Vegetovascular dystonia is a pathological process characterized by the presence of several forms of development. There are hypertensive and hypotonic types of the disease. In accordance with this, a decrease or increase in pressure during VSD is observed.
Depending on its indicators, patients are prescribed appropriate treatment.
Why does pressure jump during VSD?
Vascular dystonia is a disease in which the functioning of the autonomic nervous system is disrupted.
As a result of deviations, various functions of the body can be disrupted, including the regulation of blood pressure. According to the observations of doctors, pressure surges during VSD are observed in patients during moments of nervousness, stress, and hormonal changes. For this reason, pressure disorders need to be treated comprehensively; the patient is prescribed not only an examination and consultation with a cardiologist, but also a visit to a psychotherapist, as well as a neurologist.
According to statistics, dystonia most often affects women over the age of 30. Also among patients with this disease you can find children, most of whom are of transitional age. The reasons for the development of pathology include the following factors:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Hormonal changes in the body.
- Features of psycho-emotional perception.
In a healthy person, blood pressure should be within the tonometer readings of 120/80 mm. Hg In some situations, small deviations are acceptable, for example, people who have a constant blood pressure of 110/70 eat and still feel normal.
Psychotherapy
With strong experiences, not only can blood pressure rise, but all the body’s defense systems begin to sound the alarm, which is trying to “get back into life” again and begin to actively respond to what is happening.
If emotional overstrain is present for a very long time, the “stage of full-blown stress” develops. Nonspecific and specific protective systems begin to activate. In most cases, the duration of this stage is 5-10 minutes. Less often it continues for years.
Next comes the time of the “asthenic stage”. The patient’s body is exhausted, and all sorts of pathologies “fall” on it.
In psychotherapy, there are more than 8 hundred practices that allow you to get a person out of a stressful state. The most effective methods are Gestalt therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Conducting Gestalt therapy
The main task of the specialist is to teach the client how to properly respond to stress. Therapy always takes the form of dialogue, in which the leading role belongs to the patient.
The psychotherapist focuses on the client's feelings and experiences. The main principle of Gestalt therapy is that the therapist refuses a leadership role and does not direct the client to where he could be less nervous.
As treatment progresses, a person learns to understand his life and make the right choices. The patient also learns to notice bodily phenomena provoked by stress. This helps him to more soberly assess his condition and learn to respond correctly to stressors.
Pressure change mechanism
Stably elevated blood pressure indicators indicate hypertension, and consistently low blood pressure indicators indicate hypotension; VSD is characterized by abrupt changes in indicators.
Pressure surges occur during vegetative-vascular dystonia due to an imbalance in the work of the autonomic nervous system - the sympathetic and parasympathetic departments.
Regulation of the activity of the autonomic nervous system, its balanced work is under the control of the hypothalamus.
The proven organic cause of VSD is the increased sensitivity of the nervous system to the perception of various kinds of stimuli. This hypersensitivity results in a more powerful response from the hypothalamus to the stimulus.
A powerful impulse from the hypothalamus goes to the executive parts of the autonomic nervous system, which manifests itself in its extreme reaction.
An increase in pressure during VSD is associated with the predominance of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system; a decrease in pressure occurs with the predominance of parasympathetic reactions.
What are the causes of VSD?
The main reason that blood pressure fluctuates during VSD is a disorder in the functioning of the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the nervous system. Moreover, both of the systems are responsible for certain human organs, so in parallel with pressure surges, a disorder in the functioning of other systems can be observed.
There are no organic changes in this disease. This disease can be attributed, rather, to a series of neuroses than to typical pathologies.
Sensitive people are more likely to suffer from nervous system disorders. This is more pronounced during the period of hormonal changes in adolescence or in stressful situations.
The risk of developing a pressure surge during VSD is increased in the case of a hereditary disease.
Additionally, the course of the disease may be aggravated by such features as:
- blood rheology;
- eating disorder;
- endocrine pathologies;
- changes in the weather;
- the presence of chronic pathologies;
- cardiovascular diseases.
With VSD, high pressure can be replaced by low pressure. Such changes are a characteristic phenomenon in vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Persistent high or low blood pressure are already symptoms of other diseases that are associated with cardiovascular pathologies. In patients with vegetative-vascular abnormalities, the pressure may decrease slightly, and the person may not even be aware of it.
Symptoms are usually mild, and fatigue and drowsiness are attributed to overwork.
Blood pressure may drop due to nervousness, fatigue and irritability. As a result of increased activity of the vagus nerve, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops. The pressure is considered low if its readings drop to 110/60 mm. Hg Art. and the patient experiences the following symptoms:
- Fatigue.
- Drowsiness.
- Irritability.
- Dizziness.
- Fainting.
- Dull headache.
Despite the fact that low blood pressure is not as dangerous as high blood pressure, this deviation can significantly reduce the patient’s quality of life. Constant drowsiness, decreased performance and irritability can lead to depression and deterioration of the patient’s emotional background.
Adolescents more often experience a decrease in blood pressure during puberty, because their VSD and blood pressure are especially pronounced.
Why does blood pressure change during VSD? In children, the manifestation of the syndrome is caused by hereditary causes, a discrepancy between the hormonal levels and the nervous system and the level of physical development. Distinctive causes in adulthood:
- Weakening of the body caused by intoxication and the influence of chronic diseases.
- Deviation of the normal course of sleep.
- Accumulated fatigue, depression.
- Violation of eating patterns, energy imbalance of consumed foods.
For effective psychotherapeutic assistance, it is necessary to exclude the presence of cardiac pathology - Physical overload of the body or physical inactivity.
- Changes in hormonal levels.
- Deviations from the usual rhythm caused by a sharp change in climatic conditions and time zone.
- Psycho-emotional state disorder.
These factors contribute to the body’s increased release of biologically active components that disrupt normal metabolism. An inadequate response of vascular tissues and cardiac muscles can cause dystonia, in which indicators deviate significantly from the normal value.
Depending on what pressure prevails in the patient, the corresponding varieties of the clinical type of the disease are distinguished.
The hypertensive form of manifestation of VSD depends on the causative causes and is differentiated by type, one of which is primary. It is caused by a disruption of the normal functioning of blood vessels, the pathology of which was present before the onset of VSD syndrome. The secondary form is common. The reason is a violation of the regulatory function of vascular tone caused by a specific pathology.
Many people have heard about hypertension, but not everyone has an idea of the detailed causes of the disease, which affects the brain, which is one of the most susceptible organs. Reliable protection for the brain is created by the skull and the liquid substance that washes the brain - cerebrospinal fluid.
If your health has changed dramatically and is far from what it was at normal pressure (120.80), the amount of cerebrospinal fluid has probably increased.
There are a number of possible reasons as a result of which the content of the liquid substance has increased:
- Trauma to the skull.
- Deviations of the normal structure of the nervous system of a congenital nature.
- Brain diseases (meningitis, encephalitis).
- Oxygen starvation associated with being inside a poorly ventilated room.
- Disruption of normal blood supply to the brain area caused by osteochondrosis, encephalopathy.
Pathology can provoke radically different behavior of the cardiovascular system
- Poisoning with chemicals, as well as medicines or regular food.
- Tumors caused by damage to the meninges and brain.
- Hemorrhages.
Preventive actions
An incorrect assessment of the danger of arterial hypertension causes many people to refuse blood pressure control. Some patients become so accustomed to systematic surges in blood pressure observed due to stress that they refuse medical help.
According to doctors, people at risk need to regularly measure blood pressure and record the indicators.
The second important preventive requirement is a radical change in lifestyle.
Easily excitable persons must undergo a course of psychotherapy. This will help them learn to avoid stressful situations and behave correctly during conflict.
The third most important preventive requirement is changing your diet.
The diet should contain the following fruits and vegetables:
- Green apples.
- Spinach.
- Pumpkin.
- Oranges.
- Tangerines.
- Grapefruits.
- Lemons.
- Watermelons.
- Melons.
- Strawberries.
- Broccoli.
- Tomatoes.
These foods contain large amounts of potassium, which quickly removes excess water and sodium from the body. Against this background, the risk of developing hypertension is reduced.
You can drink tea and coffee, but you should not abuse these drinks. If possible, they should be replaced with sodium-free mineral water, fruit drinks, compotes, and freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices.
What causes pressure changes during VSD?
All symptoms, including high blood pressure, with VSD are caused by impaired nervous regulation. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the smooth functioning of all internal organs and systems, and disruptions in its functioning can manifest themselves in different ways, including surges in blood pressure. Especially often, high blood pressure with VSD is observed during hormonal imbalances and constant psycho-emotional overload.
Blood pressure numbers in patients with VSD depend on the type of pathology. In the hypotonic form of the disease, there is a tendency to lower blood pressure, and in the hypertensive form, there is a tendency to increase it. In this case, a characteristic feature of VSD is crises - periodic significant changes in blood pressure, especially systolic, in one direction. There is no stable high/low pressure with VSD.
Diagnostic tests
If you suspect vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypotonic type or have any symptoms or ailments, you should contact your local physician or your family doctor.
Primary diagnostic methods include:
- Blood tests (general, biochemical, hormones).
- General urine analysis.
- Electrocardiography (ECG).
- Echocardiography.
- Electroencephalography.
- Ultrasound examination of organs.
- X-ray examination of the chest organs.
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe additional tests and examinations. If no diseases provoking VSD are found, then the disorder is diagnosed. If diseases or pathologies are detected that cause an imbalance of the vegetative system, dystonia cannot be an independent diagnosis.
Doctor's opinion
Alexander Tishkov, neuropathologist
“VSD of the hypotonic type is easier than of the hypertonic type. High blood pressure is more dangerous. With this diagnosis, regular physical exercise, swimming, and hardening the body are very effective.
Many people underestimate the effect of natural herbal remedies. I often prescribe hawthorn and valerian tincture to patients with this disorder.
Sometimes, to get rid of VSD, a person just needs to eliminate stress, add more physical activity to their life, get enough sleep and be more happy.
But sometimes people do not take such advice from me, expecting that I will prescribe them a medicine and it will quickly cure them.
Unfortunately, there are no cures for VSD and are unlikely to appear. At least in the near future. This is a complex disorder and it also needs to be treated comprehensively.”
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Low blood pressure causes and symptoms
High blood pressure is observed with this type of VSD. It rises intermittently. The syndrome recurs periodically and, as a rule, does not cause discomfort at first. The person feels the same as with normal blood pressure.
The intensity of the surges is influenced by the level of activity of the vascular syndrome. When the indicator begins to rise, the following symptoms appear:
- sharp pain in the head area;
- impaired visual function, characterized by the appearance of floaters and areas with a blurry image;
- feeling of increased noise in the ears;
- increased irritability;
- nausea;
- complete lack of appetite;
- sensation of sharp beats, heartbeats;
- heavy sweating;
- minor deviations in motor function causing loss of coordination;
- trembling fingertips;
- memory impairment;
- the appearance of insomnia;
- rapid breathing associated with a feeling of lack of oxygen;
- anxiety, unreasonable fear.
If high blood pressure is observed during VSD, it is not necessary that it was preceded by these symptoms at the same time. Each patient has individual symptoms.
Urgent medical care is most often required for patients with sympatho-adrenal crisis. It develops as a result of exposure to a strong provoking factor, and occurs against the background of sharply increased blood pressure. Its symptoms are:
- sharply rapid heartbeat, short-term rhythm disturbances are possible;
- pain syndrome of various localizations;
- severe dizziness, possible falls or loss of consciousness;
- involuntary urination.
In most cases, a crisis does not directly threaten the patient’s life, however, it always requires immediate medical attention. The severity of the crisis can also vary. Often, the above symptoms may be accompanied by a panic attack, which aggravates the situation. As a rule, patients are unable to lower their blood pressure on their own.
Treatment of VSD
Vegetative-vascular dystonia is treatable, but treatment must be comprehensive and systematic. Relieving symptoms will not eliminate the underlying disease. Patients are recommended to consult the following specialists:
- Therapist.
- Cardiologist.
- Neuropathologist.
- Psychotherapist.
- Psychiatrist.
- Endocrinologist.
The main factor in the treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia is the patient’s calm. To maintain a stable emotional background, sedatives, antidepressants and psychotherapy are prescribed. It is also important to normalize your lifestyle. You need to get enough sleep, balance your diet, and exercise.
When treating VSD, special attention is paid to sessions with a psychologist. Psychotherapy sessions teach patients to relate more easily to failures, work failures, quarrels and conflicts.
Usually, after 10-15 sessions, the patient is less likely to experience emotional stress and pressure surges. Often the root of the disease lies in a person since childhood; it is this problem that a psychologist helps to identify and direct the person’s thoughts to a positive wave.
Doing what you love shows good results in the treatment of VSD. Patients with this deviation must have a hobby that gives them positive emotions. If all these measures are ineffective, and a person’s psychological stress lies in his environment, the doctor may advise changing his place of residence or work, starting a new life and learning to love it.
Today, experts say that medications alone do not have a positive effect in the treatment of dystonia. The patient himself must learn to control his emotions. You need to love those around you, accept them for who they are, look for compromises and isolate yourself from stress. Only a positive attitude can save you from this disease.
The most effective treatment for pressure with VSD is a systematic and targeted fight against the disease under the supervision of specialists. Treatment is carried out by a neurologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist, physiotherapist, massage therapist.
Do not be afraid to seek help from a psychiatrist - this is the main doctor who helps in the fight against depression and panic attacks.
Folk recipes
The patient is recommended to undergo therapeutic massage, health-improving water procedures that strengthen the muscular system and have a beneficial effect on the entire body. Massage helps eliminate dizziness, has a relaxing effect, restores healthy sleep, and improves blood circulation.
A healthy diet and a special diet help normalize blood pressure. At the same time, it is necessary to include foods rich in proteins in your diet:
- Lean meat.
- Fish products.
- Eggs.
Vegetarians are advised to increase their intake of buckwheat and legumes. It is imperative to eat fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs (in winter you can use frozen mixtures). To normalize sleep, it is recommended to drink a cup of weak tea or cocoa at night.
Herbal decoctions of hawthorn, valerian, motherwort, chamomile, mint and others help stabilize blood pressure. Such plants can be brewed individually or in combination.
Yoga, aerobics, swimming, and gymnastic exercises help normalize the condition. It is recommended to eliminate bad habits (smoking, alcohol). A contrast shower effectively normalizes vascular tone.
VSD therapy
With vegetative-vascular dystonia, pressure changes depending on environmental factors or concomitant diseases. Sometimes patients self-prescribe therapy and take two types of pills:
- to increase blood pressure;
- to reduce pressure.
But this tactic is wrong, since the drugs act aggressively and can aggravate the patient’s condition. The pressure can change several times a day so that the patient will not have time to monitor it, and no universal remedy has been invented.
There are treatment options for VSD such as:
- Taking nootropics to improve cerebral circulation.
- Taking antihypertensive drugs in case of sympathoadrenal crisis.
- Use of antidepressants.
- Consultations with a psychotherapist.
Mixed type
In this state, manifestations of VSD are observed and the pressure periodically increases or decreases. In this case, the patient suffers from:
- headaches and dizziness;
- darkening of the eyes;
- increased or slow heart rate;
- imbalance and nervousness;
- chest pain;
- increasing or decreasing pressure in the arteries.
Manifestations may vary depending on blood pressure levels. Very little is known about the mixed type of dystonia. This condition is considered the most complex and difficult to define. During an attack, a person may experience visual and speech disturbances, trembling, unsteadiness of gait, nausea, and deterioration in mood.
Changes in blood pressure and other symptoms should be a reason to consult a doctor, as psychotropic drugs may be needed, and their uncontrolled use can cause addiction and serious adverse reactions. If treatment is not carried out on time, there is a high risk of developing:
- Hypertension.
- Stomach ulcers.
- Coronary heart disease.
- Bronchial asthma.
Therefore, therapy should be started as early as possible.
