Fulminant

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Fulminant refers to any event or process that occurs suddenly and quickly, and is often severe or intense. In the context of medicine, it is often used to describe a rapid and severe course of illness.

Definition[edit | edit source]

The term "fulminant" is derived from the Latin word "fulminare", which means "to strike with lightning". This is an apt description, as fulminant illnesses often strike suddenly and with great intensity. They can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

Examples[edit | edit source]

Some examples of fulminant illnesses include fulminant hepatic failure, fulminant myocarditis, and fulminant colitis. These conditions can progress rapidly from initial symptoms to serious complications, and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Fulminant Hepatic Failure[edit | edit source]

Fulminant hepatic failure is a rare but severe complication of acute hepatitis. It is characterized by rapid deterioration of liver function, leading to jaundice, coagulopathy, and encephalopathy.

Fulminant Myocarditis[edit | edit source]

Fulminant myocarditis is a severe form of myocarditis characterized by sudden and severe inflammation of the heart muscle. It can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiogenic shock.

Fulminant Colitis[edit | edit source]

Fulminant colitis is a severe form of colitis characterized by sudden and severe inflammation of the colon. It can lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sepsis.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment of fulminant illnesses often involves aggressive supportive care, including intensive care unit admission, and specific treatments for the underlying cause. For example, fulminant hepatic failure may require liver transplantation, while fulminant myocarditis may require heart transplantation or mechanical circulatory support.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Fulminant Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD