The meaning of the word arrhythmia in ancient Greek is “incoherence”, and it explains the cause of the disease as well as possible. Violation of the work of a specific section of the heart muscle in which the heart rate is produced (sinus-atrial region) and generates arrhythmia in children. If the heart rate slows down its own work, less than 60 beats per minute is performed, they speak of bradycardia. If the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute - tachycardia. Both this and that discrepancy with generally accepted norms can indicate the formation of both heart diseases and ailments of the autonomic, endocrine systems.
Reasons
First of all, the cause of the formation of arrhythmia in a teenager at the age of 16 may be excitation of the heart muscle. If the developmental system of the heart muscle is abnormal, then it will seriously affect the heart rate.
Serious diseases such as various infections, heart failure,heart disease (both congenital and acquired), cardiomyopathy, may be the main causes of arrhythmias.
Don't immediately attribute palpitations to pathology, which occurs after physical exertion, possible problems at school, the use of energy drinks, or in violation of sleep and wakefulness. This indicates the presence of sinus cardiac arrhythmia. It can arise due to an imbalance in the work of the vegetative-vascular system, in its inability to correctly perceive the changes that occur in the body of a teenager.
You need to see a doctor immediately when an arrhythmia occurs in a teenager for no reason, in the absence of stress, or when heart palpitations become systematic. In these cases, the body must be checked and, upon confirmation of the diagnosis, proceed to urgent treatment in order to avoid further deterioration.
Symptoms
If we consider the symptoms of sinus arrhythmia of the heart in adolescents, they are different with established bradycardia (decrease in heart contractions) and tachycardia (increase in contractions). Adolescents quite often experience the first symptoms in the form of a sudden increase in heart rate or, conversely, there is an interruption in the functioning of the organ. The result is a feeling of weakness, increased sweating and slight dizziness.
Other signs
Sometimes there are complaints of pain in the heart and chest. The degree of pathology has a direct impactfor all further symptoms, so there are cases when the symptoms are completely absent. If a child's breathing suddenly becomes difficult and the skin turns pale, then parents should immediately seek medical help. Arrhythmia becomes especially pronounced with severe necrosis or infectious disease of the myocardium.
These patients have an increased pulse rate, but it is difficult to listen to it. The skin becomes paler, and blood pressure drops rapidly. If a heart problem is identified, it is important to closely monitor your child's condition and seek immediate medical attention.
Views
Children of adolescence periodically experience interruptions in heart rate. The following types of arrhythmias are common in adolescents:
- Respiratory arrhythmia. It is the most typical arrhythmia for a teenage child. In the inhalation phase, the heart rate increases, and in the exhalation phase, it shortens. This manifestation of instability is a consequence of a malfunction of the nervous system. Increased arousal during adolescence is normal, but the appearance of an irregular heart rate is considered a symptom of the disease.
- Single or multiple extrasystoles. Abrupt occurrence of extraordinary contractions of the heart muscle. The main cause of arrhythmia in adolescents is the increased growth of cardiac muscles. Extrasystoles do not manifest themselves in any way. Their presence can only be detected using electrocardiography.
- Tachyarrhythmia. Increased frequency of contractions (more than 100). Oftenaccompanies severe intoxication and diseases of the endocrine glands.
- Bradyarrhythmia. Reduction of heart contractions up to 50. Develops against a background of strong emotional overexcitation.
Diagnosis
If a child begins to complain of discomfort in the heart area, it is important to immediately seek qualified medical help.
First you need to make an appointment with a pediatrician who prescribes an ultrasound of the heart to establish an initial diagnosis. Any disturbances in the heart rhythm should be identified by a cardiologist. In the future, the patient will have to undergo a series of examinations.
Thanks to the ECG, it is possible to give a detailed analysis of the physical condition of the heart. This study helps in identifying myocardial damage, and it can be chronic or acute. The frequency and regularity of contractions of the heart muscle will also be accurately determined.
The following study is called EchoCG. Here, the specialist performs the work exclusively with the help of ultrasound. The heart muscle will be clearly visible on the monitor screen, which makes it possible to study in more detail the features of the movement of blood flows not only in the atria, but also in the ventricles.
It has already been said that with the help of ultrasound, the doctor will be able to make a diagnosis, but a detailed answer requires a series of laboratory tests. This will require a blood donation.
Drug treatment of arrhythmia in a teenager
The choice of drug therapy depends on the underlying cause,which caused heart rhythm disturbances. After carrying out the appropriate diagnosis, the attending physician, on the basis of the results obtained, selects drugs, taking into account the limitations and contraindications associated with age. In the case when the manifestation of arrhythmia was the result of physical overload, nervous stressful situations at school, drug treatment at the initial stage is carried out with the help of sedatives based on medicinal herbs that normalize heart rhythms, for example:
- valerian tincture, motherwort;
- "Dormiplant" based on lemon balm and valerian root.
Pharmacological substances
If the use of sedatives did not have the desired effect, the attending physician determines the necessary list of pharmacological antiarrhythmic drugs, depending on the nature of the cardiac pathology. The following groups of drugs used to treat arrhythmia in adolescents caused by cardiac diseases can be distinguished:
In case of heart rhythm disturbances against the background of hypokalemia, potassium preparations are prescribed, including potassium chloride solution, Potassium Orotate, Panangin. The intake and dosage of these drugs is carried out under the strict supervision of the attending physician in order to prevent hyperkalemia
- To reduce the conductivity and excitability of the heart muscle, the drug "Novocainamide" is used. The selection of the dosage of the agent is carried out simultaneously with the control of blood pressure and the electrocardiogram.
- When flickeringarrhythmias, as well as attacks caused by paroxysmal tachycardia, are usually prescribed "Etmozin". The drug is used in tablet form, with intramuscular injections it is administered together with novocaine. When administered intravenously, "Etmozin" is diluted in a solution of sodium chloride or glucose.
- To relieve attacks of arrhythmia in children and adolescents, such an adrenolytic and local anesthetic drug as Anaprilin and its analogues are widely used. "Oxenoprolol" has a similar effect, but it is less toxic and has a milder effect in normalizing blood pressure.
- In the complex treatment of arrhythmia, it is also necessary to use drugs that normalize the metabolic processes of the heart muscles, including Riboxin, Cocarboxylase.
Folk treatment
Severe sinus arrhythmia in a teenager is a disease that even doctors recommend treating with folk remedies. Herbal preparations for arrhythmias in combination with medications can help even after the first application.
Valerian root is one of the best-known arrhythmia treatments. Motherwort and hawthorn soothe the heart well. You can prepare a medical collection yourself. The most common collection recipes:
- Recipe one. Components: valerian root, calendula flowers, viburnum bark, motherwort. All herbs must be taken in equal proportions. On the day should be steamed 2 tbsp. l. collection and take onthroughout the day. The course of treatment is 7–10 days.
- Recipe two. Mix ready-made tinctures of valerian, motherwort, hawthorn in equal proportions, add a few drops of Corvalol. Take once a day before meals for a week.
Tub
Excellent in the fight against severe arrhythmia in adolescents, a bath with a decoction of valerian root helps. Pour the already prepared decoction (300 ml) into the filled bath and enjoy the calming effect.
Herbal treatment is an effective method in the fight against many ailments. Such treatment will not only be cheaper, but also safer for a sensitive young organism.
Prevention
Failure of the heart muscle should not be ignored. Against the background of hormonal changes, it is important not to miss the development of the disease. Prevention should include:
- No stress factors and overexertion of the nervous system.
- Regular and balanced meals.
- Rejection of foods that cause excitation of the nervous system (sweets, caffeine, fatty foods, fast food).
- Meals should be taken 4-5 times a day.
- In the diet of adolescents, foods enriched with minerals and trace elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium) must be present.
- Daily intake of vegetables and fruits should be 1/3 of the total diet.
- Moderate daily exercise.
- Properly dosed physical activity will enrich the heart muscle with oxygen.
- Correct sleep and wake patterns.
- The most important thing in the prevention of arrhythmia in adolescents is a properly composed daily routine. Every day, a teenager should sleep more than 8 hours at night. Go to bed no later than 23:00.
- Outpatient follow-up of episodes of arrhythmias for two years.
Creating favorable conditions for the normalization of the body in a teenager will prevent the aggravation or development of the disease.
