Pericardial disease, also known as pericarditis, is when you suffer from inflammation of the pericardial sac, which is the sac that contains the heart. There are many different types of pericardial disease, and you can have it for a short time or for a prolonged period. It is important to reduce inflammation of the pericardium as quickly as possible since this can lead to permanent heart problems and diseases. It can result in fluid buildup in the pericardium and thickening of the tissue. There are several different treatment options for pericardial disease, but they are all aimed at reducing inflammation. The exact treatment will depend on how severe your condition is and how bad the swelling is.
Medications are often the preferred treatment for pericardial disease. They are far less invasive than surgical procedures and are more effective than lifestyle changes and home remedies. Here are some of the most common medications used to treat pericardial disease.
Corticosteroids are medications that get prescribed to reduce inflammation in the pericardium. These drugs, which include prednisone and budesonide, are one of the first lines of defence when fighting pericardial disease.
Pain relievers, such as NSAIDs, are also used to treat pericardial disease. NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, help reduce inflammation while also providing pain relief, as pericardial disease can be very uncomfortable.
In many cases, pericardial disease begins as a result of a bacterial infection. If this is the case, you will need antibiotics, such as vancomycin and ceftriaxone, to treat the bacterial infection that is causing your pericarditis.
While general pain relievers, corticosteroids, and antibiotics are good for treating pericardial disease, colchicine is specifically meant for pericarditis. Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory drug that helps reduce inflammation as well as prevent pericardial disease from returning in the future.
The side effects of medications for pericardial disease will vary from medication to medication. In most cases, however, it will include the following.
If your pericardial disease is too advanced and medications are not reducing inflammation, you may require surgery. If inflammation causes a buildup of fluid in your pericardium, you will need a pericardiocentesis. During this procedure, your doctor will insert a needle into your pericardium and remove excess fluid.
If you neglected your pericardial disease for too long and the inflammation has gotten out of control, you may need a pericardiectomy. During this procedure, your doctor will remove all or part of your pericardium if it is too damaged with scar tissue. Because of how invasive this procedure is, it is the last course of treatment in people with pericardial disease.
If you get your pericardial disease diagnosed early enough, you may be able to remedy it without surgery or medications. Instead, you can use over-the-counter medications, very light exercise, and a healthy diet to reduce pericardial inflammation. As long as you do not push your exercise too far, you may recover without any form of treatment.
In some cases, pericardial disease can resolve on its own. Often, however, you will need to take medications, have a surgery performed, or change your lifestyle to overcome your condition. It is important to treat and resolve pericardial disease before it causes permanent damage to your heart or the surrounding tissue.