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Hyperlipoproteinemia

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.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition when the body has practically no insulin. This insulin deficiency results in extremely high blood sugar levels. Consequently, the muscle, fat and liver cells cannot use glucose for fuel. These cells are converted into glucose by hormones such as glucagon and adrenalin and turned into ketones through oxidation. As a result, the body uses fat for fuel. The increased levels of blood sugar are not flushed through urination. DKA is usually noticed in patients suffering from Insulin-dependent diabetes. A person can suffer from diabetic ketoacidosis if there has been severe dehydration and consequently the blood chemistry has been affected. There is accumulation of organic acids and ketones in the blood. Elevated ketone levels in the body upset its blood pH and make the blood acidic thereby triggering a toxic condition for the body's cells. Diabetic ketoacidosis is noticed when hyperglycemia exceeds over 300 mg/dL. If diabetes ketoacidosis is not attended in time, it can lead to coma and death. Surgery, infection, trauma, stroke or heart attack can also trigger diabetes ketoacidosis. Insufficient fluid intake, pancreatitis and alcohol abuse can trigger diabetes ketoacidosis.

Symptoms of diabetes ketoacidosis include excessive thirst and general weakness. There is frequent urination, loss of appetite and vomiting. Other symptoms of diabetes ketoacidosis are weight loss and abdominal pain. A person suffering from DKA tends to experience low blood pressure and increased heart rate. High ketone levels can give rise to a fruity-scent on the breath and vomiting. The patient will be restless and agitated. The skin will be hot and dry and appear flushed. Patients suffering from diabetes must check their blood glucose levels if they notice any symptoms of diabetes ketoacidosis. Poor diabetes management can lead to DKA.

Acidosis can be checked by testing the pH of the blood. Normal blood pH ranges from 7.35 to 7.45. If it is observed to be below 7.35, acidosis may have set in. Ketosis, acidosis and hyperglycemia can be diagnosed through blood tests. The patient will need fluid replacement till the body is sufficienty rehydrated. Electrolytes must also be suitably replaced as they are essential to the working of major organs and nerve cells. Electrolyte imbalance can lead to severe health hazards. Intravenous insulin aids in using up glucose for energy. Thus the breakdown of fat is stopped. Consequently acidosis and ketosis processes will be reversed.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. This type of cancer grows very slowly. High levels of animal fat in the diet may have a role to play in the occurence of prostate cancer. It can also have a genetic factor. High levels of testosterone and certain chemical exposures may be responsible for prostate cancer. If detected early, prostate cancer can be successfully treated.

The prostrate gland is part of the male reproductive system and is located underneath the urinary bladder in men. It secretes some of seminal fluid. Male hormones that stimulate the prostate cause the prostate to grow till a boy reaches adulthood. Then it maintains it's normal size. But if the size of the prostate grows beyond it's normal size, it lays pressure on the urethra and affects the flow of urine. Often prostate cancer does not surface as noticeable symptoms or pain. Symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty in starting urination and need for frequent urination. Men suffering from enlarged prostate may feel pain or burning during urination and ejaculation. Blood may be noticed in the urine or semen. There may be dull pain in the lower pelvic region and intermittent urine flow.

A digital rectal examination can help in detecting prostate cancer. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is tested in a blood sample. This test allows a physician to detect the incidence of prostate cancer at an early staga. Men over 50 years must get a PSA test done yearly. Radiation therapy is used to treat prostate cancer. Radiation destroys cancerous cells and it is used with computer-imaging software so that the exact location of the prostate is attacked. In this way, damage to surrounding healthy tissue can be avoided. Hormone therapy is used along with radiation to combat prostate cancer. Drugs such as leuprolide and goserelin are effective in blocking testicles from receiving messages to produce testosterone. This type of treatment is used to shrink large tumors. Chemotherapy is effective in treating hormone-resistant prostate cancer. Surgical removal of the prostate gland is sometimes resorted to.