Triglycerides are very important for human body. They participate in many metabolic processes and are essential source of energy. This most common form of fats is obtained from food and is supposed to stay in optimal borders. The level of triglycerides can be easily measured by a simple blood test. Increased level of triglycerides represents a huge risk factor for numerous medical conditions such as heart attack, stroke and many more. High triglyceride level is medically known as hypertriglyceridemia.
Causes of High Triglycerides
The most common cause of high triglycerides is increased intake of food rich in fats. Triglycerides are increased in obese people and those whose intake of daily recommended calories is surpassed. All the unused calories are converted into triglycerides which consequently leads to high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Except for being obese and following inadequate dietary regimes high triglyceride level may be the consequence of certain medical conditions. They include kidney disorders, improperly treated and controlled diabetes, thyroid gland disorders and alcohol abuse. Hypertriglyceridemia may be also a side effect of certain medications.
Symptoms of High Triglyceride
The problem with increased level of triglyceride is that this condition actually does not produce any symptoms or sings. Only, if hypertriglyceridemia lasts for longer period of time and it is not diagnosed and treated one may develop certain complications and they feature with specific symptoms and signs.
What worries most is the fact that hypertriglyceridemia represents one of the risk factors for a heart attack. Even other heart conditions are related to increased level of triglycerides in blood. Elevated level of triglycerides may also contribute to inflammation of pancreas. Some people suffer from hereditary related hypertriglyceridemia. Apart from increased triglyceride level they also suffer from fatty deposits underneath the skin. These deposits are medically known as xanthomas.
Hypertriglyceridemia may be found accidentally during routine blood tests. If there is increase in level of triglycerides the patient needs to be treated and this way potential complications will be successfully prevented.
Treatment for High Triglyceride
The patients are initially advised to to make healthy lifestyle modifications. They are supposed to control weight and if necessary to lose weight. Dietary changes include restriction of intake of foods rich in fats and high calorie foods. Intake of alcohol is strictly forbidden. What is more, since smoking can contribute to hypertriglyceridemia the patients are also recommended to quit smoking. A healthy dose of everyday physical activity will help in normalization of triglyceride levels. And finally, if none of the previously mentioned cause reduction in level of triglycerides patients may be prescribed certain medications.
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