Encephalitis

Encephalitis is a rare, serious condition that causes inflammation in your brain so that it swells. It can occur as a result of an infection or an autoimmune process. Encephalitis can be life-threatening, regardless of the cause, and can cause long-term complications and medical issues. Treatment varies depending on the cause, but most people with encephalitis require hospitalization so they can receive intensive treatment, including life support measures.

Types of encephalitis

Condition types include infective encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis. Infective encephalitis includes:

Viral encephalitis: This is the most common form of encephalitis. You can develop viral encephalitis after having certain infectious diseases or viruses.
Arbovirus encephalitis: Mosquitos, fleas and ticks can spread infections that can become encephalitis.
Bacterial or fungal encephalitis: Encephalitis from bacterial or fungal infections is the least common type of the condition.

In autoimmune encephalitis, your immune system mistakenly attacks your brain, causing inflammation that may affect how your brain works. This sometimes happens to people with cancer. Healthcare providers call this paraneoplastic syndrome.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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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.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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