Atrial fibrillation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Atrial fibrillation - Essay Example Often characterized by atrial dilatation and the shortening of the atrial ERP, the presence of atrial fibrosis and its structural remodeling changes the normal electrical refractoriness and contractile function of the heart by making the intra-cardiac pressure increase (University of Toronto; Allessie, Boyden and Camm). Because of atrial dilatation, heart-related diseases like hypertension, vulvar heart disease, and congestive heart failure occurs. Individuals who are at risk of AF include those who are more than 65 years of age, individuals with myocardial infarction, and individuals who received cardiothoracic surgery (Allessie, Boyden and Camm). Hypertension, ischemic or non-ischemic heart diseases, and mitral or tricuspid valvular disorders, hyperthyroidism, and alcohol drinking are among the most common factors that could trigger AF whereas atrial septal, congenital heart failure, pulmonary embolism, COPD, myocarditis, and pericarditis are among the less common factors that could trigger AF (Mitchell). Aside from a rapid ventricular response or arrhythmias, patients with mild AF may experience dizziness, dyspnea, diaphoresis, fatigue, and palpitation whereas patients with severe AF may experience chest pain, pulmonary edema, or syncope (Dresing and Schweikert). Using surgical intervention, AV node radiofrequency ablation, control of rhythm using cardioversion or AF substrate ablation, treatments for AF focuses on thromboembolism prevention, rhythm control, and ventricular rate control (Mitchell). Likewise, it is possible to use antiarrhythmic medications such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor to prevent stress by lowering the atrial pressure when administered to patients (Dresing and Schweikert; University of Toronto). Aside from showing irregular R-R intervals, the ECG of patients with AF is characterized with irregular timing in fibrillatory waves of QRS aside from the absence of P waves (Mitchell). (See

Gravess Disease Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 36

Gravess Disease - Essay Example This paper outlines that the patient is related to a family with a history on autoimmune diseases. There are many ways to treat Graves’s disease but in this case, Radioiodine has been found to be safe and efficient. It involves use of iodine radioactive isotopes to induce hypothyroidism which is easy and cheap to treat. The second case study showed that, endocrine glands that are likely to cause symptoms portrayed by the patient are adrenal glands, kidney, liver, or ovaries. There are also a number of hormones involved: the first one is androgen that is responsible for growth of hair below the abdomen and on thighs, but at higher concentration cause growth in other body parts such as the face in this case. The second one is Cortisol hormone that control metabolism in the liver and muscle fats that led to fatigue and injury of capillaries walls which explain the abdominal pains. The other involved hormones are aldosterone and steroid hormones. Adrenal diseases are associated wi th adrenal gland problems which may be either primary or secondary. The main different on the two is the impact on the body functions. A primary gland problem exists when only the gland is affected while a Secondary gland problem affect other body organs such as the liver or the heart. Alterations of these hormones are mostly caused by adrenal insufficiency or high blood pressure. As the discussion declares the patient in the third case study could be diagnosed with hyponatremia characterized by the low serum sodium, unconsciousness, and muscle weakness. Low sodium test would be caused by atrial tension from increase of pressure on central nerve stimulating production of atrial natriuretic peptide which hinders reabsorption of Na+ back into the blood stream. However, normality in potassium levels, Cl- levels and HCO3 levels on lab results shows that the patient was undiagnosed for some years.