How to treat cerebral atherosclerosis: symptoms, causes, treatment

Arteriosclerosis in the brain - the narrowing or blockage of plaque arteries that bring blood to the brain. The result of these changes - the deterioration of blood supply to the brain, impaired its normal structure and loss of function. In 85-90% of cases of sick people over 45-50 years.

The disease develops gradually over several months or even years. In 80-90% of patients the first manifestation of atherosclerosis cerebral arteries do not violate the general condition and their traditional way of life. If after their occurrence to see a specialist, disease progression and irreversible disorder of cerebral circulation (stroke) can be prevented. Treatment of medical, life in the form of periodic courses 2-3 times a year. In 20-30% of cases surgery is required.

What it is?

Atherosclerosis - a disease that is characterized by narrowing of the arteries due to buildup of atherosclerotic plaques on them. Most often the disease appears due to the fact that the disturbed lipid metabolism in the human body. Thus Connective tissue begins to grow, and in vascular lumen wall is actively deposited calcium salts.

What are the causes of atherosclerosis?

Occurrence cerebrovascular atherosclerosis is due to disorders of lipid metabolism. It contributes to this high level of cholesterol in the human body. This material penetrates into the vessel and forms a cholesterol plaques.

The reasons that contribute to the disease:

1. Addiction to fatty rich in cholesterol diet
2. Obesity and diabetes
3. Smoking and alcohol abuse
4. Arterial hypertension
5. Oral contraceptives for a long time
6. Heredity
7. Sedentary lifestyle
8. frequent stress

Seafood and fish are considered to be anti-sclerotic products. The lack of them in the diet also affects an increase in cholesterol levels. Pathological changes of cerebral arteries in atherosclerosis occur in several stages and tend to a gradual progression:

1. An excessive amount of cholesterol (fat atherogenic lipids) in the blood - hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia.
2. Impregnation of the inner walls of the arteries of the brain cholesteric inclusions, their accumulation in the form of nodules, plaques.
3. Inflammation in the vascular wall, the formation of dense scar, increase the size of cholesterol plaques, conversion of atherosclerotic.
4. The deposition of calcium on the surface of the plaques and their discontinuities, causing blood clots.
5. Narrowing or obliteration (complete overlap) the lumen of the arteries thrombi and plaques, decrease in strength, the risk of spontaneous rupture of the vessel.
6. Reducing the inflow of arterial blood, poor circulation or numbness (stroke) of the brain.

In 50-60% of patients with atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries combined with a similar vascular lesions at other sites (coronary arteries of the heart, the aorta, the lower limbs, kidney, intestines).

symptoms

Symptoms appear in violation of the blood supply by 50% during the development of cerebral arteriosclerosis. The brain protects itself network support (collateral) of the arteries. They are a long time in the sleeping state, but "come alive" as impaired blood flow in the major feeding vessels.

The main signs of atherosclerosis depends on the extent of damage. Conventionally isolated several periods of the pathological process.

Stage initial manifestations characterized by:

• rapid fatigue;
• general malaise;
• characteristic redness of the face;
• sleep disorders;
• the emergence of tinnitus;
• flies flashing before my eyes;
• increased sweating;
• headaches, amplifies after physical and mental exertion;
• trouble concentrating;
• small memory impairment;
• increased irritability;
• development unsteadily with a slight limp.

The clinical picture is brighter in the second half of the day or when the lack of oxygen - for example, while in a closed stuffy room. At this stage, symptoms nearly disappeared after a good rest.

For stage progression peculiar:

• dizziness;
• state of anxiety;
• suspiciousness;
• frequently depression;
• enhancement of the clinical picture of the first stage;
• staggering gait;
• decreased performance (both physical and mental);
• tendency to overestimate their capabilities;
• speech disorders - in particular, its vagueness;
• frequent choking during a meal.

The third stage is the stage of decompensation. The main signs of its occurrence:

• a decrease of intelligence up to the loss of the ability to think;
• severe memory impairment;
• inability to care for themselves, resulting in a need for assistance;
• the development of a transient ischemic attack.

Ischemic attacks by external characteristics are similar to a stroke, but are short-lived - mostly they are during the day.

Diagnostics

The correct diagnosis in the early stages makes it possible to overcome this terrible disease. Symptoms such as impaired speech and motor activity, impaired hearing and vision, decreased sensitivity testify about it. Not timely treatment can lead to stroke, heart attack, and dementia.

Diagnosis of atherosclerosis is performed based on the results of special studies and complete medical history of the patient. For diagnosis using ultrasound readings of the brain. In some cases, produce vascular angiography. During her artery introduce a special catheter. Also in the process of diagnosis can conduct research EEG and MRI.

treatment of atherosclerosis

The complex of therapeutic measures in atherosclerosis of the arteries of the brain:

• diet food;
• drug correction cholesterol metabolism;
• reducing the viscosity of the blood;
• improve cerebral circulation;
• blood pressure correction;
• surgery.

Treatment should be for life in the form of alternating courses of therapy by various kinds of products 2-3 times a year. Because atherosclerosis - a disease background, the precursor of cerebral blood flow, the main goal of therapy - not so much to cure it completely, much to prevent progression and complications. Complete cure is possible only at the initial stage changes.

medication

Appointed only physician on the basis of individual test results. For those who are wondering how all the same to treat atherosclerosis, will benefit the reading of a serious subject literature.

In modern Russian medicine, the most common purpose of the following drugs:

• If the protein content of prothrombin in the blood and blood clotting increasing, as a preventive measure prescribed aspirin cardio or cardiomagnil.
• To improve the blood flow, it is periodically necessary to use tools that extend vessels and relieving cramps: aktovegin, Cavintonum, Curantylum.
• Drugs directed action in such cases are the statins, but they are appointed only a doctor after studying lipid profile and its constant control during reception of the data drugs.
• In addition, for the normalization of emotional background is used anti-anxiety drugs, can be homeopathic, with pronounced depressive states and sleep disorders shown antidepressants and sleeping pills. As analgesics for headaches expedient to apply lekakrstvennye agents having spasmolytic effect (spazmalgon).

Good influence on the organism have physiotherapeutic procedures, e.g., hydrotherapy using oxygen, radon or carbon dioxide baths. Rest in sanatoriums positive impact on overall health.

Folk remedies

To facilitate the well-being, you can resort to the help of folk remedies - most of them always at hand. Here are some simple guidelines:

1. Try to drink during the day a little vegetable oil (two or three tablespoons will be sufficient).
2. Mix bee honey and chopped garlic and then drink the mixture teaspoon before meals.
3. Every day, eat a tablespoon of freshly squeezed potato juice.
4. Eat plenty of raw onions.
5. Eat right - watch absence in their diet of fatty foods.

There are also more complicated recipes of traditional healers. Here you have to mix different ingredients:

• Mix equal parts of dried apricots, raisins, figs, prunes, and rose hips. Bay cold water, put in the refrigerator overnight. Blender, grind the mixture and eat this meal every day on a tablespoon. Course - 30 days.
• Horseradish root must grate by means of floats (250 gr) is placed in a pot, pour hot water (3 liters) and boil. After 20 minutes of broth is removed from the heat. Cool the mixture and removing from it the remains of a horse-radish, eat three times a day for half a cup.
• cerebral atherosclerosis and folk remedies adjusted based on various medicinal herbs and herbal components. The most valuable of them - nard, buckwheat, wild strawberry leaves, plantain, mountain ash bark.
• Chop a large onion and mix with a glass of sugar. Hide for 3 days in a dark room. The resulting slurry was take after 3 hours on the same spoon. The course must be spread out over 3 months.

Let us give some recipes:

• Buckwheat flowers (tablespoon), pour boiling water (400 g) and cleaned in half black spot. It is necessary to wait for full cooling the broth, then strain it and drink three times a day for 150 grams.
• Dry leaf plantain poured boiling water (250 g). The resulting broth infused about 15 minutes and is drunk sips (to food - 40 min).
• Cut sheet strawberry, fill it with hot water. 20 minutes decoction should insist, then you can drink. Periodicity - four times a day. Dose - tablespoon.

In the prevention of dangerous complications plays a significant role in the prevention of fat deposition vascular wall. After 40 years, you need every day to monitor the concentration of fats and carbohydrates in the menu. Give up bad habits, because sooner or later they will lead to the disease.

Diet

An important aspect of treatment is the observance of a certain type of diet. The patient is not recommended to consume foods high in cholesterol. These include animal fats, dairy products high fat, sugary and high-calorie meals, condiments, increase appetite. In the presence of excess weight should reduce energy intake and increase the amount of food intake due to fruit and vegetables.

Some restrictions are necessary in the consumption of low-fat cheeses, meat and poultry diet, alcohol, eggs (no more than 1-2 per week), sweets in the form of honey, marmalade and sugar. Meals in atherosclerosis vascular includes turkey and veal meat (lean), vegetables, berries and fruits, all kinds of pasta, cereals, weak tea, decoction of herbs, fruit and jelly.

Cooking should be a method of boiling or steaming. Sometimes you can bake meat or fish in the oven. At high pressure, it is recommended to limit salt and water. There is a need small, frequent meals (4-5 times a day). In the presence of excess weight is recommended fasting days, if this is not specific contraindications.

additional recommendations

To prevent the development of cerebral arteriosclerosis should comply strictly with medical advice, including:

• adherence to a low-calorie diet;
• consumption of foods rich in vitamins;
• improving the implementation of special exercises;
• and constant exchange medication;
• cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption;
• regular monitoring of weight and blood pressure;
• daily walks in the fresh air.

Patients suffering from memory impairment, it is recommended to make a plan of activities for the day, as well as record all the necessary information and support intellectual activity (to listen to music and are interested in radio, read, watch TV broadcasts, to memorize a poem, to communicate with family and relatives). Such patients must be as long as possible to live independently, to carry out all possible work at home and save the motor activity.

Forecast

Prediction of Cerebral atherosclerosis rather is variable. Much depends on the age of the patient, time begun treatment measures, eliminate the existing risk factors possible. The most severe complications of atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels protrude stroke and dementia as a result of which there is a rough patient disability and possibly fatal.