Myocarditis has become more prevalent in recent years because of the large number of viruses and bacteria to which humans are regularly exposed. The disease is an inflammation of the heart muscle that can be caused by various things including HIV infection, Lyme disease, and Rheumatic Fever as well as a large number of other serious viruses. It can also happen because of a bacterial infection; in particular staphylococcus aureus. It can also be caused, in rare occasions, by a serious case of endocarditis – an infection of the heart valve or layer of muscle around the heart. Finally, alcohol and/or drug abuse can also cause myocarditis. Certain types of myocarditis can be cleared up quickly; with the matter of a few days. However, if the disease causes significant heart damage, the results can be long-term, chronic, or even lethal. Learning to live with the disease can be difficult, but it is possible if you follow certain steps.
Instructions
Live with Myocarditis
1. Make certain of the diagnosis. Don’t be afraid to get a second, third, or even fourth opinion. Physicians will likely order a battery of tests to diagnose myocarditis. These would include, but are not necessarily limited to and EKG, an electrocardiogram, a chest xray, and blood tests.
2. Train to recognize the symptoms, assuming any detectable symptoms are shown. It is important to know what to look so that a physician can be called when needed. Typical symptoms include chest pain, irregular heart beat, high fever, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, headache and fatigue. Some people may also experience unexplained swelling of the arms and hands or legs and feet.
3. Obtain proper treatment. Depending upon the seriousness of the specific case, different types of treatment may be advised. Mild cases may only be asked to avoid certain things that could aggravate the disease. More serious cases will require a more aggressive form of treatment. This might include a number of medications for pain, to prevent blood clots, to treat arrhythmia, and/or to prevent water retention. It may also include an antibiotic treatment, oxygen treatments, and even the insertion of a pacemaker.
4. Avoid those things that are known to aggravate the condition. Some obvious choices to avoid would be the use of alcohol and drugs. Too much of the wrong type of exercise could also prove to cause more problems. For that reason, all exercise programs should be approved through a physician before they are implemented. It is also important that those suffering from the disease avoid exposure to communicable diseases.
5. Watch your cholesterol. It is important to keep the numbers low, within the range indicated by your physician.
6. Follow doctor’s orders. Taking part in activities that are restricted or indulging in things that are known to be aggravating to the disease is just asking for trouble.
7. Call a physician immediately when any of the following occur: Severe chest pain, erratic heart beat, trouble breathing or shortness of breath, high fever or sudden chills, and unexplained sudden swelling of the limbs.
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