Clear and Present Dangers of Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

You probably know by now that top cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia have been proven to have no benefits, doctors and patients have to rely on older lowering cholesterol drugs such as statins. Regardless of which drugs you take to lower cholesterol, there may be some potential side effects that need your attention. There are definitely other more effective and safer ways available for you to lower cholesterol levels without the use of such drugs.

When your medical practitioner tells you that you have high cholesterol levels, it means that your ratio of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) to High Density Liporprotein (HDL) is high. High cholesterol level is linked to higher risk of heart disease and stroke. However, before you consider taking any cholesterol lowering drugs you should also take into account the following:

a. Lifestyle - are you on high fat diet, drinks, smoke and stay up late at night

b. Blood pressure - you have family history of hypertension

c. Diabetes - are you diabetic or have family history of diabetes

d. Weight - are you over weight

e. Age - which age group do you belong?

f. Cholesterol - do you have family history of high cholesterol levels?

g. Vascular disease - are you suffering from any form of vascular disease like the narrowing of arteries

If your only problem is high cholesterol levels, then you should evaluate the need for cholesterol lowering drugs because this condition can be managed and controlled by changing your lifestyle ��" most importantly taking lower cholesterol diets and exercise routine.

Although the drug that you are prescribed with may help you lower cholesterol, however, it does not mean that you can stop taking it once your cholesterol level has lowered. This happens because such cholesterol lowering drug blocks an enzyme that is responsible for making cholesterol in the liver. (The name of this enzyme is hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase or HMG-CoA reductase in short).

Taking cholesterol lowering drugs has 3 potentially serious side effects:

1. Liver damage

Cholesterol lowering drugs like statins can cause an increase in liver enzymes. If the increase in enzymes production is severe, and when left uncheck, can leave to permanent liver damage.

The other popular prescription drug, Zetia is also in the limelight lately; its effectiveness and the long term impact on the health of the consumer are now in question. Zetia, together with Vytorin, have been found to have no benefits to lower cholesterol. The New England Journal of Medicine now recommends to forgo taking Vytorin and Zetia unless older cholesterol lowering drugs cannot lower cholesterol levels.

In fact, as far back as in 2005 regulators in Australia and Canada have issued warning about the potential danger of Zetia. It can cause hepatitis, pancreatitis and depression.

Liver problem can develop without symptoms, thus if you are on statins it is advisable to go a liver function test periodically.

2. Muscle problems

The most common cholesterol lowering drugs statins can cause muscle pain, muscle weakness and in severe cases causes muscle cells to breakdown (rhabdomyolysis). When this happen a protein called myoglobin is released and this protein can damage your kidneys.

The risk of rhabdomyolysis also increases when statins is taken with certain drugs like antifungal medications, nefazodone (Serzone), gemfibrozil, erythromycin (Erythrocin), cyclosporine and niacin.

While most people who experience muscle pain will return to normal after discontinuing statin use, some susceptible individuals suffer permanent muscle damage from statin use. If you have a new muscle ache or tenderness after taking statins it is advisable to check with your doctor.

3. Memory Loss

Some people who want to lower cholesterol and took the statin drugs experience memory loss and an inability to concentrate. They feel that they are developing Alzheimer’s disease when taking statin drugs. In extreme cases, the memory loss seems to be amnesia that lasts for 6 to 12 hours. These types of problems are known as cognitive defects.

Fortunately most people return to normal after they stopped taking the statin drugs. The time to recovery appears to be related to the amount of time before the cognitive symptoms appeared. In other words, the longer it took for the symptoms to appear, the longer it took for the person to recover. However, a small group may continue to suffer with cognitive problems, perhaps indefinitely.

About the Author

Now that you know the dangers posed by cholesterol lowering drugs can cause, are you interested to learn how to lower cholesterol naturally without the use of harmful prescription drugs? Visit http://www.cholesterol-tips.com now.

Ethan Curoso is the creator and founder of Cholesterol-Tips where he provides valuable tips and resources on how to lower cholesterol naturally. Visit http://www.cholesterol-tips.com for your free cholestero

Managing Your Gout Hypertension Risk

A gout friendly diet can be very beneficial when treating and preventing recurrent gout attacks, but can a special diet do anything for related gout hypertension? It certainly can. Diet and lifestyle change are the two best treatment methods for a person who suffers from both gout and high blood pressure.

Despite the fact that it is possible to mange both gout and hypertension, have you ever wondered how these two conditions are related? Despite the fact that medical researchers are aware of a connection between the two conditions, it is not yet entirely understood how they are related.

Gout has often been associated with cardiac problems because elevated uric acid levels are strongly linked with cardiovascular disease. This has prompted the undertaking of a number of studies to determine if hypertension, as well as other health issues including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, kidney disease and obesity, are merely associated with raised uric acid levels, or if elevated uric acid level problems play a direct role in these conditions.

It is interesting to note that studies have found hypertension occurs in approximately a third of all individuals with gout, and high blood urate levels can be found in about a quarter of individuals with hypertension.

Although the link between hypertension and gout is unclear, enough evidence has been found to determine that a connection does exist. Therefore, if you suffer from gout, it would be worthwhile asking your doctor about having your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, especially if you have a family history of hypertension.

If you know you suffer from both gout and hypertension, the following are different ways you can manage both conditions effectively:

- Control your diet. Eating a healthy balanced diet and drinking plenty of water is essential to your overall wellbeing. According to the American Medical Association, a balanced diet is one that includes: * Significant complex carbohydrates (I.E. fruits, vegetables, whole grains) * Limited protein (skinless, white poultry and lean meats should be the source of protein and make up only 15% of calories). * A maximum of 30% of calories from fat (10% should be animal fat)

However, you should also remember that to prevent gout attacks, you need to avoid eating foods high in purines, which increase uric acid levels. Examples of these foods include: organ and red meats, meat extract, shellfish, anchovies, fish roes, herring, sardines in oil, legumes, mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach and asparagus. In addition, as part of your hypertension diet, you need to make sure you reduce your sodium intake.

- Limit alcohol intake - Alcohol constricts the blood vessels and increases the production of uric acid. Therefore, alcohol should ideally be avoided. However, if you want to have a drink, men should have no more than two drinks per day and women should have no more than one. One drink is equivalent to one glass of wine, a regular bottle/can of beer or one shot (measure) of spirits.

- Lose weight - If you are overweight or obese, you are putting your body under stress and increasing your risk of suffering from both gout and hypertension. However, it is important that you lose weight at a slow and balanced pace by adopting a lifestyle change that eases you into exercise and a beneficial diet plan. Do not attempt to lose weight quickly through crash diets, as this can actually lead to an acute attack of gout. Talk to your doctor before making any significant lifestyle changes. - Quit smoking - Smoking affects blood circulation, damages arteries, and slows the healing process. These are all important functions needed to prevent gout and maintain a healthy blood pressure level.

- Reduce stress - Stress is hard on both your physical and mental state. Stress can repeatedly elevate blood pressure by encouraging the nervous system to produce large quantities of vasoconstricting hormones. Find ways to relax such as taking a bath, reading, listening to music, getting a massage, etc.

Finally, you need to talk to your doctor if you suffer from either gout or hypertension before taking any medications to treat either condition. The reason is certain drugs may benefit one condition, but make the other worse. For instance, diuretics ("water pills") are a common medication prescribed for hypertension treatment, but can cause gout attacks in some people, or make gout worse in individuals who already have the condition. Thus, make sure you consult with your doctor and seek advice prior to beginning any treatment.

About the Author

Grab your free copy of Lisa McDowell's brand new Gout Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about your gout hypertension risk.

What Happens to your Body When you Quit Smoking?

While you want to stop, you might not know what happens to your body when you quit smoking. In addition to nicotine, cigarettes contain many chemicals that affect your health in very damaging ways. It might be difficult to believe, but healing begins within 20 minutes when you quit smoking.

Within the first 20 minutes of quitting, your healing process begins. Your blood pressure decreases, your pulse rate drops, and the body temperature of your hands and feet increases. These benefits will continue to improve your health for years.

After eight hours of quitting smoking, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal and the oxygen level in your blood increases to normal.

At 24 hours, your chance of a heart attack decreases.

At 48 hours, your nerve endings begin regrowth and your ability to smell and taste improves.

And the benefits of quitting smoking are just beginning.

Between two weeks and thee months of stopping, your circulation improves, walking becomes easier, and your lung function increases.

Your worst nicotine withdrawal symptoms subside within the first month. After that, you learn how to decipher and reprogram the psychological urges to smoke that you've all built up over the years.

Starting as early as a month after you quit smoking, and continuing for the next several months, you may notice significant improvements in coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

At one year smoke-free, your excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker.

Once you put a year between you and the last cigarette you smoke, congratulate yourself! Be grateful for the freedom you have created for yourself. The benefits of the positive choices you've made will continue to grow as you move forward from here.

For all of the work it takes to shed your addiction to nicotine, the incredible feelings of freedom and control you'll be rewarded with when you quit smoking are just the beginning of the benefits headed your way.

At two years smoke-free, your chance of achieving long-term success with quitting tobacco increases significantly. Smoking relapse rates drop off sharply after two years.

About the Author

Cedrick is the creator of Healthoogle.com and online Health News and Information blog. If you are looking for a way to stop smoking visit http://healthoogle.com/Nicocure-Stop-Smoking-Aid/ for more information.