Narrowing of the lumen in the arteries of the brain or their complete blockage leads to the fact that the blood flow is significantly weakened, hypoxia sets in, leading to disturbances in normal blood circulation. Ischemic brain disease develops, which requires diagnosis, urgent adequate treatment. If no measures are taken, then the pathology easily becomes chronic. As a result, the patient has an aggravation of dysfunction, which leads to treatment-resistant consequences, all because hypoxia causes tissue necrosis.
Ischemia or coronary disease of the brain is a disease accompanied by insufficient supply of oxygen to brain cells, in more understandable terms, oxygen starvation occurs. And the human brain most of all needs a constant supply of oxygen. Despite the fact that it makes up no more than 4% of the total body weight, it can pass through a fifth of all blood in the human body.
Which people are at risk?
Doctors refer to high-risk groups:
- older people;
- persons suffering from vascular and heart pathologies;
- diabetics;
- abusing alcohol and smoking;
- working in hazardous industries;
- often under stress.
But the main category of risk is the elderly, although today the list of age categories of people with ischemic brain disease has expanded. Both young and old are getting sick, the number of sick children among newborns has increased.
What causes ischemia?
The main cause of ischemia is a blockage of blood vessels in the brain, through which oxygen enters every cell. The brain does not receive the necessary amount of oxygen, therefore it is not able to function fully. Blockage of blood vessels occurs for several reasons:
- in violation of the heart muscle, which leads to arrhythmias and chronic ailments;
- reduced blood flow in the brain due to damage to the arteries by atherosclerosis;
- hypertension, causing spasms in the vessels of the brain and disruption of venous outflow;
- diabetes and high composition of insulin in the circulatory system;
- amyloidosis, occurring mainly in the elderly;
- pathologies affecting the circulatory system, reducing oxygen capacity and leading to the formationblood clots.
If there is a blockage of the vessels of the brain, then the cause of this condition can be diseases such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Atherosclerosis leads to the fact that fat deposits grow on the walls of blood vessels, which leads to blockage, which means that if measures are not taken, symptoms of coronary brain disease will soon appear. Most often, it quickly becomes chronic, since vasoconstriction is a gradual process. The acute form of the disease is formed instantly and is due to the presence of a blood clot.
Atherosclerosis and thrombosis are the most dangerous causes leading to cerebral ischemia and death in every third patient. The acute form can be triggered by the development of such conditions:
- bradycardia;
- anemia;
- poisoning with harmful gases;
- obesity;
- substance use.
The disease occurs in almost all categories of people, from newborn babies to the elderly. But the most terrible sign of coronary brain disease in newborns is considered. This disease is considered the most dangerous ailment, so it is important to seek qualified help at the first symptoms. How not to miss the first signals?
Ischemia symptoms
There are many symptoms of coronary brain disease:
- Incorrect functioning of the nervous system, which manifests itself in the form of speech disorders or vision problems.
- Fatigue.
- Weakness in everythingtele.
- Drowsy.
- Reduced performance.
- Short-term memory loss.
- Mood swings.
- Irritability, nervousness, apathy.
- Insomnia.
- Headaches.
- Jumps in blood pressure.
- Breathing failures.
- Dizziness.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Gagging and nausea.
- Numbness in hands and feet.
- Feeling cold in limbs.
If you do not take any measures and do not start timely treatment, the symptoms of coronary brain disease can only increase. Doctors divide the disease into three main stages or degrees. Some experts also highlight the fourth.
Sometimes it is quite difficult to determine the symptoms of the disease in newborns, because they themselves cannot tell about their condition. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to such signs:
hyperexcitability: the child constantly shudders, there is a tremor of certain parts of the body, restless sleep, crying for no apparent reason;
- depression of the nervous system: lethargy, weak sucking and swallowing reflexes, strabismus, facial asymmetry;
- increase in head size;
- high intracranial pressure;
- unconscious;
- convulsions.
If a child has at least one of the described symptoms, then you should immediately seek medical advice.
Degrees of coronary disease
Ischemic brain disease is classified by degrees, and there are only three of them, although they say that there is a fourth. The 3rd degree is considered the most difficult.
The first degree is characterized by a slight disorder of attention and intellect. More often, patients cope with complex tasks without any problems, but it takes a lot of time. There are no obvious coordination disorders, no restrictions in life, but small signs are already appearing:
- shuffling gait;
- numbness and pain in the hands after exertion;
- nervousness;
- weakness.
Ischemic brain disease of the 2nd degree manifests itself in the form that the patient is not quite able to control his actions. When performing certain tasks, he needs outside help, which has a bad effect on his professional activities. The patient may also lose some of the existing skills, there is a general malaise.
Ischemia grade 3 manifests itself as severe neurological disorders in the form of Parkinson's disease, urinary incontinence and serious problems with coordination.
The patient may lose the ability to independently navigate in space, his legs do not obey. There are problems with speech, memory suffers, thinking is disturbed. If no measures are taken, then the consequences of stage 3 ischemic brain disease are disappointing: complete disintegration of the personality, stroke and cerebral hemorrhage.
Types of ischemia
As for the types of pathology, there are two of them: acute andchronic.
The acute form is characterized by a sudden onset and a short duration of the course. If the blood flow is disturbed suddenly, then acute ischemia appears. Signs appear immediately, from which part of the brain has ceased to receive oxygen, the corresponding symptomatology also appears. The acute form can cause muscle weakness, blindness, and dizziness.
Chronic ischemic brain disease is caused by a prolonged lack of oxygen in the cells. This form does not have painful manifestations that are characteristic of acute. During the chronic form, mainly the arteries are affected. It can occur as a result of a protracted acute form, so it is important to start treatment in a timely manner. If you choose effective drugs and complete the course, then the prognosis is favorable.
Diagnosis
Ischemic brain disease can be confirmed after collecting complete information about the patient's existing diseases, examining a doctor and conducting a series of additional studies:
- During ophthalmoscopy, the state of the optic nerve can measure intracranial pressure and the degree of vascular disorders.
- Ultrasound of the neck vessels allows you to determine the speed of blood flow, to find obstacles to the free passage of blood through the carotid and vertebral arteries.
- Transcranial evaluation of blood flow in the main vessels of the brain helps to obtain additional information.
- Angiography of cerebral vessels is considered the most informative technique that helps to determine whether there is a suspicion ofatherosclerosis or blood clots.
ECG, ECHO, X-ray of the cervical region in some cases help to identify the cause of the development of the disease
Only after the exact cause, as indicated by studies and symptoms, is the treatment of coronary brain disease more effective.
Therapeutic Methods
The main goal of the treatment of chronic ischemia is to stabilize the destructive process of ischemia as soon as possible, as well as to stop the progression, activation of sanogenetic compensation mechanisms. It is necessary to take preventive measures to prevent stroke, as well as conduct therapy for somatic processes.
The chronic form does not imply urgent hospitalization, unless it is complicated by the presence of a stroke or severe somatics. If the patient has cognitive impairment, then removing him from his usual environment can aggravate the disease. Treatment of ischemic brain disease is carried out by a neurologist.
Drug therapy provides two directions:
- normalization of blood flow in the brain tissues by influencing different levels of the heart and blood vessels;
- effect on the platelet link.
As a result, blood circulation in the brain returns to normal.
Antihypertensive therapy helps maintain adequate blood pressure and helps prevent and stabilize the development of the chronic form. If the doctor prescribes antihypertensive drugs, then everyone needs topossible ways to avoid sudden pressure surges, as the development of the disease considers the mechanisms of autoregulation of blood flow in the brain.
Among antihypertensive drugs, experts prefer two groups:
- angiotensin enzyme inhibitors;
- angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
Both types gently and gradually expand the lumen of blood vessels, providing antihypertensive effect, reliably protect organs that suffer from arterial hypertension.
The effectiveness of these drugs increases if they are additionally combined with other antihypertensive drugs, such as Indapamide and Hydrochlorothiazide.
In patients with atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels of the brain and dyslipidemia, not only a strict diet is provided, excluding all animal fats from food. It would be correct to recommend lipid-lowering drugs for taking: Statins, Simvastatin, Atorvastatin. They have not only the main effect on the body, but also help improve endothelial function, reduce blood viscosity, and also have an antioxidant effect.
For a chronic form of coronary artery disease of the brain, an increase in the platelet-vascular link of hemostasis is characteristic, for this reason it is recommended that the patient be prescribed antiplatelet agents, such as acetylsalicylic acid. At the discretion of the doctor, the patient may additionally be prescribed other antiplatelet agents, such as Clopidogrel, Dipyridamole.
Treatment of coronary artery disease of the brain can be carried out with drugs of combined action. Given that there is a wide variety of mechanisms that underlie the chronic form, then in addition to the basic drugs described, the doctor can additionally recommend medications to the patient that improve blood composition, venous outflow, and microcirculation. They may also have angioprotective and neurotrophic properties. The doctor may prescribe:
- "Vinpocetine" - from 150 to 300 mg per day;
- Ginkgo biloba leaf extract;
- "Cinnarizine" 75 mg + "Piracetam" 1.2 g;
- "Piracetam" 1.2 g together with 15 mg "Vinpocetine";
- "Nicergoline" up to 30 mg per day;
- "Pentoxifylline" 300 mg per day.
All of the above drugs are recommended to be taken in courses, no more than twice a year with breaks of two to three months.
If the symptoms of ischemic cerebrovascular disease are severe, the patient may be recommended surgery. It is most often advised to patients who are actively developing an occlusive-stenosing disorder of the large arteries of the head. In such cases, a reconstructive operation is performed on the internal arteries - carotid endarterectomy, stenting of the carotid arteries.
Treatment of patients with a chronic form must be carried out under the strict supervision of the attending physician, who can, if necessary, adjusttreatment.
Preventive measures
Treatment can not always cope with the chronic form of coronary brain disease, the patient's disability is guaranteed. A person can no longer lead a familiar lifestyle, engage in the same type of activity. In order not to bring yourself to such a difficult state and be able to live a full life, it is necessary to take all preventive measures in advance:
- First of all, the elderly should closely monitor their he alth. They need to be sure to include physical activity in their daily routine, using the available types of physical activity - from physical therapy to sports. Loads will help normalize blood circulation, speed up metabolic processes in the body. They also prevent the deposition of cholesterol and thrombosis.
- The age of the patient after 40 years is the basis for mandatory annual examinations by a doctor.
- If the doctor recommends preventive treatment, then it must be done, because the main thing is to prevent the disease, and then it is very difficult to treat it. Such therapy involves taking anticoagulants. A good solution would be to use traditional medicine.
A specialist may recommend a course of hirudotherapy. Importance is given to secondary preventive measures, which involve the treatment of pathologies of the heart, blood vessels and hypertension.
Diet food
Good help in the prevention of dietary nutrition, which is considered an integral part of the treatmentischemic disease of the cerebral cortex. The diet is selected individually for each patient. Its main task is to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. There can be many options for therapeutic nutrition, because it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the patient. To develop a specific nutrition program for a patient, nutritionists adhere to the following principles:
- eat at least 5-6 times a day;
- portions should be small;
- minimize s alt intake;
- Fat of animal origin should be kept to a minimum, for example, pork can be easily replaced with rabbit or chicken;
- carbohydrates in the body should come with vegetables and fruits;
- exclude completely from the diet baking, sugar and confectionery;
- you can not consume more than 300 mg of carbohydrates per day.
Forecast
If you approach the treatment of coronary brain disease and stroke in a complex way, you can not only compensate for violations of cerebral functions and cerebrovascular disease, but also prevent the development of various complications. Regular monitoring by a doctor and timely therapeutic measures promise a favorable prognosis for a person.
If timely treatment of such concomitant ailments as arrhythmia, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus is not started, this can provoke a vestibular disorder, the development of microstrokes, cerebral edema and the death of nerve cells. In this case, the prognosis may be disappointing. Fulla cure can not be expected, disability sets in, or the patient is threatened with death. Take care of your he alth, do not self-medicate, visit a doctor when the first unpleasant symptoms appear. This is the only way to protect yourself from serious illnesses.
