| Pericarditis is a swelling and irritation of the | | | | the heart. The pericardium has an inner and outer |
| pericardium, which is a thin sac-like membrane | | | | layer with a small amount of lubricating fluid |
| surrounding the heart. Pericarditis may be acute or | | | | between them. Pericarditis frequently causes a |
| chronic. Common symptoms of this condition | | | | characteristic chest pain that usually compels one |
| include a sharp stabbing chest pain which | | | | to seek medical attention. Pericarditis may be |
| intensifies on lying down; breathlessness while | | | | acute or chronic. The sharp chest pain associated |
| reclining; low grade fever; an overall sense of | | | | with acute pericarditis occurs when the |
| weakness, fatigue or feeling sick; dry cough; and | | | | pericardium rubs against the heart's outer layer. It |
| abdominal or leg swelling. In the majority of | | | | is usually a complication of viral infections, most |
| patients with pericarditis, there is no known cause | | | | commonly echovirus or coxsackie viruses. Less |
| for this condition. A few patients may develop | | | | frequently, it can be caused by influenza or HIV |
| this disease after a viral infection, a major heart | | | | infection. |
| attack or heart surgery. Trauma, inflammatory | | | | Symptoms |
| disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and | | | | The most common symptom of pericarditis is |
| other diseases like kidney failure, tuberculosis, | | | | sharp, stabbing chest pain behind the breastbone |
| cancer and AIDS can also cause this condition. | | | | or in the left side of your chest. Pericarditis occurs |
| Pericarditis is a swelling and irritation of the | | | | in up to 15% of patients who have acute |
| pericardium, which is a thin sac-like membrane | | | | myocardial infarctions. Pericarditis most often |
| surrounding the heart. Pericarditis may be acute or | | | | affects men aged 20-50, usually following |
| chronic. Common symptoms of this condition | | | | respiratory infections. It can also occur in children, |
| include a sharp stabbing chest pain which | | | | where it is most commonly caused by adenovirus |
| intensifies on lying down; breathlessness while | | | | or coxsackie virus. Patients who have suffered a |
| reclining; low grade fever; an overall sense of | | | | heart attack (myocardial infarction) may develop |
| weakness, fatigue or feeling sick; dry cough; and | | | | pericarditis over subsequent days or weeks. |
| abdominal or leg swelling. In the majority of | | | | Kidney failure caused by the buildup of certain |
| patients with pericarditis, there is no known cause | | | | toxins in the body also can lead to pericarditis. |
| for this condition. A few patients may develop | | | | Treatments |
| this disease after a viral infection, a major heart | | | | Treatment of histoplasmosis depends on the |
| attack or heart surgery. Trauma, inflammatory | | | | complexity of the disease. Anti fungal treatments |
| disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and | | | | are taken to cure the complex cases of acute |
| other diseases like kidney failure, tuberculosis, | | | | histoplasmosis and all cases of chronic and |
| cancer and AIDS can also cause this condition. | | | | disseminated disorders. Mild disease generally cure |
| Causes | | | | without treatment & may require only |
| There are many causes of pericarditis, but it is | | | | symptomatic measures. |
| often a complication of a viral infection (viral | | | | Efficacious treatments are available in the market |
| pericarditis) – usually a gastrointestinal virus, or | | | | for even the most complex forms of |
| rarely the flu virus or AIDS. It may also be | | | | histoplasmosis. Amphotericin B or itraconazole |
| caused by a bacterial infection (bacterial | | | | may be used to treat the disease histoplasmosis. |
| pericarditis), fungal infection (fungal pericarditis) or | | | | Patients with acquired immunodeficiency |
| parasitic infection (parasitic pericarditis). | | | | syndrome (AIDS) may need treatment with an |
| Certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, | | | | anti fungal medication for there long life to |
| rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma, also can | | | | prevent further attacks of histoplasmosis. |
| cause pericarditis. Additional causes of pericarditis | | | | Natural treatments for Epstein Barr Syndrome |
| include injury to the chest such as after a car | | | | include high dose nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, |
| accident (traumatic pericarditis), other health | | | | selenium, CoQ10, magnesium and the B complex. |
| problems such as kidney failure (uremic | | | | Herbs like echinacea, oregano, olive leaf extract |
| pericarditis), tumors, genetic diseases such as | | | | and astragalus are commonly used to support the |
| Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), or rarely, | | | | immune and lymphatic system. If the liver and |
| medications that suppress the immune system. | | | | spleen are affected then the herbs red root and |
| Pericarditis is a disorder caused by inflammation of | | | | milk thistle are traditionally used. |
| the pericardium, which is the sac-like covering of | | | | |