In distinguishing chest pain caused by heart disease from GERD, a doctor will conduct an anamnesis to inquire about the patient's medical history and perform a physical examination. To diagnose heart disease, the following examinations are necessary: Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a recording of the heart’s electrical activity. This test can assess ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle) due to coronary artery disease. Echocardiogram is a heart examination using ultrasound. Ex...

Chest pain is one of the most common complaints and can be experienced by anyone. In fact, chest pain can interfere with daily activities. The pain felt can vary, such as a pressing, stabbing, squeezing sensation, or even a burning feeling. Chest pain is often associated with heart disease, although not all chest pain is caused by heart problems. In general, chest pain is divided into two categories: Cardiac Chest Pain is chest pain caused by heart disease. The most commonly encounte...

Sahabat Pramita is likely familiar with the belief that sweaty palms indicate a weak heart. However, from a medical standpoint, this claim is a myth that needs clarification. Excessively sweaty palms are known as palmar hyperhidrosis, a condition marked by overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system—responsible for regulating automatic bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and sweat production. What Is Autonomic Ne...

What Is a Lupus Flare-Up? Dear Pramita friends, lupus is an autoimmune disease with fluctuating symptoms. When symptoms suddenly worsen, this condition is known as a flare-up. Flare-ups can occur at any time and may be triggered by stress, fatigue, infections, excessive sun exposure, lack of sleep, or an unhealthy diet. For millennials who are always on the go, a flare-up can be highly disruptive. Imagine being in the middle of a productive day, and suddenly experiencing joint pain, extrem...

Hello PRAMITA friends, for every patient suspected of having lupus, laboratory tests are essential to confirm the diagnosis and assess the disease activity. These include complete blood count, urinalysis, kidney and liver function tests, and glucose levels. Autoantibody tests such as ANA, anti-dsDNA, and complement levels (C3, C4) are also required. Screening for comorbid conditions like HIV, Hepatitis B/C, and tuberculosis is important before initiating treatment. These results guide the right...

Sahabat PRAMITA, did you know that Lupus is known as the disease of a thousand faces? This disease attacks the immune system, causing it to turn against healthy cells and leading to inflammation in various organs such as the skin, kidneys, and heart. Most commonly affecting women aged 21–30, lupus can be triggered by genetics, infections, sunlight, and even stress. Its symptoms vary widely—from a butterfly-shaped rash on the face and extreme fatigue to joint pain. Diagnosing lupus requires a th...