Narrowing of the cerebral arteries is a pathological condition that is diagnosed by determining defects in the processes of blood circulation. Cerebral vasospasm is a short-term paroxysmal decrease in the supply of nutrients to the brain. At the same time, there are no significant changes, however, it should be noted that against such a background, muscle tone changes. Subsequently, this phenomenon can cause a stroke.
Therefore, the signs characteristic of cerebral vasospasm must be treated carefully at any age. Only timely measures taken can prevent ischemia.
It should be noted that in neurology such manifestations are defined as a vascular crisis.
Vasospasm of the heart vessels is also possible. This isa sharp and sudden narrowing of the lumen of the arteries, or rather the smooth muscle tissue that lines them. Such a spasm is temporary, but proceeds in the form of angina pectoris, causing a lot of discomfort to a person.
Most often, pathology is diagnosed in men in middle age. Vasospasm can also occur in a newborn infant who has been traumatized during childbirth or in adolescents when major changes in the hormonal system are taking place.
What changes are typical?
The state of cerebral vasospasm refers to the manifestation of defects in small branches of arteries with a smooth muscle surface.
Smooth muscle wall normally shrinks, while:
- through special nerve fibers, impulses enter the bloodstream through special hormonal substances;
- special electrolyte ions change the charge of cell membranes;
- muscles contract with change in length.
Violations can occur at any of these stages. It must be borne in mind that angiospasm can manifest itself as a natural reaction of the human body to cold.
The intensity of the manifestation of signs of cerebral vasospasm in such cases will be minimized. In severe cases, a person will feel certain painful sensations in the internal organs, blood circulation in the cervical vessels is disturbed.
Varieties of spasm according to its severity
The definition of vasospasm has been given, however, it should be noted that spastic crises are divided into threetypes, each of which has its own character of the course of spasm:
- Cerebral vasospasm of cerebral vessels. The patient loses consciousness, motor activity changes, the ability to speak weakens or is lost, vision is disturbed, complaints are received about the manifestation of tinnitus and acute headaches. The recovery process is largely determined by the initial state of human he alth. If the body is he althy, it will be able to fully recover.
- Angiodistonic spasm. Weak manifestation of neurological symptoms. Normal he alth is quickly restored.
- Angioedema spasm. There are signs of impaired cerebral circulation in the form of asthenia. The walls of the vessels reach a dystrophic state, therefore, medications are used to correct neurological defects.
You need to pay attention, in severe cases, gaps and cysts may appear in the medulla.
Cerebral vasospasm by the nature of vascular damage can be regional and generalized.
The generalized type often causes a violation of all systems and organs in patients: a change in blood viscosity; hypertension; violation of metabolic processes in the brain; renal changes; pathological changes in the pancreas.
If there is a local spasm, then a certain brain area is established with changes. Only the attending physician can determine with accuracy the nature of the violations. You should not choose remedies yourself.
Possible causes
Cerebral vasospasm can occur in the presence of such predisposing factors:
- disturbances in the activity of the muscular layer of the arterial walls;
- changing the mechanism of the functions performed;
- failure of muscle wall activity;
- increased contraction of arterial walls.
The cause of vasospasm can be pathologies such as:
- hydrocephalus;
- hypertension;
- angina;
- osteochondrosis of the upper vertebral sections;
- aneurysm of cerebral vessels;
- meningeal pathology;
- kidney disease;
- diseases of the thyroid gland caused by a violation of its functioning;
- traumatic brain injury suffered by the patient;
- diabetes.
It should be noted that cerebral vasospasm occurs due to damage to the aneurysm. Spasm itself is a specific defensive reaction of the body, which ensures the prevention of blood outpouring.
Specialists noted that the trend of manifestation of vascular pathologies is increasing. This is mainly due to the rhythm of human life at the present time and the difficult environmental situation. Living in large cities puts a strain on their cardiovascular system.
What causes seizures?
In the list of causes of dyscirculatory disorders, one can single out:
- continuous mental work;
- intoxicationthe human body with heavy toxic substances;
- strong physical activity;
- overwork;
- psycho-emotional exhaustion;
- night work and sleep disturbances;
- changes in atmospheric pressure;
- fluid deficiency in the body;
- overindulgence in caffeinated beverages.
It must be remembered that the heredity factor also affects the manifestation of vascular spasm, that is, such a predisposition can be initially laid down at the genetic level.
Symptoms of pathology
There are characteristic symptoms of cerebral vasospasm, the manifestation of them is a special reason for a visit to a medical facility.
Among the list of the most common signs that are especially common with vasospasm are:
- dizziness;
- severe headaches that are localized or generalized;
- memory deterioration as a result of changes in blood circulation patterns;
- tinnitus;
- fatigue;
- decrease in performance.
It must be remembered that cerebral vasospasm manifests itself unexpectedly and suddenly. Its symptoms are no different from those of other types of vascular spasms.
A distinctive feature is the presence or even greater aggravation of signs of vasospasm of the vessels, characteristic of pathology, for several days.
Present changes in blood flow are evaluated if the following symptoms are present:
- muscle weakness on one side of the torso;
- blunted response;
- speech dysfunction;
- loss of physical strength;
- visual field defects;
- numbness of arms and legs;
- nausea.
Only a specialist can detect the presence of a spasm in a timely manner and diagnose it. This is due to the fact that the characteristic signs are not unique, they can be inherent in both vasospasm and other conditions of the body.
Many people wonder if there is vasospasm of cerebral vessels in newborns?
Diagnosis
The patient after the manifestation of symptoms of pathology should be fully examined, which means:
- laboratory research methods for blood and urine analysis;
- computed tomography;
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Due to the passage of a general examination, the possibility of the presence of concomitant diseases can be excluded.
Vasospasm can also be a sign of the following dangerous diseases:
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- hypertension;
- hypoxia;
- hydrocephalus;
- hyponatremia.
To timely identify vasospasm, use techniques such as:
- MRI (the vessels of the brain of the head are analyzed and the results of the study are deciphered);
- convention angiography;
- cerebralangiography;
- vascular dopplerography of the brain;
- electroencephalogram;
- change in the strength of blood flow to the brain.
Examination using such methods can be done in a private diagnostic clinic or in a public medical institution. The price of such an event may vary significantly.
The most informative picture of the pathology can be obtained by conducting a series of examinations. Thus, in order to get an accurate picture of the changes, it is necessary to conduct studies that are based on various methodologies.
Due to the fact that during the initial inspection it is impossible to establish the absence or presence of changes, a rigorous examination will be required. In any case, the doctor must follow the instructions, which involve questioning the patient and assessing the clinical picture of the nature of the disease.
Treatment of cerebral vasospasm
The term "disease" implies, in general, the presence of any changes in the activity of the human body. Since his system is an integrated process, such changes cannot be left without medical correction.
Vasospasm, which occurs in a mild form, is not dangerous, however, in severe cases, such a condition can provoke serious consequences that will lead to a person's disability.
Treatment of this pathology should be based on establishing the causes. For therapeutic purposes, they use drugs that have the following effect:
- eliminationnervous tension;
- relaxation of the muscle layer of the vascular wall;
- normalizing blood pressure;
- eliminate spasms.
It is very important to pay due attention to the body's fight against blood clots.
Non-drug type of treatment
Patients often refuse medical treatment and turn to traditional medicines.
Such decisions can be justified if there are no contraindications. It is necessary to discuss the possibility of not using medicines with your doctor on an individual basis.
Among the list of folk recipes, the action of which allows you to eliminate vasospasm, you can select:
- receiving an infusion of a mixture of medicinal herbs: St. John's wort, dandelion root, chamomile;
- use of dried chokeberry berries;
- head massage.
It is also necessary to follow the recommendations of a he althy lifestyle:
- drink the optimal amount of liquid;
- do light exercise;
- streamline your menu.
It is necessary to focus on the fact that a person should drink clean water.
Specific pathology in a newborn
In a newborn, vasospasm of blood vessels is called angiospasm. It is a condition in which the lumen of blood vessels is reduced, which causes pathological changes in the blood supply and blood flow to brain structures.
Vascular spasm in a child, especiallya newborn, continuing for a long time, can become a source of oxygen starvation and cause various nervous disorders. The causes of this phenomenon can be various negative factors, mainly in newborns these are diseases of the spinal cord and spinal column, often of a traumatic type.
At risk for cerebral vasospasm are newborns and older children who have the following conditions:
- transferring birth trauma;
- CP;
- injury to the spinal column;
- back injury;
- lack of attention;
- hyperactivity;
- diseases of the nervous system;
- increased weather sensitivity.
Cerebral vasospasm in newborns can manifest itself in different ways, but there are some signs that occur in all clinical cases.
The most common specific symptom of angiospasm of the brain of the head in childhood is dizziness and headaches. Newborns in the first year of life often cry almost constantly due to headaches and sleep poorly. Often, babies do not want to eat, they behave too restlessly.
In addition to the pain syndrome, vascular spasm in the brain can be accompanied by a number of symptomatic signs:
- quick and excessive fatigue;
- uncharacteristic lethargy;
- weakness of legs and arms;
- nausea.
Children of a more conscious age also complain about noise andringing in the ears, as well as flickering "flies" before the eyes.
If the clinical case is more complex, then the following symptoms of angiospasm may be observed:
- coordination disorders;
- fainting;
- Spatial disorientation of the patient.
Older children may experience language and memory difficulties.
Depending on the severity and cause of cerebral vasospasm in a child, the doctor will decide on the need to prescribe medications. If the spasm is transient, provoked by negative causes and stressful situations, it will be enough to make adjustments to the child’s daily routine, help that will be provided at home.
Medication therapy involves the use of several types of drugs.
The instructions describe the allowable amount of the drug for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm, however, the specific dosage is selected by a specialist after a complete examination of the child.
Anspasmodics suppress smooth muscle spasm. They are represented by "Eufillin", "Papaverine", "Revalgin", "No-Shpa".
Nootropics normalize blood flow, they are represented by Trental, Piracetam, Nootropil.
Adaptogens enhance brain trophism and restore blood flow, represented by Actovegin and Cerebrolysin.
Biogenic stimulants normalize blood pressure, including tinctures of eleutherococcus, lemongrass and Zelenin drops.
Besidesmedical treatment methods, you can improve the patient's condition with the help of the following measures: spa treatment, physiotherapy and massages.
In addition, you need to monitor the baby's diet - it must be balanced, but not contain too much liquid foods. If preventive measures are not followed and adequate treatment is not carried out, numerous severe complications can develop.
How to prevent this pathology of cerebral vessels?
Prevention
It is necessary to remember to give up all bad habits in a timely manner and change your lifestyle.
A person must:
- completely give up nicotine addiction;
- do not take large quantities of alcoholic beverages;
- change your attitude to physical activity;
- do gymnastics in the morning every day;
- stay away from drinks that contain caffeine;
- it will be useful to get acquainted with meditation techniques;
- monitor the number of meals, it is forbidden to allow long breaks.
Cerebral vasospasm is a significant disorder that always needs to be corrected. When the pathology is just beginning to manifest itself, and no significant changes have occurred in the arteries, it is possible to normalize the patient's condition without the use of drugs. It will be enough to regulate the diet, the rejection of bad habits. If the situation is running, vasospasm needs constant medical supervision and treatment with specialmedicines. The main goal is to prevent negative consequences in the form of a stroke.
We examined such a pathology of blood vessels as vasospasm.
