Question : I HAVE numbness in my hands especially the fingers. Could it be due to hypercholesterolemia? My total blood cholesterol is slightly above 200mg/dl and I just had my gall bladder removed last month. Please advise.
Answer : NUMBNESS is often associated with or preceded by abnormal pain-like sensations often described as pins and needles, prickling or burning sensations. Any numbness requires prompt medical advice as it could be a sign or symptom of other diseases.
This condition may be caused by several factors, including lack of blood supply to the affected area, nerve injury and metabolic disturbances such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, alcoholism and malnutrition.
Numbness can be a result of high cholesterol levels in blood. If plaque is blocking the flow of blood to your feet and legs, a fairly common condition called peripheral vascular disease will occur.
Since you have a high cholesterol level and had your gall bladder removed, you should cut down the intake of oil.
A high-fat diet can stimulate bile acid secretion and this can irritate the gut. Additionally, a high intake of unsaturated fat can increase the cholesterol levels.
Supplementing your diet with lecithin would be beneficial. Its main constituent, phosphatidyl choline, has the ability to increase the solubility of cholesterol and break down the fatty deposits in the bloodstream. This reduces the risk of cholesterol plaque formation.
You should incorporate cholesterol-lowering foods into your diet, such as oats, fish, vegetables and fruits.
Although your diet should be free from oily foods, a small amount of essential fatty acids -- omega-3 and omega-6 -- are needed to maintain good health and normalise total blood cholesterol levels.
Increase your dietary fibre because it will combine with and deactivate excessive bile acids in the bowel.
Herbs like red yeast rice and guggulipid may also be used to lower serum triglyceride levels and LDL cholesterol, and increase HDL cholesterol.