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Myocarditis
What
is myocarditis?
Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium,
which is the heart muscle. It is usually caused by some underlying illness.
However it can also be caused by injury, radiation therapy or a toxic reaction
to drugs.
Myocarditis can affect people of all ages.
What
illnesses or diseases cause myocarditis?
The diseases associated with myocarditis include
almost every infectious, viral, bacterial and parasitic disease known. Everything
from influenza to measles, to gonorrhoea can cause myocarditis.
What
are the symptoms of myocarditis?
Symptoms can depend on the underlying cause. However
they may include:
- Fatigue.
- Shortness of breath.
- Palpitations (an awareness of the heartbeat).
- Arrhythmia (irregular heart beat).
- Swelling.
- Chest pain.
Can
myocarditis be prevented?
Sometimes. You can prevent some of the underlying
causes, thereby preventing myocarditis. For example as measles can lead to myocarditis,
ensure you are properly immunised against it.
Does
myocarditis always have to be medically treated?
No. Because most people with this condition show
no symptoms, they don't realise they have it and therefore don't get treatment
for it.
In many of these cases, the myocarditis will clear
up on its own.
What
are the possible complications of myocarditis?
Myocarditis can cause acute pericarditis (inflammation
of the membrane surrounding the heart), blood clots, stroke, permanent heart
muscle damage and arrhythmias (irregular heart beat). In some cases, these arrhythmias
can be fatal if left untreated.
In some rare cases, a person may even develop heart
failure.
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