Hyperlipidemia is a pathological condition characterized by the accumulation in the blood of substances harmful to the body, namely cholesterol, fats and triglyceride. In medicine, the common name for them is most often used - lipids. It is from this term that the name of this pathology came from.
general information
Hyperlipidemia is not a disease, but one of the very serious diagnostic syndromes. In clinical practice, this problem is quite common. For a long time, many patients do not even suspect its existence, but find out only during the course of the next preventive examination.
Despite the fact that hyperlipidemia is often diagnosed and is mostly asymptomatic, you should not leave it unattended. The increased content of fats, cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood entails the development of many diseases, including atherosclerosis. That is why patients with such a diagnosis need not only constant monitoring, but also appropriate treatment.
Main reasons
Unlike many hereditary and acquired diseases, on the appearance of which it is impossible to exert practically no influence, hyperlipidemia is a clear indicator of what kind of lifestyle a person follows in practice. The thing is that pathology develops as a result of the penetration into the body of those substances that come with food. In this case, it is not a one-time use, but a regular one.
In addition, experts name a number of factors that inevitably lead to the development of pathology:
- Hypertonic disease.
- Bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol).
- Thyroid disease.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Lack of exercise.
- Unhealthy and unbalanced diet.
- Obesity.
Symptoms
As already noted above, hyperlipidemia is not an independent disease, but a special syndrome. That is why it is not necessary to talk about any of its clinical signs. Even an increased concentration of lipids is detected only during a medical examination. Taking into account this fact, doctors strongly recommend that all people over 20 years old do an annual test to determine the concentration of these substances in the blood.
Meanwhile, the patient’s condition over time can only worsen, provoking the development of a rather serious disease called atherosclerosis. As a rule, only at this stage the patient may suspect that the body is not working properly, that is, it is time to check your health. As a result, hyperlipidemia is diagnosed.
Symptoms of a non-specific nature can manifest themselves in the form of an increase in the size of the spleen, as well as xanthoma (fat deposits in the skin).
Classification
The modern classification of this pathology was developed back in 1965 by Donald Fredixon. Subsequently, it was recommended as the main standard. How is hyperlipidemia divided? Classification:
- Type I. It is diagnosed extremely rarely. It occurs mainly due to a defect in the structure of the activator protein for the lipoprotein lipase enzyme or due to a deficiency of this enzyme. There is a sharp increase in blood lipids after eating fatty foods. That is why in this case, the main method of treatment is normalization of nutrition.
- Type II This is the most common type of pathology. It often entails the development of atherosclerosis and even becomes the cause of myocardial infarction.
- Type III. This is hereditary hyperlipidemia. People suffering from this pathology have a tendency to develop gout, diabetes mellitus, as well as obesity.
- Type IV. In this case, there is an increased content of triglycerides in the blood, and their number increases markedly immediately after drinking alcohol.
- Type V. Doctors with this form note an increased level of lipoproteins, and with an excessively low density. In patients due to this pathology, the risk of developing pancreatitis increases.
Other types of hyperlipidemia are also distinguished. The classification is based on the predominant content of certain substances in the blood related to this syndrome. In accordance with this, two forms of pathology are distinguished:
- Hypo-beta-lipoproteinemia.
- Hypo-alpha lipoproteinemia.
Diagnostics
Taking into account the fact that the pathology does not have a pronounced clinical picture, and the types of hyperlipidemia described above have their differences, the diagnosis should be based solely on biochemical blood tests. Depending on the level of lipids, their fractions, the doctor offers the appropriate therapy. In addition, the hematologist must conduct a differential diagnosis with other diseases.
What should be the treatment?
First of all, it should be noted that the lipids accumulated in the blood by themselves will not go anywhere. In order to normalize their level, patients are advised to radically revise their lifestyle. Reduce the intake of foods with bad cholesterol. This step allows not only to improve the general condition, but also to minimize disturbances in the cardiovascular system.
In patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, treatment implies adherence to a specific diet. It is recommended to refuse junk food, alcoholic beverages, all fatty and fried foods. The diet should consist of steamed or baked dishes in the oven. It is allowed to eat lean meat, fish, a large amount of fresh vegetables and herbs. Do not forget about dairy products.
With a combination of obesity and this pathology, it is recommended to include physical education in your life. At first, even the most usual morning exercises can have a positive effect on health.
If after a certain time the tests have not returned to normal, the doctor most often decides on the appointment of drug therapy. First of all, it is dictated by a high probability of developing heart ailments and atherosclerosis. The thing is that it is these diseases that most often accompany such a pathology as hyperlipidemia. In this case, treatment includes the use of statins (lowering blood cholesterol), fibrates and choleretic drugs.
Remember, the sooner this pathology is detected and the treatment is prescribed, the faster the recovery will go. Be healthy!