Common Causes Of White Matter Disease
Aging, which no one can prevent from happening, has a profound effect on the body. One of the common problems with aging for many adults is a disease called white matter disease. It occurs when specific tissue in the brain begins to wear away. This is not just any tissue, though. This is the tissue found in the deepest and the largest part of the brain, and it can cause further health issues. This tissue plays an important role in the function of an individual's body. It’s the tissue in which information is sent from the brain to the spine, and it’s also the tissue that helps individuals think straight and walk in a straight line. When white matter disease is present, the tissue in that area of the brain blocks messages from getting to the rest of the brain. This causes issues with cognition and an individual's ability to walk. Here are some of the common causes of white matter disease.
High Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is one of the leading causes of white matter disease. It’s one of the primary reasons individuals need to get their high cholesterol under control as quickly as possible. LDL cholesterol is often referred to as the bad cholesterol in the body, and high levels are detrimental to many aspects of an individual's overall health. One of the biggest problems this can cause is heart disease. If patients are living with high cholesterol, they must work to lower it as quickly as possible. One of the most common and the best ways to do this is to lose weight. Individuals must eat a healthy diet and live an active lifestyle to help lose weight in a healthy manner. Even small lifestyle changes can add up to big health results when made permanent.
Chronic Hypertension
Chronic hypertension is high blood pressure, and it’s dangerous to an individual's health. It’s also another leading cause of white matter disease. It’s considered chronic because it doesn’t drop and can also last a lifetime if individuals are unable to get it under control. Doctors will discuss different methods of controlling a patient's blood pressure, and it’s the patient's job to listen to their advice and make the appropriate lifestyle changes. A doctor might prescribe medication that helps lower blood pressure, or they may recommend making dietary and other lifestyle changes to lower pressure and promote better health. High blood pressure is also associated with high stress, so doctors might work with patients to make healthy lifestyle changes to lower their stress.
