Contents:
- Medical Video: Cardiomyopathy in children: What you should know | Boston Children's Hospital Heart Center
- Physical activity
- School
- Friends
- Psychological problems
- Family
- Dietary habit
Medical Video: Cardiomyopathy in children: What you should know | Boston Children's Hospital Heart Center
The diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) affects many aspects of a child's life. The following section outlines the general approach to living side by side with this disease. It is important to remember that specific recommendations are made by the child care team.
Physical activity
Children with dilated cardiomyopathy are not permitted to engage in competitive sports because of the possibility of sudden fainting or increased risk of heart failure. Competitive sport is an organized team activity that requires training.
A child who suffers from dilated cardiomyopathy and does not show symptoms of heart failure is allowed to carry out athletic recreational activities which are a type of exercise that does not generate too much energy in non-competitive situations. In milder cases, children can even attend the gym after being considered by children, teachers, and parents to ensure that children will not experience fatigue (shortness of breath, chest pain, excessive sweating). Recommendations for certain activities must be done individually by a cardiologist.
School
Intellectual, psychological and social benefits while attending school can help children who suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy.
Adjust the treatment schedule so that it does not interfere with the child's school activities, do a discussion about safe activities for children with school administrators, and provide additional tutoring to maintain children's academic performance. These things are important to help children stay in school and follow their peers. Usually, close communication between parents, the medical care team, and school nurses can help children stay excited about going to school.
Friends
Every effort must be made to make children with dilated cardiomyopathy socialize with their friends. Children also participate as much as possible in recreational activities whenever possible. However, children must avoid contact with people who suffer from acute illnesses with fever, although most children can still tolerate the upper respiratory tract disease properly.
Psychological problems
Adapting to chronic diseases is indeed stressful, not only for children, but for the whole family as well. The child's reaction to dilated cardiomyopathy usually depends on the stage of the child's development. Discussions about this disease must be tailored to the needs of the child. Child specialists and child psychiatrists are important sources to help children deal with this, and their services can be obtained through treatment centers.
Family
The impact of the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy is felt by the entire family near the child. It is important for parents and other caregivers to realize that they are not alone in feeling the burden of responsibility in caring for children suffering from chronic diseases. Anticipating and / or preventing stress from an illness is an important part of caring for a child and family, and administrators at a medical treatment center can help identify problems causing increased stress.
Practical solutions to the problem of drug administration, meeting, and maintaining a normal family life can usually be obtained by talking to the nurse doctor, social worker, psychiatrist, and other parents who have children with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Dietary habit
All children with DCM must follow a healthy diet. Some types of dilatation of cardiomyopathy are related to the inability to digest certain types of food, and in this case, parents should consult a metabolic specialist to get special dietary advice. Children who suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure, are advised to eat low-salt foods to prevent fluid retention in the body.
Some children who suffer from heart failure cannot grow properly. In this case, it is recommended to consume a diet that increases calorie levels.
Children who take drugs will experience a deficiency of magnesium or potassium, therefore it is recommended to consume foods rich in these substances. Some children who suffer from acute heart failure, the body will hold back the fluid that is there and parents need to limit the amount of fluid the child drinks to prevent fluid from accumulating in the lungs.
Please consult a doctor if you have questions or problems.
