Understanding Heart Attacks, Leukemia, Varicose Veins, and Anemia
Cardiac Infarction: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when a blood clot (coronary thrombosis) blocks a narrowed artery, or due to a significant strain on the heart. Myocardial infarction usually develops over time. It’s often caused by atherosclerosis, a prolonged process that narrows the coronary arteries.
Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction
- Intense and prolonged chest pain, often described as intense pressure, which may spread to the arms and shoulders (especially the left), back, and even the teeth and jaw.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Sweating.
- Paleness.
Treatments for Myocardial Infarction
- Electrocardiographic monitoring: Allows for the analysis of the heart’s electrical activity through graphical representations.
Leukemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Leukemia occurs when immature blood cells (blasts) proliferate uncontrollably in the bone marrow. These cells accumulate both in the marrow and in the bloodstream, replacing normal cells.
Causes of Leukemia
The cause of leukemia is unknown in most cases. However, it is not hereditary or contagious. It most often occurs in previously healthy children. Because it involves the uncontrolled proliferation of immature and abnormal cells in the blood, leukemia is considered a “blood cancer”.
Symptoms of Leukemia
Early symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Poor appetite
- Intermittent fever
As the condition progresses, bone pain may develop due to the multiplication of leukemic cells in the bone marrow. Anemia also appears, characterized by:
- Pallor
- Fatigue
- Poor exercise tolerance (due to reduced red blood cells)
The reduced number of platelets can cause hemorrhaging, leading to:
- Mottling of the skin (petechiae)
- Large bruises from minor injuries
- Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum
Treatments for Leukemia
The recommended treatment is chemotherapy. Various specialized drugs are used to destroy leukemia cells. This treatment has three stages:
- Remission Induction: Lasts four to five weeks, aiming to destroy as many cancer cells as possible.
- When remission (temporary control of the condition) occurs, the child usually appears normal as leukemia symptoms disappear.
- Sometimes remission is only partial, and some symptoms may persist.
Varicose Veins: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Varicose veins are caused by a weakness in the vein walls, causing them to dilate and allowing blood to accumulate easily. This usually occurs in the leg veins, and women are more prone to developing them.
Causes of Varicose Veins
There are three types of varicose veins, including:
- Malfunction of congenital valves, generating swelling due to poor blood circulation.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Common signs include their appearance and pain, manifested as:
- Enlarged veins
- Ankle swelling
- Discomfort in the legs
Treatments for Varicose Veins
Recommendations include:
- Avoiding prolonged standing.
- Elevating the legs during rest or sleep.
- Wearing elastic compression stockings.
Surgery may also be considered.
Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Anemia is not a specific disease but a symptom complex resulting from various underlying causes. It is characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells, often caused by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin within the red blood cells.
Causes of Anemia
- Insufficient and ineffective erythropoiesis (red blood cell production).
- Defect in the synthesis of heme (a component of hemoglobin).
- Defect in the synthesis of globins (protein chains in hemoglobin).
Symptoms of Anemia
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Cold hands and feet
- Chest pain
Treatments for Anemia
Blood transfusions are used but can perpetuate the disease. Another option is bone marrow transplantation, which carries significant morbidity and mortality risks and is a difficult process for patients, whose average age is between 30 and 40 years.