Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) is one of the major risk factors of heart disease. It leads to fatty deposits in theblood vessels, eventually making it difficult for the blood to flow through the arteries. This leads to less oxygen reaching the heart and the brain.
High cholesterol cause can be heredity but it can also be due to the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices. A healthy diet, regular exercise and sometimes medication can go a long way toward reducing high cholesterol.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
Inactivity, obesity and an unhealthy diet — contribute to high LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol.
- Poor diet Eating saturated fat, found in animal products, and trans-fats, red meat and full-fat dairy products, will increase the total cholesterol.
- ObesityHaving a high body mass index puts one at risk of high cholesterol.
- Large waist circumference risk increases if you are a man with a waist circumference of at least 40 inches (102 centimetres) or a woman with a waist circumference of at least 35 inches (89 centimetres).
- Lack of increases the level of LDL or bad cholesterol
- Smoking damages the walls of the blood vessels, increasing the chances of getting fatty deposits accumulated.
- Diabetes High blood sugar contributes to higher LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
COMPLICATIONS
High cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis i.e., accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of the arteries. These plaques can reduce blood flow through the arteries, which can cause complications such as chest pain, heart attack, and stroke
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Treatment of elevated cholesterol levels with homoeopathic remedies not only lowers the levels but also treats the body’s tendency to hold an excess of fat. Homeopathic remedies also correct liver fat metabolism.
ALFALFA is a specific remedy for reducing high cholesterol levels.
AVENA SATIVA also reduces cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood.
ALLIUM SATIVUM is indicated in high blood pressure due to cholesterol deposits in the arteries can also be wonderfully treated with the help of Allium Sativum. There is increased appetite, especially a craving for meat, with acidity symptoms like burning in stomach and acrid burping or belching.
AURUM METALLICUM is of great help in those cases of high cholesterol where the arteries have become hardened due to cholesterol deposits and high blood pressure. Rapid and irregular pulse with violent palpitations. Pain behind the sternum, especially at night with depressed feeling, getting angry over the slightest contradiction and thoughts of committing suicide.
BARYTA MURIATICUM can be given in elderly people who suffer from high cholesterol levels and where the arteries have become rigid with loss of normal elasticity. Usually, the systolic pressure is increased in these patients. Heaviness and vertigo are also present.
BERBERIS VULGARIS is a specific remedy for high cholesterol levels in the blood with renal colic. The patient usually has a sedentary lifestyle and increased appetite.
CALCAREA CARB is an excellent remedy for reducing high cholesterol in fat or overweight patients with excessive cravings for boiled eggs. Excessive sensitivity to cold air and continuous perspiration on the scalp with tightness or oppression in the chest or a feeling of suffocation that is intensified on going upstairs. Excessive palpitations may be present at night or after having meals.
CARDUS MARIANUS is an excellent remedy for lowering the high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It corrects the fat metabolism in the liver
CRATAEGUS OXYACANTHA is an excellent heart tonic. Heart muscles that have become weakened due to reduced blood supply to the heart as a result of deposits of cholesterol in the arteries. It strengthens these weak muscles and regularises the heart’s action. It is an excellent remedy for dissolving the cholesterol deposits in arteries. There is difficulty in breathing after even the slightest exertion.
CHRYSANTHEMUM reduces cholesterol levels in blood also it eliminates digestive troubles resulting from overeating.
CHOLESTERINUM is an effective remedy for high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It stops the degeneration of arterial walls.
CURCUMAreduces cholesterol by interfering with intestinal cholesterol uptake, increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, and increasing the excretion of bile acids
LYCOPODIUM regulates the fat metabolism in the liver. Lycopodium is prescribed when there is flatulence, the patient prefers hot food and drinks and desires sweets.
NUX VOMICA is given to those patients who have an excessive craving for alcoholic drinks and fatty food. Mentally, such patients are very irritable and angry. They are also chronic sufferers of obstinate constipation.
STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS is an excellent medicine for reducing the extreme effects of high cholesterol levels in blood, and can be used in old age to tone up the weak heart muscles. The heart is affected due to tobacco smoking and high cholesterol levels. The other symptoms are excessive palpitations, cardiac pain and breathlessness.
URANIUM NITRICUM treats high cholesterol with diabetes. There is great emaciation, debility and tendency to ascites and general dropsy. It is also effective for degeneration of the liver and high blood pressure.
