Vegetovascular dystonia (VVD) is a fairly common disease of the nervous system, in which there is a whole set of symptoms. In recent years, the condition is being diagnosed in an increasing number of adults. In the clinical picture of vegetovascular dystonia, there are more than a hundred symptoms that are characteristic of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The disease is characterized by both physical manifestations and neurotic. The consequences of VVD are different, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient's body. For some, the consequence will be a constant fear of panic attacks, pain in the heart, and a violation of the state of the vessels. And someone will get off only with dizziness.
Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the implementation of almost all processes in the human body. The system consists of nerve cells - neurons. They are special in the structure of cells in which the body and processes are distinguished. The processes of the neuron form nerve fibers, which on the periphery after leaving the brain end with nerve endings. Regulation of the functioning of internal organs occurs with the participation of neurons. If for one reason or another in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system malfunctions begin, then the interconnection and coherence of the work of the whole organism is violated.
In the autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic (neurons located in the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord) and parasympathetic (neurons located at the sacral level) are distinguished. The processes of neurons from these sites are scattered to organs and systems, transmitting nerve impulses. The disease “vegetative-vascular dystonia” develops when, for one reason or another, impulse transmission is impaired. Depending on the severity of the disorder, the patient may more or less suffer from the manifestations of the disease.
What is VSD: symptoms and treatment
The consequences of this disease can be so serious that they turn the patient's life into real hell. The term "dystonia" means a disorder in the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the nervous system. Manifestations of the disease are very diverse. Symptoms and consequences of VVD are interconnected. An experienced neuropathologist will easily suggest possible consequences based on complaints and the clinical picture of the patient’s condition when seeking help.
The most common symptoms of VVD:
- Cardiac disturbance syndrome. It manifests itself individually - from mild arrhythmia to pain simulating a heart attack. The consequences of VVD with this symptom are lack of air, pressure surges, as a result of which a vegetative crisis can occur. Treatment should be selected in conjunction with a cardiologist.
- Asthenic syndrome - impotence, anhedonia, weakness, lack of vitality. The consequences of VVD with this symptom are depressive, anxiety disorders and other psychiatric diseases. Treatment is carried out in conjunction with a psychiatrist.
- Thermoregulatory disorders - hot flashes, sweating, freezing, cold limbs. The consequences of VVD with this symptom are constant subfebrile temperature. Also, the temperature can rise during a period of severe stress. Some patients, by contrast, are prone to lowering the temperature.
- Fainting, dizziness. The consequences of VVD, if untreated, are very dangerous: a person can lose consciousness suddenly. As a result, fatal accidents occur. the patient may fall at home or on the street, hurt his head, get more or less serious fractures.
Reasons for the development of vegetative dystonia
Causes of the disease:
- neurological pathology;
- experienced fright, severe stress;
- overwork, chronic fatigue;
- hereditary tendency to problems with blood vessels;
- spinal cord injury;
- psychiatric pathologies;
- climate change;
- hormonal imbalance, the period of hormonal adjustment.
Neurological and somatic pathologies as a cause of VSD
In neurology, there is such a thing as psychovegetative syndromes. This is an abnormal activation of autonomic effects, which provokes an imbalance in the interaction of the sympathetic and parasympathetic departments.
The main condition for the appearance of a psycho-vegetative syndrome is the presence of pain with a particular pathology. For example, pain in the region of the heart is interpreted by the patient as a threat to life, mechanisms of stress appear, and cortisol is produced. As a result, the patient fixes all his attention on the negative symptom, which leads to more pronounced manifestations, as well as to the appearance of new symptoms.
The relationship of chronic stress and symptoms of VVD
Chronic fatigue, stress, depressive anxiety disorders, chronic alcoholism - all this causes great harm to the body, especially if these diseases are not treated. The biochemistry of the brain is disturbed. If the patient tries to take psychotropic drugs himself or “pour” problems with alcohol, then the condition only worsens. Almost certainly such a person suffers from VVD to one degree or another.
If the cause of the appearance of various symptoms of VVD is chronic stress, then it is necessary to get rid of it. In particular, to eradicate those causes and change life circumstances that led to the emergence of chronic stress. As a rule, this is enough to mitigate the manifestations of the IRR.
Possible consequences of VVD
If you do not treat the symptoms of the disease, do not change your lifestyle and do not take the medications prescribed by your doctor, then there is a high risk of complications:
- aggravation of impaired cerebral circulation;
- pain in the tissues of internal organs (while there may not be any diseases of these organs as such);
- intercostal neuralgia;
- asthenia, anhedonia, hypochondria and other psychological manifestations of the IRR will worsen;
- anxiety depressive disorder;
- obsessive-compulsive disorder;
- obesity;
- problems and diseases associated with deterioration of venous tone.
Treatment of asthenic syndrome with VSD
Asthenic syndrome manifests itself in the fact that the patient always feels lethargic, weak. He has no strength and energy, not even everyday activities. The consequences of not treating vegetative-vascular dystonia are an increase in asthenic syndrome, which turns into depression. And this turns into a real nightmare for the patient.
The following groups of drugs are used for treatment:
- normotimics;
- antidepressants;
- nootropics.
All these drugs are sold by prescription (psychiatrist or neuropathologist) and have many contraindications. Self-administration is unacceptable, since there is a great risk not only not to improve the condition, but also to aggravate it.
Drugs that improve cerebral circulation
This category of drugs is very extensive. They provide significant relief in almost any of the symptoms of the IRR. However, only a neurologist can prescribe the optimal drug.
- Calcium channel blockers - Kordaflex, Latsipil, etc. The purpose of the application is to improve and restore the disturbed blood microcurrent. Without normal blood circulation, the brain is not able to function soundly - hence the asthenic syndrome, neurological problems.
- Alpha-adrenergic blocking agents - "Vazobral", "Instenon", etc. Expand small vessels, also affect metabolic processes in the brain, reduce platelet aggregation.
- Disaggregants prevent blood clots, which can clog vessels. Also, this class of drugs has angioprotective properties, that is, reduces vascular fragility.
The feasibility of taking antidepressants for VSD
The diagnosis of "vegetative-vascular dystonia" implies the participation in therapy of not only a specialist in neurological profile, but also psychiatric, cardiological, and even in some cases requires a specialist in the field of endocrinology. Many psychiatrists are inclined to believe that taking antidepressants can completely save the patient from manifestations of VVD. Is it really?
Neurologists do not share this point of view, however, they do not refute the opinion that taking antidepressants can significantly alleviate the patient’s condition for adult VVD. Reviews of patients undergoing antidepressant treatment are positive. The result is especially noticeable with severe asthenic syndrome, with anhedonia, with anxiety-depressive disorders (which often accompany VVD).
- Drugs whose principle of action is to reuptake serotonin are today the most commonly prescribed. This is Prozac, Fluoxetine. Patients note that already after two to three weeks of taking hypochondria, asthma attacks pass. Sleep is restored, dreams become vivid. Asthenia passes, and in the place comes vigor and a desire to act.
- Drugs whose principle of action is the reuptake of norepinephrine. These are antidepressants of the old generation - tricyclics. They have a rather impressive amount of side effects, but their therapeutic effect is also "on top".
Hypnotherapy for Symptoms of VVD
Hypnotherapy shows amazing results for symptoms of VVD. However, there are few really good specialists in our country. This year a document was issued that prescribes conducting hypnotherapy sessions only to those people who have a license and proper education. As a rule, psychotherapists do this. Thus, the effectiveness of hypnotherapy and its right to be used along with the methods of classical psychotherapy are confirmed at the official level.
Patients who underwent a course of sessions with a competent hypnologist note a decrease in the severity of symptoms. Very often, even psychosomatic pains go away without a trace. How can hypnosis affect the interaction of the parts of the nervous system, what effect does it have with VVD? The fact is that the nervous system is very closely connected with the psyche, influencing one link, it is possible to improve the functioning of the other.
Doctor's recommendations: how to avoid relapse of the disease
The consequences of vegetative-vascular dystonia can be depressing if untreated. But even if the patient scrupulously complies with all the doctor’s prescriptions and a remission occurs, relapse may occur after some time. Simple tips to help avoid this:
- avoid situations that can trigger stress;
- not to allow physical overfatigue (in this case, a light load is permissible and even desirable);
- alcoholic beverages should be completely excluded from the diet, regardless of strength and quantity, since ethyl alcohol is detrimental to the functioning of all parts of the nervous system and contributes to the death of neurons;
- monitor nutrition: daily with a diet should receive a sufficient amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates.