Endocarditis, also known as infective endocarditis, is an inflammation of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart, which is typically brought on by bacteria. Endocarditis is uncommon in individuals with healthy hearts.
Symptoms of Endocarditis
Because the early signs of endocarditis resemble those of many other illnesses, many cases of the condition go undiagnosed. Endocarditis symptoms are not always severe and they may slowly worsen over time.
However, some people experience severe symptoms that appear suddenly. These symptoms may be caused by inflammation or the associated damage it causes. Many of the symptoms are similar to cases of the flu or other infections, such as pneumonia.
Endocarditis commonly manifests as:
- The abnormal heart sound known as a heart murmur is caused by the heart’s turbulent blood flow.
- pale skin
- Fever or chills
- Night sweats
- Muscle or joint pain
- Nausea or decreased appetite
- upper-left abdominal region feeling full
- Unintentional weight loss
- enlarged legs, feet, or belly
- breathing difficulties or a cough
- Aching joints and muscles
- difficulty breathing in the chest
- Fatigue
- flu-like signs like chills and a fever
- Night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- Body or abdominal swelling
- a brand-new or altered heart murmur, or the audible heartbeat caused by the heart’s pumping blood through the body
Less common signs and symptoms of endocarditis can include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- urine with visible blood in it
- An infection-fighting organ called the spleen, which is situated just below your left rib cage, may be tender.
- Red spots (Janeway lesions) on the palms of the hands or the bottoms of the feet
- Osler’s nodes are irritated, crimson spots on the skin of the fingers or toes.
- Petechiae are very small purple or red spots that can appear on the skin, inside the mouth, or on the whites of the eyes.
Causes of Endocarditis
Endocarditis can be brought on by fungi, bacteria, or other microorganisms that enter the bloodstream, travel to the heart, and attach to abnormal heart valves or damaged heart tissue.
When the conditions are right, bacteria that reside in our mouth, throat, or other areas of our bodies, such as our skin or gut, can occasionally cause endocarditis. Normally, our immune system eliminates any harmful bacteria that enter our bloodstream.
Endocarditis-causing fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms can enter our bloodstream through:
Improper dental care.
Catheters.
Illegal IV drug use.
Risk factors of Endocarditis
Endocarditis occasionally develops in previously healthy individuals, but it is likely caused by malfunctioning, ill, or damaged heart valves.
Endocarditis risk is increased by:
- Older age.Over 60-year-old older adults are most susceptible to endocarditis.
- Artificial heart valves.A prosthetic (artificial) heart valve is more likely to harbor germs than a natural (natural) heart valve.
- Damaged heart valves.Our heart valves can become damaged or scarred as a result of some illnesses, including rheumatic fever or infection, which raises the risk of infection.
- Congenital heart defects.Someone’s heart may be more prone to infection if they were born with certain heart defects, such as an irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart valves.
- Implanted heart device.A pacemaker is one implantable device that can become infected by bacteria, infecting the lining of the heart.
- A history of endocarditis.Endocarditis increases the possibility of a subsequent heart infection by harming heart tissue and valves.
- A history of illegal IV drug use.The risk of endocarditis increases for those who inject illegal drugs because contaminated needles can spread the bacteria that can cause endocarditis.
- Poor dental health.If one doesn’t brush and floss frequently, bacteria can build up in their mouth and may enter the bloodstream through a cut on their gums. A healthy mouth and healthy gums are essential for good health.
- Long-term catheter use.Our risk of developing endocarditis rises when an indwelling catheter is left in place for an extended period of time.
Complications of Endocarditis
In endocarditis, abnormal masses in our hearts are formed by clumps of bacteria and cell fragments called vegetations that can escape and spread to our brain, lungs, abdominal organs, kidneys, arms, and legs.
Endocarditis consequently has a number of potential side effects, including:
- such as heart failure, damaged heart valves, and heart murmurs
- Stroke
- Abscesses—pockets of amassed pus—that form in the heart, brain, lungs, and other organs
- Pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in an artery of the lung
- Kidney damage
- Enlarged spleen
Prevention of Endocarditis
To lessen your risk of developing endocarditis, follow these recommendations:
- Know the signs and symptoms of endocarditis-Visit a doctor right away if you experience any symptoms, especially if you have a persistent fever, unusual fatigue, a skin infection of any kind, or any open sores that aren’t healing properly.
- Take care of teeth and gums.Maintaining our overall health requires practicing good dental hygiene, which includes regularly brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist.
- Don’t use illegal IV drugs.We run a higher risk of developing endocarditis if we use dirty needles.
Homeopathic Treatment of Endocarditis
Aurum metallicum-Arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, and nocturnal paroxysms of pain behind the sternum can all be treated with this medication.
Kalmia latifoliaUseful for palpitation that is made worse by leaning forward, tumultuous, rapid, and visible pain around the heart, as well as wandering, downward-moving rheumatic pains.
Spegelia is helpful when there are audible, pounding heartbeats that are also accompanied by carotid throbbing, as well as when there are painful, squeezing, and compressive pains.
Veratrum virideIt causes a fall in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and is useful for the slow, soft, and weak pulse that beats throughout the body. – There is a constant, dull, burning pain in the area of the heart.
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