The Relation Between Endocarditis and Septic Arthritis
Our heart is the most important organ in our entire body. It facilitates the circulation of blood across all vital organs so as to ensure that we keep living a healthy life without major complications.
This article deals with Endocarditis. To learn about this heart disease, refer to the information given below.
What is Endocarditis?
Endocarditis is an inflammatory heart condition. It happens when the inner lining of the heart gets inflamed. The inner lining is medically known as the Endocardium; thus, inflammation of the Endocardium is Endocarditis.
This inflammation is usually caused by bacterial growth within the heart.
This heart-related condition isnβt common as it doesnβt usually happen to a healthy heart.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Endocarditis are often mild and not severe at all. Severe symptoms in this condition develop slowly and often resemble those from various other medical conditions.
Because this condition has symptoms also common in other diseases, many cases of Endocarditis might go undiagnosed in the early stages.
Endocarditis causes the same physical conditions as typical of the flu and pneumonia. Still, the following are some of the physical changes in the case of Endocarditis.
? The colour of your skin can turn pale;
? You might also experience fever and chills;
? Night sweats are also common;
? Muscle and joint inflammation and thus the concomitant pain and mobility issues occur;
? You might also feel like vomiting with a decrease in your appetite.
? Cough and breathing difficulties are other symptoms.
However, all these symptoms donβt surface the next day after you have got Endocarditis. As the infection and inflammation of the inner lining of the heart grows, you become more and more ill in this manner.
Causes
It has already been mentioned that this condition is caused by the infestation of bacteria inside the lining of the heart. So, the primary cause of Endocarditis is bacteria entering inside your body and entering inside your heart through the bloodstream.
There are several reasons as to how bacteria can enter your bloodstream finally ending up in your heart and joints. If you have taken something inside your body already contaminated, this is one way but not all.
Falling down and sustaining bruises and scratches on contaminated surfaces, grounds and floors is another way of getting bacteria in.
Dealing with someone who is already infected can also facilitate the communication of the infection from one person to another.
If you donβt take good care of your oral hygiene or you have gum diseases, this could also become the reason for Endocarditis long run.
STDs also cause such infections inside the heart cavity if contracted.
Treatments
The treatment of Endocarditis mainly depends on antibiotics and surgery. The doctor can put the affected person on antibiotics for a period until the infection and inflammation is completely gone.
Endocarditis in its mild stage isnβt serious enough to be fatal. Take your antibiotics on time as prescribed and you will be healthy again to lead a normal life.
However, in severe cases, if it is required, a doctor will perform surgical interventions to correct the situation. In this particular surgical case, you might have to be hospitalised for rehabilitation and normal recovery.
Post-surgery medical attention is crucial if you want to keep the potential complications at bay.
Can Endocarditis cause joint problems?
Yes; if the infectious conditions travel all the way from your heart to joints via the bloodstream, it might cause joint problems.
This basically happens because your body has joints that contain synovial fluid. This fluid is there to lubricate the joints like your knees or hips. By the presence of such fluid contents, frictional trauma is reduced and as a result, you can walk and mobilise the joint without too much wear and tear.
So, bacteria can travel via the bloodstream to any part of the body. If they reach the joint cavity, it can lead to joint inflammation commonly known as Septic Arthritis.
What is Septic Arthritis?
Septic arthritis is a joint-related inflammation caused by germs. In this condition, joint inflammation gives rise to pain, redness, tenderness and swelling, impacting the joint mobility severely.
Germs, bacteria or any other microorganism can enter a joint either through an internal body infection like Endocarditis or directly through any other external events like using a contaminated injection, if a street dog has bitten you etc.
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How to prevent Endocarditis
The following are effective ways to keep the risk of this heart problem away from you.
? Take care of your oral health;
? Take antibiotics if you have infections;
? Stay away from body piercing;
? Donβt get tattoos done on your skin as it might lead to the invasion of bacteria inside you;
? Practising good hygiene is also crucial; and,
? Donβt use dirty public toilets;
All these points are preventative measures for Endocarditis.
General tips on keeping your body healthy
Furthermore, if you take care of your health, you are less prone to getting Endocarditis. Here are some of the health tips.
Adequate Sleep: A good night’s sleep is the remedy to many health problems. Prolonged sleep deficiency is linked to compromised immunity and thus various complications. So, sleep for at least 7-8 hours if you are an adult.
Strong Immunity: If your immunity isnβt strong, take measures to work on that. You can consume medicines or foods that are intended to help boost immunity.
Balanced Diet: After sleep, a balanced diet assumes importance. So, eat meals rich in all forms of macro and micronutrients. Ensure calcium, vitamin D, protein, antioxidants, and all your body needs to function properly.
Exercise: This lifestyle element helps by building your strength, flexibility and balance. Exercise regularly and it will help increase your stamina to fight off many infections that might need medical attention otherwise.
Timely Dental Check-Ups: If you have dental problems, go for check-ups in time or it will exacerbate the oral conditions. Poor oral health is often associated with increasing the risk of Endocarditis.
Timely Management of Infections: If any part of your body gets infected because of some bacterial invasion inside the body, book your appointment with a doctor to deal with it before it gets worse.
Conclusion
Endocarditis is not a serious disease that can be fatal. However, it is an inflammatory condition that might go unchecked or unnoticed due to mild symptoms and similarities with other health problems in the early stages.
Thus, its diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial. In its aggravated form, this condition can also lead to Septic Arthritis causing joint pain and mobility issues.
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