Constrictive Pericarditis – What is it, Causes and Treatments!

Constrictive Pericarditis – What it is, Causes and Treatments we should all know. In addition, Constrictive Pericarditis is a chronic inflammation of the pericardium. The pericardium is the sac-like membrane that surrounds the heart . Inflammation in this part of the heart causes scarring, muscle thickening and tightness, or contracture. Over time, the pericardium loses its elasticity and becomes rigid.

The condition is rare in adults, and even less common in children. It can become a serious health problem. If left untreated, a rigid pericardium can lead to symptoms of heart failure and can even be life-threatening. There are effective treatments for the condition. So, check now  Constrictive Pericarditis – What is it, Causes and Treatments:

What are the Causes of Constrictive Pericarditis:
When the covering of your heart is chronically inflamed, it becomes stiff. As a result, your heart can’t stretch as far as it should when it beats. This can prevent your heart chambers from filling with just the right amount of blood . This is what leads to heart failure symptoms . The cause of Constrictive Pericarditis is not always known. However, possible causes may include:

• Cardiac surgery:
• Radiation therapy for chest:
• tuberculosis :

Some of the Less Common Causes are:

• viral infection:
• bacterial infection:
• Mesothelioma, which is an uncommon type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos:

In some cases, your doctor may not be able to find the cause of the inflammation. There are many treatment options even if the cause of the condition is never found.

Symptoms of Constrictive Pericarditis:  Symptoms of Constrictive Pericarditis include:

• Breathing difficulty that develops slowly and becomes worse:
• fatigue :
• A swollen abdomen:
• Chronic, severe swelling in the legs and ankles:
• weakness:
• A low-grade fever:
• Some may experience chest pain :

What are the Treatment Options:  Treatment focuses on improving your heart ‘s function .

• In the early stages of Constrictive Pericarditis , the following is recommended:
• Taking water pills to remove excess fluids, which are called diuretics:
• Taking painkillers to control pain, which are called pain relievers :
• Decreasing your activity level:
• Decreasing the amount of salt in your diet:
• Taking ove-te-contain anti-inflammatories such as Adil or Motris:
• Taking Colchicine (Colcrys):
• Taking corticosteroids:

If it is clear that you have Constrictive Pericarditis and your symptoms have become severe, your doctor may suggest a pericardiectomy. In this surgery, parts of the healed sac are cut from the entire heart . This is a complicated surgery that has some risk, but is often the best option.