Whelehans Health Blog

Atrial fibrillation  Part 3   Symptoms   The patient may be symptomless but if symptoms occur, they range from mild to severe and can include: Breathlessness Tiredness Palpitations: the patient may feel the sensation the heart beating fast or irregularly Light headedness or dizziness Chest pain or tightness.   Diagnosis   Echocardiogram An electrocardiogram (ECG) checks the heart's rhythm and electrical activity and confirms atrial fibrillation by recording the heart’s electrical signals. If the ECG is normal, but the clinician still suspects bouts of atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation), then a record of the heart rhythm over 24 hours will...

Atrial fibrillation  Part 2   Instead of steady and regular electrical impulses, with AF, electrical impulses fire irregularly and randomly. These disorganized impulses cause the atria to quiver or twitch (fibrillate) instead of a steady smooth beat. This means the atria cannot efficiently pump blood into the ventricles.   Causes of AF Hypertension Myocardial infarction Damaged heart muscle Heart valve disease Congenital heart disease Pericarditis Cardiomyopathy Heart or other major surgery   Certain activities or lifestyle can trigger atrial fibrillation including binging on alcohol, physical or mental stress, obesity, excessive caffeine, smoking and illegal drugs. AF can be associated with other conditions...

Atrial fibrillation  Part 1   Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm problem. The heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or in an irregular pattern.   Types of arrythmia include: Tachycardia: fast heart rate of more than 100 beats/minute. Bradycardia: Slow heart rhythm below 60 beats/minute. Supraventricular arrhythmias: Arrhythmias manifesting from the atria (heart’s upper chambers) Ventricular arrhythmias: Arrhythmias manifesting from the ventricles (heart’s lower chambers) Bradyarrhythmias: Slow heart rhythms due to disease in the heart’s conduction system affecting the sinoatrial (SA) node, atrioventricular (AV) node or the His-Purkinje network.   Atrial fibrillation is classed as...

Menstrual Disorders   What is Menstruation? Menstruation or menstrual period is vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of the monthly cycle in women of reproductive age. Every month the woman’s body prepares for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus (womb) sheds its lining. The menstrual discharge contains both blood and tissue from inside the uterus that passes out of the body. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS for short) is a group of symptoms that start before the period. PMS can include emotional and physical symptoms.   Common menstrual disorders   Menorrhagia (Brief Overview) Menorrhagia is menstrual bleeding that is prolonged (more...

Hay fever- Part 2 Hay fever is a type of allergic rhinitis caused by pollen or spores.   Diagnosis The doctor will ask questions to determine cause and type of allergy. The doctor will examine the inside of the nose with an instrument called a speculum. The eyes, ears, and chest may be examined. Skin tests may be performed. Patients are usually tested for a panel of common allergens. Skin tests are rarely needed to diagnose mild seasonal allergic rhinitis, since the cause is usually obvious. Patients should not take antihistamines for 12 to 72 hours prior to the skin test...