Vegetovascular dystonia (VVD) is a fairly common disease of the nervous system, in which there is a whole set of symptoms. In recent years, the condition has been diagnosed in an increasing number of adults. In the clinical picture of vegetovascular dystonia, there are more than a hundred symptoms that are characteristic of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The disease is characterized by both physical manifestations and neurotic. The consequences of VVD are different, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient's body. For some, the consequence will be a constant fear of panic attacks, pain in the heart, a violation of the state of blood vessels. And someone will get off with only dizziness.
Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is responsible for almost all processes in the human body. The system is made up of nervecells - neurons. They are cells of special structure in which the body and processes are distinguished. The processes of the neuron form nerve fibers, which, on the periphery, after leaving the brain, end with nerve endings. The regulation of the processes of functioning of internal organs occurs with the participation of neurons. If, for one reason or another, malfunctions begin in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, then the interconnection and coherence of the work of the whole organism is disrupted.
In the autonomic nervous system, sympathetic (neurons located in the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord) and parasympathetic (neurons located at the level of the sacrum) divisions are distinguished. The processes of neurons from these areas spread to organs and systems, transmitting nerve impulses. The disease "vegetative-vascular dystonia" develops when, for one reason or another, the transmission of impulses is disturbed. Depending on the severity of the impairment, the patient may suffer more or less from the manifestations of the disease.
What is VSD: symptoms and treatment
The consequences of this disease can be so severe that they make the patient's life a living hell. The term "dystonia" refers to a disorder in the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the nervous system. The manifestations of the disease are very diverse. Symptoms and consequences of VVD are interrelated. An experienced neurologist can easily suggest possible consequences based on complaints and the clinical picture of the condition.patient when seeking care.
The most common symptoms of VSD:
- Syndrome of cardiac dysfunction. It manifests itself individually - from mild arrhythmia to pain that mimics a heart attack. The consequences of VVD with such a symptom are lack of air, pressure surges, as a result of which a vegetative crisis may occur. Treatment should be selected together with a cardiologist.
- Asthenic syndrome - impotence, anhedonia, weakness, lack of vitality. The consequences of VVD with such a symptom are depressive, anxiety disorders and other psychiatric diseases. Treatment is carried out jointly with a psychiatrist.
- Disorders of thermoregulation - hot flashes, sweating, coldness, cold extremities. The consequences of VVD with such a symptom are a constant subfebrile temperature. Also, the temperature can rise during a period of severe stress. Some patients, on the contrary, are prone to a decrease in temperature.
- Fainting, dizziness. The consequences of VVD, if the disease is not treated, are very dangerous: a person can lose consciousness suddenly. As a result, fatal accidents happen. the patient may fall at home or on the street, injure his head, get more or less serious fractures.
Causes for the development of vegetovascular dystonia
Reason for the development of the disease:
- neurological pathology;
- experienced fright, severe stress;
- overwork, chronic fatigue;
- hereditary tendency to problems withvessels;
- spinal cord injury;
- psychiatric pathologies;
- climate change;
- hormonal imbalance, period of hormonal adjustment.
Neurological and somatic pathologies as the cause of VSD
In neurology there is such a thing as psychovegetative syndromes. This is an abnormal activation of autonomic effects that provokes an imbalance in the interaction of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
The main condition for the appearance of psychovegetative syndrome is the presence of pain in a particular pathology. For example, pain in the region of the heart is interpreted by the patient as a threat to life, mechanisms of stress appear, and cortisol is produced. As a result, the patient fixes all his attention on the negative symptom, which leads to more pronounced manifestations, as well as the appearance of new symptoms.
Relationship between chronic stress and VSD symptoms
Chronic fatigue, stress, depressive-anxiety disorders, chronic alcoholism - all this causes great harm to the body, especially if these diseases are not treated. The biochemistry of the brain is disturbed. If the patient tries to take psychotropic drugs himself or “fill in” the problems with alcohol, then the condition only worsens. Almost certainly such a person suffers from VSD to one degree or another.
If the cause of the appearance of certain symptoms of VVD is chronic stress, then it is necessary to get rid of it. In particular, to eradicate those causes and change life circumstances that led to the emergence of chronic stress. As a rule, this is enough for the manifestations of VSD to soften.
Possible consequences of VSD
If you do not treat the symptoms of the disease, do not change your lifestyle and do not take drugs prescribed by your doctor, then the risk of complications is high:
- aggravation of impaired cerebral circulation;
- pain in the tissues of internal organs (at the same time, as such, there may not be diseases of these organs);
- intercostal neuralgia;
- asthenia, anhedonia, hypochondria and other psychological manifestations of VVD will worsen;
- anxiety-depressive disorder;
- obsessive-compulsive disorder;
- obesity;
- problems and diseases associated with deterioration of vein tone.
Treatment of asthenic syndrome with VVD
Asthenic syndrome manifests itself in the fact that the patient feels lethargic and weak all the time. He has no strength and energy not even daily activities. The consequences of non-treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia are an increase in asthenic syndrome, which turns into depression. And this turns into a real nightmare for the patient.
The following groups of drugs are used for treatment:
- normotimics;
- antidepressants;
- nootropics.
All these drugs are sold by prescription of a doctor (psychiatrist or neurologist) and have many contraindications. Self-administration is unacceptable, since there is a high risk not only not to improve the condition, but also to aggravate it.
Drugs that improve cerebral circulation
This category of drugs is very extensive. They give significant relief in almost any of the symptoms of VVD. However, only a neurologist can prescribe the optimal drug.
- Calcium channel blockers - "Cordaflex", "Lacipil", etc. The purpose of the application is to improve, restore disturbed blood microcurrent. Without normal blood circulation, the brain is not able to function he althy - hence the asthenic syndrome, neurological problems.
- Alpha-blockers - Vasobral, Instenon, etc. Expand small vessels, also affect metabolic processes in the brain, reduce platelet aggregation.
- Disaggregants prevent the formation of blood clots that can clog blood vessels. Also, this class of drugs has angioprotective properties, that is, it reduces vascular fragility.
Expediency of taking antidepressants for VSD
The diagnosis of "vegetative-vascular dystonia" implies the participation in therapy not only of a neurological specialist, but also of a psychiatric, cardiological one, and even in some cases a specialist in the field of endocrinology is required. Many psychiatrists are inclined to believe that taking antidepressants can completely save the patient from the manifestations of VVD. Is it really so?
Neurologists do not share this point of view, but do not refute the opinion that taking antidepressants cansignificantly alleviate the patient's condition with VVD in adults. Reviews of patients who are undergoing treatment with antidepressants are positive. The result is especially noticeable with severe asthenic syndrome, with anhedonia, with anxiety and depressive disorders (which often accompany VVD).
- Drugs based on serotonin reuptake are the most commonly prescribed today. This is Prozac, Fluoxetine. Patients note that after two to three weeks of taking hypochondria, asthma attacks disappear. Sleep is restored, dreams become vivid. Asthenia passes, and vivacity and a desire to act come to replace it.
- Drugs, the principle of which is the reuptake of norepinephrine. These are antidepressants of the old generation - tricyclics. They have quite an impressive number of side effects, but their therapeutic effect is also "on top".
Hypnotherapy for VSD symptoms
Hypnotherapy shows amazing results with VSD symptoms. However, there are few really good specialists in our country. This year, a document came out that prescribes that only those people who have a license and proper education conduct hypnotherapy sessions. As a rule, psychotherapists do this. Thus, the effectiveness of hypnotherapy and its right to be used on an equal basis with the methods of classical psychotherapy are confirmed at the official level.
Patients who completed the coursesessions with a competent hypnologist, a decrease in the severity of symptoms is noted. Very often, even psychosomatic pains pass without a trace. How can hypnosis affect the interaction of parts of the nervous system, what effect does it have on VVD? The fact is that the nervous system is very closely connected with the psyche, influencing one link, you can improve the functioning of another.
Recommendations from doctors: how to avoid recurrence of the disease
The consequences of vegetative-vascular dystonia can be depressing if left untreated. But even if the patient scrupulously fulfills all the doctor's prescriptions, and a remission occurs, after a while a relapse may occur. Simple tips to help avoid this:
- avoid situations that can trigger stress;
- avoid physical overwork (at the same time, a light load is acceptable and even desirable);
- Alcoholic drinks should be completely excluded from the diet, regardless of the strength and quantity, since ethyl alcohol is detrimental to the functioning of all parts of the nervous system and contributes to the death of neurons;
- monitor nutrition: a sufficient amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates should be supplied daily with the diet.
