What Is Pericarditis?
7. What Are the Treatment Options for Pericarditis?
The treatment for pericarditis depends on the severity of the illness. For minor cases, a doctor may prescribe no action, choosing to let the illness run its course. When dealing with a mild to severe case, a doctor may prescribe drug-based treatment options, ranging from over-the-counter medications to prescriptions, like colchicine or corticosteroids; however, doctors prefer not to prescribe steroids as it may cause a relapse.
In severe to extreme cases of pericarditis, surgery may be the best option for the patient. The two most common operations are pericardiocentesis and pericardiectomy, with the latter being more extreme, resulting in the removal of the pericardial sac. Depending on the invasiveness of the surgery, recovery may last anywhere from a few days to a few months.
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