Different diseases have very different symptoms and signs. The treatment is also very different. In this article, I would like to talk about what constitutes atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels. Symptoms and treatment of this disease will also be described below.
What is this?
At the very beginning, you need to decide what this disease is. So, atherosclerosis is a problem in which atherosclerotic plaques form in the vessels of a patient. It is important to say that this condition constantly threatens the patient with a stroke. The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that at its very beginning a person practically does not feel anything. And even when the vessels pass only half the blood, the patient may only have dizziness and slight tinnitus (which is a symptom of even slightly increased pressure). What is important to say when considering the topic: “Cerebral atherosclerosis: symptoms and treatment”? The prognosis for this disease is veryfavorable. Recovery of the patient is possible, but only if timely high-quality treatment is carried out. And after that, you will need to strictly adhere to preventive measures.
About plaques
As it became clear, atherosclerotic plaques are the greatest danger in this disease. Therefore, I would like to tell you about the stages of their formation.
Stage 1. The appearance of fat stripes and spots. At this stage, lipids (mainly cholesterol) are deposited on the inner walls of blood vessels.
Stage 2. Liposclerosis. Connective tissue begins to form between fatty spots, forming these same plaques. However, these compounds are unstable, from time to time pieces can come off the plaques that travel through the vessels, clogging the smaller ones.
Stage 3. Atherocalcinosis. Plaques are sealed with potassium s alts. This contributes to their constant increase. The plaque can reach sizes that completely clog the vessel.
Symptoms
Let's continue our review on the topic: "Cerebral atherosclerosis: symptoms and treatment." At this stage, we will talk about those signs that clearly indicate the presence of this disease in a person.
- Headache of varying intensity and duration. Often accompanied by tinnitus.
- Sleep disturbance. A person falls asleep badly, sees bad disturbing dreams, often wakes up at night. This causes daytime sleepiness.
- It is also typical for patientsdizziness, memory loss.
- Sometimes there may be a violation of motor activity, coordination.
- With this disease, a person may experience choking while chewing food and slurred speech.
- The patient's nervous system is often disturbed. Often patients are too suspicious, excitable and anxious.
- There may also be general fatigue and decreased performance.
Stages of the disease
Considering the signs of atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, it is necessary to pay attention to the stages of the disease. Indeed, depending on the stage of development of the disease, the symptoms will also change.
- Initial manifestations. In this case, a person feels a slight malaise, fatigue, sometimes - tinnitus and dizziness. Most often, symptoms appear in the afternoon. But after rest the patient gets better. Ventilation of the room and a walk in the fresh air also help. With these symptoms, patients almost never seek medical help.
- Progression. The disease develops and "acquires" new symptoms. The above signs may be accompanied by trembling in the hands, unsteadiness of gait, speech and coordination of movements may deteriorate. There may also be suspiciousness and perspiration during meals. At this stage, the patient often overestimates his strength, but blames others for what is happening. Often at this stage the person becomes very irritable.
- Decompensation. At this stage, a person can hardly do without outside help. Temporary memory loss is possible, mental ability is deteriorating, problems with self-service arise. This stage is dangerous with the occurrence of paralysis or a stroke.
- Transient ischemic attack. This is a short stage. The symptoms are similar to those of a microstroke. At this time, the patient's hands and feet become naughty, speech problems are possible.
- Ischemic stroke. Occurs due to blockage of blood vessels by plaques. Oxygen and blood do not enter the brain, its cells begin to die. In this case, the patient may experience the following symptoms: lack of sensitivity and movement in the limbs, impaired speech and swallowing, severe dizziness.
- Hemorrhagic stroke. Basically, it occurs less often than ischemic, but it develops more rapidly. In this case, the vessel is not clogged, but a hemorrhage occurs in the gray or white matter of the brain.
The danger of the last two stages is that, according to the symptoms, it is almost impossible to determine exactly what type of stroke the patient has. But at the same time, first aid means are significantly different, thanks to which you can save a person's life.
Diet: what can you do
What is very important to remember for a person who has been diagnosed by doctors with cerebral atherosclerosis? Nutrition is what you need to pay attention to. After all, the consumption of certain foods can contribute to the development of the disease. What should be preferred in this case?
- Flour products. Can be wheatbread, bread with bran. Uns alted biscuits and pastries made without s alt are also allowed.
- Meat. Only lean varieties. Preference should be given to chicken, rabbit.
- Fish. Low-fat varieties.
- Vegetables. Any cabbage, carrots, beets, zucchini, eggplant, potatoes - cooked. In raw - you can cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.
- Dairy products. This is not only natural milk, but also fermented milk products. You can low-fat cottage cheese. Sour cream is allowed only as an addition to the main course.
- Grains. Oatmeal, buckwheat, barley, millet.
- Eggs. Hard boiled - a couple of times a week. Omelet - also 2-3 times in 7 days.
- Fats. Butter and vegetable oil for cooking.
- Seafood.
- Drinks. If the patient has atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain, the diet also includes the intake of certain fluids. So, vegetable and fruit juices, weak tea, rosehip decoction are allowed.
Diet: forbidden foods
In case of the disease "atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain" nutrition should exclude the following products from the patient's diet:
- Fatty varieties of fish and meat. Offal, as well as smoked meats, canned food and caviar.
- Bean soups, meat and mushroom broths.
- Baking from puff and pastry.
- Fat cream, cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream.
- Egg yolks.
- Mushrooms, sorrel, spinach, radish and radish.
- Spicy, s alty seasonings, sauces, mayonnaise, ketchups.
- Ice cream, chocolate, cream products.
- Strong tea, coffee, cocoa. Carbonated colored drinks.
- Alcohol.
Cooking
We continue further our educational program on the topic: "Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels: symptoms and treatment." The diet for this disease should consist not only of the above products. Diet and cooking is also important.
- Eat often and in small portions.
- Steam is best. Boiled and baked dishes will also be useful. You must completely give up fried food.
- When preparing vegetable salads, it is better to grate all the ingredients. Vegetables are good to eat boiled or raw.
- Soups prepared with meat or mushroom broths should be completely excluded from the diet.
- Restrict sugar and s alt intake.
- Eat food slowly, chewing it thoroughly. So it will be easier for the body to get enough of the beneficial substances that are contained in food.
Diagnosis
If a patient has a suspicion of atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, the diagnosis will be quite simple and inexpensive. To do this, it is enough to conduct one of the types of ultrasound:
- Ultrasound diagnosis of cerebral vessels.
- Ultrasound of vessels that are outside the brain (the degree of damage to the subclavian and carotid arteries is determined).
- Duplex study (points 1 and 2 together).
- Vascular angiography preciselybrain.
- And transcranial Doppler.
If a person has the first signs of cerebral atherosclerosis, you should definitely consult a doctor for advice. The doctor will first review the patient's medical history, find out about the presence of symptoms, and only then send him to one of the above studies.
Drug groups for treatment
What else can be said on the topic: "Cerebral atherosclerosis: symptoms and treatment"? That this disease can be de alt with. If, of course, time to pass the correct and qualified treatment. What drugs would the doctor prefer in this case?
Group 1. These are drugs that are designed to prevent the absorption of cholesterol and its entry into the bloodstream.
Group 2. Statins. These are drugs that are designed to synthesize cholesterol and reduce its concentration in the blood plasma. Example: preparations "Liprimar", "Zokor".
Group 3. This is a group of drugs whose main goal is to increase energy metabolism and excretion of lipids, as well as lipoproteins.
Group 4. Drugs that thin the blood and significantly reduce the risk of blood clots. Example: preparations "Cardiomagnyl", "Trombo ACC".
Medications
What else should a person who has been diagnosed by doctors with cerebral atherosclerosis know? Medications that the doctor can prescribe for him. Most often it will be some of the followingdrugs: Phezam, Trental, Galidor, Vestibol, Sermion. Your doctor will also likely prescribe medications that lower your blood pressure. A vitamin complex will also be useful. In this case, you will need to pay special attention to vitamins A, B and C.
Surgical treatment
Looking further at the topic: “Cerebral atherosclerosis: symptoms and treatment”, I would like to say that it is not always possible to cope with the problem with the help of medications. In certain cases, the doctor may recommend surgery. This may be necessary if there is a risk of occlusion of the lumen of the most important arteries of the brain.
- Endarterectomy. In this case, the plaque is removed in an open way. That is, a skin incision is made, access to the desired vessel is determined, the blood flow is blocked, and then, by excising the vessel wall, the plaque is removed. The wall of the artery and the skin are sutured.
- Endoscopic removal. The operation is performed using an endoscope, an instrument that is supposed to "clean" the artery from the inside.
Non-pharmacological methods
What else is important to know for people who are interested in the problem of "Cerebral atherosclerosis: symptoms and treatment"? Patients' feedback suggests that often non-drug methods of getting rid of it are more effective and, of course, less costly. What is important in this case?
- Frequent walks in the fresh air. If thisimpossible, it is necessary to ventilate and humidify the room where the patient spends most of the time.
- Very important is physical activity on the body: running, walking, swimming. Doctors also recommend that patients engage in special exercises that improve blood flow and, accordingly, the condition of blood vessels.
- It is very important to follow a proper diet and diet.
- You need to get enough rest. Stress management is also important. In some cases, mild sedatives may be taken.
- It is also important to stop drinking alcohol and smoking completely.
Folk treatments
What else should I tell a person who was diagnosed by doctors with cerebral atherosclerosis? Symptoms and herbal treatment are important information. At this stage, the symptoms have been sorted out, now we need to devote time to therapy with various folk remedies.
- If the patient does not have high blood pressure, but there is tinnitus and dizziness, in this case, you can prepare an infusion of red clover heads. So, you need to take 20 g of this plant, pour two glasses of boiling water, insist well in a thermos. It is necessary to take the medicine 2-3 times before meals for three months. Six months later, the course must be repeated again.
- To prepare the infusion, you need to take one part of the following plants: mint, strawberries, horsetail and dill and three parts of sage, dandelion, motherwort and wild rose. All ingredients are mixed. For cookingmedicines you need to take four tablespoons of a mixture of herbs, pour a liter of boiling water, then insist for about two hours. This medicine is taken in a third cup three times a day before meals for three months.
What else is important to say to those who are interested in the topic: "Cerebral atherosclerosis: symptoms and treatment with plants"? So, you can cope with the problem very well with the help of buckwheat - flowers, seeds and leaves. Garlic, hazelnuts (hazelnuts) and dried fruits will also be useful.
Prevention
There are some fairly simple tips on how to prevent the development of a disease such as atherosclerosis. For this you need:
- Completely quit smoking.
- Use very little alcohol (best to avoid completely).
- Avoid stressful situations and emotional overload.
- Be outdoors as much as possible.
- Physical activity should be moderate. However, they cannot be completely abandoned.
- It is very important to follow a diet and proper diet.
