Vascular diseases of the brain - one of the most common diseases, especially in the elderly. Microstroke symptoms or transient brain lesions is a signal that soon may develop full-fledged stroke. Therefore, patients with minor strokes should be carefully examined.

Why do we need a survey at microstroke

Symptoms microstroke is not always possible to capture and properly assess the background to the diseases caused by it. But if there were clear signs of transient ischemic attack, it is necessary to complete a survey to establish the cause and extent of changes in the brain, which led to minor strokes.

If this is not done with the subsequent treatment of the underlying disease, a complete change in lifestyle and diet, we should expect a full stroke, with severe consequences, and total or partial disability of the patient.

As the survey is conducted

Microstroke diagnosis is made by characteristic symptoms (headache, blurred speech, movements in the limbs, and so on) that last from a few moments to a day, and then fully tested.

Be sure to research conducted state of the cervical spine. Some of his disease (eg, low back pain) contribute to stroke, as there is a compression of the vertebral artery that carries blood to the brain. For this radiography of the spine.

To detect changes in the brain performed radiographic studies, computer and magnetic resonance imaging (CT and MRI). At the same time an occasion to study the state of cerebral vessels - Doppler ultrasound (Doppler ultrasound), angiography using CT and MRI. Angiography carotid subject in the case where a patient suspected of having atherosclerotic lesions in blood vessels.

At the same time carried out a survey of the cardiovascular system, as it is the condition of the heart often cause microstroke. The patient made an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (Echo - to assess the condition of the heart and blood in it), if detected any violations examined in more detail.

ALWAYS do biochemical analysis of blood - clotting parameters are checked, the content of prothrombin, fibrinogen, sugar, urea and so on. In general blood analysis also revealed signs of pathology, e.g., inflammation, and other signs of anemia.

In some cases, the cause may be a violation microstroke in small blood vessels caused by diseases such as rheumatic fever Rheumatic fever - are possible complications of heart Syphilis Syphilis - punishment of Venus   and others. If you suspect that such processes are carried out appropriate blood tests to identify the nature of the process.

If necessary, the patient is sent for examination to other specialists, such as cardiologist.

How are the results of the survey

The survey evaluated only in the complex. This allows you to make predictions on the possible future violations of the brain and give the patient detailed instructions for the prevention of these disorders.

Particular importance is attached to blood clotting parameters as increased clotting is responsible for the formation of blood clots in blood vessels - often the immediate cause of ischemic stroke.

Of equal importance is a metabolic disorder Metabolism: The basis of life of all living things In particular lipid to form atherosclerotic changes in cerebral vessels.

Which diseases should be differentiated microstroke

Microstroke should be differentiated, first of all, with a brain tumor Brain tumor - surgery inevitable That the growth can compress blood vessels and cause symptoms of cerebral circulation. But the tumor is characterized by slow growth of such signs. In addition, they tend not tested alone, whereas signs microstroke tested throughout the day.

Specific vasculitis (rheumatic, syphilitic, etc.) cause minor strokes are rare, however, exclude this cause is also necessary.

Cerebrovascular accidents can occur as a consequence of traumatic brain injury, when the site of injury grows connective tissue that may compress the blood vessel. But these phenomena also take place in the treatment of the day and have a permanent character.

Thus, minor stroke should be an occasion to examine the patient, identify and treat the underlying disease that led to the development of transient ischemic attacks.

Galina Romanenko

  Dystonia - a condition characterized by shortness of breath, increased heart rate, palpitations and pain in the heart. It usually occurs when strong tension and is not associated with heart disease. The cause of vascular dystonia is often emotional strain. In psychiatry, there is a tendency to consider dystonia as a form of anxiety disorder and its particular case - panic attacks, but this violation is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Dystonia is also associated with hyperventilation and respiratory acidosis. It has long been observed in soldiers during and after the fighting and is now believed that it could be one of the consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder and / or chronic fatigue syndrome. Specific causes of violations have not been established, but it is assumed that stress plays an important role in the development of vascular dystonia. In most patients, symptoms first appear up to 25 years. With regular overvoltage violation becomes chronic. As a result, the patient may try to limit their contact with others. Dystonia is much common in women than in men. Patients with this disease often lose their ability to cope with their duties and workers can return to work only after the successful completion of treatment.

History

Complaints about the inability to breathe deeply, a feeling of suffocation, breathlessness, palpitations (increase in heart rate) and / or tachycardia Tachycardia - the body to the limit?   (pulse over 100 beats per minute), pain, discomfort, feeling of pressure in the chest. Causeless tiredness or limitation of physical activity, sweating, insomnia, irritability, Irritability - you try to control my temper , Nervousness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting; a strong sense of discomfort and / or fear when a person is in a crowd.

Dystonia can complicate diagnosis and treatment of various mental disorders and drug and alcohol addiction Alcohol addiction - for no reason, no reason not arise .

Medical checkup

For the diagnosis of the condition requires a conversation with a psychiatrist, psychiatric assessment and neurological status. Diagnosis is often difficult. During a medical examination revealed symptoms such as respiratory rate more than 24 breaths per minute, shallow breathing, rapid and / or irregular pulse. It is necessary to eliminate the violations that have similar symptoms, such as mitral valve prolapse. Often, to exclude all possible diseases requires prolonged pass inspection, which can be tedious for the patient.

Treatment

Treatment of vascular dystonia is difficult, largely because many patients, believing that the only cause of the disease lie in physiology, are unwilling to seek a psychiatrist. Meanwhile, when the disease can be very useful therapy - it helps the patient to understand the causes of anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease?   and find ways to deal with it. To control the symptoms of vascular dystonia used beta-blockers and sedatives. When extreme fatigue stimulants can help, but they are also able to exacerbate anxiety and make the patient more excitable. For this reason, promoters should be used only when absolutely necessary and in limited doses.

In addition, sometimes used in the treatment of physical therapy, art therapy, music therapy. Patients are taught various relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises.

Predict the outcome of the treatment of vascular dystonia no less difficult than to establish the cause of this disorder. Psychotherapy can give a good therapeutic effect, but it takes a lot of time and requires a lot of effort, not only from a doctor, but also on the patient.