Causes of Enlarged Heart in Children
The medical term for enlarged heart is cardiomegaly. In children the condition is result of some other underlying cause.
- Cardiomyopathy is the main cause of enlargement of heart in children.
- In the above condition the heart is unable to pump properly and this can lead to congestive heart failure.
- Cardiomyopathy can be due to viral infection.
- Congenital heart disease
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Radiation treatment for cancer.
- Valvular disease, mitral valve stenosis, aortic valve stenosis.
- Congenital septal defects of the heart.
- Rheumatic valve disease.
Symptoms of Enlarged Heart in Children
- Breathlessness
- Cough
- Heart beet are fast
- Palpitation
- Dizziness
- Pain in the chest.
Treatment of Enlarged Heart in Children
The treatment will depend on the under lying cause:
- If there is congenital condition present like septal defect, it can be surgically repaired.
- Pace maker is implanted in some condition of the heart.
- Thyroid disease should be addressed if the child is suffering from the disease.
- Honey is good myocardiac tonic. Child can drink lime water and honey together.
- Another fruit which is valuable is apple. It is said that an apple a day keeps the heart problems at bay.
- Regular medicine of modern medicine may be taken apart from the home remedies according to the doctor’s advice.
Prognosis of enlarged heart in children:
It will depend on the cause, if the cause is treatable, than further progress of heart enlargement will stop. Therefore frequent cardiology follow up is extremely important.
My daughter is 8yrs old. Her upper jaw is protruding outwards as she is growing. 1st level diagnosis was to operate her for the adenoids and tonsils. But then her operation was cancelled due to some improvement in her condition last year. Now I have started homeopathy treatment for her since last 4 months, but no appreciating improvement seen.
She snores while sleeping but she breathes from nose. Sometimes she even complains of ear ache and ear infections. There is no height and weight gain (a very little improvement since homeopathy treatment).
Please suggest me how far the surgery for adenoids will improve her conditions and how far it is important at this stage? Whether this can be cured with only medicines or whether the operation is mandatory? Will there be any side affects if the operation is delayed for another 3-4 yrs during which we can try for any other alternatives like homeopathy?
Try to treat her conservatively, and homeopathy is the best way for her. It may take some more time. Homeopathy also helps to build up her immune level. To prevent recurrent respiratory tract infections avoid giving her junk foods, cold drinks, chocolates and processed foods. Boiled milk and turmeric powder at night is found to be beneficial in this condition. Vegetable juice and fruits will also help to build her natural immune system.