VSD crises in combination with physical and psycho-emotional symptoms can appear in any person with vegetovascular dystonia. Such attacks may occur once or twice in a lifetime, or they may recur periodically. In this case, the patient is diagnosed with vegetovascular dystonia with a crisis course.
The most important thing here is to immediately begin adequate treatment. The crisis of vegetative-vascular dystonia is often accompanied by an exacerbated attack of a panic attack. This form of the disease is considered one of the most severe and can provoke many unpleasant consequences in the psycho-emotional, social and physical spheres.
What is VSD
Vegetovascular dystonia (VVD) is a condition in which pathological processes occur in the autonomic nervous system. The ANS controls the functioning of the vascular system. It is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic, the actions of which are opposite. For example, the parasympathetic slows downheartbeats, and the sympathetic system, on the contrary, accelerates them.
Such pathological conditions usually appear paroxysmal. Palpitations, increased sweating, headaches, tingling in the heart area, redness or blanching of the face, and fainting are common symptoms.
The appearance of vegetovascular disorders leads to improper functioning of the entire autonomic nervous system, and this, in turn, leads to an imbalance between the areas of the ANS. As a result, all internal organs and systems of the body begin to suffer. This phenomenon is quite common. Vegetovascular dystonia is present in more than 40% of the adult population of the world. Such violations seriously impair people's quality of life.
Seizure classification
Symptoms of an attack of VVD periodically haunt all people diagnosed with vegetovascular dystonia. They are characterized by such signs as:
- appearance of pains of different localization;
- feeling disruption of internal organs;
- increase or decrease in body temperature, etc.
The appearance of such attacks occurs due to a violation of the sympathetic or parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Based on the department in which the violation occurred, modern medicine distinguishes:
- VSD with sympathoadrenal crises - occurs due to dysregulation or superiority of the sympathetic over the parasympathetic.
- VSD with vagoinsular crises - occurs in the process of violationactivities of the parasympathetic department.
- VSD with a mixed type of crises, during which a characteristic clinical picture arises for both sympathetic-adrenal and vagoinsular crises.
How long does the IRR crisis last
The frequency and nature of clinical manifestations of vegetovascular dystonia for each patient proceed differently, while the complexity of the disease depends precisely on these factors. Therefore, doctors distinguish:
- mild attacks;
- moderate seizures;
- heavy.
Mild attacks of the disease usually last no more than 15 minutes and are accompanied by a small range of clinical symptoms. In this case, most often one organ system is involved. There is no post-crisis asthenia, that is, after an attack, a person quickly returns to normal life.
Symptoms of an attack of moderate VSD last less than an hour, but are accompanied by multiple indicators with the preservation of post-crisis asthenia for up to a day and a half.
Severe attacks last more than an hour and are accompanied by a vivid clinical picture in combination with tics, convulsions or other hyperkinesis. Post-crisis asthenia persists for several days.
Why seizures occur
Vegetovascular dystonia with a crisis course often progresses from a mild or asymptomatic form. The vegetative disorder itself can form against the background of the following conditions:
- CNS pathology, birth trauma and concussion;
- violations inthe work of the endocrine system;
- natural restructuring of the hormonal background of the body (for example, the onset of pregnancy, menopause or puberty in adolescents);
- pathologies of the autonomic nervous system, formed against the background of infectious foci, tumors, osteochondrosis.
The first attack of vegetative-vascular dystonia does not occur only in the presence of these factors. Some push is needed here. Stress, psycho-emotional or physical stress, some diseases, medication, surgery, anesthesia, etc. can provoke the onset of the disease.
Therefore, it is more expedient not to think about how to be in an IRR crisis and what to do when it occurs, but to find out what could have caused it and eliminate the possible causes of its occurrence.
Usually, the disease is not limited to just one attack. Often, the realization that a crisis can happen again leads to feelings of fear and anticipation. The patient begins to worry because he does not know how to behave in such a situation and what should be done. He worries that he will not be able to prevent the onset of the crisis.
As a result, a vicious circle is obtained: stress, exacerbation of the disease, clinical manifestation of an VSD crisis (sympatho-adrenal or any other type), fear of a recurrence of an attack, another stress and a new crisis. Moreover, each repeated attack is eliminated much more difficult than the previous one.
According to the international classification (ICD-10), VVD is classified as a disease that requires proper psychotherapeutictreatment. Treatment requires elimination of stress-causing conditions and lifestyle changes. Otherwise, the attacks of the disease will be repeated.
How to recognize VSD
This pathological condition usually first occurs between the ages of 20 and 40. The symptoms of a vascular attack of the VVD often resemble the clinical manifestations of various diseases, but their periodic repetitions add up to a typical picture of the pathological condition.
Fear of a recurrence of an VVD attack is a serious thing that should not be taken superficially. Therefore, it is necessary to draw up a clear plan of what to do during any type of IRR crisis. It is necessary to act here adequately and as calmly as possible in order to avoid undesirable consequences.
Vegetovascular dystonia of hypertensive type (hypertensive crisis of VVD) during an attack manifests itself as follows:
- the upper limit of blood pressure rapidly rises to 140-180, and at the end of the crisis it normalizes on its own;
- severe, throbbing headaches appear;
- heart palpitations occur;
- heart rate increases to 110-140 beats per minute.
Some patients report fever up to 39˚C, chest pain, agitation.
An attack of vegetovascular dystonia of the hypotensive type is accompanied by:
- lowering blood pressure to 80-(90…50) and slower heart rate;
- feeling hot in head and face;
- fitssuffocation and lack of air;
- feeling weak;
- appearance of pressing pain in the chest;
- abdominal discomfort;
- dizzy;
- nauseous;
- vomit.
Signs of cardiac VSD are:
- prolonged pain in the heart (dull or sharp);
- tachycardia;
- anxiety;
- changes in heart rate;
- feeling like your heart is about to burst or stop;
- suffocation.
The appearance of such symptoms does not depend on the presence of physical activity. Also, they do not disappear after taking drugs for angina.
An attack of vegetovascular dystonia of the visceral type is accompanied by:
- severe and frequent abdominal pain;
- bloating;
- disturbance of bowel function (diarrhea or constipation).
Signs of an attack of VSD of the respiratory type are:
- pressive chest pain;
- breathing difficulties;
- feeling like a lump in the throat;
- inability to take a deep breath and yawning;
- dry cough.
With asthenic crises of VVD, there are symptoms such as:
- very tired;
- small trembling in hands;
- loss of stamina for a long time.
In this case, many patients may experience an increase in temperature up to 37.5 °C.
Often, VVD attacks proceed according to the principle of mixed type. In this case, the clinical picture of such conditions combines the symptoms of several varieties of the disease. Suchattacks are very difficult.
Each of the VSD crises is accompanied by fear and panic. In severe cases, an attack is often accompanied by a fear of death or the possibility of going insane. However, such states disappear with the end of the crisis. At the end of such syndromes, the patient may still feel depressed, anxious and weak for some time. He needs some time to get back to his normal life.
What threatens vegetovascular dystonia
Despite the threatening course, vegetative-vascular dystonia usually does not cause serious complications and does not cause much harm to human he alth. However, this disease leads to a lack of oxygen in the tissues, and in chronic and severe forms can lead to coronary heart disease.
If the patient is concerned about regular jumps in heart rate and blood pressure, pain in the chest or abdomen, it is necessary to consult a specialist. Diagnosis of the patient will allow to exclude the development of other undesirable pathological conditions.
Diagnosis
In addition to examining the patient and taking an anamnesis in the diagnosis of VVD, the doctor will recommend mandatory laboratory and instrumental examinations. First of all:
- electrocardiogram (ECG);
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
- laboratory;
- ultrasound examinations (ultrasound).
The first attack is always a shock: both for the patient and for his relatives. To another crisisit is necessary to prepare both mentally and physically, because in the event of the next attack, you need to act confidently and calmly.
How to relieve the main symptoms
VSD can provoke a crisis of various factors. For some, the main reason is intolerance to stuffiness, for someone - a change in the weather or a trip in public transport.
The exclusion of provocative situations, the correct assessment of the situation, the planning of actions will minimize the number of possible attacks. The main thing here is to clearly understand what causes them.
No matter how often these conditions occur, the patient should always have mild sedatives with him. With any hint of a stressful situation and the beginning of a crisis, it is better to play it safe. The use of such funds helps to avoid panic attacks, normalize blood pressure and alleviate the general condition during an exacerbation.
What to do if the crisis has already begun
When an attack of vegetovascular dystonia has already begun, treatment with light sedatives will no longer help. It doesn't matter where or when it happened. It is necessary to lie down or sit down and try to cope with the emotions that have appeared. Need to relax. Be sure to inhale deeply through the nose, while you can count the number of breaths or exhalations, drink water in small sips. The main thing is to remember that this is just a panic attack that will end soon.
Massage of closed eyes will help to cope with a strong heartbeat, andnormalize the jumped pressure - massage the little fingers of the hands, temples and the back of the head. Reducing the pressure will allow taking appropriate medications.
If there is a feeling of lack of air, then you should open the window and free the neck area from tight clothing.
When a headache occurs, it is necessary to move away from sources of bright light and noise. In the acute course of an attack, a Phenazepam tablet will help. A sudden onset of weakness will disappear if you eat something sweet.
Therapy
Treatment of VVD crises consists in taking drugs that have a stimulating and calming effect. Any drugs used in therapeutic schemes for various types of vegetative dystonia should only be prescribed by a doctor. There should be no self-treatment in this case.
What drugs are used
According to the international classification of ICD-10, VVD is not designated as a separate disease. Vegetovascular dystonia is considered as a complex of disorders in the range G90 - G99. These manifestations are treated mainly with herbal preparations (tinctures of valerian, ginseng, motherwort or lemongrass). Mild sedatives may also be prescribed to strengthen the nervous system.
For the treatment of cerebral circulation disorders, drugs are used that improve blood flow and blood circulation in the vascular system. These are drugs such as:
- "Ginkgo Biloba";
- "Pantogam";
- "Glycine";
- "Vinpocetine";
- "Actovegin";
- "Piracetam" and others
Medications need to be taken for a long time, most drugs need to be taken for at least 3 months. These dosage forms help to eliminate symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, poor memory, absent-mindedness and forgetfulness. In addition, they provide relief from headaches and migraine attacks. Treatment regimens most often consist of a complex of drugs, which provides the expected therapeutic effect.
Disease prevention
However, not only medications are used to treat such pathologies. People suffering from various types of VVD crises must independently adjust their day, normalizing physical activity and limiting themselves from psycho-emotional shocks. A person needs to provide:
- correct mode of work and rest;
- balanced diet;
- giving up bad habits;
- doing special therapeutic exercises;
- reducing the number of stressful situations;
- reduce physical activity.
In addition, therapeutic physiotherapy, massage, breathing exercises and spa treatment have a good effect. To reduce the likelihood of developing vegetovascular dystonia, as well as reduce the frequency of manifestations of this disease, it is necessary to adhere to all doctor's prescriptions. All medicines must be taken regularly andtimely.
