Arteriosclerosis is a disease of the arteries. The arteries of a person suffering from this disease get thickened and at times they also lose its elasticity. This condition is also known as hardening of arteries and at times it can even lead to stroke and heart attack. The most common form of this disease is atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis has been derived from two Greek words, arterio and sclerosis. The word arterio in Greek means artery and the word sclerosis means hardening. The disease is caused because of an atheromatous plaque.
Arteriosclerosis Cause
Arteriosclerosisis caused by the deposition of some fatty material like cholesterol along the arteries’ wall. These fatty materials are responsible for the formation of atheromas or plaque. These plaques or atheromas acts as a complete or partial obstruction for the normal flow of blood. Because of this obstruction sufficient quantity oxygenated blood is not able to reach the parts of the body that needs this blood.
However, damage to the arteries does no happen instantly. It takes many years for the arteries to become brittle, furred up or hard. This disease is also caused by high level of blood pressure, an irritant like nicotine, high level of cholesterol and even diseases like diabetes. To sum up often fast lifestyle where drinks, cigarettes and rich food are a part and parcel this disease is caused.
Symptoms of Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosistakes time to develop. The symptoms are not visible till the arteries become so narrow that it is not capable of supplying sufficient amount of blood to the different tissues and organs. The symptoms however depend on the type of the artery that is affected. Obstruction of the heart arteries results in chest pain.
Obstruction of the carotid arteries causes the numbness, dizziness or weakness which is the symptoms of stroke. Obstruction of arteries that supply blood to the legs and arms causes pain in ones leg while walking. This disease can also cause erectile dysfunction among men.
Types of Arteriosclerosis
The most common type of Arteriosclerosis isAtherosclerosis. In case of atherosclerosis the intima gets thickened by the plaques. These plaques contain free lipid which are inclined towards ulceration and calcification. This disease occurs mostly in the large and medium arteries of the lower part of the body. This disease causes narrowing of the arteries. Another type of Arteriosclerosis is Medial calcific sclerosis.
This disease is seen mostly among the elderly people. This disease occurs in the arteries of the uterus and thyroid. This disease is characterized by calcification of the elastic lamina. The Hyaline arteriolosclerosis is caused by the deposition of hyaline material on the walls of the arteries. This disease occurs mostly in kidneys.
Arteriosclerosis Treatment
Treatment of Arteriosclerosis also involves changes in the lifestyle of the person suffering from this disease. Giving up smoking, consuming healthy foods, physical activity can help in building healthy arteries. Often surgical and medical procedures are also used for treating this disease. Doctors often prescribe cholesterol medications like fibrates or statins to treat this disease. These medicines prevent the deposition of the fatty acids along the walls of the arteries.
The doctors may also prescribe anti-platelet medicines like aspirin for treating this disease. These medicines prevent clotting of blood and thus stop creation of obstruction in the arteries. The doctor can even prescribe anticoagulants like warfarin or heparin to treat this disease. These medicines also prevent clotting of blood. Besides, doctors also prescribe different blood pressure controlling medicines in order to treat this disease.
Advice for Arteriosclerosis
Although not completely yet a healthy lifestyle can to a great extent help one to combat the disease. Avoidance of over consumption of alcohol, red meat, nicotine can help one to prevent this malady to a significant extent.
