The narrowing of the cerebral arteries is a pathological condition that is diagnosed when determining defects in blood circulation processes. Cerebral vasospasm is a short-term paroxysmal decrease in the supply of nutrients to the brain. At the same time, significant changes do not occur, however, it should be noted that muscle tone changes against this background. Subsequently, this phenomenon can cause a stroke.
Therefore, the signs characteristic of vasospasm of the vessels of the brain must be treated carefully at any age. Only in time taken measures can prevent the occurrence of ischemia.
It should be noted that in neurology such manifestations are defined as a vascular crisis.
Vasospasm of the vessels of the heart is also possible. This is a sharp and sudden narrowing of the lumen of the arteries, or rather muscle smooth tissue that lines them. Such a spasm is temporary, but occurs in the form of angina pectoris, causing a person considerable discomfort.
Most often, the pathology is diagnosed in middle-aged men. Vasospasm can also occur in a newborn baby who has been injured during childbirth or in adolescents when serious changes in the hormonal system occur.
What changes are characteristic?
Under the state of vasospasm of the vessels of the brain is understood the manifestation of defects in small branches of arteries with a smooth muscle surface.
The smooth muscle wall is normally reduced, while:
- special nerve fibers receive impulses into the blood through special hormonal substances;
- special electrolyte ions change the charge of membrane cells;
- with a change in length, muscles contract.
Violations can occur at any of these stages. It must be borne in mind that angiospasm can manifest itself in the form of a natural reaction of the human body to cold.
The intensity of the manifestation of signs of cerebral vasospasm in such cases will be minimized. In severe cases, a person will feel certain pain in the internal organs, blood circulation in the neck vessels is disturbed.
Varieties of spasm in severity
The definition of vasospasm was given, but it must be taken into account that spastic crises are divided into three types, each of which has the characteristic character of the course of spasm:
- Cerebral vasospasm of cerebral vessels. The patient loses consciousness, motor activity changes, speech ability weakens, or vision is lost, vision is disturbed, complaints of tinnitus and sharp headaches are reported. The recovery process is largely determined by the initial state of human health. If the body is healthy, it can recover completely.
- Spasm angioedema. Weak manifestation of neurological symptoms. Normal health is quickly restored.
- Spasm angioedema. There are signs of impaired cerebral circulation in the form of asthenia. The walls of the vessels reach a dystrophic state, therefore, medications are used to correct neurological defects.
You need to pay attention to, in severe cases, lacunae and cysts may appear in the medulla.
The vasospasm of cerebral vessels by the nature of vascular damage can be regional and generalized.
The generalized type often causes in patients a violation of all systems and organs: a change in blood viscosity; hypertension violation of metabolic processes in the brain; renal changes; pathological changes in the pancreas.
If there is a local spasm, then a certain brain area is established with changes. Only the attending physician can determine the nature of the violations with accuracy. It is not necessary to choose therapeutic agents on your own.
Possible reasons
Vascular vasospasm of the brain can occur in the presence of such predisposing factors:
- disorders of the muscle layer of the arterial walls;
- changing the mechanism of the functions performed;
- failure of the muscle walls;
- increased contraction of arterial walls.
The cause of vasospasm can become such pathologies as:
- hydrocephalus;
- hypertonic disease;
- angina pectoris;
- osteochondrosis of the upper vertebral divisions;
- cerebral vascular aneurysm;
- pathology of the meninges;
- kidney disease
- thyroid disease caused by a violation of its functioning;
- head injuries suffered by the patient;
- diabetes.
It should be noted, cerebral vasospasm of blood vessels occurs due to damage to the aneurysm. A spasm in itself is a specific protective reaction of the body, which ensures the prevention of blood flow.
Experts noted that the tendency for the manifestation of vascular pathologies is intensifying. This is mainly due to the rhythm of human life at present and the difficult environment. Living in large cities, people expose their cardiovascular system to increased stress.
What causes seizures?
In the list of causes of discirculatory disorders can be identified:
- continuous mental work;
- intoxication of the human body with heavy toxic substances;
- strong physical activity;
- overwork;
- psycho-emotional exhaustion;
- night work and sleep disturbances;
- changes in atmospheric pressure;
- lack of fluid in the body;
- overuse of drinks that contain caffeine.
It must be remembered that the manifestation of vascular spasm is also affected by the heredity factor, that is, such a predisposition can be initially incorporated at the level of genetics.
Symptoms of pathology
There are characteristic symptoms of vasospasm of the cerebral vessels, their manifestation is a special reason for a visit to a medical institution.
Among the list of the most common signs that are especially common with vasospasm, there are:
- Dizziness
- severe headaches that are local or generalized;
- memory impairment as a result of changes in the characteristics of blood circulation;
- noise in ears;
- fatigue;
- decreased performance.
It must be remembered that cerebral vasospasm appears unexpectedly and suddenly. Its symptoms are no different from signs of vascular spasms of other varieties.
A distinctive feature is the presence or even more aggravation of the signs of vasospasm of the vessels characteristic of pathology within a few days.
Existing changes in blood flow are evaluated if there are the following symptoms:
- muscle weakness on one side of the body;
- blunt reaction;
- impaired speech function;
- loss of physical strength;
- visual field defects;
- numbness of the arms and legs;
- nausea.
Only a specialist can detect the presence of spasm in a timely manner and diagnose it. This is due to the fact that the characteristic features are not unique; they can be inherent in both vasospasm and other body conditions.
Many are interested in whether there is a vasospasm of the cerebral vessels in newborns?
Diagnostics
After the manifestation of the symptoms of the pathology, the patient should be fully examined, which implies:
- laboratory research methods for analyzing blood and urine;
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance imaging.
Thanks to the passage of a universal examination, the presence of concomitant diseases can be excluded.
Vasospasm can also be a sign of the following dangerous diseases:
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- hypertension
- hypoxia;
- hydrocephalus;
- hyponatremia.
To timely determine vasospasm, use methods such as:
- MRI (the vessels of the brain of the head are analyzed and the results of the study are deciphered);
- conventional angiography;
- cerebral angiography ;
- vascular dopplerography of the brain;
- electroencephalogram;
- change in the strength of the blood flow of the brain
An examination involving such methods can be passed in a private diagnostic clinic or in a public medical institution. The price of such an event can have significant differences.
The most informative picture of the pathology can be obtained by conducting a series of examinations. Thus, in order to get an accurate picture of the changes, it is necessary to conduct studies that are based on various techniques.
Due to the fact that during the initial examination it is impossible to establish the absence or presence of changes, a thorough examination will be required. In any case, the doctor must follow the instructions, which involves interviewing the patient and assessing the clinical picture of the nature of the disease.
Treatment of cerebral vasospasm
The term “disease” means, in general, the presence of any changes in the activity of the human body. Since his system is a unified process, such changes cannot be left without medical correction.
Vasospasm, which proceeds in a mild form, is not dangerous, but in severe cases, this condition can provoke serious consequences that will lead to disability of a person.
Treatment of this pathology should be based on the establishment of causes. For therapeutic purposes, use drugs that have the following effect:
- elimination of nervous tension;
- muscle layer relaxation of the vascular wall;
- normalization of blood pressure indicators;
- elimination of spasms.
It is very important to pay decent attention to the fight against blood clots.
Non-drug type of treatment
Patients often refuse treatment with medication and resort to traditional medicine.
Such decisions may be justified if there are no contraindications. It is necessary to discuss the possibility of refusing to use medicines with your doctor individually.
Among the list of folk recipes, the action of which eliminates vasospasm, we can distinguish:
- taking an infusion of a mixture of medicinal herbs: St. John's wort, dandelion root, chamomile;
- the use of dry berries of chokeberry;
- head massage.
It is also necessary to follow the recommendations of a healthy lifestyle:
- drink the optimal amount of fluid;
- perform light physical exercises;
- streamline your menu.
It is necessary to focus on the fact that a person should drink clean water.
The specifics of the pathology in the newborn
In a newborn, vasospasm of the vessels is called angiospasm. It is a condition in which the lumen of the vessels is reduced, which causes pathological changes in the blood supply and blood flow to the brain structures.
Vascular spasm in a child, especially a newborn, lasting for a long time, can become a source of oxygen starvation and cause various nervous disorders. Various negative factors can act as the causes of this phenomenon, mainly in newborns these are diseases of the spinal cord and spinal column, often of a traumatic type.
At risk for vascular spasm in the brain are newborns and older children who have the following conditions:
- birth trauma;
- Cerebral palsy;
- spinal cord injury;
- back injuries;
- lack of attention;
- hyperactivity
- diseases of the nervous system;
- increased weather sensitivity.
Vasospasm of cerebral vessels in newborns can manifest itself in different ways, but there are some signs that occur in all clinical cases.
The most common specific symptom of head brain angiospasm in childhood is dizziness and headaches. Newborns in the first year of life often cry almost constantly because of a headache and sleep poorly. Often, while infants do not want to eat, they behave too restlessly.
In addition to pain, vascular spasm in the brain can be accompanied by a number of symptomatic signs:
- fast and excessive fatigue;
- lethargy unusual for the baby;
- weak legs and arms;
- nausea.
Children of a more conscious age also complain of noise and ringing in the ears, as well as flickering of "flies" in front of the eyes.
If the clinical case is more complicated, then such symptoms of angiospasm can be observed:
- coordination violations;
- fainting conditions;
- spatial disorientation of the patient.
Older children are able to have difficulty with speech function and memorization.
Depending on the severity and cause of the spasm of the cerebral vessels in the child, the doctor will decide on the necessity of prescribing drugs. If the spasm is transient, provoked by negative causes and stressful situations, it will be enough to make adjustments to the daily routine of the child, help that will be provided at home.
Drug therapy involves the use of several types of drugs.
The instructions describe the acceptable amount of the drug for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm, however, the specific dosage is selected by a specialist after a full examination of the child.
Antispasmodics suppress spasm of smooth muscles. They are represented by “Eufillin”, “Papaverin”, “Revalgin”, “No-Shpoi”.
Nootropics normalize blood flow, they are represented by Trental, Piracetam, Nootropil.
Adaptogens enhance brain trophism and restore blood flow, represented by Actovegin and Cerebrolysin.
Biogenic stimulants normalize blood pressure, including tinctures of Eleutherococcus, magnolia vine and Zelenin drops.
In addition to medical treatment methods, it is possible to improve the patient's condition with the help of the following measures: spa treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures and massages.
In addition, you need to monitor the diet of the baby - it must be balanced, but at the same time not contain too much liquid products. If preventive measures are not followed and adequate treatment is not carried out, numerous serious complications can develop.
How to prevent this vascular pathology of the brain?
Prevention
It is necessary to remember the timely abandonment of all bad habits and a change in your lifestyle.
A man must:
- completely abandon nicotine addiction;
- do not take large quantities of alcohol;
- change your attitude to physical activity;
- do gymnastics every day in the morning;
- discard drinks that contain caffeine;
- Familiarity with meditation techniques will be helpful;
- monitor the number of meals, it is forbidden to allow long breaks.
Vascular vasospasm of the brain is a significant disorder, always in need of correction. When the pathology is just beginning to manifest itself, and significant changes have not occurred in the arteries, it is possible to normalize the patient's condition without the use of drugs. It will be enough to regulate the diet, giving up bad habits. If the situation is running, vasospasm needs constant monitoring by a doctor and treatment with special drugs. The main goal is to prevent the negative effects of a stroke.
We examined a vascular pathology such as vasospasm.