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 The inflammation of the fibrous sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium) is known as pericarditis. This can occur due to a number of reasons, one of them being fibrinous pericarditis. To understand this better, let us take a deeper look at what a pericardium is. The heart is shielded and covered by a two-layered, thin sac that is filled with fluid. The main job of the pericardium is to protect the heart from timorous growths, infections, keeping the heart safe in the chest cavity, as well as prevents the heart from expanding beyond normal when the volume of blood increases. All this together helps the heart function more efficiently.

The pericardium can sometimes get inflamed, most often due to a viral infection that affects the gastrointestinal area, and rarely due to the AIDS virus. It can also occur as a result of an accident that has had a considerable impact to the chest, kidney failure, genetic diseases, as well as tumors. Sometimes the cause of pericarditis is unknown, this form is known as idiopathic pericarditis. The infection causes excess fluid buildup in the area between the pericardial layers, causing an effusion.  

Uremic pericarditis that is caused due to kidney failure causes fibrinous pericarditis. This is form of the condition is due to an exudative inflammation of the pericardium. The pericardium is penetrated by fibrinous exudates, which are made of fibrin glands and leukocytes. This type of inflammation is distributed locally or is diffused with other areas of adhesion between the layers of pericardium. The membranes start to thicken up due to vascularity, and due to movement within layers blood vessels sometimes break resulting in effusion between fibrous bands. This form of pericarditis is also unique as compared to other types of the condition, as it does not infiltrate the myocardium.

The exact causes of this particular type of pericarditis is still to be made clear, however experts and studies done suggest that certain metabolic toxins coupled with other factors can be responsible for causing fibrinous pericarditis. Some common symptoms of this condition are:

• Chest pain that increases when breathing
• Chest pain that radiates to the back, neck, shoulders and abdomen
• Extreme tiredness and fatigue
• Breathing difficulty
• Low blood pressure
• Fever
• Anxiety
• Rapid heart rate

Treatment of fibrinous pericarditis will be based on the age and severity of the issue, keeping in mind other health conditions, after diagnosis. It can be treated with dialysis, which is treatment of the underlying condition. To avoid this condition becoming chronic, pericardiocentesis or transcatheter intrapericardial urokinase may be recommended. Pericardiocentesis is a surgical procedure that involves the use of a needle to extract fluid from the pericardial sac. It can be used as a test to diagnose fibrinous effusion in the pericardial sac or to help treat the condition. Special care can also be taken naturally to help deal with fibrinous pericarditis, these are:

• Avoid alcoholic beverages, saturated fats, and sugar. These particular forms of food and beverages trigger inflammation and weaken the immune system. increase your intake of natural diuretics like celery, watermelons, grapes, parsley, fennel, cucumber, and dandelion greens. Berries like strawberry, cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries contain anthocyanins, which help to reduce inflammation in tissues.
• Try herbal therapy to strengthen the immune system and the heart. You can have these in the form of teas or supplements. it is strictly advised that you consult your physician before ingesting any herbs. Some herbs to help support your heart are Hawthorn and garlic. For the immune system, herbs like goldenseat, andrographis, and Echinacea have been known to help.
  

Any natural treatment should be done after consulting a medical health specialist.

Reference

1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003872.htm

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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