According to the “China Lipid Management Guidelines (2023),” the prevalence of lipid abnormalities among adults in our country is as high as 35.6%.
So, is experiencing numbness in your hands and feet upon waking a sign of lipid abnormalities? What other symptoms might indicate such issues? And what happens if your lipid levels remain stubbornly high? How can we stabilize our lipid levels? Let’s delve deeper.
**Morning Numbness: A Possible Indicator of High Lipids**
After a night of sleep, we expect to wake up feeling refreshed and energized. However, individuals with high lipid levels may experience lipid deposits in their blood vessel walls, leading to increased blood viscosity. This can result in poor blood circulation, affecting the supply of blood and oxygen to our extremities and organs. Consequently, upon rising, one might feel numbness in the hands and feet, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, or palpitations.
**Additional Symptoms of Lipid Abnormalities**
Apart from the morning numbness, those with lipid issues may also notice the following:
1. **Vision Changes**: Sudden blurriness, decreased vision, a white ring around the cornea, or the appearance of yellow lumps on the eyelids.
2. **Yellow Nodules**: Yellow or orange-red nodules or patches may develop on areas like the back of the hands, joints, or buttocks, or you may see yellow stripes on the palms.
3. **Leg Cramps**: Frequent leg cramps or tingling that don’t improve with rest or calcium supplements could signal elevated lipids.
**Key Indicators of Lipid Abnormalities**
To assess lipid levels, four key indicators should be monitored:
– Total Cholesterol (TC): Normal range is 3mmol/L to 5.2mmol/L
– Triglycerides (TG): Normal range is 0 to 1.7mmol/L
– High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C): Normal range is 0.9mmol/L to 2mmol/L
– Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C): Normal range is 0 to 3.4mmol/L
If one or more of these values are abnormal, it indicates a lipid imbalance. Notably, HDL-C, also known as “good cholesterol,” if within normal or slightly elevated limits, helps prevent plaque formation.
**Consequences of Poor Lipid Control**
What happens if lipid levels continue to rise?
1. **Thrombosis**: Persistently high lipids increase blood viscosity, making it easier for plaque to form. If these plaques rupture, they can lead to dangerous blood clots that pose serious health risks.
2. **Kidney Problems**: Inadequate blood supply to the kidneys due to high lipid levels can increase their burden, potentially leading to serious kidney disease over time.
3. **Worsening Diabetes Complications**: Those with diabetes may face heightened risks of complications when their lipids are elevated.
**Four Steps to Stabilize Your Lipid Levels**
1. **Diet Control**: Individuals with lipid issues should adhere to a “three low” diet—low salt, low sugar, and low fat—while managing starchy foods and limiting drinks. Consuming excess starch can convert to sugar in the body, hampering lipid control. Increasing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber while reducing dietary cholesterol is essential, targeting less than 300 mg of cholesterol daily, especially for high-risk groups.
2. **Regular Exercise**: Engage in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 150-300 minutes weekly—activities like jogging, brisk walking, or cycling are beneficial. Incorporating resistance training can also help. Those with cardiovascular issues should consult their physician before exercising.
3. **Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol**: Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke contribute to preventing vascular diseases and elevate HDL levels. Excessive drinking can disrupt fat metabolism, raising blood lipid levels. It’s advisable to avoid alcohol or limit it to less than 100 grams per week.
4. **Medication Assistance**: If lifestyle changes don’t yield improvements, doctors may prescribe medications that inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption. Typically, noticeable effects occur within a week of starting treatment, with follow-up testing after a month to assess lipid control.
**Important Reminders**
1. Adults over 40 should have their lipid levels checked every 2-5 years, even if asymptomatic.
2. Individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or those at high risk should be tested every 3-6 months.
**(CCTV Life Circle)**
