pericarditis?

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developed pericarditis. Is there a test to show the cause of pericarditis? bacterial, fungus virial, which one? I take 1 capsule 3 times daily of indomethacin for one week. Can I drink beer with this medicine. Also can you take asprine i have been taking 325 mg
Aspirin irritates your stomach. Then you have been advised Indomethacin, that is also an irritant to the stomach. Best will be to avoid beer, you need to protect stomach. I hope you are prescribed some H2 receptor blocker like Ranitidine.
Cause of pericarditis is ascertained on empirical basis. You are taking antibiotics, it will be cured if bacterial in origin. Viral has self limiting course usually. Fungal is not common. It is sometimes necessary to tap the pericardium and then aspirated fluid is sent for examination.
Good luck!  (+ info)

Pericarditis...................?

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I think i have this, what should i do? is it fatal?
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium - the sac which surrounds the heart. Pericarditis causes chest pains. Most cases are due to a viral infection which usually goes away within a few weeks. The only treatment usually needed for a 'viral pericarditis' is painkillers. There are some less common causes of pericarditis which may need other treatments. Complications are uncommon, but can be serious.

* An electrocardiogram (ECG). This is a tracing of the electrical activity of the heart. It sometimes shows typical patterns if you have pericarditis.
* An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. This shows the structure of the heart and surrounding tissues. It can detect if any fluid has built up between the layers of pericardium which is typical of pericarditis.
* Other tests such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scan (CT scan) may be needed to look for changes in the pericardium. These tests tend to be done if a cause other than a viral infection is suspected.
* If a large pericardial effusion develops, a sample of the fluid may be taken with a needle and syringe to be analysed for infections such as TB.


Treatment for other causes and for complications

The treatment depends on the cause. For example, anti-tuberculosis medication for TB, antibiotics for bacterial infections, intensive dialysis for uraemic pericarditis, etc. If a lot of fluid builds up and causes cardiac tamponade, the fluid needs to be drained with a needle and syringe. If constrictive pericarditis develops and interferes with heart's function, the thickened pericardium may need to be removed by an operation.


Most people with viral or idiopathic pericarditis recover fully within a few weeks without any complications. However, in some cases the symptoms return 'on and off' for several months.

Pericarditis caused by heart attack or injury usually settles over one to two weeks. The outlook for other forms of pericarditis (uraemic, bacterial, TB, etc) can vary depending on the severity of the underlying cause  (+ info)

How can I diagnose the constrictive pericarditis verses restrictive cardiomyopathy?

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What is the principle difference between restrictive cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericarditis of the heart disease?
To see if you have pericarditis, use this simple test:

1. In a sitting position, lean forward like your going to touch your toes. Is there pain associated with it?

2. In a sitting position, twist from side to side. Is there pain associated with it?

If the answer is yes to these questions, there is a good possibility that you have pericarditis. Pericarditis is the inflamation of the pericardium, or the membrane that surrounds the heart. It can be caused by fluid loss in the membrane or an infection. This condition can be reversed. Cardiomyopathy is a condition where cells of the heart have died, usually as a result of a myocardial infarction or ischemia. This condition is irreversible.  (+ info)

How long does it take to recover from viral pericarditis?

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I have had it 5 months so far.
How long does it take to recover from viral Pericarditis?

Viral infections are usually blood-borne and often infect the myocardium as well as the pericardium. Pneumococci or other primary pulmonary pathogens usually infect the pericardium by extension from an adjacent pneumonitis; the common causes of bacteremias - staphylococci, meningococci and H. influenzae - are more likely to reach the pericardium through the blood
Stream.
Viral pericarditis. The viruses typically causing this disease produce a relatively mild inflammatory reaction that is associated with focal damage to the adjacent myocardium. The response varies from a small amount of serous fluid with mononuclear cells and fibrinogen to a large, neutrophil-rich, bloody effusion. The tissue damage is the result of:
Direct cellular damage by the infecting virus
Destruction of viral-infected cells by sensitized T-lymphocytes Antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity (null cell-dependent).

The cause of pericarditis is often hard to determine. In most cases doctors are either unable to determine a cause (idiopathic) or suspect a viral infection.
Mild cases may improve on their own. Treatment for more-severe cases may include medications and, rarely, surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment may help to reduce the risk of long-term complications.

People who have repeated episodes of pericarditis are often treated with a drug called colchicines, and sometimes-steroid medications are used.
When a bacterial infection is the underlying cause of pericarditis, you'll be treated with antibiotics and drainage if necessary. Viruses are the most common infectious cause of pericarditis. The viruses usually causing this disease are the Enteroviruses

You'll likely need hospitalization if your doctor suspects cardiac tamponade, a potentially dangerous complication of pericarditis. When cardiac tamponade is present, you may undergo a technique called pericardiocentesis. In some cases of severe pericarditis, your doctor might suggest surgically removing your pericardium (pericardiectomy).
TREATMENT: Viral pericarditis- bed rest. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents can be used to reduce chest pain.

I suffer from Pericarditis. It strikes me once or twice a year inadvertently. I always carry with me ibuprofen, it works well. My doctors are either unable to determine the cause or suspect the viral infection.

Take care always! OIRAMI am living with it.  (+ info)

Can a rib injury cause pericarditis?

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About 2 months ago i was diagnosed with pericarditis, i went on a course of anti inflammatorys and the problem seemed to be fixed.... Last week i fell over at work and cracked some of my lower ribs on my right side...4 days later i was back in hospital with a recurrent pericarditis, im just wondering if a rib injury can cause pericarditis to recur, please anyone can you answer this.
The cause of pericarditis is often hard to determine. In most cases doctors are either unable to determine a cause (idiopathic) or suspect a viral infection.Pericarditis is a swelling and irritation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane that surrounds your heart.
Mild cases may improve on their own.

Treatment for more-severe cases may include medications and, rarely, surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment may help to reduce the risk of long-term complications.

People who have repeated episodes of pericarditis are often treated with a drug called colchicines, and sometimes-steroid medications are used.
When a bacterial infection is the underlying cause of pericarditis, you'll be treated with antibiotics and drainage if necessary. Viruses are the most common infectious cause of pericarditis. The viruses usually causing this disease are the Enteroviruses

You'll likely need hospitalization if your doctor suspects cardiac tamponade, a potentially dangerous complication of pericarditis. When cardiac tamponade is present, you may undergo a technique called pericardiocentesis. In some cases of severe pericarditis, your doctor might suggest surgically removing your pericardium (pericardiectomy).

TREATMENT: Viral pericarditis- bed rest. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents can be used to reduce chest pain.

I suffer from Pericarditis. It strikes me once or twice a year inadvertently. I always carry with me ibuprofen, it works well. My doctors are either unable to determine the cause or suspect the viral infection.

Take care as always!  (+ info)

My son is 17 yrs old, diagnosed w/ Pericarditis, pnemonia and white cell count low?

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I want to know what is wrong with my son? He went into the hospital, they admitted him, kept him for 4 days, diagnosed with pockets around his lungs,my son said the Doctor could feel these pockets? Pnemonia, white cell count is very very low, and Pericarditis. What will be his outcome? They are planning another echo on thursday and another on Saturday. They sent him home today. What can we expect? I am 2,600 miles away from my son... Help in AZ
i really really really don't mean to scare you, and i am NOT a doctor. the symptoms you have described are common complications from AIDS. has your son been tested??? Again, it could be nothing but pericarditis and pneumonia hitting at once which is causing a low WBC count! A low white blood cell count usually means that the body is fighting off infection and protecting it. if it remains low it could be harmful... just wait and see. keep in touch with your doctors and have them explain anything you do not understand! do not be scared to ask... remember the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask!!! good luck!!!  (+ info)

Boyfriend was diagnosed with pericarditis?

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What could have caused this?
He has already been to the dr.
he's taking ibuprophen, and he isnt allowed to do any physical activity for 2 weeks. I've read up on what it is, but i just want to know what caused it, and how can i help him?
The cause of pericarditis is often hard to determine. In most cases doctors are either unable to determine a cause (idiopathic) or suspect a viral infection.

Pericarditis can also develop shortly after a major heart attack due to the irritation of the underlying damaged heart muscle. In addition, a delayed form of pericarditis may occur weeks after a heart attack or heart surgery because of antibody formation. This delayed pericarditis is known as Dressler's syndrome. Many experts believe Dressler's syndrome is due to an autoimmune response, a mistaken inflammatory response by the body to its own tissues — in this case, the heart and pericardium.

Other causes of pericarditis include:

■Systemic inflammatory disorders. These may include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

■Trauma. Injury to your heart or chest may occur as a result of a motor vehicle or other accident.

■Other health disorders. These may include kidney failure, AIDS, tuberculosis and cancer.

■Certain medications. Some medications can cause pericarditis, although this is unusual.  (+ info)

If you've just been told you have pericarditis due to a viral infection what questions should you ask your dr?

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I dont even know where to begin but thanks to everyone who suggests things I need to ask the dr.
Having had it 2 years ago, I guess the main things are what I wanted to know at that time, although in my case it wasn't diagnosed until very late, by which time my heart rate was up to 170 and I became an emergency!

What does the operation to cure it consist of?
Will the operation be under a local or general anaesthetic?
How long am I likely to be in hospital?
Will it ever happen again?
Has my heart been weakened?


Rather than me giving the answers, you should ask your doctor.  (+ info)

how can diagnosis of chest pain of acute pericarditis than chest pain of acute myocardial infarction?

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PAIN OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION : it is precipitated on exertion and is relieved on taking rest. History of easy tiredness is also present. When pain starts it is in chest or epigastric region radiating to left arm or jaw.
PAIN OF PERICARDITIS: there is history of some heart problem and it is PRECIPITATED ON BREATHING MOVEMENTS. Usually dont radiates  (+ info)

I think I may have Pericarditis can someone help?

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I have had chest pains for a while, but nothing was ever major, but this one has been reoccuring constantly. The reason I think its Pericarditis is because when I lean forward the pain goes away, and when I lay down It worsens, the same goes for when I take deep breaths. Should I tell someone or does Pericarditis resolve itself....plz help....
the wierd thing is that it feels like its under my RIGHT lung, and no where near the heart...
You need to tell someone. Pericaditis is an inflammation around the heart and if it gets too bad the heart will not be able to contract like it should and your blood pressure will drop. Look up Becks triad on the internet. If these 3 things are present upon your exam you will need further evaluation.  (+ info)

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