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5 early warning signs of heart disease

5 early warning signs of heart disease

While not all heart problems have clear symptoms, many of them are often preceded by a series of early warning signs. Being aware of these early signs can be useful in seeking diagnosis and treatment on time. This is crucial since most heart diseases can be easily avoided if detected and treated before the symptoms become too severe. Those with increased risk factors need to keep an eye on these early warning signs of heart disease.

1. Experiencing pain in the chest
Most people often have chest pain, which is one of the most common early warning signs of heart disease. It is not just an oncoming heart attack that causes severe chest pain, but many other heart-related problems. For example, a person may feel a shooting pain in their chest when they exert themselves. However, the pain may go away when they are at rest. This is usually a sign of angina. Whenever one experiences chest pain along with the feeling of extreme unease, it is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

2. Feeling nauseated
Nausea can be an early sign of a lot of health problems. Yet, many people ignore it, assuming it will go away. While nausea caused by mild health issues like indigestion does resolve on its own, it can be a cause for concern if severe pain in the chest accompanies it. Even if one is feeling mild pain on their left side along with feeling nauseous, it can be indicative of a heart disease.

3. Sweating excessively
It is pretty normal to sweat while doing a physically exerting activity, such as working out, or when the weather is quite hot and humid. However, if one starts to sweat without any reason, along with feeling pain in the chest, it’s time to pay attention to their heart health. In such situations, it is best to immediately consult a primary care doctor and undergo any tests that are recommended to find out if there’s an underlying heart disease.

4. Experiencing pain in the left arm
Usually, many people do not associate pain in the arm with heart disease. Yet, it is one of the most common early warning signs to get the heart checked. Paying attention to the pain that shoots up and down the left arm is especially important. Often, it is an indicator of a heart attack. Sometimes, the pain may radiate to the entire left side of the body, starting from the left arm.

5. Feeling tightness or pain in the throat or jaw
Most of the time, pain in the jaw or throat is caused by a sinus issue, a muscular problem, or a cold. It is rarely associated with any heart disease. However, the pain in the jaw or throat and a feeling of tightness in the chest can be signs of heart disease.

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Coping with urges that can trigger a relapse post treatment

Addictions when left untreated can turn into crippling conditions. One can be addicted to smoking, binge drinking, or even shopping. Once addicted, one willfully submits to urges, despite having satisfied them before. However, addictions can be managed and to a great extent treated to full recovery. But, the post-recovery phase is crucial where both the mind and body are put to test and can trigger a relapse. Continue reading to know more about the most common triggers for addictions and how to deal with them.Stress Stress is commonly the root cause of many problems and addictions, both physical and psychological. One can become an addict as a way to manage the stress that may stem from strained relationships or priorities. The best way to avoid a relapse during recovery is to make lifestyle changes that don’t trigger a return to addictions amidst a stressful situation. One can practice mindfulness, engage in relaxation techniques, manage one’s time to avoid stressful situations, and imbibe healthy eating habits and exercise in their daily routine. EmotionsThere is an umpteen number of triggers that invoke a positive or negative emotional response. However, the stress associated with dealing with emotions daily can trigger urges without one even realizing. Often, one turns to a glass of alcohol or relies on prescription medications to put the mind at ease. It is not a permanent solution and prolonged use of these substances can cause more harm in the long run. One must learn and explore productive ways of controlling emotions better to avoid a relapse during recovery. For example, writing and maintaining a journal that contains one’s feelings and thoughts can act as a healthy outlet. Similarly, there are other healthy ways to channel one’s energy and manage emotional responses.Positive conditioningPeople who have addictions such as smoking or drinking may often find themselves in situations where a lit cigarette or a glass of wine can trigger a relapse. This is understandable considering these substances were the primary source of comfort and relaxation. However, with positive reinforcement and reconditioning one can train the mind and curb such urges. Relaxation doesn’t always mean techniques like yoga or meditation, it can also be pursuing your hobby. Counseling for group gatheringsBirthdays, parties, New Year’s events, and any celebration in general call for alcohol consumption and smoking. At times, these could be the very addictions one is recovering from, and in a social gathering, such temptations can be strong. However, a recovering addict should refrain from indulging in any of these as even a taste can turn into a relapse. For instance, a recovering alcoholic must avoid having a single drink as that could put him/her on a slippery slope to relapse. Here, one-on-one counseling can help prepare the mind to resist the urge. It is never healthy for a recovering addict to simply avoid socializing fearing a relapse.

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Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura – Symptoms, diagnosis, and management

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, or TTP, is a rare but life-threatening blood disorder. In this condition, blood clots form in the small blood vessels throughout the body, which can limit the flow of blood and potentially block it from reaching the organs, such as the heart, kidney, and even the lungs. This means it can create serious complications and needs immediate treatment. Here are key things to know about the disease, its diagnosis, and the treatment options. Symptoms and causes TTP occurs when there is insufficient ADAMTS13 available in the blood. This protein is crucial in regulating how the blood clots. With the lack of this enzyme, excessive blood clotting can occur, leading to complications. This condition can be inherited from a parent's gene or, in some cases, acquired by the person. Some of the symptoms of TTP include petechiae, which are small, flat red spots on the skin caused by the leaking of blood in the blood vessels. Purpura is another symptom in which the bleeding causes red, purple, or brownish-yellow spots. Other signs include fast heart rate or shortness of breath, headache, confusion, coma, stroke, seizure, nausea, fatigue, fever, and diarrhea. Diagnosis The healthcare provider may ask for the patient's health history and family history to check for any inherited diseases. Further, they may suggest some of the following tests to confirm the TTP diagnosis: Blood smear: A blood sample is put on a slide and examined under a microscope to check for any torn or broken blood cells. ADAMTS13 assay: Blood is drawn from a vein for this test, which is then sent to the lab to check the enzymes' activity levels. Bilirubin test: Because of TTP, the bilirubin levels may be high as the body tends to break down the red blood cells faster than its normal pace in this condition. Coombs test: This is done to see if the condition is causing hemolytic anemia. In this condition, the red blood cells break into pieces because they try to squeeze around the blood clots. When the test is negative, it means that TTP is the cause of hemolytic anemia. Some other tests to diagnose the condition involve kidney function tests, urine tests, lactate dehydrogenase tests, and a complete blood count test. All these help determine the condition better and propose a treatment plan accordingly. Treatment options Considering the severity of the condition, treatment must be administered quickly and immediately to manage it better. Here are some options: Therapeutic plasma exchange - This type of treatment is done for acquired TTP. In this, the liquid part of the blood is replaced with the donor plasma, which helps remove the antibodies that damage the ADAMTS13 enzyme. Plasma infusion - This is the method used to treat inherited TTP. The donor plasma is given through an IV or an intravenous line through the vein. This helps in replacing the missing or faulty enzyme. Surgery - In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the condition. The spleen is removed through a surgical procedure to help stop the making of the antibodies, which hinder the process of the ADAMTS13 enzyme. However, this treatment is a last resort if other treatments do not work. 

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