Many have repeatedly heard the term "paroxysms". What is it, let's try to figure it out. From Greek, this term is translated as "embarrassment" or "irritation".
Paroxysms - what is it?
This term is mainly used in medicine. Sharp and significant intensification of any painful symptoms are called "paroxysms". What does it mean? These manifestations often indicate the presence of any serious disease. Sometimes paroxysms are called recurring attacks of an ailment: gout, swamp fever. They can talk about violations in the work of the nervous and autonomic systems. The most common cause of paroxysms is neuroses. The second place is occupied by organic lesions of the brain: dysfunctions of the vestibular systems, hypothalamic disorders. Often crises are accompanied by seizures of temporal lobe epilepsy and migraines. Often they occur against the background of allergic diseases. Cerebral autonomic paroxysm must be distinguished from manifestations of primary disorders of the endocrine glands. For example, sympathetic-adrenal types of paroxysms are characteristic of pheochromocytomas. And for insulomavagoinsular manifestations are characteristic. To properly differentiate, studies of the glycemic profile and catecholamine excretion are needed.
General information about the treatment of paroxysms
Typically, causative treatment is given when paroxysms are observed. What are these events? Treatment is primarily aimed at normalizing emotional states and combating nervous disorders, desensitization, and reducing vestibular excitability. When using vegetotropic agents, attention should be paid to the vegetative tone in the time interval between crises. With tension of the sympathetic system, sympatholytic agents are used to treat paroxysms (ganglioblockers, Aminazine, ergotamine derivatives). With an increase in parasympathetic symptoms, anticholinergics are given (medicines of the atropine group, "Amizil"). In cases of amphotropic shifts, combined agents are used, such as Bellaspon and Belloid. During periods of attacks, patients are given sedative and tranquilizing and symptomatic medications ("Cordiamin", "Caffeine", "Papaverine", "Dibazol", "Aminazine"), as well as substances that provide muscle relaxation.
Vegetative-vascular paroxysms
Paroxysms of this type can begin with headaches or heart pain, reddening of the skin of the face, palpitations. The blood pressure rises, the pulse quickens, fever andchills. Often there are bouts of causeless fear. In some cases, there is general weakness, a decrease in blood pressure, nausea, sweating, a decrease in heart rate; patients are dizzy and dark in the eyes. As a rule, attacks last from 5-10 minutes to 3 hours. In most patients, they go away on their own - without treatment. During an exacerbation of vegetovascular dystonia, the feet and hands become wet, cyanotic and cold. Areas of pallor on this background give the skin an unnatural marble look. The fingers become numb, there are sensations of tingling (crawling), and sometimes pain. The body's sensitivity to cold increases. The limbs are very pale. Often, the fingers become somewhat puffy, especially with prolonged hypothermia. Against the background of overwork and unrest, attacks become more frequent. After an attack, feelings of general weakness, malaise, and weakness may persist for several days. One of the forms that vegetative paroxysms have is fainting. A person's eyes darken sharply, weakness sets in. The face turns pale. The patient loses consciousness and falls unconscious. However, convulsions almost never occur. They remove this state by inhaling ammonia through the nose.
Tachycardia paroxysm
Paroxysmal tachycardia is called a sharply starting and just as suddenly ending heart palpitations. The cause of the attack is considered to be extrasystoles, which go in long series, as well as active heterotopic rhythms with a high frequency, arising from the high excitability of the lower centers. Duration of individualseizures - from 5-10 minutes to several months. As a rule, attacks are repeated at some intervals.
Affective-respiratory paroxysms
Affective-respiratory paroxysms are called breath-holding attacks. They are considered early manifestations of hysterical seizures and fainting. Typically occurs in young children. These paroxysms begin to be observed towards the end of the first year of life and usually continue until the age of three. It's a kind of reflex. When a child cries and abruptly exhales all the air from himself with force, and then falls silent. The mouth remains open at this point. These attacks usually last no more than a minute.