Pericarditis

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the outer shell of the heart, that is, the pericardium. Due to the pericardium, the heart is fixed in the chest, and this membrane also performs a protective function. Therefore, pericarditis - a serious and dangerous disease for the body, requires adequate and immediate treatment.

Pericarditis usually develops as a secondary disease in such diseases as:

1. rheumatism,

2. systemic lupus erythematosus,

3. myocardial infarction, etc.,

4. development of inflammation in trauma is possible.

Pericarditis pathogens are viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

Pericarditis is classified as follows:

1. downstream - acute and chronic;

2. for manifestations - dry and exudative( with the presence of effusion).

The manifestations of the disease depend on the type of disease.

Dry pericarditis is characterized by a pericardial friction noise, as well as palpitations, heart pains and even a dry cough.

For exudative pericarditis, the following symptoms are typical: as fluid accumulates, friction noise disappears, pain intensity decreases, cervical veins swelling, and dyspnea( violation of depth and frequency of breathing with a feeling of lack of air).The skin acquires a cyanotic color.

Common to both forms of the disease are such manifestations as a higher body temperature than usual, heart pain, malaise, disability and fatigue.

Diagnosis of the disease also depends on its shape.

Dry pericarditis is based on listening to pericardial friction noise and ECG changes.

Exudative pericarditis requires the following studies:

• Echocardiography, this study can detect the presence of fluid in the heart cavity.

• Phonocardiography.

• X-ray study to detect changes in the shadow of the heart in the image, which occurs again due to the accumulation of fluid.

Hospitalization and bed rest are necessary. It is prescribed treatment of the underlying disease, which caused pericarditis. And also hormonal therapy is spent - hormones glucocorticoids( prednisolone and polcortolone) are used. When detecting exudative pericarditis, diuretic drugs are prescribed( furosemide, triamterene, etc.).In difficult and severe cases - a puncture( puncture) of the heart to remove fluid.

The prognosis of pericarditis depends entirely on the primary disease, as a result of which it arose, as well as on timely and adequate treatment, compliance with the regimen and prescriptions of the treating doctor. Specific prevention of pericarditis does not exist.