Latest Medical Resources

Archive for the ‘Diseases and Conditions’ Category

What medication is used?

Preventive

Antibiotics (eg penicillin). There is more chance of an abnormal valve becomes infected with bacteria. This can occur, for example, if the bacteria enter the bloodstream during surgical procedures, cardiac catheterization or dental treatment. It is suggested that preventive antibiotic therapy if the patient needs to undergo any other treatment that can introduce bacteria into the blood (for example before the dental extractions).

For treatment of symptoms

Diuretics help the body remove excess salt and fluid through the kidneys.

- Loop diuretics, which have a strong effect.

- Potassium-sparing diuretics, which is taken as an adjunct to loop diuretics.

- Thiazide diuretics used as an additional diuretic if heart failure symptoms are severe. Read the rest of this entry »

How does the doctor diagnosed?

The diagnosis is based on patient history, examination and exploration of the heart with a stethoscope to listen for any abnormal sound or murmur from the heart valves or heart muscle.

If discovered dysfunction is severe, your doctor may refer the patient to hospital for further tests. They are:

Echocardiography

That is, an ultrasound of the heart. Provides an accurate measurement of the degree of regurgitation or stenosis, indicating if the heart’s pumping ability is poor and often can give the exact cause of valve disease. The resolution and accuracy of echocardiography increases by transesophageal echocardiography in the patient. This is introduced into the esophagus through the mouth, a fiberoptic tube. With this technique, performed under sedation, we can obtain clear images of the heart. Read the rest of this entry »

What is the cause of heart valve disease?

The narrowing or stenosis of the valves may be due to:

- Congenital

- Degeneration of atherosclerosis (aortic stenosis only)

- Damage to the valve structure by rheumatic fever

- Excessive calcification in the elderly (aortic stenosis only)

The inadequacies of the valves may be due to:

- Bacterial infection or inflammation of a valve

- Excessive laxity of the valve leaflets (mitral valve prolapse)

- Dilation of the left or right ventricle and/or its output artery (aorta or pulmonary) Read the rest of this entry »

The heart has two halves, right and left, each with two chambers: the atrium and ventricle. Through the atria reaches the blood to the heart and the ventricles through the blood is pumped out of the heart. Heart valves are structures with a perfect performance and synchronized to ensure that blood moves in the right direction only.

There are four heart valves:

- The tricuspid valve: located between the atrium and ventricle

- Mitral valve: located between the left atrium and left ventricle

- Pulmonary valve: located between the right ventricle and outflow tract, pulmonary artery

- The aortic valve: located between the left ventricle and outflow tract, aorta. Read the rest of this entry »

How is CPR?

Place one hand on the bottom of the victim’s sternum (the bone that is at the center of the chest between the ribs). Place your other hand on this intertwining the fingers and press down evenly. To avoid injuries, the arms must be extended and the lower hand in contact with the victim all the time.

Press the sternum approximately 100 times per minute in adults and children, trying to depress the sternum 4 to 5 cm in adults and less for children.

Resuscitation is effective if you can feel the pulse in the neck or groin of the victim.

Artificial respiration and CPR should be performed at the same time, for which: Read the rest of this entry »

Important: This is a brief guide to emergency assistance can be provided in the case of a heart attack or cardiac arrest before the arrival of emergency services. The intent of this article is not a substitute for a course of resuscitation or first aid.

What to do if someone suffers a heart attack?

If someone suffers a heart attack or cardiac arrest, there are only a few minutes to act before it is too late. It is vital to know what to do beforehand.

To effectively perform CPR and artificial respiration (the “mouth”), is essential to have been taught and practiced often with resuscitation mannequins or dolls.

First Aid Courses are offered in Spain by non-governmental organizations like the Red Cross. Read the rest of this entry »

It is the invasion and reproduction of bacteria, fungi or viruses in the lining (mucosa) of the mouth and throat which adversely affect the immune system (responsible for combating harmful microorganisms).

This is because the cold, humidity and pollution, among other things, lower the defenses that normally protect the body against infections.

Causes

- Exposure to sudden temperature changes.
- Air pollution and smoke.
- Smoking.
- Improper cleaning of the mouth.
- Sores in the mouth by using braces or dental bridges.
- Breathing through the mouth increases the chance of acquiring an infection as contact with bacteria, viruses or fungi is more direct.
- Contact with saliva droplets from sneezing and coughing of infected people.
- Fever and nervous tension generated reach mouth sores, because under these conditions decreased resistance and microorganisms reproduce rapidly. Read the rest of this entry »

We have envisioned the impact that can generate excess water in the human body, but it is worth noting the opinion of Ellen Asuar, nutritionists, who states that those who have this type of behavior are “addicts who can not imagine the consequences. They think that, being natural, water does not hurt. This is the image we have of the liquid, but it is a mistake: its prolonged and excessive intake can have dire consequences, “he states.

In the case of Mary, remembers the nutritionist, “several months after he collapsed liquid diet in the classroom, what triggered the problem that was intruded. The diagnosis made by the physicians indicated heart failure, leg cramps and fatigue ample proof of his kidneys, which had been under real stress. ” Read the rest of this entry »

The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls many aspects of emotional behavior, but also is responsible for the conservation of water in the body and to output the fluid need (thirst).

It would be difficult to have a physiological imbalance (potomania neurological) that disrupt this complex mechanism, so that experts agree that excessive water drinking, compulsively and without any sense of thirst is, obviously, part of a serious psychiatric may fall within the related disorders of impulse control.

The issue, says a study conducted at the Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain, is that many young girls are prey to the marketing and advertising and social pressure to lose a few kilos but, in principle, many they are fully aware of being obese. Read the rest of this entry »

In an effort to bring healthy living and weight loss, it is increasingly common to see people carrying a bottle of drinking water often. However, drinking too much fluid is real problem because it can be a symptom of mental imbalance.

Anorexia (loss of weight by stop eating and undergo intense workouts) and bulimia (repeated episodes of excessive food intake followed by vomiting or using laxatives) have attracted the interest of the scientific community related to medicine, since which are two of the most common eating disorders in the world and because they are characterized by the establishment of a pattern of conduct that puts in risk the integrity of free those who suffer. Read the rest of this entry »