Hippocrates Health Search Results from the Invisible Web

dcm: Health Search Results from the Invisible Web

Health Search Results powered by CloserLook Search
:: Definition :: Images :: About :: Causes :: Symptoms :: Treatment :: Further Reading Search results last updated: 5/7/2009

dcm - Definition: (Source: MedicineNet)

Dilated cardiomyopathy: A disorder in which the chambers of the heart are dilated (enlarged) because the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump effectively. There are many causes, the most common being myocardial ischemia (not enough oxygen supplied to the heart muscle) due to coronary artery disease. ...
[ read more.. ]

dcm - Images (Source: MedLinePlus)
dcm, Heart, section through the middle
Heart, section through the middle
dcm, Heart, front view
Heart, front view

About dcm (Source: Medem)
Cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the myocardium (heart muscle) does not work properly, can affect children and adults. Unlike heart disease due to heart attacks, where there is a problem with adequate blood flow to the heart, in cardiomyopathy the disease is in the heart muscle itself. The most common type of cardiomyopathy is dilated cardiomyopathy — the heart chambers gradually enlarge from ineffective heart muscle contraction. The end result of this is congestive heart failure — the heart cannot pump enough blood for the body's organs to function properly. The December 15, 2004, issue of JAMA includes an article about cardiomyopathy. ...
[ read more.. ]


Get A Second Opinion From...
eMedicineHealth Dilated cardiomyopathy

Causes of dcm (Source: MedLinePlus)
There are many causes of dilated cardiomyopathy. Some of these are: Alcoholism ( alcoholic cardiomyopathy ); Anemia ; Coronary artery disease ; Nutritional deficiencies; Valvular heart disease ; Stress ; Viral infections (rare). The most common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy in children are: Heart (coronary) disease; Myocarditis; Some infections; Unknown cause (idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy). This condition can affect anyone of any age, although it is most common in adult men. Risk factors in adults include: Alcoholism; Cocaine use; Family or personal history of cardiac disorders (such as myocarditis ); Obesity. ...
[ read more.. ]


Get A Second Opinion From...

Symptoms of dcm (Source: MedLinePlus)
Alström syndrome ; Bulging neck veins; Cough ; Decreased alertness or concentration; Failure to thrive (in children); Fatigue , weakness , faintness ; Heart failure; Loss of appetite ; Low urine production ; Need to urinate at night (in adults); Pulse may feel irregular or rapid; Sensation of feeling the heart beat ( palpitations ); Shock; Shortness of breath , especially with activity; Shortness of breath occurring after lying down for awhile, or in infants while feeding; Swelling of feet and ankles (in adults); Swelling of the abdomen (in adults). Note: Symptoms of heart failure often develop gradually. Some chest pain may also be associated with this disease. ...
[ read more.. ]


Get A Second Opinion From...

dcm - Conventional Treatments (Source: MedLinePlus)
The person may need to stay in the hospital until acute symptoms start to go away. Treatment is focused on relief of symptoms. Drugs and treatments that may be used include: ACE-inhibitors; Digitalis; Diuretics (water pills); Nutritional supplements; Other medications to reduce symptoms; Vasodilators (drugs that dilate blood vessels). The underlying cause should be treated. Some people may require a biventricular pacemaker. An implantable defibrillator may also be needed to correct or prevent any severe arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). A biventricular pacemaker that also functions as a defibrillator is available. A low-salt diet may be prescribed for adults, and fluid may be restricted in some cases. The person can usually continue their regular activities, if they are able. The person may be asked to monitor his or her body weight daily. Weight gain of 3 pounds or more over 1 or 2 days may indicate fluid accumulation (in adults). Smoking and drinking alcohol may worsen the symptoms. If the heart function remains poor, a heart transplant may be considered. ...
[ read more.. ]


Get A Second Opinion From...

Further Reading on dcm
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy - Topic Overview ( WebMD )
    Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and loses strength to pump blood throughout the body.
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy - Treatment Overview ( WebMD )
    In most cases, treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy is done to relieve symptoms, improve heart function, and help you live longer...Sometimes, dilated cardiomyopathy can lead to mitral valve...
  • Fainting ( WebMD )
    Fainting , which medical professionals call syncope ( pronounced SIN - ko - pea ), is a loss of ...obstruction, including heart attacks, diseased heart valves, pulmonary embolism, cardiomyopathy , pulmonary...
  • Cocaine Abuse ( WebMD )
    Cocaine is presently the most abused major stimulant in America...grandeur, known as cocainomania. There can be talkativeness, good humor, and laughing. Dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting, headache, or...
  • Ventricular Tachycardia - Topic Overview ( WebMD )
    If you have supraventricular tachycardia ( SVT ), go to the topic Supraventricular Tachycardia . What is ventricular ...attack, a congenital heart defect, hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy , or...


  • Heart transplant ( WebMD )
    A heart transplant is a procedure in which a surgeon removes a diseased heart and replaces it with a ...true: The person has end-stage heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy , or...
  • Echocardiogram ( WebMD )
    An echocardiogram ( also called an echo ) is a type of ultrasound test that uses high - pitched sound ...that affects the heart muscle and the way it pumps, such as cardiomyopathy . Look for blood...
  • Cardiomyopathy, dilated ( eMedicineHealth )
  • Cardiomyopathy, dilated ( MedicineNet )
  • Doxorubicin cardiomyopathy ( MedicineNet )



DISCLAIMER: The content provided by this site and/or this page is for information purposes only. Closerlook Search Services Inc. does not warrant or guarantee accuracy or timeliness of any information returned on this page even if such information appears in any search results accessed through Closerlook Search Services Inc. website properties.