High cholesterol is thought to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It can be caused by lifestyle factors or it can be genetic in nature. Health care services in Barnesville, GA, include treatment options for managing lipid disorders such as the following.
Nutritional Counseling
Lipid disorders often respond well to weight loss. If you are unable to lose weight on your own, or if you need help making healthy food choices, your doctor or a nutritionist can help you. Weight loss not only helps lower total cholesterol levels, but it can also help increase your “good” cholesterol, known as HDL cholesterol.
Losing weight may also help decrease your LDL cholesterol, which is also known as “bad” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is associated with a heart attack and stroke risk. Diets high in sugar and fried foods may lead to obesity and high cholesterol, however, losing only a few pounds can have a dramatic effect on your blood lipids.
Statin Medication
Physicians who offer health care services in Barnesville, GA, can also prescribe statin medications to treat lipid disorders. Statin drugs are often reserved for people who are unable to decrease their cholesterol through dietary interventions and exercise.
While they are effective, statin medications can cause side effects. They include muscle pain, fatigue, and elevated liver enzymes. Your doctor will periodically check your liver enzymes with a simple blood test. If they are elevated, he or she may discontinue your statin medication.
To make an appointment, call Internal Medicine of Griffin or visit the website at .
