What Is Cryoglobulinemia?

Cryoglobulinemia is a rare inherited disorder characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cholesterol in the arterial wall. The name of this condition came from an early 19th century German physician who described a case where a patient had an extremely high level of cholesterol in his bloodstream. It has been found that about 1% of men suffer from this problem, although it occurs in less than one third of all women. There are many possible causes of this problem but researchers have yet to find the exact cause.

Cryoglobulinemia can occur alone (idiopathic) or may be related to other medical conditions like: Kidney disease, especially hepatitis C infection. Blood cell anomalies such as multiple myeloma and lymphomas. Other conditions that have been linked to the occurrence of this disease include autoimmune diseases, cancer and obesity.

This condition is more common among men and usually occurs because of heredity, especially men with family history of heart valve problems. The most common cause of this problem is a defective gene, which results in increased cholesterol production. Another common cause is a poor diet and nutrition, particularly fats and processed foods. Alcohol consumption also increases levels of cholesterol, although some research indicates that it does not increase blood cholesterol.

Symptoms of this condition may include excessive amounts of uric acid in the urine, jaundice, hypercholesterolemia, and heart failure. While there are no specific medications used to treat this condition, there are some treatments that have been reported to lower cholesterol levels in patients with this condition.

In the United States, it is estimated that about 1 in 10 patients with the condition has developed any serious medical complications, mainly kidney failure, cardiovascular problems, blood clots, and even an increased risk of cancer. Since there are no effective drugs that can cure the condition, most patients are diagnosed with a combination of drugs or surgery. In severe cases, surgery is the only treatment available.

In addition to genetic factors, some factors that increase the risk of developing this condition include high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and alcohol use. Some researchers suggest that if you have a family history of cardiovascular problems, you are more likely to develop this condition.

Symptoms of this condition include persistent thirst, frequent urination, and low sodium levels in the urine. These can include fever, pain or chills, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Most people with this condition develop arthritis in the knee, neck, or legs, and some people develop bone deformities. However, they do not experience abdominal pain or vomiting even when they are sick.

Unfortunately, symptoms are often mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses. If you have these symptoms and suspect that you may have this condition, it is important to consult your doctor or dentist.

Although you cannot completely avoid being diagnosed with this condition if you are diagnosed with diabetes, medication and insulin injections can be taken to manage your symptoms and prevent you from developing the complications associated with this condition. This treatment is known as Metformin and other medications such as Avastin are also used to control the effects of high cholesterol.

Surgery is also an option if other medications have not worked. The most common surgery recommended to patients suffering from this condition is liposuction where excess fat is removed from areas of the body that show increased cholesterol.

Although this condition is not curable, you may be able to make some lifestyle changes that may slow down the rate of its development. For example, reducing salt intake and smoking may lower the chances of the condition developing. If you want to lose weight, it is important to lose weight in an appropriate fashion, since excess salt can increase the risks of developing a more serious condition.

There are other ways of lowering the amount of cholesterol in your body including exercise and proper nutrition, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes. Consult a physician or dentist if you have any questions regarding how to treat this condition.