Hypertriglyceridemia - what is it? Causes and Treatment

People with hypertriglyceridemia significantly increase the risk of serious pathology, which I do not want to encounter anyone and at any age. But the reality is that more and more people are hearing this term from a doctor. What is characterized by the disease, how to detect it in time and prevent it, not everyone knows. The recipe is in most cases simple: you need to carefully look at your body, lead a healthy lifestyle and regularly take tests for the level of concentration in the blood of triglycerides. This article describes hypertriglyceridemia. What it is? About this further.

Description of the disease

A high concentration of triglycerides in human blood is called hypertriglyceridemia and occurs in almost every twentieth, especially among older people.

Triglycerides are one of the many types of fats in our body that are responsible for the functioning of the energy reserves of the subcutaneous layer. Most of these fats are deposited in the fat layer, but some of them are also present in the blood streams and provide the muscles and the whole body with the necessary energy. The level of triglycerides is unstable and naturally increases after eating, when the body actively turns the energy, not required at the moment, into fat stores. When the consumed fats do not have time to be converted into energy between meals, the level of triglycerides increases noticeably and, if kept in high values for a long time, can cause serious damage to health.

The analysis of blood for high or low concentration of triglycerides is an important moment in the prevention of diseases, since it allows us to identify the internal processes of dangerous processes in the early stages of their development.

Is hypertriglyceridemia dangerous? What is this - a disease or a variant of the norm?

Normal level of triglycerides

Ideally, when the blood triglycerides do not exceed 150 mg / dL (1.7 mmol / l). The level of fats up to 300 mg / dl is considered to be elevated and signals about possible violations in the organization of the diet and the presence of excess weight in the patient. The concentration of triglycerides in the blood of more than 300 mg / dl indicates already begun serious and dangerous processes in the human body, which must be prevented immediately.

What happens in the blood?

When hypertriglyceridemia in the blood increases the concentration of triglycerides in the form of very low density lipoproteins.

They begin to settle on the walls of the arteries and blood vessels, deposited on them in fat stores, gradually narrowing the arteries and thereby increasing the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.

The long-term presence of large amounts of triglycerides in the circulatory system leads to more serious and severe consequences: a heart attack or stroke. The process becomes irreversible, because fats continue to reduce the elasticity and internal volume of the vessel, causing a slowdown and complete suspension of blood flow to the tissues and organs.

When is it necessary to be surveyed?

If a person is diagnosed with "hypertriglyceridemia," what is it and how is it manifested? About this further.

To check for a high content of fats in the blood is necessary when the total blood test has recorded any deviation from the norm. An additional study on the concentration of triglycerides is given either separately or together with a test for total cholesterol or as part of a lipidogram. The latter is recommended to be passed every five years to all adults of twenty years.

It is especially important to check the concentration of triglycerides for diabetics, since fluctuations in the level of sugar greatly increase the triglyceride index. In the risk zone, people who have other chronic diseases. If in the family even at one of the relatives at a young age high cholesterol or cardiovascular diseases were noticed, then the first analysis is recommended to take at the age of two to ten years. Also, in case of any doubts or observation of causeless changes in the body's functions, it is necessary to make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible.

Impact on the research result

So, it is already known that when hypertriglyceridemia in the blood increases the concentration of fats in the blood.

The result of the blood test is influenced by many things, therefore it is necessary to prepare for the test beforehand. Triglycerides remain significantly elevated (up to 5-10 times higher than normal) even after a few hours after eating or drinking, so at the time of taking the tests with the last meal should take at least 9-10 hours. Often, the blood taken on an empty stomach and at different times of the day may vary, and in some people the level of triglycerides can vary by 40% within a month. Therefore, a single check does not always reflect the actual picture of the degree of triglycerides, respectively, it is better to re-transfuse the blood.

Endogenous and exogenous type of disease

To date, the frequent question: endogenous hypertriglyceridemia - what is it? What is the difference from an exogenous type of disease?

Triglycerides, which enter the human body from the outside, namely with food, are called exogenous. Endogenous triglycerides are called when they are formed as a result of metabolism, that is, there is a resynthesis in the body.

Endogenous hypertriglyceridemia is considered with a significant increase in the concentration of neutral fats in the blood under the influence of internal causes.

Exogenous hypertriglyceridemia is a condition in which triglycerides are increased due to malnutrition.

Symptoms of the disease

There is a disease without visible sensations and symptoms, so it's very difficult to make such a diagnosis yourself. Concomitant discomforts can be a noticeable impairment of vision, heaviness in the right side, enlarged liver, irritability and fatigue, frequent headaches, abdominal pain. On the face and skin of the patient often appear xanthomas, which are intracellular accumulations of fat. But these symptoms can also be manifestations of very different diseases.

Hypertriglyceridemia without targeted treatment or deliberate non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations is sometimes complicated by other ailments: obesity, hypertension, cerebral circulation disorder, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis and hepatitis, atherosclerosis.

The most dangerous among complications is pancreatitis with severe hypertriglyceridemia - inflammation of the pancreas. Its acute form is accompanied by sudden and cutting pains in the abdominal area, complete loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and high fever. Pancreatitis often leads to pancreatic necrosis, the necrosis of a part or the entire pancreas as a result of digestion by digestive enzymes.

To avoid aggravation of the situation, complications and aggravation of concomitant diseases, it is necessary to regularly visit the clinic, take the necessary tests and carefully monitor the pain and discomforts that arise.

Hypertriglyceridemia: causes

The optimal level of triglycerides in the blood directly depends on the age and sex of the person. The limits of the norm rise in the values every five years, with the female indicators initially slightly higher than the male ones. A high triglyceride level in the blood plasma is promoted by many factors:

• Age (mostly men from 45 years and women from 55 years).
• Hypertension.
• Presence of chronic and acute health problems (especially diabetes, insufficiently active thyroid gland, kidney disease).
• Excessive use of alcohol.
• Prevalence in the diet of fatty foods, overeating.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Smoking.
• Third trimester of pregnancy.
• Taking certain medications (birth control pills, estrogen, steroids, diuretics and many others).
• A lot of stressful situations.
• Heredity.

When triglycerides are lowered

We considered such a disease as hypertriglyceridemia. Symptoms are described. And what if the triglycerides in the blood are lowered?

The triglyceride index of less than 50 mg is also considered a deviation from the norm, but does not have such severe consequences, in contrast to high concentrations. The lowered level of triglycerides signals an unsaturated, unbalanced and inadequate diet, excessive intense physical exertion, the presence of untreated illnesses and infections. Reduces this indicator of the constant use of vitamin C. For rapid and successful increase in the level of triglycerides, it is necessary to temporarily give up taking ascorbic acid, establish adequate nutrition, reduce physical activity, visit a doctor to detect possible infections that occur in a latent form.

Hypertriglyceridemia: treatment

The patient can be treated with or without medication. The use of drugs is prescribed in severe forms of the disease and begins with a minimum dose of one drug. Among such medicines, fibrates, nicotinic acids, cod liver oil from cod liver and statins, which through other substances or organs of the body block the increase in the concentration of triglycerides and reduce their level. In the absence of a positive effect, the dosage is increased or complex treatment is prescribed. Taking medications without consulting a doctor is dangerous, since ignorance and bias can lead to various kinds of complications or irreversible side effects.

Non-drug treatment involves a set of measures, which include diet, therapy of concomitant diseases that increase the level of triglycerides in the blood, strictly defined physical activity and constant control over the recruitment and weight reduction. All responsibility for fighting fat completely falls on the patient himself.

The correct diet

The diet for hypertriglyceridemia involves about 1,400 calories a day and allows the patient to lose weight to 2-3 kilograms per month. Is in this case you need often, but in small portions, mainly in the morning, eliminating the intake of food before going to bed or at night. In no case can you make yourself any indulgences and digress from a strict menu.

Bread and pasta should be consumed as little as possible, and the main focus is on products from coarse flour, bran rich in dietary fiber and digested much more slowly, thereby lowering the concentration of triglycerides.

From the diet it is better to immediately and irrevocably erase any sweets, including desserts, cakes, ice cream, caramel, jam, honey, juices and soda with a high sugar content. Even fruits rich in fructose, especially tropical fruits, must be hidden until better times, preferring vegetable fiber, which is contained in sufficient amount in beans.

Instead of fat-saturated animal origin of butter, sausages, sausages, brisket, fat, pork on the table should be present unsaturated, more nutritious and healthy fats. Fish, filled with necessary for this disease fatty acids omega-3, should be consumed at least 4 times a week, without denying yourself the diversity of its species. Especially welcome are tuna, salmon, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.

At the time of treatment, the analog of fatty sauces, mayonnaise or vegetable oil will be olive oil of the first cold pressed, which contains a large number of useful elements that reduce the risk of cancer.

Salts to add to the food is recommended no more than a daily dose (one teaspoonful), and instead of raffinate use a non-nutritive sweetener.

Water in the diet takes almost the first place, since it is allowed in unlimited quantities, both during meals and during the day. Less is worth paying attention to fruit unsweetened compotes, and alcohol is contraindicated in any quantity, since even a glass of wine can significantly increase the level of fats in the body, especially in people who are sensitive to alcohol. Tea and coffee are allowed in moderation and when using low-calorie sweeteners. It is also necessary and unconditional refusal from smoking or other narcotic drugs. All this requires hypertriglyceridemia. What is it is described above.

Triglycerides: an excuse to lose weight

In the absence of chronic diseases, a high concentration of triglycerides in the body presupposes the presence of excessive weight, much exceeding the norm. The reason for excess kilograms lies in unbalanced nutrition, the so-called harmful food and lack of physical activity. Return to the initial mass will result in the normalization of the functioning of fats: they will be completely processed into energy, which will affect the simultaneous reduction of subcutaneous stores and the concentration of triglycerides in the blood.

The predominantly non-calorie and perfectly selected menu for each meal will significantly limit the amount of triglycerides that come in. After all, 90% of fat is delivered to the body together with the food we eat and only 10% is produced by internal organs. This will lead to a decrease in the triglycerides produced by the body itself. Also it is worth remembering that some foodstuffs stimulate their production of the liver in a larger quantity than others, so it is important not to disregard the directions and recommendations of a nutritionist and gastroenterologist. Especially if there is pancreatitis with hypertriglyceridemia.

Decrease result

Only consistent adherence to all recommendations in the aggregate will help to defeat the disease quickly and without complications. Diet, measured physical activity, healthy lifestyle for about 4-6 weeks lead to a significant, fifty-percent decrease in the level of triglycerides in the blood. Then there will be hypertriglyceridemia.

Diagnosis, treatment should be timely.

However, self-medication is dangerous, because there is no significant symptom in this disease, and the level of triglycerides can only be determined in special laboratory conditions. Moreover, hypertriglyceridemia can occur under the influence of serious diseases. Also, the doctor will help in the individual selection of a program of therapeutic actions and compilation of a daily diet. With a significant and very high concentration of these fats in the blood, consultation with a doctor is mandatory, since it is possible that medication and inpatient monitoring will be required.

We have considered in detail such a disease as hypertriglyceridemia. What is it (symptoms, treatment described in the article) is now clear, respectively, to prevent the emergence of the disease will be much easier.