Xanthomatosis

Xanthomatosis is a condition which is often associated with lipid metabolism. Fatty deposits called xanthomas or xanthomata occur in various parts of the body, especially on elbows and knees. They appear as yellowish firm nodules in the skin. Occasionally, xanthomas also involves the deep soft tissue, other than subcutaneous tissues. Xanthomas, as such are harmless growth of tissue. But they often seek to indicate an underlying condition such as diabetes and disorders of fat with may be lipid disorder or Hyperlipidemia.

When examined under a microscope, a xanthoma consists of lipid-laden foam cells. These cells called histiocytes contain lipid material in their cytoplasm, being the non nuclear zone of the cell. The most prominent causes for xanthomatosis are high blood fats, hyperlipidemia and hereditary hyperlipidemia. The common symptoms of xanthomatosis are fatty deposits under the skin, yellow bumps on the skin surface, xanthelasma or yellow lumps of fat on eyelids, yellow lumps on joints and elbows and yellow lumps on knee. It is recommended to seek medical advice for treatment of xanthomatosis. The usual line of treatment adopted is to plan for lipid lowering medications and treat for hyperlipidemia.

Hyperlipoproteinemia

Too much of lipid and/or lipoproteins in the blood can lead to hyperlipoproteinemia. Hyperlipoproteinemia is also known as hyperlipemia or hyperlipidemia and is a metabolic disorder. This disease remains silent for years together; only when the person suffers any heart ailment does this condition come to light. Heredity and diet play a major role in the onset of this disease; hereditary blood fat disorders are the main cause for Hyperlipoproteinemia.

Other common conditions that can cause this condition are diabetes, liver and kidney disease, hypothyroidism, alcohol and cigarette smoking. Few medications like progesterone, beta blockers, etc also increase the fat level in the bloodstream. If left unattended or untreated hyperlipoproteinemia can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This condition is common in adults rather than in children and can occur both in men and women. Depending on the excessive chemical found in the blood stream, hyperlipoproteinemia can be classified into five types:

Type I – Elevation of triglycerides

Type II – Elevated cholesterol and in few cases elevated triglycerides

Type III – Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels with subsequent vascular diseases

Type IV – Elevated triglycerides alone but no risk of vascular diseases

Type V – Similar to type I

No specific symptoms are shown for hyperlipoproteinemia. In very rare cases when the fat level in the blood shoots up too high, fat gets deposited in the form of bumps in the skin and tendons, this is referred to as xanthomas. In few cases, the liver and spleen enlarge when the triglycerides level shoot up too high. This leads to Pancreatitis causing severe abdominal pain. The diagnosis of hyperlipoproteinemia can be made by measuring the triglycerides, total cholesterol, lipid profile, LDL and the HDL levels in the blood.

• Patients should consume a healthy low-fat or fat-free diet. They should avoid saturated fat and polyunsaturated fat.
  
• Monounsaturated fat like olive oil is recommended and is the healthiest option.
  
• Medications are also prescribed to bring down the LDL, HDL levels and the cholesterol levels in the blood.
  
• Doctors would advice the person to lose weight if obese.
  
• Physical activity is also be recommended.
  
• Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed.
  
• Food items like oatmeal, oat bran, rice bran, citrus fruits, rice bran, strawberries, apple pulp, beans and peas should be consumed.
  

Steroids

Steroids are either anabolic or corticosteroids. Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that increase the levels of testosterone in the blood. Corticosteroids are drugs that are prescribed for inflammation. Anabolic steroids are largely taken by those who are seeking to increase muscle mass, especially athletes and bodybuilders. But these kind of steroids are not without side-effects. Prolonged use can lead to reproductive problems. Women athletes who take anabolic steroids over a long period of time also face problems such as voice deepening, acute acne, increased facial and body hair. Other effects of long-term steroid use are liver tumors, blood lipid abnormality, enlarged heart muscles and growth of breasts in men.