|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
advertisement
MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE SYNDROME
(MVPS)
ALSO KNOWN AS
MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE DYSAUTONOMIA
| MVPS: is not a heart condition, but a
dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.
MVP: is a heart valve abnormality. one can have MVP or MVPS or BOTH.
|
| DEFINITION: | When our autonomic nervous system malfunctions it is known a dysautonomia. Other terms used are autonomic dysfunction, autonomic failure and autonomic neuropathy. The complex task of maintaining a stable internal environment and respond appropriately to changes that take place in the external surroundings is directed by the autonomic nervous system. It manages most of our bodily systems, including cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal, urinary and bowel functions, temperature regulation, reproduction and our metabolic and endocrine systems. This system is also responsible for our reaction to stress- the flight and fight response. |
| ORTHOSTATIC INTOLERANCE CONDITIONS: | This condition afflicts over
500,000 Americans and is the least understood of the autonomic
disorders. Mitral valve prolapse falls under this category.
Onset can be sudden and the impact significant to both lifestyle and the
capacity to work. Due to the nature of the symptoms, the condition
is often misdiagnosed as psychiatric or anxiety related disorders.
There is an inappropriate response when there is a change in body positioning . There is an excessive increase in the heart rate upon standing, resulting in the cardiovascular system working harder to maintain blood pressure and blood flow to the brain. There is an decrease in blood pressure whereas the general population has a increase upon standing.
|
| SYMPTOMS: | Symptoms include the
following: Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP), Chest pain/discomfort, Irregular
heartbeat, Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), Syncope or Pre-Syncope ( passing
out or almost passing out), Low blood pressure, Dizziness, weakness,
unsteadiness, shakiness, faintness, Fatigue/loss of stamina, Inability to
tolerate heat or prolonged exposure to the sun, Malaise (general feeling
of being ill), Inability to tolerate exercise, Gastrointestinal problems (constipation,
diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, hypoglycemia), Anxiety and/or panic
attacks, Depression and/or mood swings, Sleep disorders, Feelings of hot
or cold unrelated to temperatures, Difficulty in swallowing, Sensitivity
to medicines, Shortness of breath, or rapid, irregular or shallow
breathing, Loss of concentration, Memory problems, Foggy thinking,
Headaches, Tingling in extremities.
There is also a high incidence of the following in people with MVPS: TMJ, Scoliosis, Fibromyalgia, Fibrocystic breast disease, Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), Altitude sickness, Seasickness, Problems with infertility, and Endometrioses.
|
| TREATMENT: | For many, symptoms may be short lived, while others show a progressive nature and a worsening of symptoms may occur. Since the underlying causes for these disorders are not yet understood, no one approach can be defined as a treatment plan. In most cases, a well defined, individual treatment plan needs to be developed. |