No matter how sad it is, every year an increasing number of people are exposed to various diseases. Therefore, try at the first signs of an ailment to consult a doctor immediately. As medical practice shows, absolutely all people are affected by somatoform autonomic dysfunction of the nervous system, or, in short, VVD, regardless of age group.
A similar ailment is diagnosed in children as often as in representatives of the older generation. At the same time, not all modern experts in the field of neurology consider vegetovascular dystonia a disease as such. However, in the absence of proper treatment, it can adversely affect the condition of the child. Therefore, it is very important to go to the hospital in a timely manner if the baby has an IRR. Symptoms in children, the causes and treatment of this insidious disease will be discussed in the article below.
general information
Every year, more and more often, VVD is diagnosed in children. Symptoms largely depend on the stage of the disease and the individual characteristics of the body. However, there are many common characteristic manifestations. They will be described in more detail in the following sections, but for now, let's try to figure out what the disease under discussion means by itself.
VVD is a polyetiological syndrome resulting from disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system due to its organic lesions. As a rule, this most often occurs in adolescence, when hormonal changes occur in the body. In addition, the disease can be transmitted from parents to children at the genetic level.
The causes of the disease
Let's dwell on this in more detail. As mentioned earlier, all people, especially adolescents, are susceptible to VVD. Symptoms in children, the causes and course of the pathology can be very different.
The following factors have a very strong influence on the development of the disease:
- infectious diseases;
- heredity;
- constant stress;
- complications during gestation;
- too much physical activity;
- chronic lack of sleep;
- various diseases of the spinal column;
- diabetes;
- poor nutrition;
- vitamin deficiency;
- physical inactivity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- excessive mental activity.
All of the above factors pose a significant threat to the development of VVD in children. Symptoms and treatment require separate consideration. It is worth noting that doctors argue that the key aspect is the psychological comfort of the child in the family circle, so parents should avoid clarifying the relationship with the kids.
Varieties of the disease under discussion
Before we talk about what are the symptoms of VVD in children, let's look at the classification of pathology. This is very important, since the treatment program is largely dependent on the origin of the disease. When compiling the treatment methodology, profiled specialists take into account the etiology, the complexity of the course of the disease and its type.
In modern medicine, the following forms of somatoform autonomic dysfunction of the nervous system are distinguished:
- Dyshormonal. It occurs in adolescents during puberty as a result of hormonal changes in the body.
- Essential. It is passed from parents to children at the genetic level.
- Infectious toxic. It develops due to poor environmental conditions in the region of residence or as a result of infectious diseases.
- Neurological The main reason for this form is a malfunction in the central nervous system due to excessive mental overwork and constant stress.
This is just a generalized classification of vegetovascular dystonia. In fact, it has a more complex look and takes into account a huge number of factors.
Features of the course of the disease in children under 5 years
Clinical manifestations of pathology can be observed in babies in the first months of life. In most cases, the disease develops as a result of complications that occur during pregnancy.
Symptoms of VVD in a child under 5 years of age can be as follows:
- colic in the stomach;
- loose stools;
- lack of appetite;
- frequent spitting up;
- constant awakenings during sleep.
This is the primary symptomatology that occurs in the early stages of the course of the disease. In the absence of proper treatment, the baby may develop various complications that appear, as a rule, in the 2-3rd year of life.
At this stage of the VSD in children, symptoms can be expressed as:
- elevated body temperature;
- severe pain in the abdominal region;
- tearfulness;
- general weakness;
- dizziness and migraine;
- epidermal cyanosis.
By the age of five, the following clinical manifestations are added to the general symptomatology:
- constant mood swings;
- apathy;
- urinary incontinence;
- dyspnea;
- fatigue.
It is worth noting that the symptoms of VVD in a child of 6 years can occur both simultaneously and separately. Therefore, you should not wait until the baby's condition worsens. At the first suspicion of vegetovascular dystonia, it is better to immediately contact a qualified doctor.
Features of the disease under the age of 10 years
What should you pay attention to first of all? The risk of developing pathology in schoolchildren is associated with an increased load on the central nervous system created in the learning process. A busy schedule, constant stress, new acquaintances and increased mental stress lead to constant fatigue, as a result of which the normal functioning of internal organs and systems is disrupted.
The main symptoms of VSD in children of 10 years are as follows:
- fatigue;
- unpredictable mood swings;
- nausea and pain in the abdomen;
- severe migraines;
- lack of air;
- pallor of the skin;
- hypothermia and hyperthermia;
- obesity or severe weight loss;
- hypertension or hypotension;
- memory impairment;
- restless sleep;
- rashes on the skin;
- prolonged depression.
According to doctors, VVD (symptoms in children of 8 years old in most cases make themselves felt comprehensively) are most often diagnosed in people from dysfunctional families in which terrible emotional and psychological living conditions are created for the baby. Therefore, it is very important that the child grows in perfect harmony.
Clinical manifestations of the disease in adolescents
What is their feature? If the VSD in a child of 9 years, the symptoms of which were considered above, develops due to increased psychological and physical stress, then in adolescents the ailment is associated with hormonal changes in the body.
In addition, the following factors can also provoke pathology:
- Complicated school curriculum. Performing many difficult tasks requires a lot of time and effort, resulting in children overwork.
- Low mobility. Instead of playing sports and taking walks in the fresh air, modern teens prefer to spend free time in front of a computer.
- Negative information. Today, the Network has a huge number of photos and videos containing scenes of violence and cruelty, which, in turn, negatively affects the psychological health of children.
- Relationship problems with classmates, friends, teachers, and parents.
It should be understood that the disease in various adolescents can occur unevenly. This is due to the fact that some boys and girls can consume tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, which exacerbate the condition of patients.
As for the clinical manifestations, they are much smaller, but they are partially similar to the symptoms of VVD in children of 8 years old.
The most common are the following:
- fatigue;
- anxiety;
- severe headaches;
- memory dysfunction.
In girls, in addition to the above, vegetovascular dystonia can be accompanied by a sense of fear, hysteria, frequent and unreasonable mood swings and tearfulness.
Diagnosis of the IRR
So what is she like? The main symptoms of VVD in children have already been considered, however, only a qualified specialist can make an accurate diagnosis after a comprehensive examination of the patient. If you have suspicions that your child has a disease under discussion, then the first thing you need to do is to show it to a pediatrician. The doctor, based on the information received during the examination, as well as the results of urine and blood tests and an electrocardiogram, will select the optimal treatment program.
Treatment can be carried out together with such doctors as:
- endocrinologist;
- neurologist;
- oculist;
- cardiologist;
- otolaryngologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- urologist;
- psychotherapist.
If necessary, the following examination methods can also be prescribed:
- hormonal blood count;
- Ultrasound of the thyroid gland;
- blood pressure monitoring;
- MRI
- vegetative tests.
VVD in children (the symptoms and treatment are individual in each case) requires an integrated approach, so the treatment program is selected only after the results of all necessary studies are obtained.
The main methods of therapy
This issue should be given special attention. Treatment of vegetovascular dystonia is carried out without the use of drugs. For patients, the optimal nutrition program is selected and physical activity is optimized. In addition, it is very important to create comfortable emotional living conditions for the child, protecting him from any possible stressful situations.
Well-known Russian psychotherapist Komarovsky (symptoms of VVD in children and treatment for boys and girls can differ greatly, in his opinion), in the fight against pathology, he practices physiotherapy, which includes the following measures:
- massotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- laser therapy;
- water treatments;
- electric sleep;
- phytotherapy;
- electrophoresis;
- aromatherapy.
If therapy does not bring results, and the disease continues to progress, then doctors can prescribe medication.
Most often, the following drugs are prescribed to patients:
- Cerebroprotectors - improve metabolism in the brain.
- Drugs that normalize the circulatory system.
- Nootropics - improve memory functions.
- Antidepressants - help the child cope with anxiety and frequent mood swings.
- Tranquilizers.
In order for the treatment of vegetovascular dystonia to be effective, it is necessary not only to take the prescribed medications, but also strictly follow all the doctor’s prescriptions. The thing is that in the fight against any ailment, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the cause that lies behind it. For example, if VVD was manifested due to large physical exertion, then it is required to reduce them, and if the disease develops due to a lack of vitamins and poor nutrition, then a key aspect of therapy is the preparation of a complete and balanced daily diet.
Preventive measures and general recommendations
As has been repeatedly said in this article, if you find symptoms of VVD in children of 11 years of age or any other age category, you should immediately go to the hospital. Despite the fact that such a disease is very serious, nevertheless, it is treatable. If therapy is prescribed in a timely manner, then vegetovascular dystonia can be defeated once and for all.
To minimize the likelihood of developing an ailment, health workers recommend that parents adhere to the following rules:
- Nutrition In the daily diet of the child should be present foods containing a large amount of vitamins and nutrients. You should reduce your baby's consumption of too fatty foods, sodas, smoked meats, sweets and instant foods to a minimum. It is recommended to eat more fruits and vegetables, nuts, cereals, as well as boiled or steamed meat and fish.
- Healthy sleep. During rest, our body is restored and gaining strength for a new day. It is worth making a daily routine for the child to lie down and get up at the same time, and the duration of sleep was about eight hours.
- Watch for overwork. A large number of lessons, classes in various sports sections and circles do more harm to children than bring benefits. Everything should be in moderation.
- Teach your kid to lead an active lifestyle. You should not forget that the lack of physical activity also negatively affects health, as well as their excessiveness. Therefore, children should temper their bodies and engage in any kind of sport.
It is worth noting that no medicine and advice will help the child if he is constantly in a state of stress. Therefore, absolutely all parents should protect their children from any psychological discomfort and create comfortable living conditions for them in all senses of the word.
Conclusion
Children are the flowers of life, in need of constant care and care, which consists not only in meeting basic life needs, but also in warmth and affection. According to doctors, most diseases manifest itself on a nervous basis, so if a child is constantly subjected to physical and psychological violence, then he can develop not only vegetative-vascular dystonia, but also many other diseases. Therefore, you need to take care of your children so that they grow up healthy and develop normally.