Intracranial pressure is an accumulation or lack of cerebrospinal fluid in a certain area of the cranium, which is caused by a violation of circulation in it. This liquid is called liquor. It is located in the spinal region, in the space of the bone and brain. Liquor protects the gray matter from large overloads and prevents its mechanical damage.
This fluid is always under pressure. It is constantly being updated, it is circulating from one site to another. As a rule, the whole process takes about a week. But sometimes its violation occurs, as a result of which cerebrospinal fluid can accumulate in one place. Because of this, intracranial pressure rises. In the event that there is a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid, then this pressure decreases.
The decrease often occurs due to head injuries, against the background of brain tumors and as a result of prolonged vasoconstriction. This can also occur as a result of prolonged intake of diuretic drugs.
Causes
The main causes of intracranial pressure, as a rule, are the following factors:
- Violation of metabolic processes in which poor absorption of fluid into the blood occurs.
- Spasms of blood vessels through which the cerebrospinal fluid can not circulate normally.
- Excess fluid in the body. Against the background of this condition, the amount of cerebrospinal fluid can increase significantly.
- The development of brain hypoxia.
- The presence of pathologies such as meningitis, migraine or encephalitis.
- The development of a stroke.
- The presence of hydrocephalus or tumor.
- The presence of excess weight.
- Severe poisoning of the body along with an excess of vitamin A.
Symptomatology
Typically, symptoms of intracranial pressure in a person occur as follows:
- The formation of edema of the optic nerve.
- The normal eye reaction is disturbed.
- Peripheral vision worsens, and a little later, central vision. In addition, there is a split vision.
- Swelling of the eyelids and face is formed.
- Hearing decreases, tinnitus appears.
- Headache. As a rule, pain can intensify in the morning, against the background of this condition, a person may feel overwhelmed.
What are the other symptoms of intracranial pressure in adults and children?
- The appearance of nausea and vomiting.
- A feeling of pain when trying to turn your head, cough, or sneeze.
- The occurrence of sweating attacks along with a decrease in blood pressure.
- The development of a fainting state.
- The appearance of irritability, weakness and rapid fatigue.
- Bruising under the eyes.
- The presence of pain at the top of the cervical vertebra and spinal cord. Intracranial pressure in a child is very dangerous.
As for children of school and preschool age, they can also experience fatigue with this pressure along with irritability and excessive sensitivity.
Increased intracranial pressure should be treated immediately so that it does not lead to other painful consequences.
When is surgery required?
- This may be necessary if a skull injury has occurred. As a result of a blow, a hematoma can occur in a person, which can provoke an increase in intracranial pressure.
- The presence of severe headache and fainting. In this situation, most likely, a rupture of the aneurysm of the vessels could occur.
Thus, intracranial pressure in adults and children must always be treated, and not wait until an accident occurs.
Diagnostic measures
Doctors determine whether patients have problems according to many data, including:
- Optic nerve congestion.
- Violation of the outflow of venous blood.
These are quite serious signs of the presence of pathology.
In addition, adults with older children can undergo computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. For infants, an examination with the help of an ultrasound examination of the skull is possible, which is done through the fontanel.
Another diagnostic method is that a special needle with a pressure gauge is inserted into the spinal canal or fluid cavity. This procedure, unfortunately, is unsafe, it is required to be carried out exclusively by highly qualified doctors.
In order to establish an accurate diagnosis, you must use all of the above methods of diagnosis. The main ones remain magnetic resonance imaging along with x-ray computer research.
Treatment of this pathology
Increased intracranial pressure is a serious threat to the patient's life. This gradually disrupts brain activity, as a result of which a person’s intellectual abilities can be significantly reduced, and nervous regulation of the activity of internal organs is disrupted.
In the event that serious deviations were found as a result of the diagnosis, then treatment should be carried out in a hospital setting. When a tumor occurs, it is removed. If there is hydrocephalus, they perform an operation to drain the fluid. In the presence of neuroinfections, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
The main thing in this case, as in any other situations associated with certain diseases, is not to self-medicate. As soon as a person feels unwell, he should immediately visit a doctor and get competent recommendations. In the event that there is no high threat to the patient's life, he will be prescribed symptomatic drug therapy aimed at the general normalization of intracranial pressure.
Prescription of diuretics
Often used diuretics that accelerate the process of excretion of cerebrospinal fluid and improve its absorption. Treatment with such drugs is carried out in courses. If the disease recurs quite often, they should be taken constantly, most importantly - at least once a week.
What else is used in the treatment of intracranial pressure?
The use of sedatives and vascular drugs
As prescribed by a doctor, you can use nootropic drugs aimed at improving the nutrition and blood circulation of the brain. In order to normalize the pressure, massage sessions are often performed. It is useful for patients to engage in swimming, thus improving their health.
If there are no serious complications, then you can do without medicines. Instead, doctors are advised to do the following:
- Conducting manual therapy.
- Osteopathy.
- Gymnastic exercises.
It will not be superfluous to think about normalizing your drinking regime. After all, this also has a significant impact on pressure indicators.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative treatment of intracranial pressure is usually used only for the chronic course of the disease or as an addition to the already prescribed treatment. Here are some folk remedies:
- Using lemon juice with honey. You should take one lemon and cut it. Next, you need to carefully squeeze the juice. Two tablespoons of honey and one hundred milliliters of ordinary drinking water are added to it. Then all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the product is drunk. The treatment period with this method should ultimately be twenty days. Ten days later, you need to take a break.
- Pollen treatment with honey. Use this tool to massage the head. It is required to take two parts of flower pollen and add honey. Then mix all the ingredients and leave the product for three days in a place where sunlight does not penetrate. After that, in small portions, you should rub the prepared mixture into the back of the head, back of the neck, and nose bridge as well. Then you need to wrap your head in a towel. The described procedure is carried out every day for one month.
- The use of plantain. It is required to take three tablespoons of dry plantain and pour them with half a liter of boiling water. Next, the tool is insisted for thirty minutes. Eat cooked broth should be fifty grams three times a day.
Finally
Whatever means a person uses, it should be remembered that only the elimination of the main cause of intracranial pressure will lead to a full recovery. As a rule, contrary to rumors, this disease is acquired throughout life, and there is not a single study that confirms the heredity of the development of this disease. In any case, if suddenly a person discovers symptoms of intracranial pressure, he should, first of all, go to see a doctor, and then follow all the prescribed recommendations.