Vegetative-vascular dystonia is a real scourge of our time. Not only the elderly, but also mature people suffer from its symptoms. In recent years, neuropathologists are increasingly diagnosing VVD, even in children and adolescents. Treatment can last for many years. Prevention of VVD in adults and children are simple recommendations that will help prevent the development of the disease and give patients excellent health, vitality and vitality.
Symptoms of VVD: how this disease manifests itself
The term "dystonia" implies an imbalance between the regulatory mechanisms of the parasympathetic and sympathetic parts of the autonomic nervous system. They are responsible for maintaining the constancy of the internal environment of the body. In fact, for the normal operation of all organs and systems. It affects the pulse rate and heart rate, the number and depth of respiratory movements, the process of defecation and urination. Helps maintain balance when performing physical exercises.
Now imagine what happens when the relationship between the parasympathetic and sympathetic parts of the autonomic nervous system is broken. A complete imbalance between the teams of the brain and real life.
Here are the most common manifestations of VVD, due to which patients are forced to seek help:
- syndrome of cardiovascular manifestations of VVD: arrhythmia, heart pain, tachycardia, jumps in blood pressure, rapid pulse for no apparent reason;
- respiratory pathology syndrome with VSD: laryngeal cramps, lack of air;
- syndrome of gastrointestinal disorders: pain in the epigastric region, constipation or diarrhea, which are not eliminated by taking medications, flatulence, belching of air;
- syndrome of psychoemotional sphere with VVD has the most symptoms: anxiety, sleep problems, hysteria, irritability, unmotivated aggression towards others and autoaggression.
Reasons for the development of VSD
Knowing the causes of the disease, you can build a successful plan for the prevention of VVD. If you follow it without violations, you can forget about the manifestations of the disease for many years.
So, doctors consider the following as the most common causes of dystonia and exacerbation of the condition in patients:
- bad habits: constant abuse of alcohol, sleeping pills, excessive smoking and, in some cases, the use of drugs;
- constant stay in conditions of chronic stress (unloved work, forced cohabitation with unpleasant people);
- physical strain (occurs when a person is forced to work in two shifts, sleep little, his day-night mode is violated);
- severe fright, one-time stress (for example, a patient has witnessed someone's brutal death or suffering);
- experienced strokes, heart attacks;
- recent or delayed craniocerebral injuries and concussions that could cause a serious disturbance in the blood circulation of the brain.
Classification of vegetative-vascular dystonia
The above symptoms are largely caused by a violation of vascular tone. Therefore, depending on which particular vascular tone prevails in the patient, medicine distinguishes several types of vegetative-vascular dystonia:
- hypertonic type;
- hypotonic type;
- mixed type;
- cardialgic type.
Bad habits: effects on blood vessels
In our culture, the rule of drinking alcohol on holidays is firmly and deeply rooted. Most compatriots neglect the culture of drinking and every weekend they arrange a "holiday". Often the abuse of alcoholic beverages inflicts a real blow on the vessels and often becomes the cause of the development of the IRR in a mixed and hypertonic type. In addition to blood vessels, almost all body systems suffer.
Cigarette smoking causes a short-term spasm of blood vessels. Almost all heavy smokers have symptoms of VVD. But for most of them, giving up a bad habit is difficult, they prefer to get sick and feel bad than give up cigarettes.
The first rule of hypertensive-type VSD prophylaxis: an almost complete rejection of alcoholic beverages, and preferably cigarettes. If, after a complete cessation of alcohol and normalization of nutrition, the symptoms do not leave the patient, it is necessary to completely stop smoking. The vessels in each person individually respond to nicotine and tar contained in cigarettes. And if for one person such an influence is acceptable, for another it will be simply murderous.
Chronic fatigue and physical overwork
Heavy and prolonged work causes spasms of blood vessels. Often people in an effort to earn money no longer give themselves rest and try to work seven days a week. This approach is unacceptable: each person should sleep at least eight hours a day (and at night) and not be in an upright position for longer than ten hours.
No matter how strange it may sound, but often the most effective prevention of VVD in adults is to work less and have more rest. And the rest should not be in the gym (which should also be limited, as this is also a serious physical activity), but at home, lying on the couch or in a hammock, in peace and quiet.
Stay under stress
Serious depression, anxiety disorders, constant irritation due to a lack of understanding of loved ones - these causes often exacerbate the course of existing cardiovascular diseases. VVD can also begin for the first time precisely in the period of nervous shocks and increased anxiety.
The best prophylaxis of VSD during a period of chronic stress is to sleep as much as possible. It is necessary to consult a neurologist or psychiatrist and ask for a prescription for an active sedative (sedative) or sleeping pill (if the patient is troubled by insomnia). Without a healthy, long, sound sleep, you can never get rid of stress.
If there is no way to go to the doctor, you should try to take a course of the over-the-counter weak tranquilizing drug Afobazol. There is another active homeopathic remedy that is not addictive and is very cheap - it is a soothing tea "Fitosedan".
List of preventive measures for VSD
So, to summarize, we can list the most effective measures for the prevention of VSD:
- a complete refusal to drink alcoholic beverages;
- as far as possible - quitting smoking (or at least reducing the number of cigarettes smoked);
- full sleep (if necessary, resort to sleeping pills);
- if the work causes physical overwork - it is worth changing the work or schedule;
- try to relax as much as possible while lying down;
- from sports it is best to attend yoga, swimming, Pilates.
These simple rules for preventing VVD will not only help improve vascular tone and strike a balance between the regulatory mechanisms of the parasympathetic and sympathetic parts of the autonomic nervous system, but also improve the patient’s psychological state. After a couple of months, such a life of a sick person will not be recognized: from a torn and nervous resident of the metropolis, he will turn into a calm and harmonious person.
Prevention of VVD: drugs
Both for the treatment of VVD at the initial stages of development, and for the prevention of this condition, drugs of the following groups of pharmacological agents are most often prescribed:
- vasodilator;
- tranquilizing;
- sedatives;
- antidepressant;
- nootropics;
- normalizing blood circulation;
- normalizing pressure level;
- sleeping pills and restorative drugs.
Prevention and treatment of VVD directly depends on subjective symptoms. That is, from those complaints that the patient voices to the attending doctor.
- If you have trouble sleeping, you will probably be prescribed “Melatonin”, “Donormil”, “Afobazol”, “Atarax”, “Phenazepam”, “Phenibut”.
- If the patient complains of severe anxiety, panic attacks and dizziness - “Adaptol”, “Atarax”, “Sonapax”.
- In case of pronounced heart problems - arrhythmia, tachycardia, etc. (after the doctor is convinced of the absence of serious cardiological diagnoses), Betaserk, Valoserdin will be prescribed.
- With constant complaints of lack of vitality and bad mood, accompanied by palpitations and tearfulness, Fluoxetine, Zoloft, Paroxetine, Stimuloton will probably be prescribed.
Injection nootropics-peptides of a new generation, Cortexin and Cerebrolysin, have shown high efficiency in improving cerebral circulation.
Infusions of herbs to combat the symptoms of VSD
If the patient consciously avoids taking medications for the treatment and prevention of VVD, you can try to offer him herbal infusions. Of course, pharmacological preparations are much more effective. But there are quite powerful in terms of herbal fees.
For example, "Fitosedan" - a sedative collection, which includes thyme, oregano, motherwort, valerian. Medicinal tea is available in two forms, their composition is slightly different. But there is not much difference in action.
You can buy and brew herbs individually. Soothing and sleeping pills has valerian, motherwort, thyme.
Features of the prevention of VSD in children and adolescents
Almost all serious pharmacological preparations are prohibited for children under six years of age. This complicates the prevention of VVD in children and adolescents.
If we ignore the use of drugs (although in some cases we still can’t do without them), the following treatment methods in children have proven effective:
- consultation with a child clinical psychologist or psychotherapist;
- nutrition correction - restriction of sweets in the diet;
- communication with animals - hippotherapy showed especially good results in children;
- dolphin therapy and swimming in the same pool with dolphins.
Of course, such methods at a cost will cost more than taking medication. But you should pay attention to this: prevention of VVD in adolescents often helps to maintain health and psyche and give a ticket to adulthood without the presence of chronic diseases.
Drugs that can be given to children
If parents still decide to give drugs as a prophylaxis of VVD in children, then they should always consult a doctor before choosing a medication. It is necessary to pass a standard set of blood, urine and feces tests in order to exclude possible pathologies of the internal organs.
If the child is worried about anxiety, he has an excessively rich imagination and heightened psychological sensitivity - it is necessary to show him to a psychiatrist. If parents are worried about registration, you should contact a private diagnostic center and get advice for money. There you can also get a prescription for the optimal drug for the child and recommendations on the dosage of the medicine. Nootropics are often prescribed for babies and adolescents - these are drugs that regulate cerebral circulation and help get rid of excitement, irritability and anxiety, as well as sleep problems.