High Cholesterol in Children and Adults: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Cholesterol is a lipid (fat), which is mainly formed in the liver and is of key importance for the normal functioning of the body. Cholesterol is located in the outer layer (the plasma membrane) of each cell of our body and has many functions. It is a waxy steroid and is transported in blood plasma in all animals. This is the main styrene synthesized by animals, but small amounts are also synthesized in plants and fungi.
The word «cholesterol» comes from the Greek word «chole», which means «bile», and the Greek word «stereos», meaning «hard». Cholesterol is not quite the right name for this substance, because this is alcohol, and according to the chemical nomenclature the correct ending is «-ol», i.e. «cholesterol».
Children, like adults, can also have an increased cholesterol level, which can cause serious problems. Studies of Family Healthcare Denton show that atherosclerosis (plaque, which accumulates in the walls of the arteries) begins in childhood, and real atherosclerotic plaques are formed in 13-19 years. This is especially important when one of the parents have an increased cholesterol and heart disease.
What are the cholesterol functions?
It forms and supports cell membranes;
prevents crystallization of hydrocarbons in membranes;
determines which molecules can pass into the cell, and which can not (the permeability of cell membranes);
involved in the production of sex hormones (androgens and estrogens);
necessary for the production of hormones secreted by the adrenal glands (cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, etc.);
serves as an auxiliary in the production of bile;
converts sunlight into vitamin D;
important for metabolism of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E and K;
isolates the nerve fibers.
Types of lipoproteins
Cholesterol is carried in the blood by special substances (molecules) called lipoproteins. Lipoprotein is a compound or complex of lipid (fat) and protein.
The main three types of lipoproteins:
LDL (low density lipoproteins) — people often treat them as «bad cholesterol». LDL carry cholesterol from the liver cells to other cells of the body. If you carry too much, more than the cells could use, an increase in LDL can harm you. This lipoprotein may increase the risk of a cardiovascular disease if its level is too high. Most people contain about 70% of LDL in blood — this figure can vary;
HDL (high-density lipoproteins) — people often treat them as «good cholesterol.» According to Family Healthcare Pharmacy experts, HDL prevent cardiovascular disease. HDLP perform the opposite function of LD: HDL carry cholesterol from the cells back to the liver. In the liver, it is either cleaved or removed from the body in the form of waste;
Triglycerides are the chemical forms in which most fats exist in the body, as well as in food. They are located in the blood plasma. Triglycerides, in combination with cholesterol, form plasma lipids (or blood fats). Triglycerides enter the plasma either with food fats, or are produced in the body from other sources of energy, such as carbohydrates. The calories that we consume, but do not use immediately, are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. When your body needs energy and there is no food as an energy source, triglycerides will be released from fat cells and used as energy — this process is controlled by hormones.
Dangers of high cholesterol
High cholesterol level can cause:
Atherosclerosis is a narrowing in the lumen of the arteries or obstruction of the arteries;
A higher risk of coronary heart disease is damage to the arteries that deliver blood and oxygen to the heart;
Myocardial infarction occurs when blood and oxygen are blocked in the heart muscle, usually by a clot (thrombus) in the coronary artery. This leads to the death of the heart muscle;
Angina pectoris is a pain or discomfort in the chest that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood;
Other cardiovascular diseases — diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
Stroke and mini-stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks arteries or veins, interrupting the flow of blood to the brain area. It can also happen when the blood vessels burst. As a result, the brain cells begin to die.
If the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood are high, the risk of developing coronary heart disease increases significantly.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
There are no symptoms of high cholesterol, in the sense that the patient or the doctor can not identify them by touch or vision. Symptoms of high cholesterol levels are revealed if you have symptoms of atherosclerosis, a common consequence of having high cholesterol. These may include:
The narrowed coronary arteries of the heart (and as a consequence — angina pectoris);
Pain in the legs during exercise — because the arteries that supply the legs are narrowed;
Blood clots and rupture of blood vessels — this can cause a stroke or transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke);
Rupture of plaques — this can lead to coronary thrombosis (a thrombus formed in one of the arteries that delivers blood to the heart). If this causes significant damage to the heart muscle, it can lead to heart failure;
Xanthoma — yellow spots on the skin, especially around the eyes. They are, in fact, the deposition of cholesterol in the blood. This is often observed in people who have inherited a high susceptibility to cholesterol (familial or hereditary hypercholesterolemia).
Causes of an increased cholesterol level
Causes in you lifestyle:
Nutrition — despite the fact that some foods contain cholesterol, such as eggs, kidneys, some seafood, etc., cholesterol from food does not make a big contribution to the level of cholesterol in the blood. However, saturated fats — do it. Foods high in saturated fats: red meat, some pies, sausages, hard cheeses, lard, flour confectionery, cakes, biscuits and cream (there are a lot of products);
Sedentary lifestyle — people who do not exercise and spend most of their time sitting / lying, have a significantly higher level of LDL (bad cholesterol) and low HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol);
Weight — people who are overweight / obese are much more likely to have higher levels of LDL and lower levels of HDL cholesterol than people who have a normal weight;
Smoking — can have a very significant effect on the level of LDL;
Alcohol — people who regularly consume too much alcohol tend to have a much higher level of LDL and a much lower level of HDL, compared to people who drink moderately.
What are the treatments for high cholesterol level?
Lifestyle. Most people, especially those whose only risk factor is a lifestyle, can achieve their normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels with:
Exercising;
Eating a large number of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, oats, good quality fat and avoid eating foods with saturated fats;
Normal amount of sleep (8 hours per day);
Bring your body weight back to normal;
Avoid drinking alcohol;
Quit smoking.
Many experts say that people who have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases will not reduce it only by changing the diet. However, a healthy diet will have many health benefits, not just for cholesterol levels.
Drug treatment of high cholesterol level
If your cholesterol level is still high after doing all that is mentioned above, your doctor can prescribe medications to lower cholesterol.
They may include the following:
Statins (inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase) — block the enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol. In this case, the goal is to lower the cholesterol level to less than 4 mmol / L and to 2 mmol / L for LDL. Statins are useful for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Side effects may include constipation, headaches, abdominal pain and diarrhea;
Aspirin — should not be given to patients under the age of 16;
Drugs for lowering triglyceride level are derivatives of fibrolic acid;
Niacin is vitamin B, which exists in various foods. You can receive very high doses only on prescription. Niacin reduces levels of both LDL and HDL. Side effects may include itching, headache, flushing and ringing in the ears (mostly very mild);
Antihypertensive drugs — if you have high blood pressure, your doctor can prescribe angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers;
In some cases, inhibitors of absorption of cholesterol and substances that enhance excretion of bile acids can be prescribed. They have more side effects and require a certain level of education of the patient (the so-called medical competence of the patient) so that the doctor is sure that the drugs are taken in accordance with the instructions.
The full list of cholesterol medications can be found in the catalog of Canadian Health&Care Mall: http://www.familyhealthcare-inc.com.
Helpful Tips by Family Healthcare Denton
First of all, you must completely change your way of life and the regime of your children.
It is necessary to use moderate physical activity. Doing jogging, swimming, cycling. Do exercises and walk more;
Quit smoking. Protect the child from tobacco smoke and not serve as a bad example for him;
Use only those medicines which the doctor has prescribed to you;
Follow a special diet that will not only help to normalize the cholesterol level in children’s blood, but also significantly regulate weight:
Refuse trans fats: mayonnaise, hamburgers, margarine, french fries, etc.;
The level of heavy fats in food should not exceed 7%;
It is necessary to replace solid fats with vegetable oils: olive, sunflower, rapeseed;
Eat vegetables rich in fiber, but limit the consumption of sweet fruit;
Refuse from gluten-containing products;
Do not abuse sweets, reduce the consumption of sugar in food;
The menu should be diverse, include meat, fish, porridge;
Do not starve. The child should eat properly, but do not overeat;
Meals should be fractional. You’d better have 5-6 meals in small portions during a day.
It makes no sense to demand that a child maintain a diet and increase physical activity if you do not want to change your own way of life.
Care for children should include the preservation of their health, as well as demonstrating a positive example of self-care.
Family Healthcare Pharmacy medication should be prescribed only by a specialist. Moreover, the decision about the need to take medicines is made by the doctor on the basis of an external examination of the patient, the results of tests and an anamnesis of his parents’ illnesses.
