Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of atheroma or fat deposits in the blood vessels, which lead to obstruction of the blood pathway and deprivation of oxygen and nutrient flow to the lungs and to the system. The following are the causes, signs and symptoms, and home remedies for atherosclerorsis.
Causes
Atherosclerosis has many causes. According to Medical News Today, the condition is due to accumulation of macrophage white blood cells and fats in the arteries. As per the publication, the immune system send white blood cells to clean the low-density lipoprotein pockets. It is added that various factors contribute to the condition; these include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, high blood sugar levels, diabetes mellitus, family history of cardiovascular disease, and air pollution.
Signs and Symptoms
Atherosclerosis presents various symptoms. As per Medical News Today, these include weakness, difficulty breathing, headache, facial numbness, paralysis, vomiting, extreme anxiety, chest pain, coughing, and feeling faint. The person may also have loss of appetite, swelling of hands and feet, and difficulty concentrating. The condition may also affect the extremities, as manifested by hair loss on legs or feet, male impotence or erectile dysfunction, numbness in the legs, thicker toenails, leg weakness, and changes in the leg skin color.
Home Remedies
While medications that reduce fat and sugar in the body may be prescribed to manage atherosclerosis, remedies can also be used or done at home to counter the condition.
Garlic
One remedy for atherosclerosis is garlic. According to Search Home Remedy, garlic has an ingredient called allicin, an agent that has potent antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. As per the publication, garlic has the ability to decrease triglycerides and low-density triglycerides and boosts high-density lipoprotein levels. Moreover, the kitchen spice prevents cellular oxidation in the arteries; thus, oxidative damage can be prevented. Also, garlic has anticoagulant properties, which dissolves clots and prevents fibrinolysis.
Fruits and Vegetables
Eating fruits and vegetables is another remedy for atherosclerosis. According to How Stuff Works, these food selections contains antioxidants, fiber, flavonoids, vitamin B, and potassium, along with other agents that enhance blood circulation, boost blood vessel strength, reduce blood pressure, and relax the involuntary muscles in the arterial lumen. They also contain unsaturated fat, unlike saturated fat that people can obtain from animal meat. The fiber content also helps reduce fat in the bloodstream, aside from helping the body get rid of unwanted substances like toxins and free radicals.
Juice
One way to remedy atherosclerosis is drinking juice. According to Organic Facts, one should drink fruit or vegetable juice for at least five to seven days. As per the publication, fresh juice of fruits like pineapple, lemon, and grapes is healthy to the body; it helps clean the large intestine when it is taken along with a warm water enema.
Medical Consult
One may also consider medical consult from a doctor if signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis are present. This is to prevent progress of the condition to cardiovascular disorders, such as coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular accident, more commonly known as stroke. Along with history taking and assessment, the doctor may advise the person to undergo diagnostic tests like lipid profile to determine lipoprotein and triglyceride levels in the blood; these may suggest the amount of fat in the blood stream and suggest the probability of developing the aforementioned heart ailments.
Atherosclerosis is one of the contributing factors to the development of various heart diseases. Thus, it is best to manage it with remedies and to consider seeking medical consult from a doctor for proper assessment, planning, intervention, health education, and evaluation. This way, one will be able to prolong his or someone else’s life.
