ATHEROSCLEROSIS
SYMPTOMS
In its early stages, atherosclerosis has no
obvious symptoms. Damaged or partially blocked blood vessels may cause one or
more of the following :
·
Dull, carmpy pain in your buttock, thigh, and calf muscles during exertion. This may
be sign of atherosclerosis in the pelvic region or leg.
·
Sudden
onset of localized paralysis, tingling, or numbness in a limb; partial vision
or speech loss. These symptoms may indicate cerebral atherosclerosis, which can lead to stroke.
·
Angina, a feeling of tightness or heavy pressure in the
chest. This may single atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries.
WHAT IS ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Atherosclerosis also known as
arteriosclerosis or hardening of arteries is an inflammatory disease that
result in scarring of the artery walls, primarily from long term buildup of
fatty deposits and calculation. Atherosclerosis is one of the most common
cardiovascular disease and is so prevalent in develop countries that many
Americans assume it is a natural consequences of aging. Overwhelming evidence
links atherosclerosis closely to diet and lifestyle, suggesting that it can be
prevented or slowed, and in some cases, even reversed.
Depending on the location and degree of arterial damage, atherosclerosis
can lead to kidney problems, high blood pressure,
stroke, and other life threatening conditions. Atherosclerosis tends to
target the aorta the body’s largest artery, which leads from the heart and
arteries leading to the brain, the lower limbs, and the kidneys. Damage to
arteries carrying blood to the legs and feet makes walking painful; severely
restricted circulation to the limbs can cause skin ulcers and even gangrene
(tissue death). Blockage in the coronary arteries, which feed oxygen rich blood
directly to the heart muscles, is known as coronary
artery disease or coronary heart disease. This disorder and its
complication angina, heart arrhythmia,
and heart attack are the leading causes of death in the U.S. and most of
Europe.
CAUSES
Arterial deposits begin as thin, fatty streaks
on an arterial wall. In a person with healthy lifestyle, the streaks may come
and go. But if a person’s arteries are damaged typically from high blood pressure, stress, or smoking
the inner surface of the walls can start to deteriorate. To compensate, the
artery grows new tissues that may create tiny bumps or scars. Cholesterol,
white blood cells, and other deposits can start to accumulate within these
bumps, forming plaque that clogs the arteries. Eventually, calcium deposits and
scar tissue surround the soft plaque, making the arteries hard and inelastic.
Because atherosclerosis progress slowly usually over many years it is commonly
thought of as an affliction of the elderly. However, studies show that arterial
deposits can begin in childhood, with significant plaque formation by the time
a person is 30.
While
the stages of atherosclerosis are well established, the reason for its
development are less clear. People with high level of blood cholesterol
especially low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are at risk for developing
atherosclerosis. LDL cholesterol the kind that forms arterial plaque can react
with unstable chemical compounds called free radicals in a complicated process
that degrades both the transport mechanism for moving cholesterol through the
bloodstream and tissue lining of arterial walls. Nonetheless, most people with
high cholesterol do not develop atherosclerosis, and many people with
atherosclerosis have normal cholesterol levels. (see cholesterol problems.)
Artery
walls can become damaged by high blood pressure, by the carbon monoxide in
tobacco smoke, and by stress. For example, one study in worn torn country found
that citizen exposed to ongoing battle had grater plaque buildup than those out
of harm’s way.
While
virtually everyone can expect to develop arterial deposits to some degree over
time, other factors influence susceptibility to actual atherosclerosis:
·
Age . Atherosclerosis tends to affect people over 35,
although it can begin much earlier.
·
Gender. Premenopausal women are less likely than men of the same age to have
atherosclerosis, but after menopause the risk is about equal.
·
Heredity. A family history of atherosclerosis
increases the risk of developing in the disease.
·
Obesity. Obese people are more likely to have
atherosclerosis, probably because as a group they tend to have high cholesterol
and high blood pressure.
·
Lifestyle. Lack of exercise is associated with
atherosclerosis and the eventual onset of coronary heart disease.
DIAGNOSTIC AND TEST PROCEDURES
Doctors usually look for
characteristics symptoms of arterial blockage in various parts of the body as
indication of atherosclerosis. To determine the precise location and angiogram,
which highlights arterial plaque on an x-ray.
TREATMENT
After addressing any obvious
symptoms, the first step in treating atherosclerosis is to eliminate or reduce
risk factor for the disease, for example by lowering the amount of saturated
fat in the diet to prevent further plaque buildup. If you have high blood
pressure you should take steps to regulate it, such as losing weight,
exercising regularly, and reducing stress. People with diabetes must control
their blood sugar levels. Smokers should quit.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
No drug treats atherosclerosis directly,
although various medications may be prescribed to treat contribution condition
such as high blood pressure, blood
clots, or cholesterol problems.
several surgical procedure have been
developed to restore damaged arteries : portion of disease artery can be opened
and obstructing plaque deposits removed, or a damaged section of artery can be
replaced.
Once of the more common procedures is bypass
surgery, in which blood is rerouted around a blockage using either grafted or
synthetic blood vessels. Balloon angioplasty is a nonsurgical technique that
open arteries by splitting and flattening plaques against vessel walls (right).
Various other techniques use catheterization, laser, and stents tiny pieces of
woven wire mesh to restore blocked blood vessels to an acceptably functioning
state.
ALTERNATIVE CHOICES
Since diet and lifestyle are significant
factors in both the development and the prevention of atherosclerosis,
alternative therapies offer a range of choices to keep the ailment at bay.
AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
Ayurvedic therapy combines diet, herbal
remedies, relaxation, and exercise. Consult a specialist for a comprehensive
program of treatment.
CHINESE HERBS
Numerous Chinese herbal combination are
recommend for atherosclerosis, including siler (Ledebouriella divaricata),
platycodon (platycodon grandiflorum), and bupleurum
(bupleurum Chinese) in an appropriated combination. Consult a practitioner of
Chinese medicine.
HRBAL THERAPIES
Herbal remedies to combat atherosclerosis are
typically intended to reduce existing plaques or to improve blood vessel
integrity so plaques are less likely to form. hawthorn (crataegus laevigata) is considered one of the best plaque
fighters, because of its reputation for strengthening arteries. Its flowers,
leaves, and berries can be brewed as tea, and it is also available in extract
and tincture form. for herbs that may provide relief from discomfort associated
with atherosclerosis of the lower limbs, see circulatory problems.
HOMEOPATHY
Various long term remedies may be
prescribed by a licensed homeopath for creating atherosclerosis. Diagnosis and
prescription will vary according to the homeopath’s evaluation of the patient.
LIFESTYLE
The benefits of lifestyle improvement have
been demonstrated in a yearlong program designed for heart disease patients,
conducted by Dr. Dean Ornish, that involved strict vegetarianism, exercise, and
stress reduction. At the end of the trial, a measurable reversal of plaque
buildup in the coronary arteries was reported in 82 percent of participants.
MIND/BODY MEDICINE
Since stress is believed to
accelerate the rate at which atherosclerosis develops, therapeutic relaxation
techniques may help prevent or retard its progress. A number of approaches can
help you relax, including yoga,
meditation, guided imagery, and biofeedback.
NUTRITION AND DIET
Diet and lifestyle changes, if
started early and maintained aggressively, may be enough to prevent or even
reverse atherosclerosis. First, your diet should be not only low in cholesterol
and saturated fat, but high in antioxidants, are vitamins E and C, beta
carotene (vitamin A), and selenium, which can be toxic in high
dosages. Be careful about taking any vitamin indiscriminately, however: Too
much vitamin D, for example, may
actually accelerate calcification of arterial plaques. To be safe, seek advice
from a doctor or nutritionist.
Some evidence suggest that garlic (Alliumsativum), eaten in large
quantities, deters oxidation of cholesterol. Grape-skin extracts and
gugulipid(Commiphora mukul), an herb from southern India, are reputed to reduce
plaque deposits. Alfalfa (Medicago
sativa) and bromelain, a pineapple enzyme, are reported to have done the same
in animals and may works on humans.
Numerous studies over the past 30 years have
indicated moderate alcohol consumption a glass or two of wine a day may protect
against atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. One study suggest that
flavonoids in grape skins, which give red wine its color and flavor, inhibit
buildup of fatty deposits.
For more
nutritional information, see cholesterol
problems and blood clots.
PREVENTION
Atherosclerosis develops when genetic
predisposition meet known risk factor head on. If you have a family history of
atherosclerosis, the prudent course of action is to accept what you can not
change and change what you can.
·
Adopt
a low fat, low salt, high fiber diet. Take extra pains to avoid foods high in
saturated fat and cholesterol.
·
If
you smoke, quit.
·
Know
your blood pressure. If its high, get it down.
·
Get
moderate exercise a 30 minute walk, swim, or bicycle ride several times a week,
and daily if possible.
·
Find
a relaxation program that you enjoy, and incorporate it into your daily
routine.
·
If
you have a high risk family history, be sure to get checked regularly by a
cardiologist.
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