Maybe you feel unfamiliar with the term hyperlipidemia. However, you are familiar when you hear the word high cholesterol. This disease caused by excess fat cannot be ignored any other risks that may occur due to high cholesterol such as stroke, heart disease and other diseases. It cannot be denied that high bad cholesterol can make a person feel disturbed by his health and even not do any activity because of the pain that almost attacks all parts of the body.
Even though it is foreign, the term hyperlipidemia certainly has a definition that is almost the same as high cholesterol disease. However, it still has quite basic differences and different causes and symptoms. To find out more about what hyperlipidemia is. Let’s just look at our explanation below!
What Is Hyperlipidemia?
As we have explained in the points above regarding the similarities between hyperlipidemia and cholesterol. Of course this is indeed true. Hyperlipidemia, or what is often known as a lipid, is an organic compound that does not dissolve in water. As well as oils, waxes, fats, triglycerides and sterols. Lipids are molecules that circulate in the bloodstream which are certainly found in human body tissues.
Actually lipid is a term used to define cholesterol and also total fat which includes it. However, many people think that lipid is a term used to describe fat alone. However, it was not just a description of fat. Maybe before we know the term hyperlipidemia clearly. It would be nice if we know in advance about cholesterol which is certainly part of the types of hyperlipidemia.
As we all know that cholesterol is a very unique type of fat in the body. Cholesterol is also a waxy substance made up of part of protein and lipids. Cholesterol is indeed formed from saturated fat which is obtained from the food intake that you usually consume every day. In addition, cholesterol is also produced by the liver. This cholesterol is carried through the blood with the help of molecules called lipoproteins. Cholesterol certainly has a fairly good function in hormone production, healthy cell membranes, vitamin storage, and brain function.
Apart from cholesterol, another type of hyperlipidemia is triglycerides which are only formed by the foods you eat. Of course, these triglycerides have a function to store spare calories so that they become energy needed by the body. For that, you need to pay attention to the amount of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood so that it does not lead to chronic disease. You need to know that the normal limit of triglycerides in the body is less than 150 mg / dl.
So it can be concluded that hyperlipidemia is a condition of imbalance of fat in the blood which is also characterized by high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. Even though the two types of compounds have the most important role in the body. However, if the levels are too excessive, it will cause plaque to build up on the walls of blood vessels. Over time, of course, the accumulated plaque will get bigger and bigger so that it can clog the arteries. If the condition is like that, it does not rule out the emergence of other, more serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Types of Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia certainly comes with various risks as well as bad impacts on the health of the human body. Hyperlipidemia also has various types which certainly have differences in characteristics and also the impact they cause. Here are the types of hyperlipidemia that you need to know, including:
Type I
The first type of hyperlipidemia is of course very susceptible to occur in children. In children with type I hyperlipidemia, it will cause abdominal pain, enlargement of the liver and spleen, recurrent infections, and problems with the pancreas. The type of hyperlipidemia that occurs in children can certainly be caused by hereditary conditions that can interfere with the performance of normal fats (lipoproteinlipase enzyme disorders).
Type II (a and b)
This second type of hyperlipidemia is related to genetic factors which can be caused by heredity. This of course causes a buildup of fat under the skin and around the eyes due to high levels of LDL. This condition is of course known as familial hypercholesterolemia (type IIa) and also familial combined hyperlipidemia (type IIb).
Type III
In the third type, this is known as familial lipoproteinemia dysabetics. This condition can be characterized by HDL levels that are too low while LDL levels are normal. The main feature to indicate type III of hyperlipidemia is the occurrence of xanthomas (flat gray plaques that occur on the eyelids or around the eyes)
Type IV
This last type is of course characterized by low cholesterol levels, but high triglycerides. This condition certainly triggers insulin and glucose levels to become higher.
Those are some types or types of hyperlipidemia that you should know to detect the type of hyperlipidemia that occurs in people with lipids.
Causes of Hyperlipidemia
The emergence of a disease is not without cause, that is, it arises with various causes that sometimes we don’t think about beforehand. In the case of hyperlipidemia, of course not all cholesterol diseases are included in the cause of hyperlipidemia. However, one thing is certain is the presence of bad cholesterol in a person’s body which is the cause. Two types of cholesterol, namely high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL), are considered bad cholesterol (LDL) and also good cholesterol (HDL).
In this case, of course, HDL is processed and converted in the liver into bile salts if the levels are excessive. Meanwhile, LDL is not the case where LDL which is high enough will accumulate in the walls of blood vessels. In addition, the cause of hyperlipidemia can also be caused by heredity. But of course the causes of hyperlipidemia cannot be separated from an unhealthy lifestyle such as:
– Lack of exercise
– Too much eating foods that are high in fat such as meat and milk
– Often consume alcohol
– Smoking
– Often consume junk food and fast food.
Several other causes of hyperlipidemia can be triggered by a condition suffered by a person, including:
– Pregnancy
– Diabetes
– Underactive thyroid
– Overweight (Obesity)
– Kidney illness
– Polycystic ovary syndrome
High cholesterol levels can also be affected by certain drugs such as diuretics, antidepressants and birth control pills.
Symptoms – Symptoms of Hyperlipidemia
After we know the causes of hyperlipidemia in the body. Of course, it’s incomplete if we don’t discuss the symptoms that arise from hyperlipidemia. However, if the body experiences high enough fat levels in
the body, it certainly will not cause too significant symptoms. When the body has a high enough fat content, the fat deposits in the body will certainly form a growth substance which is often referred to as xanthoma in the tendons and skin.
Although it does not cause excessive symptoms, if the fat level in the blood is too high. Then it will give extraordinary symptoms. There are some symptoms that can arise if hyperlipidemia occurs in a person’s body as follows:
– Often feel nauseous and vomiting
– Often feel dizzy
– Often experience extreme fatigue
– Often short of breath
– Irregular heartbeat
– Often experience indigestion
– Difficulty defecating
– Frequent cold sweat
– Experiencing pain in several limbs and even all members of the body
– Hands and feet sometimes feel stiff
– Shoulders feel heavy accompanied by a headache
– Body aches
– Great pain in the upper back and shoulders
Some of these symptoms can certainly indicate a hyperlipidemic disorder that occurs in the body.
How to Diagnose Hyperlipidemia
As we know that hyperlipidemia is not a disease, but a disorder of imbalance in fat levels in the body. In general, hyperlipidemia will not cause symptoms and impact until it is in a severe stage. However, a diagnosis must still be done to detect whether hyperlipidemia is experiencing a problem or not.
The way to diagnose hyperlipidemia is to do a blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. This blood test certainly has a role in determining cholesterol levels in the body, LDL levels, HDL levels, triglycerides and blood samples. In general, cholesterol levels above 200 milligrams per deciliter are considered high levels. Safe cholesterol levels can certainly differ from one individual to another. This of course depends on the medical history and health problems that occur in the person. Usually, to do this blood test, of course, fasting for approximately 12 hours must be done.
Handling and Prevention of Hyperlipidemia
Before it’s too late, of course, those of us who still feel healthy should start thinking about how to prevent them from experiencing various chronic and severe diseases. As with hyperlipidemia disorders which can lead to serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke and others. So it is important to start preventing hyperlipidemia in the body.
The main key that you may be able to do is to change your lifestyle and habits. If at this time you have a bad lifestyle, then change your lifestyle for the better now. However, a poor lifestyle can increase the risk of hyperlipidemia occurring in your body.
Eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits can reduce the risk of hyperlipidemia disorders. Also avoid eating foods that contain saturated fat in products that are fat free or low in fat. In addition, maintain a healthy body weight by exercising regularly and also quitting smoking.
Those are some things you need to know about what hyperlipidemia is, along with its symptoms and causes. Knowing this, of course, is very important for you because it can detect early hyperlipidemia disorders that occur in the body. Hope it is useful!
