Tag: Heart Disease

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Ailmemts & Remedies Pediatric

Tetralogy of Fallot

Definition:
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is an abnormality of the heart and major blood vessels, which may be found in babies.

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It’s one of the most complex heart problems, as there are four different abnormalities (hence the term ‘tetralogy’):

•A large ventricular septal defect – one of the more serious types of hole in the heart, in which there is a connection between the two main pumping chambers of the heart (ventricles)

•Narrowing of the pulmonary valve (pulmonary stenosis) – this means the heart has to work harder to pump blood into the lungs to collect oxygen

•Right ventricular hypertrophy – thickening of the muscle wall of the right ventricle

•A displaced aorta – the major blood vessel that takes blood out of the heart and directs it around the body

Although these are the main problems, every child is different and there may be all sorts of other abnormalities.

Tetralogy of Fallot occurs in approximately 400 per million live births.

It was described in 1672 by Niels Stensen, in 1773 by Edward Sandifort, and in 1888 by the French physician Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot, for whom it is named.

Symptoms:
Tetralogy of Fallot symptoms vary, depending on the extent of obstruction of blood flow out of the right ventricle and into the lungs. Signs and symptoms may include:

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You may click to see different pictures of  Tetralogy of Fallot

*A bluish coloration of the skin caused by blood low in oxygen (cyanosis)

*Shortness of breath and rapid breathing, especially during feeding

*Loss of consciousness (fainting)

*Clubbing of fingers and toes — an abnormal, rounded shape of the nail bed

*Poor weight gain

*Tiring easily during play

*Irritability

*Prolonged crying

*A heart murmur

Tet spells
Sometimes, babies with tetralogy of Fallot will suddenly develop deep blue skin, nails and lips after crying, feeding, having a bowel movement, or kicking his or her legs upon awakening. These episodes are called “Tet spells” and are caused by a rapid drop in the amount of oxygen in the blood. Toddlers or older children may instinctively squat when they are short of breath. Squatting increases blood flow to the lungs. Tet spells are more common in young infants, around 2 to 4 months old.

Seek medical help if you notice that your baby has the following symptoms:

*Difficulty breathing

*Bluish discoloration of the skin

*Passing out or seizures

*Weakness

*Unusual irritability

If your baby becomes blue (cyanotic), immediately place your child on his or her side and pull the knees up to the chest. This helps increase blood flow to the lungs.

Causes:–
The cause of TOF isn’t fully understood. While a baby is in the womb, something interferes with the development of the heart and major blood vessels.

Its cause is thought to be due to environmental or genetic factors or a combination. It is associated with chromosome 22 deletions and DiGeorge syndrome.

Specific genetic associations include:

JAG1[4]
NKX2-5[5]
ZFPM2[6]
VEGF[7]
It occurs slightly more often in males than in females.

Embryology studies show that it is a result of anterior malalignment of the aorticopulmonary septum, resulting in the clinical combination of a VSD, pulmonary stenosis, and an overriding aorta. Right ventricular hypertrophy results from this combination, which causes resistance to blood flow from the right ventricle.

Although no specific single genetic abnormality has yet been found to explain every case, genetics often do play a part in these types of malformations (known as conotruncal abnormalities). In some children, a particular genetic problem can be identified, such as DiGeorge syndrome, where a small piece of chromosome 22 is lost or deleted.

Some researchers have suggested that TOF is caused by an autosomal recessive gene that has yet to be identified and which has variable penetrance (that is, it doesn’t always cause disease).

However, this is far from proven and TOF has also been linked to environmental factors such as certain medications or alcohol taken by the mother while pregnant.

Whatever the cause, in those families who have a child with TOF, the risk of a second child being born with the condition is only increased very slightly.

Risk factors:-
While the exact cause of tetralogy of Fallot is unknown, several factors may increase the risk of a baby being born with this condition. These include:

*A viral illness in the mother, such as rubella (German measles), during pregnancy

*Maternal alcoholism

*Poor nutrition

*A mother older than 40

*A parent with tetralogy of Fallot

*Babies who are also born with Down syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome

Diagnosis:-
The abnormal “coeur-en-sabot” (boot-like) appearance of a heart with tetralogy of Fallot is easily visible via chest x-ray, and before more sophisticated techniques became available, this was the definitive method of diagnosis. Congenital heart defects are now diagnosed with echocardiography, which is quick, involves no radiation, is very specific, and can be done prenatally.

Treatment:-
Emergency management of tet spells:

Prior to corrective surgery, children with tetralogy of Fallot may be prone to consequential acute hypoxia (tet spells), characterized by sudden cyanosis and syncope. These may be treated with beta-blockers such as propranolol, but acute episodes may require rapid intervention with morphine to reduce ventilatory drive and a vasopressor such as epinephrine, phenylephrine, or norepinephrine to increase blood pressure. Oxygen is effective in treating spells because it is a potent pulmonary vasodilator and systemic vasoconstrictor. This allows more blood flow to the lungs. There are also simple procedures such as squatting and the knee chest position which increases aortic wave reflection, increasing pressure on the left side of the heart, decreasing the right to left shunt thus decreasing the amount of deoxygenated blood entering the systemic circulation.

Palliative surgery:
The condition was initially thought untreatable until surgeon Alfred Blalock, cardiologist Helen B. Taussig, and lab assistant Vivien Thomas at Johns Hopkins University developed a palliative surgical procedure, which involved forming an anastomosis between the subclavian artery and the pulmonary artery (See movie “Something the Lord Made”).  It was actually Helen Taussig who convinced Alfred Blalock that the shunt was going to work. This redirected a large portion of the partially oxygenated blood leaving the heart for the body into the lungs, increasing flow through the pulmonary circuit, and greatly relieving symptoms in patients. The first Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt surgery was performed on 15-month old Eileen Saxon on November 29, 1944 with dramatic results.

The Potts shunt  and the Waterston-Cooley shunt  are other shunt procedures which were developed for the same purpose. These are no longer used.

Currently, Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunts are not normally performed on infants with TOF except for severe variants such as TOF with pulmonary atresia (pseudotruncus arteriosus).

…

Total surgical repair:
The Blalock-Thomas-Taussig procedure, initially the only surgical treatment available for Tetralogy of Fallot, was palliative but not curative. The first total repair of Tetralogy of Fallot was done by a team led by C. Walton Lillehei at the University of Minnesota in 1954 on a 11-year-old boy. Total repair on infants has had success from 1981, with research indicating that it has a comparatively low mortality rate.

Total repair of Tetralogy of Fallot initially carried a high mortality risk. This risk has gone down steadily over the years. Surgery is now often carried out in infants one year of age or younger with less than 5% perioperative mortality. The open-heart surgery is designed (1) to relieve the right ventricular outflow tract stenosis by careful resection of muscle and (2) to repair the VSD with a Gore-Tex patch or a homograft. Additional reparative or reconstructive surgery may be done on patients as required by their particular cardiac anatomy

Prognosis:-
Untreated, Tetralogy of Fallot rapidly results in progressive right ventricular hypertrophy due to the increased resistance on the right ventricle. This progresses to heart failure (dilated cardiomyopathy) which begins in the right heart and often leads to left heart failure. Actuarial survival for untreated Tetralogy of Fallot is approximately 75% after the first year of life, 60% by four years, 30% by ten years, and 5% by forty years.

Patients who have undergone total surgical repair of Tetralogy of Fallot have improved hemodynamics and often have good to excellent cardiac function after the operation with some to no exercise intolerance (New York Heart Association Class I-II). Surgical success and long-term outcome greatly depends on the particular anatomy of the patient and the surgeon’s skill and experience with this type of repair.

Ninety percent of patients with total repair as infants develop a progressively leaky pulmonary valve as the heart grows to its adult size but the valve does not. Patients also may have damage to the electrical system of the heart from surgical incisions if the middle cardiac nerve is accidentally tapped during surgery. If the nerve is touched, it will cause abnormalities as detected by EKG and/or arrhythmias.

Long-term follow up studies show that patients with total repair of TOF are at risk for sudden cardiac death and for heart failure. Therefore, lifetime follow-up care by an adult congenital cardiologist is recommended to monitor these risks and to recommend treatment, such as interventional procedures or re-operation, if it becomes necessary.

The use of antibiotics is no longer required by cardiologists and varies from case to case.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.

Resources:–
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/fallotstetralogy.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetralogy_of_Fallot
http://www.drattawarsandeep.com/tetralogy_of_fallot.php
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tetralogy-of-fallot/DS00615/DSECTION

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Costochondritis

Alternative Names:Chest wall pain,costosternal syndrome and costosternal chondrodynia.

Definition:
Costochondritis is a benign inflammation of the costal cartilage, which is a length of cartilage which connects each rib, except the eleventh and twelfth, to the sternum. It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.

You may click to see the pictures

This pain can be quite excruciating, especially after rigorous exercise. When the pain of costochondritis is accompanied by swelling, it’s referred to as Tietze syndrome.

Most cases of costochondritis have no apparent cause. In these cases, treatment focuses on easing your pain while you wait for costochondritis to improve on its own. While it can be extremely painful, it is considered to be a benign condition that generally resolves in 6–8 weeks.

Costochondritis occurs most often in women and in people older than 40. However, costochondritis can affect anyone, including infants and children.

Symptoms:
Costochondritis symptoms can be similar to the chest pain associated with a heart attack.It is the most common cause of chest pain originating in the chest wall.

Costochondritis usually develops gradually with increasing tenderness over the breastplate and pain if you put pressure on the ribs in this area. The pain is made worse by anything that moves the ribs and pulls on the cartilage connecting them to the sternum.

Symptoms include:

*Pain and tenderness in the locations where your ribs attach to your breastbone (costosternal joints)
*Often sharp pain, though also dull and gnawing pain
*Location often on left side of breastbone, but possible on either side of chest

Other costochondritis symptoms may include:
*Pain when taking deep breaths
*Pain when coughing
*Difficulty breathing

Causes:
Costochondritis often results from a physical strain or minor injury, but the true causes are not well understood. . It was at one time thought to be associated with, or caused by, a viral infection acquired during surgery, but this is now known not to be the case. Most sufferers have not had recent surgery. Only some cases of costochondritis have a clear cause. Those causes include:

*Injury.•Mechanical pressure or stress on the sternum or A blow to the chest could cause costochondritis.

*Physical strain. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise have been linked to costochondritis.

*Upper respiratory illness. An infection that produces sneezing or a cough may produce costochondritis.

*Infection. Infection can develop in the costosternal joint, causing pain.

*Fibromyalgia. Recurring costochondritis could be a symptom of fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia often have several tender spots. The upper part of the breastbone is a common tender spot.

*Pain from other areas of your body. Pain signals can sometimes be misinterpreted by your brain, causing pain in places far away from where the problem occurs. Your doctor might refer to this as “referred pain.” Pain in your chest can sometimes be caused by problems with the bones in your spine compressing the nerves.

Diagnosis:
Doctor can diagnose costochondritis by pressing on the area where the ribs meet the chest bone (sternum). If this area is tender and sore, costochondritis is the most likely cause of your chest pain. He or she will ask you to describe your pain and what influences it. The pain of costochondritis can be very similar to the pain associated with heart disease, lung disease, gastrointestinal problems and osteoarthritis. Your doctor will feel along your breastbone for areas of tenderness or swelling.

Costochondritis generally can’t be seen on chest X-rays or other imaging tests used to see inside your body. Sometimes your doctor may orders these tests or others to rule out other conditions.

Treatment:
Treatment mostly consists of finding pain relief that works for you while waiting for the body to heal.

Start with simple analgesics such as paracetamol, which must be taken at regular intervals and not just when the pain is bothering you. Pain killers which also reduce inflammation such as ibuprofen (these are known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs) may be particularly helpful. Local heat (such as from a warm pack) can also be soothing.

Vigorous exercise might not be a good idea. When you exercise, you need to increase your breathing depth and rate, increasing the movement of your ribs. This is more likely to aggravate any inflammation. Gentle exercise, however, is fine and some research suggests that gentle stretching of the pectoral muscles 2-3 times a day may help.

Although most people find that the pain soon settles, a significant number still have some discomfort and tenderness several months later. In persistent cases local injections of anaesthetic and steroids to the rib area may be recommended.

Prognosis :With treatment, the condition usually goes away in a few days.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.

Resources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/costochondritis.shtml
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costochondritis/DS00626
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costochondritis
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000164.htm

http://www.graphicshunt.com/health/images/costochondritis-1030.htm

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Healthy Tips

Healthy Heart

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Introduction:
Why do you need to keep a healthy heart?
Heart disease is the number one  cause of death in men and women, greater than the next five causes of death combined!

According to the latest estimates by the American Heart Association, over 64 million Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Fortunately, there are ways to significantly lower your chances of developing heart disease and reverse the effects of a current heart condition you may or may not be aware of. Lower cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine and CRP levels are a start to promoting healthy hearts.

Healthy Heart Guide  educates people about the risk factors of heart disease, attempting to persuade them to adopt a healthier lifestyle .

Even if you’ve already been diagnosed with heart disease, making lifestyle changes can help you live a longer, healthier and more enjoyable life.

Essential Blood Tests :
Find out the risk factors for developing heart conditions:

*Risk Factors Heart Disease :
*Cholesterol Levels :
*Homocysteine Levels :
*Triglyceride Levels :
*C-Reactive Protein :

Lowering Your Risks:
Specific Ways to Promote a Healthy Heart:


*Cholesterol Ratio
*CRP Blood Test
*Diet For Lowering Cholesterol
*Homocysteine and Heart Disease
*LDL Cholesterol Heart Disease
*Lowering Triglycerides
*Natural Blood Thinners

Being active:
Being active Being active is absolutely essential for a healthy heart – for the simple reason that your heart is a muscle. Even if you haven’t been active for some time, your heart can become stronger, so that it’s able to pump more efficiently giving you more stamina and greater energy. Becoming more active will also improve the ability of your body’s tissues to extract oxygen from your blood, help you

maintain healthy levels of blood fats and speed your metabolism. Three types of exercise are needed in order to become fitter and healthier. These are aerobic, resistance training and flexibility. All three are vital for all-round fitness.

Aerobic (cardiovascular) exercise:
Particularly important to prevent coronary heart disease is aerobic or cardiovascular exercise. This is any kind of activity that increases your breathing rate and gets you breathing more deeply. These activities include: walking, running, swimming, dancing or any of the aerobic (cardiovascular) machines at the gym such as the rowing machine, treadmill, stepper or elliptical trainer.

These are designed to increase the strength of your heart muscle by improving your body’s ability to extract oxygen from the blood and transport it to the rest of the body. Aerobic exercise also enhances your body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently and to burn (or metabolise) fats and carbohydrates for energy.

These are designed to increase the strength of your heart muscle by improving your body’s ability to extract oxygen from the blood and transport it to the rest of the body. Aerobic exercise also enhances your body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently and to burn (or metabolise) fats and carbohydrates for energy.
Stretching:
Stretching helps relax and lengthen your muscles, encourages improved blood flow, and helps keep you supple so you can move more easily. Experts say it’s good to stretch for 5-10 minutes every day. There are a number of simple stretches which you’ll find in virtually any book about exercise or can be taught by the instructor at the gym.

If you want more organised stretching, yoga and Pilates are safe and gentle for people with heart problems, as they help calm the mind and body and reduce stress. That said, there may still be some exercises or postures that are not recommended if you have heart disease, so check with your doctor first and tell your instructor if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.

Getting started:
There’s no need to join a gym or take part in organised sport, unless you want to, of course. Simply incorporating more activity into your daily life and doing activities like walking, gardening, cycling can be just as effective as a structured exercise programme.

Your aim should be to be moderately active for 30 minutes most days of the week. If you find it hard to fit this into your life, split it up into shorter periods. You should feel that your heart rate is increasing, you are breathing more deeply and frequently. You should be able to walk and talk at the same time – if you can’t then the activity is too strenuous.

Safety first:
If you experience any or all of the following, stop exercising and consult your doctor.

•Chest pain
•Dizziness, light-headedness or confusion
•Nausea or vomiting
•Cramp-like pains in the legs (intermittent claudication)
•Pale or bluish skin tone
•Breathlessness lasting for more than 10 minutes
•Palpitations (rapid or irregular heart beat).
•Continued fatigue (lasting for 24 hours or more)
•Fluid retention (swollen ankles, sudden weight gain)

Resources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/in_depth/heart/prevention_activity.shtml

Your Guide to Heart Health & Lowering Your Risk of Heart Attack & Stroke

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Natural Chelation Nutrient To Clean Arteries

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These days, the prescribed solution in the United States for heart problems is often invasive, dangerous and expensive surgery, with dubious results. The New England Journal of Medicine says open-heart surgery “appears neither to prolong life nor prevent myocardial infarction (heart attack).” This is a serious procedure that at its best addresses only a small part of the vascular system, leaving the rest of the problem unresolved. That allows the condition that causes the buildup to continue, which can often lead to a deadly outcome.

Instead of surgery, there are natural solutions to clear your arteries of plaque buildup. It’s called oral chelation. Chelation flushes toxic metals, calcium, plaque buildup and cholesterol deposits from the walls of your arteries. Accumulation of these substances means your arteries are gradually hardening. Chelation can be administered orally or by intravenous injection.

Oral chelation is safe, proven effective and inexpensive. It is non-invasive. It works on your whole vascular system, not just a confined part of it as in open-heart or bypass surgery. By clearing all the arteries in your body—even the micro-arteries in your eyes—the procedure helps protect your brain and your heart.

The main nutrient in oral chelation is EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid). Since it was discovered in 1930, EDTA has been universally proven as an effective chelator. The designation “chelator” means it pulls, claws and dissolves plaque in the arteries, so that it can be flushed out of the body with the aid of the kidneys. EDTA helps support the cardiovascular system by flushing out toxins and heavy metals.

Both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the U. S. Food and Drug Administration have approved the use of EDTA chelation therapy for the removal of lead, aluminum and cadmium poisoning from the vascular system. It has actually been found to be 300 times safer than aspirin. EDTA works by reaching every blood vessel in your body, from the largest artery to the tiniest capillary and arteriole. Most of these blood vessels are much too small or too deep within the brain or other organs to be reached safely by surgery or other methods.

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What is Chelation

Natural Chelation Therapy

Natural affordable Chelation for All

Chelation Therapy

Source :Better Health Research

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Acidity Could Be The Root Cause Of All Your Sickness

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More than 38 million people continue to suffer from allergies, heart problems, digestive issues and weight problems associated with acid overload. However, most of you don’t know that the imbalance is the root cause of your health issues.

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Your body works at its best when you’re in alkaline and acid balance. The pH, or “potential of hydrogen”, is a measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. A pH of 7 is a perfectly neutral pH; from 0 to 7 indicates acidity; and from 7 to 14 indicates alkalinity. You want to fall somewhere in the middle around 7 or 7.5.

If you suffer from a pH imbalance, it can:

*Thicken your blood and increase your risk of heart problems.
*Block vitamin absorption and starve your body of essential nutrients.
*Create toxic buildup in clogged cells.
*Slow down organ function and make you feel sluggish and weak.
*Prevent proper digestion and create excess gas and bloating.
*Cause unhealthy weight gain.
*Speed the aging process and make you look and feel older.
In order to reduce your acidity, you need to avoid acid-forming foods like animal meats, processed foods, fried foods, refined sugars, pasteurized dairy products and white flour products.

.click to see

Instead try to add more nutritious alkaline foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans and other foods high in fiber. If you follow the 80/20 rule, where you consume 80 percent alkaline foods and only 20 percent acid-forming foods, you should see a difference in your pH balance.

So don’t worry—your pH level is not permanent. You can make smarter choices with food and learn to balance acidic foods with alkaline ones to get your whole body in tip-top shape.

You may click to see :
*Non-Acid Foods

*Acid-Alkaline Diet – Another Misleading Weight-Loss Theory?

*Cause & Effect of pH Imbalance

*EASY ALKALINE DIET RECIPES


Source : Better Health Research

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