Dr. Eyyüp Taşdemir Internal Medicine Specialist Office

Hyperlipidemia, commonly known as high cholesterol, primarily leads to heart attacks and strokes, and subsequently to diabetes and liver cirrhosis. One of the main causes of this condition is excessive energy intake. Every extra calorie consumed is first converted into glycogen in the liver and then stored as fat. This fat first accumulates in the blood vessels, causing heart attacks, and then in the liver, leading to insulin resistance and diabetes. If left untreated, this disease can lead to fatty liver disease, also known as cirrhosis. The treatment involves adopting a more active lifestyle and reducing daily calorie intake. However, in individuals with persistently high blood fats or familial hyperlipidemia, medical treatment, i.e., cholesterol medications, is used. Patients taking cholesterol medications are monitored through liver function tests and muscle enzyme levels at each doctor’s visit. 

Palliative care is a medical specialty aimed at addressing the physical and psychological needs of all patients facing life-threatening conditions, whether bedridden or not. Palliative care primarily includes managing pain, infections, pressure sores from prolonged bed rest, muscle contractions due to joint and muscle immobility, nutrition, sleep disturbances, and hygiene needs. The main goal of palliative care is to ensure the patient spends the remaining time as comfortably as possible.