100 Grapevine Hwy Hurst TX 76054

Kawasaki Disease Treatment in Carrollton, TX

What Is Kawasaki Disease?

Kawasaki Disease Carrollton, TX

Kawasaki disease, also sometimes referred to as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a rare but serious childhood illness that causes blood vessel inflammation. The disease can affect any type of blood vessel, including the arteries, capillaries, and veins, and can also impact a child's lymph nodes, skin, mouth, nose, and throat.

While the condition is not contagious, it can cause significant discomfort in your child and lead to more serious complications, such as acquired heart disease , if left untreated. Fortunately, treatment is available to prevent your child from suffering any lasting damage.

To schedule an appointment with a healthcare practitioner in Carrollton who specializes in Kawasaki disease treatment, call (817) 203-2760 or contact Ms. Jessica Stangenwald online.

What Causes Kawasaki Disease?

Although what causes Kawasaki disease is currently unknown, the disease appears to be seasonal, occurring most often in late winter and early spring. Several theories suggest that bacteria, viruses, genes, or other environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease.

In addition, there are several risk factors of Kawasaki disease, including:

  • Gender: Boys have a higher risk of developing the disease than girls
  • Age: According to the Kawasaki Disease Foundation, 75 percent of patients are under the age of five
  • Ethnicity: Children of Japanese or Korean descent have a higher likelihood of developing Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki Disease Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease usually arrive in three stages.

Symptoms of the first stage include:

  • A fever of about 102 F that lasts about five days
  • Red eyes
  • A body rash
  • Irritability
  • Swollen red lips, tongue, hands, and feet

In the second stage, Kawasaki disease symptoms may progress to:

  • Skin on the hands and feet peeling off
  • Joint pain
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea and abdominal pain

In the third stage, Kawasaki disease may either dissipate on its own or develop into further heart complications, including:

  • Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels, usually in the coronary arteries)
  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscles)
  • Aneurysm (the weakening and bulging of the artery wall)
  • Increased risk of blood clots and heart attack
  • Heart valve problems

How to Diagnose Kawasaki Disease

There is no specific lab test that can definitively diagnose Kawasaki disease, so in most cases, your healthcare practitioner will rely on your child's symptoms to arrive at a diagnosis.

Another important step to diagnosing this disease is to rule out any other diseases with similar symptoms, such as scarlet fever , measles , or toxic shock syndrome . Doing so includes various tests, such as an echocardiogram to detect any heart problems, an electrocardiogram to measure the heart's electrical impulses and detect an irregular heart rate, or a blood or urine test.

Kawasaki Disease Treatment

Prompt treatment of Kawasaki disease is important to prevent complications. Receiving treatment within ten days of noticing symptoms may greatly reduce the chances of lasting heart damage.

Kawasaki disease treatment begins in the hospital and can include intravenous (IV) medications such as a gamma globulin (also known as immunoglobulin or IVIG), in which an immune protein infusion is given through a vein to reduce inflamed blood vessels. Aspirin can be used to reduce pain, fever, and the risk of blood clots if necessary.

Due to the risk or Rye Syndrome, do not give your child aspirin until first talking with his or her healthcare provider. Although aspirin can be taken at home, you should stop taking aspirin if your child develops the flu or chicken pox. Skin lotion may be used if your child's skin is dry.

A few months after treatment has ended, follow-up appointments or tests may be needed to detect possible heart problems. Further treatments to address heart problems such as aneurysms can include anticoagulant drugs and operations to improve blood flow through the arteries.

Kawasaki disease can be a stressful and scary disease with life-long consequences for your child. To learn more about Kawasaki disease treatment in Carrollton, call (817) 203-2760 or contact Ms. Jessica Stangenwald online.

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Hours and Directions
The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic
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Address

100 Grapevine Hwy
Hurst, TX 76054
(817) 203-2760
https://www.newyoumedclinic.com/

Hours

Mon: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri: Closed
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

Areas We Service:

Tarrant County, TX, DFW, TX, Las Colinas, TX, Carrollton, TX, Dallas, TX, Irving, TX, Richardson, TX, Sunnyvale, TX, Frisco, TX, Roanoke, TX, Weatherford, TX, Arlington, TX, Bedford, TX, Colleyville, TX, Euless, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Grapevine, TX, Haltom City, TX, Keller, TX, North Richland Hills, TX, Southlake, TX, Watauga, TX