Treatment of the pineal gland of the brain

Where is the pineal gland located? This is a common question. We will understand it in more detail.

The red gland, which produces melatonin and is partially responsible for the maturation of sex hormones, is called pineal. The functions of this area of ​​the brain are not yet fully understood, but today there are several diseases that affect the quality of life. One of them is the appearance of a cyst of the pineal gland of the brain. This disease can pass without obvious signs, it is diagnosed only as part of a thorough study of the brain. Usually, its presence causes symptoms similar to signs of vascular damage, cancer growth, and damage to the cervical spine.

Cyst

Where is the pineal gland, not everyone knows.

The first emotion of patients who are diagnosed with cysts of a given gland is usually panic. But compared with other pathological brain tumors, this disease is not dangerous. A cyst located in the brain is a benign tumor that cannot transform into a malignant tumor. It is also often called a pineal cyst. In ninety percent of cases, this disease may differ in a slow course and does not affect endocrine function.

Simply put, living with such a cyst is possible, but not advisable. The fact is that it serves as a kind of time bomb, which will make itself felt at the most inopportune moment. In the event that it cannot be cured, cerebrospinal fluid will gradually accumulate in the ventricular sectors of the brain, and this factor is a direct way to the development of dropsy.

The pineal cyst is formed at the position of the pituitary gland. Its main difference is abundant blood circulation. At night, the rush of blood can almost double. At the same time, pituitary cells receive nutrients and individual substances. In the process of metabolism, the production of melatonin occurs, after which this hormone enters directly into the cerebrospinal fluid and blood.

Where is the pineal gland in the photo visible (it is also called the pineal gland).

What functions does this gland perform?

Experts are sure that it is this gland that regulates the activity of the entire endocrine system. The pineal gland is extremely closely associated with some part of the visual apparatus responsible for perception. This is expressed in its response to illumination, the fact is that the work of the pineal gland begins immediately after dark.

Then the pineal gland is activated.

At night, blood supply in this part of the brain increases, the secretory activity of the gland increases, and at the same time, much more hormones are released than during the day. By the way, the main of them is melatonin. After midnight and up to six in the morning, the pineal gland works at its maximum. The functional direction of the hormones of the gland is as follows:

• A direct effect on the pituitary and hypothalamus is performed, in the framework of which their work is inhibited.
• The normalization of the daily regimen is carried out. That is, thanks to this, people are awake during the day, and sleep at night.
• An increase in immunity occurs.
• Nervous excitability is reduced.
• The processes of aging of the body are slowed down.
• The tone of blood vessels is stabilized.
• Sugar level is reduced.
• Blood pressure is normalized.
• Sexual development in childhood is held back.
• The growth of cancer is inhibited.

Thus, the pineal gland located in the brain is a very important part of the body. Without the pineal gland, not only the production of melatonin can be disrupted, but also in a much smaller amount, the processing of the hormone of happiness, called serotonin, will be carried out.

Causes of cyst formation

Now it’s clear where the pineal gland is located (photo presented).

The resulting cyst is often determined by chance, as a rule, it is installed during the performance of magnetic resonance imaging. At the initial stage, there is no clinical manifestation. The cause of the cystic formation is a failure of the cerebrospinal fluid circulation, which occurs due to the following changes:

• The appearance of blockage of the excretory lumen. This usually happens due to trauma or surgery. Scars formed can interfere with the passage of cerebrospinal fluid, which accumulates in the lumen between the meninges and soft tissues.
• The presence of infectious lesions of the membranes. For example, most often Echinococcus acts as a catalyst for inflammatory processes. The doctors will help determine the causative agent by collecting a medical history along with the clinical sampling of cerebrospinal fluid through puncture.

Canal blockages are typically found among patients who have a genetic predisposition to this. Cystic transformations of the pineal gland occur due to deviations of the anatomical structures of the cerebrospinal fluid, and the increased viscosity of the cerebrospinal fluid may also have an effect.

What are the symptoms of the disease?

As already noted, such a cyst of the pineal gland rarely finds itself with the help of any clinical signs or manifestations. In the early stages, this formation is detected exclusively by accident.

The formation of a cavity that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid is usually indicated by the results of magnetic resonance imaging. In the event that the tumor expands to one centimeter, then the patient observes unpleasant symptoms that are associated with impaired circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid, and the pressure of surrounding tissues may also increase. These are the main signs. The pineal gland cystic formation is manifested, as a rule, in the following symptoms:

• The appearance of headaches. We are talking about migraine seizures that do not pass under the influence of standard analgesics. It is very difficult to remove such a pain syndrome, sometimes it is possible only after a medical blockade.
• The presence of impaired coordination of movements.
• The appearance of violations of the organs of vision and hearing.
• Onset of nausea and vomiting.

The consequences of such a cyst can also be manifested in the occurrence of neurotic disorders and epileptic seizures. Of course, it depends on its size. The pineal gland is very important, and if this neoplasm interferes with the patient’s normal life, then the doctors prescribe a course of treatment and make a decision regarding the removal of the brain cyst.

What is the danger?

By itself, such a cyst is not life-threatening. The threat is carried by signs of volumetric cystic lesions of the pineal gland (pictured), which are manifested in epileptic seizures, hydrocephalus and other disorders. But this neoplasm extremely rarely reaches large sizes. This cyst is genetically predisposed to a benign character, therefore, it is considered non-hazardous.

A dangerous cyst size is considered when it exceeds one centimeter in diameter. As a rule, such a formation develops as a result of damage to the cerebrospinal fluid by gonococcus. The source of this infection is farm animals along with dogs. The maximum size of this formation can reach two centimeters in length.

Consider what the treatment of the pineal gland consists of.

When and how to treat pathology?

So, the treatment of the disease directly depends on the size of the formation and its growth indicators. After the diagnosis is established, doctors monitor the dynamics of the increase in the neoplasm. In the event that for a couple of months its size remains the same, then medication is prescribed. Late-detected large-sized pineal cysts on MRI are usually not amenable to conservative therapy and therefore can only be removed. Indications for surgery are also to establish the effect of the tumor on the adjacent structure of the brain, which is usually expressed in the following symptoms, which significantly reduce the quality of life of patients:

• The appearance of violations in coordination.
• Frequent pressure surges.
• The appearance of migraine attacks.
• Onset of nausea and vomiting.
• Visual impairment.

The factors that provoke an increase in cysts are still not defined, therefore, it is simply impossible to talk about effective preventive methods. Currently, experts are similar in their opinion that the most reliable way to minimize the risk is regular monitoring using magnetic resonance diagnostics. Such a study should be carried out every six months.

Medical treatment

With conservative treatment, drugs are selected that do not affect the cyst itself, but directly on the organ, the disease of which contributed to the development of the tumor. It should be noted that medications do not reduce the size of education, but only relieve its symptoms in the form of migraine, visual impairment, and so on. This is usually enough to ensure a normal quality of life for the patient, and the cyst, in turn, will be small in size. The drug therapy plan is usually developed individually, based on the results of the study and analyzes. Doctors may additionally prescribe drugs in the following categories:

• Treatment with venotonic and diuretics. These drugs, as a rule, provide for the regulation of the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricular sectors, which prevents the development of hydrocephalus.
• The use of substitution drugs. These are necessary to make up for melatonin deficiency.
• Using adapters. They are usually prescribed to stabilize the wakefulness and sleep cycle.
• The use of pain medication. They are used to eliminate pain in migraines.

During periods of seasonal infections, antiviral medications are prescribed additionally along with immunomodulators.

Surgical removal of the cyst

The treatment of this disease in a radical way is a serious step that is taken only after a thorough diagnosis of the body. Such an operation is associated with a certain risk to life; in this regard, it is recommended only in extreme cases, when the risk of brain dropsy is extremely high. There are only three types of radical treatment of pathology:

• Carrying out a complete removal. During surgery, the cranium is opened, and the tumor is excised along with the membrane. This technique allows you to once and for all get rid of education without the risk of relapse, but this method is very traumatic, so it has recently been used very rarely.
• Perform shunting. This method involves drilling a small hole in the skull box, through which a drainage hose is inserted inward. This makes it possible to pump out the contents of the formation without the risk of damage to the surrounding tissue. This method has its drawbacks. The body of the growth can not be completely removed, or infection can get through the drainage.
• Endoscopy This technique is very similar to shunting, but the difference is that a special device called an endoscope is inserted through the hole together with the drain pipe. It makes it possible to highlight the walls of the tumor, and, in addition, the nearest tissue from the inside, which minimizes the risk of damage to them. This is the least dangerous surgical removal technique that has earned positive reviews. The only drawback of endoscopy is that it is suitable only for large formations.

How else do they treat the pineal gland?

Is treatment possible with alternative methods?

As noted earlier, drug therapy is aimed at eliminating the accompanying symptoms, and does not cure the disease itself. None of the folk remedies is capable of acting directly on the disease itself, therefore, it is impossible to expect an absolute cure using recipes of alternative medicine. Thus, it is not possible to stimulate the functions of the pineal gland using folk methods, but you can take care of increasing immunity. Next, we consider the features of the treatment of the pineal gland of the brain in children.

Features of the treatment of pathology in children

Diagnosing gland formation in young patients at an early stage is extremely difficult. There are no specific signs issuing this disease, and the growth can be seen only on an ultrasound scan. As a rule, children complain of pain in the head or the presence of drowsiness, but very often parents, along with the local therapist, correlate these complaints with other ailments or stressful conditions. Against the background of the development of such a tumor in a child, visual acuity may decrease, but, of course, first of all, parents will take the baby to the optometrist, and not to the endocrinologist.

Another sign that can indicate a cystic pineal gland is accelerated growth. This is directly related to an increase in the concentration of a particular hormone. In the event that the child’s height and weight is significantly higher than the norm for his age, then this serves as an occasion to contact the endocrinologist to order magnetic resonance imaging.

But even this type of diagnosis is not able to determine this pathology with absolute accuracy. The next step, after magnetic resonance imaging, is a biopsy of the formation in order to exclude the malignant nature. Only after confirming the nature of the growth, the attending physician will draw up a treatment plan. Next, we find out what risks and complications are possible if this disease is not treated.

Possible complications and risks

Calcification of the pineal gland may occur. This is a process in which calcium salts are deposited on the surface of the secretion, they do not dissolve in the liquid. In another way, this disease is called calcification. This can happen at different ages and usually the size of such formations is not more than 1 cm. Experts say that they do not cause much harm to the body, but pathology should be treated.

Since the pineal gland of the brain is responsible for the production of melatonin, the appearance of a cyst can significantly disrupt its work. In this case, a person’s sleep may worsen, irritability will appear and delusional states will occur. In the event that the doctor recommends treatment, and the patient refuses, then he should be prepared for the following possible complications:

• Most likely, there will be violations in coordination.
• Possible paralysis along with paresis of the arms and legs.
• Probable complete loss of hearing and vision.
• Dementia may develop along with mental retardation.

When a patient is diagnosed with a small cyst (up to one centimeter in diameter), and the formation does not grow at all and does not manifest itself with external symptoms, then therapeutic treatment is not prescribed. But it should be borne in mind that against the background of adverse conditions, enhanced tumor growth is possible. This usually happens when too much melatonin is produced and the lumen of the tubule is narrowed. Hormonal stimulation along with pregnancy can also provoke growth.

Therefore, if a woman was diagnosed with such a disease, and she plans to have a baby, then she should definitely consult her doctor in order to exclude possible risks. To improve performance, the following rules should be observed:

• Sleeping is required in absolute darkness, without using a nightlight.
• In no case should you stay awake after midnight.

To avoid the development of multiple cysts of this organ of the brain, it is required to prevent infection with echinococcus. And for this you should not touch stray animals. Immediately after contact with them, immediately wash your hands with soap and water. In addition, pets should not be fed from human dishes. In the event that a person has been diagnosed with a cyst of the pineal body of the brain, then it will be enough for him to comply with medical recommendations. The prognosis against this disease is positive.