slowly may experience weight issues.
    • A patient may undergo an MRI of the brain of a metabolic disease is suspected.
      By: jovannig
      A patient may undergo an MRI of the brain of a metabolic disease is suspected.