ATRIAL MYXOMA

An atrial myxoma is a tumour that can be found in the top chambers (atria) of the heart. A tumour is a mass of abnormal tissue that grows too large where it shouldn’t. Around three quarters of atrial myxomas occur in the left atria. They tend to grow on the wall (septum) that separates the right and left sides of the heart.

They’re benign, which means they don’t spread around the rest of the body like cancerous tumours. However, if the tumour grows too large it can affect how the heart works. This can cause abnormal heart rhythms (when your heart is beating too fast, too slow or irregularly) and problems with the pumping action of the heart muscle.

Overall, heart tumours are rare. Sometimes small pieces of the tumour can break off and enter the blood stream. If this happens, they can block an artery in another part of the body such as the brain (which could cause a stroke), or in the lungs (causing a pulmonary embolism).

SYMPTOMS OF FOR ATRIAL MYXOMA

Symptoms will vary depending on the size and position of the myxoma. They may include:

• a high temperature
• a cough
• breathlessness and/or difficulty breathing when lying flat
• palpitations
• chest pain or discomfort
• dizziness and fainting
• palpitations (like your heart is racing, pounding, fluttering or like you have missed heartbeats).
• weight loss
• tiredness
• a blueness to the skin, especially the fingers (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
• swelling on any part of the body.

CAUSES OF ATRIAL MYXOMA

It’s not known what causes atrial myxoma but around 10% of them seem to be inherited (passed down through families). These are known as familial cardiac myxomas. They tend to occur in more than one part of the heart at a time, and often cause symptoms at a younger age than other myxomas.

There are some risk factors that make you more likely to get an atrial myxoma, such as:

• if your biological sex is female - atrial myxomas tend to be more common in women, and are sometimes associated with heart valve diseaseand the abnormal heart rhythm atrial fibrillation
• your age – between 40-60 is when atrial myxomas are most likely to occur
• family history – some atrial myxomas have been connected to Carney’s complex. This is a rare genetic condition that causes benign tumours to form in children and young adults. Worldwide, around 750 cases of people with this condition have been reported since 1985.

DIAGNOSED FOR ATRIAL MYXOMA

If you visit your GP, your doctor will listen to your chest with a stethoscope. Atrial myxoma can cause heart murmurs, which are extra or unusual sounds your doctor might hear when listening to your chest. The sounds may change if you change position, for example if you are lying down or if your doctor asks you to sit up.

• an ECG(electrocardiogram) – where sticky patches are attached to your arms, legs and chest. This test records the rhythm, rate and electrical activity of your heart
• chest x-ray– where you stand against a photographic plate and x-rays are taken. This test checks for anything unusual in the heart that needs investigating
• echocardiogram - an ultrasound of your heart where a probe is moved over your chest. It’s similar to what people have when they’re pregnant and builds up a picture of your heart

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR ATRIAL MYXOMA

Homoeopathic treatment requires a deep constitutional analysis. The history of the disease, the family medical history, physical and mental characteristics of the patient, the likes and dislikes, medication details are all taken into consideration. This approach stands in consonance with the homoeopathic convention. Well selected Homoeopathic remedies are effective for ATRIAL MYXOMA treatment.

Latrodectus: This homeopathic remedy used for heart disease with symptoms of precordial pain in the body.

Aurum metallicum: Aurum metallicum is used in treating symptoms of weakness in the muscles of the heart.

Aconitum: This Homeopathic Remedy is used when a person is having a heart attack.

Spigelia: Spigelia is used in the treatment of irregular heartbeats which may cause sharp pain in the chest.

Cactus grandiflorus: This Homeopathic Remedy is used in treating angina pectoris, which is characterized by symptoms of pain caused by decreased blood flow to the heart.

Crataegus oxyacantha: This homeopathic treatment is used in treating coronary insufficiency in people. This disorder cause problem in a heartbeat.

Digitalis: This homeopathic treatment is used in treating cardiac muscle failure. This disorder causes palpitation, tightness in the heart muscles, and a suffocating sensation.

Kalmia latifolia: This Homeopathic medicine is effective in treating cardiac hypertrophy, which causes the heart muscle to thicken, resulting in size reduction of the ventricles. This treatment is very effective in treating cardiac hypertrophy that results after rheumatism.

Glonoinum: This homeopathic treatment is prescribed to treat symptoms of plaque buildup in the artery, which causes hypertension.