Muscle and vascular spasms are manifestations characteristic of vegetative-vascular dystonia. Their development is associated with disturbances in the functioning of the vegetative-vascular system. For most people who experience symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, the urgent question is how to relieve vascular spasm during VSD and strengthen muscles.
For vegetative-vascular dystonia, complex treatment is carried out aimed at eliminating the causes of the disorder and its manifestations. Experienced neurologists at the Yusupov Hospital, with the participation of other specialists, develop individual therapy programs, including taking safe medications, exercise therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures and other therapeutic measures. When visiting the Yusupov Hospital, patients receive high-quality medical services and friendly staff.
How does the endothelium affect vascular tone?
Among the products of endothelial activity, nitric oxide (NO) attracts attention. It regulates vascular tone. The production of nitric oxide increases with increasing pressure at a given vascular site. Blood pressure may rise due to increased physical activity or under the influence of certain hormones (for example, acetylcholine).
Increased pressure on the vessel wall activates a special set of enzymes called endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). These enzymes spur increased production of NO. Nitric oxide molecules are freely released through cell membranes and penetrate into smooth muscle. Under the influence of NO, muscle tissue relaxes - the walls of blood vessels, without encountering resistance from smooth muscles, expand, and the pressure inside these vessels drops.
A decrease in pressure weakens eNOS activity in the endothelium. Less nitric oxide is released - the vascular muscles tense again, maintaining the pressure at the working level.
Blood pressure - hypertension and hypotension
An increase in vascular tone leads to a decrease in the diameter of arteries, veins and capillaries. The narrowing of the lumen of peripheral vessels leads to excessive stress on the heart muscle, increased blood pressure (BP), and deterioration of tissue nutrition due to decreased blood flow in the organs.
Very important (and first) indicators of blood vessel tone include systolic blood pressure (normal 110 – 130 mm Hg, daily fluctuations – 30 mm Hg), the values of which, in turn, are determined by:
- Left ventricular (LV) stroke volume;
- The highest rate of expulsion of blood from the left ventricle;
- The ability of the aorta to stretch.
As for diastolic blood pressure (normal 60 – 90 mm Hg, daily fluctuations – 10 mm Hg), its level is largely determined by:
- BCC (circulating blood volume);
- Tone of arterial vessels of the muscular type.
The stroke volume of the left ventricle does not play such an important role in the formation of diastolic blood pressure.
In addition, the tone of individual blood vessels can be judged by such a concept as “pulse pressure” - it denotes the difference between blood pressure values in systole and diastole. And, if the lower limit of blood pressure is shifted upward, for example, the tonometer shows values of 130/110 mm. Hg Art. (isolated diastolic pressure), then we can talk about diastolic arterial hypertension, which is also by no means harmless. A constantly tense heart in such a situation suffers seriously, the tone of the blood vessels is increased, their walls lose the ability to adapt, and this leads to the formation of blood clots and changes in the myocardium.
A decrease in vascular tone is indicated if the first beat is recorded at 90 or lower, and the last one drops below 60 mm. Hg Art. This is hypotension or hypotension. Its cause is often the failure of autonomic nervous activity, which is required to participate in the regulation of vascular tone. In such cases, blood flows slowly through the peripheral vessels and cannot reach the vessels of the head in a timely manner and in full to supply the brain with nutrition. Very often, the activity of the ANS and the tone of blood vessels do not keep pace with the growth of the body in adolescents. A decrease in vascular tone in children with or without NCD often has clinical manifestations of fainting, so orthostatic collapse in adolescents is not considered such a rare phenomenon.
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Muscular regulation of vascular tone
The actively maintained tension assigned to the vessel segment by smooth muscles resists surges in blood pressure and does not allow changes in the internal lumens of the vessels - and, consequently, their capacity. This stabilizes blood circulation within an organ or in a separate area of internal tissue. Regardless of pressure surges, the blood supply here remains uniform.
To ensure such regulation, both parasympathetic nerve connections and myogenic mechanisms are involved. The subtleties of paracrine secretion also have an effect.
Paracrine is the third type of secretion, along with endocrine and exocrine.
- Endocrine cells, which are part of the endocrine glands, produce hormones that are released into the blood. They spread through the circulatory system and act within the body.
- Exocrine cells that make up the exocrine glands produce substances that are secreted outward (sweat, saliva, tears) or into internal cavities (for example, pancreatic juices secreted by the pancreas into the intestines).
- Paracrine cells secrete substances that are directly consumed by neighboring cells.
Such close transmission is important, for example, for the development of a receptor response of local cells to the effects of regulatory hormones delivered along with the blood flow.
Migraine
A striking example of a violation of cerebral vascular tone is the “disease of aristocrats” - migraine. Wild headaches that occur periodically and knock a person out of the normal rhythm of life are caused by irritation of pain receptors that are present in the walls of the vessels of the head, which provide nutrition to various brain structures.
Dysregulation of vascular tone and simultaneous irritation of pain receptors leads to headaches. We can say that at such a moment the following happens: the heart contracts, in sick people the vessels of the head sharply expand, and then also quickly reduce their diameter. When the tone is increased, the vessels stretch excessively, such vibrations affect the nerve endings, “distress signals” are sent to the central nervous system and the cortex responds with excruciating throbbing pain (migraine attack).
In healthy people, these reactions do not occur so rapidly, the tone of the brain vessels is restored smoothly, the nerve endings are not excited, everything goes painlessly.
Meanwhile, the body’s defenses do not remain aloof from ongoing events, otherwise migraine pain would never be relieved. As soon as the central nervous system has received a signal about a change in vascular tone, they immediately begin to mobilize the defense force - they immediately make an attempt to normalize the situation as quickly as possible. Substances are released into the blood whose functional responsibilities include:
- Regulation of vascular tone;
- Strengthening the vascular wall:
- Increasing the activity of enzymes that are involved in eliminating the consequences of the “accident”, destroying the products of impaired metabolism
It should be noted: the sooner the body notices problems in vascular tone, the more active the defense processes are, the less time the patient’s head will suffer from unbearable pain, the faster the migraine attack will disappear.
Brakes and accelerators of vascular tone
Hormones produced by the adrenal medulla circulating along with the blood are important for maintaining tone (especially of peripheral vessels). Adrenaline is well known. But to maintain vascular tone, norepinephrine, which is the biological precursor of adrenaline, is more important. It has a more active effect on blood vessels - but is much gentler on the heart, bronchi and intestines, and does not harm metabolism.
Norepinephrine regulates both blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance. If the position of the body changes abruptly (for example, a person is lying down and suddenly stands up), the amount of norepinephrine increases many times. It strongly constricts the blood vessels - this maintains the pressure inside the arteries, which, in theory, should drop when the body is transferred from a horizontal to a vertical position (it is one thing if the blood spreads horizontally, another thing when it needs to be pumped upward).
An increased level of norepinephrine affects the vascular muscles - it stabilizes the blood vessels. But with an increase in its level, the reaction of presynaptic adrenergic receptors slows down - which immediately leads to a sharp decrease in the secretion of norepinephrine. The pressure in the arteries is regulated, and there is no longer a need for smooth muscles to compress the vessels. Consequently, there is no need for norepinephrine - it “calms down”. Self-regulation of pressure is due to self-regulation of functions for the production of norepinephrine.
This is a very complex biochemical balance; its maintenance involves not only the hormones dopamine and tyrazine, from which norepinephrine is synthesized, but also adenosine, acetylchodine, histamine, serotonin, prostaglandin, and angeotensin. Moreover, if some hormones (angeotensin) spur the synthesis of norepinephrine, others (prostaglandin, etc.), on the contrary, inhibit it. The process develops cyclically, under the influence of brakes and accelerators.
This “device” is very important for vascular areas that are characterized by frequent and sudden changes in pressure.
The reaction of smooth muscles that regulate pressure in blood vessels is also ensured by the content of ion exchange. The positive ions of potassium and calcium are of particular importance. Their complex transformations in interaction with arachidonic acid and substances stimulate contraction (contraction) or relaxation of vascular muscles, adapting to pressure surges.
Diets to strengthen blood vessels
The diet of patients with VSD is based on the principles of rational nutrition:
- providing the body with the necessary macro- and microelements: you need to include in the diet foods that contain the physiological norm of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- the presence in the menu of products that improve blood circulation and stabilize blood pressure;
- regular consumption of water (about 2 liters) to stabilize the water-salt balance.
A balanced diet is the answer to the question of how to increase vascular tone during VSD.
With the hypertensive type of vegetative-vascular dystonia, it is necessary to limit the consumption of salt and products containing it:
- cheese;
- sausage;
- smoked meats;
- pickles and so on.
The diet should be enriched with potassium and magnesium, since potassium promotes the excretion of water and sodium, and magnesium has vasodilating properties.
Sources of potassium:
- dried fruits;
- eggplant;
- cottage cheese;
- spinach;
- apples;
- honey.
Sources of magnesium:
- cereals;
- legumes;
- nuts;
- seeds;
- watermelons.
It is necessary to limit the consumption of fatty and fried foods, carbonated drinks and alcohol.
With VSD of the hypotonic type, the diet should contain various salted and fermented foods that bind water in the body and increase blood pressure.
You also need to include in the menu:
- butter;
- fatty meat and fish;
- cheeses;
- smoked meats
You should not give up drinking strong coffee, tea, chocolate and tonic drinks.
Regulation of vascular tone through surrounding tissue
The neighboring tissue, which is supplied with blood through these vessels, also participates in pressure regulation. Metabolic factors that arise in the tissue during energy production or, conversely, during its consumption, affect blood vessels. The channel for such an effect is either the endothelium or vascular smooth muscle. Reactions of the endothelium and smooth muscles lead to the expansion or contraction of blood vessels, which normalizes the pressure inside them.
In addition to direct metabolic products, blood vessels can also be affected by other factors related to tissue functions. For example, skeletal muscle secretes the enzymes nitric oxide (NO synthase) and cyclooxygenase (COX). This is in addition to "pure" nitric oxide and prostaglandins, which are also typical of skeletal muscle. During heavy physical activity (that is, with regular tension of the striated muscles), these products are released in particularly large quantities, can reach local vessels, affect their tension or elastic relaxation of the walls, the width of the internal lumen, and pressure.
The extent of this influence (significant or insignificant) is not yet known to pathologists. Various hypotheses have been put forward - but be that as it may, the influence of skeletal muscles on the regulation of vascular tone cannot be excluded.
Moreover, new factors of such influence are constantly being identified. Thus, it became known that certain cells that make up the heart muscle (cardiomyocytes) also regulate vascular tone in their own way. These cells also secrete nitric oxide (NO), which spreads through the internal tissues to the vessels, primarily the coronary vessels. Thus, the heart regulates the pressure inside the vessels not only by supplying blood, but also additionally, through nitric oxide, making the lumens of the vessels optimal for a specific level of blood flow.
Folk remedies
There are many folk methods that are used to strengthen blood vessels:
- Mix chamomile, St. John's wort, immortelle, birch buds and yarrow in equal proportions. For the full course of treatment you will need 1 glass of dry raw materials of each medicinal plant. 1 tbsp. collection, pour 500 g of boiling water and leave for 2-3 hours. After this, the infusion is filtered, a little honey is added and taken 2 times a day - in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before bed. The course of treatment must be completed every 4 years. This product cleanses blood vessels and restores their elasticity.
- To strengthen blood vessels, you can take medicine made from garlic and cranberries. Take cranberries and garlic in equal proportions, grind using a meat grinder or blender and let it brew for 3 days. After this, the mixture must be thoroughly squeezed out. Add a little honey to the resulting juice (to improve taste) and take 1 tbsp before meals. 2 times a day.
- Take 5 walnut kernels, chop, add 1 tbsp. honey and leave for 1 day. This medicine should be taken 4 times a day, 1 tbsp. The course of treatment is 30 days. This cleaning of vessels is carried out 2 times a year.
Other recommendations not related to the use of medications:
- play sports: walking, running, swimming, but do not overdo it with the choice of load volume;
- take a contrast shower once a day and visit the bathhouse as often as possible;
- place a massage mat near the bed to improve blood circulation in the legs;
- learn to alternate work and rest.
