Angina, What Is It?
When we talk about "angina", we immediately think of this infectious inflammation of the throat, specifically the oropharyngeal region. This term is used when the disease mainly affects the tonsils (tonsillitis). On the other hand, we speak of pharyngitis when all the mucous membrane is affected. This pathology is, however, to be excluded from angina pectoris which is cardiovascular disease.Indeed, angina pectoris is, as its name suggests, a pain that is felt in the chest, behind the sternum, and sometimes even in the stomach. Also called "angina", it usually appears after a state of stress or physical exertion, but disappears after resting, even after a short break of 5 minutes.
In France, angina affects about 8 million people each year and appears mainly in winter because of the "cold snap". Children are most affected during this time of year, although the disease can also occur at any time. This usually lasts less than 10 days, since, beyond this, it can be chronic angina (2 to 3 episodes over two years) sometimes requiring the removal of tonsils.
On the other hand, angina affects more the elderly: 12 to 14% of the male population aged 65 to 85, and 10 to 12% of the female sex of this same age group, age is one of the main factors of this disease. Moreover, it is generally linked to cardiovascular diseases, the risks of which are greater in men after age 50 and in women after age 60.
The Origins
When talking about angina, it can only be viral (in the majority of cases) or bacterial (with a preponderance of complications). The main viruses involved include adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, Coxsackie, influenza viruses and influenza parainfluenza. When it comes to bacterial angina (20% of diagnoses), group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GAS) are the most involved bacteria in this disease (25 to 40% of cases in children). There are also other bacteria that can cause it, but this remains very rare: beta-hemolytic streptococci from other groups (C, G, E, F), Chlamydia pneumoniae, gonococci, or Haemophilus influenzae.Whether of viral or bacterial origin, angina is caught by viruses or bacteria in the air, on soiled objects or on the body of a sick person (through physical contact). It can be caught when a person is sneezing or coughing or touching tissues, a telephone, clothes, toys or other objects that are contaminated by the secretions of the throat or nose of that person. nobody.
As for angina pectoris, it is due to stress, a strong emotion, an important effort (fast walking, against the wind / inside / in cold weather) or any intense situation (like the digestion of a big meal) where the heart works more than usual. As a result, a coronary artery shrinks by at least 50%, reducing the oxygen supply to the heart muscle. In medical jargon, it is called atherosclerosis, the cause of angina pectoris in 90% of cases. The arteries lose their elasticity because of the fibrous degeneration of the arteries (sclerosis).
At the same time, lipid plaques gradually appear and settle on the artery walls, which can completely obstruct the vessel in the long term. For the remaining 10%, angina pectoris may be related to other conditions such as severe hypertension with an impact on the heart, myocardial disease (cardiomyopathy) or heart valve lesions.
The Main Symptoms
The symptoms of angina are completely different from those of angina pectoris and manifest themselves according to the pathogen (virus or bacteria) as well as the age of the patient. In a general case, the disease can be recognized by pain and discomfort in the throat, which becomes more sensitive during swallowing (odynophagia). The subject has a fever, his tonsils increase in volume and become redder than normal, with or without whitish coatings or vesicles, etc. Lymph nodes are often swollen and painful (cervical satellite lymphadenopathy). Other, rarer symptoms may include coughing, runny nose, rash, difficulty breathing, and abdominal pain.It has been confirmed that in addition to these common signs, a patient's angina is viral if the patient suffers from ocular inflammation such as conjunctivitis, bronchitis, cough, rhinitis or when his lymph nodes are at the back of his throat. Bacterial angina should not be confused too long with viral angina since they are more likely to cause complications. Klebs-Löffler's bacillus-induced bacterial angina is accompanied by diphtheria and is induced by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GAS) and can lead to rheumatic fever (RA). Globally, angina of bacterial origin can be recognized in cases of sudden fever at the beginning of infection, epidemic nature, very intense pain in the tonsils and pharynx, which take an extremely red appearance.
If angina occurs especially in the throat, angina pectoris, it causes several annoying, even distressing, as an intense tightness in the chest. Although rare, anginal pain can also be felt in the stomach, upper limbs (neck, arms), shoulders and even the jaw. Angina, as it is also known, disappears rapidly when the activity that causes it or after appropriate treatment is discontinued.
Treatments For Each Disease
Angina must be treated according to its origin. When it is due to a virus, the doctor prescribes medications that treat the symptoms, thus reducing pain and reducing fever. Solutions for gargling, spray, lozenges, analgesics, and antipyretics make it possible. Antibiotics are effectively ineffective against viruses. On the other hand, in case of bacterial angina, timely treatment with antibiotics containing penicillin or amoxicillin, or in case of oral cephalosporin allergy, is enough to cure the disease and avoid complications.When it comes to angina, it is primarily advised to stop the pain as soon as it appears. Here is what to do: stop all intense effort, relax, breathe deeply, and eventually lie down if the patient feels dizzy. There is also another solution that can cure the disease: the use of drugs. In this case, the doctor prescribes trinitrate, to be administered under the tongue. This medicine can sufficiently irrigate the heart by the coronary arteries by dilating them.
Another drug solution: Amlodipine or Istin (the generic version of Amlor). This calcium antagonist helps control high blood pressure and heart pain, including symptoms of angina pectoris. The heart muscle actually receives more oxygen because the vascular smooth muscle relaxes, reducing peripheral resistance and improving blood flow to the heart. Combined with a healthy lifestyle, these treatments help prevent recurrence and complications such as heart rhythm disorders or heart failure.
Angina Pectoris, A Disease Easy To Avoid
In addition to age and family history, there are several critical risk factors for preventing angina:Overweight (body mass index or BMI greater than 25);
Obesity (BMI greater than 30)
Diabetes (blood sugar or blood glucose above 1.26 g / l on an empty stomach)
A high rate of bad cholesterol: it is thus advised to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, a diet too fat, overweight or obesity;
Alcohol: if for women, the maximum amount of glass of wine to consume daily is two glasses, it is three glasses for men;
Smoking: this is one of the first factors that cause heart rhythm disorders and clots and reduces arteries. Smoking also progressively damages the arteries in the long term;
Hypertension (hypertension): it is presented in two figures: the systolic pressure (higher figure) and the diastolic pressure (lower figure). If the first is greater than 14 cmHg (140 mmHg) and the second is greater than 9 cmHg (90 mmHg), it is indeed hypertension.
Very simple measures can be adopted daily to prevent angina pectoris. For example, it will be necessary to eat healthy and balanced daily and at regular hours avoiding a diet too fat (fried food, sauce ...) and industrial dishes (prepared) that are often too salty, sweet and greasy. At the same time, it is advisable to focus on fruits and vegetables, fish and white meats and avoid consuming too much red meat. Finally, nibbling is not recommended either.
0 Comments