Myocarditis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium, the thick muscular layer of the heart wall. The myocardium is the heart's muscular wall. Myocarditis may occur following a wide assortment of diseases, including bacterial and viral infections, immune system disorders, and the production of myocardial toxins by the body, as well as chemical and radiation exposure. Myocarditis may be acute or chronic and can occur at any age. Frequently, myocarditis fails to produce specific cardiovascular symptoms or electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, and recovery is usually spontaneous, without residual defects. Occasionally, myocarditis is complicated by heart failure rarely, it may lead to cardiomyopathy. In the early 1900s, myocarditis was recognized as the cause of many cases of congestive heart failure, and a regimen of strictly enforced bedrest was prescribed as being the only treatment having beneficial effects. In spite of the multitude of advances in definition, diagnosis and treatment, this may still be the most effective treatment. The introduction of endomyocardial biopsy (removal of small amounts of heart muscle for microscopic analysis) now allows a histological, rather than clinical diagnosis. Only 30 percent of the patients with clinical symptoms of myocarditis are shown to have unequivocal biopsy diagnosis - the reason for this discrepancy is controversial. Cardiac imaging, in the form of angiography or computerized tomography, seldom helps in making a definitive diagnosis of myocarditis.

Myocarditis may be a complication during or after various viral, bacterial, or parasitic infectious diseases, such as polio, influenza, rubella, or rheumatic fever. Its outer surface is called the epicardium (ep"ih-KAR'de-um). Its inner lining is the endocardium (en"do-KAR'de-um). This uncommon condition can result in a variety of signs and symptoms, including vague chest pain, an abnormal heartbeat and congestive heart failure. It contracts to pump blood out of the heart and then relaxes as the heart refills with returning blood.

Causes of Myocarditis

There are various factors which give rise to the disease Myocarditis , but here we mentioned some of the common causes:

• A viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
• Diphtheria.
• Rheumatic fever.
• Toxic drug poisoning.
• Tuberculosis.

Symptoms of Myocarditis

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the disease Myocarditisare as follows:

• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• Viral illness.
• Headache.
• Fever.
• Muscle aches.
• Chest pain.
• Diarrhea.
• Rashes.
• Leg swelling.
• Abnormal heart beats.
• Breathlessness.

Treatment of Myocarditis

Find effective treatment methods of treating Myocarditis :

• Treatment includes evaluation and treatment of underlying cause. This may require use of antibiotics, reduced level of activity, and low-salt diet.
• Diuretic medicines are also given to remove body water via the urine.
• Adequate rest becomes more important to recovery if the case is severe myocarditis with signs of dilated cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscles).
• If the heart muscle is very weak, standard medicines to treat heart failure are also used. Abnormal heart rhythm may require the use of additional medications, a pacemaker or even a defibrillator.
• Steroids and other medications may be used to reduce inflammation.