What triggers chills beyond just feeling cold. How can chills indicate underlying health issues. Why do some medical conditions cause shivering and goosebumps. When should you be concerned about experiencing frequent chills.

The Body’s Temperature Regulation Mechanism

Maintaining core body temperature is a fundamental biological function. When this delicate balance is disrupted, our bodies respond with chills. Dr. Rose Taroyan, a family medicine physician at Keck Medicine of USC, explains: “Chills occur when the muscles contract and relax in order to make heat. This occurs when you are cold, but it can also be your body’s defense mechanism in fighting an infection.”

While feeling chilly in a cold environment is normal, persistent or unexplained chills may signal various underlying medical conditions. Understanding these causes can help individuals recognize when to seek medical attention.

Viral and Bacterial Infections: A Common Culprit

One of the most frequent reasons for experiencing chills is the presence of a viral or bacterial infection. When chills are accompanied by other symptoms like fever, body aches, or fatigue, they often indicate a systemic infection such as flu or pneumonia.

Dr. Taroyan elaborates: “Chills boost your body’s core temperature when your immune system attempts to fight off infection. Your body temperature increases, even though you might feel cold. If you have a viral infection, you will usually notice other symptoms along with chills, such as sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue and muscle aches.”

How long do viral infections typically last?

Most viral infections are self-limiting and resolve within two weeks. During this period, it’s crucial to get plenty of rest and increase fluid intake to support the body’s natural healing processes.

Low Blood Sugar: An Overlooked Cause of Chills

While many associate low blood sugar with irritability and shakiness, it can also manifest as chills. This connection is particularly relevant for individuals with diabetes.

“One of the symptoms of hypoglycemia is a feeling of shakiness, which may mimic chills,” Dr. Taroyan notes. “Hypoglycemia requires immediate treatment to get blood sugar levels back to normal.”

What defines hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is clinically defined as blood glucose levels below 70 milligrams per deciliter. In addition to chills or shakiness, it can cause sweating, confusion, rapid heartbeat, blurry vision, lightheadedness, and drowsiness.

How to manage hypoglycemia?

For diabetics experiencing hypoglycemic symptoms, the “15-15” rule is recommended:

1. Consume 15 grams of simple carbohydrates (e.g., glucose tablet, juice, honey, or hard candy)
2. Wait 15 minutes and recheck blood glucose
3. Eat a balanced meal to stabilize blood sugar, but avoid overeating to prevent blood sugar spikes

Panic Attacks and Emotional Responses

Intense emotional reactions can trigger physical symptoms, including chills. Dr. Taroyan explains, “Emotions that might cause chills include fear or anxiety.”

Anxiety disorders affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives, according to the American Psychiatric Association. During a panic attack, individuals may experience a combination of physical and psychological symptoms:

• Chills
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Chest pain

The severity of these symptoms can sometimes lead individuals to mistake a panic attack for a heart attack. If you’ve never experienced a panic attack before, it’s essential to seek medical attention to rule out other serious conditions.

How are anxiety disorders treated?

For those diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, a combination of psychotherapy (“talk” therapy) and medication can effectively manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Malaria: A Global Health Concern

Although relatively rare in the United States, malaria remains a significant health issue in many parts of the world. This mosquito-borne disease can produce symptoms that mimic those of a cold or flu, including chills.

What are the key symptoms of malaria?

Malaria symptoms often include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Sweats
• Head and body aches
• Nausea
• Fatigue

A simple blood test can detect the presence of the malaria parasite. However, due to its rarity in the US, doctors may not immediately consider this diagnosis. If you’ve traveled to regions where malaria is common (such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of India, and certain areas of Central and South America) within the past year, it’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider, even if you took antimalarial medications.

Leukemia: When Chills Signal Something More Serious

In some cases, persistent chills can be a sign of blood cancers, including leukemia. While less common, it’s important to be aware of this possibility, especially when chills are accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.

What symptoms accompany chills in leukemia?

Leukemia may present with a combination of symptoms:

• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Night sweats
• Abdominal pain
• Recurring infections

If you experience persistent fever and chills that don’t resolve, it’s crucial to consult your doctor for a thorough evaluation.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Chills

While chills are often a benign response to environmental factors, they can sometimes indicate underlying health issues that require medical attention. Dr. Taroyan advises, “Please schedule an appointment with your primary care physician for further evaluation” if chills are accompanied by other concerning symptoms or persist for an extended period.

How can you differentiate between harmless and concerning chills?

Consider seeking medical attention if your chills:

• Are accompanied by a high fever (over 103°F or 39.4°C)
• Persist for more than 48 hours
• Are associated with severe pain or other worrying symptoms
• Occur after travel to areas with high malaria risk
• Are experienced by individuals with compromised immune systems

Prevention and Management of Chills

While not all causes of chills are preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce their occurrence and manage them effectively when they do happen.

How can you prevent chills related to infections?

To minimize the risk of infection-related chills:

• Practice good hygiene, including regular handwashing
• Stay up to date on vaccinations
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle to support your immune system
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are ill

What are effective ways to manage chills at home?

When experiencing chills:

1. Dress in layers to adjust your body temperature easily
2. Use warm blankets or take a warm bath
3. Stay hydrated with warm fluids
4. Rest and allow your body to recover
5. Monitor your temperature and other symptoms

Remember, while these methods can provide comfort, they don’t address the underlying cause of chills. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare professional.

The Role of Stress in Triggering Chills

Stress can have a significant impact on our physical well-being, and chills are no exception. The body’s stress response, often referred to as the “fight or flight” reaction, can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including chills.

How does stress induce chills?

When we experience stress, our body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can cause:

• Increased heart rate
• Elevated blood pressure
• Rapid breathing
• Muscle tension

The combination of these physiological changes can sometimes manifest as chills or a feeling of coldness.

What stress management techniques can help reduce stress-related chills?

To manage stress and potentially reduce associated chills:

1. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation
2. Engage in regular physical exercise
3. Ensure adequate sleep
4. Maintain a balanced diet
5. Seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional

Chills and Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body, can sometimes present with chills as a symptom. Conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis may cause intermittent chills along with other symptoms.

Why do autoimmune disorders cause chills?

In autoimmune disorders, the body’s inflammatory response can lead to fluctuations in body temperature. This can result in alternating periods of fever and chills. Additionally, some autoimmune conditions affect the body’s temperature regulation mechanisms directly.

How are chills managed in autoimmune disorders?

Management of chills in autoimmune disorders typically involves:

• Treating the underlying condition with immunosuppressants or other medications
• Managing symptoms with over-the-counter pain relievers or fever reducers
• Lifestyle modifications to support overall health
• Regular monitoring and follow-ups with a rheumatologist or relevant specialist

If you have an autoimmune disorder and experience new or worsening chills, consult your healthcare provider to ensure proper management of your condition.

The Impact of Medications on Body Temperature Regulation

Certain medications can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature, potentially leading to chills. Understanding this connection is crucial for individuals taking these medications and for healthcare providers managing their treatment.

Which medications commonly cause chills?

Medications that may induce chills include:

• Antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, sulfonamides)
• Antipsychotics
• Some blood pressure medications
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Immunosuppressants

How can medication-induced chills be managed?

If you suspect your medication is causing chills:

1. Do not stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor
2. Keep a record of when the chills occur and their severity
3. Discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider
4. Your doctor may adjust the dosage or suggest an alternative medication if necessary

Always communicate openly with your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience from medications.

Chills in the Context of Hormonal Changes

Hormonal fluctuations can significantly impact body temperature regulation, leading to episodes of chills. This is particularly relevant for women experiencing menopause or thyroid disorders.

How do hormonal changes cause chills?

Hormones play a crucial role in maintaining body temperature. When hormone levels fluctuate, it can disrupt the body’s thermoregulatory system, leading to:

• Hot flashes followed by chills (common in menopause)
• Increased sensitivity to cold (often seen in hypothyroidism)
• Alternating sensations of heat and cold

What strategies help manage hormone-related chills?

To manage chills related to hormonal changes:

1. Consult an endocrinologist for proper diagnosis and treatment
2. Consider hormone replacement therapy if appropriate
3. Practice stress-reduction techniques
4. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
5. Dress in layers to adjust to temperature changes easily

Remember, hormonal imbalances can have wide-ranging effects on health, so it’s essential to work closely with a healthcare provider for comprehensive management.

5 Reasons Why You Might Have the Chills

Are chills serious? Shivering and goose bumps can accompany a wide range of conditions, from a too-cold environment to cancer.

Maintaining our core temperature is one of the body’s most basic functions, and when that temperature is off — or when our body thinks it’s off — we get the chills.

“Chills occur when the muscles contract and relax in order to make heat,” says Rose Taroyan, MD, a family medicine physician at Keck Medicine of USC and clinical assistant professor of family medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “This occurs when you are cold, but it can also be your body’s defense mechanism in fighting an infection.”

Everyone knows the sensation of getting the chills when your environment is too cold. That’s usually a signal to put on more layers or turn up the heat. But there are many underlying medical conditions that can cause them, too. Read on for some common — and not so common — causes of chills.

1. You have a viral or bacterial infection.

When chills are accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, body aches or fatigue, they’re more likely associated with a systemic infection, such as flu or pneumonia.

“Chills boost your body’s core temperature when your immune system attempts to fight off infection,” Taroyan explains. “Your body temperature increases, even though you might feel cold. If you have a viral infection, you will usually notice other symptoms along with chills, such as sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Most of the time, it can be self-limiting and will resolve within 2 weeks. It’s important to get plenty of rest and increase your fluid intake.”

2. You have low blood sugar.

Although many people feel a bit shaky and irritable when they need to eat, true hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, most often occurs in people who have diabetes.

“One of the symptoms of hypoglycemia is a feeling of shakiness, which may mimic chills,” Taroyan says. “Hypoglycemia requires immediate treatment to get blood sugar levels back to normal.”

Defined as blood glucose of less than 70 milligrams per deciliter, hypoglycemia can cause a variety of other symptoms, including sweating, confusion, a rapid heartbeat, blurry vision, lightheadedness and drowsiness.

If you have diabetes and you notice these symptoms, follow the “15-15” rule: Have 15 grams of simple carbs, such as a glucose tablet, juice, honey or hard candy, and check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes. Then eat a meal, but don’t overeat, or your blood sugar will spike.

3. You’re having a panic attack.

Chills can occur if you have a profound or intense emotional reaction to a situation, according to Taroyan. “Emotions that might cause chills include fear or anxiety,” she says.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 30% of all adults will experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. A panic attack can cause a combination of physical as well as psychological symptoms, including chills, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness and chest pain. Because of the severity of the symptoms, a panic attack sometimes causes people to think they’re having a heart attack.

If you’ve never had a panic attack before, seek medical attention. If you’ve been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, psychotherapy (“talk” therapy) and medication can help.

4. You have malaria.

Symptoms of malaria, a disease spread by infected mosquitos, can mimic those of a cold or flu. In addition to chills, they can include fever, sweats, head and body aches, nausea and fatigue. A simple blood test can identify the presence of the malaria parasite, but since malaria is relatively rare in the United States, your doctor might not immediately test for it. If you’ve traveled to regions where the disease is common, such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of India and parts of Central and South America within the last 12 months, be sure to mention it when you’re being evaluated, even if you took antimalarial medications.

5. You have leukemia.

Chills can also be a sign of blood cancers, including leukemia. Symptoms of leukemia may include swelling of the lymph nodes, along with fever, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, night sweats, abdominal pain and recurring infections. If you have a fever and chills that just won’t go away, see your doctor, in case it’s something more serious.

Having the chills may be nothing more than the body’s attempt to warm you up, but if they’re accompanied by other symptoms, that’s the time to seek medical attention. “Please schedule an appointment with your primary care physician for further evaluation,” Taroyan advises.

Topics

chills

Dr. Rose Taroyan

fever

hypoglycemia

leukemia

panic attack

Tina Donvito

Tina Donvito is a freelance writer covering health, culture, travel and parenting.

Low Grade Fever and Body Aches

April 8, 2016

A low grade fever and body aches are common signs of influenza, or the flu. Headache and fatigue often accompany a fever and body aches, especially if one is suffering from the flu.

The best way to avoid fever, body aches and other flu symptoms is to get the flu shot. This is especially true for children, the elderly, and anyone with a compromised immune system.

The Flu Can Cause Body Aches and Fever

A fever is typically a sign that the body is fighting infection. A fever is typically considered “low grade” if it is between 99.9 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit. However, fever in children and particularly infants should be watched carefully. A newborn with a temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit needs emergency medical attention.

When you have a viral infection like the flu, your body diverts white blood cells to fight the infection. Those white blood cells are normally assigned to keep your joints and muscles in optimal working order. When they get called away, you develop body aches.

Unfortunately, if you have the flu, you are probably contagious. Most adults become contagious a day before symptoms start and remain contagious for up to seven days. Children sometimes are contagious for longer periods.

Treatment for Flu-Like Symptoms

Common at-home treatments for a low grade fever and body aches include:

• Rest.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Take over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen or aspirin.

Get Fast Relief for Low Grade Fever and Body Aches

FastMed Urgent Care is available when you need us, and you don’t need to wait for an appointment. We have locations open 365 days a year, and our medical professionals can help diagnose and treat your low grade fever and body aches.

Check out our Health Resources Center for more answers to your health questions. When you are ready to get relief for your flu-like symptoms, contact us or simply walk into your local FastMed Urgent Care.

See what satisfied patients like Kim R. have to say about their experience with FastMed Urgent Care:

“Being sick stinks, but my experience at the urgent care clinic was top notch. ALL of the staff were kind, helpful, and good listeners. The medical center was much more attractive than the typical walk-in clinic and the service was amazing. If I had to feel bad enough to see a family doctor, at least I was fortunate to have a clinic like this one nearby. Thank you!!!”

———-
Sources:
EMedicine Health: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/fever_in_adults/article_em.htm
Everyday Health: https://www.everydayhealth.com/symptom-checker/fever
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/basics/symptoms

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Beware of malaria: prevention and treatment of an infectious disease

With the onset of summer, the flow of tourists to countries with a tropical climate increases.

In order not to overshadow your vacation abroad with illness, you should be aware of preventive measures for the most common exotic diseases. With the primary symptoms of the disease, they should be recognized in time. Let’s talk about malaria.

Beware of blood-sucking

Malaria is a parasitic disease with an acute and sometimes protracted course, characterized by the presence of febrile attacks, enlargement of the liver, spleen, development of anemia. The causative agents of malaria belong to the genus Plasmodium. P. vivax. The causative agent of three-day malaria is widespread in Asia, Oceania, South and Central America. P.ovale (oval-malaria) – the causative agent of three-day malaria; its range is mainly limited to Equatorial Africa, isolated cases have been reported on the islands of Oceania and in Thailand. P.malariae, the causative agent of four-day malaria, and P.falciparum, the causative agent of tropical malaria, are widespread in offshore Africa, as well as in some countries of Asia, Oceania, South and Central America.

Malaria is transmitted when a person is bitten by a mosquito of the genus Anopheles, which is the carrier of the pathogen. The mosquito itself becomes infected by feeding on the blood of a malaria patient or a carrier of sexual forms of the malarial plasmodium.

Tremendous chills

Malaria is characterized by a period of acute attacks of fever (primary attack) followed by a fever-free period. In some untreated or undertreated patients, fever resumes after 7-14 days or more within 2-3 months after the cessation of the primary attack (early relapses). After an incubation period of varying duration (from 1 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of pathogen), non-immune patients experience characteristic chilling, headache, low-grade fever, malaise, muscle pain, and sometimes diarrhea (with tropical malaria).

An attack of malaria (paroxysm) proceeds with a change of phases: tremendous chills, fever, sweat. In the chill phase, the skin is pale, cold, rough (“goose-like”) with a cyanotic tint. The chill lasts from 10-15 minutes to 2-3 hours and is accompanied by a very rapid rise in temperature (up to 39-40°C and above). After a few hours, the heat is replaced by profuse sweating. In general, malarial paroxysm lasts 6-12 hours, and with tropical malaria – up to a day or more. After the attack, there is a period of normalization of temperature. It lasts 48 hours for three days of malaria and 72 hours for four days.

Treatment of patients is carried out in an infectious diseases hospital with special antimalarial drugs. The success of malaria treatment is largely determined by the timeliness and correct choice of the drug.

Prevention

When staying in areas where malaria is common, the following precautions should be taken:

– sleep in rooms where windows and doors are covered with a net or mesh curtain, preferably impregnated with insecticide;

– from dusk to dawn, dress in such a way as not to leave arms and legs open;

– Treat open areas of the body with repellent, especially staying outdoors in the evening and at night;

– prophylactic administration of antimalarial drugs is recommended for people traveling to foci of medium and high endemicity.

Malaria is a parasitic tropical disease characterized by bouts of fever, anemia and enlargement of the spleen. There are 4 types of malaria: tropical, three-day, four-day and oval malaria. The heaviest is tropical. Malaria is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through the blood-sucking of female mosquitoes. There are two more ways of infection – through blood transfusion and intrauterine, when a woman with malaria infects her unborn child. Entered into the human body during the bite of malarial mosquitoes, the parasites circulate in the blood, and then are carried to the liver, in the cells of which they develop.

The incubation (hidden) period of development of parasites ranges from seven days to three years. This amplitude depends on the type of malaria; in tropical malaria, the incubation period is short. The disease begins with symptoms of general intoxication (weakness, weakness, severe headache, chills). Then come repeated attacks of fever, the body temperature rises to 40 degrees and above, lasts for several hours and is accompanied by chills and heavy sweating at the end of the attack. If there is a clear recurrence of such attacks after a certain time – daily (every other day or two days later), you should think about a possible illness with malaria and immediately seek medical help.

Tropical malaria is the most severe form of malaria. The incubation period ranges from 8 to 16 days. Headache, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite may occur 3-4 days before the development of clinical symptoms. The initial manifestations are characterized by severe chills, a feeling of heat, severe headache. In some cases, malaria attacks occur without chills. Fever at the onset of the disease can be constant without pronounced attacks, which makes diagnosis difficult. With late diagnosis and delay in treatment of tropical malaria, take a “malignant course”.

The risk of developing “malignant” malaria is especially increased if treatment is delayed more than 6 days from the onset of the disease. Mortality in tropical malaria ranges from 10 to 40%, depending on the time of initiation of treatment, the correct selection of antimalarial drugs and the equipment of the clinic. Children, pregnant women, and non-immune adults are more likely to develop severe tropical malaria. Cerebral malaria is the most common complication of tropical malaria, characterized by convulsions, rigidity, and retinal hemorrhages.

Malaria parasites are found in the blood of a sick person and can only be detected by examining the blood under a microscope. Treatment of this dangerous disease is carried out taking into account the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs.

Observe preventive measures!

Necrosis of the myomatous node. What is Myoma Necrosis?

IMPORTANT
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

Necrosis of the myomatous node is a complication of uterine fibroids associated with impaired vascularization and nutrition of the tumor and leading to irreversible changes in the tissues of the nodular formation. Necrosis of the myomatous node is accompanied by the development of a picture of an acute abdomen with pain, nausea and vomiting, hyperthermia, tension of the anterior abdominal wall, dysuria and gas retention. A complication of uterine fibroids is diagnosed using a general examination and vaginal examination, pelvic ultrasound, laparoscopy. Treatment of necrosis of the myomatous node is urgent surgical in the amount of conservative myomectomy, amputation of the uterus, hysterectomy, panhysterectomy.

• Causes of myoma node necrosis
• Types of necrosis of the myomatous node
• Symptoms of necrosis of the myomatous node
• Diagnosis of necrosis of the myomatous node
• Treatment of myoma necrosis
• Prognosis and prevention of necrosis of the myomatous node
• Prices for treatment

General

Necrosis of the myomatous node is characterized by the necrosis of tumor tissues due to torsion of the myoma stem or violation of its vascularization. Necrotic changes can occur in the nodes of any localization – submucosal, subserous, intramural. The incidence of necrosis of the myomatous node in gynecology occurs in 7% of all cases of uterine fibroids. Signs of cystic degeneration or necrosis are found in 60% of electively removed myoma nodes. Edema, hemorrhages, degeneration, and aseptic inflammation develop in necrotic tissues. Further progression of necrosis of the myomatous node can lead to peritonitis.

Myoma node necrosis

Causes of myoma node necrosis

The direct cause of circulatory disorders in the myomatous node can be a kink or torsion of the tumor stem, venous congestion, ischemia, or multiple thrombus formation in the intramural nodes. Uterine fibroids, increasing in size, can cause deformation or complete compression of the vessels that feed it. Nodes of intramural localization often undergo necrosis and ischemia due to pronounced contractions of the myometrium after childbirth or the use of drugs that reduce the uterine muscles. Subserous fibroids often have a thin stalk, which, as a result of its mobility, often leads to twisting of the node.

Myomatous nodes can become necrotic during pregnancy, when, against the background of increased vascular tone, there is a decrease in arterial blood supply to the myometrium and a violation of venous outflow. It should also be borne in mind that myomatous nodes grow in parallel with the increase in the size of the pregnant uterus. Therefore, the management of pregnancy in women with uterine fibroids requires vigilance regarding the risk of developing necrosis of the myomatous node. The likelihood of developing necrosis of the myomatous node also increases due to physical activity (sharp slopes, weight lifting, jumping), in the postpartum period, after an abortion.

Types of myoma node necrosis

According to morphological features in gynecology, it is customary to distinguish between wet, dry and red necrosis of the myomatous node. Wet necrosis is characterized by softening and wet necrosis of tissues in which cystic cavities form. Dry necrosis of the myomatous node is characterized by wrinkling of necrotic areas of the tumor with the formation of cavernous cavities in these areas with remnants of dead tissue.

Red necrosis is usually exposed to intramurally located myomatous nodes in pregnant women and women who have recently given birth. Macroscopically, with red necrosis, the myomatous node is colored reddish-brown, has a soft texture, dilated veins with thrombosis.

Against the background of aseptic necrosis of the myomatous node, as a rule, an infectious inflammation develops due to lymphogenous or hematogenous drift of microbial pathogens (staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, streptococcus). Infection of necrotic nodes is associated with the risk of developing peritonitis or a generalized form of infection – sepsis.

Symptoms of myoma node necrosis

The severity of clinical manifestations of necrosis of the myomatous node is determined by the degree of violations that have arisen. In the case of torsion of the pedicle of the node, the symptoms appear suddenly; a clinic of an acute abdomen develops with cramping pains, nausea and vomiting, chills, fever, dry mouth, intestinal dysfunction (constipation, flatulence).

In violation of the vascularization of the myomatous node, the symptoms are more blurred and increase gradually. In this case, periodically increasing and weakening pulling pains in the lower back and lower abdomen are noted. During a painful attack, subfebrile condition, tachycardia, chills, nausea, impaired urination and stool develop.

Diagnosis of myoma node necrosis

When diagnosing necrosis of the myomatous node, indications in the anamnesis for uterine myoma, complaints, and clinical manifestations are taken into account. On physical examination, attention is drawn to the pale color of the skin, the coating of the tongue with a whitish coating, bloating, tenderness, and positive peritoneal symptoms in the lower abdomen.

A gynecological examination reveals an enlarged uterus with signs of fibroids, sharply painful in the area of ​​the necrotic node. Ultrasound of the small pelvis with necrosis of the myomatous node is characterized by the following acoustic signs: a decrease and heterogeneity in the density of the formation, the appearance of cystic cavities in the node. With the help of dopplerography, signs of impaired blood flow inside the nodular formation and adjacent areas of the myometrium are detected.

Diagnostic laparoscopy for necrosis of the myomatous node allows you to visually examine the pelvic organs and, if necessary, provide access for surgical intervention. On examination, an enlarged myomatous uterus with signs of necrosis is determined – edema, hemorrhages, cyanotic-purple color of the node. Necrosis of the myomatous node is differentiated with torsion of the pedicle of the ovarian cystoma, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian apoplexy, acute appendicitis, pyosalpinx, pyovar.

Treatment of myoma necrosis

If necrosis of the myomatous node is suspected, emergency hospitalization and surgical assistance are required. In case of necrosis caused by torsion of the pedicle of the myomatous node, the choice of the amount of intervention depends on the age of the woman, the degree of necrotic changes, and the presence of peritonitis. In women of the reproductive phase and in pregnant women in the absence of peritonitis, if possible, they are limited to conservative myomectomy. Patients in the pre- and postmenopausal period are shown radical interventions – supravaginal amputation of the uterus, hysterectomy without appendages or panhysterectomy.

With ischemia of the myomatous node, surgical intervention can be delayed by 24-48 hours; at this time, infusion therapy is carried out, aimed at reducing intoxication, normalizing the water and electrolyte balance. The scope of the operation is further determined by the same criteria.

Prognosis and prevention of myoma node necrosis

In the event of the appearance of a picture of an acute abdomen against the background of an existing uterine fibroids, an immediate appeal to a gynecological or surgical hospital is required. With timely recognition and provision of surgical assistance, the prognosis is satisfactory.