Abnormal Beating of the Heart: Cardiac Arrhythmias
by: Lindsay Fox
Heart has a rhythmic capability to beat and pump blood to our body and remarkably, does so without fail, throughout our life. The rhythm has been destined to beat in certain prefixed numerical limits and with certain regularity. Arrhythmias are disorders characterized by abnormal beating of the heart. Arrhythmias can occur in a healthy heart and be of minimal consequence. At the same time they may co-exist with diseased heart and may be life-threatening or may cause, stroke, heart failure or sudden death.
An arrhythmia occurs when the normal electrical cycle of the heart is disturbed. Normally, tiny currents activate the upper part of the heart, just before the bottom part of the heart, which are the muscular chambers that pump blood around the body. Fast arrhythmias are referred to as ?tachyarrhythmias?. When the heart goes too slowly due to a failure of electrical activation, it is referred to as a brady arrhythmia. Most arrhythmias arising from the top of the heart are troublesome but not life-threatening. Many arrhythmias arising from the lower of the heart, are life-threatening.
Causes of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Some cardiac arrhythmias result from congenital heart defects that run in families. Others arise from a variety of diseases that develop in individuals over a period of years. Others still result from sudden events such as heart attack. They may also be the result of excessive alcohol, smoking or certain drugs. Rarely despite extensive investigations no cause is found of their occurrence. Cardiac arrhythmias may be symptomatic or may cause a variety of warning symptoms such as palpitations or rapid thumping in the chest, feeling tired or light-headed, getting unconscious, having shortness of breath or chest pain.
Types of Arrhythmias
Following are the different types of cardiac arrhythmias:
1. Atrial fibrillation: The heart beats too fast and irregularly. This type of arrhythmia requires treatment and can increase risk of stroke.
2. Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia: The heart has episodes when it beats fast, but regularly. This type of arrhythmia may be unpleasant but is usually not dangerous.
3. Ectopic beats: The heart has an extra beat. Treatment usually is not needed unless you have several extra beats in row and/or other problems with your heart - such as heart disease or congenital heart failure.
4. Ventricular tachycardia: The heart beats too fast and may not pump enough blood. These types of arrhythmias are very dangerous and need immediate treatment.
The Remedy
Treatment depends on the type of cardiac arrhythmia you have. Some mild arrhythmias require no treatment. Other arrhythmias can be treated with medicines. In more serious cases, other treatments are available:
1. Drugs.
2. A pacemaker: An electronic device placed under the skin on the chest. It helps the heart maintain a regular beat, especially when the heart beats too slowly.
3. Implantable cardiac defibrillation: Can be used to stop an abnormal rhythm and restore a normal one.
4. Surgery: Can correct certain types of arrhythmias. For example, arrhythmias caused by coronary artery disease may be controlled by bypass surgery. When an cardiac arrhythmia is causes by a certain area of the heart, sometimes that part of the heart can be destroyed or removed.
About The Author
Lindsay Fox is a veteran of the alternative medicine industry and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise on the subject of genital warts. More info: http://www.hpv-genital-warts-pictures.com/.
|
Common Pitfalls of Plastic Surgery
Common Pitfalls of Plastic Surgery
by: Matthew Leo
Common pitfalls of plastic surgery are those involving before and after pictures with photographic tricks or attractive models instead of the surgeon's patients, that are publicly displayed in printed ads, online advertisement or broadcasted by TV, audio-visual or specific tele-shopping and infomercials.
Before and after pictures are useful to help you make the decision to have cosmetic surgery when they are real, but not advisable as criteria to select a surgeon, since no ethical surgeon can guarantee results this way, but if so, be sure to get his promises in writing.
Fake testimonials implying that anyone can get these results of people sharing their experiences may only be a marketing plan whether viewed on TV, through the internet, heard on the radio or at the surgeon's office; they have a powerful influence in the patient's final decision. Pitfalls can not be easily detected due...
Common Pitfalls of Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery > Common Pitfalls of Plastic Surgery
Learning to Listen
Learning to Listen
by: Jason Mills
In recent years, there have been great advances in the technology of hearing aids.
Cochlear implants have become commonplace in many parts of the world, and digital hearing aids have eclipsed their analogue counterparts in common usage.
Hearing aids have certainly come a long way, from the days of ear trumpets.
The following is a timeline of key developments in the advance of hearing aid technology.
? 1550 ? The theory of bone conduction through teeth was developed by Girolamo Cardano.
? 1558 ? Giovanni Batista Porta described some of the earliest hearing aids in his book Natural Magick.
They are shaped like the ears of animals known for their acute hearing abilities.
? 1724 ? A postmaster from Versailles, hoping to cure his own deafness, discovered Eustachian Tube Catheterization.
? 1878 ? Emil Berthold first described the surgical repair of a perforated...
Learning to Listen
Cosmetic surgery > Learning to Listen
Murder Solved From The Grave
Murder Solved From The Grave
by: Steve Hill
I am very interested in reading about ghostly stories and spirits etc. A couple of years ago I heard about a story which is apparently true, about a murder which was solved from the grave.
This happened in the UK.
A woman in her twenties always believed she had special powers of being able to have contact with the spiritual world, however she did not want these powers and she certianly had never told anybody else about it. For the purpose of this article, I will call the lady Sue.
One evening about five miles away from where Sue lived, another young lady who I will call Lisa, was brutally murdered by somebody she had never met before.
Sue and Lisa had never met.
As you may be aware, the police find it harder to solve murder cases where the victim is unknown to their killer. These types of murder are also quite rare.
Later that evening Sue was awaken by a noise in her bedroom....
Murder Solved From The Grave
Cosmetic surgery > Murder Solved From The Grave
Ulcerative Colitis: Life After Surgery
Ulcerative Colitis: Life After Surgery
by: Steve Joseph
It is an unfortunate reality that many people suffering from ulcerative colitis will require surgery to rectify obstructions in the intestine. This surgery is often unplanned due to the fact that it is usually conducted at short notice and under emergency conditions. There are many horror stories that describe sufferers of ulcerative colitis being rushed to hospital with abdominal pains and waking up after having 18 inches of their intestines removed http://www.diverticulosis1.com . Sadly, medical professionals are yet to find a cure for colitis and therefore surgeons are left to deal with symptoms when they are otherwise impossible to treat. If surgery is unavoidable however, it is possible to reclaim a normal life depending on the extent of the surgery and how much of the intestines were removed.
Surgery to rectify and intestinal...
Ulcerative Colitis: Life After Surgery
Cosmetic surgery > Ulcerative Colitis: Life After Surgery