The treatment of atherosclerosis is not an easy task. As can be seen from the statistics, the disease occurs in a large percentage of the population of our planet, and in recent years the frequency of diagnosis is only growing. Atherosclerosis used to threaten only elderly people, but recently it has been increasingly detected in middle-aged and young patients. However, before understanding the treatment, it is worth considering what kind of disease it is, what are its main features.
general information
If the doctor says that treatment for atherosclerosis is required, do not count on light methods and ways to alleviate the condition. Pathology is one of the chronic ones that affects the heart and blood vessels. A distinctive feature is the formation of connective tissue seals on the walls of the arteries. Plaques lead to a decrease in the size of the vascular lumens, which means that the blood flow is disturbed, the internal organs do not receive the necessary volumes of oxygen and nutrients with the blood. Atherosclerosis is often accompanied by thrombosis. The disease is not only unpleasant, but also life-threatening to the patient.
Usually, treatment of atherosclerosis is necessary for people with a sedentary lifestyle. The factors of the development of the disease include:
- excessive consumption of sweets;
- preference for fatty, refined dishes;
- excess cholesterol in the diet.
Blood vessels are adversely affected by high blood pressure. More often, the treatment of atherosclerosis is required for diabetics and those who are overweight. Dependence on heredity has been established: the genetic factor, perhaps not the most significant, but significantly increases the risk of developing the disease.
How to notice?
It is possible to understand that treatment of vascular atherosclerosis is required, if you are concerned about soreness in the heart, angina pectoris. This indicates damage to the system that nourishes the heart.
The poor condition of blood vessels that conduct blood to the brain is indicated by frequent headaches and dizziness. They are especially pronounced when trying to change the pose. The patient's ability to remember deteriorates, makes noise in the head, and mental abnormalities are possible. Thrombosis of the vessels responsible for supplying the brain with blood leads to a stroke. The greatest risk is inherent to people suffering from atherosclerosis against the background of chronic high blood pressure.
The need for treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the peripheral circulatory system is indicated by dry skin, an abundance of wrinkles, and weight loss. Usually the patient notes that the limbs are cold. Possible pain in the limbs, back. Patients get tired quickly.
What to do?
Perhaps the issues associated with the treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the limbs, brain, heart are the most interesting information for those who are diagnosed. If two approaches: traditional medicine and folk recipes. The first, undoubtedly, is more reliable, but also a lot of useful information can be extracted from the second group of methods. The most successful method of combating the disease is to contact the doctor in time, check with him what medicines are relevant, which folk recipes are useful in the current situation, and practice the health recovery program, clearly following the instructions received. Self-treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain, heart, limbs sometimes leads to serious consequences, up to a fatal outcome.
Medicines and their features
It is practiced if the symptoms of cerebral arteriosclerosis are disturbed, treatment with the use of substances from the class of statins. They will help with damage to the limbs or arteries that nourish the heart. True, funds from this class can provoke side effects, and they have a lot of contraindications, so you can only use drugs strictly under the supervision of a doctor. The most widely used in modern medicine are compounds based on the following active statins:
- atorvastatin;
- lovastatin;
- simvastatin.
Proper use of drugs can reduce the concentration of total cholesterol in the circulatory system, take control of blood quality, reduce the number of low-density lipoproteins, which are currently considered almost the most dangerous fat fractions. The wise use of drugs for symptoms of arteriosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities is a treatment that prevents and eliminates plaques, that is, eliminates blood clots. Consequently, the risk of fatal outcome is reduced. A specific medication, the program for its administration should be chosen by a doctor who analyzes the patient's condition.
What else will help?
Treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain, cardiac and peripheral circulatory system may involve the use of medications containing nicotinic acid. This compound actively affects the quality of the blood, inhibits the fractions of cholesterol hazardous to health, reducing the concentration of triglycerides. At the same time, the number of those forms of cholesterol that positively affect human health is increasing. True, it is not worth using drugs with vitamin PP without the recommendation of a doctor - they also have contraindications and negative side effects. Nicotinic acid is strictly prohibited, if the liver does not work properly, it suffers from serious diseases.
Treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain, heart, limbs can be practiced with the use of medications from the class of fibrates. These funds are based on fibroic xylitol, which affects the processes of glucose transformation in the body. With proper use of the substance, plaques provoked by atherosclerosis are eliminated. More often, such drugs are used by persons with excess weight. Fibrates are indicated if the amount of triglycerides is higher than normal, and low-density lipoproteins are present in the circulatory system in an adequate concentration.
If the patient does not tolerate statins, with symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis, treatment can be prescribed with compounds interacting with bile acids. Such substances contribute to the elimination of harmful components from the body. The funds of this group will also help if the vessels of other elements of the circulatory system are affected. The most popular medicines presented in pharmacies:
- "Cholestide."
- "Cholestyramine."
Treatment for atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, peripheral, cardiac, and cerebral circulatory system may include the use of formulations to reduce the viscosity of the main body fluid. The most famous drugs from this group:
Optional course
In order for the main therapy to show the maximum effect, you can supplement it with specific auxiliary components. Treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, brain, and heart will give the best effect if the patient enriches the diet with drugs that supply Omega-3, 6, 9. These acids strengthen the body's strength, stimulate the immune system, prevent high blood viscosity, and are characterized by the qualities of antioxidants. With the correct use of polyunsaturated fatty acids, the concentration of types of cholesterol that adversely affect human health comes back to normal.
To improve the general condition also use:
- sedatives with valerian, sodium bromide;
- multivitamin complexes;
- special nutrition programs.
Of the vitamins for the symptoms of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, treatment requires special attention to group B, ascorbic acid. These components will also be useful in lesions of blood vessels in other parts of the body.
Proper nutrition is the key to longevity
With symptoms of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the extremities, treatment will not be effective if the patient does not adhere to a special diet. This is true for other types of disease. The most important condition is to reduce the intake of cholesterol with food. Therefore, if possible, exclude:
- everything is oily;
- eggs
- meat;
- kidneys, liver;
- canned food, especially oily;
- oily fish;
- chocolate;
- cocoa;
- strong black tea.
Benefits will be brought by products in which there is a lot of selenium, vitamins, iodine. All these compounds prevent the formation of fatty deposits on the vascular walls, which means that drug treatment will be much more effective. Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, heart, brain require the inclusion of foods in the diet:
- kelp;
- natural yogurt;
- peas;
- stewed, fried eggplant without skin;
- cauliflower;
- boiled quince;
- nuts, raisins, figs;
- wild strawberries;
- grapefruits (daily a couple of pieces on an empty stomach);
- watermelon.
To some extent, the prevention is provided by the use of vegetable oils, since they contain many polyunsaturated fatty acids, but preference should be given to strictly unrefined variants. It is believed that fresh cherries and apples can prevent atherosclerosis. Baked, boiled apples are rich in pectin, and daily consumption of fresh pairs, according to scientists, reduces the concentration of cholesterol in the circulatory system by almost 14%.
Folk medicine
Treatment of atherosclerosis of the brain, arms and legs, heart is possible with the use of birch buds. A glass of water is taken on 5 g of the product, boiled for a quarter of an hour, then insisted for another hour, after which the liquid is decanted. The finished medicine is intended for ingestion in an hour after a meal in the amount of half a glass. The optimal frequency is four times daily.
A good effect with atherosclerosis shows hawthorn. 5 g of inflorescences - a glass of boiling water. The plant is poured with liquid, covered, and for a quarter of an hour it is allowed to infuse in a water bath, then it is cooled to room temperature, the liquid is decanted. The finished preparation is indicated for use half an hour before the meal three times a day in half a glass.
Surprisingly, the treatment of atherosclerosis of the brain can be carried out using simple water. For this, on an empty stomach every day it is recommended to drink one and a half glasses of pre-boiled liquid without additives. This allows you to prevent dehydration, cleanses the circulatory system, eliminates harmful accumulations.
Buckwheat inflorescences come to the aid of patients. Take a couple glasses of boiling water on a tablespoon and let it brew for at least two hours under the lid, after which the liquid is decanted. It is recommended to use the product daily up to four times in half a glass. To increase effectiveness, dried grass can be included in the preparation. It has a calming effect, reduces pressure.
Simple and useful
For the treatment of atherosclerosis of the brain (and not only), folk healers are advised to use elecampane. Rhizomes in an amount of 30 g are thoroughly crushed, poured with a half liter of vodka and insisted for a month and a half in a cool dark room. The finished product is used as food every day before a meal. Dosage - 25 drops. Such a home remedy not only eliminates deposits on the vascular walls, but also relieves headaches.
It is believed that strawberry rhizomes will be useful. They are washed, dried and ground. A teaspoon of powder is taken in a glass of water, boiled for a quarter of an hour, then a teaspoon of foliage of the same plant is mixed in and allowed to infuse for an hour. The finished liquid is drained and used per day in three divided doses.
It is possible to treat cerebral atherosclerosis using only strawberry leaves. A glass of liquid is taken per 20 g of the pre-dried and ground product, boiled for 10 minutes, insisted for a couple of hours, then decanted and used in food up to four times daily. Dosage - a tablespoon. The drug has a pronounced diuretic effect, and together with the liquid cholesterol and excess salts are eliminated from the body.
It is believed that onion helps with atherosclerosis. You can use root juice with honey, mixing them in equal amounts. The tool is not only effective when necessary to treat the disease, but also prevents its development. The recommended mode of use is a tablespoon daily five times. Alternative: take a glass of sugar per 100 g of grated onion rhizomes, insist for four days, then use a tablespoon of food, taking three-hour breaks between meals. The duration of this course is up to a month.
Useful for atherosclerosis melissa. This herb helps relieve nerve spasms, stimulates the brain, alleviates the condition, its head hurts and is spinning, it makes noise in the ears. Melissa can be used fresh or dried, used as a base for decoction or tea, infusion. You can add it to your usual tea. The optimal dosage for an independent decoction is a tablespoon in a glass of water. There are practically no contraindications in the grass, and you can drink such drinks for a long time.
Circulatory Health Fees
Benefit will bring a medicine composed of seed garlic, white mistletoe, hawthorn inflorescences. The first product is taken twice as much as the rest. Boil a glass of water on a teaspoon of the mixture, let it brew overnight, then decant the liquid and use it three times a day. The optimal dose for one dose is a glass.
A good option is a mixture of figs, prunes, dried grapes and apricot, rose hips. All products are first infused in water during the night, then passed through a meat grinder. Ready-made natural medicine is stored in a cool place (on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator). In food it is recommended to use it every day for a tablespoon.
You can try a medicine from dandelion, wheatgrass rhizomes, cinquefoil, and yarrow leaves. On a tablespoon of the composition - a glass of water. Duration of insisting - at least an hour. The medicine is used as food before breakfast. Dosage - 150 ml.
Birch leaf is mixed with immortelle inflorescences, hawthorn berries, literal grass, oregano, St. John's wort, cinquefoil, flaxseeds, mint and rose hip. A pair of tablespoons of this collection is enough for one thermos. Herbs are poured with boiling water and insist at night, they drink the finished medicine warm in three divided doses. It is better to use the product half an hour before the meal.
Procedures and treatment
If statins, vasodilator drugs, diet and alternative medicines do not show a pronounced effect, surgery is possible. Such an event is shown if the lumen of the vessel is so narrow that the blood practically does not enter the organs. Doctors remove the affected parts of the circulatory system and replace them with synthetic materials. Another option is the expansion of an existing vessel, if its condition allows it.
Decide on the need for surgical intervention only on the basis of a detailed examination of the patient's condition. The situation is especially difficult in old age, since there are many restrictions, and for some people, surgery is contraindicated in principle. Having studied all the individual characteristics of the case, the doctor explains to the patient the treatment options, the likelihood of a successful outcome when using them, the possible risks associated with different approaches. Based on a detailed analysis, a final decision is made.
Operations: Cryoprecipitation
During the intervention, harmful components are retrieved from the blood plasma without damaging the beneficial compounds. To some extent, the logic is similar to plasma filtration, but has a distinctive feature - this blood fraction is cooled. The procedure is performed using a special separator with columns to isolate harmful compounds.
First, a certain amount of blood is taken from the patient, then the liquid is treated. A heparin solution is poured into the plasma to form a precipitate, the substance is frozen, then slowly thawed (the process is accompanied by the formation of white flakes). Plasma is placed in a centrifuge, cryoprecipitate is precipitated, pumped into sterile bags, heated to 37 degrees and infused to the patient.
During this procedure, the substance is purified from cholesterol fractions, low-density, very low-density lipoproteins, viral components, uric acid, C-reactive highly sensitive protein and cryoglobulins.
Operations: Cascading Filtering
This is a modern and effective method involving the use of precision technology. For the operation, a specialized separator and filters designed for cascade filtration are used. Blood is divided into plasma, erythro-, thrombotic, leukocytes. The purified plasma is sent to the filter, where it is freed from harmful inclusions, the liquid thus prepared is poured into the patient's body. Blood cells are not processed in the filter, so they are not harmed. These compounds are returned to the plasma immediately before the infusion.
To connect the patient to the device, two catheters are used, which are installed in the vein on the elbows. The procedure is continuous.Blood from one hand is sent to the mechanism, where it is cleaned and returned to the human body through the other hand. The duration of the event is from three to four hours, it is determined by the volumes of liquid to be processed, the speed of the blood flow. The event itself is painless, but there may be discomfort at the time the catheter is inserted.
Cascade filtration allows you to cleanse the blood of toxins, cholesterol, viral particles, albumin, C-reactive protein structures. The procedure is indicated for a wide range of chronic pathologies. Blood purification is mechanical, requires a minimum of time, increases the efficiency of internal organs, weakens the symptoms of diseases, increases the duration of remission, allows the patient to live more actively. Plasma filtration is an effective method of preventing sudden death.
Important Features
An increase in the concentration of cholesterol in the circulatory system is a factor that can provoke a variety of conditions that are dangerous to the patient's life. Regular plasma filtration helps reduce the likelihood of an acute phase of heart disease, blood vessels.
Cascade filtration can only be done by an experienced transfusiologist. Usually the procedure is performed several times, with interruptions of three days, sometimes up to a week. If long-term treatment is prescribed, then blood purification is done once or twice a month. This is a safe measure, but it is imperative that a specialist monitor the condition of the patient.
Cascade plasma filtration is prohibited for persons whose blood flow is severely impaired and allergic reactions to components used during the procedure have been identified. It is known that plasma filtration can cause dizziness, small local bleeding at the sites of catheter insertion, as well as temporary numbness of the limbs. All side effects occur only in a small percentage of cases.
Angioplasty
This is such a non-surgical method by which you can return the circulatory system to normal. During the procedure, vascular lumens are restored. The doctor uses a small balloon, which is introduced into the body by a catheter. This allows you to expand the vessel, restore normal blood flow. To fix the lumen, angioplasty is often combined with stenting, that is, they put a thin mesh design that secures the lumen and guarantees normal blood supply to organs and structures.
You can put one stent or several - the doctor chooses based on the size of the treated area.