from Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Myocarditis is an uncommon disorder that is usually caused by viral infections such as coxsackie virus, adenovirus, and echovirus. It may also occur during or after various viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections (such as polio, influenza, or rubella).
The condition may also be caused by exposure to chemicals or allergic reactions to certain medications and it can be associated with autoimmune diseases.
The heart muscle becomes inflamed and weakened. This causes symptoms of heart failure.
- History of preceding viral illness
- Fever
- Chest pain that may resemble a heart attack
- Joint pain or swelling
- Abnormal heart beats
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Leg swelling
- Inability to lie flat
Total absence of symptoms is common
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
- Fainting, often related to arrhythmias
- Low urine output
- Other symptoms consistent with a viral infection -- headache, muscle aches, diarrhea, sore throat, rashes
They put me on beta-blockers to help repair any damage caused due the inflammation and the first one they tried caused the full body hives.
FULL BODY HIVES
They are finally going away but slowly. I'm feeling a little like Job right about now.
Happy New Year!!
