Q. How does Colesevelam work to lower cholesterol levels in your body?
Colesevelam works by binding to bile acid (fluid secreted by the liver ) in your intestines. Once it attaches to the bile acid, it forms a complex and is removed from your body. As a result of this, the bile acid levels are lowered which makes your liver convert more cholesterol into bile acid in order to replace what was lost. This lowers the amount of cholesterol in your body.
Q. What happens when you stop taking Colesevelam?
Colesevelam helps lower high cholesterol and thus the risk of heart diseases. If you stop taking this medicine, your blood cholesterol levels may increase again. Your doctor may advise you to follow a special diet and lifestyle to help prevent this from happening. Never stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Q. Why does Colesevelam cause constipation? How to get relief?
Constipation is a very common side effect of this medicine because of the way it works. Normally, bile acids in the intestine help control how much water is in your stool which in turn regulates your bowel movement. By binding to bile acid, this medication may remove some water in your stool, causing constipation. To get relief from constipation, increase your water intake and include fiber-rich food like green vegetables, fruits, cereals in your diet.
Q. What exactly is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy fat, or lipid, which moves throughout your body in your blood. Your liver makes cholesterol, but you can also get it from foods. There are two types of cholesterol HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or the good cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or the bad cholesterol.
Q. What is LDL or bad cholesterol?
LDL or low-density lipoprotein is called the bad cholesterol because it causes a buildup of cholesterol in the blood. This leads to blockage in the heart and is a direct cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease.
Q. What is HDL or good cholesterol?
HDL or high-density lipoprotein is also called as good cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from your blood to your liver to be removed. This reduces the risk of heart diseases.
Q. How can I check my cholesterol?
You can book a lipid profile test with any accredited laboratory. This test helps you monitor your total cholesterol, LDL levels, HDL levels, triglycerides, and the ratio between cholesterol and HDL. You may need to fast for a period of 10-12 hours before giving your blood sample to the laboratory. After receiving your test report, consult a doctor to help you evaluate your test results.
Q. What is a normal cholesterol level in a blood test?
Your total cholesterol level should be 125 to 200mg/dL, LDL should be less than 100mg/dL and HDL should be 40mg/dL or higher.
Q. What will happen if I have high cholesterol?
If you have high cholesterol level, it builds up on the walls of your arteries. This condition causes arteries to become narrow, and the narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the heart. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Q. What level of LDL requires medication?
Medication is typically prescribed when your cholesterol levels are high enough (LDL level greater than 190mg/dL) to increase your risk for heart disease or if you already have a history of a heart attack or stroke. Always consult your doctor before taking any medications.
Q. What are the warning signs of high cholesterol?
Some of the most common symptoms of high cholesterol are chest pain, pain in the neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or back, extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, numbness or coldness in your extremities.
Q. What are the worst foods for high cholesterol?
Some of the foods with high cholesterol are red meat like lamb, pork, packaged food, fried foods, full-fat dairy, processed meat (sausage, bacon), etc.
Q. What lifestyle changes can help improve the effectiveness of this medicine?
Along with taking Colesevelam, taking a low-fat diet, regular exercise, reducing body weight, and limiting alcohol consumption can help improve the effectiveness of this medicine and lower cholesterol levels.
