Myocarditis refers to the inflammation of the myocardium i.e. heart muscle of an individual. The main problem associated with this heart disease is that most of us often stay unaware of the problem, as myocarditis does not come with any symptom at the initial phase. Even most of the individuals get myocarditis is of healthy ones and they can lead many things. One of the best ways to avoid myocarditis is to treat your infections within time and prevent them to take place further.
How Do You Get Myocarditis?
Viral infection is the prime cause of myocarditis. Whenever you have any viral infection, your body develops cells to fight or resist it. These cells are responsible to release certain chemicals. In case disease fighting cells enters the heart, a few chemicals released by them result in inflammation of the heart muscles.
Particularly, myocarditis problem takes place because of the following viruses-
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Coxsackie B viruses
- Cytomegalovirus
- Herpes
- Hepatitis
- HIV
- Parvovirus
- Mycoplasma or the bacteria causing lungs infections
- Chlamydia also known as a sexually transmitted disease
- Borrelia
- Treponema
- Staphylococcal, also known as staph bacteria
- Streptococcal, also known as strep bacteria
- Borrelia
Other than viral infections, myocarditis takes place because of parasitic and fungal infections.
In some cases, you may suffer from the problem because of allergic reactions and specific chemicals to toxins and medications, such as-
- Alcohol intake
- Certain over-the-counter drugs
- Wasp stings
- Spider bites
- Snake bites
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Along with this, lupus and/or rheumatoid arthritis and similar types of autoimmune diseases cause inflammation in your body and in turn, results in myocarditis.(2)
Analysis On The Causes Of Myocarditis Due To Viral Infection
Doctors have studied the Myocarditis pathogenesis in various animal models. Accordingly, viruses enter macrophages and cardiac myocytes based on inciting of a cytotoxic effect and with the help of specific receptors. Another study has revealed that myocarditis is a prime reason behind sudden cardiac death in about 8.6percent of cases and doctors have identified about it in approximately 9percent of the regular postmortem examinations. Most of the studies related to myocarditis have even reported male predominance to some extent. Even though doctors have failed to identify the exact cause in specific case of patients suffering from myocarditis, they investigated a few treatable and specific causes, like systemic autoimmune disease, infections and hypersensitivity towards specific medications.(1)
How Do You Know If You Have Myocarditis?
If you experience myocarditis in its mild form or stay in the early stage, you usually do not experience symptom or a few of the mild ones, like breathing shortness or chest pain. However, in severe cases, myocarditis symptoms vary depending on the exact cause. Accordingly, you will experience a few common signs and symptoms related to the problem.
- Arrhythmias i.e. abnormal heart rhythms
- Chest pain
- Breathing shortness at the time of your rest or while performing any physical activity
- Retention of fluid with swelling in your feet, ankles and legs
- Tiredness and fatigue
Along with this, you experience a few other symptoms related to viral infection, like joint pain, body ache, headache, sore throat, fever and diarrhea.
On the other side, when children develop the problem of myocarditis, they have the following major symptoms-
- Fainting
- Fever
- Rapid breathing
- Breathing problems
- Arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms(2)
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