How can you tell if I have an abnormal valve?

Most cases of valvular heart disease can be detected with a stethoscope. The abnormal blood flow often produces a sound called a heart "murmur". Not all murmurs are abnormal, nor do they necessarily indicate heart disease, but the trained ear can often tell a lot about valvular problems just with this simple device. For more about murmurs, read the section below.

The electrocardiogram is simply a representation of the electrical activity of the heart, and may show nothing at all about valvular problems, particularly in early or minor stages.

The chest x-ray, a relatively unsophisticated tool, can provide valuable information about the heart chambers and whether there is any evidence of congestive heart failure or other conditions.

An echocardiogram is a very valuable tool for evaluation of valvular heart disease. This is a non-invasive means of visualizing the heart muscle and valves using sound waves, or sonar. The valves can usually be visualized quite well, and the degree of leakage or stenosis can be estimated, in many cases with a high degree of accuracy.

Cardiac catheterization is sometimes needed to fully evaluate the heart valves, heart muscle, and heart arteries in some circumstances. Using this more "invasive" procedure, highly accurate information can be obtained.

What happens with valves that don't open well (stenosis)?

stenosis cause the chamber behind the narrowed valve to have to work harder. Just as when a hose is kinked, the pressure in that chamber will increase. The heart can usually compensate for this when the narrowing is mild by becoming thicker and stronger. If the narrowing progresses however, this mechanism will no longer be effective, and congestive heart failure and arrhythmias may occur.

What happens with valves that leak (regurgitation)?

Valves that leak cause the heart to have to pump the same blood twice . . . that is, a part of the work of the heart simply is for no good purpose, as the blood comes right back into the chamber. The heart has a number of ways it can compensate for this extra work. The first tendency is for the chambers to enlarge, since there is more blood to pump (the blood it usually would need to pump to the rest of the body plus the regurgitated blood). This is usually quite effective if the leakage is mild or moderate, and the person may not even realize there is any problem at all. In more severe cases, the heart muscle may begin to wear down. Congestive heart failure may then result, characterized by shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, and other symptoms. The enlarged chambers may also lead to problems with arrhythmias.

Valvular Heart Disease

What happens with valves that leak (regurgitation)?
What happens with valves that don't open well (stenosis)?
How can you tell if I have an abnormal valve?
What is a heart "murmur"?
What causes diseases of the heart valves?
What type of therapy is available?
What kinds of medications are available for valve disease?
What kinds of surgery are available for problems with the Mitral Valve?
What kinds of surgery are available for problems with the Aortic Valve?
What kinds of artificial valves are there?
What is the best kind of artificial valve?
Do I need to take blood thinners?
What is "Endocarditis"?

Probiotics, Celiac and gluten

Q: "What is FOS, and why is it in Super Shield?"A: Fructo-oligosaccharides are a carbohydrate fiber. They are added to Super Shield because FOS are an excellentPREbiotic--that is, they nourish the beneficial bacterialin the capsules and your gut. FOS is a fiber that occurs naturally in foods likeartichokes, barley, beans, greens, eggplant, garlic,onions, peas and legumes.Q: "Where does the FOS in Super Shield come from? I havea gluten intolerance and can't have anything made frombarley."A: The FOS used in Super Shield are extracted fromJerusalem artichoke tubers in pure form. So it is gluten-free.These questions raised a point about the seriousness ofCeliac Disease.Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where your bodyhas an inappropriate allergic response to gluten--theprotein found in wheat, barley and rye. About 1 millionpeople in the US have it. People with Celiac usually suffer from diarrhea, severeabdominal pain and gas. But the symptoms don't necessarilyend there. The long list of possible symptoms affect other areas ofyour body and can include:- Irritability and depression- Fatigue- Joint pain- Muscle cramps- Sores inside your mouth- Tooth discoloration- Skin rash- Malnutrition

Should Diabetics fast in Ramazan

Ramazan is coming and every body is palnning for fasting in this holy month. Should diabetics fast or not?

Diabetes is of two types:
1. Insulin dependent type: Those who take Insulin for diabetes
2. Non Insulin Dependent or those who take tablets for diabetes

For number 1 above as the insulin causes a fall in blood sugar so these patients need frequent food and are in danger of low blood sugar. These are therfore advised to continue their treatment and not advised to fast at all. They should cosult an ALIM for compensation.

For dibetics with obesity and overweight who are using Metformin (Glucophage, Neophage, Metphage etc) only they should fast. They should take their medicine only in the evening and should avoid sugars, syrups, sweet drinks or sugar containg sharbats. Aquavit by Wilson is a sugarfree satche which can be taken in Aftar instead of the above. They have a better chance of weight loss and diabetic control.

For thin and normal weight patients who are taking glibenclamide (Daonil, Euglucon etc) or the newer drugs like Amaryl,Getryl, Pioglitazones etc the options are:

1. If their sugar is normal or below 120 fasting or below 180 random, they should take half of their dose in Aftar only. No drugs in Sehri.

2. If the blood sugar is high ie fasting more than 160 or random more than 220 , they should take their full dose in the Evening in Aftar and no drugs in Sehri. Both groups should take modrate amouts of fruits in aftar.

SEHRI IS A MUST FOR BOTH GROUPS to avoid low blood sugar during the day.

NOTE: If symptoms and signs of low blood sugar develop (Cold sweats, dimmness of vision , drowziness, weakness and a low blood sugar test) they should discontiue ROZA and take some sweets immediately even if it is near to Aftar to avoid problems. They should not fast during the next 3-4 days and only start ROZA after consulting their doctors or with no medicine at all.

Recover faster from a stomach bug

I recently watched the movie "As Good As It Gets" withJack Nicholson and Helen Hunt. In the movie, Jack is anOCD sufferer who won't step on a sidewalk crack, he musthave the same waitress (Hunt) serve him in his favoritediner, and will only use his own plastic forks and knivesfor fear of germs.I can't blame him too much for the plastic flatware. After all, there are some nasty illnesses that can bespread by an unclean fork or knife...Like viral gastroenteritis--also known as a "stomach bug"or "flu bug."Most of us have had the agony of a stomach bug--wicked baddiarrhea and vomiting, fever, headache, chills andabdominal pain.And they're especially dangerous for children because thesymptoms can last for over a week and they run the risk ofdehydration which can be life-threatening.Viral gastroenteritis is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS and the virusesmost responsible are rotavirus and norovirus. It can bespread as easily as just touching a utensil that aninfected person has used.It really hangs on too. Once you've had it, you can stillspread it to others for a week after your symptoms aregone. So you're not out of the woods once the puking hasstopped.Most medical care professionals say there's not much youcan do about viral gastroenteritis--rest, drinking fluidsand eating soft, bland foods are about it.But there is some exciting research being done thatsuggests that probiotics can help you recover faster fromviral gastroenteritis.