ALCOHOLIC CARDIOMYOPATHY Meaning and
Definition
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Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a medical condition characterized by the deterioration of the heart muscle due to chronic and excessive alcohol consumption. It is a type of cardiomyopathy that specifically results from the toxic effects of alcohol on the heart, leading to structural and functional abnormalities.
In this condition, long-term alcohol abuse weakens and damages the heart muscle, hindering its ability to effectively pump blood throughout the body. The continuous exposure to alcohol causes cell death, inflammation, and fibrosis of the cardiac muscle tissue, leading to enlargement and stretching of the heart chambers, a condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms of alcoholic cardiomyopathy may include fatigue, shortness of breath, swollen legs and ankles, irregular heartbeat, and chest pain. If left untreated, it can progress to congestive heart failure, where the heart is unable to meet the body's demands for adequate blood supply.
The primary cause of alcoholic cardiomyopathy is excessive and prolonged alcohol abuse, although the exact mechanisms by which alcohol damages the heart are not yet fully understood. Nonetheless, most studies suggest that direct toxic effects of alcohol, as well as nutritional deficiencies frequently associated with alcoholism, play a significant role in the development of this condition.
Treatment for alcoholic cardiomyopathy involves giving up alcohol consumption completely, which can halt or even reverse some of the damage. Medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms and improve heart function. In severe cases, heart transplant surgery may be considered.
Prevention of alcoholic cardiomyopathy involves practicing responsible drinking habits and seeking help for alcohol addiction before it leads to irreversible heart damage.
Common Misspellings for ALCOHOLIC CARDIOMYOPATHY
- zlcoholic cardiomyopathy
- slcoholic cardiomyopathy
- wlcoholic cardiomyopathy
- qlcoholic cardiomyopathy
- akcoholic cardiomyopathy
- apcoholic cardiomyopathy
- aocoholic cardiomyopathy
- alxoholic cardiomyopathy
- alvoholic cardiomyopathy
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- aldoholic cardiomyopathy
- alciholic cardiomyopathy
- alckholic cardiomyopathy
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- alcpholic cardiomyopathy
- alc0holic cardiomyopathy
- alc9holic cardiomyopathy
- alcogolic cardiomyopathy
- alcobolic cardiomyopathy
- alconolic cardiomyopathy
Etymology of ALCOHOLIC CARDIOMYOPATHY
The word "Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy" is composed of two main parts: "alcoholic" and "cardiomyopathy".
1. "Alcoholic" comes from the noun "alcohol", which originated from the Arabic word "al-kuhl". This word referred to any fine powder, but in medieval times, it specifically denoted powdered antimony, which was used to darken the eyelids. Gradually, the term "alcohol" started being associated with spirits in general and eventually with alcoholic beverages.
2. "Cardiomyopathy" is a medical term combining two components: "cardio", derived from the Greek word "kardia" meaning "heart", and "myopathy", derived from the Greek word "myo" meaning "muscle" and "pathos" meaning "suffering" or "disease".
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