Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels: symptoms and treatment, signs

Different diseases have a variety of symptoms and signs. The treatment is also significantly different. In this article I want to talk about what is atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels. Symptoms and treatment of this disease will also be described later.

What it is?

At the very beginning, it is necessary to determine what this disease is. So, atherosclerosis is a problem in which the patient develops atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels. 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 the blood only halfway, the patient may have only dizziness and a slight tinnitus (which is a symptom of even a bit of high blood pressure). What is it important to say when considering the topic: “Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels: symptoms and treatment”? The prognosis for this disease is very favorable. Recovery of the patient is possible, however, 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, the greatest danger in this disease is atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, I want to talk about the stages of their formation.

Stage 1. The appearance of fat strips and spots. At this stage, lipids (mainly cholesterol) are deposited on the inner walls of the vessels.

Stage 2. Liposclerosis. Between fat spots, connective tissue begins to form, forming these same plaques. However, these compounds are unstable, from time to time pieces can come off from the plaques that travel through the vessels, clogging the smaller ones.

Stage 3. Atherocalcinosis. Plaques are densified by potassium salts. This contributes to their constant increase. The plaque can reach sizes that completely plug the vessel.

Symptoms

We continue our review on the topic: “Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels: symptoms and treatment.” At this stage, we will talk about those signs that clearly indicate the presence of this disease in a person.

1. Headache of varying intensity and duration. Often accompanied by tinnitus.
2. Sleep disturbance. A person falls asleep badly, sees bad disturbing dreams, often wakes up at night. This causes drowsiness in the daytime.
3. For patients, dizziness and memory loss are also characteristic.
4. Sometimes there may be a violation of motor activity, coordination.
5. With this disease, a person may experience choking at the time of chewing food and blurred speech.
6. The patient often disrupted the nervous system. Often, patients are too suspicious, irritable and anxious.
7. There may also be general fatigue and decreased performance.

Stages of the disease

Considering the signs of cerebral arteriosclerosis, 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.

1. Initial manifestations. In this case, a person feels a slight malaise, fatigue, sometimes tinnitus and dizziness. Most often, symptoms occur in the afternoon. But after rest, the patient becomes better. Airing and walking in the fresh air also help. With these symptoms, patients almost never seek medical help.
2. Progression. The disease develops and “acquires” new symptoms. Tremors in the hands, unsteadiness of the gait may join the above signs, speech and coordination of movements may deteriorate. Suspicion and perspiration during eating may also occur. At this stage, the patient often overestimates his strength, but blames others for what is happening. Often at this stage a person becomes very irritable.
3. Decompensation. At this stage, a person can hardly do without outside help. Temporary memory loss is possible , mental ability deteriorates, and self-service problems arise. This stage is dangerous by the occurrence of paralysis or stroke.
4. Transient ischemic attack. This is a brief stage. Symptoms are similar to a micro stroke. At this time, the patient's arms and legs become naughty, problems with speech are possible.
5. 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.
6. Hemorrhagic stroke. Basically, it occurs less frequently than ischemic, but develops more rapidly. In this case, the vessel does not become 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, the means of first aid differ significantly, thanks to which you can save a person’s life.

Diet: what can

What is very important to remember for the person whom the doctors diagnosed with cerebral arteriosclerosis? Food is what you must 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?

1. Flour products. You can wheat bread, bran bread. Inedible cookies and pastries made without salt are also allowed.
2. Meat. Only low-fat varieties. Preference should be given to chicken, rabbit.
3. Fish. Low-fat varieties.
4. Vegetables. Any cabbage, carrots, beets, zucchini, eggplant, potatoes - in cooked form. In raw - you can cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.
5. Dairy products. This is not only natural milk, but also dairy products. You can low-fat cottage cheese. Sour cream is allowed only as an addition to the main dish.
6. Cereals. Oat, buckwheat, barley, millet.
7. The eggs. Hard-boiled - a couple of times a week. Omelet - also 2-3 times in 7 days.
8. Fats. Butter and vegetable oil for cooking.
9. Seafood.
10. The drinks. If the patient has cerebral arteriosclerosis, the diet also includes the intake of certain fluids. So, vegetable and fruit juices, weak tea, a rosehip broth are allowed.

Diet: prohibited foods

In the disease “cerebral arteriosclerosis”, nutrition should exclude the following foods from the patient’s diet:

1. Fatty varieties of fish and meat. Offal, as well as smoked meats, canned food and caviar.
2. Bean soups, meat and mushroom broths.
3. Pastries from puff pastry and pastry.
4. Fat cream, cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream.
5. Egg yolks.
6. Mushrooms, sorrel, spinach, radish and radish.
7. Spicy, salty seasonings, sauces, mayonnaises, ketchups.
8. Ice cream, chocolate, cream products.
9. Strong tea, coffee, cocoa. Carbonated colored drinks.
10. Alcohol.

Cooking food

We continue our educational program on the topic: “Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels: symptoms and treatment.” The diet for this disease should not only consist of the above products. It is also important diet and cooking.

1. It is necessary to eat often and in small portions.
2. It is best to cook steamed. Boiled and baked dishes will also be useful. It is completely necessary to refuse fried.
3. When preparing vegetable salads, it is better to grate all the ingredients. It is useful to eat vegetables boiled or raw.
4. It is completely necessary to exclude from the diet soups prepared on meat or mushroom broths.
5. Limit sugar and salt intake.
6. You need to eat food slowly, chewing it carefully. So the body will be easiest to get enough of the beneficial substances that are contained in food.

Establishing diagnosis

If the patient has a suspicion of atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels, the diagnosis will be quite simple and inexpensive. To do this, it is enough to conduct one of the types of ultrasound examination:

1. Ultrasound diagnosis of cerebral vessels.
2. Ultrasound of vessels that are outside the brain (the degree of damage to the subclavian and carotid arteries is determined).
3. Duplex study (paragraphs 1 and 2 together).
4. Angiography of the vessels of the brain.
5. And transcranial dopplerography.

If a person has the first signs of cerebral arteriosclerosis, it is imperative to consult a doctor for advice. The doctor will first look at the patient’s medical history, find out about the presence of symptoms, and then send him to one of the above studies.

Groups of drugs for treatment

What else can I say on the topic: "Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels: symptoms and treatment"? The fact that this disease can be dealt with. Unless, of course, in time to get the right and qualified treatment. What kind of drugs in this case, the doctor will give preference?

Group 1. These are drugs that are designed to prevent the absorption of cholesterol and its ingress into the blood.

Group 2. Statins. These are drugs that are designed to synthesize cholesterol and reduce its concentration in 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", "Thrombo ACC".

Medications

What else should a person know to whom doctors have been diagnosed with cerebral arteriosclerosis? Medicines that a doctor may prescribe to him. Most often, these will be some of the following drugs: Fezam, Trental, Halidor, Vestibol, Sermion. Also, the doctor is likely to prescribe medications that lower blood pressure. A vitamin complex will also be beneficial. In this case, you will need to pay special attention to the vitamins of groups A, B and C.

Surgery

Looking further through the topic: “Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels: symptoms and treatment”, I want to say that it is not always possible to cope with the problem with 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.

1. 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, blood flow is blocked, and then, by excision of the vessel wall, the plaque is removed. Sutures are placed on the artery wall and on the skin.
2. Endoscopic removal. The operation is performed by means of an endoscope, an instrument that must "clean" the artery from the inside.

Non-drug methods

What else is important for people who are interested in the problem “Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels: symptoms and treatment”? Patient reviews suggest that often non-drug methods of getting rid of it turn out to be more effective and, of course, less costly. What is important in this case?

1. Frequent walks in the fresh air. If this is not possible, it is necessary to ventilate and moisten the room as often as possible, in which the patient stays most of the time.
2. Very important is the physical load on the body: running, walking, swimming. Doctors also recommend that patients do special gymnastics, which improves blood flow and, accordingly, the state of blood vessels.
3. It is very important to follow a proper diet and adhere to a diet.
4. Enough time to rest. Stress management is also important. In some cases, it is possible to take mild sedatives.
5. It is also important to completely stop drinking alcohol and smoking.

Alternative methods of treatment

What else should I tell the person whom the doctors diagnosed with “cerebral arteriosclerosis”? Symptoms and herbal treatments are important information. At this stage, we sorted out the symptoms, now we need to take the time of therapy with various folk remedies.

1. If the patient does not have high pressure, but there is tinnitus and dizziness, in this case, you can prepare an infusion from the heads of clover meadow. So, you need to take 20 g of this plant, pour two glasses of boiling water, and insist thoroughly in a thermos. Take the medicine 2-3 times before eating for three months. After six months, the course must be repeated again.
2. To prepare the infusion, you need to take one part of the following plants: mint, wild strawberry, horsetail and dill, and three parts of sage, dandelion, motherwort and dogrose. All ingredients are mixed. To prepare the medicine, 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 of a glass three times a day before meals for three months.

What else is important to say to those interested in the topic: “Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels: symptoms and treatment with plants”? So, you can cope very well with buckwheat - flowers, seeds and leaves. It will also be useful to eat garlic, hazel (hazelnuts) and dried fruits.

Prevention

There are quite simple tips on how to prevent the development of a disease such as atherosclerosis. To do this, you need:

1. Quit smoking completely.
2. Drink a very small amount of alcohol (best eliminated completely).
3. Avoid stressful situations and emotional overload.
4. Be as much as possible in the fresh air.
5. Physical activity should be moderate. However, they cannot be completely abandoned.
6. It is very important to follow a diet and proper diet.