Vegetative-vascular dystonia is a condition that occurs due to a violation of the autonomic function of the heart, blood vessels, internal organs, endocrine glands. It is associated with a primary or secondary deviation in the function of the peripheral nervous system, most often a consequence of the pathology of the segmental apparatus of the spinal cord.
Dystonia - what is it?
This is a muscle contraction that causes the patient to move without controlling their actions. This disease is caused by the fact that the muscles cannot move from one state to another, that is, after tension, they cannot relax. Science has not yet decided in a single opinion why this happens. This disease occurs in 1% of the world's population. Women have a greater predisposition to the disease than men.
What is dystonia?
Main types of pathology:
- Segmental - when observed in 2 adjacent parts of the body.
- Focal - when it occurs in one part of the body.
- Generalized - when the patient can touch any part of the body and the symptoms will subside.
Reasons
The cause of dystonia is the emotional and physical overstrain of the whole organism, including both the state of internal organs and psychological he alth. This disease is treated with drugs and surgery. The attending physician also asks the patient about all involuntary movements in order for the treatment to be effective and efficient.
The course of treatment begins with checking the patient's response to a number of drugs. In children, drug trials should take place for approximately 6 months, at least. If the drugs do not help, then the surgeons get to work.
If you have been diagnosed with a similar disease, then do not despair. Most importantly, do not hide anything from the doctors, listen to their advice and complete the prescribed course of treatment.
Symptoms
Clinical symptoms of cerebrovascular dystonia are quite diverse, and the severity of symptoms is very variable. Symptoms of VVD in many ways resemble those of other diseases of the cardiovascular system, which often makes it difficult to diagnose.
The most frequently complained aboutpain in the heart (more often in the apex, just below the left collarbone or near the sternum). The nature of the pain is described as instantaneous, stabbing, prolonged (for several hours or days), aching or dull. The pain can “radiate” to the region of the left arm and shoulder blade. It usually occurs after excitement, overwork, drinking alcohol. In women, pain occurs before menstruation. Pain interferes with daily activities, is not stopped by nitroglycerin, but may decrease after taking Corvalol, Valocordin, dog nettle tincture, painkillers, which is not typical for manifestations of coronary heart disease.
May also occur…
With signs of cerebral dystonia, there are complaints of palpitations, which may be accompanied by a sensation of pulsation in the neck, head, increased sweating, attacks of general weakness, a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath. To other symptoms of VVD, the inability to stay indoors for a long time, the feeling of a "lump in the throat" is added. Often there is an asthenic syndrome with a feeling of lethargy, sudden changes in mood, decreased ability to work, and sleep disturbance. Symptoms of cerebral dystonia, such as dyspeptic disorders, may appear. This is vomiting, belching, diarrhea. Violations of the peripheral blood circulation are manifested in the form of headache, dizziness, feeling of coldness in the extremities, changes in blood pressure. Under the influence of various unfavorable external factors, vegetative-vascular crises can occur, which are manifested by attacksprofuse sweating, general weakness, dizziness, nausea, a feeling of lack of air, tachycardia, changes in blood pressure, pain in the heart. Such crises can last from 30 minutes to 2-3 hours. Occurs usually at night, may stop on its own or after taking sedatives.
Types
Vegetative-vascular dystonia (neurocirculatory dystonia) is a polymorphic disease, the main symptoms of which are variability in pulse and blood pressure, heart pain, respiratory discomfort, vegetative and psycho-emotional disorders, disorders of vascular and muscle tone, low resistance to stressful situations.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VVD) has several classifications.
The origin of VVD by etiology (cause and conditions of occurrence) is distinguished:
- psychogenic (neurotic);
- infectious-toxic;
- due to hormonal imbalance;
- constitutional-hereditary (essential);
- combined (caused by physical and occupational factors).
Also, IRR is divided according to the type of blood circulation:
- cardiac (includes cardiac and arrhythmic types);
- dystonia of cerebral vessels by hypertonic type;
- hypotensive;
- combined.
The classification of VVD depending on the clinical syndrome is also known:
- Cardiac (based onwhich - arrhythmia, cardialgia, tachycardia).
- Vascular genesis (cerebral dystonia of cerebral vessels and peripheral).
- Asthenoneurotic.
- Distermoregulatory.
Degrees
According to the severity of the disease, vegetative-vascular dystonia is classified as follows:
- Mild severity (І degree) - from 3 to 6 complaints and symptoms. At this degree, crises and neurotic symptoms are not observed. Patients are fully able to work, do not need drug therapy.
- Moderate severity (II degree) - from 8 to 16 complaints and symptoms. Characterized by respiratory disorders, tachycardia, vegetative paroxysms, neurological symptoms, poor tolerance of physical and mental stress, changes in the form of a violation of the repolarization process, heart rhythm. At the same time, physical capacity for work is significantly reduced and there is a need for drug therapy.
- Severe degree of severity (III degree). A variety of clinical manifestations is characteristic - more than 17 complaints and symptoms. There is a syndrome of tachycardia, vegetative-vascular crises, manifestations of asthenoneurotic syndrome. There are changes in the cardiogram. Ability to work is significantly reduced or temporarily lost. Patients need constant drug therapy.
The symptoms and treatment of cerebral dystonia depend on these degrees.
Diagnosis
Clinical diagnosis includes identification of simple andavailable criteria (5 main and 5 additional).
The main criteria are:
- excessive variability in heart rate and blood pressure;
- changing the nature of breathing;
- changes in the terminal part of the ventricular ECG complex;
- characteristic variability of the T wave and ST segment during orthostatic and hyperventilation tests.
Additional criteria:
- cardiac complaints and symptoms - tachycardia, bradycardia, extrasystoles;
- vegetative-vascular symptoms - crises, dizziness, sleep disorders;
- asthenic symptoms - lethargy, fatigue, low resistance to physical activity;
- a benign course in history without signs of the formation of gross organic pathology of the heart, neurological and mental disorders.
Compulsory laboratory test is a complete blood and urine test.
Additional:
- blood glucose;
- ALT;
- ACT;
- bilirubin;
- creatinine;
- cholesterol.
Mandatory instrumental studies:
- ECG (12 standard leads).
- Rheoencephalography.
- Veloergometry (stress test with dosed physical activity).
- Holter ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
According to indications, they resort to consultations of narrow specialists.
Medicated treatment
Often tovalerian and motherwort are used to treat dystonia of cerebral vessels with medicines. These substances are taken once a day for a month. Infusions of motherwort and valerian soothe the body, restore the functions of the hypothalamus.
Tranquilizers are used for strong psycho-emotional stress of the body. They normalize and calm the brain. Tranquilizers have a long list of side effects, so they are taken in small doses for a short period of time. With prolonged use of drugs, the excitability of the central nervous system decreases. The person becomes passive and cannot make quick and important decisions. They should not be taken by pregnant women and patients with cerebral atherosclerosis.
Cerebroangiocorrectors are used to normalize cerebral circulation. Nootropic drugs improve energy and brain processes, promote better blood circulation. Drugs improve intellectual functions and memory.
Antidepressants are used for depression and are prescribed only by a doctor. The choice of medication depends on the required dose and the type of depression.
Beta-blockers are used for vegetative-vascular dystonia of hypertensive type. This type includes tachycardia, arrhythmia, cardialgia, high blood pressure. The dosage of the drug is prescribed by the doctor for each patient individually. Beta-blockers are prohibited for use in case of individual intolerance, bradycardia, arterial hypotension, and so on.
Folk methods
Folk treatmentsunable to completely heal the patient. They can only improve the human condition. With prolonged use of drugs and folk remedies, you can completely recover from the disease.
The best solution for maximum effectiveness of treatment is to consult a doctor. He will be able to suggest which folk methods are best suited during treatment.
Treatment of folk remedies for dystonia of cerebral vessels occurs according to the following recipes.
- To improve blood circulation and reduce pressure, it is better to use a tincture consisting of peony, hawthorn, motherwort and valerian. You need to mix 100 milliliters of each tincture in a container. Next, add 25 milliliters of mint, 50 milliliters of eucalyptus tincture and 10 clove buds. Mix everything and leave for two weeks in a closed container. In this case, the tincture must be shaken daily. Take 25 drops before meals for one month. Then take a break for 10 days and continue treatment.
- 50 milliliters of milk powder mixed with grated fresh potatoes. Squeeze out the mixture of milk and potatoes and spread over the fabric. Fold the fabric in half and attach to the head. Wrap something warm on top and wait 1.5 hours. Repeat every 2 days. This method is recommended for severe headaches.
- Raisins are used for heart disease. It has a positive effect on the heart and contributes to its normal contraction. Divide 2 kilograms of pitted raisins into 2 parts, rinse in warm and cold water and dry on a cloth. As soon as the raisins dry, it can already be taken half an hour beforefood for 40 berries. Having spent one kilogram of dried fruits, you can proceed to the second. The second half of the raisins start with 40 berries daily, but now you need to reduce the number of berries by one every day.
Prevention
Prevention or cure of this disease will help prevention. It is especially recommended to carry it out with dystonia of cerebral vessels in children. Here are some tips to help:
- Quitting smoking, alcohol, overeating, drugs will help you normalize and cleanse the body.
- Balanced nutrition. Don't forget to eat vegetables and fruits. Sugar should be consumed in moderation. All foods must be properly prepared.
- Active lifestyle. Physical culture will ensure the he alth of blood vessels.
- Massage. Proper massage improves blood circulation in the body and this helps the circulatory system.
- Timely rest of the body. After physical education or after eating, the body needs a little time to recover, and the vessels to rest and return to their usual state.
Physiotherapy methods
When choosing physical exercises, you should also consult a doctor, since not all exercises can be beneficial due to the unpreparedness of the body. You can start with just walking, and when you feel light, then move on to easy running for short distances. Later, you can already switch to swimming, skiing, power sports, and a gym. And it's best to run in the morning. After exercising, alternate the water in the shower. Gotta make it warm firstthen hot, even hotter, and at the end make the most hot water. Then turn on the cold in the same sequence. This is necessary for the regulation of sweat glands, which contributes to the normalization of blood circulation. All these tips will help you in preventing the disease.
