Intracranial pressure symptoms and treatment of children, adults, how to measure. The causes of high and low pressure, folk remedies and medicines

Which means increased intracranial pressure?

Intracranial pressure (ICP) can occur at any age person, but women suffer from the disease more often than men. Most of the reasons for the occurrence of intracranial pressure goes to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Symptoms and treatment of individual, especially in children. Fluid located in the center of the head.

In the brain there are cavities (ventricles) filled with liquor, it is disposed therein to 2/3 of the total volume of liquid. The remainder of the brain moves between the shells and in the spinal canal. The volume of CSF takes more than 10% of the brain.

fluid function is as follows:

• located between the brain and the skull protects the brain from shocks;
• monitors the balance of water and electrolytes;
• It protects the brain from harmful substances, including poisonous.

Normally, cerebrospinal fluid (brain matter and blood vessels) are in a state of balance. When the parameters of one of the components, it depressing effect on other components of the skull.

And as the volume of the skull it is always constant, a change in pressure due to the disease that has arisen in one of the components of the skull.

pressure changes several reasons. Due pathology may increase the production of excess cerebrospinal fluid. Liquid circulation is disturbed due to the formation of barriers, which makes it impossible to its outflow and accumulation in certain parts. Obstacles can be benign and malignant tumors, hematoma, post-traumatic changes.

There may be other changes, at which the pressure change. It turns out that the ICP - is a symptom of the disease that struck in the head, and a concomitant feature of the pathology in the skull.

ICP Classification in Adults

In adults, the ICP determined 2 disease states:

1. acute condition characterized by the sudden manifestation of the disease. It is a consequence of internal damage or tearing of blood vessels skull (stroke, aneurysm impulse). Acute condition of elevated intracranial pressure may plunge a man quick death. For the treatment resorted to emergency surgical measures - craniotomy. This operation removes some parts of the cranium, resulting in a rapid decrease in pressure.
2. chronicity It comes amid a long-term impact of the ICP. Such a state is a cumulative disease and may increase over time. Happens after the injury, pathology acquisition transferred from disease, long-term taking of pharmaceuticals. The disease occurs on the background of a severe headache. Overcome such pain is difficult, analgesics are not able to help. As a result of a chronic condition, due to the swelling of the optic nerve is severely affected, vision is rapidly losing its functions, including blindness.

The causes of increased intracranial pressure in adults

In adults, the rate is determined by the ICP range of 3-15 mm Hg. Art. As part of a range of people live normal, healthy lives. In acute nature of the disease has the exponent than 30 mm may start irreversible phenomena occurs in some cases death.

Pressure changes can occur both in the direction of pressure increase and decrease. The reasons for their different manifestations.

The causes leading to the growth of CDV following:

• CSF is produced by more than the norm;
• lack of oxygen;
• change in brain blood circulation;
• inflammation of the meninges;
• systematic reduction of vascular headaches;
• significant body weight, altered metabolism;
• poisoning by chemical means;
• disorders of water balance, swelling of the whole body;
• tumor benign or malignant.

The reasons that may lead to a decrease in the following CDV:

• head injury, damage to the skull and the brain membranes, surgical interventions;
• benign and malignant tumors;
• narrow vessels;
• fatigue, vitamin deficiency;
• long-term use of diuretics;
• poisoning by chemical means;
• allergies;
• depression, emotional depression;
• neuroinfec- disease;
• thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis;
• abnormalities of the cardiovascular system;
• pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, endocrine disease.

The causes of increased intracranial pressure in children

Symptoms and treatment of intracranial pressure in children vary according to age and the corresponding development of the child. As an infant (under 1 year) child is different from the older children that is experiencing particularly rapid development of the body: its growth, intellectual and psychological development.

Children under 1 year old have the fontanelle (the place at the top with soft bones). Normal pressure level is in the range of 1.5-6 mm Hg. Art.

Causes of pressure in children under one year:

• craniocerebral trauma or birth;
• infectious diseases (purulent meningitis, encephalitis);
• toxic poisoning;
• early overgrown fontanelle;
• hydrocephalus - excess cerebrospinal fluid in the skull;
• intracranial tumors;
• congenital defects of the central nervous system;
• pre- and post-natal hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

Children from 1 year to 4 years is growing rapidly, but the growth is not as rapid as the under 1 year. Development of the child in terms of intellect and psyche becomes more intense. The normal level of intracranial pressure is within 3-7 mm Hg. Art. List causes of intracranial pressure is the same, except for the early overgrown fontanelle and prenatal hypoxia.

Children 5-7 years of the picture clears up the disease easier. Children 5-7 years are growing more slowly, but the load on the mind and consciousness increases, children are ready for school. Motivational list for the occurrence of intracranial pressure and pressure range are the same as in children 1-4 years.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in adults

The symptoms of adult diseases are expressed in a sequential build-up of the disease. For the first time the disease is manifested by headache, wraps the entire head and having a bursting character. Pain occurs in the evening, it can not drown analgesics. Nausea with vomiting, and vomiting does not relieve the patient's condition.

There are problems with vision, associated with the deformation of the optic nerve. It appears diplopia, blurred contours, reduction reaction of the light, changing the peripheral perception momentary blindness. Bulging eyeball, because of this, the eyelids do not close. Under eye circles may appear, consisting of inflated small vessels.

In addition to these expressive signs, the disease has a long list of symptoms, which is difficult to judge the ICP:

• disorders of the respiratory functions;
• drowsiness, fatigue, distraction;
• irritability to mood swings;
• It throws into the pot, or, conversely, cause chills;
• changes in blood pressure,
• dizziness;
• memory loss;
• pain in the spinal column;
• decline in the motor activity of muscles.

In a healthy person ICP sometimes rises at torso muscle overexertion, sudden cough, a loud cry, sneeze. But it quickly comes to its normal state. In the case of a long painful sensations should immediately go to the doctor.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in children

Intracranial pressure can occur in children of all ages. Symptoms and treatment of children under one year are different from older children, in view of the fontanelle in infants.

When visually clear appearance ICP pulsating convexity in place fontanel and possibly divergence cranial sutures. But one of the causes of high blood pressure, is the rapid overgrowth fontanelle.

In this case follows other signs that indicate the ICP:

• the head is larger than normal;
• not eating with loss of weight;
• crying, especially in the supine position;
• Conk sleep;
• regurgitation, vomiting without a meal;
• is the occurrence of seizures, twitching of the chin;
• crossed eyes, involuntary twitching and bulging of the eyes;
• uneven muscle tone - some tense, some are relaxed;
• on the scalp is visible pattern of the head vessels.

In older children (1-4 years) can diagnose pain in the head by hand movements to the head completely children, seniors will be able to tell you about the head and eye pain, increase in pain to the middle of the night and morning.

Some other features are similar to the symptoms of children under one year:

• the head is larger than the norm, in favor of the frontal;
• protrusion of the eye;
• Morning nausea and vomiting;
• a bad dream;
• weakness, lethargy, whims.

Children 5-7 years old can vividly describe the nature of pain, local pain or over the entire head, what time of day, change your viewing experience.

By the above-mentioned features are added:

• poor concentration;
• restlessness;
• poor reception information;
• forgetfulness, poor storage.

As ICP diagnosed in adults and children?

True performance ICP can only be obtained during the puncture of cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles, but the operation is difficult, unsafe, so refer to it in very extreme cases. There are indirect methods of diagnosis, suggests that changed intracranial pressure. Symptoms and treatment of children under one year is different from the other children and adults.

An indirect method for the diagnosis of ICP children under one year is a consultation of the neurologist. Is determined by the size of the head, overgrown fontanelle, reflex reactions. By necessity children spend 2 types of ultrasound through the head is not tightened fontanelle - cranial ultrasonography and echoencephalography. Methods informative and able to detect abnormalities.

An indirect method for the initial diagnosis of ICP children older than one year and adults is to check fundus on the optic disc swelling, and other changes in the fundus, inspected the veins and arteries.

Further X-ray can hold - captures changes in bone tissue of the skull. Get advice neurologist. The pressure can be determined during a lumbar (lumbar) puncture.

But it began to abandon in favor of neuroimaging techniques (multislice computed tomography and magnetic resonance) by this method. Informative methods for the determination of anomalies inside the skull may detect abnormalities in the early stages.

During the survey people lie without moving from 20 to 40 minutes. Children under 5 years old often can not withstand long continued posture and they administered a dose of anesthesia. Older children distracted listening to fairy tales, music, conversation.

Drug treatment in children and adults

Intracranial pressure, symptoms and treatment of children and adults a little to separate, but the essence is the same. ICP - a consequence of disease more serious. If the cure of the disease, which led to such symptoms, then the ICP back to normal. Fight with only a symptom of the underlying disease is not safe, as there may be, the symptoms will disappear, and the disease will progress covertly.

If ICP adult temporary phenomenon, does not lead to serious results, the use of drugs is not advisable. In cases of severe manifestations of ICP protracted advised to consult a neurologist, a doctor prescribe medicines after inspection. When symptoms of disease of children any stage of treatment is required.

In the treatment of adult humans using ICP pharmacological groups having various effects on fluid circulation mechanism.

drugs Group:

• corticosteroids - inhibit the production of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles, reduce the amount of content;
• vasodilators - reduce the pressure of the body that reduces the inflow of liquid to the head;
• diuretics - excess liquid is removed from the body;
• betablockers - reduce edema medulla;
• Homeopathy - natural preparations of general action;
• other drugs - in the treatment of the underlying disease, to relieve some symptoms.

For children high blood pressure is especially dangerous, can lead to developmental delays and disabilities.

Often prescribe a comprehensive treatment of the drugs of a particular group:

• diuretics;
• kalisodergaszczye means;
• nootropics - normalization of blood circulation and oxygenation;
• vasodilators;
• sedative;
• painkillers.

People's treatment in adults and children

Intracranial pressure - quite a serious illness. Symptoms of the disease have an extensive list, and so the treatment of children and adults should be performed only by medical professionals. As a means of helping to fight for a cure, can be used some traditional methods.

But they are effective if the ICP was due to stress problems with the venous outflow or osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine. The means have diuretic, sedative and analgesic actions.

Herbs are commonly used, are prepared:

• broths - mulberry, sage, St. John's wort, peppermint, poplar leaves, lavender, nettle, succession, horsetail, valerian, motherwort, eucalyptus;
• infusions - lavender, pink clover meadow, garlic, plantain;
• lapping - lavender oil;
• lotions of pulp horseradish and radish on the calves;
• compresses of camphor oil and vodka, peppermint, eucalyptus, hawthorn, valerian, Leonurus;
• inhalation of laurel leaves.

operative therapy

In such diseases as hydrocephalus, the presence of cysts of producing CSF, CSF blockage efferent pathways resorting to surgery:

• The essence of operations comprising: bypass surgery (the tube entry). One end of the shunt through the drilled hole in the skull cavity immersed in a liquor. To derive the net collected from catheters. The type of shunting (ventriculoperitoneal and ventriculoatrial) withdrawing tube is produced in the peritoneal cavity or the heart. The overabundance of liquor discharged through the valve, normalizing ICP.
• Another type of operation - puncture (puncture). Are performed to remove excess fluid, cerebrospinal fluid collection for analysis, ICP measurement, administration of medication. Often two types. Ventricular - oversupply of liquid through the hole in the skull are gaining in tank pressure gauge measures the special. Lumbar - introduce the needle into the lumbar spine, measures the pressure through the needle surplus liquor was collected in a sterile container.
• The third type of intervention - endoscopic surgery. It is carried out at the ICP after trauma, shunt complications. Using micro endoscopic equipment (a video camera, forceps, catheters, scissors), produce the drain outlet bottom subarachnoid ventricular cavity portions extension cord. Such operations in our country is still a rarity.

physiotherapy

To normalize intracranial pressure, relieve symptoms of the disease and for the treatment of children and adults to consolidate the results apply physiotherapy. The effect of the application of the procedures aimed at strengthening the circulation, get rid of stagnation in the movement of lymph, blood, cerebrospinal fluid in the patient's head.

Consider what procedures are used in the ICP:

• electrophoresis. The procedure followed by injections of aminophylline. It revives the work of the vascular system, leading to improved lymph drainage, improves the nutrition of the brain to prevent lack of oxygen.
• Massage. Is performed on the neck area, can increase the flow of blood from the veins.
• Magnetic therapy neck area. Decreased intracranial pressure and vascular tone, brain decreases sensitivity to oxygen shortage, combats nervous tissue edema.
• Healing Fitness. Patients with ICP need physical activity to be an excellent prevention of swimming and jogging. Also help walking, tennis, badminton. When engaging the patient should not be overstrained. Initially, perform each exercise for 2-3 minutes slowly, without sudden lunges and twists. The number of sets increases gradually being. LFK thus relieving stiffness of the shoulder girdle, increased muscle tone, resulting in improved outflow of fluid from the head.
• Circular shower. Increased sensitivity of the receptor, improves muscle tone, circulation returns to normal, creates conditions for the outflow of blood.

Acupuncture

As an auxiliary method has a beneficial effect on the human body. Improves blood circulation of the brain vessels, eliminates spasms of the vascular system, it calms the nervous system, normalizes metabolism, eliminates the pain caused by the ICP.

Acupuncture relieves some of the symptoms, improves mood. Unfortunately, to eliminate the causes of the disease and the mechanism to change the flow of CSF method is not capable.

Consequences and complications if left untreated in children and adults

ICP permanent negative impact on the body of an adult. The patient becomes meteodependent, there are weakness, fatigue.

If you do not turn to medicine to follow these troubles and complications that can go into an irreversible phase:

• The rapid loss of vision, blindness can overtake, optic nerve necrosis occurs due to CSF ​​pressure, blindness due to retinal inflammation develops eye.
• Changing the functions of the brain stem. Pressure on any part of the brain leads to changes reflexes.
• Epileptic seizures as a result of pressure on the brain cause the involuntary spasms, short-term nature.
• Suspending provide blood brain blood vessels due to compression. Pridavlivaniya nerve cells affect the brain's response. Possible stroke.
• In the future, the body will not be able to circumvent the situation centers of the brain damage and death occur.

ICP in children, if left untreated will lead to damage to the blood supply to the brain, hypoxia and atrophy of certain brain lobesMay subsequently result in:

• eyesight to blindness;
• occurrence of epilepsy;
• if it is touched by the cerebellum, it will be disturbed consciousness, speech, upset breath, loosen the muscles in the limbs, change coordination;
• developmental disorders of mental and physical;
• may arise stroke (hemorrhagic, ischemic).

If you do not pay attention to the intracranial pressure, despite the symptoms and ignore the treatment of children and adults ICP, there will come the expected outcome. Therefore, when symptoms occur, contact the medical art (therapist, optometrist, neuropathologist). It is not necessary to delay the reception to the doctor, the sooner identify the causes of disease, the easier it will therapy.

Video of the intracranial pressure in children:

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ICP in children, pediatric advice: