Overview
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare genetic disease that affects your immune system. With CGD, certain white blood cells (neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, eosinophils) are unable to attack and destroy certain bacteria and fungi. This means people with CGD are susceptible to chronic inflammation and frequent bacterial and fungal infections because their immune system can’t defend against them.
People with CGD often develop infections in their skin, lungs, lymph nodes and liver. CGD can increase your risk of developing abscesses (pus-filled pockets) in your organs. Treatment for the condition often involves lifelong antibiotics and antifungals.
How common is CGD?
CGD is uncommon. Healthcare providers diagnose it in about 1 out of every 250,000 people worldwide. CGD occurs more often in people assigned male at birth (AMAB).
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Symptoms
Complications
Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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