Risks and treatment of high cholesterol

Cholesterol makes up an important part of your body and is present in almost every part of your body. It is a wax-like substance that helps in building and maintaining membranes and producing sex and steroid hormones. It also helps in the production of Vitamin D and bile juice. Cholesterol is a lipid and is produced from the fat present in your liver and the food you eat. Cholesterol is produced by your liver to keep your body healthy and some of it is naturally present in your body. Cholesterol cannot travel in your body by itself, and so is carried around by a substance called lipoproteins.

What is high cholesterol?

Two types of lipoproteins are responsible for carrying around cholesterol in your body. They are called low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). The cholesterol that is used by cells in your body is carried by the low density lipoproteins also known as the bad cholesterol. The HDL, or good cholesterol, performs the task of carrying the cholesterol from your cells back to your liver, where it is broken and excreted from your body. When the level of bad cholesterol increases in your body, it can result in the condition termed as high cholesterol.
How can high cholesterol be harmful?

High cholesterol is not a disease in itself, but is associated with several health conditions that can be life threatening. High cholesterol can cause health problems such as diabetes, kidney diseases, and reduced metabolism due to thyroid problems. Alcohol abuse can also lead to this condition. High cholesterol can cause narrowing and constricting of your blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis that can further lead to several cardiovascular diseases. It can also cause narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to your lower limbs, which can cause extreme pain while walking or running. High cholesterol can also cause sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction.

How can high cholesterol be treated?

High cholesterol can be treated with the help of medications that are available on the market. One of the most popular and commonly used high cholesterol treatments is Simvastatin. It belongs to a group of medicines known as statins, which help in lowering the levels of cholesterol in your body. This pill can prove to be more effective if you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. This pill can reduce your risk of developing harmful health problems such as heart attacks or strokes by reducing the levels of cholesterol in your body.

You experience an increase in cholesterol when the production of cholesterol by your liver increases. Simvastatin works by decreasing the production of cholesterol by your liver. When the level of cholesterol reduces in your liver, it absorbs the excess amount of cholesterol from your blood, thus reducing the cholesterol level in your blood. You are required to take one Simvastatin tablet before bed time, as your liver produces the maximum amount of cholesterol during night time. This pill is available in the dosage strengths of 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg.