Cholesterolemia is a medical term referring to the abnormally high level of cholesterol in the blood. The word is spelled using the Latin and Greek roots "cholesterol" and "haima," respectively. The phonetic transcription of cholesterolemia is /kəˌlɛstərəˈlimiə/. The diacritical marks in the transcription denote the stressed syllable (the third syllable, /rə/) and the length of the second and fourth syllables with double consonants (/l/ and /m/). Cholesterolemia is a word commonly used in medical literature and clinical practice.
Cholesterolemia is a medical condition characterized by the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It refers to a state of hypercholesterolemia, which is the excessive accumulation of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that plays essential roles in the body, such as building healthy cell membranes and producing certain hormones. However, when levels of cholesterol become too elevated, it can lead to various health problems, particularly cardiovascular diseases.
Cholesterolemia can be caused by an inherited genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, where the body is unable to remove excess cholesterol effectively. Additionally, poor dietary choices, lack of physical activity, obesity, and certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, can contribute to cholesterolemia. The condition often goes unnoticed as it typically does not present with any symptoms. However, the long-term effects include the development of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaques in the arteries, potentially leading to heart disease, stroke, or other vascular complications.
To manage cholesterolemia, interventions may include lifestyle modifications such as adopting a heart-healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats and incorporating regular exercise. Medications such as statins may also be prescribed to lower cholesterol levels in more severe cases. Regular monitoring of cholesterol levels through blood tests is recommended to assess the effectiveness of treatment and determine an individual's risk of developing complications associated with cholesterolemia.
The presence of cholesterol in the blood.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "cholesterolemia" is derived from a combination of three components: "cholesterol", "emia", and the suffix "-ia".
1. Cholesterol: It originates from the Greek words "chole" meaning "bile" and "stereos" meaning "solid". Cholesterol was initially identified in gallstones, which is where the "chole" part comes from. "Stereos" refers to its solid, waxy consistency.
2. Emia: It comes from the Greek word "haima" meaning "blood". The suffix "-emia" is often used in medical terminology to refer to a condition or presence of a substance in the blood.
3. -ia: This suffix is often added to words in medical terminology to indicate a condition or state.