Lipid Metabolism and Its Associated Diseases

Fats and Cholesterol
Since fats or triglycerides and cholesterol are insoluble with the watery medium of plasma, they are being transported to the blood coupled with a carrier substance known as lipoprotein. Lipoprotein is a group of lipids and proteins that are produced in the liver and cells of the intestinal mucosa.

Types of Lipoproteins
Furthermore, lipoprotein appears in various forms that can be determined through their molecular weight and density. Moreover, each lipoprotein has distinguishing function.

Chylomicrons
Chylomicron, for example, that transports dietary cholesterol and triglycerides from the intestine to the liver and other tissues.

VLDL
VLDL or Very Low Density Lipoprotein is a type of lipoprotein that carries triglycerides from the intestine and liver to the muscle and fatty tissue.

Bad Cholesterol
Another type of lipoprotein is LDL or Low Density Lipoprotein which transports cholesterol to the tissues besides liver, such as walls of the arteries. Therefore, it is considered as the bad cholesterol.

Good Cholesterol
HDL or High Density Lipoprotein, on the other hand, is the good cholesterol because it takes the cholesterol to the liver for excretion in bile.

Abnormalities
People with genetic abnormalities related to synthesis and metabolism of lipoproteins have a high risk of developing artherosclerosis. This is an abnormal condition wherein cholesterol crystals are deposited in the walls of the arteries. Individuals who have total cholesterol level of above 220 mg/dl, LDL level of above 150 mg/dl, fasting triglyceride of above 250 mg/dl or HDL level of below 35 mg/dl are at risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Besides heredity, diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypothrydoidism, renal syndromes and excessive consumption of dietary saturate fat can increase the levels of LDL.

Exericse
It is very important to reduce the LDL levels to avoid congenital problems, like coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease. To help normalize the LDL levels, doctors suggest exercise and lifestyle and dietary modification. And it has been reported that cholesterol lowering drugs can also control the lipid levels.

Image from heyokamagazine.com/obese.jpg

Some Facts about Doctors

(Photo from Caricaturas)
"Are You Sure, Doc?"
Sometimes patients have the inclination to ask medical doctors if they are sure about the things they're telling to their patients, which connotes suspicion or lack of confidence to the medical doctor's ability. But it irked some medical doctors when patients do this. More so if patients compare the opinion or diagnosis of their medical doctors from other medical doctors who are less competent.

"I'll leave it up to you, Doc."
The management of one's health shouldn't be placed on the hands of the medical doctors. Health care is the patient's responsibility. Medical doctors are just guide. They should work hand in hand.

Herbal Medicines
Most medical doctors don't believe or accept the effectiveness of herbal medicines. But if you're taking any herbal medicines, it is still important to tell your doctor what other medicines you are taking. They need to know and they have to know in order for them to evaluate you better. Don't keep it under wraps.

Know your signs and symptoms.
If you feel something bizarre about your body, take note of it. List everything you did and the medicines that you took before the odd feeling. Doctors don't know everything. They need to properly know your history of present illness. One miss might aggravate the situation.

Not all diseases can be cured.
Just like arthritis. There's no cure for arthritis. But you can control it by avoiding the foods or activities that would trigger it. Stop asking your doctor to give you a pill to cure arthritis. They will just give you a pain reliever.

Don't self-medicate.
Just because you have mustered medical information about your illness, doesn’t mean you have to self-medicate. Although medical information is available online, it is still necessary to discuss it with your doctor to further understand your illness.

Revealing the truth.
Doctors can feel the pain when they tell their patients they have incurable disease or worse, they only have one month to live. Some medical doctors sympathize with their patients. But they need to show their patients there's still hope, even if there's none.

Doctors don’t know everything.
Unless your medical doctor is Dr. House. Because of ego, perhaps, some doctors can't say to their patients if they don't know their illness. They simply request for additional examination.

Negotiation
Other doctors can understand their patient's financial status, so it's okay to admit that you don't have enough money to pay them. But some patients are too shy to concede. Funny thing is that those who negotiate of doctor's fee are the people who can afford to pay.

Hormonal Imbalance Linked to Acne Problem

[dermatology.svhm.org.au]

I watched last weekend's "Salamat Dok" episode."Salamat Dok" or if translated in English would mean Thank You Doc. It's a morning show of ABS-CBN, one of the leading TV networks in the Philippines, that tackles medical topics and their guests, usually medical doctors, will try to answer some questions submitted by TV viewers.

Last weekend's topic was about hormonal imbalance. The discussion was in conjunction with the celebration of International Women's Month.

Hormonal Imbalance Linked to Acne Problem
The show's guest was an ob-gynecologist. During the course of the interview, she talked about hormonal imbalance as one of the causes of acne problem in women. This is the reason why most women experience acne problem during, before or after menstruation.

Acne Medications
One of the acne medications that they've featured was the use of contraceptive pills. Although I've heard about it before from a friend whose sister is using a contraceptive pill as acne medication, I was a bit skeptical about it until I've learned it straight from the doctor's mouth.

But of course, using contraceptive pills as acne medication isn't advisable without consulting your doctor first. You will still have to be evaluated for your physical and medical condition to know what contraceptive pills as acne medication suit you. You will, of course, expect some side effects from using this form of acne medication. So it's necessary to have a word with your doctor first before trying anything out.

Another acne medication I know is Isotretinoin. This acne medication is not only for treatment of acne but also used to reduce oil production. However, this is not an OTC acne medication. Further, this type of acne medication is not prescribed for pregnant women and women who desired to get pregnant during the course of treatment. The effectiveness of Isotretinoin for treating acne has been tried and tested by many people I know. Unfortunately, this acne treatment is quite expensive.

Words of Caution
There are a lot of acne medications emerging rapidly in today's market. However truthful they may appear on TV or commercial ads, it is still important to ask for an advice from a certified dermatologist because every person has different body reactions from acne medications. And sometimes, acne medications can do more harm than good.

Proper Way of Hand Washing

Research shows that the hands of women harbor more bacteria than men. According to the researchers, our hands have roughly 150 different species of bacteria. The researchers laid some possible reasons for women having more bacteria (on their hands) than men.

Acidic skin of men
Most bacteria cannot survive acidic environment.

Other Factors
Sweat, hormones, and different use of cosmetics can play important role in bacterial diversity.

Non-pathogens
But let us not worry ladies because most of these bacteria are non-pathogens. Ergo, they are harmless.

Hand Washing
But whether you're a man or a woman, your hands (and my hands) are still the favorite portal of any diseases that surround us. Therefore, hand washing is of the essence in fighting against deadly foes, even though the study revealed that hand washing alone cannot kill bacteria.

Hand washing is the act of cleansing by rubbing both hands with soap and water. Furthermore, hand washing can help obliterate those pathogenic organisms colonizing on the palms of our hands.

There are thousands or even millions of children die each year from diarrhea. But high cases of diarrhea have been reported in the third world country where proper hygiene is neglected.

Escherichia, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Chlamydia ,just to name a few, are everywhere. Imagine yourself holding them with your bare hands, unknowingly, and then at 6 pm, dinner is served. You forgot to wash those dirty hands for some reason. While eating your scrumptious meal, you are also swallowing the bacteria causing you: to feel nauseated, to vomit, and frequent visit to the bathroom. That is your body's way of telling you, "Goodness gracious, why can't you simply follow proper hygiene."

Proper Way of Hand Washing
But if you'd ask me, "Is there a proper way of handwashing?" Well, aside from rubbing your hands with soap and water, yes, there is.

The photo on the right (from doh.gov.ph) will show you how to properly wash those dirty hands of yours.

I don’t think hand washing before eating will take too much of your time. Practicing this healthy habit will definitely save you from visiting your cute doctor.

Related Topics:
Why You Should Eat Fruits and Vegetables
Your Basal Metabolic Rate
Dermatologists: Skin Safety Campaign