About da costa's syndrome

What is da costa's syndrome?

General Discussion

The word "neurasthenia" is a term that has fallen into disuse among psychiatrists in the United States and Australia. It remains in use in the United Kingdom. Where it is used, it covers a wide spectrum of symptoms including the sensation of pain or of numbness in various parts of the body, chronic fatigue, weakness, anxiety, and fainting. Additional findings associated with this term may include rapid intense heartbeat that may be irregular (palpitations, tachycardia); cold, clammy hands and feet; abnormally rapid breathing (hyperventilating); dizziness or faintness; periodic sighing; and/or sweating for no apparent reason.

What are the symptoms for da costa's syndrome?

Fatigue symptom was found in the da costa's syndrome condition

Da costa’s syndrome is also known as chronic asthenia or as cardiac neurosis. This condition is being studied for more than a hundred years for now and the description of this condition was described by the conditions of the soldiers. Usually, the symptoms of Da costa’s syndrome are more or less similar to that of various heart diseases. An individual affected with Da costa’s syndrome may experience Fatigue and Dizziness upon exertion, hard field work, fast walking, etc. Sometimes, the individual may experience Shortness of breath, Sweating, Chest pain, Palpitations, etc. When an individual experiences severe Chest pain, it may also be mimic angina. Some people may experience changes in their pulse rates when stooped on the right or left or backside. The recent studies report that, after undergoing a physical examination, most of the individuals reportedly did not have any physical abnormalities such as wounds, bruises, etc. In some cases, people affected with Da costa’s syndrome may experience pain in their neck, throat, upper abdomen, back, etc. The affected individuals may start experiencing their muscles getting sore. Most of the people affected with this condition are the ones that are associated with cardiovascular diseases.

What are the causes for da costa's syndrome?

Da Costa’s syndrome is a condition that was first observed in the soldiers’ hearts during the American Civil war. This condition shows most of the symptoms that are associated with cardiovascular diseases. In the case of the American soldiers, the cause behind this condition was considered to be lifting heavy weights and tightly strapped chests. Some of them also reported the cause to be constant over exertion, lack of rest, lack of proper nourishment, lack of sleep, improper diet, etc. In the early days, Da Costa’s syndrome was considered heart failure or any other cardiac condition which showed almost the same symptoms. The main cause of the condition is also considered to be physical as well as psychological stress. Apart from that, the condition in some cases is also considered a familial disorder. However, Da Costa’s syndrome is defined as irritable heart syndrome, which in most cases caused due to irritation of the heart. So, in short, it can be concluded that the main causes of Da Costa’s syndrome are physical and mental exertion, anxiety, irritable heart, etc. People associated with such conditions can adopt loose clothing styles, slow mobilization, avoid exertion, etc. may help in reducing the intensity of the pain.

What are the treatments for da costa's syndrome?

Da costa’s syndrome is more likely to be caused due to over exertion, continuous physical stress for longer hours, anxiety, irritation to the heart, etc. So, the first way to treat the people associated with this syndrome is by putting an end to all these activities causing stress, exertion, and irritation to the heart. Having bed rest or staying in a reclined position could also be beneficial for the patients associated with the same. As reported by the researchers, the previous studies showed that improving physique and posture along with appropriate levels of exercise may help the patients in treating the same. Not only that, wearing loose clothing and avoiding postural changes can help in relieving this condition. Doing all these things will ensure reduce the symptoms such as palpitations, chest pains, orthostatic hypotension, and faintness. So, limiting physical and mental exertion is the sole treatment here. The patients associated with Da Costa’s syndrome are reportedly seen to have higher heart rates which may further lead to heart failure in some cases. So, for patients showing symptoms such as palpitations, pharmacological intervention can help in increasing stroke volume and decreasing the heart rate of the patient. This kind of intervention is nothing but a group of glycoside drugs that are now known as sodium-potassium ATPase inhibitors.

What are the risk factors for da costa's syndrome?

Da costa’s syndrome is being studied for more than hundreds of years. Over the years, the disease has evolved a lot and is known by many different names such as chronic fatigue syndrome, brain-heart syndrome, neurocirculatory asthenia, neurosis, cardiac anxiety, restless heart syndrome, etc. It was first studied through the soldiers’ hearts during the period of the American Civil War. Since then, Da costa’s syndrome is said to be associated with the risk of having other cardiovascular diseases, pathologies of the nervous origin, or irritable bowel syndrome. The studies have shown that Da costa’s syndrome is associated with the risk of various medical conditions such as viral infections, diarrhea, immune system dysfunctions, dysautonomia, neuropsychiatric dysfunction, metabolic endocrine, etc. Apart from these conditions, Da Costa’s syndrome also has a risk of getting associated with sleeping disorders, total allergy syndrome, Candida infections, Chronic EBV, etc. Other than these, Da costa’s syndrome also increases the risk of palpitations, heart failure, and other cardiac conditions. This condition increases the risk of affecting the cardiac muscles, hyperthyroidism, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, asthma, and emphysema. As Da costa’s syndrome increases the risk for various heart diseases, it creates an imbalance of nutrients, magnesium, iron, potassium, oxygen, blood, etc. in the patients’ bodies.

Is there a cure/medications for da costa's syndrome?

Da Costa’s Syndrome, variously named as effort syndrome, cardiac neurosis, neurocirculatory asthenia, etc is a psychiatric disorder in which the patient experiences chest pain. This may mimic angina, a type of chest pain. Commonly found in women, it is a syndrome in close association with symptoms of anxiety.

Cure for Da Costa’s Syndrome

  • It is shown in the reports of Da Costa and Wheeler that patients did recover from the severe symptoms of the syndrome when they were removed from the strenuous activity or sustained lifestyle that caused the syndrome.
    •Some cases also showed that the relapses were prevented by examining the exertion and lifestyle of the individual and maintaining a limit within them.
  • Improve physique and posture
    •Appropriate levels of exercise however possible
    •Wear loose clothing around the waist
    •Avoid changing the posture or position of the body such as stooping, lying on your right or left side, or the back either. This will prevent palpitations and chest pains.
    •Stand up slowly and steadily. This will prevent the faintness associated with postural or orthostatic hypotension.

The above mentioned are some of the treatment methods someone suffering from the syndrome can use to treat this disorder. Also psychotherapy will greatly help overcome this syndrome as well.

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