Cholesterinuria is a medical term that refers to the presence of high levels of cholesterol in urine. The spelling of the word can be a little tricky to decipher, especially for non-native English speakers. It is pronounced as /kəˌlɛstəˈrɪnjʊrɪə/ (kuh-les-tuh-rih-noo-ree-uh) and can be broken down into four syllables, each with a distinct sound. The "cholesterol" part of the word is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, while the "uria" ending is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable. Overall, this term serves as an important indicator for medical professionals to determine cholesterol levels in a patient.
Cholesterinuria is a medical term referring to the presence of excessive amounts of cholesterol in the urine. Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver and found in every cell of the body. It is an essential component of cell membranes and is involved in the formation of certain hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids.
Under normal circumstances, cholesterol is primarily eliminated from the body through the liver, which converts it into bile and excretes it via the digestive system. However, in cholesterinuria, an abnormality occurs in this process, resulting in cholesterol being excreted in the urine.
The condition may be indicative of an underlying health issue such as a genetic disorder called familial hypercholesterolemia, in which the body is unable to effectively remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the blood. Cholesterinuria may also be a sign of liver disease, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms such as jaundice or abnormal liver function tests.
The presence of excessive cholesterol in the urine may lead to a variety of symptoms, including cloudy or foamy urine, which is caused by the accumulation of cholesterol molecules. Additionally, some individuals with cholesterinuria may experience abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, or fatigue, though these symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause.
Diagnosis of cholesterinuria often involves a urine test that measures the cholesterol levels. Treatment options typically target the underlying cause of the condition, and may include lifestyle modifications, medication, or surgical interventions aimed at reducing cholesterol levels and managing associated health problems.
Cholesteroluria, the passage of cholesterin in the urine.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "cholesterinuria" is derived from a combination of three components: "cholesterol", "uria", and the connecting suffix "-in".
1. "Cholesterol" comes from the Greek word "chole" which means "bile" and the Greek word "stereos" meaning "solid" or "stiff". The term was coined in the 1890s by German chemist Heinrich Hürthle to describe a substance found in gallstones, but it was only later associated with a similar substance found in fatty deposits in blood vessels.
2. "Uria" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "ouron" which means "urine". It is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a condition or presence of a substance in the urine.
3. The connecting suffix "-in" is often used in medical terminology to form nouns from adjectives.