Pickleball-Related Eye Injuries
Pickleball-related eye injuries are on the rise due to the sport’s rapid growth in the United States, especially among adults aged 50 and older
HEART FAILURE
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart loses efficiency, leading to a chronic mismatch between the body’s need for oxygen and what it actually receives. Heart failure leads to chronic difficulty breathing, uncomfortable swelling in the arms or legs (or anywhere), let alone increased risks for heart attacks, kidney and liver problems, and a host of other dangerous medical issues.
Causes
Heart failure is most often a long-term (chronic) condition, but it may come on suddenly. It can be caused by many different heart problems.
The condition may affect only the right side or only the left side of the heart. Both sides of the heart also can be involved.
Heart failure is present when:
- The heart muscle cannot contract very well. This is called systolic heart failure, or heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
- The heart muscle is stiff and does not fill up with blood easily even though pumping power is normal. This is called diastolic heart failure, or heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
As the heart's pumping becomes less effective, blood may back up in other areas of the body. Fluid may build up in the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and the arms and legs. This is called congestive heart failure.
The most common causes of heart failure are:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), a narrowing or blockage of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. This can weaken the heart muscle over time or suddenly.
- High blood pressure that is not well controlled, leading to problems with stiffness, or eventually leading to muscle weakening.
Other heart problems that may cause heart failure are:
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart attack (when coronary artery disease results in a sudden blockage of a heart artery)
- Heart valves that are leaky or narrowed
- Infection that weakens the heart muscle
- Some types of abnormal heart rhythm /arrhythmia
Other diseases that can cause or contribute to heart failure:
- Amyloidosis
- Emphysema
- Overactive thyroid
- Sarcoidosis
- Severe anemia
- Too much iron in the body /hereditary hemochromatosis
- Underactive Thyroid
Treatment(TX): depends on severity of the condition
TX can include eating less salt, limiting fluid intake, and taking prescription medications. In some cases a defibrillator or pacemaker may be implanted.
Self-care
Physical exercise, Quitting smoking, Weight loss, and Low sodium diet
Medications
Diuretic, Beta blocker, ACE inhibitor, Antihypertensive drug, Dietary supplement, Blood pressure support, Vasodilator, and Antianginals and the newest entrant, Ozempic® which purpotedly lowers the risk of major CV events such as stroke, heart attack, or death in adults also with known heart disease(source, www.ozempic.com).
Procedure(s)
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Devices
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
Surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery
You Might Also Enjoy...
Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing occurs when a person breathes primarily through the mouth rather than the nose, often due to nasal obstruction or other health issues
ALS(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately respiratory failure.
Common Hormones and Their Nicknames
Many hormones also have scientific abbreviations and are grouped by chemical classes (e.g., peptide, steroid, amine). The nicknames often come from their most prominent and publicized effects on health or behavior.
EYES are a WINDOW to the KIDNEYS
"Eyes are a window to the kidneys" is a medically relevant concept, suggesting that eye conditions, particularly those affecting the retina and its microvasculature, can indicate the presence and progression of kidney disease and other systemic conditions
Erysipelas vs. Cellulitis
Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the skin's upper layers and lymphatic vessels. It is a more superficial infection than cellulitis and is often called "St. Anthony's Fire" due to its fiery, red appearance. Cellulitis involves deeper tissues.