Herbal Home Remedies for Rheumatic fever and heart valve disease

Prompt and effective antibiotic treatment has reduced the incidence of rheumatic fever. The disease is an immune reaction to haemolytic streptococcal throat infections, usually in children and the young. It causes a flitting kind of arthritis, with fever, swelling and pain in the big joints. It can involve the heart, leading to ineffective valve function. In India the disease is still seen in poorer, crowded areas. Consult. Treat throat infections in the young promptly and thoroughly, with full courses of the appropriate antibiotics.

Though there are various causes of heart valve disease, the commonest in poorer countries is rheumatic fever.

Note: Some medications for weight reduction, like fenfluramine, can cause valve disease.

Narrowing of the valve between the left atrium and ventricle (mitral stenosis) leads to obstruction of blood flow into the ventricle, while loosening or inefficiency of the valve (mitral incompetence) allows a reverse flow. Likewise, a defective valve between the aorta and the left ventricle results in reduced flow or allows a reverse flow. Other heart valves too may be affected. The condition can worsen leading to heart enlargement (as a result of the heart's efforts to compensate for inefficiency) and failure. In severe cases the treatment may include valve repair or replacement.