Rheumatism of the heart is a serious chronic disease in which the inflammatory process, which began as a result of infection of the joints, covers the membranes of the heart and entails disorganization of the connective tissue of the heart.
Causes of rheumatism of the heart
There are several reasons for the development of this disease:
- frequent and untreated infectious diseases of the nasopharynx (sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, chronic pharyngitis, etc.);
- infection with beta-hemolytic group A streptococcus;
- suffered scarlet fever;
- hereditary factor.
Some people have a predisposition of the organism in the form of hyperreaction to streptococcal infection, which not only causes rheumatic fever, but also causes its exacerbations. There is the concept of "family" rheumatism of the heart, which is caused by a prolonged stay in the streptococcal environment and unfavorable living conditions, as well as the inherited polygenic predisposition to the disease.
Symptoms of rheumatism of the heart
The signs of rheumatism of the heart appear, as a rule, 1 to 2 weeks after the streptococcal infection. However, in some cases, the disease can take a long time to be practically not noticeable for the patient, progressing at a slow pace.
The most frequent manifestations of the disease include:
- general weakness, fatigue;
- severe pain in the joints;
- increased sweating;
- pallor of the skin;
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- nasal bleeding;
- decreased body weight;
- lack of appetite;
- dyspnea;
- fever.
Special attention is paid to such a symptom for rheumatism, as pain in the heart. These pains, as a rule, are pulling, pricking and often combined with rapid heart rate.
Heart defects in rheumatism
If you do not start treatment for this disease in time, it can lead to heart disease or joint deformities. Heart disease is a defect in the structure of the heart, leading to a malfunction of its normal functioning. Rheumatic heart defects often develop with repeated rheumatic attacks.
Most often, with rheumatism of the heart, the mitral valve is affected - a narrowing of the lumen occurs, or the valve starts to flow the blood in the wrong direction. The aortic and other valvular defects are less common.
It should be borne in mind that heart defects can not give symptoms for a long time and are detected only with thorough diagnosis.
Treatment of rheumatism of the heart
Rheumatism of the heart requires complex treatment in a hospital environment, the main principles of which are:
- Bed rest is recommended for the entire treatment period. The subsequent restoration of physical activity must be slow.
- Compliance with diet: refusal of salt, restriction of liquid and carbohydrates, sufficient intake of protein, potassium-containing products ( dried apricots , buckwheat porridge, potatoes, etc.).
- Drug therapy: administration of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and vitamin preparations. In some cases, cardiac therapy is performed.
- Sanatorium treatment is recommended during the recovery period after treatment and in the future as supporting activities.
Treatment of rheumatism of heart folk remedies
Traditional medicine suggests the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of this disease. Here are some recipes:
- A tablespoon of collection from 10 g of buckthorn bark , 40 g of birch leaves and 50 g of willow bark pour a glass of boiling water. Insist for an hour, strain and take twice a day for a glass of infusion.
- Prepare a tincture of twigs of yellow acacia with leaves, fill 30 g of raw material 200 g of vodka. Infuse in a dark place for 10 days, then strain and take 20 drops three times a day, washed down with water.
- Take an empty stomach juice from half a lemon, diluted with half hot water.