Statins: How the drug prevents heart attacks and strokes
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Statins are some of the most widely prescribed medications in the world. They’re commonly prescribed for people who have high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol. Having a lower urinary tract symptom could indicate a side effect of statin use.
In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, statin medications and its link with lower urinary tract symptoms was investigated.
Statins may ameliorate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) through anti-inflammatory or other pathways, noted the study.
It continued: “We investigated the association between statin use and storage, voiding, how to buy xenical australia without prescription and overall LUTS symptoms.
“In multivariate models, statin use had no association with LUTS among women.
“No associations were observed for any LUTS among younger (<60) men, but among older (60+) men, we observed significant inverse associations for voiding and overall LUTS.”
The study concluded that the use of statins is associated with a lower prevalence of urologic symptoms among older men but not among women or younger men.
Observational studies have shown both improvement and worsening of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) while taking a statin.
With long-term statin use being associated with a delay in LUTS onset, especially in men.
Dark or bloody urine or pain in your upper abdomen or chest can be signs of serious kidney and liver disorders.
If you have any of these symptoms while taking a statin, call your doctor right away.
How to respond to side effects
According to the NHS, you should discuss the benefits and risks of taking statins with your doctor before you start taking the medicine.
“If you find certain side effects particularly troublesome, talk to the doctor in charge of your care. Your dose may need to be adjusted or you may need a different type of statin,” the health body advises.
It is worth noting that the jury is out on whether you will experience side effects from taking statins.
Professor Darrel Francis, Professor of Cardiology at the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, said: “Statins are extremely powerful in preventing heart disease. But a lot of people aren’t taking statins because of their worries about side effects.
“Some people experience a reaction, and it may be real, without it being caused by the chemical effect of the statin.
“If I’m looking forward to a curry, thinking about it will make my mouth water. It’s not the food that’s making my mouth water, it’s my mind.”
While statins have some great benefits for people who are considered high risk patients, they also have some serious side-effects that are often overlooked.
Therefore, before deciding to take a statin for the long-term you must discuss with your doctor the potential side-effects compared to the potential benefit.
If experiencing urinary tract symptoms or pain when urinating, its important to speak with your healthcare professional about the possible cause.
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