Abnormal Beating of the Heart: Cardiac Arrhythmias

Author: Lindsay Fox

Heart has a rhythmic capability to beat and pump blood to our body and remarkably, does so without fail, throughout our life. The rhythm has been destined to beat in certain prefixed numerical limits and with certain regularity. Arrhythmias are disorders characterized by abnormal beating of the heart. Arrhythmias can occur in a healthy heart and be of minimal consequence. At the same time they may co-exist with diseased heart and may be life-threatening or may cause, stroke, heart failure or sudden death.

An arrhythmia occurs when the normal electrical cycle of the heart is disturbed. Normally, tiny currents activate the upper part of the heart, just before the bottom part of the heart, which are the muscular chambers that pump blood around the body. Fast arrhythmias are referred to as 'tachyarrhythmias'. When the heart goes too slowly due to a failure of electrical activation, it is referred to as a brady arrhythmia. Most arrhythmias arising from the top of the heart are troublesome but not life-threatening. Many arrhythmias arising from the lower of the heart, are life-threatening.

Causes of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Some cardiac arrhythmias result from congenital heart defects that run in families. Others arise from a variety of diseases that develop in individuals over a period of years. Others still result from sudden events such as heart attack. They may also be the result of excessive alcohol, smoking or certain drugs. Rarely despite extensive investigations no cause is found of their occurrence. Cardiac arrhythmias may be symptomatic or may cause a variety of warning symptoms such as palpitations or rapid thumping in the chest, feeling tired or light-headed, getting unconscious, having shortness of breath or chest pain.

Types of Arrhythmias

1. Following are the different types of cardiac arrhythmias:

2. Atrial fibrillation: The heart beats too fast and irregularly. This type of arrhythmia requires treatment and canincrease risk of stroke.

3. Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia: The heart has episodes when it beats fast, but regularly. This type of arrhythmia may be unpleasant but is usually not dangerous.

4. Ectopic beats: The heart has an extra beat. Treatment usually is not needed unless you have several extra beats in row and/or other problems with your heart - such as heart disease or congenital heart failure.

5. Ventricular tachycardia: The heart beats too fast and may not pump enough blood. These types of arrhythmias are very dangerous and need immediate treatment.

The Remedy

Treatment depends on the type of cardiac arrhythmia you have. Some mild arrhythmias require no treatment. Other arrhythmias can be treated with medicines. In more serious cases, other treatments are available:

1. Drugs.

2. A pacemaker: An electronic device placed under the skin on the chest. It helps the heart maintain a regular beat, especially when the heart beats too slowly.

3. Implantable cardiac defibrillation: Can be used to stop an abnormal rhythm and restore a normal one.

4. Surgery: Can correct certain types of arrhythmias. For example, arrhythmias caused by coronary artery disease may be controlled by bypass surgery. When an cardiac arrhythmia is causes by a certain area of the heart, sometimes that part of the heart can be destroyed or removed.

Tags:congenital heart defects,heart diseases,Cardiac Arrhythmias

Down syndrome- Tracing it to the extra DNA

Author: Nilutpal Gogoi

The Down syndrome is also known as trisomy 21 or Down's syndrome. A patient ffected by Down syndrome suffers from acute abnormalities in body functioning which arises from the person's abnormal body structure. The root cause of Down syndrome is the 21st chromosome (DNA). This dysfunction can occur due to the presence of just a portion of the chromosome or the entire genetic material. The Down syndrome symptoms were first documented in detail by the English physician, John Langdon Down, way back in 1866. Hence, it is in his name that the ailment is named. The chromosomal abnormalities insofar as its shape or number is concerned were clearly identified in the 1950s following the discovery of the special karyotype methods.

It was in 1959 that the cause of Down syndrome was traced to the presence of the extra DNA. But it was only in the 21st century that the chromosome was labeled and the ondition termed as trisomy 21. Thus we see that the medical detectives and researchers were unable to pin down the exact cause of Down syndrome till the 20th century. The Down syndrome was found to affect people in all the races. What is more, the Down syndrome was found to attack the women in their advanced years. Another significant aspect of Down syndrome that attracted the attention of the researchers was the rarity of its recurrence. Till the middle part of the last century, the common medical perception on Down syndrome was that it takes place due to several aspects that were basically in herited. Even then the intensive searches for these factors were eluding results. The fact that the Down syndrome was particularly noticed among the mothers after they reach an advanced stage led a school of medical thought to trace the cause of the dysfunction to some shock(s) undergone by the expecting mother. The commonly reported symptoms of Down syndrome are a facial layout that remains as it was during that person's birth, and total impairment in the development of that person's physical appearance. Besides, the Down syndrome affected child fails to have the learning capability, and have retardation besides below par cognitive aptitude. His/her social and emotional abilities are largely dependent on the mental retardation of the child affected by Down syndrome. The child's

mild IQ ranges from 50 to 70 while the moderate IQ ranges from 35 to 50. Those affected by Mosaic Down syndrome have IQ range that may go up by 10-30 points higher. The Down syndrome kids can also develop serious health problems like thyroid

dysfunctions, sleep apnea (obstructive), recurring ear infections, gastroesophageal (reflux) disease, and heart defects that are congenital in nature. Mentionably, there are instances of people possessing the usual sets of DNA also suffering from

the Down syndrome symptoms. The signs are enlarged tongue, speech impairment, shorter limbs, almond (shaped) eyes, and a single crease across one or both palms (simian crease). Depending on the child's disability in the cognitive sphere,. It is of necessity that kids affected with Down syndrome are provided immediate medical attention. Despite the fact that many Down syndrome dysfunctions stays on for life, yet the patient can be taught to adjust with the prevailing physical conditions. For this, the parents or guardians of any child must always be attentive about any such abnormalities in their children. If any such signs are noticed, the physician must be immediately consulted, and the required medical screenings carried out. The initial tests pertain to the thyroid among others. The growing child can be provided vocational training The foremost thing to

remember that Down syndrome patients require a homely environment to recuperate whatever he/she can.

Tags: congenital heart defects,heart diseases,Down syndrome