Generalized atherosclerosis is a vascular disease accompanied by the occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques. In this case, the lesion can be observed immediately in several groups of vessels. Such a pathological process usually has a chronic form, it is based on impaired lipid metabolism. Complications arising from the disease threaten the health and life of the patient. Consider what kind of ailment it is, more in detail, and also we will understand what the treatment consists of.
For what reasons does the disease develop?
The main cause of generalized atherosclerosis is considered an excess of cholesterol. The formation of lipids from fats that come with food.
This pathology will help to develop due to:
- A diet containing large amounts of cholesterol.
- Overeating.
- Excess weight.
- A sedentary lifestyle.
- Alcohol abuse.
- Smoking.
- Reception of steroid hormonal preparations in large doses.
- Chronic stress.
Other factors that are quite difficult to influence include:
- Diabetes.
- Hypertension.
- Age over 40 years.
- Thyroid dysfunction.
- Lack of sex hormones in women.
- Metabolic failure at the genetic level when cholesterol is not completely oxidized in the liver.
- Increased coagulability, blood viscosity.
About the reasons in more detail
Some causes of the development of the disease require a more detailed consideration. Due to the predominance of fatty foods in the diet, lipids are excessively synthesized. Their deposition occurs not only in adipose tissue, but also inside the vessels. Many foods contain trans fats that the body cannot absorb; this becomes a direct cause of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Generalized atherosclerosis (ICD-10 code - I70) is often detected in smokers. The fact is that there is an accumulation of harmful impurities inside the walls of the arteries. This leads to excessive cell division and provokes the appearance of plaques.
Who else is at risk?
In those people who move a little, the risk of developing pathology is significantly increased, this is facilitated by a deficiency of oxygen in the body. In the absence of physical activity, the blood flow slows down. Poor oxygen saturation of the body is observed, as a result, the process of fat oxidation is difficult. Therefore, they are becoming more and more.
Against the background of diabetes and excess glucose in the blood, fat metabolism is also impaired, cells are destroyed and the disease occurs. Generalized and unspecified atherosclerosis differ in that in the second case, the cause of the disease remains undetected.
How does pathology arise?
Systemic damage to the body in generalized atherosclerosis occurs in several stages. Since lipid and protein metabolism is disrupted, this leads to excessive synthesis of low density lipoproteins. They contain a lot of "bad" cholesterol, the deposition of which is usually observed on the walls of blood vessels.
High density lipoproteins, on the contrary, contain “good” cholesterol, they improve the processes of its delivery to the liver.
Stages
Negative changes in metabolism provoke a violation of the ratio of phospholipids, cholesterol, as well as proteins.
- The first stage - the appearance of lipid spots in the walls of blood vessels. The main provoking factors include microtrauma of the arteries and a slowdown in blood flow. Under their influence, loosening and swelling of the vascular walls occurs. Detection of lipid stains is possible only with a microscope.
- The second stage is liposclerosis. In places where fat is deposited, connective tissue and atherosclerotic plaques occur. Their main danger is that when they break, the lumen of the vessels can become clogged with fragments. Another problem is blood clots that form at the sites of attachment of plaques.
- The third stage is characterized by atherocalcinosis - pathological formations grow. They become denser, calcium salts are deposited in them. As the plaques grow, the lumen of the vessels becomes smaller, the blood supply to the organs suffers. Acute blockage of the vessel is not excluded. Due to poor blood flow to organs and tissues, complications such as stroke, heart attack, acute lower limb ischemia occur.
Generalized atherosclerosis and its consequences are part of the systemic reaction of the human body, which is expressed in the form of pathological processes of lipid metabolism disturbance. It is also called "lipid distress syndrome."
Pathology localization
Localization of generalized atherosclerosis (according to ICD-10 I70) is observed in the following areas: in the brain, neck, coronary, peripheral vessels. There is a synchronous formation of foci of pathology. With damage to the coronary vessels, the situation is most difficult.
Forecast
The forecast will be negative for the most part, since the process is accompanied by many complications. If there is damage to the peripheral vessels, as well as vessels of the brain and neck, then the plaques are unevenly distributed. That is why the diameter of the affected arteries is different in diameter.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Generalized atherosclerosis (ICD-10 code - I70) is accompanied by a variety of symptoms. This directly depends on what organs lack oxygen and nutrients.
So, lesions can be detected in:
- The vessels of the brain, neck.
- Aorta.
- Mesenteric arteries.
- The vessels of the lower extremities.
- Coronary vessels.
- Renal vessels.
What are the symptoms of generalized atherosclerosis?
With damage to the arteries of the brain, a decrease in mental and physical performance, impaired attention, decreased memory. Sometimes sleep is disturbed, dizzy. In especially difficult situations, the likelihood of mental disorders, acute circulatory disorders in the brain, hemorrhage, thrombosis is not excluded.
With the appearance of cholesterol plaques in the vessels of the neck, signs of a violation of the blood supply to the brain are observed, which are accompanied by:
- Memory impairment.
- Dizziness.
- Violation of coordination of movement.
- Headache.
- Disorder of sight, hearing, speech.
Signs of aortic damage include:
- High blood pressure.
- Soreness in the chest radiating to the neck, stomach, arm, back.
- Dizziness.
- Fainting state.
- Shortness of breath.
In the presence of a pathological process, an aneurysm occurs (protrusion of the artery wall).
The defeat of the coronary vessels is manifested:
- Chest pain.
- Impaired heart rate.
- Attacks of angina pectoris.
- Signs of heart failure.
A terrible complication of this type of ailment is sudden death.
Against the background of the development of atherosclerotic plaques in the mesenteric arteries, the digestive system is disturbed (this is manifested by constipation or diarrhea, bloating). Some time after eating, sharp pains appear. Sometimes the patient suffers from hypertension.
In the presence of atherosclerotic deposits in the arteries of the lower extremities, symptoms such as constant fatigue, weakness, coldness of the extremities, intermittent claudication (during walking, pain occurs, at rest it disappears). In the future, there is a violation of trophic skin, which is accompanied by the formation of ulcers. Great risk of gangrene.
Possible consequences of generalized atherosclerosis
The main consequence of the disease is considered to be a narrowing of the gaps of the arteries. There is insufficient blood supply to the organs, which is fraught with the following complications:
- Ischemia.
- Hypoxia.
- Small focal sclerosis.
The proliferation of connective tissue occurs, all this is accompanied by dystrophic changes. If the vessel clogs a blood clot, embolus, this situation will lead to acute vascular insufficiency or heart attack. The main cause of death in generalized atherosclerosis is the rupture of aneurysm.
How is this ailment detected?
The diagnosis of generalized atherosclerosis is made according to the patient’s complaints and research results.
To identify signs of damage to the arteries, a general examination is performed at the time of:
- Weight reduction.
- Puffiness.
- Trophic disorders.
- The presence of wen.
Auscultation is performed, in which the doctor listens to the sound phenomena that occur in the patient's body. The presence of systolic murmurs, a change in pulsation in the vessels can speak of pathology.
As a diagnosis of lipid distress syndrome, a biochemical blood test is prescribed. With a generalized form of the disease, high cholesterol, the presence of low density lipoproteins, as well as triglycerides are detected.
They also examine the liver, the microbiosphere of the gastrointestinal tract (they make a coprogram, a bacteriological study).
Functional Diagnostic Methods
The functional methods of diagnosing an ailment include:
- Angiography.
- Coronarography.
- Aortography.
- Ultrasound.
- Duplex scanning.
Due to the wide variety of symptoms, a comprehensive examination is usually prescribed.
Therapy for this disease
Provided that the diagnosis is correctly made and therapy is started in time, it is possible to carry out an effective correction of the patient's condition. But if the form of generalized atherosclerosis (code according to ICD-10 I70) is neglected, the disease is treated much more complicated. Therapy is carried out conservatively and surgically.
A conservative option is the use of hypocholesterolemic drugs, the action of which is aimed at lowering blood cholesterol.
Most often prescribed drugs such as:
- Sequestrants of bile acids ("Cholestyramine", "Colestipol").
- Nicotinic acid ("Enduracin", "Acipimox", "Niceritrol").
- Statins (“Simvastatin”, “Lovastatin”, “Pravastatin”, etc.).
If generalized atherosclerosis of the lower extremities is observed, medications are prescribed that can maintain vascular tone and improve metabolism in the tissues. Dosages, duration of administration are determined by the doctor.
Thanks to non-drug therapy, the main risk factors are eliminated. This may include:
- Lifestyle adjustment.
- Normalization of weight.
- Increased physical activity.
- Getting rid of bad habits.
- Monitoring the activity of the digestive system.
- Stress avoidance.
- Therapy of concomitant ailments (hypertension, diabetes).
Generalized atherosclerosis is also treated surgically. The plaque is removed, a stent is inserted into the lumen of the vessel, the lumen of the vessel is dilated, etc. Thanks to this intervention, the risk of acute coronary syndrome or stroke is reduced.
Therapy with the help of unconventional means is allowed, but a specialist consultation is needed.
In particular, with such a disease, traditional medicine recommends consuming 3 tables a day. tablespoons of vegetable oil or drink in the morning juice of 1 potato.
An effective mixture of honey, lemon juice, vegetable oil, taken in equal proportions. The tool should be used 1 time per day (in the morning on an empty stomach) for 1 table. spoon.
Diet
Important is the observance of a balanced diet. Products that are rich in animal fats are completely excluded from the diet:
- Fat meat.
- Fat.
- Smoked meats.
- Offal.
- Canned food.
- Broths are meat.
- Butter.
- Sour cream.
- Sausages.
Simple carbohydrates are also desirable to exclude (flour and sweet). The use of mayonnaise, caffeinated drinks is prohibited. No more than 4 g of salt can be used per day.
What can and should be eaten?
- The fish.
- Seafood.
- The bird.
- Low-fat meat (veal, beef, rabbit).
- Cereals (especially buckwheat, millet).
- Vegetables, greens.
- Fruits and dried fruits.
- Garlic.
From drinks allowed weak tea, juice.
Preventative measures
Prevention of generalized atherosclerosis will be considered compliance with simple rules. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle. The ban includes alcohol, tobacco.
To help the body in getting rid of excess cholesterol, fats, physical activity is used. You can work out in the gym, swim, run or just walk. Enough hours per day. Sports loads significantly reduce the risk of generalized atherosclerosis, improve myocardial function, contribute to the normalization of weight.
Every year, it is necessary to check the blood to control hormones, including those belonging to the steroid group. They help increase cholesterol.
It is necessary to deal with the treatment of concomitant diseases (diabetes, hypertension). Stressful situations should be avoided. All of these preventive measures are important for people over the age of 50.