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Is your dizziness caused by cardiomyopathy?

January 27th, 2020 by Content Editor

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body.

It affects those of all ages and develops either because of genetics or an underlying condition.

Factors that can increase your risk of cardiomyopathy include:

A family history of heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest
Long-term high blood pressure
Past heart attacks
Coronary artery disease or an infection in the heart
Obesity
Long-term alcohol abuse
Drug use
Certain chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy for cancer
Diabetes, an under- or overactive thyroid gland, or a disorder that causes the body to store excess iron (hemochromatosis)

In some cases, the cause of cardiomyopathy isn’t known. This is often the case when the disease develops in children.

Other types of the disease are called “unclassified cardiomyopathy.” Another type is “stress-induced cardiomyopathy,” also known as broken heart syndrome.

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms in the early stages of cardiomyopathy. However, as the condition advances, the following signs usually appear:

Breathlessness
Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
Bloating of the abdomen due to fluid build-up
Coughing while lying down
Fatigue
Rapid, pounding or fluttering heartbeats
Dizziness, light-headedness and fainting
Chest discomfort or pressure

Symptoms tend to get worse unless treated. In some people, the condition worsens quickly; in others, it is a gradual process.

Treating cardiomyopathy

Treatment is aimed at the cause of heart failure. Once you have been diagnosed, the main goals are to improve cardiac function, reduce symptoms and to help prevent complications.

Your doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes that reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

When to see a doctor

Because some types of cardiomyopathy can be hereditary, your doctor might advise that your family members be checked too.

See your doctor if you have one or more signs associated with cardiomyopathy, like severe difficulty breathing, fainting or chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes.

In many cases, you can’t prevent cardiomyopathy, but let your doctor know if you have a family history of the condition.

You can help reduce your chances of cardiomyopathy and other types of heart disease with a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes:

Controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes
Avoiding the use of alcohol or drugs
Eating a heart-healthy diet
Being regularly active
Getting enough sleep
Reducing stress

Teaser: Make heart-healthy choices

References:

What exactly is TB? Here are the basics

October 31st, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

In the past, TB was called ‘’consumption”, because of the way it literally consumed infected people from the inside. Luckily for us, today TB is treatable. Here’s what you need to know about it.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. While it mostly affects the lungs, it can also affect organs in the central nervous system, lymphatic system, gastro-intestinal system and circulatory system.

TB is classified as being either latent or active. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are present in the body, but this state is inactive and presents no symptoms. Latent TB is also not contagious. Active TB is contagious, and it’s this type of TB that makes you sick with symptoms.

What Causes TB?

TB is caused by bacteria that are spread from person to person through airborne particles.

While some people have immune systems strong enough to quickly destroy TB bacteria when they enter the body, others will develop latent TB, and a fair number of people will become immediately ill and contagious with active TB. Anyone with a weakened immune system, including people with HIV, are more prone to developing active TB.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out for

A lot of people who become infected with the TB bacteria don’t actually show symptoms, but when symptoms are present, they include:

Sudden weight loss and loss of appetite
Tiredness or fatigue
Shortness of breath
A cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks
Coughing up blood
Chest pain
Pain when breathing or coughing

Can TB Be Treated?

If you’re at high risk for TB, there are anti-TB drugs that stop it from progressing to active TB.

People with active TB are usually treated with several anti-TB drugs to kill all the bacteria and stop them from becoming drug resistant. This usually means daily oral doses of medication for six months.

When does flu become dangerous?

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Are you prepared for the flu season? Find out what you should watch out for, and whether you’re at risk for complications.

What is Flu?

Influenza (flu) is a viral disease that develop very quickly, spreading through your upper respiratory tract and sometimes progressing to your lungs. It’s highly contagious and it’s spread through airborne water droplets (when someone coughs or sneezes) or through close contact with an infected person.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Flu?

General flu symptoms include a

fever
sore throat
headache
muscle pain
stuffy nose
cough
body discomfort

Certain, more severe strains of flu can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

How do I Treat Normal Flu?

Most mild flu symptoms improve over 2 to 5 days, but it’s normal to still feel run down for a week or so. Make sure you get plenty of rest, continue drinking fluids, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help reduce pain and fever.

Antibiotics aren’t prescribed for flu, as they have no effect on viral infections, however your doctor might prescribe antiviral medication if you’re considered high risk.

How do I Know if I’m High Risk?

People who are high risk include those who are over the age of 65, pregnant women, young children, or people who have been diagnosed with:

Kidney disease
Liver disease
A weakened immune system (for example HIV)
Chronic lung disease (for example COPD)
Heart disease
Diabetes

When Should I See the Doctor?

If symptoms persist for longer than 2 weeks, or if you develop any of these serious symptoms, it’s time to see the doctor:

Shortness of breath
Severe chest pain
Severe headache
Confusion or dizziness
Persistent vomiting

In the case of children, watch for rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, blue skin tone, refusing to take fluids, or if symptoms suddenly get worse.

How Can I Prevent Flu?

During flu season, wash your hands with warm water and soap every time you shake hands with someone or touch a surface that might be contaminated. Also, stay healthy by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, exercising regularly, and taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement. You can also get a flu vaccine, which is available from most pharmacies, and recommended if you fall into the high risk category.