What is VSD in medicine? Treatment of vegetative dystonia. Folk remedies for the treatment of vegetative neurosis of the hypotensive type

Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD) is included in the list of the most common diseases of mankind. Symptoms of VSD are found in almost 50% of adults and children, and only a small part of them promptly seek help from doctors.

Developing vegetative-vascular dystonia due to disturbances in the normal functioning of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for functioning bloodstream and internal organs.

To the classic symptoms vegetative-vascular Dystonia includes: a sudden feeling of lack of air and a coma in the throat, rapid pulse, sudden increase and decrease in blood pressure, pain in the area where the heart is located, abdominal cramps, hot flashes, sweating.

Treatment of the disease includes: psychotherapy, the use of sedatives, antidepressants, herbal medicine, lifestyle changes, conflict resolution and stress management.

What is VSD?

Vegetative-vascular dystonia in any of its many manifestations is a disorder and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The patient presents a lot of complaints that relate to different systems and organs. Moreover, the entire complex of observed symptoms occurs at any time without visible provoking factors and causes panic fear in a person, even to the fear of sudden death. Such attacks are called “panic attacks”. It is precisely these exacerbations of the disease that emergency physicians have to deal with. But at the same time vegetative-vascular Dystonia is not a life-threatening disease and cannot lead to serious complications.

However, in the absence of a potential threat to life, VSD can greatly reduce performance and worsen the quality of life in general, contribute to progression some serious pathologies.

Causes of VSD

Reasons leading to development vegetative-vascular dystonia, extremely much. Doctors are constantly identifying new and new factors that provoke the disease.

1 . Acute and chronic infectious processes, which are the trigger in the development of the first symptoms of dystonia. With any infection, the body is in a state of stress, since the disease itself brings certain suffering. Fear of a new infection is formed. After recovery, a person becomes overly attentive to the slightest changes in his well-being and finds non-existent symptoms.

2. A state of chronic stress, overwork, inadequate nutrition, which can sharply reduce the body's protective capabilities. And this is a direct path to the emergence of new infections. Constant stress and overwork destabilize human nervous system. Adaptive mechanisms are wasted, and when a person encounters a real infection, he no longer has the strength to fight it.

3. Sedentary lifestyle and prolonged work in a sitting position. Often, symptoms of VSD are preceded by intense work with documents or at the computer.

4 . Hormonal changes very often underlie VSD in adolescents, as well as in women after childbirth or when menopause approaches.

5 . Bad habits (smoking and alcohol) can provoke the first symptoms of VSD, especially in young people.

6. Personality characteristics and numerous psychological diseases are the main causes of VSD. It has been scientifically proven that suspicious or impressionable people, especially young people. Prolonged depression may be disguised as VSD. Unfortunately, people with persistent character also suffer from VSD. But they also aggravate their condition, not complaining and worrying about everything within themselves.

Somatoform disorder is the main characteristic of VSD

By somatoform disorder is meant a condition when the patient has many subjective complaints and symptoms (discomfort, pain, malaise), but a comprehensive examination with constant monitoring does not reveal any serious pathologies of the internal organs.

Somatoform disorder arises due to transformation problems mental plan And conflicts sick V bodily complaints . At this themselves PatientsNot feel available V them certain psychological problemsAnd essence his illnesses see V physical ailments.

A typical victim of VSD is young, very impressionable and a restless person, prone to quick and sudden changes in intensity, not trusting the opinions of doctors, but often seeking medical help. Such people constantly study medical books in search of a diagnosis, and then come to the doctor and say that they have this or that disease. Patients describe their feelings colorfully, in detail and emotionally. In search of the cause of their condition, patients willingly undergo all sorts of complex examinations, but remain disappointed when they don't find anything serious. Due to the presence of a huge number of very diverse symptoms, which are often similar to manifestations of serious diseases, people with somatoform disorder, when their condition worsens, call an ambulance or urgently visit a doctor.

Symptoms of VSD

The autonomic nervous system coordinates the activity of almost all systems and organs of the body, so its violation physiological functioning can be expressed in a wide variety of symptoms.

Today there are several forms vegetative-vascular dystonia which have a characteristic set of symptoms, more or less constant, related to functioning of one or another body system and similar in course to certain diseases.

1 . Cardialgic type of VSD, which characterized the appearance of painful discomfort in the heart area. The pain can be aching, dull, and last a long time. Stitching, piercing pains may also be felt. In addition to heart pain, there is a fear of death, anxiety, difficulty breathing normally, increased blood pressure or increased heart rate. The main difference from the signs of angina or myocardial infarction is pain more long lasting and have no connection with the load, and are also not relieved by taking nitroglycerin.

2 . Tachycardial type of VSD, which is manifested by increased heart rate (tachycardia). Patients feel fast and strong heartbeats, a pounding pulse in the temporal region and pulsation of the cervical vessels, a rush of blood to the face, fear of death and general anxiety.

3 . Hypertensive a type of VSD, manifested by episodes of increased blood pressure for a short time. In this case, the pressure increase almost never exceeds 170/95 mm. rt . Art.

4 . Visceral type of VSD, which characterized work disorder digestive systems in the form of irritable bowel syndrome (flatulence, feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, pain, constipation and diarrhea, rumbling).

5 . The hypotonic type of VSD is manifested by episodes of decreased blood pressure to 90/60 mm. rt . st and below. Hypotension is accompanied by weakness, darkening of the eyes, headache, dizzy, cold hands and feet, increased sweating of the extremities.

6. The respiratory type of VSD is characterized by the patient’s inability to take a deep breath, which forces him to yawn. There is a lump in the throat and a sore throat, a constant dry cough and painful discomfort in the chest (aching or stabbing pain), which is especially felt when inhaling.

7. Asthenic type of VSD, characterized by decrease performance patient, decreased resistance to all kinds of stress, increased fatigue. Patients are constantly in a depressing state of extreme fatigue, weakness, there is a slight increase in temperature to 37.5 C, and slight trembling of the hands appears.

8 . A mixed form of VSD, in which the symptoms of all types of the disease are combined.

Vegetative crises(≈panic attacks) are acute, sudden attacks that greatly frighten patients. Attacks begin after stress, fright, or for no apparent reason (they are also observed at night during sleep). Very often, an attack occurs while the patient is in a confined space or in public places.

Diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia

All patients with suspected VSD are subject to a detailed examination by a physician. Staging diagnosis VSD possible only after one hundred percent exceptions everyone diseases, which can leak With similar symptoms.

At such, simple on first sight, tactics diagnostics on practice arises weight difficulties. Sick categorically Not agree With those, What heavy diseases, alleged them, Not diagnosed doctors. They are seeking absolutely unjustified deep surveys And tests, change doctors, carry out parallel research V several clinics. Naturally, What to the patient have to early or late accept diagnosis VSD, to learn live With this problem And fight With her manifestations.

Modern methods of treating VSD

Treatment vegetative-vascular dystonia It has complex an approach. Held it therapists, cardiologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, in some cases with the participation of endocrinologists. Highlight some important directions, application which helps much improve state sick or get well.

1 . Elimination causes VSD And psychotherapy. Elimination root causes, brought To disease, is the most important And complex stage treatment VSD.

Often sick With VSD able on one's own name conditions And causes, calling at them seizures diseases (family Problems, personal failures, stress And overwork).

Sick With VSD should understand, What this disease Not is dangerous disease And never Not will lead To serious complications or consequences. Awareness everyone sick good quality available manifestations VSD, How independent, So And V process treatment, is the most main stage psychotherapy illnesses. Sick, realized reason his illness, relate To specific manifestations illnesses without fear And can fast suppress seizures VSD.

If patient Not Maybe on one's own come To thoughts, What his state Not dangerous For life, recommended carrying out course psychotherapy, visit programs By autorelaxation And classes yoga.

2 . Healthy image life And hygiene labor process. U many sick Part symptoms And even seizures VSD arise after tense worker day. IN such cases optimal means prevention exacerbation VSD is strict And permanent compliance hygiene labor. TO example, working behind computer, necessary interrupt on rest, warm up, walk, breathe fresh air. Every hour work must end 10 -15 minutes recreation.

Everyone without exceptions recommended regularly study calm And safe species sports, which include control breathing: swimming, run jogging, yoga.

3 . Medication treatment VSD. Treatment vegetative-vascular dystonia medications helps establish normal work vegetative nervous systems. For treatment are used following groups medical funds: sedatives vegetable drugs, tranquilizers, antidepressants, adaptogens, vitamins.

Definition type, dosages And duration reception drug held treating doctor. Should understand, What one only medicinal treatment few, even the most expensive And quality drugs Not can help without techniques psychotherapy And compliance healthy image life.

4 . Physiotherapy V treatment VSD. At VSD shown application the following physiotherapy: electrophoresis, water procedures, acupuncture, massage, which very effective, How addition To medicinal treatment And psychotherapy.

Prevention of VSD

Correct, balanced nutrition And compliance healthy image life – beaten adviсe, But For of people With VSD these recommendations acquire paramount meaning. Even If Human It has hereditary predisposition To this illnesses, at him There is All chances stay healthy, If will be observed healthy image life, full-fledged dream And healthy food diet. Regular on foot walks And jogging on fresh air strengthen How immunity, So And cardiac muscle.

Conclusion

Important moment, defining success everyone therapeutic events, is strong wish himself sick get rid of from illness. Skeptical customized Patients V in the end Not experience improvements, A If positive dynamics And There is, symptoms All equals are returning.

Health person depends only from n his himself – gold words, having direct attitude To problem vegetative-vascular dystonia!

What is vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD)? We will discuss the causes, diagnosis and treatment methods in the article by Dr. Patrin A.V., a neurologist with 13 years of experience.

Definition of disease. Causes of the disease

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is part of the body's nervous system, controlling the activity of internal organs and metabolism throughout the body. It is located in the cortex and brain stem, the hypothalamus region, the spinal cord, and consists of peripheral sections. Any pathology of these structures, as well as disruption of the relationship with the VSN, can cause autonomic disorders.

Vegetovascular dystonia(VSD) is a syndrome presented in the form of various disorders of autonomic functions associated with a disorder of neurogenic regulation and arising due to an imbalance in the tonic activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS.

Autonomic dystonia is manifested by functional disorders, but they are caused by subcellular disorders.

This disorder can occur in people of different ages, but it mainly occurs in young people.

VSD is a multicausal disorder that can act as a separate primary disease, but more often it is a secondary pathology that manifests itself against the background of existing somatic and neurological diseases. Factors for the occurrence of VSD are divided into predisposing and causative.

Causing factors:

Predisposing factors:

Myasishchev V.N., an outstanding Russian psychotherapist, believes that VSD develops as a result of the influence of psycho-emotional disorders on existing autonomic anomalies.

The disease can also occur in healthy people as a transient (temporary) psychophysiological reaction to any emergency, extreme situations.

Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia

VSD is characterized by the manifestation of sympathetic, parasympathetic or mixed symptom complexes. The predominance of the tone of the sympathetic part of the VSN (sympathicotonia) is expressed in tachycardia, pale skin, increased blood pressure, weakened contractions of the intestinal walls (peristalsis), pupil dilation, chills, feelings of fear and anxiety. Hyperfunction of the parasympathetic department (vagotonia) is accompanied by a slow heartbeat (bradycardia), difficulty breathing, redness of the facial skin, sweating, increased salivation, decreased blood pressure, and irritation (dyskinesia) of the intestines.

The clinical picture of VSD consists of a number of syndromes associated with a disorder of any functional system. They can occur separately, but are more often combined.

A distinctive feature of VSD is the multisystem nature of the lesion. The task of an experienced doctor, along with the main prevailing complaint in the patient’s clinic, is to be able to distinguish the accompanying disorders from other organ systems, which makes it possible to determine the pathogenesis of the disease and more successfully carry out its therapy.

Systemic disorders of VSD:

One of the main criteria for diagnosing VSD is the relationship between autonomic symptoms, the patient’s emotional experiences and changes in the psychological situation in which he finds himself.

Also noteworthy and helpful in diagnosis is the polymorphism of complaints, which are often characterized by unusualness, drama, atypical localization and dynamics.

The correlation of the patient’s ideas about the “internal picture of the disease” with the degree of implementation of these ideas in his behavior allows us to assess the role of the mental aspects of this disease.

Pathogenesis of vegetative-vascular dystonia

Violation of neurohumoral and metabolic regulation is possible at any level, but the leading role in the pathogenesis of VSD is played by damage to the hypothalamic structures of the brain, which perform the coordinating and integral function of the body. In addition to the close emotional-vegetative-endocrine connections realized through the limbic-reticular complex, the premorbid (pre-morbid) defect of autonomic regulation is important, directing neurotic disorders into the autonomic channel.

An important role in the development of psychovegetative disorders is played by the phenomenon of visceral hyperalgesia (intraorgan increased sensitivity to pain), which may be associated with dysfunction of the autonomic afferent (receptor) systems at various levels.

When dysregulation occurs, the first thing that occurs is dysfunction of the sympathetic-adrenal and cholinergic systems and a change in the sensitivity of the corresponding receptors. A disorder of hemostasis (self-regulation) is characterized by a violation of the histamine-serotonin, kallikreinin systems, water-electrolyte metabolism, acid-base status and carbohydrate metabolism.

There is a sharp disruption of oxygen supply, triggering anaerobic metabolic mechanisms, acidotic changes occur due to an increase in the content of lactates (lactic acid) in the blood, tissue hormones (histamine, serotonin) are activated, which leads to disruption of microcirculation.

Features of the pathogenesis of vegetative attacks (“hot flashes”) during menopause

Dyshormonal disorders in the body, in particular, a decrease in estrogens, leads to a lack of catechol estrogens, which, coupled with a lack of endorphins, affects the thermoregulatory zone of the hypothalamus, which leads to excessive synthesis of norepinephrine, a decrease in serotonin, a narrowing of the thermoregulatory zone of the hypothalamus and the development of “hot flashes” in menopause age.

Under the influence of changes in estrogen levels, the level of calcitonin-like peptide, which is widespread in both the peripheral and central nervous systems, also changes. This substance has pronounced vasodilating properties; it takes an active part in cell metabolism and helps stimulate the basal secretion of insulin and glucagon.

Classification and stages of development of vegetative-vascular dystonia

According to the predominance of sympathetic or parasympathetic effects VSD is divided into:

According to etiological forms VSD happens:

According to the predominance of clinical syndromes VSD can be:

VSD is also classified as by severity:

With the flow VSD can be:

Permanent VSD, in turn, comes in three types:

By prevalence VSD is divided into:

Complications of vegetative-vascular dystonia

Complications of the course of VSD are vegetative crises- sudden and severe non-epileptic seizures, manifested by polymorphic autonomic disorders that are associated with activation of suprasegmental structures. In the vast majority of cases, they occur in the absence of signs of a primary neurological, mental or somatic disease. Although autonomic crises can appear in the acute stages of organic brain lesions, they are usually in the context of other neurological and neuroendocrine disorders. During vegetative crises, distinct emotional and affective changes also occur, which are a special form of neurotic disorder - a panic attack.

Crises are divided into three types:

In the development of vegetative crises, hereditary dysfunction of catecholaminergic processes of the stem systems plays a role, therefore, with a biological basis for crises, psychotropic drugs that act primarily on serotonergic, noradrenergic and GABAergic transmission are highly effective.

There is an assumption that the occurrence of crises occurs as a result of hyperactivity of the functional system of the brain, generating a feeling of fear and its “vegetative accompaniment.” This system includes the amygdala, hippocampus, temporal, frontal cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus and brainstem centers, united by close bilateral connections. Some sources assign a certain role in the formation of a panic attack to the “blue spot” ( locus coeruleus) - a region of the brain stem in which up to 50% of all adrenergic neurons of the central nervous system are concentrated. Stimulation of the “blue spot” leads to the release of catecholamines.

Since a vegetative crisis is a frightening condition for the patient, there is a fear of repetition of these attacks, which is the main trigger of panic attacks, as well as the reason for their gradual complication.

Panic disorder first appears between 20 and 40 years of age. Women suffer from VSD twice as often as men.

The duration of a vegetative crisis can be either 20-30 minutes or 2-3 hours, but patients often tend to exaggerate the duration of the crisis. Sudden attacks can recur from several times a week, to several times a day, or up to 1-2 times a month. After a crisis, weakness, anxiety, headaches and pain in the heart are often left. As the symptoms are repeated, they weaken and do not appear as clearly as before, but at the same time secondary mental disorders arise and gradually progress: first of all, a feeling of anxiety associated with the expectation of new crises, and social maladjustment often develops.

Patients prone to panic attacks, on the one hand, strive for loneliness, as they are embarrassed by the manifestations of their illness, on the other hand, they are afraid of being left without timely medical care. Often patients try to “soften” the symptoms of panic attacks by using alcohol or systematically using tranquilizers, which leads to the formation of alcohol or drug dependence, which further complicates the course of the disease.

Also, vegetative dystonia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: impaired carbohydrate tolerance, dyslipoproteinemia, hyperinsulinemia, especially in young people with a family history of cardiac pathology.

Dysuric phenomena (impaired urination) can contribute to the development, and biliary dyskinesia is a risk factor for cholelithiasis. Dyspeptic manifestations (stomach disturbances) can serve as a predictor of gastritis and gastric ulcer.

Diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia

When examining the patient, no significant objective data are revealed that indicate organic damage to one or another organ system.

First stage of diagnosis

The patient's complaints are collected (which, given the polymorphism of the clinic, can be very diverse), anamnesis (the presence of acute and chronic stressful situations is determined, since they often serve as a trigger factor for the disease) and other predisposing and causing factors.

Second stage of diagnosis

The skin is assessed, blood pressure and pulse are measured, and auscultation of the lungs and heart is performed. The neurological status is examined with an emphasis on the vegetative sphere:

Third stage of diagnosis

Applicable laboratory diagnostics: general blood tests (CBC) and urine tests (UCA) are prescribed, which can confirm or refute the presence of a certain disease.

Especially often, in patients with complaints of headaches and dizziness, anemia of various origins is detected already with OAC, which require certain diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Also examining platelets in the CBC helps to exclude a disease such as thrombocytopenic purpura.

• pay attention to the content of protein, sugar, increase in leukocytes, erythrocytes - allows to exclude nephropathies that cause the renal component of arterial hypertension;
• determine the presence of porphyrins in the urine - to exclude porphyrias, the onset of which is characterized by vegetative manifestations.

Changes in the blood level of thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) and thyroid hormones (T3, T4) are a sign of thyroid disease and cause changes in the central nervous system - dysteroid encephalopathy.

Other laboratory diagnostic methods include:

Also at the third stage of diagnosis they use functional diagnostic methods:

Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia

All therapeutic measures for VSD include an impact on etiological factors and pathogenesis links, as well as general strengthening measures.

Impact on the causes of the disease is the desire to normalize lifestyle and eliminate the influence of pathogenic factors on the body.

Treatment of VSD based on its pathogenesis, assumes:

When normalizing the afferent connections of the hypothalamus, it is preferable to use high-potential benzodiazepines (alprazolam, lorazepam, phenazepam), but only for a short course, and only to relieve “acute anxiety”, since a dependence syndrome quickly forms, and with prolonged use a withdrawal syndrome may occur. Phenazepam is also practical due to its lower toxicity (2.5 times less toxic than diazepam), and it is not subject to subject-quantitative accounting and is sold on prescription forms No. 107\u. Of the antidepressants in modern practice, selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are more often used, since it is the lack of these neurotransmitters that causes the development of psycho-vegetative disorders. Of the “small” neuroleptics, sonapax (thioridazine) and eglonil (sulpiride) have found their use in neurological practice, since, having an “antipsychotic” effect, they are not accompanied by pronounced side effects of “large neuroleptics” - extrapyramidal syndrome, hypersalivation and others.

Also, when approaching the treatment of VSD from the point of view of pathogenesis, to correct neurotransmitter disorders, it is necessary to use drugs that restore brain metabolism:

To normalize metabolism, metabolic drugs (riboxin, mildronate) are actively used, which also have a microcirculatory, antihypoxic effect that normalizes glucose metabolism and oxygen transport.

General strengthening measures for VSD consist of eliminating alcohol, nicotine, coffee, healthy eating, normalizing sleep, exercise therapy (physical therapy), and sanatorium-resort treatment. Therapeutic massage, reflexology and water treatments also have a positive effect. The choice of physiotherapeutic treatment is influenced by the type of VSD: electrophoresis with calcium, mesatone and caffeine for vagotonia, electrophoresis with papaverine, aminophylline, bromine and magnesium for sympathicotonia.

Rational treatment is also very important in the treatment of VSD. psychotherapy, during which the nature of the disease is explained to the patient, the conviction occurs that the disease is not life-threatening and has a favorable outcome, and skills are formed to control the psychosomatic manifestations of the disease and adequately respond to them.

The domestic drug Mexidol (ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate) also occupies a strong position in the complex treatment of VSD due to its antioxidant, microcirculatory, metabolic and, importantly, anxiolytic properties. By modulating the activity of receptor complexes, it preserves the structural and functional organization of biomembranes, transports neurotransmitters and improves synaptic transmission.

Recently, neurotrophics - cereton (choline alfoscerate), cortexin and cerebrolysin - have been very actively used in the practice of neurologists in the correction of disorders of the autonomic sphere to strengthen the neurointegrative functional connections of various parts of the nervous system with each other and with underlying organ systems.

If cardiovascular syndrome predominates in the VSD clinic, potassium and magnesium preparations - asparkam (Panagin) and magne B6 (Magnelis) - are used in complex therapy with beta blockers for tachycardias and extrasystoles. For vagotonia - calcium supplements.

If headaches, weakness, dizziness and other cerebrovascular disorders against the background of sympathicotonia are expressed during VSD, then vasodilators (for example, myotropic antispasmodics) and vasocorrectors with a vasodilating effect (Cavinton, pentoxifylline) are used, which not only improve cerebral circulation, but also cerebral metabolism by improving oxygen transport, reducing hypoxia and glucose processing. If cerebrovascular disorders occur within the framework of parasympathicotonia with a decrease in blood pressure, then drugs that stimulate vascular tone (vasobral) are more preferable. Nootropics can be used for the same purpose, as they stimulate the cardiovascular center of the nervous system.

In the case of intracranial hypertension syndrome, which is most often represented in VSD by functional cerebrospinal fluid-dynamic disorders, mild dehydration therapy (acetazolamide, furosemide in combination with potassium supplements) will contribute to improvement. Long-term use of diuretic herbs is also recommended.

In case of VSD, chronic foci of infection are treated with concomitant strengthening of the immune system using various immunostimulants (immunal, wobenzym, polyoxidonium).

Forecast. Prevention

Timely diagnosis and treatment of VSD allows one to stabilize the condition of patients and avoid periods of decompensation in the future, as well as increase the compensatory capabilities and adaptive properties of the body. In general, the disease has a favorable prognosis: the development of heart failure or life-threatening rhythm and conduction disturbances does not occur. In this case, the consolidation of secondary mental disorders (neuroses, depression) is possible, but competent treatment and psychotherapy help the patient adapt to the disease. In general, patients are able to work; a temporary decrease can be observed only during exacerbations.

Prevention of VSD consists of normalizing the mechanisms of self-regulation of the nervous system, replenishing and strengthening the metabolic resources necessary for adequate adaptation of the nervous system under the influence of unfavorable factors of both the external and internal environment.

The development of VSD is hampered by a healthy lifestyle, moderate physical activity, proper nutrition, fighting focal infections, hardening the body, and regulating hormonal disorders during menopause (in women). Excessive psycho-emotional or physical stress, smoking and drinking alcohol are contraindicated.

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Vegetovascular dystonia can develop for many reasons. The most common ones include the following:

Hereditary predisposition. If either parent suffers from VSD, there is a high chance that the child will inherit the disorder.

Temporary hormonal imbalances or diseases of the endocrine system. Hormones take part in regulating the functions of the nervous system, and any changes in hormonal balance can lead to VSD. This explains why vegetative-vascular dystonia often debuts during puberty, during pregnancy or after childbirth, during menopause - natural hormonal changes provoke this disorder.

Excessive loads. This can be both mental and physical stress, which depletes the nervous system, including the autonomic department.

Unhealthy Lifestyle. This can include bad habits (alcoholism, smoking), lack of a normal work and rest schedule, unbalanced diet, sedentary work that is not compensated by physical activity, etc. Such circumstances force the autonomic nervous system to work “for wear and tear”, since it has to constantly maintain normal body functions against the backdrop of unfavorable conditions.

Chronic diseases. Any disease with a long course can lead to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

The presence of any of the listed circumstances does not mean that VSD will necessarily develop. Often a provoking factor is required, which plays the role of a trigger. Thus, the likelihood of vegetative-vascular dystonia increases sharply with a sharp change in climate zone, after experiencing acute stress, and with an increase in body weight.

Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia

The autonomic nervous system performs very important functions: it maintains conditions for normal functioning of the body (body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.), and “corrects” the functioning of the heart, vascular tone and other parameters when necessary. For example, it stimulates the secretion of sweat in hot weather to cool the body.

Vegetovascular dystonia is a condition in which almost all systems and organs are involved. This explains why the symptoms of VSD are so varied. But all manifestations of this condition can be divided into several categories:

Respiratory (breathing). The patient complains of rapid breathing, not associated with physical or emotional stress, a feeling of shortness of breath - the inability to take a deep breath. Episodes of excitement, fear, and anxiety can cause severe shortness of breath and a feeling of lack of oxygen.

Cardiac (heart). In this case, VSD manifests itself as rapid heartbeat, irregular heart rhythm (a feeling that the heart is stopping in the chest, after which it begins to beat very quickly), pain and a feeling of tightness in the chest.

Thermoregulatory. The main complaints are an unreasonable increase in body temperature, not associated with ARVI or other diseases, or a decrease in temperature.

Dysdynamic. Such manifestations of VSD consist of circulatory disorders. This may be a slowdown in blood circulation in tissues and/or negative changes in blood pressure - an increase or decrease in blood pressure.

Psychoneurological. This category of symptoms includes weather dependence, sleep disturbances (nighttime insomnia combined with daytime sleepiness), mood swings, apathy, irritability, unexplained anxiety attacks, and fatigue.

Gastrointestinal. Against the background of VSD, problems with the digestive system often develop: constipation, diarrhea, or alternation of these conditions; heaviness in the stomach, heartburn, belching, flatulence.

Sexual. Decreased libido, lack of sexual arousal, or inability to achieve orgasm while remaining aroused.

The listed symptoms can be combined in various combinations, and the predominance of certain manifestations of VSD depends on the type of this disorder.

Classification of vegetative-vascular dystonia

In modern medicine, disorders of the autonomic nervous system are usually classified according to how this condition affects the heart and blood vessels, what type of autonomic disorders predominates and how pronounced the manifestations of VSD are.

Based on their effect on the cardiovascular system, there are several main types of VSD:

• Hypertensive type. This type of VSD is characterized by episodes of increased blood pressure (systolic up to 140 mm Hg), which normalizes on its own after a short period of time. The patient also complains of frequent headaches, fatigue, and heavy heartbeat.
• Hypotonic type. Blood pressure is constantly low, or episodes of low blood pressure are observed. There is also severe fatigue, headache, and muscle aches.
• Cardiac type. The patient is concerned about disturbances in the functioning of the heart: a sharp acceleration or deceleration of the heartbeat, pain behind the sternum, attacks of shortness of breath - the inability to take a deep or full breath and a feeling of lack of air.
• Mixed type. With this type of VSD, changes in blood pressure are observed from high to low, and other symptoms can be combined in various combinations.

Based on how exactly the functions of the autonomic system are disrupted, the following types of VSD are distinguished:

• Vagotonic type. This type of VSD is characterized by increased sweating, not associated with physical activity or high ambient temperature, “marbled” skin, dizziness, tendency to edema, weight gain, heart pain, severe headache, shortness of breath. In infectious diseases, including ARVI, body temperature rises slightly, but remains elevated even some time after the other symptoms of the disease have disappeared.
• Sympathicotonic type. With VSD of this type, the skin is dry and pale, sweat secretion is reduced. Episodes of increased body temperature to high values ​​(up to 39.5 °C) are observed during stress, ARVI, and emotional stress. Body weight is usually low. Patients complain of dull, mild headaches, increased blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat.

According to the severity of VSD, it can be:

• Mild degree. Regardless of the type of VSD, symptoms are mild, periods of exacerbation are short, and remission is long. Exacerbation occurs only after episodes of increased emotional and/or physical stress. The patient's quality of life is not affected.
• Average. Periods of exacerbation are quite long, up to several weeks or even months. The manifestations of VSD are pronounced; during an exacerbation, the patient’s ability to work is significantly reduced, up to its complete loss during vascular crises.
• Severe degree. With this course, VSD imposes serious restrictions on a person’s daily life, since symptoms are present almost constantly, sometimes appearing more pronounced, sometimes decreasing slightly. During periods of the most pronounced manifestations of VSD, hospitalization and treatment in a hospital are often required due to persistent cardiac dysfunction and instability of blood pressure.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD), or neurocirculatory dysfunction, is a pathological condition of the autonomic nervous system, which results in insufficient oxygen supply to organs and tissues. Patients often present many different complaints. But upon a comprehensive examination of the patient, no changes in the organs are detected, since symptoms arise from deviations in the structure and functions of the autonomic nervous system.

What is vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD)?

Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD) is a disease of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates the functioning of blood vessels and internal organs. It is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The action of the ANS systems is opposite: for example, the sympathetic system speeds up heart contractions, and the parasympathetic system slows it down.

And these functions are very diverse and vitally important. This:

• Maintain normal body temperature and blood pressure
• Processes of cardiovascular activity
• Digestion and urination
• Activities of the endocrine and immune systems

With VSD, the balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems is disrupted, which causes symptoms that worsen overall health. Symptoms of VSD do not pose a threat to human life, but sometimes they can signal the presence of serious problems in the vascular, nervous, cardiac or other vital systems.

The pathology is usually detected in childhood or young age, the peak of symptoms occurs at the age of 20-40 - the most productive and active period, while the usual rhythm of life is disrupted, professional activity becomes difficult, and family relationships suffer.

In modern medicine, vegetative vascular dystonia is not considered as an independent disease, since it is a set of symptoms that develop against the background of the course of some organic pathology. Vegetative-vascular dystonia is often referred to as autonomic dysfunction, angioneurosis, psycho-vegetative neurosis, vasomotor dystonia, autonomic dystonia syndrome, etc.

The main signs of VSD are:

• Pain in the heart (cardialgia);
• Respiratory disorders;
• Autonomic disorders;
• Fluctuations in vascular tone;
• Neurosis-like conditions.

Thus, vegetative-vascular dystonia is not an independent disease, but a complex syndrome that is part of the total clinical picture of various psycho-emotional, somatic, neurological or mental diseases.

Causes

The pathology can appear in early childhood or adolescence, but, as a rule, it does not cause much concern. According to statistics, the peak occurs in the age period from 20 to 40 years. It has been proven that the female population is more susceptible to the disease than the male population.

His diagnosed in 60–70 percent of cases in the adult population and 10–15 percent in children and adolescents.

The causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia are very different and, sometimes, lie in early childhood or even the period of intrauterine development. Among them, the most important are:

• Intrauterine hypoxia, abnormal birth, childhood infections;
• Stress, severe physical overload;
• Traumatic brain injuries and neuroinfections;
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy and adolescence;
• Heredity and constitutional features;
• The presence of chronic pathology of internal organs.

Behavioral factors and lifestyle can contribute to vegetative dystonia:

• Excessive addiction to alcohol and coffee
• Great mental or physical stress
• The type of temperament and character traits also play a role:
  • The most balanced sanguine people are the least susceptible to VSD.
  • On the contrary, choleric and melancholic people are at risk

Mentally balanced, cheerful people suffer from autonomic disorders much less often than anxious, irritable and suspicious people

People suffering from VSD sensitive to life changes. For them, the test becomes a change in climate, moving a long distance, to a different time zone - unpleasant symptoms begin to appear.

Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia in adults

The manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia are diverse, which is due to the multifaceted influence on the body of the VNS, which regulates the basic autonomic functions - breathing, blood supply, sweating, urination, digestion, etc. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction can be expressed constantly or manifested by attacks, crises (panic attacks, fainting, other paroxysmal conditions).

All symptoms characteristic of VSD can be combined into the following large groups:

• Weakness, fatigue, lethargy, especially severe in the morning;
• Unpleasant sensations or pain in the heart area;
• A feeling of lack of air and associated deep breaths;
• Anxiety, sleep disturbances, restlessness, irritability, concentration on one’s illness;
• Headaches and dizziness;
• Excessive sweating;
• Instability of pressure and vascular tone.

All of the above symptoms are largely due to vascular tone. Therefore, depending on which vascular tone predominates in a given person, the following types of VSD are distinguished:

• Hypertensive;
• Hypotensive;
• Mixed;
• Cardialgic.

A person who has vegetative-vascular dystonia often suffers from:

• sleep disorders
• headache
• weather dependence
• increased fatigue
• depressed mood
• obsessive states and all kinds of neuroses
• He may have frequent fainting, hand tremors, irregular heart rhythms, panic attacks, phobias of various diseases, etc.

Symptoms of an attack of VSD

Like other pathologies, vegetative-vascular dystonia can worsen after emotional disturbances or acute oxygen starvation. An acute attack is not life-threatening for the patient, but it can cause disturbances in the functioning of blood vessels, as well as mental disorders and internal pathologies.

To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to know the symptoms that manifest an exacerbation of neurocirculatory dysfunction. These include:

• a sharp deterioration in health;
• muscle weakness, feeling of “woolly” legs;
• pressure change;
• chest pain;
• heart rhythm disturbance;
• pain in the epigastric zone;
• nausea.

Complications

The course of vegetative-vascular dystonia can be complicated by autonomic crises, which occur in more than half of patients. Depending on the predominance of disorders in one or another part of the autonomic system, sympathoadrenal, vagoinsular and mixed crises are distinguished.

If we talk about neurological and cardiac disorders that can provoke the disease, they manifest themselves in the following:

• decreased efficiency of the heart muscle, interruptions in its activity;
• development of hypertension or hypotension - high and low blood pressure;
• disturbances in the functioning of the urinary system, increased urge to go to the toilet;
• changes in the autonomic regulation of the eyes, which leads to deterioration of vision;
• failure in the metabolic process, loss of body weight;
• development of weather dependence - an acute reaction of the body to changes in weather conditions;
• improper functioning of the vascular system, leading to poor nutrition of brain tissue;
• gastrointestinal dysfunction - constipation, diarrhea, bloating, etc.

The consequences of VSD are essentially its aggravated symptoms, which occur already in the early stages of the development of the syndrome, but do not cause much concern to patients.

Diagnostics

Patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia are usually treated by a neurologist. Additionally, consultations with a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, and endocrinologist are prescribed. The treatment involves a physiotherapist, a specialist in physical therapy and massage, and a reflexologist.

Exacerbation of VSD occurs in spring and autumn. Early spring is considered a dangerous period for dystonics. The deterioration of the condition is sometimes so serious that you have to see a doctor and take a sick leave.

The complaints of people suffering from vegetative-vascular dystonia are as follows:

• from the vascular system– pressure surges, headaches, heart pain, tachycardia, increased sweating, weakness;
• decreased immunity, caused by seasonal hypovitaminosis after winter, depletion of protective forces, frequent, causing a crisis of VSD.

To correctly diagnose VSD, it is necessary to exclude somatic (organic) diseases that give similar symptoms.

1. For example, to rule out (hyperthyroidism), an ultrasound scan of the thyroid gland is performed and blood is donated to test its hormonal activity.
2. Sometimes you need to do an ECG (electrocardiogram), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), vascular Dopplerography (ultrasound of brain vessels), visit an ophthalmologist and endocrinologist.
3. And only after somatic diseases have been excluded and the diagnosis of VSD has been fully confirmed, the doctor can prescribe individual treatment.

Treatment of VSD in adults

Treatment of VSD is carried out comprehensively and includes the following points:

• Normalization of daily routine, sleep, rest;
• Elimination of physical inactivity using dosed physical activity (PT);
• Therapeutic massage and water procedures;
• Balneotherapy (treatment with mineral waters);
• Phototherapy;
• Limiting sources of emotional experiences - computer games, TV shows;
• Counseling and family psychological correction;
• Normalization of nutrition (regular consumption of food enriched with vitamins);
• Electrophoresis;
• Drug therapy.

The most difficult stage in therapeutic intervention is eliminating the causes that led to the autonomic disorder. Reviews from patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia indicate that a person is often independently able to determine the factors contributing to the manifestation of the syndrome. They indicate stress, overwork, quarrels and conflicts in the family, leading to an attack of VSD.

Drugs for vegetative-vascular dystonia

If non-drug methods are ineffective, pharmaceutical drugs are prescribed. These drugs are selected individually for each patient, starting with minimal doses and gradually increasing to the desired concentration. Particular attention is paid to getting rid of chronic foci of infection in the body, treating endocrine and other pathologies.

Drug treatment is determined by the predominant symptoms in a particular patient. The main group of drugs for VSD consists of drugs with a sedative effect:

• Herbal remedies – valerian, motherwort, novo-passit, etc.;
• Antidepressants – cipralex, paroxetine, amitriptyline;
• Tranquilizers - seduxen, elenium, tazepam, grandaxin.

Depending on the disturbing complaints, the doctor may prescribe tablets for vegetative-vascular dystonia of the following drug groups:

• potassium and magnesium preparations (Magne B-6, Panangin, Asparkam) - to improve vascular tone and the relationship between nerve cells;
• beta-blockers (Metaprolol, Anaprilin) ​​– for persistent arterial hypertension;
• nootropics (Piracetam) – to normalize metabolic processes and improve blood circulation;
• antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Cipralex) – for severe symptoms to regulate the functioning of the central nervous system;
• tranquilizers (Diazepam) - to provide a sedative effect in cases of anxiety and panic attacks.

Physiotherapy for VSD

Physiotherapy in the treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia is aimed at regulating vascular tone, normalizing metabolism and eliminating pain. The nature, systematicity and intensity of the procedures are selected by the doctor in accordance with the characteristics of the disease.

The effects that physiotherapy produces on a patient with vegetoneurosis are:

• calming – electrosleep, electrophoresis of sedative drugs, aeroionotherapy;
• tonic – magnetic and laser therapy, inductothermy;
• vasodilator - galvanization, local darsonvalization;
• vasoconstrictor - electrophoresis of adrenaline and other adrenomimetic drugs (drugs that stimulate adrenergic receptors);
• antiarrhythmic - electrophoresis of potassium chloride, lidocaine.

Therapeutic massage and water treatments

Physical effects on the body, in particular therapeutic massage and water procedures, improve blood circulation, improve the functioning of the lymphatic system, if necessary, restore the structure of the spine (in the case of), and along with the spine, the nerve channels with the vessels that pass through it are aligned. In addition, massage allows you to relax, relieve stress, and improve muscle tone.

Physical exercise

Most experts in the field of prevention and treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia agree that physical rehabilitation should be put in first place.

It is various physical exercises that can significantly help in the fight against the disease. But what is important here is the correct balance between the complexity of the physical exercise and the abilities of a particular patient. This is the only way to achieve the best results.

What should you avoid?

Some actions of the patient can aggravate the condition of VSD. Thus, if there are already existing disorders in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, you should not:

• excessively involved in meditation;
• create additional stress for the body or exhaust yourself with increased physical activity;
• go on diets for a long time or even starve;
• be an inveterate pessimist;
• drink alcoholic beverages, smoke;
• listen to recommendations from people who do not have the appropriate medical education (especially in matters of drug treatment of the disease).

Nutrition and diet

Proper nutrition for vegetative-vascular dystonia in children and adults requires the exclusion of certain dishes and products from the diet. Basically, this is food containing a large amount of bad cholesterol, which increases excitability and negatively affects the tone and structure of blood vessels.

There are no hard and fast rules. VSD has a psycho-emotional etiology, so it is extremely important that the patient does not experience unnecessary stress. The diet should leave you feeling light, and not constant restrictions, which in itself can lead to depression even for a healthy person.

Proper nutrition for vegetative-vascular dystonia is based on the principles:

• the diet contains many foods containing magnesium and potassium;
• Products that stabilize blood pressure are required;
• Liquid intake will help normalize the water-salt balance.

The basic rules when creating a menu and diet for people with vegetative-vascular dystonia are the following:

• Food should be beneficial to the body.
• Food should be healthy.
• It is necessary that with food intake, all the necessary beneficial elements for its functioning enter the body.

Diet for vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypertensive type includes foods and dishes with reduced salt content. Allowed:

• vegetable soups with cereals and soups not based on strong meat/fish broth with a minimum amount of extractive substances without adding spices and seasonings.
• It is preferable to consume whole grain bread or with bran, in small quantities - rye or wheat.
• Meat and poultry should be of low-fat varieties and are best consumed boiled and baked.

With hypotonic form of VSD vegetables and fruits should contain vitamin C and beta-carotene, it is recommended to eat:

• citrus fruits, bananas, pineapples. You can eat potatoes, semolina, and white flour bread.
• To increase blood pressure you need to eat nuts, buckwheat, brains, liver, pomegranate.
• Herring and cheeses can be introduced into the diet a couple of times a week, this will increase blood pressure.
• Sweets, chocolate, coffee and cocoa have a good effect.

• oatmeal and buckwheat, beans and onions, peas and eggplants, grapes, peaches, apricots, raisins and dried apricots.
• From drinks, choose juices, compotes and jelly.
• Fermented milk products, chicken egg dishes, lean fish and meat are of great benefit.

Folk remedies

There are many folk remedies for vegetative-vascular dystonia; below we have collected several effective recipes for different types of VSD.

Hypertensive type (high blood pressure):

• Hawthorn helps best. Here you can use the following recipe: keep a teaspoon of the product in a water bath (250 ml of water) for 4 hours; This infusion can be drunk 25 grams three times a day.
• Mix lemon balm, lingonberry leaves, and hawthorn flowers in equal proportions. Measure out 8 g of the mixture, pour in 0.3 liters of boiling water and infuse. You need to take the decoction 50 ml 5 times a day;

Hypotonic type (when blood pressure is low):

• take 1 part each of zamanika roots, rose hips and hawthorn berries, 2 portions each of chamomile and St. John's wort. Take 10 g of raw materials, pour a glass of cold water and leave for 4 hours, then heat in a water bath for 15 minutes, leave for an hour, filter. The volume is drunk in 3 doses during the day;

For surges in blood pressure, you can use a special infusion:

• it includes ingredients such as hawthorn flowers (20 grams), lily of the valley flowers (10 g), valerian root (20 g), hop cones (10 g), peppermint leaves (15 g), fennel fruits (15 g);
• one tablespoon of this mixture (well crushed) is poured into a glass of boiling water;
• To infuse, you need to put the solution in a cool place for three hours, then bring to a boil and let cool.

For VSD, for a general tonic effect on the body, use an infusion using echinacea, hops and rhodiola (golden root). To make this product you will need:

• Echinacea inflorescences;
• Rhodiola rosea root;
• Hop cones.

Mix in a ratio of 2:2:1 and add hot water at the rate of one glass of water per tablespoon. collection When the infusion has cooled, you need to add one tbsp. l. honey The infused herbal remedy is drunk during the day in three doses. Use this remedy every day for a month. It is advisable to carry out such treatment once a year.

Forecast

The prognosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia is favorable; often its manifestations remain forever in childhood. However, without prevention and treatment, vegetative-vascular dystonia can lead to a persistent increase in blood pressure, which changes the structure and functions of various internal organs; to disturbances in digestive processes, etc.

In case of VSD, it is necessary to conduct regular (usually seasonal) courses to prevent exacerbations, for which the following are prescribed:

• herbal medicine,
• vitamin therapy,
• massage,
• physical therapy,
• physiotherapeutic procedures,
• Spa treatment.

We explained in simple words what kind of disease this is and why it is important to start treating vegetative vascular dystonia on time. Take care of your health and at the first signs and symptoms of VSD, consult a doctor.

There is probably not a person among us who has never heard of vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD). This is no coincidence, because according to statistics it affects up to 80% of the adult population of the planet and about 25% of children. Due to their greater emotionality, women suffer from autonomic dysfunction three times more often than men.

The pathology is usually detected in childhood or young age, with peak symptoms occurring between 20 and 40 years of age.– the most productive and active period, during which the usual rhythm of life is disrupted, professional activity is hampered, and family relationships suffer.

What is it: a disease or features of the functioning of the nervous system? The question of the essence of autonomic dysfunction remained controversial for a long time; experts first defined it as a disease, but as patients were observed, it became clear that VSD is a functional disorder, primarily affecting the psyche and autonomics.

At the same time, functional disorders and subjective painful sensations not only force you to change your lifestyle, but also require timely and qualified help, because over time they can develop into more - coronary heart disease, hypertension, ulcers or diabetes.

Causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia

The autonomic nervous system, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic departments, regulates the function of internal organs, maintaining a constant internal environment, body temperature, pressure, pulse, digestion, etc. The correct reaction of the body to external stimuli, its adaptation to constantly changing environmental conditions, stress and overload.

The autonomic nervous system works independently, autonomously, does not obey our desire and consciousness.Cuteness determines such changes as an increase in pressure and pulse, dilation of the pupil, acceleration of metabolic processes, and parasympathetic responsible for hypotension, bradycardia, increased secretion of digestive juices and smooth muscle tone. Almost always, these departments of the autonomic nervous system have an opposite, antagonistic effect, and in different life circumstances the influence of one of them predominates.

When autonomic function is disturbed, a variety of symptoms appear that do not fit into the picture of any of the known diseases of the heart, stomach or lungs. With VSD, organic damage to other organs is usually not found, and the patient’s attempts to find a terrible disease in himself are futile and do not bear the expected fruit.

VSD is closely related to the emotional sphere and mental characteristics, therefore, it usually occurs with a variety of manifestations of a psychological nature. It is very difficult to convince a patient that he does not have a pathology of internal organs, but a psychotherapist can provide truly effective help.

Causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia very different and, sometimes, lie in early childhood or even the period of intrauterine development. Among them, the most important are:

• Intrauterine, abnormal birth, childhood infections;
• Stress, neuroses, severe physical overload;
• Traumatic brain injuries and neuroinfections;
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy and adolescence;
• Heredity and constitutional features;
• Presence of chronic pathology of internal organs.

The pathological course of pregnancy and childbirth, infections in early childhood contribute to the manifestation of signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children. Such babies are prone to whims, are restless, often burp, suffer from diarrhea or constipation, and are prone to frequent colds.

In adults, among the causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia, stress, strong emotional experiences, and physical overload come to the fore. Illness in childhood, poor physical health and chronic pathology can also become the background for VSD in the future.

In adolescents, vegetative-vascular dystonia is associated with rapid growth, when the autonomic system simply “does not keep up” with physical development, the young body cannot correctly adapt to the increased demands placed on it, symptoms of adaptation disorders appear, both psychological in the team and family, and physical – with palpitations, shortness of breath, etc.

Heredity plays an important role. It is no secret that a person inherits personal characteristics, type of response in stressful situations, character and constitution from his parents. If there are people in the family who suffer from autonomic dysfunction, associated diabetes, hypertension, or peptic ulcer disease, then there is a high probability of pathology in the descendants.

Symptoms of VSD

Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia are extremely diverse and affect the functioning of many organs and systems. For this reason, patients, in search of a diagnosis, undergo all kinds of research and visit all the specialists they know. Usually, by the time a diagnosis is made, particularly active patients have an impressive list of diagnostic procedures completed and are often confident in the presence of a serious pathology, because the symptoms can be so pronounced that there is no doubt about the presence of more terrible diagnoses than VSD.

Depending on the predominance of one or another manifestation, types of vegetative-vascular dystonia are distinguished:

1. Sympathicotonic;
2. Parasympathicotonic;
3. Mixed type of VSD.

The severity of symptoms determines the mild, moderate or severe course of the pathology, and the prevalence of VSD phenomena makes it possible to distinguish generalized forms and local ones, when many systems or just one are affected. The course of VSD can be latent, paroxysmal or constant.

The main signs of VSD are:

• Pain in the heart (cardialgia);
• Arrhythmias;
• Respiratory disorders;
• Autonomic disorders;
• Fluctuations in vascular tone;
• Neurosis-like conditions.

Cardiac syndrome with VSD, occurring in 9 out of 10 patients, consists of a feeling or sinking of the heart, chest pain, interruptions in rhythm. Patients adapt poorly to physical activity and get tired quickly. Cardialgia can be burning, long-lasting or short-term. appears or , . A thorough examination of the heart usually does not show any structural or organic changes.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia proceeding according to the hypertensive type, is manifested by an increase, which, however, does not exceed borderline figures, fluctuating between 130-140/85-90 mm Hg. Art. True hypertensive crises are quite rare. Against the background of pressure fluctuations, headaches, weakness, and palpitations are possible.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia of hypotonic type associated with increased tone of the parasympathetic nervous system. Such patients are prone to apathy, drowsiness, experience weakness and fatigue, faint, asthenics and thin subjects predominate among them, they are pale and often cold. Their systolic blood pressure is usually 100 mm Hg. Art.

Body temperature increases for no reason and also decreases spontaneously. Characterized by sweating, “hot flashes” in the form of redness of the face, trembling, chilliness or a feeling of heat. Patients with VSD are weather sensitive and poorly adapt to physical activity and stress.

The psycho-emotional sphere, which always suffers in various forms of autonomic dysfunction, deserves special attention. Patients are apathetic or, conversely, overly active, irritable, and fearful. Panic attacks, phobias, suspiciousness, and depression are common. In severe cases, suicidal tendencies are possible; there is almost always hypochondria with excessive attention to any, even the most insignificant, symptom.

VSD is more often diagnosed in women who are more emotional, more prone to worry about various things, and experience greater stress during pregnancy, childbirth, and subsequent raising of children. Symptoms may worsen during menopause, when significant hormonal changes occur.

The symptoms of VSD are very different, affecting many organs, each of which the patient experiences very acutely. Along with apparent illnesses, the emotional background changes. Irritability, tearfulness, excessive preoccupation with one’s complaints and the search for pathology disrupt social adaptation. The patient stops communicating with friends, relationships with relatives deteriorate, and the lifestyle may become withdrawn. Many patients prefer being at home and solitude, which not only does not improve the condition, but contributes to even greater concentration on complaints and subjective sensations.

For the time being, apart from functional disorders, no other disorders of internal organs occur. But it’s not for nothing that they say that all diseases are caused by nerves. Long-term VSD can sooner or later lead to other diseases - colitis or stomach ulcers. In such cases, in addition to correcting the emotional background, more significant treatment of the developed pathology will be required.

Diagnosis and treatment of VSD

Since there are no clear diagnostic criteria and pathognomonic symptoms of VSD, then Diagnosis usually occurs on the principle of excluding other somatic pathologies.. The variety of symptoms prompts patients to visit various specialists, who do not find any abnormalities in the function of internal organs.

Patients with signs of VSD need consultation with a neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, and in some cases, a psychotherapist. Doctors carefully question the patient about the nature of the complaints, the presence of cases of peptic ulcers, hypertension, diabetes, and neuroses among relatives. It is important to find out how the mother’s pregnancy and childbirth proceeded, and the patient’s early childhood, because the cause of VSD may lie in adverse effects even before birth.

Among the examinations, blood and urine tests, electroencephalography, and functional tests to analyze the activity of the autonomic nervous system are usually performed.

When the diagnosis is beyond doubt and other diseases are excluded, the doctor decides on the need for treatment. Therapy depends on the symptoms, their severity, and the degree of disability of the patient. Until recently, patients with VSD were under the care of neurologists, but today it is considered undeniable that the greatest amount of help can be provided by a psychotherapist, since VSD is primarily a psychogenic problem.

General measures are of primary importance in the treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia. Of course, most patients expect that they will be prescribed a pill that will immediately relieve all the symptoms of the disease, but this does not happen. To successfully get rid of pathology, you need the work of the patient himself, his desire and desire to normalize his well-being.

General measures for the treatment of VSD include:

1. Healthy lifestyle and proper routine.
2. Diet.
3. Adequate physical activity.
4. Elimination of nervous and physical overload.
5. Physiotherapeutic and water procedures.

A healthy lifestyle is the basis for the proper functioning of all organs and systems. In case of VSD, smoking and alcohol abuse should be excluded. It is necessary to normalize the work and rest regime; if symptoms are severe, a change in the type of work activity may be required. After a hard day at work, you need to rest properly - not lying on the couch, but better walking in the fresh air.

The diet of patients with VSD should not contain excess salt and liquid (especially in the hypertensive type); it is worth giving up strong coffee, flour, fatty and spicy foods. Seafood, cottage cheese, and tea are recommended for hypotensive patients. Considering that most patients experience difficulties with digestion, suffer from stool and intestinal motility disorders, the diet should be balanced, light, but nutritious - cereals, legumes, lean meat, vegetables and fruits, nuts, dairy products.

Physical activity helps normalize the tone of the autonomic nervous system, therefore, regular exercises, exercise therapy, walking are a good alternative to spending time at home sitting or lying down. All types of water procedures are very useful (baths, contrast showers, dousing with cool water, swimming pool), because water not only helps strengthen muscles, but also relieves stress.

Patients with VSD need to protect themselves as much as possible from emotional and physical overload. TV and computer are strong irritants, so it is better not to abuse them. It will be much more useful to communicate with friends, go to an exhibition or to a park. If you want to work out in the gym, you should exclude all types of strength exercises, weight lifting, and it is better to prefer gymnastics, yoga, and swimming.

Physiotherapeutic procedures help significantly improve the condition. Acupuncture, massage, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis with magnesium, papaverine, calcium are indicated (depending on the form of the pathology).

Spa treatment indicated for everyone suffering from VSD. In this case, you should not choose a cardiological institution; an ordinary sanatorium or a trip to the sea is enough. A break from usual activities, a change of scenery, new acquaintances and communication allow you to abstract from symptoms, distract yourself and calm down.

Drug treatment determined by the predominant symptoms in a particular patient. The main group of drugs for VSD consists of drugs with a sedative effect:

• Herbal remedies – valerian, motherwort, novo-passit, etc.;
• Antidepressants – cipralex, paroxetine, amitriptyline;
• Tranquilizers - seduxen, elenium, tazepam, grandaxin.

In some cases, vascular drugs (cinnarizine, Actovegin, Cavinton), psychotropics - Grandaxin, Mezapam, Sonapax - are prescribed (piracetam, omnaron). With the hypotonic type of VSD, taking adaptogens and tonic herbal remedies - eleutherococcus, ginseng, pantocrine - helps.

As a rule, treatment begins with “milder” herbal remedies, if there is no effect, mild tranquilizers and antidepressants are added. With severe anxiety, panic attacks, and neurosis-like disorders, medication correction is absolutely indispensable.

Symptomatic therapy is aimed at eliminating symptoms from other organs, primarily the cardiovascular system.

For tachycardia and increased blood pressure, anaprilin and other drugs from the group (atenolol, egilok) are prescribed. Cardialgia is usually relieved by taking sedatives - Seduxen, Corvalol, Valocordin.

Bradycardia less than 50 heart beats per minute requires the use of atropine and belladonna preparations. Cool, tonic baths and showers and physical exercise are helpful.

Treatment with folk remedies can be quite effective, given that many herbs provide that much-needed calming effect. Valerian, motherwort, hawthorn, peony, mint and lemon balm are used. Herbs are sold in pharmacies, prepared in the manner described in the instructions, or simply brew the prepared bags in a glass of water. Herbal medicine can be successfully combined with medication.

It is worth noting that the prescription of the described “heart” drugs does not yet indicate the presence of a real cardiac pathology, because in most cases problems with heart rhythm and blood pressure are functional in nature R. Patients who are looking in vain for signs of truly dangerous diseases should know this.

Psychotherapeutic activities deserve special attention. It so happens that a trip to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist is often regarded by both the patient and his relatives as an undoubted sign of mental illness, which is why many patients never reach this specialist. Meanwhile, it is the psychotherapist who is able to best assess the situation and carry out treatment.

Both individual and group sessions using various methods of influencing the patient’s psyche are useful. With many phobias, unreasonable aggression or apathy, an obsessive desire to find a terrible disease, a psychotherapist helps to find out the true cause of such disorders, which may lie in childhood, family relationships, or long-standing nervous shocks. Having understood the cause of their experiences, many patients find a way to successfully deal with them.

VSD must be treated comprehensively and with the participation of the patient himself, choosing individual regimens and names of medications. The patient, in turn, must understand that the symptoms of ill health on the part of the internal organs are associated with the characteristics of the psyche and lifestyle, so it is worth stopping the search for diseases and start changing your lifestyle.

The question of whether it is worth treating VSD at all, if it is not an independent disease, should not arise. Firstly, this condition worsens the quality of life, reduces performance, and exhausts the patient’s already exhausted nervous system. Secondly, long-term VSD can lead to the development of severe depression, suicidal tendencies, and asthenia. Frequent and arrhythmias will eventually cause organic changes in the heart (hypertrophy, cardiosclerosis), and then the problem will become really serious.

With timely and correct correction of VSD symptoms, the prognosis is favorable, well-being improves, the usual rhythm of life, work and social activity are restored. Patients should be under dynamic supervision by a neurologist (psychoneurologist, psychotherapist), and courses of treatment can be taken for preventive purposes, especially in the autumn-spring periods.

Video: vegetative-vascular dystonia, “Tablet” program

Video: vegetative-vascular dystonia in the “Live Healthy” program

Video: psychotherapist about vegetative-vascular dystonia