INTRODUCTION
As person ages, the cholesterol goes on accumulating in the body in the heart and blood vessels causing obstruction and resultant effects like heart attack and paralysis. Hyperlipidemia is the increase in the levels of bad cholesterol(VLDL- Very Low Density Lipoproteins and LDL- Low Density Lipoproteins) and triglycerides in the blood.It may be primary(genetic causes) or secondary to other diseases.
PRIMARY CAUSES
The primary or genetic causes are not in our hands. They are familial lipoprotein deficiency, familial hypercholesterolemia, familial dysbetalipoproteinemia and familial combined hyperlipidemia. It may be multifactorial as in polygenic hypercholesterolemia.
SECONDARY CAUSES
Secondary causes or causes due to other diseases include hypothyroidism because the thyroid hormones directly act on the enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism. Hypercholesterolemia is also seen in chronic liver and kidney diseases. It is evident in diabetes mellitus and diet consumption rich in saturated fat. It is also caused due to intake of oral contraceptive pills due to estrogen content in it.
HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIA
Hypertriglyceridemia is evident in diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypothyroidism. It may cause pancreatitis in few patients. It can be seen in chronic renal disease. and diet rich in carbohydrate consumption.
PREVENTION
Precautions in hypercholesterolemia can keep it in check. Exercise regularly which will keep your circulation active. If you can join gymnasium , that will be very motivating. However, if that is not possible due to fast lifestyle, even running or jogging or daily walking for half an hour can help. Eat less of fatty foods. Use different type of oils example rice bran oil. Avoid palm oil and coconut oil as it is high in saturated fats. Eat less of meat which is high in cholesterol. If possible, remove visible fat from the meat. While eating eggs, avoid eating the yellow egg yolk at times as it is high in cholesterol.
TREATMENT
The treatment of hyperlipidemia mainly consists of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drugs or statins as they are popularly called. These drugs are very potent in decreasing the cholesterol levels in the blood. They act on the enzyem involved in the cholesterol pathway. Other pharmacological drugs include bile acid sequestrants (resins), fibrates(activate lipoprotein lipase) and niacin (increase good cholesterol or HDL-High Density Lipoproteins and decreases triglyceride). Another drug Ezitimibe acts by decreasing intestinal absorption of fats and is a mild hypolipidemic agent. These drugs should be taken only on prescription of physician as these drugs are known for their side effects.