What is heart failure? What are the symptoms of this disease? What methods are used to treat heart failure? Is it possible to overcome this disease with the help of alternative medicine? You can find answers to all these questions in this article.
What is this disease?
Before answering the question: "How to treat heart failure?", it is necessary to understand what is at stake. So, this term means a pathological condition in which the main organ (heart) cannot provide tissues and organs with the necessary amount of blood for the metabolic process.
There are two forms of heart failure: acute and chronic. In the first case, self-treatment, or with the help of herbs, is out of the question. Since the acute form of the disease is very dangerous. It is in this case that surgical intervention may be necessary.
And in a different formpathology, the use of folk remedies is possible. But even in this case, the total control of a specialist will be required.
And how to treat chronic heart failure? The answer to this question will be given in another section of the article.
What are the symptoms of illness?
Signs of this pathology are weakness with various types of loads and unreasonable (not associated with a cold) cough, drowsiness. In addition, such people have a violation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Often, patients ask the question: "How to treat shortness of breath in heart failure?". This is also one of the symptoms of the disease. If you follow all the doctor's recommendations, as well as taking all the necessary medications, you can get rid of shortness of breath.
In addition, a person with this pathology may experience swelling of the limbs, disorientation, and pulmonary rales.
Also, patients with heart failure complain of swollen neck veins and a rapid pulse, as well as little or no urine. As a result of the latter, edema appears. Because of this, it is difficult for a person to move around. But how to treat edema in heart failure? The answer to this question will also be given in one of the sections of this article. It should be recalled that therapy can be carried out both with the help of medicines and folk remedies.
What are the causes of the development of the disease?
Typically, heart disease is the source of heart failure. These include myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, cardiosclerosis.
Also, the disease can develop as a result ofcomplications of infectious processes or a heart attack.
Such a pathology as a heart defect also does not allow to perform a pumping function. As a result, some departments are overloaded. Over time, deformation of the heart is observed, which indicates the loss of functional qualities.
Constant or too high blood pressure is a source of exhaustion of the heart muscle.
Such an ailment as inflammation of the heart sac is considered to be the cause of the limitation of the movements of a vital organ for a person.
Another source of the pathology under consideration is cardiac tamponade. In this case, we are talking about the accumulation of a large volume of blood in the ventricle. As a result, there is difficulty in contractions of the heart.
Harmful and very large physical activity. They are the cause of the rapid depletion of the functionality of the body.
If you inject a large amount of fluid intravenously, there is an overload of the heart muscle.
Diseases of the liver and kidneys are sources of circulatory overload.
How to treat heart failure in the elderly? Before answering this question, it is necessary to establish the cause of the disease.
Sometimes the source of pathology is several diseases.
A disease such as mitral valve disease inevitably leads to the development of heart failure. The way out of this situation is to replace it with a surgical intervention.
How does chronic heart failure develop?
The progress of this disease is gradual. That is, here we are talking about the fact that this pathology develops over several years. And people need to consult a specialist at the beginning of the development of the disease. But this is not always done.
The first signs of illness begin to appear with strong physical exertion. As a rule, a person complains of shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Swelling is sometimes observed.
With the second degree of insufficiency, persistent disturbances in blood circulation appear. As a result, the person cannot work. But in the second stage, these symptoms disappear at rest.
The latter is characterized by strong dystrophic changes in the organs. At this stage, the tissue structure is already irreversibly damaged. A person feels bad even at rest.
Is it possible to treat heart failure in this case with the help of folk remedies? Yes, but you definitely need the supervision and recommendations of a doctor.
What are the signs of acute heart failure?
This type of ailment can develop not only due to problems with the main vital organ.
The source of acute heart failure is bleeding or difficult childbirth, infection or stroke, and an overdose of alcohol or medication.
In addition, this type of disease is a complication of chronic heart failure. Therefore, when the first symptoms of the disease appear, it is urgent to consult a specialist.
One of the symptoms of an acute condition is a sharp decrease in heartejection. This symptom is characterized by loss of consciousness and a thready pulse.
Another symptom of this type of disease is increased pressure in the capillaries of the lungs. This case is characterized by coughing up blood, wheezing in the lungs, as well as a sharp difficulty in the lungs. It is when this symptom appears that the question is asked: "How to treat acute heart failure?". In this case, only medicines or surgery will come to the rescue. There can be no talk of self-treatment with folk remedies. Because it will only make the situation worse. You need to know that a fatal outcome is possible, which occurs as a result of myocardial infarction.
The next symptom of acute heart failure is the narrowing of the peripheral capillaries. In another way, it is called cardiogenic shock. The person becomes pale, has no urine, and sweats more.
How to give first aid?
How to treat heart failure? What to do in a situation where a person has this kind of situation?
This ailment is very dangerous for people's lives, so when the first symptoms appear, you should definitely consult a specialist.
If a person becomes ill on the street, then you need to call an ambulance.
After that, the patient should be put on a bench. You need to keep your feet on the ground. This will cause blood to flow out of the lungs. If you have the opportunity, warm the person's feet.
To increase volumechest should raise the shoulders. Note that you do not need to raise your hands in this case.
If the patient does not develop symptoms such as bluish skin tone and cold sweat, then he can be given a nitroglycerin tablet. In the presence of these signs, this drug should not be given in any case. Because it can be fatal.
Recommendations for the treatment of the disease
They will be needed in order to avoid further complications. Before answering the question: "How to treat heart failure in the elderly?", Let's consider some recommendations.
So, therapy includes not only medication, but also the right lifestyle.
This means giving up smoking and alcohol abuse. In addition, the amount of s alt in food should be monitored. It should be lightly s alted. You also need to monitor the amount of fluid you drink. Its volume should not exceed 1.6 liters.
It is still necessary to conduct mandatory control over body weight. Physical activity should also be limited or they should be minimal. In a serious condition of the patient, only bed rest is recommended.
Treatment for this disease is considered effective if the patient himself and the attending physician notice that symptoms such as shortness of breath and palpitations have decreased. In addition, one of the clear characteristics is an increase in the amount of blood that is ejected by the left ventricle, as well as the absence of manifestationsclinical nature of fluid retention in tissues.
What drugs are needed for illness?
So what medications treat heart failure? Usually, the standard regimen of drug therapy refers to the use of a loop diuretic.
Another way to treat chronic heart failure? For example, specialists prescribe such a drug as Digoxin. It is the drug that is considered an effective cardiac glycoside. In addition, it is recommended to take it with the above medicines.
In order to reduce the likelihood of developing acute heart failure, Spironolactone is prescribed. If there is concomitant angina pectoris, then nitrates are necessary. And anticoagulants are prescribed, in turn, in order to exclude the possibility of blood clots.
How to treat heart failure at home?
As a rule, after all the measures to help the patient, and when his condition has stabilized, he is discharged from the hospital.
Usually, a specialist prescribes a treatment regimen. In addition, you should follow a diet. The result of treatment will be effective if all recommendations are followed. Responsibility, of course, lies with family and relatives.
So how to treat heart failure? Be sure to follow the regimen. If the specialist has appointed the patient to abandon all kinds of loads, then this should be done. Since anylittle work can lead to complications, such as acute heart failure.
Another condition is the establishment of a favorable diet. A person should eat as often as possible and in small portions. It is not recommended to eat very hot or cold food. Also, do not eat after six o'clock in the evening.
In addition, it is necessary to remember the observance of the water and s alt regime. This has already been discussed in more detail above.
What diet should be followed when ill?
How to treat heart failure in the elderly? This item also includes dieting. As a rule, it is appointed by a specialist.
From the diet should be removed foods that contribute to weight gain. These include pasta, fatty meats, white bread, and sweets.
Products should be processed in such a way that they retain more nutrients. Vegetables must be brought to half-cooked over low heat. It is best to boil or bake them.
The patient should consume about three servings of both vegetables and fruits during the day.
It is strongly not recommended to eat smoked and pickled food. Because they retain water in the human body.
Also, the patient's diet should not include products such as animal fat, meat, fish broth, chocolate, alcohol, coffee, tea.
How to treat heart failure with folk remedies?
The long course of the disease involves the usenon-traditional methods of therapy. In this case, you should know that everything should be consistent with the recommendations of the attending physician. Also, do not forget about diet and medication.
And how to treat heart failure with folk remedies? The fact is that there are many recipes for decoctions and infusions that are recommended in the presence of this ailment. Each of them will be discussed in the following sections of the article.
Do not forget that acute heart failure does not involve treatment with alternative medicine. Since we are talking about an emergency situation in which the urgent use of medicines is necessary. Therefore, in this case, you should contact an ambulance.
What funds are needed in order to improve metabolic processes in the heart muscle?
In this section of the article, recipes for alternative medicines will be considered.
So how to treat cardiopulmonary failure? Asparagus is very useful. To prepare the remedy, you need a whole plant. Three tablespoons of asparagus are poured with boiled water, and then infused for a couple of hours. The infusion should be taken every two hours, one large spoonful.
Another useful raw material is jaundice herb. To prepare the medicine, you need a whole glass of it. The grass will need to be placed in a gauze bag. A glass of sugar and about three liters of cold boiling water are added to it. The infusion should be sent to a warm place for half a month. Take this remedyyou need half a cup three times a day.
Vitamin tea also helps. It nourishes the tissues. To prepare it, you will need nettle, blackcurrant, rose hips. The contents will need to be poured with boiling water and insisted in a thermos for a couple of hours. After straining the infusion, add a small spoonful of honey there. It should be taken after meals.
To stimulate recovery processes, tea from mountain ash and rose hips is recommended. The contents should be insisted in a thermos for 60 minutes. After it is filtered, and a small spoonful of honey is also added. It should be consumed instead of regular tea.
What remedies help reduce fluid in the body?
In this section of the article you can find the answer to the question: "How to treat edema in heart failure?".
So, in this case, lovage root tincture will come to the rescue. It will take 100 grams of this herb. It is poured with medical alcohol, then sent for half a month to a dark place. The finished tincture should be drunk three times a day, one large spoonful.
Another way to treat swelling of the legs with heart failure? The collection of bearberry and hernia also helps well. The grass will need to be filled with water, and then boiled in a saucepan for 15 minutes. After it should be strained and consumed three times a day before meals.
How to treat heart failure with folk remedies? A positive effect has an infusion of horsetail, couch grass and juniper. The contents are poured with a cup of boiled water, and then infused forhalf an hour.
To reduce fluid in the body, horsetail with birch leaves is also used. The collection is poured with boiling water and infused. It should be taken in half a cup four times a day.
How to treat leg swelling in heart failure with other herbs? An infusion of juniper, angelica and cornflower is a good help in this situation. This decoction should be infused for half an hour. Then strain and drink four times a day. This infusion has a visible positive effect on severe swelling of the legs.
Which drugs reduce cardiac workload?
In this section of the article we will talk about soothing teas.
So, how to treat heart failure in humans? A collection of herbs such as lemon balm, mint and valerian helps well. The contents are poured with a glass of boiled water, after which it is infused for 20 minutes. It must be consumed twice a day, half a cup before meals.
Another collection consists of herbs such as fennel, motherwort and cumin. This collection, which is also filled with boiling water, should be taken four times a day.
How to treat heart failure in the elderly? As a soothing tea, a collection of chamomile, hawthorn, motherwort and cudweed is suitable. The contents are poured with boiled water in a thermos and infused for 7 hours. This remedy should be consumed three times a day, half a cup before meals.
A little about disease prevention
In order not to wonder: "How to treat a heartinsufficiency?", it is necessary to follow some recommendations.
If you have had an infectious or rheumatic disease, contact a specialist in time. Since it is these ailments that can provoke the development of heart failure.
Should undergo preventive examinations annually. Thanks to them, it will be possible to identify the disease in time and begin the necessary treatment.
Don't overexert your body with physical activity, but don't forget about simple exercises. No need to abuse the drinking of alcoholic beverages. Don't forget to watch your diet. It must be balanced, that is, we are talking about a sufficient amount of nutrients, minerals and vitamins.
If you have such a bad habit as smoking, you need to give it up. In addition, it is necessary to monitor the condition of organs such as the kidneys and liver. If their work is disturbed, there may be problems with blood circulation.
Remember that at the first signs of heart failure, you need to urgently consult a specialist.
