The Undiscovered Danger of Statin Drugs
Posted: Sunday, August 23, 2009
by John Miller
Home HealthPlus1
Statin drugs is a prescribed drug for patients with high cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. It is also known as a drug that can lower cholesterol level. Among the commonly used Statin drugs are Lipitor, Lescol, Pravacho, Mevacor, Crestor and Zocor.
The Benefits of Statins
In general, Statins have cholesterol reducing properties since it improve blood cholesterol level reducing the production of liver enzyme called HMG Co-A reductase. In this way the ability of the liver to make cholesterol can be greatly reduced. Statins greatly reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. And at the same time, it can increase the level of HDL or good cholesterol.
The Danger of Statin Drugs
Muscle Pains
Although there are benefits, Statin drugs also have its down sides. And the most common is connected to the gastrointestinal system. Among the effects in connection to this system are dizziness, headache, sleep disturbances and rashes. Muscle weakness is also one of the negative effects. This can cause occasional pain although it may only happen to 1 in 1000 patients. This condition is called rhabdomyolysis which is actually caused by inhibiting the production of Co-Q 10 , a nutrient supporting muscle metabolism. It usually begins with restless sleep patterns along with constant muscle pains.
Aside from Statin, other cholesterol-lowering medications can also cause muscle pains specifically in the joints.Moreover, it may be because of deficiency in cholesterol along with insufficient supply of Co-Q 10
Effect on Liver
In about 1 in 100 patients, increase in liver enzymes may also take place a few weeks after taking Statin drugs. Moreover there is a little evidence that the damage caused is permanent. In some cases, it is noted that Statins can produce cognitive effects such as difficulty in focusing or concentrating along with the possibility of cancer risk. In some studies however, Statins are proven to lower the possibility of acquiring cancer.
Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy otherwise called as Polyneuropathy is signified by weakness and a tingling pain in the hands and feet leading to difficulty in walking. According to studies, this is mainly due to the negative effect of Statins on the nerves. Oftentimes, the damage is irreversible as patients who take large doses has to live with permanent nerve damage even if they as stopped taking the medication.
Heart failure
One of the possible explanations of frequent heart failure is the use of cholesterol reducing drugs like Statins. As the muscles are fatigued, thereby causing muscle pains and weakness, production and transfer of energy is also affected. In his way, the heart is not supplied with the right amount of energy, although we know that it is the organ that needs most of the energy to perform its vita task, the heart then becomes weak and susceptible to diseases. And again, this is due to the depletion of Co-Q10 which is minimized as the effect of taking cholesterol controlling drugs. And this can be a big problem if people are continuously urged to take more and more drugs and medications like Statins to lower their cholesterol level in this way.
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