Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease accompanied by damage to the heart muscle. This condition is extremely dangerous, since in the absence of treatment it often leads to the development of heart and vascular insufficiency. So what are the main symptoms of myocarditis? Is there a truly effective cure for the disease?
Myocarditis and its causes
In fact, the inflammatory process can be caused by many factors of the internal and external environment. Most often, the disease develops against a background of infection. Almost any bacterial or viral disease can cause a complication in the form of myocarditis.
In addition, inflammation often occurs against the background of toxic tissue damage. It is interesting that potentially hazardous substances can enter from outside (for example, some poisons) or be products of the vital activity of pathogens, including some multicellular parasites.
Quite often, myocarditis symptoms occur against the background of a strong allergic reaction. In addition, some autoimmune diseases can be attributed to the causes.
Myocarditis: symptoms and treatment
In fact, the clinical picture may be different. In this case, it all depends on the severity of the organic myocardial lesions, as well as on the underlying cause of the disease. For example, if the inflammatory process arose against a background of a bacterial infection, then the first signs appear a few weeks later. At the same time, with poisoning, myocarditis symptoms can develop over several hours.
First of all, there is severe fatigue, drowsiness, as well as constant weakness. Body temperature, as a rule, remains normal and only in some cases rises to subfebrile indicators. Tachycardia and arrhythmia are also symptoms of myocarditis.
Along with this, severe shortness of breath appears. It can be observed both during physical activity (and even the weakest), and at rest. Some patients complain of nighttime attacks of shortness of breath, which, of course, affects the state of the body and the quality of life.
Quite often, inflammation is accompanied by discomfort and a slight burning sensation in the heart. In turn, acute myocarditis can lead to the appearance of very severe pains resembling an attack of angina pectoris or even myocardial infarction. In such cases, you must immediately take the person to the hospital.
Symptoms of myocarditis are sometimes more noticeable and life-threatening. As already mentioned, in the absence of treatment, the disease can provoke the development of heart and vascular insufficiency. Similar complications have characteristic external signs. In particular, a good specialist will immediately notice the cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, the skin on the hands and feet, as well as the swelling of the veins on the neck. Along with this, a decrease in systolic pressure can be observed.
As for treatment, with such a disease, it is first of all important to determine its cause, on which the choice of effective treatment depends. For example, with a bacterial infection, antibiotics are necessary, and with allergies, antihistamines. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs are used, including those that contain corticosteroids. During treatment, the patient needs a strict bed rest and an appropriate diet with a minimum amount of salt.