Asthenic syndrome is a psychopathological condition, which is manifested by increased fatigue, irritability, weakness, tearfulness, unstable, most often lowered mood. Asthenic syndrome may occur due to various somatic diseases, traumatic brain injuries, intoxications. It is also observed in people suffering from hypertension, progressive paralysis, encephalitis, cerebral arteriosclerosis , etc.
Asthenic syndrome occurs due to depletion of nerve elements, during excessive energy expenditure, impaired intracellular metabolism, lack of nutrition, etc. In general, asthenic syndrome is considered as a kind of adaptive reaction, which is accompanied by a decrease in the usual intensity of activity of almost all body systems in order to restore already disturbed processes.
Asthenic syndrome: symptoms
Asthenic syndrome manifests itself in increased fatigue and irritability, combined with a constant desire for any activity, even in a favorable environment intended for relaxation. The patient is intolerant of sharp odors, loud noises, bright light (hyperesthesia). Also often, patients have sleep disorders, manifested in the form of persistent insomnia, or constant drowsiness, autonomic disorders, headaches. Often they experience changes in their mental state depending on atmospheric pressure: fatigue, irritability, hyperesthesia, and weakness when it falls increase. Asthenic disorders can increase in intensity over time. In more severe cases, disorders can be accompanied by apathy, passivity, and spontaneity.
Asthenic syndrome: general clinical picture
The causes of asthenic syndrome will affect the overall clinical picture. So after somatic diseases , emotional-hyperesthetic weakness can occur, in which fatigue, hyperesthesia will increase, and an unstable mood will be combined with intolerance to even the most insignificant emotional stresses. Asthenic disorders after traumatic brain injuries will be characterized by mentism (involuntary flow of thoughts), unstable mood, irritable weakness, combined with autonomic disorders and headaches. During a period of progressive hypertension, asthenic disorders manifest themselves in the form of fatigue, combined with an irresistible desire for activity. With atherosclerosis of the brain , pronounced fatigue will appear, mood will decrease, causeless tearfulness will occur. In patients with progressive paralysis - a combination of increased fatigue with a mild degree of some stunning.
Based on the complete clinical picture, a diagnosis will be made. Experts should clearly distinguish asthenic syndrome from depressive states, which will help in making a clear and correct diagnosis.
Asthenic syndrome: treatment
The treatment of asthenic syndrome will be directed first of all at eliminating the primary cause of its occurrence. Symptomatic treatment will necessarily include a special regimen (changing the environment, getting rid of work, alternating rest and sleep), physiotherapy, rational psychotherapy and drug therapy (various restorative drugs, drugs like trioxazine, elenium are possible to reduce irritable weakness. The doctor may recommend insulin therapy followed by the introduction of glucose.The prognosis will depend solely on the nature of the disease associated with the occurrence of asthenic disorders in.