Almost 2.7 million Americans live with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), yet most are not aware of how serious the issue is or that they even suffer from something with such a name. Hence, it is essential to raise awareness about this condition so that people can take steps before they are affected with fatal heart problems. AFib is a condition in which the heart beats in a quivering or irregular fashion. This irregularity in heartbeat or arrythmatic heartbeat can eventually result in even more serious issues like blood clots, strokes, complete heart failure, and many more complications related to the heart.
What happens in AFib?
In case of a normal cardiac cycle, the heart normally contracts and relaxes to regular beats. The right atrium pumps blood into the ventricle and when the ventricles relax, the blood is pumped into the left atrium, which in turn circulates the blood throughout the body. The blood flows through one way valves when moving from one chamber to another, and the heartbeat sound is caused because of the closing of those valves.
However, in case of AFib, the Atria, or the upper chamber, quivers and is not able to pump blood properly, thereby causing a delay in the cardiac cycle. This, in turn causes irregular heartbeats. This can occur due to high blood pressure because of high cholesterol or sugar. Also there are high chances of blood clotting. If a blood clot occurs in an artery, this can result in blockage, thereby causing the heart to stop beating. Almost 1520% of people, who have had strokes have had this arrhythmia of the heart.
Symptoms of AFib
Most patients suffering from this condition describe their experiences as the heart flip flops or that the heart skips beats or that they feel like their heart is banging against their chests especially when doing a bit of physical work. Some people also describe as feeling nauseated, weak, or light headed. Coming to the symptoms, AFib usually is indicated by one or more of the following issues:
– Fluttering or quivering of the heartbeat
– General fatigue throughout the day
– Occasional “fluttering or thumping in the chest
– Dizziness
– Anxiety and shortness of breath.
– Inability to carry out any heavy physical work
– Excessive sweating
– Chest pain or pressure on the chest (This is actually a medical emergency and might be a sign of heart attack.)
Types of AFib
There are several types of AFib including the following:
Paroxymal fibrillation – Heart returns to its normal rhythm on its own within a few days.
Persistent fibrillation – Arrhythmia lasts longer than 7 days.
Long standing AFib – Consistent irregularity present for more than 12 months.
Permanent AFib – The condition lasts indefinitely.
Non valvular AFib – Arrhythmia is not caused due to valve issue.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a condition where the heart rate is much faster and irregular than the normal rate. Due to this condition, one may observe counter effects like breathlessness, excess fatigue, and heart palpitations. If you do not undergo timely treatment, AFib may lead formation of blood clots, resulting in a stroke and the problems can get severe.
When the upper chambers of the heart fibrillate, then blood is not pumped in the body in the desirable way, which can automatically give you the feeling of fatigue and sensations that will be uncomfortable and heartbeats that will be irregular.
How to tackle AFib?
Considering relevant treatment, AFib patients must visit a cardiologist who will evaluate the entire condition, check all the symptoms, go through overall health factors, and diagnose the exact reasons behind AFib. Sometimes there can be an underlying cause that may have resulted into AFib. So determining the correct reason behind the occurrence of AFib is important before proceeding for its treatment. If the problem is not that serious, then the doctor can keep the patient on certain medications so that the risk of stroke can be avoided. Some specialized medicines may also be given that are specifically aimed for controlling AFib.
If the condition is a bit serious then electric shock treatment, also called cardioversion, can be adopted. However, in some cases, catheter ablation is opted for by the doctors. In some cases, a pacemaker may be required to fit in so that this condition can be treated.
AFib can be occasional, persistent, or permanent and once the doctor is able to evaluate your condition, only then can the right treatment be provided.
Symptoms indicating an AFib condition
If you are experiencing heart palpitations or you feel that the heart beat is often very irregular, or if you feel that your heart is racing most of the times, get checked for AFib. If you are facing unexplained fatigue at all times or a discomfort or pain near the chest region, then also it can be because of this condition. Apart from all of these symptoms, shortness of breath is a major symptom of AFib.
However, in many cases, it is seen that even without these symptoms, people have the AFib. So without a doctor and without completing the relevant medical tests, you cannot be sure whether you are actually suffering from AFib or not. If you are in doubt, visit a cardiologist as soon as possible.
Atrial fibrillation is a heart disease in which the heart rate is faster than the normal, and the patient experiences irregular heartbeats. It is also known as afib very commonly. The symptoms of this condition are difficulty in breathing, pain and discomfort near the chest region, fatigue, heart palpitations, etc. If afib is left untreated, then there is a high chance of suffering a stroke, because in this situation blood clots can get formed due to fibrillation of the upper chambers of the heart.
What should be done in this condition?
First of all, if you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, then you must visit a cardiologist so that the exact problem you are facing can be detected after some tests. If it is revealed that afib is the cause, then you must get an afib stroke treatment which can be taken either by taking afib drugs, electric shock treatment, catheter ablation, or by inserting a pacemaker.
The exact treatment and atrial fibrillation medications will depend on your actual condition because there can be different types of afib cases. The doctor will first check all the underlying causes and the type of afib condition you have; whether occasional, persistent or permanent, and then only the treatment will follow.
What are the medications for afib?
If you want to know about the best atrial fibrillation drugs for you, then you must go through the following information-
Medications for correcting the heart rate: If the heart rate is very fast then these atrial fibrillation drugs can be helpful –
From the above mentioned information, you must have got an idea that there are different medications for afib treatment and each of them will work in a different manner. You cannot decide on your own as to which medicine is the one for you. Only a doctor can best diagnose which drug will be best-suited for your condition. After a thorough evaluation, your doctor will decide as to which atrial fibrillation drugs you need to take for combating this condition.
Attention deficit disorder is one of the most common conditions that affect children. A brain-based disorder, it leads to unpredictable behavior of a child. While, acts such as not following instruction, blurting out inappropriate comments and engaging in rude behavior is common for a few days, children with attention deficit disorder tend to do these things regularly.
A serious condition, attention deficit disorder is progressive and becomes worst if not treated in time. An affected child finds it difficult to concentrate or engage in an activity and is hyperactive. While the condition is generally found to be common among young children, it may also be diagnosed in adults. Functions at school, home or work is compromised on and leads to one not being able to lead a normal life.
So what causes attention deficit disorder? The most common cause is alterations in the brain and the abnormal way in which it functions. The factors that lead to the development of this disease are unclear. However, few causes are found have an impact or relation:
Brain injury – A brain injury that results from a sudden severe blow to the area around the brain on the head, a stroke or the growth of a tumor can have a role to play in the attention deficit disorder. However, a small percentage of kids are at the risk of developing this condition due to trauma caused to the brain.
Genes – One of the leading causes of attention deficit disorder is believed to be genes. Heredity is found to have solid connections with a child suffering from the disease. The condition can run down from parent to child.
Smoking during pregnancy – Smoking tobacco or any other drug during pregnancy can be a cause of attention deficit disorder in a child. This is because when the fetus is exposed to the harmful smoke or even alcohol, he/she is at a very high risk of being affected by the toxins.
Diet – If studies are to be believed, certain kinds of dietary components have an effect on the behavior of a child. Diets that are deficient in essential nutrients can out an individual at a higher risk of developing attention deficit disorder. A doctor should be consulted before putting the child on a particular kind of diet.
The cure for attention deficit disorder is not yet found. And treatment to curb the effects of the condition will differ from one child to another. The treatment for this condition focuses on managing the symptoms and bringing about behavioral modification. This is usually a long process and is carried out through cognitive behavioral therapy.
Shark has captured a significant market share in the vacuum cleaner segment with their unwavering commitment to quality and durability. Their products are in line with the latest technology and the current trends in design. Shark manufactures a range of cleaners to meet individual needs and specifications. Here, we talk about the features you should be looking for in a Shark vacuum.
How to choose the best Shark vacuum
You need to consider certain factors before buying any Shark vacuum cleaner. Here are a few suggested pointers for you.
Types of Shark vacuums
There are three basic models available with Shark vacuums.
Why Shark vacuum is an ideal choice
There are a number of vacuum brands available in the market. For a returning customer, the choice is clearer. They have their reasons for preferring Shark over other brands. But for a new buyer, we must tell you that there a few things, which set apart a Shark vacuum from the other models. They offer a truckload of features at reasonable prices. Plus, their ergonomic designs and efficient motors win hands down over other brands.
Contact lens users have a higher risk of contracting eye infections. Lack of proper care of contact lenses and their improper use can cause mild to severe eye infections requiring immediate medical attention.
Types of eye infections from incorrect contact lens usage
There are different types of eye infections that can occur if you don’t follow proper medical guidance for contact lens use.
One of the most common types of eye infection amongst contact lens users is keratitis. It occurs in the cornea, which is the outer layer of the eye. Keratitis mostly occurs because of bacterial contamination, but can also present itself due to fungal or viral infections.
Eye injury such as minor scratches while wearing contact lenses can cause eye infections. Even if the injury or trauma in your eyes is because of other reasons, contact lens use can aggravate it and cause infections.
There is more risk of catching conjunctivitis as contamination can occur very easily.
Symptoms of eye infections
If you wear contact lenses and experience the following symptoms in your eyes, the right thing to do is to immediately see a doctor about the problem.
Clean your hands with soap before handling your contact lenses.
When you remove them, use a lens cleaning solution to disinfect the lenses. It is very important to not miss this step. After cleaning them, store your lenses in fresh solution. Throw out the remaining stale solution from the lens container and add fresh supply to it. Just adding extra solution to the remaining one in the lens container is one of the most common ways to invite infections in your eyes. It is also advisable to never reuse the cleaning solution.
Thoroughly clean your lenses before wearing them. This step is very important to remove any remaining contamination or dirt from your last use.
Also, regularly clean your lens case. It is best to replace it every few months or even earlier, if needed.
Always remove your contact lenses before you sleep. If you sleep while wearing your contact lenses, it reduces the supply of oxygen in your eyes. This makes your eyes more susceptible to getting bacterial infections. Sleeping in your contact lenses also increase the risk of injuries and abrasions in the eyes, further putting your eyes at a risk from infections.
Remove your contact lenses when in the swimming pool, shower and bath. Essentially, avoid contact with water while wearing your lenses to avoid eye infections. Pollutants or germs in the water and those present in pools and hot tub can infect the lenses.
Your home is your haven but who hasn’t wished for a more spacious one? Choosing the right place to call home has always been a tricky decision. Do you live in the city or in the suburbs? Would you like lower maintenance hassles? Are there kids on the way?
Small homes and condos almost always cry out for more space, while large homes could still have scope for efficient space use so that you get more roomy with organized living areas; but that extra bit of space you are looking for is right under your nose! Here are some tips to help you get the maximum out of your home.
Look under the bed – With a bit of planning, under-the-bed storage can free up tons of cabinet space. Use this space to put away winter clothes, spare sheets and duvets and other items that you are unlikely to require on a frequent basis. Don’t forget to pack them well!
What’s under the stairs? – There is some serious storage space under the staircase. Granted that the triangular shape is a bit awkward to get in and out, but think of pull-out drawers rather than walk-in cabinets, and suddenly, huge amounts of storage space open up.
While on the topic of stairs, we loved one homeowner’s idea, where draws were built under every single step on the staircase! Isn’t that a nifty idea? Toys, shoes, tools or even hobby kits could fit in wonderfully in these under-the-step draws. Alternatively, the space under each step could also turn into an open-face bookshelf “ stacked lying down if your steps aren’t tall enough to stand the books up. Wouldn’t that make a cool library that inspired the kids to read!
Put it up on the wall – Do you really need that traditional desk? That’s at least 6 square feet of space that gets clogged and eventually becomes hard to clean. Choose fold-down tables instead, that come with a compact shelf. Attach the whole thing to the wall, put your laptop, stationary or crafting things on the shelf. Prop up the writing table when you need it, and fold it away neatly when you don’t.
You have looked at videos of wall-mountable beds for long enough, and you know you want it. Honestly, when you are not hosting, a fold-away bed in the guest bedroom will free up a whole room that you can use, let us say, for yoga!
Today’s shrinking spaces require not just pretty furniture, but also smart ones. Pick wisely, and you’ll never want for space.