One of the most common diseases of our time is atherosclerosis. To protect yourself from it, you need to know how the disease develops and the principles of treatment of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis: a description of the disease
This is a chronic disease that occurs due to impaired lipid metabolism. It affects the elastic and muscular-elastic arteries of the brain, heart, etc. In vascular intima, cholesterol and certain fractions of lipoproteins begin to be deposited.
As a result of the deposition of atheromatous plaques, connective tissue (sclerosis) grows, wall calcification occurs, the lumen narrows and deforms. These processes can lead to acute blockage of the lumen of the artery with the contents of the cholesterol plaque during its decay or thrombus, which threatens with a heart attack or gangrene of the organ fed by the artery. Moreover, the organ fed by the artery experiences a constant lack of blood supply.
The principles of treatment of atherosclerosis are related to the stage at which the disease was detected, the level of impaired functionality of systems and organs, the general health status of a person suffering from atherosclerosis.
The reduction in the risk of this disease is mainly due to dietary habits and lifestyle. The non-pharmacological principles of treatment are based on them.
Atherosclerosis can be avoided if risk factors are known and eliminated. These include smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet, drinking alcohol, a sedentary lifestyle, and frequent emotional stress.
People with hyperlipoproteinemia, atherial hypertension, hyperfibrinogenemia, homocysteinuria, diabetes mellitus, as well as those with a genetic predisposition are more likely to have the disease.
Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis
Diagnostics includes:
- general examination and questioning of the patient to determine the symptoms and signs of the disease;
- a biochemical blood test that determines the level of cholesterol and lipid balance;
- X-ray and ultrasound examinations (organs of the abdominal cavity, chest, heart);
- dopplerography, angiography, MRI of the brain.
The principles of the treatment of atherosclerosis
Doctors prescribing treatment adhere to certain principles. First of all, this is a feasible and appropriate physical activity of the patient. To do this, the doctor individually must determine the complexity and dosage of exercise.
In the diet for atherosclerosis , vegetable fats and vitamins should prevail. Body weight must be controlled to prevent weight gain. Nutrition should be aimed at getting rid of excess weight, if any.
Great importance is given to the regularity of the stool. Possible salt laxatives. In this case, cholesterol is eliminated from the body, excreted with bile in the intestine.
Another principle of how to treat atherosclerosis is the treatment of concomitant diseases (arterial hypertension, etc.). It should be remembered that even with medical exposure, the disease can not be quickly eliminated. This is a very complex and lengthy therapy, each patient having his own individual characteristics.
The disease is affected by reducing the intake and synthesis of cholesterol in the body, as well as increasing its excretion. They also reduce lipid peroxidation.
To conduct drug treatment, a biochemical blood test is necessary. It will detect cholesterol and various lipid fractions. Treatment is carried out only strictly under the supervision of a doctor. Surgical intervention allows you to fight only with formidable complications and does not save from further progression of the disease.