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Dyslipidemia is a disease that disturbs the lipid metabolism. Many types of these disorders are called dyslipidaemia, e.g. abnormalities in the amount or structure of individual lipids. They are directly related to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, they can cause atherosclerosis, ischemia of the heart, ischemia of the lower limbs or stroke.
Dyslipidemia – what is it?
To explain, what is this dyslipidemiafirst you need to know the concept of lipids. Lipids they are more specifically, in terms of chemistry, lipidoproteins, as they are made up of fats and proteins. Lipidoproteins contain a lipid, hydrophobic (water-insoluble) core composed mainly of cholesterol esters and triglycerides. The core is surrounded by a hydrophilic shell made of phospholipids, cholesterol and apolipoproteins.
What is the role lipids? They transport exogenous and endogenous cholesterol to various tissues of the body. It is needed to build cell membranes and is used in the synthesis of bile acids and steroid hormones. There are several types lipoproteins, e.g. chylomicrons or lipoproteiny with different densities. The very low-density ones are called VLDL, the low-density ones are called LDL, and the high-density ones are called HDL. Chylomicrons are mainly made of triglycerides, just like lipoproteiny VLDL, which in plasma become lipoproteiny LDL, mostly composed of cholesterol esters (their concentration is a very important factor contributing to the appearance of atherosclerosis). The last of the lipoproteins, HDL, are colloquially known as “good cholesterol”. They catch excess cholesterol in the body and transport it to the liver.
Dyslipidemia is divided into three types. The first is pure cholesterolemia, which leads to an increase in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The second kind dyslipidemii is hypertriglyceridemia, where there is an increase in triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins. The last type is mixed hyperlipidemia, which combines all the negative effects of the previous two types.
The causes of dislipidemia
Dyslipidemia has two varieties – primary and secondary. Dyslipidemia the primary one develops as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, and especially as a result of an inadequate diet. This means that the group with the greatest risk of developing dyslipidemia there are people who consume large amounts of animal fats. An additional factor affecting the dyslipidemia the primary ones are tobacco and alcohol consumption. In some cases, morbidity dyslipidemia it has a genetic background and appears even when you lead a healthy lifestyle. Dyslipidemia secondary can appear along with other diseases, e.g. hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome or nephrotic syndrome, and also as a result of pregnancy. Cause of development dyslipidemii there is also diabetes and metabolic syndrome and cholestatic diseases.
Treatment of dyslipidemia
Dyslipidemia can be treated both pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically. About the way leczenie physician decisions should be made based on the patient’s cardiovascular risk and age. That or leczenie is effective, it is best shown by the fraction of LDL lipoproteins and their concentration. For all patients throughout the process treatment non-pharmacological methods should also be used.
Particularly in obese and overweight patients, weight reduction is recommended. In the fight against dyslipidemia important is also physical activity combined with a diet, in which the fats supplied with meals do not exceed 35% of the total energy produced from the consumed food. Such a diet is based on limiting the consumption of animal fats and simple sugars, and increasing the amount of vegetables and fish in meals. It is also recommended to avoid smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and reducing the use of salt.
Often, however, such leczenie is not sufficient and drug treatment is needed. The most frequently used drugs for pharmacotherapy are statins with lipid-lowering effects, however, they may induce side effects in the form of muscle and liver damage, therefore continuous monitoring of liver parameters is recommended during pharmacotherapy. Other substances used in treatment dyslipidemii are ezetimibes, PCSK9 inhibitors, omega-3 acids and fibrates. Appropriate leczenie pharmacology is selected by the physician on the basis of the general condition of the patient.