Despite the prevalence of this pathology, what is cerebral atherosclerosis, not everyone knows. This is a disease that affects large vessels of the human body. Do not think that the diagnosis of cerebral atherosclerosis is the lot of people only of advanced age. Yes, this age group encounters him more often, but in fact this disease can develop at any age. I must say that cerebral atherosclerosis of the brain is a very serious pathology, which is not only accompanied by an unpleasant clinical picture, but can also threaten a person’s life. So, what is cerebral sclerosis, how to recognize it in time, and most importantly, how to avoid the dangerous consequences of this ailment? This will be discussed below.
Forms and stages
Atherosclerosis is a vascular pathology characterized by a deterioration in blood flow in large vessels due to the deposition of cholesterol plaques in them. Cerebral atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels is one of the varieties of atherosclerosis that affects the blood vessels of the brain. The disease can lead to very dangerous complications, most often it is a stroke, which leads to complete or partial disability.
The disease can occur in the following forms:
- slowly progressing - the symptoms are mild;
- remitting - an alternation of remissions and exacerbations, an unpredictable form;
- malignant - micro strokes;
- acute - severe neuropsychic disorders are observed.
It must be said that cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels does not occur instantly, it is a long process that progresses throughout life under the influence of various adverse factors - both internal and external.
The stages of the development of the disease are as follows:
- Disorders of brain activity, which are accompanied by the absence or insignificant number of manifestations. They are called functional.
- Organic impairment of vascular functionality with a bright and persistent clinical picture.
- A deep vascular lesion with vivid signs of poor circulation in the brain.
Symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels depend on the stage of the disease.
Physiological disorders almost always begin with an increase in blood cholesterol. As a result, it is deposited on the vascular walls, and impairs blood flow. Over time, the lumen of the vessel is blocked by the formed cholesterol plaque, which can occupy most of the lumen of the vessel. Also, the lumen of the vessel can completely overlap, which will lead to the fact that the blood stops flowing to the brain, and hypoxia and acute ischemia of the tissues occur.
Only timely therapy and the right treatment regimen can save the patient's health and life.
Reasons and development factors
Having understood what cerebral atherosclerosis is, it is necessary to say about the causes of its development. There is no special factor for the development of this vascular pathology, external and internal factors can only give an impetus to its occurrence. Malnutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle lead to the formation of cholesterol plaques. The main role in the development of atherosclerosis is given to the liver. It simply ceases to fulfill its functions and begins to actively produce the so-called "bad" cholesterol. Unlike “good” cholesterol, this substance deforms the walls of blood vessels, which provokes the development of atherosclerosis of the brain.
Such a malfunction in the body can cause the following factors:
- excessive consumption of foods rich in animal fats;
- constant nervous and mental overload;
- hereditary predisposition;
- living in an environmentally disadvantaged area;
- smoking - this addiction reduces the elasticity of blood vessels, which also worsens their conductivity;
- lack of good rest;
- natural aging of the body.
As for alcohol, it is on the list of provoking factors, oddly enough not. This is due to the fact that it has a contradictory effect on the development of atherosclerosis. On the one hand, alcohol has an expanding effect on blood vessels, which improves blood flow, and on the other hand negatively affects the condition of the liver, and also worsens the nutrition of tissues and organs.
Some people see alcohol as a prophylactic for atherosclerosis, and this is fundamentally wrong. Alcohol in that case has a detrimental effect on the course of the pathology.
ICD Code 10
What does the ICD 10 code for cerebral atherosclerosis mean? ICD is an international classification of diseases in which each pathology is assigned a special code. The number 10 means that the available codes were agreed in 2010. Cerebral atherosclerosis according to ICD-10 has a code of 167.2. In fact, this is a reduction that doctors use to shorten the name of the disease. In addition, this classification is international, and experts from any country will understand what kind of ailment is involved. For example, instead of prescribing “cerebral atherosclerosis” in the diagnosis, according to ICD-10 it can be written in four numbers that will be understandable to any specialist.
Symptomatic manifestations
Symptoms and treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis certainly depend on the stage and severity of the pathology. But in general they look like this:
- Severe memory impairment. At the beginning of the development of pathology, this does not manifest itself too noticeably, and most often a person notices his forgetfulness after a strong emotional or physical strain. But then the situation deteriorates sharply and memory lapses are observed.
- Decrease in working capacity - deterioration in concentration, fast fatigue.
- Change of mood - such patients are anxious, tearful, prone to depression, they often experience fear about their health and are very insecure.
- Sleep disturbance is insomnia.
- Headaches and dizziness, which most often occur with a change in body position.
- As the disease progresses, mental disorders may develop.
- Convulsive attacks are observed at stages 2 and 3 of the pathology.
- Heat in the back of the head, tingling sensations in the head and lower limbs.
- If the lesion touches the medulla oblongata, pathological breathing may appear.
- If the cerebellum is affected, problems with coordination of movements arise.
- Intolerance to bright light and loud sounds.
Symptoms of cerebral arteriosclerosis can occur individually, as well as in groups.
Diagnostic measures
What is cerebral atherosclerosis is understandable, but how is it detected and treated? Pathology is diagnosed using various methods:
- Blood chemistry. In it, an increase in triglycerides and lipoproteins can be detected. In addition, an assessment of cholesterol levels and an atherogenic index are calculated.
- Dopplerography of cerebral vessels to identify areas of stenosis, assess blood flow velocity and rheological properties of blood.
- The most reliable diagnostic method for determining cerebral atherosclerosis is radiopaque angiography. It allows you to accurately identify all areas of stenosis. During this study, a contrast agent is injected into the patient's vein, which spreads throughout the vascular network, and then an x-ray is taken.
- CT and MRI are also quite informative methods that detect focal and diffuse changes in the brain substance. But at the same time, these methods cannot give an idea of the reason for these changes.
For a more reliable diagnosis, specialists use several methods.
General principles of treatment
The treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis of the brain is always complex. It includes taking medications recommended by the doctor, using traditional medicine methods, diet food, and a healthy lifestyle. If conservative methods are ineffective, surgery is prescribed.
Medicines
Medications are prescribed only by a qualified specialist according to the results of the studies. If the level of prothrombin is elevated in the blood, which entails a higher blood coagulability, Aspirin Cardio or Cardiomagnyl is prescribed.
To normalize blood circulation, drugs are prescribed that stop vascular spasms and expand them. It can be Curantil, Actovegin, Cavinton. To regulate the lipid spectrum, statins are prescribed, the intake of which should be constantly monitored by the attending physician.
Soothing agents are necessary to improve the emotional background. It can be homeopathic remedies. In depressive conditions, antidepressants and sleeping pills are prescribed. As a painkiller, Spazmalgon is used.
ethnoscience
The feasibility of using traditional medicine should be discussed with the doctor. Most often, doctors do not mind folk remedies, if patients use them as additional therapy. The following recipes are considered popular:
- 50 grams of chopped hawthorn fruit should be poured with a glass of water, heated to a temperature of 50 degrees and insisted for an hour. Then strain and drink several times.
- 5 grams of thyme pour 200 ml of boiling water. Insist and drink in small sips throughout the day.
- Green tea is a very good remedy for the prevention of atherosclerosis.
In addition, infusions and decoctions of the following medicinal herbs will give a good effect:
- rosehip;
- plantain leaves;
- horseradish root;
- strawberry leaves;
- yarrow.
Cinnamon, honey, garlic and onions are also recommended.
Food
Useful products for cerebral atherosclerosis are the following products:
- Meat of low-fat varieties - poultry, veal, rabbit. They are better absorbed and do not lead to the formation of cholesterol plaques.
- Sea fish - contains omega acids and protein.
- Milk and dairy products of low fat content - retain calcium in the body.
- Vegetables and fruits - rich in vitamins.
- Cereals and cereals - remove "bad" cholesterol from the body and normalize digestion.
It is also useful to eat greens and leafy vegetables.
The following foods should be excluded from the diet:
- fatty meat, offal, canned meat, pork, chicken must be removed from the skin before cooking;
- rich broths;
- fatty fish, smoked and salted fish, caviar;
- sausages;
- fatty mayonnaise sauces;
- high-fat dairy products - sour cream, cheese, cream, ice cream;
- mushroom dishes;
- muffin and chocolate;
- fast food;
- strong black tea, coffee.
Healthy lifestyle
It is recommended to quit smoking, fight stress, reduce excess weight, and quote blood pressure.
As for physical activity: with atherosclerosis it is recommended:
Operation
Surgery is most often performed on arteries that are located outside the cranium - the common and internal carotid arteries. During the operation, the surgeon opens the affected vessels and removes cholesterol plaques from them. Can often leave drainage. The internal arteries of the brain are operated by stenting - balloon insertion.
Complications and prevention
In some cases, cerebral atherosclerosis occurs with complications:
- Hypertension - high blood pressure, which significantly increases the risk of stroke.
- Stenosis - a sharp narrowing or complete blockage of the patency of the vessel. This complication is also dangerous because cholesterol plaques can come off and clog small vessels, which threatens a complete lack of oxygen access to certain parts of the brain. In this case, ischemic stroke develops.
Non-stenotic cerebral atherosclerosis is not as dangerous as stenosing. In this case, cholesterol plaques do not grow inside the vessel, but along it. Therefore, internal deformation of the vessel does not occur, however, this form of pathology can easily be transformed into stenotic cerebral atherosclerosis.
Prevention of cerebral atherosclerosis can be primary:
- a ban on smoking and drinking alcohol;
- maintaining normal blood sugar;
- physical activity;
- reduction in the number of stressful situations.
Secondary prevention is indicated for those patients who already have cerebral atherosclerosis, it is aimed at preventing dangerous complications:
- diet;
- lifelong medication prescribed by a doctor;
- regular consultation with a specialist.
Finally
Every modern person is at risk of developing atherosclerosis, therefore, knowing what cerebral atherosclerosis is, you need to adhere to preventive recommendations. As for the forecasts of this disease, it is absolutely impossible to give them. A stroke is a completely unpredictable phenomenon, and it is impossible to say at what exact moment a blood clot rupture or a rupture of a vessel occurs. Therefore, they speak only about the percentage of risk. In the case of cerebral atherosclerosis, the percentage of stroke is quite high.