Vegetative-vascular dystonia is the most controversial diagnosis, the symptoms of which are very similar to signs of other diseases. In this regard, incorrect treatment is often prescribed. Symptoms such as dizziness and general weakness are often not taken seriously by patients. But it is worth knowing that vegetative-vascular dystonia leads to malfunctions of all body systems, so it is very important to consult a qualified doctor in time and get the necessary treatment. So what is the psychosomatics of vegetative-vascular dystonia, and how to avoid disturbances in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system?
What is vegetative-vascular dystonia
Vegetative-vascular dystonia is not an independent disease, but a complex of functional disorders associated with deviations in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. This is due to impaired vascular activity, often associated with pinching or compression in the cervical vertebra. Because of this, brain tissue may not receive full nutrition. Since the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the coherence of all organs and systems, failures in its work provoke deviations in the work of the whole organism as a whole.
Emotions and stresses to a greater or lesser extent affect our health, triggering various processes in the body and disrupting its normal functioning. The psychosomatics of vegetative-vascular dystonia indicates the reason why certain diseases occurred.
This violation can cause significant harm to health, as a person begins to be disturbed not only by malfunctions of the cardiovascular system, but also by mental disorders. Vegetative-vascular dystonia also has such names as panic attack, cardiac neurosis, autonomic dysfunction syndrome. Most cases of manifestation of disorders on a vegetative basis are observed in children 6-15 years old. This is associated with stress factors that arise during adaptation in a new school team, increased stress, and during adolescence.
Despite the fact that this diagnosis is rather controversial, it is still used by many doctors.
Classification
Currently, the following types of vegetative-vascular dystonia are distinguished:
- Mixed. This type cannot be diagnosed using laboratory tests and is easily confused with the manifestations of other diseases. Violations occur in connection with the conflict of sympathy and parasympathetics, while a person experiences both physical and psychological fatigue, and the protective functions of the body can not cope with this condition. The mixed type is manifested by strong pressure surges throughout the day.
- Hypertonic type. In this case, the sympathetic nervous system works. At the same time, a person gets tired very quickly, there is an increased heartbeat, a sense of anxiety and fear. The absence of parasympathetic manifestations affects the fact that forces are not restored, and this greatly aggravates the condition. It manifests itself with high blood pressure even at rest.
- Hypotonic type. The parasympathetic nervous system is already working here, when the body is full of energy, but due to the fact that it cannot be used, depressive states, fainting, and weakness arise. In this case, reduced blood pressure is observed.
- Cardiac type. Heart pain in vegetative-vascular dystonia of this type is of concern. Moreover, they can be either sharp or pulling, burning. During the examination, no other heart pathologies are detected. The intensification of unpleasant sensations occurs during severe stresses, emotional stresses.
Symptoms are also divided into mild, moderate and severe crises.
- With lungs, single symptoms occur that last no more than 10-15 minutes.
- Medium crises are characterized by polysymptomatic manifestations. May last up to 20 minutes.
- In severe cases, psychoemotional disorders, convulsions, and various autonomic disorders are observed. Attacks can last more than an hour.
By the nature of the course of the IRR, it is divided into such forms as:
- Permanent. It proceeds calmly, without significant jumps and attacks.
- Paroxysmal. Manifestations of panic attacks and crises. At the same time, in the interval between them, there are no other signs of the disease.
- Mixed form. Includes signs of the first two forms.
- Hidden. VVD does not manifest itself in any way until the first stressful situation.
Causes
The causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia are divided into primary and secondary.
The primary ones include the following:
- Lesions of the central nervous system during fetal development. This can lead to a woman’s improper lifestyle during pregnancy, the use of medications that are prohibited for use during gestation, damage to the baby’s hypothalamus during childbirth. The consequence of such disorders of the nervous system are inadequate responses to stressful situations, which can lead to neurosis and emotional imbalance.
- Heredity.
Secondary causes include:
- Adverse environmental conditions. It has been noticed that vegetative-vascular disorders are more often observed in people living in megacities or in settlements in which there is constant environmental pollution (for example, the presence of plants).
- Avitaminosis.
- Constant stress, physical and emotional stress.
- Fluctuations in hormonal balance.
- Bad habits of a person.
- Chronic diseases
- Weather sensitivity.
- Complicated viral infection.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
At risk include apathetic, closed or too emotional people. VVD is also susceptible to pregnant women and adolescents. The causes of psychosomatics of vegetative-vascular dystonia include frequent stress and any manifestations of nervous excitement.
Symptoms
Since the psychosomatics of vegetative-vascular dystonia leads to impaired elasticity and vascular tone, this favors the development of many diseases. There are no specific signs by which to judge the development of violations. Symptoms will depend on which part of the body responds to the stimulus to a greater extent. It should be noted that in women with vegetative-vascular dystonia, the psychosomatics of the disease is more pronounced than in men.
The main symptoms of the disease are distinguished:
- In the cardiovascular system - pressure surges, changes in heart rate, pain in the heart.
- Respiratory disorders - dizziness, feeling of lack of air, inability to inhale fully, dyspnea.
- Neurotic disorders - a person feels severe anxiety, is prone to depressive states, a sense of fear, phobias, mood swings, fear of death, tearfulness, becomes closed. In severe form, suicidal tendencies can be observed.
- Disorders in the genitourinary system - frequent urination and pain at the same time.
- Violations of thermoregulation - chills, sweating, a sharp increase or decrease in body temperature.
- In the digestive system - nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, constipation or diarrhea.
- In the sexual sphere, problems such as anorgasmia in a woman or lack of an erection in a man arise.
Symptoms and treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia in women, men and children are closely related. Indeed, the direction in treatment will depend on which system of the body gave the greatest reaction to a stressful situation.
Very often, due to the above symptoms, a strong panic attack occurs. In this case, psychosomatics during vegetative-vascular dystonia will manifest itself as a sudden tremor, a person begins to suffocate and douse with cold sweat, a feeling of great fear arises.
Diagnostics
Since the diagnosis of pathology causes some difficulties due to the fact that the symptoms are very similar to other diseases, the question arises, which doctor should be consulted for vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Patients with signs of VVD need a comprehensive consultation of specialists such as a therapist, neurologist, endocrinologist, ENT, and sometimes a psychotherapist.
The conclusion is made on the basis of a number of studies. These include:
- urine and blood tests;
- ECG and ECG;
- EEG (electroencephalography);
- ECHOEG (echoencephalography);
- MRI of the brain and cervical spine;
- sometimes an ultrasound examination of the internal organs is prescribed.
Also, a conversation with the patient plays a very important role in the diagnosis, in which the presence of chronic diseases and the hereditary factor are clarified.
Treatment
Some believe that the symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia eventually pass by themselves. But this is an erroneous opinion. Manifestations of pathological conditions can cause serious harm to the body.
Treatment and symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia in women, children and men of different ages will be interrelated. In this issue, other somatic diseases are taken into account.
The treatment of VSD is a very complex and lengthy process. Therapy should be comprehensive and include not only drug, but also non-drug methods of recovery, which often play a major role in the complete cure of a person.
Non-drug therapy
It consists in following the recommendations below:
- full sleep, normalization of work and rest;
- moderate physical and mental stress;
- exclusion of overwork;
- restriction of watching TV and using a computer;
- nutrition adjustment;
- exclusion of bad habits;
- walks in the open air;
- elimination of stress factors - unloved work, family scandals, annoying person;
- when playing sports, you should temporarily abandon cardio loads.
Also to cope with signs of VVD help:
- electrophoresis;
- phototherapy;
- acupuncture;
- massage;
- swimming;
- balneotherapy;
- collar massage.
All of the above treatment methods are aimed at strengthening the body and relaxing the nervous system. If they did not bring the long-awaited effect, medication is prescribed. This type of treatment is selected strictly individually, taking into account the presence of external diseases. Medications begin to be taken with a minimum dose, with its gradual increase.
Drugs for treatment
Preparations for vegetative-vascular dystonia are divided into several types, depending on their effects on the body.
- Soothing phytopreparations - motherwort, valerian, peony, lemon balm and preparations based on them - Persen, Novopassit.
- Metabolic drugs - for example, "Glycine".
- General strengthening medicines and vitamins - for the expansion of cerebral vessels, for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, vitamins B and C, selenium, zinc.
- Antidepressants - drugs in this group help get rid of feelings of fear and anxiety, and cope with a depressive state. They also relieve unpleasant symptoms such as pain in the heart and muscles that cannot be stopped with other medicines.
- Tranquilizers - are intended to prevent severe panic attacks, fear of death.
- Nootropic substances ("Phenibut") - improve brain function, blood circulation, increase the body's resistance to stress.
- Sometimes with high blood pressure and dizziness, diuretics are prescribed.
In the treatment of symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia, a diet plays an important role, including foods rich in potassium and magnesium. Fatty, salty, smoked food, strong tea and coffee are excluded.
To soothe the effect and maintain vascular tone, decoctions and tinctures of herbs such as juniper, dandelion, eleutherococcus, lemon balm, and hawthorn are used. But before use, you should pay attention to the type of VSD, since herbs have different effects and, if used incorrectly, may not bring tangible benefits.
Prevention
To prevent the manifestation of psychosomatics of vegetative-vascular dystonia, it is recommended to exclude all stressful factors. Very well strengthen the body sports, walks in the fresh air. It is necessary to adhere to a diet, drink vitamins in courses. A healthy, full sleep is very important.
In order to prevent the development of VVD in children, parents need to learn to listen to their child, support and help in everything.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that vegetative-vascular dystonia causes a lot of inconvenience, and sometimes greatly spoils the quality of life, the prognosis as a whole is favorable. An important role in this is played by timely treatment and the implementation of all medical recommendations. After removing the symptoms, the usual way of life is restored. It is important to remember that there are signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia after stress against a background of chronic diseases. It is recommended to visit doctors on a planned basis and take a preventive course of necessary medicines in the autumn-spring period. This is 80% success in getting rid of such a pathological condition.