Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels: how to treat, which doctor to contact, medications and traditional methods of treatment

Headache, increased fatigue, decreased concentration, general lethargy and passivity - all these manifestations are most often attributed to a cold, hormonal imbalance or the so-called chronic fatigue syndrome. But if they occur over a long period of time, becoming more and more pronounced, or the clinical picture expands with additional symptoms, it is necessary to urgently go to the clinic and undergo an examination. It is quite possible that this is cerebral atherosclerosis.

How to treat this disease? Like any other ailment of the cardiovascular system, this one requires an individual and at the same time comprehensive approach. The main thing is not to self-medicate, since a mistake in choosing medications can lead to serious and irreversible consequences.

Which doctor should I contact?

Before treating cerebral atherosclerosis, the patient is referred for examination. Only after making an accurate diagnosis will the doctor be able to begin treatment for this unpleasant disease.

If a patient has atherosclerotic plaques on his brain vessels, it is important to understand that it will not be possible to get rid of them completely and be cured once and for all. This process is progressive and can lead to impaired cerebral circulation. But if you seek help in a timely manner and follow medical recommendations, you will be able to achieve good results in the treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis. Methods and drugs used in therapy should be prescribed only by the attending physician.

By the way, a neurologist deals with this disease, but often a cardiologist also plays a role in determining the treatment strategy. The goal of therapy for vascular atherosclerosis is to expand their walls, normalize metabolism and improve the quality of blood.

Angiologist

An angiologist, a doctor specializing in diseases of the arteries and lymphatic system, deals with the treatment of blood arteries. This doctor is consulted if there is a decrease in skin sensitivity, tingling in the limbs, pain and impaired mobility in the joints of the arms or legs.

Inflammation of the lymph usually occurs due to infectious diseases transmitted by airborne droplets and sexual contact. Myocarditis and endocarditis can be specific causes of inflammation of the lymphatic system.

Therefore, if the non-infectious nature of the disease is not determined, additional heart tests are performed by a cardiologist.

Main principles of therapy

Many patients are interested in how to treat cerebral atherosclerosis and whether there are any special effective techniques that will improve their well-being and stop the progression of the disease. In fact, there is nothing unusual or special in the treatment of this disease. It is based on the most common principles.

Dieting is the first rule. Before treating cerebral atherosclerosis with pills, it is necessary to adjust your lifestyle and review your diet. You will have to exclude from it forever fatty meats, offal (kidneys, lungs, brains), lard, egg yolk - all these products contain cholesterol, which is not properly absorbed by the body, but settles on the walls of blood vessels. Instead of this food, it is better to eat oatmeal, potatoes, cabbage, low-fat cottage cheese and fermented milk drinks, soy, vegetables and fruits rich in plant fiber.

By the way, an established diet can result in weight loss, which is very useful. After all, extra pounds interfere with full physical activity. Every day you need to exercise or at least do exercises in the morning. Lack of movement is one of the risk factors for the progression of atherosclerosis.

You will have to give up bad habits - otherwise the therapy will not bring the expected effect. Smoking and drinking alcohol lead to surges in blood pressure, and this should never be allowed. With narrowed vessels affected by atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, the risk of stroke increases several times.

To control your blood pressure, protect yourself from stress and intense exercise. When asking about how to treat cerebral atherosclerosis, you must first of all understand that such a patient should not worry, he should get plenty of rest and not overwork.

Cardiologist

A doctor specializing in the treatment of heart and blood vessels is a cardiologist, and if you experience pain in the heart area, disturbances in the frequency and rhythm of breathing, or sweating, you should contact him for diagnostics and electrocardiography.

Frequently occurring diseases are heart rhythm disturbances, defects in the valve apparatus of the heart or its walls, hypertension, coronary artery disease, pain in the center of the chest. The cardiologist also carries out rehabilitation measures of a restorative nature.

It is also recommended to visit a cardiologist for the following people:

• who have reached the age of 30 years;
• planning pregnancy;
• having a genetic predisposition;
• overweight people.

It is believed that you need to be examined by a cardiologist every year. This way you can reduce the risk of diseases of the circulatory system several times.

A cardiologist treats the blood vessels of the heart.

Antisclerotic agents

Treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis with drugs begins with the use of statins. Medicines in this group reduce the rate of plaque formation. The most effective of those prescribed for the treatment of a number of neurological pathologies include:

• "Mertinil."
• "Zakor."
• "Athoris."

The direct purpose of statins is to reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the blood and stop the growth of the size of atherosclerotic formations on the walls of blood vessels. Contraindications to their use are pregnancy and lactation. Also, statins are not prescribed to children with liver or kidney dysfunction, myalgia, lupus erythematosus and endocrine disorders.

Secondary diseases

This is a systemic autoimmune disease that results in the production of antibodies that damage the DNA of healthy cells.

Libman-Sachs disease has the following symptoms:

• rise in temperature;
• anemia;
• pain in the small joints of the hands and wrists;
• inflammatory damage to the myocardium and mucous membrane of the heart;
• damage to the skin on the face in the shape of a butterfly - maculopapular rash.

Possible complications:

• angiotrophoneurosis - damage to small terminal arteries and arterioles;
• infectious lung diseases;
• multiple sclerosis;
• kidney inflammation;
• encephalopathy;
• decrease in hemoglobin.

Diagnosed based on blood and urine tests, ultrasound, MRI and ECG. Treatment should be carried out by an immunologist.

Among viral diseases of vascular localization, erysipelas is one of the most common.

Streptococcal soft tissue infection is characterized by the sudden onset of:

• temperature rises to 39;
• symptoms of general intoxication of the body appear, then redness and swelling appear on the skin at the site of inflammation;
• Bullous elements may appear - blisters containing light and transparent liquid. The cause is group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

If erysipelas is suspected, the patient requires, in addition to consulting a vascular specialist, an examination by an infectious diseases specialist or a dermatologist. With varicose veins, there is a high probability of re-infection, so it is recommended to consult a phlebologist (a doctor specializing in the treatment of blood vessels of the lower extremities). Also, other pathologies can lead to re-infection, so a visit to an allergist, dermatologist and surgeon is necessary.

Treatment consists of antibiotics and ultraviolet radiation, and in some cases surgery may be required.

A benign vascular tumor that appears mainly in newborns and very rarely in adults. It looks like a red, purple or bluish spot of irregular shape.

Antihypertensives and antiplatelet agents

In the drug treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis, drugs that lower blood pressure occupy an important place. Antihypertensive medications are usually prescribed for life. This is a wide pharmacological group, which includes medications such as Reserpine, Captopril, Octadine. The choice of a suitable remedy should be made by a doctor. Prescribing medications on your own and taking them without the supervision of a specialist is dangerous, since they can cause serious complications and have many contraindications.

Antiplatelet agents, among which the most popular is Heparin, inhibit platelet aggregation and prevent their gluing and adhesion to the endothelium of blood vessels. These drugs are used in the prevention of ischemic stroke and heart attack.

The thing is that platelets are directly involved in the formation of cholesterol plaques, therefore antiplatelet agents are considered indispensable drugs in the treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis. Eight out of ten patient reviews state that antiplatelet agents are prescribed as part of complex therapy for this disease. They are contraindicated for peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiac aneurysm, liver or kidney failure.

Vein doctor

A vein doctor is a phlebologist. You should contact him if there is pain and swelling of the legs, the appearance of a visible dilated vascular network, or convulsions. After examination and functional tests, he prescribes ultrasound, angiography, and tests. Treatment is carried out with medications, sclerosing (hardening) solution, and surgery.

And here is more information about how to treat veins and blood vessels in the legs.

A phlebologist deals with venous pathologies; this is a doctor qualified as a vascular surgeon. He examines, diagnoses and treats all vein diseases. The main diseases and their symptoms are shown in the table.

Visible dilation of veins, pain and swelling are signs of an already advanced process. Therefore, it is important to contact a phlebologist at the first appearance of:

• heaviness in the legs;
• burning, tingling;
• rapid fatigue when walking;
• swelling, which intensifies in the evening and goes away after sleep;
• convulsive muscle twitching at night.

After interviewing the patients, the phlebologist conducts an external examination and, if necessary, exercise tests. After this, the patient usually receives a referral for examination. The doctor also gives recommendations on lifestyle changes and draws up a rough treatment plan. Based on the results of ultrasound, phlebography, tests and other diagnostic methods, changes are made to therapy, and the issue of surgery or sclerotherapy is considered.

The difficulty of treating vein diseases is that at an early stage they can be completely asymptomatic, and the patient comes only when surgery is needed. Risk factors have been identified, and if they are present, an annual preventive examination is important:

• hereditary predisposition to varicose veins;
• elderly age;
• increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in women, the use of hormonal contraceptives;
• obesity;
• work in a sitting or standing position;
• lifting weights;
• pregnancy;
• low physical activity;
• chronic constipation.

Watch the video to see how a phlebologist examines you:

To assess the condition of venous vessels use:

• Ultrasound with Doppler sonography;
• introduction of a contrast agent and determination of its distribution using phlebography (X-ray), tomography;
• radioisotope scanning;
• capillaroscopy.

It is also important to undergo a study of the blood coagulation system - a coagulogram. If necessary, other methods are included in the examination complex.

For treatment use:

Other drugs

When drawing up a plan for drug treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis, the doctor will definitely remember nicotinic acid and its derivatives. This drug is prescribed if the patient has high cholesterol levels. In addition, this substance helps improve blood circulation in the brain and resolve small thrombotic formations.

Another group of drugs used for atherosclerosis are bile acid sequestrants (Colestipol, Kolestyramine). They are not absorbed into the blood and are used as maintenance therapy in between the main courses of treatment. Sequestrants stimulate the process of removing bile from the body and reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol. If you have diseases of the hepatobiliary system and gastrointestinal disorders, they should not be taken.

Nursing care

It is not so easy to give an exact definition. A nurse must know a lot.

Reference! Her responsibilities include not only knowing everything about medical procedures, she must know absolutely all variants of the manifestation of the disease.

The same disease can present itself in completely different ways. Therefore, the symptoms of the disease differ depending on which part of the patient’s organ is affected and how the body can cope with this disease.

For any disease, as for atherosclerosis, nursing care consists of the following stages:

1. 
   Nursing examination.

2. Nursing diagnosis of the patient’s current condition. This is necessary in order to provide the most qualified medical care in a timely manner.
3. Drawing up a patient care plan. This plan should include: treatment and preventive measures prescribed by the doctor, their frequency, and approximate timing of care.
4. Implementation of this plan.
5. Evaluation of the current result.

Nursing care for atherosclerosis simultaneously includes several parameters, such as: consistency, individual approach to each patient, compliance with professional standards.

Important! A nurse must not only be a good specialist in nursing and know the characteristics of the disease, but also be a good psychologist and simply an understanding person.

How to treat the disease, read here; and how to deal with the disease - follow the link.

Why is it so important for atherosclerosis?

Because one of the tasks of the nurse is to teach the patient to behave in new life circumstances, with a new state of health (exercise, diet). For example, its task is to maintain, and if lucky, restore the patient’s ability to at least self-care . What is included in the nursing process specifically for patients with atherosclerosis?

1. Objective and subjective examination of the patient. The completion of the first stage includes identifying the needs that are violated in the patient.
2. At this stage, the nurse's task is to identify the patient's problems and make nursing diagnoses. It must be remembered that problems can be real and potential. But each of these types of problems can have the status of primary, intermediate and secondary.

For example, most often with atherosclerosis the following problems are possible:

• 
  sleep is disturbed, memory decreases;

• decreased appetite, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea;
• heart rhythm disturbances, heart pain;
• limitation of personal care that the patient can carry out on his own, decreased performance, high level of fatigue;
• various psychological problems;
• problems associated with lack of knowledge about one’s illness;
• feeling anxious about your future;
• and other problems.

The nurse will be able to eliminate these problems completely, or at least most of them, by first reading and applying various manuals on the basics of communication and pedagogy.

The patient also has safety concerns. That is, he risks receiving various injuries and suffering from side effects of medications if the nurse does not reduce these problems to “no.”

1. At this stage, first of all, there is a definition of goals (both short-term and long-term) and tasks, indicating approximate deadlines for their implementation. A plan for nursing interventions for atherosclerosis is also drawn up. It is important for the nurse to remember that each problem is solved separately.
2. Implementation of the plan mentioned in the previous paragraph.
3. Evaluation of her work, and at different levels:
   the sister herself (to what extent the goals and objectives were achieved, to what extent they met the standards);
4. head nurse;
5. patient (to what extent were his needs met).

Find out from the article whether treatment with folk remedies (herbs) is effective, and what medications are prescribed for atherosclerosis, read here.

What exactly is involved in this process?

• first aid;
• care every day;
• support and assistance to the patient, primarily psychological.

Every patient should know about the risk factors and consequences of this disease in order to be fully armed in the fight against the disease.

How much does it cost in Russian clinics?

The price of nursing care depends on regional characteristics and the class of the clinic in which she works. And the severity of the patient’s condition is also of great importance when determining the cost.

On average, in the Moscow region or nearby cities, a nursing process costs approximately 400 rubles per hour of work.

Per day the price varies somewhere around 1000 rubles. By region, the price of nurse services is often lower.

Nutritional supplements in the treatment of atherosclerosis

The use of all of the above drugs in the treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis in elderly patients is unsafe. If your blood cholesterol level has risen slightly, you should not start treatment with potent synthetic statins. It is better to use natural analogues of these remedies, which have no contraindications and do not cause side effects. Moreover, they are much easier to tolerate and have a pleasant taste.

For example, statins can be replaced with a combination of vitamins C and B3. It is also regularly recommended to consume fish oil, flaxseed oil, peanuts, dark grapes, turmeric, etc. Some bioactive supplements created using natural ingredients can be taken without consulting a doctor. For example, taking a dietary supplement based on:

• Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that can protect the cardiovascular system and normalize cholesterol levels;
• beta-sitosterol - has a structural similarity to “good” cholesterol and helps neutralize “bad”;
• nicotinic acid is the second name for vitamin B3, which is involved in blood circulation in the brain.

Select attending physician 30

• Noise in ears
• Headache
• General weakness
• Convulsions
• Dizziness
• Speech Impairment
• Impaired movement coordination
• Pain in the eyes
• Double vision
• Numbness of the face
• Anxiety
• Photophobia
• Hearing loss
• Decreased vision
• Urination disorder
• Anxiety
• Paralysis of facial muscles on one side
• Changing the shape of the pupil
• Vomit.

If you find similar signs in yourself, do not wait, consult a doctor immediately!

A neurologist specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system. Preparing for a consultation with a neurologist involves collecting information on your disease. The doctor will need to provide all the results of the examinations and expert opinions. If at the time of the examination the patient is taking any medications, this must also be reported. For greater objectivity, on the eve of your appointment, you should refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking. They can affect the neurological status and lead to overdiagnosis.

Headache, increased fatigue, decreased concentration, general lethargy and passivity - all these manifestations are most often attributed to a cold, hormonal imbalance or the so-called chronic fatigue syndrome. But if they occur over a long period of time, becoming more and more pronounced, or the clinical picture expands with additional symptoms, it is necessary to urgently go to the clinic and undergo an examination. It is quite possible that this is cerebral atherosclerosis.

How to treat this disease? Like any other ailment of the cardiovascular system, this one requires an individual and at the same time comprehensive approach. The main thing is not to self-medicate, since a mistake in choosing medications can lead to serious and irreversible consequences.

Laser surgery

In addition to conservative treatment methods, in severe cases the patient may be prescribed surgery. With severe cerebral atherosclerosis, laser treatment often remains the patient’s last hope for recovery or, at least, for stabilization of the condition.

This method of combating the deposition of cholesterol plaques has been known since the 80s of the last century. For the first time, laser treatment of atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels was carried out at the capital’s Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery named after A. N. Bakulev. Today, this method of combating the disease is widespread and is used in almost all major cities of Russia.

The operation is performed using a laser beam - this is the only instrument of the neurosurgeon. The essence of this procedure is as follows:

• a flexible quartz thread with a blood flow is carried out to the place where cholesterol deposits are localized, which prevents the full movement of blood;
• then the laser is turned on and begins to directly affect the plaque using high temperatures;
• during manipulation, the deposit heats up sharply, causing it to evaporate - the plaque turns into gas.

This treatment method is considered highly effective, but at the same time simple in technique. It does not require a huge investment of time both for the operation itself and for recovery after it. The technique itself is similar to that used in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities.

Regardless of the chosen treatment method, it is important to understand that no one can guarantee healing once and for all. If the cause that caused atherosclerosis is not eliminated, relapses of the disease are inevitable.

When should you apply?

When the first symptoms of a vascular system disorder appear, you should consult a doctor, as some diseases can be fatal.

Vascular diseases have different symptoms depending on their location. They can often be confused with diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, if discomfort in the limbs, dizziness or pain in the heart occurs, it is necessary to consult a therapist, who, having found out the clinical picture of the disease, will refer you for examination to a specialist.

Alternative medicine

How to treat cerebral atherosclerosis with traditional medicines? You can also treat this disease at home. Of course, it will not be as powerful as medication. And if you use traditional methods in the treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis as monotherapy, it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve the expected effect. It is recommended to use home remedies in combination with traditional methods - then you will be able to cure the disease much faster.

Fundamental in folk therapy are herbal preparations, seeds, rhizomes of medicinal plants and other raw materials. Honey and mumiyo are also considered beneficial for the blood vessels of the brain - these ingredients are used both for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Basically, they are used without restrictions, since the only contraindication to use is an allergic reaction.

To reduce cholesterol levels with home remedies, you need to use the following methods.

What processes are controlled by different hemispheres?

A significant part of the brain belongs to two hemispheres - right and left.
They perform different functions. The right hemisphere is responsible for grouping information, the left hemisphere is responsible for analyzing it. For example, the right hemisphere “sees” a car and recognizes that it really is a car. And the left one “determines” that this is not just a car, but a neighbor’s car. A sober mind until old age

With dementia, a person gradually loses his higher mental functions: memory, speech, attention, intelligence. Find out what dementia is and how to prevent it.

It is widely believed that the right hemisphere is responsible for the perception of abstract things (color and shape), and the left hemisphere is responsible for mathematical abilities, logic and speech. Researchers are finding more and more evidence of such differentiation. For now, scientists can only say with absolute certainty that the right hemisphere controls the left half of the body, and the left hemisphere controls the right.

Natural honey

You can use products based on it only in the absence of an allergic reaction. Honey activates blood supply to all organs and systems, helps cleanse blood vessels and restore lipid metabolism. Honey is often used in combination with vegetable oil, citrus juice or herbal decoction. For example, for atherosclerosis, a decoction based on plantain and chrysostom is often used, for the preparation of which you will need to take 1 tsp. each component and 1 glass of water. Boil the broth for 10 minutes, cool, strain, add honey and drink after meals, dividing into two doses.

Garlic

Many of the recipes for traditional treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis include this component. Garlic is a natural remedy against cholesterol in the body. It is eaten in its pure form as an addition to dishes. You can also make a tincture from garlic. It is prepared as follows: 100 g of garlic pulp is poured with 200 g of vodka and left to infuse for 10-14 days in a dark place. When the tincture is ready, you need to strain it and drink a few drops. Start with three drops, then gradually increase the dosage to 30, then reduce it in the reverse order.

Also in the treatment of atherosclerosis, an effective folk remedy is onion juice mixed with lemon juice. Drink 2 tsp. three times a day on an empty stomach.

Medicinal plants

There are several other simple treatment options for atherosclerosis:

• Pour boiling water over the fruits or flowers of hawthorn (you need to take the same amount of water as the raw materials), put on the fire, bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Drink the cooled and strained broth in unlimited quantities throughout the day.
• Birch buds (2 tablespoons) pour two glasses of water and cook for 15 minutes, then leave and take 50 ml after each meal.
• Prepare plantain decoction according to the method described above in the same proportion. You can add honey or lemon juice to it.
• Thyme herb is used in the complex treatment of atherosclerosis, taking 1 tbsp. l. dried flowers or plant stems per 0.5 liters of boiling water. There is no need to boil the drink: just cover it with a lid and let it brew for an hour. Drink 200 ml every day after meals for a week.

Reviews from patients and specialists

Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is a very common disease, which, judging by reviews, occurs not only in older people. With proper treatment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the prognosis for the disease is favorable.

Most patients suffering from this disease noted symptoms such as increased blood pressure and severe headache, which forced them to see a doctor. After completing a course of treatment for cerebral atherosclerosis (according to reviews), the symptoms became more blurred, but did not completely disappear. Laser therapy demonstrates a good effect in the treatment of this disease. However, only a few can afford this treatment method due to its high cost.

Doctors in their reviews recommend that patients pay more attention to preventive measures. In the fight against atherosclerosis, breathing exercises, swimming, and hardening are useful. By following all the doctor’s instructions, the patient will be able to take control of this disease and live a full, active life.

Phlebologist

The most common vascular disease of the lower extremities is varicose veins. To recover from this disease you need a doctor who treats veins (phlebologist).

The mechanism of varicose veins has not been fully determined, but doctors are confident that there are a number of unfavorable factors that can trigger its appearance:

• excessive stress on the legs;
• weakness or disruption of the venous wall;
• pathology of venous valves;
• disorders of the functions of the endocrine glands;
• genetic predisposition.

Symptoms of varicose veins manifest themselves in the form of:

• protruding veins in the legs;
• swelling, pain in the legs;
• spider veins;
• venous stasis.

Against the background of these symptoms, there is a risk of developing venous thrombophlebitis, inflammation of the venous wall with the formation of a blood clot.

Phlebologist treats blood vessels of the lower extremities

If you observe the manifestation of these symptoms, then you need to consult a specialist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of varicose veins - a phlebologist. First, ultrasound diagnostics of the vessels of the legs, computed tomography and a coagulogram are performed.