Nervous system disorders are a fairly large group of diseases. Many believe that this is mainly a neurosis or depression. Others will also call a nervous breakdown, which in fact is an acute phase of a particular nervous disorder, for example, neurosis.
Today, such diseases are no less common than SARS. At least 90% of megalopolis residents encounter them, but there are no more accurate statistics, because even in cases where there are symptoms of a nervous system disorder, people are in no hurry to consult a specialist, trying to cope with the situation on their own.
Workaholics often suffer from nervous breakdowns due to constant overwork, as well as people with the so-called “excellent student complex” who often take on excessively high responsibilities and obligations.
Those who have chronic dysfunctions of the liver and hepatobiliary system, the endocrine system in general and the thyroid gland in particular also fall into the risk group. And, of course, you should not discount the genetic predisposition to such disorders.
How do they manifest
Although the clinical picture largely depends on the specific disease, there are a number of common symptoms that appear in almost every person suffering from such a pathology.
Symptoms of a central nervous system disorder include:
- sleep disturbances (sometimes it is insomnia, sometimes drowsiness);
- irritability;
- increased anxiety;
- decreased performance;
- impaired ability to concentrate and weaken memory;
- the appearance of obsessive thoughts, often gloomy;
- fear of the future;
- chronic fatigue.
Since the state of the central nervous system affects the body as a whole, a number of additional symptoms are added to the listed symptoms - dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, changes in blood pressure. Some people feel a lump in their throat. It is interesting that sometimes such purely physiological signs of such diseases arise even earlier than cognitive ones.
Causes
As a rule, CNS disorders are reactive, that is, they arise due to certain external circumstances related to stress and experience. Much less often they are endogenous, that is, internal, but such cases also occur.
We are talking about the impact of a wide variety of factors, from diet errors to the lack of vitamins necessary for the central nervous system. Due to these factors, metabolic processes are disrupted, the normal structure of nerve cells is destroyed.
Kinds
Considering a disorder of the nervous system, symptoms and treatment, it should be noted that there are several types of pathologies.
These include:
- Neurasthenia is the term by which long-term depression of the nervous system is called. It is usually caused by prolonged stress. Its main symptoms are irritability, poor mood, marked deterioration in performance, weakness, sleep disturbances, headaches, inability to concentrate. With this disease, an excited state can alternate with fatigue and lethargy.
- Anxiety disorder. With him, a person is almost constantly focused on some obsessive thoughts and ideas, alarming and frankly gloomy. But this is not nonsense, as is the case with mental illnesses, because then a person is bothered by some openly delusional ideas like kidnapping like the threat of kidnapping him by aliens, and in this case we can talk about very real things - for example, fear of losing your job or getting sick. A variety of phobias also belong to the group of disorders. Moreover, a person can understand that for such fears he has no reason, but he still can not stop thinking about it.
- Panic disorder is characterized by the occurrence of attacks of uncontrolled fear. They can happen regularly, but in some people they occur no more than two or three times a year. The duration of attacks can also be different, sometimes it takes a few minutes, sometimes it lasts about half an hour. Symptoms of a panic disorder of the nervous system come down to precisely such attacks, when a person experiences such deep and intense fear that he begins to feel dizzy, sweats and tremors appear, and in some cases there may be respiratory failure.
- Depressive disorder. Although the term "depression" is used very often in everyday life, it is usually understood only as a depressed mood and sadness. But in fact, depressive disorder involves apathy, a loss of interest in what was recently considered important. Depression is often accompanied by drowsiness, sudden weight loss or, conversely, weight gain.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia is not a disorder of the nervous system in the literal sense of the word, but it is directly related to such diseases. It is because of it that the heart rate and blood pressure change, so you can not leave it unattended.
Problems with the autonomic nervous system
Above were considered disorders of the central nervous system. But the problems are not limited to them. There are disorders of the autonomic nervous system, the symptoms and treatment of which will be discussed below.
The autonomic system is responsible for the work of all internal organs. If they receive the wrong signals from her, then her health is seriously impaired. In this case, the symptoms may be similar to signs of other diseases - for example, osteochondrosis or coronary heart disease.
The main causes of ANS disorders are as follows:
- genetic predisposition;
- hormonal disruptions;
- chronic stress;
- intoxication under the influence of inflammatory processes or prolonged use of potent drugs;
- allergic diseases;
- surgical interventions, due to which neural connections are broken.
Types of ANS Disorders
The main types of such violations include:
- Somatoform disorder of the autonomic nervous system, the symptoms of which are ambiguous. In principle, this disease is a type of neurosis. And it manifests itself in an unusual way. It is difficult to distinguish a somatoform disorder of the nervous system - its symptoms are disguised as signs of various chronic diseases that the patient does not actually have. Sometimes pathology manifests itself in the form of panic attacks. Respiratory manifestations, heart pain, shortness of breath and cough of a psychogenic nature, various digestive disorders, etc. are possible. Moreover, sometimes such symptoms are felt in a mild form, but sometimes the patient characterizes them as painful or even unbearable.
- The defeat of the subcortical structures. It mainly occurs after brain injuries, as a result of some serious CNS pathologies. It manifests itself as a strong decrease in blood pressure, diarrhea, excessive urination, the occurrence of semi-fainting conditions is possible.
- Permanent irritation of the peripheral structures of the ANS. It occurs before the start of the menstrual cycle (manifested by cramps and pains in the lower abdomen), occurs with cervical dorsopathy or urolithiasis (frequent and painful urination).
Medical statistics show that up to 70% of the adult population of the planet currently suffers from such disorders (prevalence in children is 25%). It is interesting that in women such diseases occur more often than in men, although it is possible that women are simply more likely to see a doctor.
If any of these types of disorders are present, additional symptoms may also be observed - for example, difficulty swallowing, impaired appetite, excessive sweating, anorgasmia in women, and impaired erection in men.
Antidepressants and sedatives
How to treat patients with symptoms of a nervous system disorder? This is the main issue that worries people who are faced with such violations.
Medicines in this case are divided into several groups. And the most important of these are antidepressants. Regardless of whether these are symptoms of an autonomic nervous system disorder or a central one, they are most often associated with impaired cerebral serotonin levels, so the so-called selective reuptake inhibitors of this substance are prescribed for treatment. In everyday life, they are simply called antidepressants.
Such drugs are prescribed not only individually, but also comprehensively. For the treatment of neurosis, Zoloft, Cipraloex, Fluoxetine, Prozac are used.
Desipramine and Amitriptyline are also common. All medications should be taken only by prescription. Never self-medicate - it is fraught with consequences.
As for tranquilizers, then prescribed "Phenozepam" and "Grandaxinum". They cannot be purchased at pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription. Therefore, it is extremely important to undergo an examination in order to understand what exactly these medicines are for you.
The doctor may prescribe an anxiolytic drug, that is, anti-anxiety. In this group Afobazol enjoys a deservedly good reputation. This is an over-the-counter drug, and it has virtually no contraindications and side effects.
Herbal preparations, vitamins and dietary supplements
The main task of herbal preparations, vitamins and biologically active additives is to strengthen immunity, normalize metabolism, and restore the cardiovascular system. Natural adaptogens and psychostimulants are also used to treat disorders of the nervous system. This group includes, for example, tinctures of Eleutherococcus, safflower levzea, St. John's wort, etc.
You can take sedatives of plant origin. These are valerian, motherwort based products, passionflower, lemon balm, chamomile, coriander seeds and cumin (zira), etc. It is proved that the use of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids is, for example, such an additive as fish oil. It is also recommended to use blueberry-based dietary supplements, vitamins of groups B and E, ascorbic acid.
Non-drug methods
Many non-pharmacological methods are well known, but for some reason they are forgotten about them, and in fact in the early stages they allow you to cope with the situation without pills. These include:
- Physical activities that help get rid of anxiety, improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system and increase the production of serotonin - a neurotransmitter that directly affects brain function and mood,
- relaxation techniques. They help relieve muscle tension and relax. Yoga, massage, aromatherapy, meditation - all this allows you to get rid of obsessive thoughts.
- Physiotherapy. This is electrophoresis, acupuncture, stone therapy, other methods.
- Psychotherapy. In this case, of course, you need to seek the help of a specialist, since it is unlikely that you can cope with it yourself. In this case, different methods are used, both individual and group classes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy gives good results when the patient develops the correct response to traumatic situations.
And, no matter how trivial it may sound, the symptoms of an autonomic nervous system disorder in adults, as well as signs of a central nervous system disorder, disappear with a change in lifestyle.
It is clear that alcohol and nicotine must be discarded. But many patients forget that even seemingly innocuous caffeine also puts a serious strain on the nervous system, and its use should at least be limited. Some patients are shown spa treatment, or at least providing a good rest at home.
How to get rid of seizures
How to treat for symptoms of a panic disorder of the nervous system will be discussed below. But you still need to know ways to quickly deal with panic attacks.
There are several rules:
- You need a glass of cold water.
- Start speaking aloud all that a person is currently doing, encouraging himself.
- Do breathing exercises.
- If a person is alone, you can start singing.
- Massage your hands by rubbing your palms until you feel warm. It is also good to always carry a studded rubber ball for massage.
- Try to cool your face, you can wash with cold water.
- Switch the mind to solving other problems, you can draw or color, solve a crossword puzzle, play Tetris.
If you have an animal at home, you can start talking to him when a panic attack approaches. Contact with animals generally helps to cope with such attacks.
Somatomorphic disorder and its treatment
If there is a somatoform disorder of the nervous system, the symptoms of which are discussed above, then it does not need separate treatment. With the problem, the same drugs help as with other diseases. And from non-pharmacological agents, psychocorrectional techniques should be highlighted.
The fact is that such patients are characterized by a distorted perception of themselves, when they constantly find some disturbing symptoms. In this case, the doctor must clearly and reasonably, including, based on laboratory research data, explain that the person does not have a systemic disease, all symptoms are benign.
According to doctors, these patients are well assisted by keeping a diary in which they describe both their physical well-being and their emotional state, indicating the types of activities they were involved in. Even just making observations shows that the symptoms are not serious and have almost no effect on everyday life. In addition, the doctor (and the patient himself, too) will be able to understand what types of activities are accompanied by negative emotions.
From medications, in addition to the above-mentioned "Fluoxetine", a drug such as "Neurox" is recommended, the active ingredient of which is ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate. This is an antihypoxic effect that improves metabolic processes at the cellular level.
An important role in the treatment of symptoms of a nervous system disorder is played by the patient’s self-discipline, his desire to get rid of this problem.