Pediatric viral myocarditis is a common heart disease in children, usually caused by viral infection. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can treat this disease from the perspective of syndrome differentiation and treatment. Here are some suggestions for TCM in treating pediatric viral myocarditis.
1. What is viral myocarditis?
Viral myocarditis mainly refers to focal or diffuse myocardial interstitial inflammatory infiltration caused by viral invasion of the heart, as well as degenerative and necrotic lesions of myocardial fibers, some of which are accompanied by changes in the pericardium or endocarditis. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that it belongs to the categories of "heart qi" and "warm toxicity".
2. What are the causes and mechanisms of the disease?
Pediatric viral myocarditis can be caused by various viral infections, including Coxsackievirus, adenovirus, influenza, and parainfluenza virus. Current research has found that Coxsackievirus B3 is the most common pathogen. There are currently two clear mechanisms of pathogenesis: firstly, viruses, which can directly lyse cells, and secondly, myocardial cell damage caused by virus mediated cellular immune responses. However, traditional Chinese medicine believes that this disease is mainly caused by external factors such as warm and pathogenic toxins, and can also be caused by overwork and emotional damage.
3. Symptoms of pediatric viral myocarditis
The severity of symptoms of pediatric viral myocarditis varies and is closely related to the age of onset and the acute or chronic process of infection. When the myocardium is fatigued, there may also be symptoms such as fatigue, limited activity, palpitations, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Severe cases can lead to heart failure, severe arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock, and even sudden death. Severe pediatric patients may also have comorbidities such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular syndrome, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
3.1 Typical Symptoms
(1) Mild patients have no obvious conscious symptoms, only changes in electrocardiogram. (2) Severe arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, and cardiogenic shock may occur in severe cases, and some patients may even die as a result. (3) More than one-third of patients have respiratory or digestive tract viral infections 1 to 3 weeks before or at the same time as the onset of the disease. At the same time, it is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, general discomfort, diarrhea, and rash, followed by cardiac symptoms, such as palpitations, shortness of breath, chest and precordial discomfort or pain, fatigue, etc. in older children. (4) Early onset often presents with symptoms such as fatigue, limited mobility, abdominal pain, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headache. (5) Heart failure patients may experience rapid breathing, sudden abdominal pain, cyanosis, and edema. Cardiogenic shock patients may exhibit symptoms such as restlessness, pale complexion, blurred skin, cold limbs, or peripheral cyanosis. When sinus arrest or ventricular fibrillation occurs, sudden death may occur.
3.2 Other Symptoms
(1) For example, if the patient's condition is delayed to the chronic stage, it often manifests as progressive congestive heart failure, heart enlargement, and various arrhythmias. (2) Infants under 3 months old may experience symptoms such as breast rejection, cyanosis, cold limbs, and staring eyes.
4. Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Viral myocarditis
4.1 Dietary Therapy
The most common symptom of pediatric myocarditis is spleen deficiency. It is recommended to give children some easily digestible, yin nourishing and qi boosting foods, such as glutinous rice, soybeans, black fungus, pears, etc. At the same time, it is important to avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods to prevent exacerbating the condition by stimulating the heart.
4.2 Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment
It is recommended to take some Chinese medicines that are beneficial to heart health, such as Huangqi, ginseng, Danshen, hawthorn, etc., to protect the heart with the effects of nourishing yin and qi, relaxing tendons and promoting blood circulation. The dosage of traditional Chinese medicine should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.
4.3 acupuncture and moxibustion Treatment
acupuncture and moxibustion is a good way to relieve the symptoms of children's myocarditis and promote their recovery. By stimulating acupoints, it promotes blood circulation and metabolism in children, enhances immunity, and achieves the effects of nourishing qi and spleen, regulating organs.
4.4 Reasonable Exercise
For children with mild illnesses, appropriate exercise can enhance their physical fitness, improve their physical condition, and help promote their recovery.
In short, it should be noted that for pediatric viral myocarditis, it is necessary to carry out syndrome differentiation and treatment, and provide targeted adjustments according to the actual condition. In addition, children with more severe conditions should seek medical attention promptly at the hospital. Traditional Chinese medicine conditioning is a reasonable treatment method in the process of rehabilitation, but it cannot replace modern medical treatment, let alone be used arbitrarily or self treated. It is recommended that parents pay more attention to their children's mental health, provide them with sufficient care, and help them actively face the treatment of diseases.