Arteriosclerosis -Causes, Picture, Symptoms and Treatment of Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis, a group of disease that are characterised by loss of elasticity, thickening and clacification of the arteries walls. The main diseases are arteriosclerosis, which mainly affects the smaller arteries and atherosclerosis, in which the arteries are thickened by a localized fatty accumulations called atheromas. Atheromas form at a site there is a small area of damage to the wall of the artery.

Cholesterol and fats called triglycerides build up inside the wall, causing enlargement. Blood cells begin to collect and clot at the site, further enlarging the wall and so reducing the amount of flow through the artery. Over time this can obstruct the blood flow around the body and particularly occurs in the arteries that serve the heart and brain. An atheroma can completely block an artery, possibly leading to a heart attack or stroke. Arteriosclerosis can begin early in life, and there may be no symptoms for many years.

Certain factors increases the risk of Arteriosclerosis including hypertension, smoking, diabetes, high blood levels of cholestrol and triglycerides and possibly obesity. The risk increases with age and if there a family history of the disease. Heart disease in women may commonly develops after the menopause, often more severely than in man. Preventive measures include checks on blood pressure, blood cholestrol and triglyceride levels, which can help identify potential problems.

Supplements of certain vitamins and minerals may also help as they act as antioxidants and block the harmful effects of free radicals. These can cause damage to cells and make fats rancid, and these fats are often involved in arteriosclerosis.

Antioxidant vitamins and minerals include A, C, E, B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyroxidine), carotene, selenium, manganese, zinc and ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10). Preventive measures include not smoking, losing weight if necessary, eating less saturated fat, which is mainly found in dairy products and meat, and being very careful to control diabetes, if present. Polyunsaturated fats derived from vegetable oils can be substituted for animal fats.

Select your language :

Home | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Beauty Fitness Directory | Add a Site | Site Map | BLOG | Beauty and Fitness Articles |

Skin Care | Skin Disease | Makeup | Beauty | A-Z Dermatology | Beauty and Fitness | Home remedies and products | Women's Health | Nail Care | Aloe Vera | Hair Care

Copyright © 2005 Beauty Fitness Guide. All rights reserved :: The contents of this website may not be reprinted in any form without permission from the website administrator. Any attempts will result in swift action.