FIBRILLATING Meaning and
Definition
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Fibrillating is an adjective used to describe the abnormal and rapid muscular contractions or tremors that occur in the fibers of an organ, particularly in the heart. It is derived from the word "fibrillation," which refers to the irregular and uncoordinated contractions of the heart muscles, specifically the ventricles, causing them to quiver rather than effectively pump blood.
Fibrillation typically occurs when the normal electrical signals that control the heart's contractions become disorganized or chaotic, leading to an erratic and ineffective heartbeat. In a fibrillating heart, the muscle fibers contract randomly and independently from one another, resulting in a rapid and uncoordinated rhythm. This condition can disrupt blood flow to vital organs and tissues, potentially leading to complications such as stroke or cardiac arrest if not promptly treated.
Fibrillation can take different forms, the most common being atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by irregular contractions of the heart's upper chambers (atria), while ventricular fibrillation involves chaotic contractions of the heart's lower chambers (ventricles). Both conditions can result in a range of symptoms including palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue.
The treatment for fibrillation often involves medications, procedures, or medical devices aimed at restoring a regular heart rhythm. This may include anti-arrhythmic drugs, cardioversion, catheter ablation, or implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
Common Misspellings for FIBRILLATING
Etymology of FIBRILLATING
The word "fibrillating" is derived from the noun "fibrillation". The term "fibrillation" originates from the Latin word "fibra", meaning "fiber", combined with the suffix "-ation", which denotes the action or process of a verb. Hence, "fibrillation" refers to the process or state of forming or having fibers. When used in the context of medical terminology, such as in "atrial fibrillation", it specifically refers to the rapid, irregular, and uncoordinated contraction of muscle fibers in the atria of the heart. From "fibrillation", the verb "fibrillate" is formed, and "fibrillating" serves as its present participle or the gerund form.
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