The hearts that beat...outside the chest? by Jodine Robin

Virsaviya Buron
Source: Bathsheba's Heart

I recently saw a video on Facebook of a six year old, named Virsaviya Borun with her heart outside of the rib cage, a condition called Pentalogy of Cantrell: Ectopia Cordis. I was rather quite intrigued and fascinated by this phenomenon! How is it possible for this little girl to live with heart just under her skin?? What could causes this? Can it be treated and how? I had a plethora of questions, but before I was able to find the answers I first had to understand what the condition was.
Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare disorder characterized by birth defects of the sternum, diaphragm, abdominal wall and the heart. In Virsaviya’s case, her birth defect is of the heart which is Ectopia Cordis. This is a congenital heart defect where the heart is located partially or totally outside of the thoracic cavity. The four main ectopic positions are adjacent to the thorax (heart is completely outside rib-cage without soft tissue), abdominal, thoraco-abdominal and cervical.

The average heart is located within the thoracic cavity in the mediastinum which is the area between the lungs and the apex of the heart tilts to the left with a blunt point. The heart usually has multiple forms of protection from pericardium and thorax. The pericardium is a double-walled sac anchored to the diaphragm and connective tissue of major vessels of the heart. The pericardial sac includes the pericardial fluid (lubricant) between the visceral (smooth serous layer) and parietal pericardium (a tough fibrous layer of dense connective tissue) . The thoracic cavity consists of the rib cage, sternum and vertebrae that all surround the heart providing a hard shield like enclosure. As a result of ectopia cordis the heart is outside the thoracic cavity thus causing it to be much small than the cavity was intended to be. Also, Virsaviya's heart is prone to injury and numerous circulatory complications therefore it may become incapacitated and sensitive due to excess excess exposure .
  

Christopher Wall after multiple surgeries (left) and at his high school graduation (right)
Source: ABC News

The main causes of this malformation is a ventral wall defect that affects the abdomen, thorax or both. Another cause is the failure of the lateral mesoderm (middle layer) to migrate into the mid-line. The condition can be treated however, treatment is most effective when started at a young age. While Virsaviya was rejected for survey because she was weak, Christopher Wall was not. Wall was born in 1975 and was one of the first live 100 cases of this disorder. By age 3 he had received over 22 surgeries. The first stage of treatment occurs during the first hours of life, where the heart must be covered with skin grafts, synthetic or biological mesh and no attempt to move the heart into the thoracic cavity should be made. At several months- two years old, chest wall reconstruction and re-positioning surgery can occur.

Prenatal (32 weeks) diagnosis of ectopia cordis and extra-thoracic heart (arrow)
Source: Plastic Surgery Key

Both Virsaviya and Christopher Wall are miracle cases because most cases of ectopia cordis result in stillbirths or death within hours/days of birth. For every one million births only five to eight of them have ectopia cordis, hence it is even more amazing that they even have it. Christopher Wall had multiple surgeries that caused major side effects such as learning disabilities, however he would be 42 is 2017 which is remarkable (since 2009 it is unknown if Wall is alive). Virsaviya having received 0 surgeries lives a good but very careful life to keep her heart safe so that one day she can have surgery.

Coronary Heart Disease by Julie Bonnie

 Coronary Heart Disease

Heart disease is an epidemic that is going around worldwide. Both men and women have a high probability of heart attacks but males are at a greater risk. Most often when people think of heart disease, they think of the coronary artery disease, that is the narrowing of the arteries that leads to the heart. Cardio vascular disease is pertaining to the heart and blood vessels and is a disorder of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. If these are damaged or blocked, the oxygen to the heart muscle is reduced, the heart stops contracting and the person has a heart attack. This can cause instant death if a large part is affected, or if less serious the person may recover.

Most cardiovascular heart disease usually starts with a buildup of a fatty acid substance called cholesterol on the inside of the coronary vessels, this reduced the diameter of the vessels and the flow of blood to the heart muscle. When insufficient oxygen is being carried in the blood the muscles of the heart causes a tight pain to the chest, this usually occurs when the demand for oxygen can't be met during exertion. This is called stable angina. Unstable angina can occur at anytime including rest. Angina is a common condition in men over the age of fifty although it can start as young as thirty. In women it generally starts  at menopause.

There are many factors that increase the risk that someone will suffer from cardio vascular disease(CVD) which include; age, smoking, gender, race, heredity, overweight, physical activity , abnormal blood fat (lipid) levels, unhealthy diet, high blood pressure, alcohol and stressful life. The risk factors add together to increase the risk of CVD. The greater the number of risk you have, the greater the risk of having CVD. While you can't control the risk factors such as; age, gender and heredity, you can modify other risk factors such as your weight and physical activity levels. Doing something about the risk factors that you can change will reduce the impact of the one that you can't change. You may need medicine to help control risk factors; example blood pressure.
                                     
There are also test that a person can take such as anchocardiogram which measures blood flow and helps the doctors visualize the heart pumping action. Chest X-trays
is another method which can show of the heart is enlarged or if there is fluid around the lungs.


In conclusion. To prevent or lower your risk of obtaining coronary heart disease, a healthy lifestyle must be practiced. If you already have CHD, a heart-healthy lifestyle may prevent it from getting worse. Heart-healthy lifestyle changes include: Heart-healthy eating, Aiming for a healthy weight, Managing stress, Physical activity and Quitting smoking. Sometimes lifestyle changes aren’t enough to control your blood cholesterol levels. For example, you may need statin medications to control or lower your cholesterol. By lowering your cholesterol level, you can decrease your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.

Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (by Ruthphille Graham)

Andrew lived on a beautiful central California coast. He enjoyed reading, fishing, gardening, and listening to worship music.

In October 2004, he noticed he had symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, which included; fatigue (during the day), unintended weight loss, weakness, fever but was formally diagnosed in January 2009.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes chronic inflammation. with RA, your immune system attacks your body's tissues and causes painful swelling of the joints. It also affects the skin, blood vessels, eyes, liver, kidney, gums and lungs. Without treatment, RA can cause severely deformed joints.

 "One of the most frustrating things about RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) is how precisely individual the disease is. Where a prescription medication could put one patient's RA into remission, it might make another's condition worse". Said Andrew.

Andrew never loses hope and covers each new treatment.

He would be offered to take a combination of DMARD (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatoid Drugs) tablets as part of his initial treatment. These medications are particularly effective in easing symptoms of the condition and slowing down its progression. Some examples of DMARDs include; hydroxychoroquine, Sulfasalazine and Leflunomide.

DMARDs work by blocking the effects of the chemicals released when the immune system attacks the joints, which could otherwise cause further damage to nearby bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.

So what's the cause of  RA?

Your immune system normally makes antibodies that attack bacteria and viruses, helping to fight infection. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system mistakenly sends antibodies to the lining of your joints, where they attack the tissue surrounding the joint.

This causes the thin layer of cells (synovium) covering your joints to become sore and inflamed, releasing chemicals that damage nearby bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments.

If this condition isn't treated, these chemicals gradually cause the joints to lose its shape and alignment. Eventually it can destroy the joint completely.

There are a number of things that may increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Some of which include; your genes, hormones and smoking.

Andrew is determined to live life as fully as possibly with the disease while keeping his condition under control.

He would:

• Take his medications-  Its important to take the medications as prescribed, even if he start to feel better, medications can prevent flare-ups and reduce the risk of further problems suck as joint damage. 
• Have regular doctor visits- As rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition, he would be in contact with his health care team regularly so they can check to ensure his condition is under control and his treatment is right. 
• Keep well- He would be advised to have a pneumococcal vaccination, a one-off injection that protects against a specific serious chest infection called pneumococcal pneumonia. Get plenty of rest during a flare-up. Putting further strain on very swollen and painful joints can often make the pain and inflammation worse. 
• Eat healthy and exercise daily- Regular exercise and a healthy diet are recommended for everyone, not just people with rheumatoid arthritis. They can help prevent many conditions, including; heart disease and many forms of cancer. Exercising regularly can help relieve stress, help keep your joints mobile and strengthen the muscles supporting your joints. Exercise can help you lose weight if you're overweight, which can put extra strain on your joints. 

If you care for any one who has RA, inform them of what would happen and things they can do to help keep it under control and also encourage them to see a doctor as soon as possible for the right treatment. 

My Immune system is stronger than yours…. (By Daniah Niomi Labadie)

Every year as the flu season approaches, I am always the first one to catch the flu (Influenza) in my group of friends. Yes, I am always the “sickie” who has to miss out on school and important life events because the flu never misses me. I experience all the symptoms, which include; fever, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches and tiredness. My friend July, however, never catches it, no matter how close she associates with us. So, one day I decided to ask her, why hasn’t she caught the flu when she is always around me, who is sick. She replies by telling me it is quite simple, that her immune system is much stronger than mine. July made me question myself about weak and strong immune systems, and why I am more likely to contract the flu than her. So this led me into research about our immune systems.

The Immune system is the organs and processes of the body that provide resistance to infection and toxins. Its job is to basically recognize substances of the body and destroy foreign substances that are likely to be harmful to the body. White blood cells which are known as macrophages destroy the bacteria as soon as they are detected. As the flu persists, more powerful defenses called B and T lymphocytes are activated. B cells make antibodies that bind to a virus to stop it from replicating and tag viruses so other cells know to destroy it. Whereas, T cells act as alarm to detect invading viruses and others kill virus infected cells. The production of mucus, the body pains, nausea and diarrhea are all efforts to get the virus out of the body. Once, the fever begins to decrease it is a sign that your body is winning the battle against the virus. Also, as soon as it’s cleared, a small number of special B and T cells retain accurate memory of the destroyed virus.

But what makes some of us immune to Influenza? Is it because our immune systems are weak or strong? There are several possible reasons why July may not get sick during the flu season, one of which is that she may have built immunity to the disease over time. Your body remembers every germ it encounters, so July could have been exposed to the flu multiple of times. She also could be leaving a healthy lifestyle where she manages her stress and her sleep quite well, also exercises and eats healthy foods. However it does not mean that my immune system is weak but however that there are different types of influenza that my body is encountering for the first time. The immune system is not readily weak on its own, but different factors do however affect the immune system and how it deals with invading viruses, causing it to be weak. For instance stress, drugs or chronic illnesses.

So, for those of you who are "sickies" like me and catch the flu every time the flu season comes around, here are some prevention and treatments to deal with the flu.

Prevention

• get vaccinated each year
• avoid close contact with sick people
• wash your hands thoroughly
•  Do not share

Treatments

• get plenty of rest
• drink plenty liquids; preferable water and citrus juices, or herbal teas
•  use aspirin or ibuprofen for body aches and headaches

SURVIVING BLOOD CLOTTING(By Bianca Phillip)

My 47 year old aunt Dora considered herself healthy. She is a non-smoker. Two years ago she felt stabbing pains in her back on the right side under her ribs cage and the pain got worst every time she took a deep breath. She was quickly rushed to the ER. The first thought of the ER doctors was that she had pneumonia for which she was started on antibiotics, even though she had not been sick with a cold or even a fever. They did take a blood test to find out whether her symptoms might possible related to blood clot, and after seven hours in the ER, the test came back positive.

She was then send for a CAT scan, which showed definitely that she had pulmonary emboli. Multiple blot clot was detected in both her lungs. She was started on blood thinner injections and stayed in the hospital for six days.

Further testing reveled a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in her left leg behind her knee. On top of this her heart started to race 160/180 for an hour. It was a super ventricular trachycardia, a fast heart rate she had at times all her adult life. Of course, rapid heart rate is also a symptom of pulmonary emboli.

Prior to her DVT and PEs, she flew from Florida to Washington State where she stayed for four days to help take care of her mother, so she had a quick turn around between the long coast to coast flights. She did not notice any swelling, discoloration, or any pain in her leg. A week later she did feel severe back pain while she was cleaning her house. Suddenly she was unable to breathe and her heart rate was rapid.

My aunt was also on birth control pills for more than 20 years, but immediately after her DVT and PEs was diagnosed. Apparently the combination of travel over four hours and birth control pills may have trigger her clots as it seems that there are a lot of variables that influence blood clot formation.

/

What Is DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms inside a vein, usually deep within your leg. The danger is that part of the clot can break off and travel through your bloodstream. It could get stuck in your lungs and block blood flow, causing organ damage or death.

Symptoms

Notice how the leg on the left here is swollen below the knee. That's a common symptom of DVT. So are redness and tenderness or pain in the area of the clot. But you won't always have these. Unfortunately, about half of people with DVT get no warning signs.

Pulmonary Embolism

This is a clot that moves into your lungs and blocks the blood supply. It can cause trouble breathing, low blood pressure, fainting, a faster heart rate, chest pain, and coughing up blood. If you have any of these, call 911 and get medical care right away.

What Causes DVT?

Anything that damages the inner lining of a vein may cause DVT -- surgery, an injury, or your immune system. If your blood is thick or flows slowly, it's more likely to form a clot, especially in a vein that's already damaged. People who have certain genetic disorders or more estrogen in their system are more at risk for blood clots, too.

Who Is Likely to Get DVT?

Some people with a higher risk are those who:

• Have cancer
• Have had surgery
• Are on extended bed rest
• Are older
• Smoke
• Are overweight or obese
• Sit for long times, like on a long airplane flight

Pregnancy

Women are more likely to develop DVT during pregnancy and the 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth. That's when they have higher levels of estrogen, which may make blood clot more easily. The pressure of their expanding uterus can slow blood flow in the veins as well. Certain blood disorders can boost their risk even more.

Hormone Therapy

Like pregnancy, birth control pills and some treatments for postmenopausal symptoms raise the amount of estrogen in a woman's blood. That can increase her risk of DVT, even if she doesn't have a blood disorder.

Trapped in Your Seat

Traveling to new and faraway places can be exciting! Squishing into a coach seat for a long international flight is not. Studies show long-distance travel, a trip that lasts more than 4 hours, doubles the risk of developing DVT. It doesn't matter if you go by air, bus, train, or car. When you're in a cramped seat and don't move around, your blood flow slows.

Get a Diagnosis

Your doctor will check you for signs of DVT. He may also ask about your medical history, medications you're taking, medical problems of close relatives, and things that put you at risk. An ultrasound is the most common way to confirm a diagnosis. It uses sound waves to "see" the blood flow and reveal a clot. You might also need other tests, such as a blood test called a d-dimer.

Blood Thinners

Drugs called anticoagulants are the most common way to treat DVT. Although they're known as blood thinners, they don't really thin your blood. They make it less "sticky" to prevent new blood clots from forming. They can't break up a clot you already have, but they will give your body time to dissolve it on its own. You take these medications in a pill or by needle.

Side Effects of Blood Thinners

People who take these may get bruises often or bleed more easily. When you take certain ones, you'll need to watch what you eat. And you'll need to go to a lab regularly to get your blood checked to make sure you've got the right amount of the drug in your body. You don't have to do that for newer medications, but they make it harder to stop bleeding if you have an accident.

Let your doctor know if you bleed a lot from minor injuries.

Internal Bleeding

Blood thinners can also make it easier to bleed inside your body, where you can't see it. Bleeding in your belly can cause pain, vomit that's red or looks like coffee grounds, and bright red or black stools. Bleeding in your brain can cause severe headaches, vision changes, unnatural movements, and confusion. Call 911 and go to the emergency room if you notice any of these symptoms.

Vena Cava Filter

If you can't take blood thinners or they aren't working, your doctor may recommend putting a filter into your biggest vein, called the vena cava. This filter catches breakaway clots and stops them from getting into your lungs and heart. It won't stop new clots from forming or cure DVT, but it can help prevent a dangerous pulmonary embolism.

Clot Busters

Medications that dissolve blood clots are called thrombolytics. They can cause sudden, severe bleeding, so doctors use them only in emergencies -- to dissolve a life-threatening blood clot in your lung, for example. You get thrombolytics by IV in a hospital.

Compression Stockings

These special socks put gentle pressure on your legs to keep your blood moving. They can help prevent clots from forming as well as reduce swelling and relieve discomfort in a leg where a clot has already formed. You can get compression stockings over the counter, but your doctor will need to write a prescription for ones with more pressure. Wear them even at home.

Keep Your Feet Up

When you can, sit with your feet resting off the floor to raise your legs. You'll make it easier for the blood in your veins to flow up toward your heart. This can lessen the swelling and discomfort in the leg with DVT.

Long-Term Effects

Once a blood clot is gone, DVT sometimes leaves behind an unpleasant reminder. You may see long-term swelling or changes in skin color where the clot was. Or it could hurt. These symptoms, known as post-thrombotic syndrome, sometimes show up as much as a year after the clot.

Exercise

Use your muscles to promote blood flow. Work your lower leg muscles especially. When you're not active -- at your desk, for example -- take breaks to stretch your legs. Stand up. Step away for a bit. Regular exercise also helps keep you at a healthy weight, and that lowers your risk, too.

Travel Tips

When you travel for more than 4 hours, avoid tight clothing and drink plenty of water. Get up and walk around at least every couple of hours. If you have to stay in your seat, stretch and move your legs. Try clenching and releasing your calves and thighs, or lifting and lowering your heels with your toes on the floor. Do plenty of sightseeing by foot once you arrive!

The Unwarranted War (by Zoe Jno Baptiste)

The Unwarranted War

Five year old Jackson’s immune system was ready for anything.  Its defense against the known harmful substances like bacteria, parasites and viruses was superb to say the least.  His T-lymphocyte cells had won many a battle against numerous strains of flu and his B-lymphocyte cells had created many antibodies so that future battles against these same antigens would result in sure victory.  It was a very active defense mechanism, ready to stage war on potential threats.

The Battle Field

But maybe being so active wasn’t as great a thing as the army that was his immune system thought . . .  One day Jackson had gone for dinner with his parents at a seafood restaurant.   His white blood cells were on surveillance as usual, looking out for signs of intruders that could be harmful.

Things were quiet . . . Too quiet.

Suddenly a suspicious looking protein entered the blood stream.  Since Jackson’s immune system was so active the helper T-cell unit of the army quickly sent word to B-lymphocyte unit who immediately started the process of creating immunoglobulin E (IgE) also known as antibodies for what was presumed to be harmful.

The IgE antibody soldiers sprang into action by attaching to white blood cells called basophils as well as mast cells to form a complex. The complexes with mast cells remain stationary while that of the basophils circulated the blood stream to weed out any other like intruders.  The secret weapon, a super powerful chemical called histamine was released from both of these to ensure victory in the war.

Histamine caused the shrinkage of airways and the opening of blood vessels to increase the amount of blood flow to enable much quicker mobility of other soldiers.  The battle would be won at whatever the cost!  The defense could not be broken!

The Result

As the war between the immune system and the ‘foreign’ protein raged on, the five year old Jackson’s heart rate picked up, his skin broke out in hives and there was swelling in his lips.  These symptoms were all a result of the war raging in his body as his immune system fought an unfamiliar protein, which was really just some shrimp he ate. Harmless shrimp. The response of his immune system to the shrimp was called the allergic inflammatory response.  Jackson was allergic to shrimps.  His immune system mistook protein from shrimp for a harmful substance.

He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors said that he had gone into anaphylactic shock which was the most severe reaction to an allergen.  It was life threatening and swelling seemed to begin in his throat.  He was immediately injected with a chemical called epinephrine.  This chemical caused constriction in his blood vessels to reduce swelling and increase his blood pressure as well as opened up air pathways, essentially reversing the effects of histamine and preventing further secretion of the chemical.

Jackson was okay but would surely try hard to never consume shrimp again.

Attack of the T-Cells from Inside your Brain! (by Sydni Elwin)

Picture yourself on an ordinary day, going about our average routine, when suddenly you feel a strange tingling or numbness in your fingertips. Of course, you brush this off as nothing. Maybe you were holding your arm in an awkward position? Over time, however, you start to notice other things. Your vision becomes foggy. You feel fatigued - like you had stayed up all night. Eventually, the pain and spasms start. You have trouble walking correctly, as if you had been reverted to a toddler. At this point you of course realise that something is very wrong with you.

But what could it be? An insidious virus? An unknown injury? No, the cause of your anguish is nothing other the very thing that is supposed to protect you: your immune system!

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS) which occurs when T-cells (a type of immune response cell) cross the blood-brain barrier. This should not happen, since the CNS has its own immune cells, known as microglial cells, which remain strictly separate from those found in the rest of the body. As such, when the T-cells enter the CNS, they recognise the myelin present on the axons of neurons as foreign, causing them to attack and remove the myelin!




A disaster! Myelin is incredibly important in allowing neurons to transmit electrical impulses to the rest of the body by providing an insulating layer to the axons. Without this fatty white substance, electrical messages will not be able to pass through each neuron as quickly and efficiently as they should. Although the Central Nervous System possesses the ability to regenerate myelin, after many instances of the immune system destroying the myelin and multiple regeneration attempts, this ability becomes less and less effective. Eventually, these attacks may lead to the permanent deterioration of the myelin and the nerves themselves as well.

Those who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis may experience a number of symptoms, depending on the severity of the disease in that person. Some such symptoms include, but are not limited to:


• Tingling, especially in the fingers
• Weakness of limbs
• Blurred or double vision
• Loss of coordination and balance (trouble walking, issues carrying out simple motor tasks, etc.)
• Trouble thinking and/or concentrating
• Intolerance to heat
• Fatigue
• Muscle spasms or stiffness
• Bladder and bowel problems
• Anxiety and depression
• Pain
• Difficulty with speech or swallowing
• Paralysis



These symptoms are often highly unpredictable, and can affect a wide range of bodily areas. Some people will go through periods where the symptoms lessen significantly or seem to disappear entirely (known as remissions) and other periods where they worsen (known as relapses). No two people experience Multiple Sclerosis symptoms in the exact same way. Although there is no known cause of the disease, many scientists believe that there may be a genetic predisposition to it.
There is no current cure for the disease, however there are immunological and physical therapies to help those who suffer from it to deal with the symptoms. Additionally, patients are often advised to stay cool, as heat may often cause worsening of already present symptoms. Some people have symptoms so mild that no treatment is necessary.


Resources used:


• Lucas R et al (2015). Shining Light on Human Immunity. (pgs 145-154). Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1729vxt.23
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/home/ovc-20131882
• http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/multiple-sclerosis-symptoms#1
• http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Multiple-sclerosis/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
• http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1146199-treatment
• http://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/facts-you-should-know

Living to The Beat of My Heart (by Kira Joseph)

As you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard terms like “I love you with all my heart” or “My heart belongs to you” countless times. Here I sit, with my feet pressed into the sands before me thinking if we really gave ALL our heart to them, what are we left with? Right?! You’re probably thinking the same but anyway this just goes to show the importance of this organ that we're willing to just give it ALL to someone else.

Lighten up people, I'm sure it's not meant literally!

Just as biologists and scientists alike define the mitochondria as the ‘powerhouse’ of a cell, I to believe, the heart is the ‘powerhouse’ of one's body. As a child we were led to believe that our heart is that corny picture we drew on paper that we would give to our parents, friends or even a crush of ours; past or present professing our love to them. How embarrassing! In reality, we really should have been drawing an aorta, septum, left and right ventricles and atriums, vena cava, pulmonary veins and arteries. Now that would've been impressive wouldn’t it!

It's only right that I make known what these structures do on a daily basis.

Beginning with the right atrium which collects deoxygenated blood that has returned from the body as opposed to the left atrium which collects deoxygenated blood that has returned from the lungs. Furthermore, the ventricles on a whole receives blood from atria. Individually, the right ventricle, when the heart contracts, pushes blood into an artery leading to the lungs. The blood will be oxygenated before returning to the heart. Whereas, the left ventricle pushes blood into blood vessels for circulation. The septum is a thick, muscular wall that runs down the middle of the heart separating left atrium and ventricle form right atrium and ventricle. In the end, these valves allow blood to flow into places it’s supposed to be and keep it out of places it should not be.

I knew the heart was something special because one minute you're ‘dead’ yet still it can be started up again and beat, outside the body? Unlike other muscles the heart is not regulated by the brain but rather contains regulatory mechanisms which lies within the heart itself. The heart conductive system contains a special group of cells called the ‘pace maker’ cells (SA node) that fire at regular intervals and cause the heart to beat. One's heartbeat can be felt by simply placing a hand on the ‘left’ side of the chest. The left side is worked harder because the muscles work twice as much than those on the right being that they have to pump blood all over the body whereas, the right side only pumps blood to the lungs.

Ever heard the saying “Do what your heart tells you?” I think it’s a pretty weird thing to suggest to a person. I mean how exactly does one “lubb dubb?” does the first sound we hear, scientifically is called a “lubb”. This occurs when the AV valve shut. The second sound is called a “dubb”. This occurs when the semilunar valve closes. Whoever came up with these sounds must have had one unique heart beat because I can’t say I've ever heard “lubb” or “dubb” in my life. Have you?! Or is it my heart only that beats “boop”. I’m confused!

Anyway, moving on from “lubbing” and “dubbing”, some diseases associated with the heart are as follows: Heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction. This

 is the buildup of plaque which can eventually block arteries. The lungs are then filled with fluid. In addition, it is said that up to five hundred (500) heart cells are lost each second. A Cardiac tamponade is another disease associated with the heart. If the sac becomes filled with fluid, this can result in the compression of the heart preventing it from expanding. This will eventually inhibit the hearts movement and can be fatal.
Another common disease is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). This refers to a build-up of fluid/blood in the heart and lungs. This is associated with high blood pressure. People should include foods such as beet in their diet which can aid in lowering blood pressure. Other foods good for the heart includes nuts such as: walnuts or almonds, berries and fish rich in omega-3, for example: salmon, tuna and mackerel.

Truth is we can live with this heart of ours but definitely cannot live without one. So let's all be a little mindful of the things we put into our bodies ladies and gentlemen! Unless you have another one on standby ready for use whenever you need it when the old one stops working but…
I highly doubt that

     


  FUN FACTS:
• The heart weighs 7-15 ounces!
• It pumps roughly 2000 gallons of blood through the body every day!
• It is located in the middle of the chest and just left to the breast bone!
• The heart is a giant muscle!
•The left ventricle is the largest and strongest of the four heart chambers!

THE HEREDITY KILLER. By. SHAHID DEFOE

During the early ages of medicine Sir William Osler, published in 1892 under the title "An Undescribed Variety of Hereditary Oedema." Discovered a foreign inherited disease which is now world widely known as Milroy’s Disease.

Milroy disease is a condition that affects the normal function of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system produces and transports fluids and immune cells throughout the body. Impaired transport with accumulation of lymph fluid can cause swelling (lymphedema). Individuals with Milroy disease typically have lymphedema in their lower legs and feet at birth or develop it in infancy. The lymphedema typically occurs on both sides of the body and may worsen over time.

Milroy disease is associated with other features in addition to lymphedema. Males with Milroy disease are sometimes born with an accumulation of fluid in the scrotum (hydrocele). Males and females may have upslanting toenails, deep creases in the toes, wart-like growths (papillomas), and prominent leg veins. Some individuals develop non-contagious skin infections called cellulitis that can damage the thin tubes that carry lymph fluid (lymphatic vessels). Episodes of cellulitis can cause further swelling in the lower limbs.

Milroy disease is a rare disorder; its incidence is unknown. Milroy disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In many cases, an affected person inherits the mutation from one affected parent.

Treatment for this rare disorder is first-line treatment for lymphedema is complex physical therapy. This treatment is aimed at improving lymphedema with manual lymphatic drainage, massage, and exercise. 

MOST PLEASURABLE DEATH by. Hilary Obata

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, which is our body’s natural defence against illness. The virus destroys a type of white blood cell in the immune system called a T-helper cell, and makes copies of itself inside these cells. T-helper cells are also referred to as CD4 cells.

As HIV destroys more CD4 cells and makes more copies of itself, it gradually breaks down a person’s immune system. This means someone living with HIV, who is not receiving treatment, will find it harder and harder to fight off infections and diseases.

If HIV is left untreated, it may take up to 10 or 15 years for the immune system to be so severely damaged it can no longer defend itself at all. However, the speed HIV progresses will vary depending on age, health and background.  

                                               HIV can be caused by:

                                       

                                            Not By:

Preventative measures of HIV are as followed:

·  Get tested and know your partner’s HIV status. Talk to your partner about HIV testing and get tested before you have sex.

·  Have less risky sex. Oral sex is much less risky than anal or vaginal sex. Anal sex is the most risky type of sex for HIV transmission.

·  Use condoms. Use a condom correctly every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

·  Limit your number of sexual partners. The more partners you have, the more likely you are to have a partner with HIV whose HIV is not well controlled or to have a partner with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Both of these factors can increase the risk of HIV transmission. If you have more than one sexual partner, get tested for HIV regularly.

·  Get tested and treated for STDs. Insist that your partners get tested and treated too. Having an STD can increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV or spreading it to others.

·  Don’t inject drugs. But if you do, use only sterile drug injection equipment and water and never share your equipment with others.

Got It? Get It. Practice safe sex and avoid HIV!