When it comes to vascular diseases, many imply such ailments as atherosclerosis - damage to the walls, and varicose expansion - a change in the diameter of the venous bed. However, these are only the most common ailments. Vessels permeate the entire human body, passing through almost all tissues. Therefore, diseases are much greater. These include hemorrhoids, pelvic varicose veins, limb lymphostasis, tortuosity of arteries, thrombosis, phlebitis, and so on. In order to avoid the development of any ailment, it is necessary to undergo a regular examination. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to check blood vessels.
Who should check the vessels of the head
So how to check the vessels? First of all, it is necessary to visit a specialist with a narrow profile. However, many, feeling unwell, do not know who to contact with the problem. In small towns, there is always a therapist or paramedic. Health care providers should refer the patient to the right specialist.
If you live in a large city, then the clinic must have a neurologist or, in other words, a neuropathologist. This doctor can help with various hemorrhages in the brain and injuries, with the development of osteochondrosis, as well as with impaired coordination of movement and sleep. In other words, this specialist is able to help with the presence of vascular diseases of the nervous system.
To clarify the diagnosis, a neurologist can refer the patient for an additional examination of the arteries of the brain. Indeed, in case of circulatory disturbance, a person experiences general malaise, which manifests itself as frequent headaches, increasing irritability and dizziness.
Where to check the vessels of the legs and heart
The vessels on the legs can be checked by a doctor such as an angiosurgeon or an angiologist. This is a specialist in vascular surgery. Thanks to modern diagnostic methods, a doctor can help a person in a timely manner with the development of diseases such as impaired potency, thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcer, renal failure, stroke, and so on. The competence of this specialist is the treatment of all kinds of lesions of arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. This explains the diverse range of activities of the angiologist. If desired, the condition of the veins can be checked by a phlebologist.
Where and how to check the vessels of the heart? In this case, you should contact a cardiologist. However, referring to a specialist, the patient should consider that in some cases it is impossible to draw a clear line and separate heart diseases and vascular ailments. For example, hypertension. This disease negatively affects the cardiovascular system as a whole. Phlebitis and atherosclerosis can cause severe damage to the veins and arteries of the whole body. In addition, myocarditis and rheumatism are native heart diseases. Therefore, a thorough examination is required to make a correct diagnosis.
When brain and neck vessels are required
How to check the vessels of the brain and neck? First of all, it is worth visiting a specialist with a narrow profile. The doctor should prescribe a thorough examination. Checking the vessels of the brain and neck is relevant for:
- Stroke.
- VVD - vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Cerebral ischemia.
- Hypertension.
- Concussion.
- Circulatory disorders.
- Encephalopathy
Also, checking the vessels of the brain and neck is required in cases where the patient is concerned about frequent bouts of headache and dizziness. This may indicate a serious illness.
MRI - a modern diagnostic method
How to check the vessels of the brain and get a full assessment of the system? In this case, the doctor may prescribe an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This is one of the modern diagnostic methods. Such a study allows you to get all the necessary data on pathological and structural changes in the vascular bed of brain tissue. In addition, MRI gives a complete assessment of the processes that occur at the time of the examination. This method allows you to study the state of the walls of blood vessels, and also to check whether there are accumulations of plaques on them.
Since it is possible to check the vessels of the brain only with the help of a special apparatus, its errors should be taken into account. Some devices are simply not able to see minor changes. These include the MRI device, the magnetic field of which is from 0.3 to 0.4 TL. This device has a low resolution. It is better to conduct an MRI of the vessels using an aggregate with a magnetic field of 1–1.5 T. The device allows you to notice any changes in the tissues.
In some cases, MRI of vessels is carried out in combination with the method of contrasting. In this case, the patient's blood is stained with the help of special substances. This allows for a more detailed examination. Thanks to this method, one can detect not only pathological changes, but also a blood clot and plaques.
REG - rheoencephalography
Since not everyone can check the vessels of the brain and neck by means of MRI, there are other examination methods. The main disadvantage of magnetic resonance imaging is its high cost. In addition, not every clinic has special equipment. And how to check the vessels without the right apparatus? The second method of examination is rheoencephalography. It is used much more often. There is another name for this procedure - cerebral rheography.
How is the study
The examination takes place in a clinic. A device such as a rheograph is used to diagnose vascular diseases. This unit is essentially a current source equipped with metal plate electrodes that are fixed to the scalp. The fixture is attached with rubber bands. Before the procedure, the skin must be degreased with alcohol. The plates are also treated with contact paste.
How to check blood vessels with a rheograph? Everything is simple. After the electrodes are fixed, a weak current is passed through them. At this point, the registration of the state of all vessels begins. In this case, the electrodes can be fixed on the surface of the entire head or in a certain area.
Information about the state of blood vessels is obtained through observations of how the processes of electrical conductivity of the body and integument proceed. The difference between the indicators gives a ripple effect. This allows you to get accurate data on the activity of the venous and arterial systems.
Dopplerography
Examination of the vessels of the neck and brain can be carried out in another way. In this case, we are talking about a method such as duplex scanning. A similar study is relevant in the presence of diseases of the cervical vessels - brachiocephalic arteries.
So, how to check the vessels using dopplerography? This is a completely painless procedure, which is an ultrasound. Ultrasound examination allows you to assess the condition of the vessels of the whole body. If the patient suffers from high blood pressure, then specialists will check the kidneys. The narrowing of the vessels located in these organs can cause severe hypertension.
How is dopplerography performed
The simplicity of this examination method attracts many. After all, the procedure does not require preparation. The patient should take a horizontal position during the examination. The result is displayed on the monitor instantly. The doctor receives data thanks to special sensors.
The main disadvantage of dopplerography is that not every medical institution has special equipment. In addition, the accuracy of the results depends on the correct operation of the apparatus and the experience of the doctor.
Ultrasonography
Where and how to check blood vessels for blood clots? In this case, ultrasonography will help. With this examination, the patient should be in a horizontal position. In this case, the head should be thrown back and turned in the opposite direction from the one that needs to be examined. Sensors are sent up the neck, under the jaw, and then behind the ear. Ultrasonography allows you to carefully consider the condition of not only the carotid artery, but also the vertebral. To do this, the patient should lie on his side. The doctor receives data thanks to an ultrasound scanner.
Indications for use
A duplex neck scan provides a wealth of valuable information. Such a study is relevant for:
- headaches;
- loss of consciousness, staggering gait and dizziness;
- hypertension
- pulsating formations in the neck;
- osteochondrosis;
- impaired memory and vision.
How are the blood vessels examined
It is possible to check the work of the heart and the state of the vessels of the patient without penetration. To do this, tap, measure pressure and heart rate, listen to the heart rate, and so on. A comprehensive examination of the state of blood vessels and the heart consists of:
- checking the elasticity of blood vessels;
- ECG - electrocardiograms;
- echocardiography;
- blood flow tests in the limbs (rheovasography).
As for the full examination, it includes other methods.
CT scan
How to check the vessels of the whole body if dopplerography does not give results? In this case, computed tomography is performed . This method first appeared in 1972. Technology has gradually changed and improved. The tomograph is a table surrounded by an annular shell and connected to a scanner. This unit is quite easy to use. The patient is placed on the table inside the ring, which gradually rotates and removes the necessary area.
It is worth noting that computed tomography allows you to examine not only the coronary vessels, but also the vessels of the limbs, abdominal, thoracic and pelvic regions. This greatly facilitates the diagnosis of many diseases. Such an examination allows you to determine the degree of vasoconstriction in the heart without performing intracardiac manipulations.
Computed tomography is performed in a regular clinic. To improve image quality, a contrast agent is introduced. Often iodine is used for these purposes. When examining the heart, the tomograph can produce a three-dimensional image with colored vessels. This allows you to identify any deformation of arteries and veins, as well as determine the condition of the aorta and exclude the presence of tumors.
Varicose veins: diagnosis
How to check the vessels on the legs with varicose veins? This question is asked by those who regularly feel heaviness in their lower limbs after a working day. Often patients with this disease complain of swelling and a feeling of fatigue. In addition, for many, the venous pattern becomes more pronounced. In this case, you need to contact an angiologist or phlebologist.
Diagnosis of the disease begins, as a rule, with a visual examination of the skin. To study the condition of tissues, veins and their valves in more detail, additional studies are needed. In this case, the doctor may prescribe an examination such as:
- Ultrasound scan.
- March test of Delba Partes and other tests.
- X-ray: venography, phlebography.
- Functional and dynamic phlebomanometry.
The latter method allows you to obtain more accurate data, since in the process of diagnosis, venous pressure is measured during physical exertion. This indicator in an upright position at rest cannot exceed hydrostatic. However, an ultrasound scan is necessary to detect damaged valves.
In conclusion
Now you know how to check the vessels of the whole body. At the moment, there are many ways to diagnose all kinds of diseases. Special equipment allows you to check the vessels of not only the brain, but also the heart, abdominal and hip, limbs and neck. Such an examination allows you to timely detect the ailment and prevent the development of serious complications.