Primary Pulmonary Hypertension :: essays research papers fc

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension INTRODUCTION A.Each year in the US there are about 300 new cases of PPH diagnosed each year. B.My purpose today is to inform you on the disease PPH C.This topic concerns you because it is a deadly disease that is on the rise. D.Today I will discuss.... 1.What the disease is 2.Causes of PPH 3.Symptoms of PPH 4.Diagnosis 5.Course and Treatment PPH-What is it? Primary(unexplained) pulmonary hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure) is an extremely rare lung disorder. Pulmonary hypertension occurs when there are changes in small blood vessels in the lungs resulting in an increased resistance to move enough blood through the lungs. The resistance places a strain on the right ventricle which must work harder to pump enough blood. If untreated,or if the conditions are generally bad enough,the right side of the heart may fail resulting in death. PPH-What are the causes? There is no definite cause of PPH,but there are possibilities. 1.PPH may be the result of another infection such as heart disease,lung disease,or HIV. 2.PPH may be genetic. A specific chromosome which runs in families is linked to PPH although the type of defect is yet unknown. 3.Familial Inheritance 4.Diet Drugs-By far this is the most known cause. Fen-Phen and Dexfenfluramine,2 diet drugs have been studied and are linked to numbers of cases of pph. These drugs can cause PPH in as little as 23 days the risk increases with the amount of time it is used. 5.Serotonin-Although this is not proved,it is believed that the above diet drugs increase the release of serotonin which is often found in patients transplanted lungs with PPH. It is very possible that this is a cause What are the symptoms of PPH? In the early stages of PPh there are no symptoms. Usually a person will go to the doctor for another disease and will find that it can’t be cured. After numerous tests,PPH is found to be the primary cause. 1.frequent tiredness or tiring easily as if you are out of shape. 2.Difficulty breathing,dizziness,fainting 3.Swelling in ankles/legs,bluish lips and skin 4.chest pain 5.trouble getting air 6.Palpitations-may be so severe that it is compared to a heart attack. How is PPH diagnosed? 1.Electrocardiogram-indicates whether heart is under increased stress 2.PPH is rarely picked up in a routine medical exam. It is usually confused with other heart/lung diseases. 3.Echocardiogram-The doctor uses sound waves to map a structure of the heart and see if the right side is larger. 4.Pulmonary Function Tests-measures lung volume. 5.Right-heart Cardiac Catheterization-A catheter(tube)is placed in the patient’s arm,let,neck...to measure the blood pressure of the right side of the heart. what is the course and Treatment of PPH? PPH starts when a layer of cells in the lungs are damaged.