Encephalopathy is a term that combines a group of different diseases. But regardless of origin, such diseases are always accompanied by damage to the brain and a violation of its normal functioning. Why does encephalopathy occur, what is it, and what symptoms are accompanied? These questions interest many.
Congenital encephalopathy and its causes
Quite often, a similar disease is congenital. In some cases, genetic factors become the cause of congenital damage. But more often than not, damage to the nervous system is nothing more than the result of hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), which develops against the background of various pregnancy complications. Birth injuries of the fetus, early detachment of the placenta, taking certain medications, as well as complications during childbirth - all this is considered to be risk factors.
As a rule, perinatal encephalopathy is diagnosed in the maternity ward. In sick babies, the heartbeat is disturbed, and the sucking reflex is either weakly manifested or completely absent. Children with encephalopathy are extremely restless, often cry, too sensitive to light and sounds.
Discirculatory encephalopathy: what is it?
Brain damage can be acquired. And quite often in medical practice there is discirculatory encephalopathy. What it is? A similar disease is associated with a violation of normal blood circulation in the central nervous system, which leads to a violation of trophism and oxygen starvation. The reasons for the development of this condition can be different: it is atherosclerosis, and hypertension, as well as degenerative changes in the spine, heart disease, etc. To date, it is customary to distinguish three main degrees of this form of the disease:
- At the first degree, there is a slight damage to nerve tissues, which is accompanied by sleep disturbances, headaches, increased irritability and anxiety, as well as a decrease in memory.
- In the second stage, the lesions become deeper, and the symptoms, respectively, are much more pronounced. Signs of the disease include persistent headaches, lethargy and apathy.
- Grade 3 encephalopathy is the most dangerous, since it is difficult to treat. There are speech disorders, convulsions and tremors, paresis of limbs, and mental disorders.
Are there other causes of brain damage?
In fact, modern medicine knows many factors whose exposure can lead to damage to the nervous system. For example, encephalopathy syndrome may be associated with traumatic brain injury and cerebral edema. The causes include hypoxia, which develops against the background of respiratory failure.
There is toxic encephalopathy. What it is? This form of the disease is caused by exposure to the body of both natural and synthetic toxins, including plant and animal poisons and even some medications. In addition, encephalopathy is often associated with impaired functioning of the kidneys and liver, diseases of the endocrine system (in particular, the pancreas, adrenal gland and pituitary gland). In some cases, the disease results from radiation therapy or resuscitation.
Symptoms of such diseases can be different. These are headaches, which are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, as well as mental disorders, disturbances in sleep and memory, paralysis and paresis, dizziness and fainting. In any case, with such symptoms, a thorough diagnosis is necessary, since only by determining the cause, you can choose effective methods of treatment.