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- What is Keshan's disease?
- Symptoms of Keshan's disease
- Causes of Keshan's disease
- Prevention of Keshan's disease
- Risk factors for Keshan's disease
- Complications of Keshan's disease
- When to see a doctor about Keshan's disease
- Diagnosis of Keshan's disease
- Conventional treatment of Keshan's disease
- Alternative/complementary treatment of Keshan's disease
- Living with Keshan's disease
- Caring for someone with Keshan's disease
There are a number of strategies which are recommended to help you better deal with Keshan's disease:
- Advise your doctor if symptoms get worse - it is of utmost importance to visit your doctor for further evaluation if your symptoms get worse, to prevent any major complications of this condition
- Avoid alcohol - it is really important that you avoid all alcohol during the duration of of your illness, as alcohol just puts more pressure on an already malfunctioning heart (and body) and can make your symptoms worse
- Foods rich in selenium - ensure that your diet consists of adequate foods rich in selenium to help your heart heal more quickly (in addition to any supplements you may also be taking). Foods rich in selenium include: Brazil nuts, eggs, onions, garlic
- Healthier diet - ensure the diet you consume consists of healthy fresh, unprocessed foods, with lots of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and some fish and lean meat to provide more vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants which can all help your heart. A diet lower in saturated fats and processed (junk) foods is advisable
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- Monitor your side effects to medications - if you are prescribed any type of medication(s), it may be helpful if you can monitor any side effects you have (if they are present) and see your doctor if the side effects are more than just the mildly common ones
- Rest - it is really important that you rest as much as possible, because your heart is not functioning as well as normal and your body needs all its energy to get healthy. In the case of mild Keshan's disease caused by a viral agent, your doctor will advise you to have complete rest (and adequate fluids) for a specific period to help your body's immune system fight the viral infection and heal
- Supplements - you will most likely be prescribed selenium supplements (in the form of selenomethionine) or have injections of this mineral, so it would be helpful if you can take your supplements at the same time each day, to prevent forgetting a dose
- Surgery - if surgery has been advised (implants, stents or full heart transplant) your cardiac specialist will advise you about the pre- and post-operative care that you will need to undergo and how to best take care of yourself during this time, to avoid complications or worsening of any symptoms or health
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< 10: alternative treatment 12: caregiving > Last reviewed: 29 January 2009 || Last updated: 29 December 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
