In a healthy human, the heart typically beats at a rate of approximately 60 to 100 beats a minute, and this is a resting heart rate. An intermittent rate that is accelerated to more than 100 beats per minute can occur as a result of cardio vascular exercise, excitement, stress, or anxiety and is called sinus tachycardia. However, if a resting heart rate is this high, it is not considered normal. There are two chief forms of tachycardia. One starts in the atria, which is the upper area of the heart and is called supraventricular tachycardia, the other begins in the lower portion of the heart called the ventricles, and this type is known as ventricular tachycardia.
The most common forms of tachycardias are as follows. The first being paroxysmal supreventricular tachycardia and this form presents a heart rate of about 140 to 200 beats per minute. This condition generally starts and stops suddenly and can be recurring. The next is atrial flutter, in this form the artia beats at a rate of about 240 to 300 beats a minute, however, the actual pulse rate is much lower. This happens when not all of the impulses are sent to the heart causing contractions in the ventricles. Tachycardia can be a very severe condition that can actually become life threatening, however, some of the lesser forms may not present any permanent damage or ill effects. Often, in minor cases, it is more frightening than anything else.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, commonly called CFS is a debilitating condition that brings on a massive amount of fatigue that is generally not alleviated by simple bed rest. In fact it may be aggravated by excessive mental or physical activity. Typically, the onset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be noted in a lack of physical activity in an otherwise active person. Normally a person will deteriorate slowly and get to a point in which it actually hurts them to move their muscles. In addition to the physical symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, there are also certain aspects if this disorder that affect the mental state of the people afflicted.
Often problems with memory retention, mental concentration and focus, sleep disorders such as insomnia, and even fatigue brought on by exertion, lasting longer than 24 hours, have been associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Unfortunately, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can last for many years in some cases. The cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has not yet been discovered and there are no tests in place to detect the presence of CFS. Doctors will generally rule out more serious conditions prior to making a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosis. There is no specific treatment of CFS however; certain medications have been used to help treat the actual symptoms. Unfortunately a person suffering with CFS may have to endure a lot of specific medical testing before CFS can be diagnosed; as a result the process of being diagnoses is sometimes quite slow.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, also known as IBS is a very common illness that attacks the large intestine, also called the colon. IBS typically presents symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating due to gas, diarrhea and sometimes even constipation. Fortunately, other than the fact that it is an annoying ailment and can cause extreme discomfort, there have been no permanent effects or health issues that have been associated with this disorder. No damage to the colon as a result of IBS has been reported to date. The majority of people who suffer from IBS usually find relief by learning to control the symptoms that are associated with it. However, there have been a small group of people who have complained of extremely severe symptoms.
The good news is that unlike more serious ailments such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome has not been noted as causing any type of inflammation in the bowel, or variations in the tissue. It has also not been associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. In most cases, people who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome simply control the symptoms by learning how to change their diet accordingly. There has also been a link between IBS and stress so many times; eliminating stress from a person’s life is all it takes to alleviate IBS symptoms. In any case, if a person thinks they may be suffering from IBS, it is a good idea to consult a physician on the off chance that there may be a more serious underlying medical condition present.
