CHOLESTEROL TREATMENTS |
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The first line of attack on high
cholesterol is a change in lifestyle and diet. Regular exercise,
weight control, and a diet low in cholesterol and animal fat are
often all that's needed to bring cholesterol levels into the safety
range. If these measures fail to do the job, your doctor can then
prescribe a cholesterol-lowering drug such as Lescol, Lipitor,
Mevacor, Pravachol, and Zocor. Remember, though, that these drugs
shouldn't be used as a substitute for a healthy diet. They pose a
slight risk of damage to the liver and can harm a developing baby if
taken during pregnancy.
For those who suffer severe, hereditary high cholesterol, a
procedure called LDL apheresis is an option. Over several hours,
blood is removed from the body, chemically cleansed of LDL
cholesterol, then returned to the body. This treatment can reduce
LDL cholesterol levels by 50 to 80 percent, but it's required every
two to three weeks. Talk with your doctor in detail about the
benefits of this type of therapy, as it can be both time-consuming
and costly. |
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| CHOLESTEROL RELATED ITEMS |
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