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High Cholesterol

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipid - a vital material necessary for the body to build cell walls as well as produce hormones. Other than the cholesterol produced by the liver, we receive cholesterol when we eat animal products. Small amounts of cholesterol are used by the body to meet the needs of production of hormones and Vitamin D. When there is too much cholesterol in the bloodstream, it gets deposited in arteries leading to blockage. This condition is called hypercholesterolemia. High fat diet, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heredity are factors affecting blood cholesterol levels. Mental stress and age and lifestyle factors also have a bearing on blood cholesterol levels.

LDL or low-density lipoproteins are called 'bad choleterol'. HDL or high-density lipoproteins are beneficial since they aid in clearing excess cholesterol from the blood. Total Blood cholesterol of less than 200 milligrams per decileter of blood is desirable. If the LDL levels are less than 130, you are at risk for heart disease. HDL levels of 40 and above are good for your heart. High cholesterol has a direct bearing on the condition of your heart. High levels of cholesterol can lead to CHD (coronary heart disease). It can result in atherosclerotis and increase the risk of a heart attack.

High cholesterol is noticed during routine blood screening. A lipid profile showing your LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels are indicative of the blood cholesterol status. Triglycerides are a form of fat that is found in the bloodstream. Lifestyle changes are imperative in the control and reduction of high cholesterol. Healthy diet and regular exercise regimen can help in controlling high cholesterol.

Statins are used to treat high cholesterol. These drugs deplete cholesterol levels in the liver. Statins such as atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin and pravastatin are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. Medication to alter cholesterol profiles such as fibrates, nicotinic acid and cholesterol absorption inhibitors are also used to reduce blood cholesterol. But it is essential to monitor any side effects on the liver.

Gallbladder Disease

Persons with high blood cholesterol levels or those suffering from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colities are at increased risk for gallbladder disease. Gallbladder disease can result from either inflammation or presence of gall stones. Cholecystitis refers to inflammation of the gallbladder. Cholelithiasis is a gallbladder disease caused due to gall stones. Gallstones are noticed more in women than men. Gallstones form when the bile composition undergoes change. This can occur due to severe illness, alcohol abuse or tumors. Incidence of gallstones increases with age. Estrogen intake and lipid-lowering agents can play a role in formation of gallstones. Obesity, liver cirrhosis and peptic ulcers can lead to gallstones. Fatty diets and high cholesterol are most often the leading causes for formation of gallbladder stones. Diabetics are at higher risk for gallstones.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease include pain in the upper abdomen or under the right shoulder. A patient suffering from gallbladder disease has abdominal bloating, nausea and gas. There is indigestion. Abdominal pain worsens on consumption of fatty food. There might be chest pain too. Gallbladder disease can also lead to chronic nausea. Often people can live with gallstones and not realize it since they do not exhibit any symptoms. When gallstones move into the bile duct, they can lead to complications such as liver damage and jaundice.

Blood tests can check for liver function. Ultrasound scans aid in detecting gallbladder stones. CT scans or MRI scans are sometimes resorted to. MRI scans aid in viewing the bile ducts. Oral cholecystorgram aids in evaluating the functioning of the gall bladder. Pancreatic inflammation can be detected by checking blood amylase levels. Low level radioactive tracers are sent by a Heida scan to assess gallbladder functioning. You can lower the risks of gallbladder disease by keeping your weight under check and regular exercise regimen. This can help keep cholesterol and sugar levels under control. Laparoscopic surgery is used to remove the gall bladder. This is resorted to in case of inflammation of the pancreas or acute attack of gallbladder disease. This prevents recurrence of gall stones.

Hyperlipoproteinemia

Too much of lipid and/or lipoproteins in the blood can lead to hyperlipoproteinemia. Hyperlipoproteinemia is also known as hyperlipemia or hyperlipidemia and is a metabolic disorder. This disease remains silent for years together; only when the person suffers any heart ailment does this condition come to light. Heredity and diet play a major role in the onset of this disease; hereditary blood fat disorders are the main cause for hyperlipoproteinemia.

Other common conditions that can cause this condition are diabetes, liver and kidney disease, hypothyroidism, alcohol and cigarette smoking. Few medications like progesterone, beta blockers, etc also increase the fat level in the bloodstream. If left unattended or untreated hyperlipoproteinemia can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This condition is common in adults rather than in children and can occur both in men and women. Depending on the excessive chemical found in the blood stream, hyperlipoproteinemia can be classified into five types:

Type I – Elevation of triglycerides

Type II – Elevated cholesterol and in few cases elevated triglycerides

Type III – Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels with subsequent vascular diseases

Type IV – Elevated triglycerides alone but no risk of vascular diseases

Type V – Similar to type I

No specific symptoms are shown for hyperlipoproteinemia. In very rare cases when the fat level in the blood shoots up too high, fat gets deposited in the form of bumps in the skin and tendons, this is referred to as xanthomas. In few cases, the liver and spleen enlarge when the triglycerides level shoot up too high. This leads to pancreatitis causing severe abdominal pain. The diagnosis of hyperlipoproteinemia can be made by measuring the triglycerides, total cholesterol, lipid profile, LDL and the HDL levels in the blood.

Patients should consume a healthy low-fat or fat-free diet. They should avoid saturated fat and polyunsaturated fat.
Monounsaturated fat like olive oil is recommended and is the healthiest option.
Medications are also prescribed to bring down the LDL, HDL levels and the cholesterol levels in the blood.
Doctors would advice the person to lose weight if obese.
Physical activity is also be recommended.
Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed.
Food items like oatmeal, oat bran, rice bran, citrus fruits, rice bran, strawberries, apple pulp, beans and peas should be consumed.