Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VVD). Symptoms, causes, types and treatment of VVD. Vegetative-vascular dystonia (vegetative dysfunction)

Although most doctors do not recognize the existence of such a diagnosis and do not consider it to be an VVD disease, you can find heading F45.3 in the HIC, which combines all of the above diagnoses. Nevertheless, for patients, vegetative-vascular dystonia becomes a real test, since the disease has a lot of variants of the course and painful symptoms, significantly worsens the quality of life. But it does not affect its duration, it has a favorable prognosis and a benign course.

What it is?

In simple words, VSD is a syndrome that appears due to nerves. In general, most problems appear precisely because of stress and anxiety, but vegetative-vascular dystonia is always the first in line.

VVD attacks are caused by disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system, which, in turn, appear against the background of functional disorders of the nervous or endocrine system. That is, nervous shocks almost always become the root cause. Which, as you know, rarely pass without a trace and very often can lead precisely to neurocirculatory dystonia - this is how the disease is called otherwise.

Causes of VSD

Among the main causes of the syndrome of vegetative-vascular dystonia, doctors call factors of hereditary predisposition. Against the background of adverse external factors, these causes can have a significant impact on the state of the human autonomic nervous system. The leading component of the manifestations and amplifications of the syndrome is the brain, namely the hypothalamus, which is responsible for controlling the human endocrine system. Psychoneurological disorders lead to excessive activity of some processes and inhibition of others, which in a complex way affects various body systems, including the cardiovascular system.

1. Most often, vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is detected as a result of heredity. Increased nervousness and stress already in the first months of pregnancy can have a significant impact not only on the formation of the child's personality, but also on the higher nervous activity of the brain. The facts show that the emotional instability of the child's body provokes the development of VVD even in childhood.
2. The teenage years are transitional not only in the process of turning a child into an adult, but also in neurophysiological. Conflict situations, emotional stress, chronic diseases, endocrine disorders, lack of movement and other factors are largely provocateurs of the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia in adolescents. Increased mental stress, having a hereditary component under it, leads to some kind of imbalance in the body, which leads to the appearance and development of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
3. In adulthood, hormonal changes in the body play a special role in starting the mechanisms of VVD. That is why the female half of the world's population suffers from VVD much more often than the male. The prenatal period, pregnancy, menopause, all of this, being a turning point in a woman's life, can be the starting point for mobilizing the manifestation of symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia. Especially unfavorable is vegetative-vascular dystonia during pregnancy, when even minor deviations in a woman's health necessarily affect the condition of the fetus.

The same is true for the presence of excess weight, which can become a provocateur of manifestations of dystonia. An increase in body weight leads to the development of hypertension, which in turn is an additional burden on the cardiovascular system. The development of vegetative-vascular dystonia in this case affects people of completely different ages.

Types of disease

As a result of vegetative vascular dystonia, the brain and heart, kidneys, and limbs suffer. Therefore, the syndrome of vegetative dystonia is like a chameleon: in different people it manifests itself with so different symptoms that it is difficult to suspect their common cause. There are three types of pathology: hypertonic, hypotonic and mixed.

1. If, regardless of the “internal necessity”, the sympathetic nervous system predominates during the day, they speak of a hypertonic type of vegetovascular dystonia. A person complains of palpitations and/or panic attacks, anxiety, gets tired quickly, but falls asleep with difficulty in the evening. The pressure is high or unstable.
2. When parasympathetic NS prevails throughout the day, a person feels weakness, drowsiness, fatigue, and occasionally dizziness and fainting, we are talking about the hypotonic type of VSD. The pressure is reduced.
3. When the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems "argue" for leadership, alternately winning and losing, hyper- and hypotonic symptoms replace each other, they speak of a mixed type.

During the examination, it turns out that the organs and systems are in order, there are no pathologies in them, and such an IRR is called primary. If the symptom complex of vegetovascular dystonia occurs against the background of another disease, it is considered secondary.

First signs

Disorders of the autonomic nervous system can cause very diverse manifestations, about 150 of them are known. For VVD, the most characteristic symptoms associated with the vascular reaction and the central nervous system:

• headache;
• noise in ears;
• dizziness;
• tendency to faint;
• increased heart rate;
• weakness, drowsiness;
• increased sweating;
• unclear increase in body temperature;
• muscle pain;
• trembling in the body and in the hands.

For persons with vegetative-vascular dystonia, mental characteristics are characteristic:

• sudden changes in emotions;
• tendency to panic;
• intrusive thoughts;
• increased anxiety;
• suspiciousness in character.

Clinical syndromes of VVD

Autonomic dysfunction syndrome combines sympathetic, parasympathetic and mixed symptom complexes that are generalized, systemic or local in nature, manifested permanently or in the form of paroxysms (vegetative-vascular crises), with non-infectious low-grade fever, a tendency to temperature asymmetry.

1. Vagotonia is characterized by bradycardia, shortness of breath, reddening of the skin of the face, sweating, salivation, lowering blood pressure, and gastrointestinal dyskinesias. A vagoinsular crisis is manifested by a feeling of heat in the head and face, suffocation, heaviness in the head, nausea, weakness, sweating, dizziness, urge to defecate, increased intestinal motility, miosis is noted, a decrease in heart rate to 45-50 beats / mi, a decrease in blood pressure up to 80/50 mm Hg Art.
2. Sympathicotonia is characterized by tachycardia, blanching of the skin, increased blood pressure, weakening of intestinal motility, mydriasis, chills, a feeling of fear and anxiety. With a sympathoadrenal crisis, a headache appears or intensifies, numbness and coldness of the extremities, pallor of the face occur, blood pressure rises to 150/90-180/110 mm Hg, the pulse quickens to 110-140 beats / min, there are pains in the area heart, there is excitement, restlessness, sometimes the body temperature rises to 38-39 ° C.
3. Syndrome of mental disorders - behavioral and motivational disorders - emotional lability, tearfulness, sleep disturbance, fear, cardiophobia. Patients with VVD have a higher level of anxiety, they are prone to self-accusation, and are afraid of making decisions. Personal values ​​prevail: great concern for health (hypochondria), activity decreases during the period of illness. When diagnosing, it is important to differentiate somatoform autonomic dysfunction, in which there are no mental disorders, and hypochondriacal disorder, which is also considered a somatogenic neurosis-like condition, as well as panic disorder and phobias, and other nervous and mental diseases.
4. Mixed crises are characterized by a combination of symptoms typical of crises, or by their alternate manifestation. There may also be: red dermographism, zones of hyperalgesia in the precordial region, "spotted" hyperemia of the upper half of the chest, hyperhidrosis and acrocyanosis of the hands, tremor of the hands, non-infectious low-grade fever, a tendency to vegetative-vascular crises and temperature asymmetries.
5. Hyperventilation (respiratory) syndrome is a subjective sensation of lack of air, chest compression, difficulty in breathing, need for deep breaths. In a number of patients, it proceeds in the form of a crisis, the clinical picture of which is close to suffocation. The most common causes that provoke the development of respiratory syndrome are physical exertion, mental stress, staying in a stuffy room, a sharp change in cold and heat, and poor transport tolerance. Along with the mental factors of shortness of breath, a decrease in the compensatory-adaptive capabilities of the respiratory function to hypoxic loads is of great importance.
6. Syndrome of adaptive disorders, asthenic syndrome - fatigue, weakness, intolerance to physical and mental stress, meteorological dependence. Data have been obtained that the asthenic syndrome is based on violations of transcapillary metabolism, a decrease in oxygen consumption by tissues and a violation of hemoglobin dissociation.
7. Cardiovascular syndrome - cardialgia in the left half of the chest that occurs during emotional, and not during physical exertion, is accompanied by hypochondriacal disorders and is not stopped by coronalists. Fluctuations in blood pressure, pulse lability, tachycardia, functional noise. On the ECG and with bicycle ergometry, sinus and extrasystolic arrhythmias are most often detected, there are no signs of myocardial ischemia.
8. Neurogastric syndrome - neurogastric aerophagia, spasm of the esophagus, duodenostasis and other disorders of the motor-evacuation and secretory functions of the stomach and intestines. Patients complain of heartburn, flatulence, constipation.
9. Syndrome of metabolic and peripheral vascular disorders - tissue edema, myalgia, angiotrophoneurosis, Raynaud's syndrome. Their development is based on changes in vascular tone and vascular permeability, disorders of transcapillary metabolism and microcirculation.
10. Syndrome of cerebrovascular disorders - headaches, dizziness, noise in the head and ears, a tendency to faint. Their development is based on cerebral angiodystonia, the pathogenetic basis of which is the dysregulation of the vascular tone of the brain of a hypertonic, hypotonic or mixed nature. In some patients with persistent cephalgic syndrome, there is a violation of the tone of not only arterial, but also venous vessels, the so-called functional venous hypertension.

Panic attack

This is another syndrome that will be a characteristic symptom of the manifestation of vegetative-vascular dystonia. A person experiences a strong fear, a feeling of approaching anxiety, a wave of fear covers him.

At the same time, the body sends signals of danger, but it does not provide options for solving the problem. Therefore, the patient experiences a strong fear of death, it seems to him that his heart stops, his breath catches. It is noteworthy that literally after 10-15 minutes a panic attack against the background of VVD passes, the person's condition returns to normal.

The course of the VVD

In most cases, without provoking factors, the disease is latent (asymptomatic) in nature.

However, under the influence of unfavorable conditions and overloads, manifestations of crises are not uncommon. Such crises are sometimes sudden in nature and are accompanied by symptoms characteristic of many diseases: pallor, severe sweating, lowering blood pressure, pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and a decrease in body temperature.

The crisis surge in disease activity is more severe in older people, especially those who suffer from comorbidities. In many cases, the crisis is the result of long-accumulating components, and therefore it is not uncommon for a large number of symptoms to appear simultaneously.

Diagnostics

As already mentioned, VVD is a diagnosis of exclusion. Therefore, for its diagnosis, all additional methods are needed that will eliminate organic pathology. We need a general examination of the patient, consultation of a neurologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist and endocrinologist.

A complete cardiological examination is carried out: laboratory tests, cholesterol, ECG, ultrasound of the heart, stress tests, Holter ECT and blood pressure. They also prescribe chest x-ray, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, kidneys and thyroid gland, fibrogastroscopy, colonoscopy for gastrointestinal complaints. The level of thyroid hormones is determined, since its pathology is accompanied by similar symptoms.

If during all additional examinations no pathology is found, then the patient is diagnosed with vegetative-vascular dystonia in accordance with:

• leading clinical syndrome (cardiac, hypotonic, hypertonic, respiratory, asthenic, neurotic, mixed course);
• severity - mild (3-6 complaints and symptoms), moderate (8-16 signs), severe (more than 17 signs and frequent crises);
• phase of the course of the disease (exacerbation or remission).

Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia

With the described violation, the treatment regimen should be complex, long-term, take into account the characteristics of dysfunctions, the etiological factor and the individual characteristics of the person. With the running course of this disorder, therapeutic measures will be long.

So, how to get rid of vegetative-vascular dystonia in adults? As a rule, therapeutic measures involve the use of non-drug regimens that can be supplemented with sedatives.

Non-drug therapeutic measures include:

1. Optimization of periods of work and rest. In order to get rid of the symptoms of VVD, you should evenly alternate between mental and physical labor, minimize the time you spend in front of a computer monitor and TV. In the absence of such an opportunity, take a break every 60-90 minutes, do gymnastics for the eyes, and warm up for the back.
2. Compliance with a stable regime of the day with the obligatory good rest. The normal duration of a night's sleep for each person is individual. But for most, this figure should not be less than 8-9 hours. Sleep conditions are also important. The bedroom should not be stuffy, you need regular ventilation and wet cleaning. The bed should be comfortable, suitable for the height and build of the person. It is better to give preference to an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
3. Diet with the inclusion in the diet of foods rich in potassium and magnesium. It is these minerals that are involved in the transmission of impulses in the nerve endings, improve the activity of the heart and blood vessels, restore balance in the nervous system. Therefore, with VVD, the use of buckwheat and oatmeal, legumes, dried fruits, nuts, herbs, potatoes, carrots and eggplants is recommended.
4. Adequate physical activity. The best are classes that take place in the fresh air or in the water, but at the same time do not give a significant load on the muscular and cardiovascular systems. Most of all, a patient suffering from vegetative-vascular dystonia is suitable for swimming, water aerobics, dancing, skiing and cycling. With such loads, a gentle training of the heart occurs, the psycho-emotional state normalizes. At the same time, sports should be avoided in which it is necessary to make sudden movements, high jumps or stay in static tension for a long time. This creates an additional load on the vessels and can lead to a worsening of the course of the disease.
5. Acupuncture and massage promote relaxation, eliminate anxiety, normalize blood pressure levels, restore sleep. In the hypertonic type, massage movements are shown at a slow pace with an increased effect on the collar zone. With the hypotonic variant of the IRR, on the contrary, the massage should be fast and intense.
6. The use of herbal preparations. With VVD with an increase in blood pressure, herbs with a sedative and hypotensive effect are suitable (tincture of valerian, peony, motherwort). The hypotonic variant of the disease requires taking drugs with a stimulating and activating effect (eleutherococcus, aralia, ginseng).
7. Physiotherapy methods have a positive effect in vegetative-vascular dystonia due to the normalization of the interaction of various parts of the nervous system, vascular tone. Such procedures improve blood circulation in organs and tissues, activate metabolic processes. The list of methods used is quite large: electrophoresis with medicinal solutions on the cervical spine, applications of ozocerite or paraffin on the collar region, laser irradiation in combination with magnetotherapy. Water procedures have an excellent effect. For all types of VSD, contrast baths, circular and fan showers, underwater massage, and swimming are shown.
8. With VSD of the hypotonic type, it is necessary to use foods that increase vascular tone: green tea, natural coffee, milk. With a hypertensive variant of the disease, foods that provoke a rise in blood pressure should be excluded from the diet: strong tea and coffee, pickles and spicy dishes.

When diagnosing vegetative-vascular dystonia, drugs are prescribed exclusively by the attending physician. The therapeutic effect is focused on restoring balance in the functioning of the ganglionic system.

Drugs for VSD

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

1. Phytopreparations - valerian, motherwort, novo-passit, etc.;
2. Antidepressants - cipralex, paroxetine, amitriptyline;
3. Tranquilizers - seduxen, elenium, tazepam, grandaxin.

In some cases, nootropic drugs (piracetam, omnarone), vascular drugs (cinnarizine, actovegin, cavinton), psychotropics - grandaxin, mezapam, sonapax are prescribed. With the hypotonic type of VVD, the intake of adaptogens and tonic phytochemicals - eleutherococcus, ginseng, pantocrine helps.

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

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

With tachycardia and increased blood pressure, anaprilin and other drugs from the group of beta-blockers (atenolol, egilok), ACE inhibitors are prescribed. Cardialgia is usually relieved by taking sedatives - seduxen, corvalol, valocordin.

Bradycardia less than 50 heartbeats per minute requires the use of atropine, belladonna preparations. Useful cool tonic baths and showers, exercise.

Folk remedies

First of all, the treatment of VVD with folk remedies involves the provision of support to the vessels.

• Calming fees. To restore the harmonious state of the nervous system, it is useful to drink herbal preparations, which can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared on your own. Here is one of them: mix equal proportions of valerian root, cumin, motherwort, dill and calendula. Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of the mixture, insist for 2 hours and strain. Take the medicine 5 times a day, 15 ml for a month. It is not recommended to make passes, since the regularity of taking directly affects the effectiveness of treatment.
• Another balm is prepared not only to strengthen blood vessels, it helps with strokes and heart attacks, atherosclerosis of blood vessels, noises in the head, ears, inflammatory processes - given the composition, it turns out to be a very strong remedy. For its manufacture, three tinctures are prepared - 40 grams of red clover flowers are poured with 40% alcohol in an amount of 500 ml and infused in the dark for 14 days, then filtered. The second infusion is prepared from the root of the Caucasian Dioscorea in the amount of 50 grams, after grinding. The ingredient is poured with 40% alcohol in a volume of 500 ml, insisted like clover. The third tincture is prepared from soft propolis, which is crushed and poured with 70% alcohol in a darkened glass container at a ratio of 100 grams per 1000 ml. The container is tightly closed, insisted in the dark for 10 days at room temperature, filtered. Then the tinctures are thoroughly mixed in a ratio of 1:1:1. The balm is taken in a small spoon three times a day after meals, previously diluted with water in a volume of 50 ml. The duration of such therapy is two months. Then you should take a break for 14 days and repeat the course.
• It is necessary to take a glass of dry dill seeds, add two large spoons of chopped valerian root to them, place the mixture in a thermos and pour a liter of water brought to a boil. The composition is infused for 24 hours, after which it is filtered and 500 ml of natural honey is added to the liquid. Everything is thoroughly mixed, placed in the refrigerator. The medicine is taken three times a day before meals. At least 30 minutes should elapse before eating. A single amount of the mixture is one large spoon. The course of treatment lasts until the end of the prepared drug.

It's not worth doing

What should not be done by patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia?

1. Get involved in diets and fasting.
2. It is negative to look at what is happening in life.
3. Create additional stress for the body - a contrast shower, modern breathing practices.
4. Practice meditation.
5. Exhaust yourself with heavy physical exertion.
6. Try to find a new manifestation of the disease.
7. Drinking alcohol.

Also listen to amateurs in this matter (neighbors, girlfriends, acquaintances, relatives who do not have a medical education), especially when prescribing drugs!

Summing up

Many doctors believe that such a diagnosis does not exist. It is alarming that no one has yet decided on the nomenclature of the disease, everyone calls it differently, no one can say for sure how it manifests itself.

Any of the symptoms related to the symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia can be found in any person at any time in his life. All people in the world cannot suffer from any disease.

1. Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia are described very vaguely and differently in different sources. For most patients who have been diagnosed with this for years, it is difficult to explain that they do not have such a disease, and indeed such a disease does not exist. Otherwise, a completely logical question arises - what was he being treated for all these months or years?
2. For many doctors, this diagnosis is a "lifeboat" or "wastebasket", depending on which side you look at. If a patient has a number of symptoms, but the examination does not reveal any significant organic pathology, one cannot tell him that he is all right.
3. After all, he came with complaints, something bothers him, something led him to the doctor's office. He simply does not understand the doctor and decides that he is not competent enough and will go to another doctor, in the hope that he will understand the problem. Therefore, the doctor uses a proven method, writes the diagnosis "vegetative-vascular dystonia" on the card.

Then he appoints the patient harmless valerian, motherwort, walks in the evenings under the moon, accompanied by thoughts about something positive. What do we have? And the wolves are full, and the sheep are safe. The patient is glad that the cause of his problems has been found, fortunately, the reason is trifling, because vegetative-vascular dystonia is present in most of his friends and relatives.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is not always considered by many patients and even qualified doctors as a pathology that requires mandatory treatment and diagnosis. But this opinion is erroneous, since for the first time harmless symptoms may hide violations in the work of all internal organs. To understand the causes and signs of pathology, you should familiarize yourself with the information provided.

Dystonia appears due to incipient failures in the work of the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for the normal functioning of all internal organs and blood vessels. The disease is not an independent pathological process, but occurs against the background of disorders.

They may be related to the psychological and physical condition. To cure the disease, it is necessary to accurately identify the cause of its occurrence. Treatment and elimination of symptoms will not give any results and will only increase the course and manifestation of the disease.

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for blood pressure, heart rate, circulation, heat transfer, and adrenaline production. The vegetative-vascular dystonia itself can manifest itself as a constant manifestation and temporary crises (panic attack or fainting).

Attention!!! Even positive emotions can provoke a panic attack if they are unexpected and overly exciting. As soon as blood pressure and heart rate rise, a sharp deterioration in the condition may begin.

Causes of VSD

Finding the source of the problem is not so difficult if you make an accurate diagnosis. But in about 70% of cases, patients are not diagnosed with a vegetative disorder, this causes the state of health of a person suffering from a pathology to deteriorate significantly. If a triggering factor is found, a small course of therapy is required for recovery. The main causes of the disease are the following factors:

• psycho-emotional disorder, including aggravated by depression and neuroses;
• injury to the spine, especially the cervical region;
• damage to the brain or spinal cord;
• congenital heart problems;
• diagnosed disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• diseases of the thyroid gland and the entire endocrine system;
• unstable hormonal background;
• allergies of various types;
• infectious diseases, including tonsillitis and pharyngitis;
• lack of blood circulation to the brain, lungs and heart.

Attention!!! The slightest injury can contribute to the development of pathology if immunity is not at the proper level. To protect yourself from VVD, you should adhere to a healthy lifestyle and come to annual medical examinations in a timely manner.

Signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia

As soon as the slightest failures began in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, this will immediately affect the patient's condition. Despite the fact that the vessels begin to suffer first, which worsens the functioning of the heart and brain, disturbances in the autonomic system affect all internal organs.

The following conditions are characteristic of the disease:

• instability of blood pressure, it can significantly deviate from the normal border up and down;
• the heart rate changes significantly, it can slow down or speed up a lot;
• a person is accompanied by a constant feeling of fatigue and depression;
• poor exercise tolerance, during times of severe stress, patients may not even get out of bed;
• body temperature can independently rise or fall for no reason;
• constant feeling of chilliness or heat;
• sweating may increase due to hot flashes;
• there is a decrease in the temperature of the hands and feet, it is difficult to warm them even on batteries;
• sudden irritability, constant feeling of apathy and emotional exhaustion;
• there are severe and prolonged headaches;
• patients complain of sudden dizziness;
• decreased sexual desire, physical and intellectual activity;
• insomnia manifests itself, instead of normal dreams, nightmares begin to dream;
• spasmodic pains may appear in the stomach area;
• due to disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, functional indigestion often occurs in the form of constipation or diarrhea;
• during the period of complications, the patient may suffer from panic attacks, fainting and crises.

Attention!!! The patient may not have all of the listed signs, but even one of them signals the need for consultation with a specialist.

The frequency of manifestation of signs of dystonia

In the table below, you can find out how often the signs of VSD appear in patients.

Attention!!! The given data is relative and collected on the basis of feedback left by patients. But many patients are not even registered with their diagnosis, or VVD is simply not confirmed.

Types of crises and their manifestations in VVD

Sympathoadrenal

In another way, such a crisis is also called a panic attack. This condition develops after a large release of adrenaline into the blood stream. This happens due to an erroneous signal of the autonomic nervous system. The attack begins to manifest itself with a significant increase in the heartbeat, and the blood pressure gradually increases.

The maximum mark during a panic attack reaches the upper blood pressure, which can even provoke a stroke and heart attack. Simultaneously with these conditions, the skin turns pale, an overwhelming feeling of fear appears, and the body temperature rises. With the maximum development of the sympathoadrenal crisis, uncontrolled chills appear.

After the panic attack is over, the patient excretes colorless urine in large quantities. At the same time, blood pressure drops sharply, and severe weakness is noted.

This condition is accompanied by fainting, spasmolytic pain in the abdomen. A crisis is provoked by a signal from the autonomic nervous system about the release of insulin. In addition, there is a strong decrease in the level of glucose in the blood, the activity of the gastrointestinal tract is stimulated.

At the same time as the described symptoms, the patient develops a strong feeling of heat, the mind is confused, the heart rate drops significantly, the pulse is poorly palpable. Gradually, blood pressure drops significantly, bright scarlet spots appear on the skin, and there is heavy sweating. Due to the strong stimulation of the stomach and intestines, flatulence, seething in the abdomen, and diarrhea appear.

Attention!!! If you do not immediately stop the seizure with special drugs, the body is greatly depleted, and the frequency of seizures increases significantly.

Prevention of crises and VVD

To protect yourself from vegetative-vascular dystonia, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• try to engage in moderate physical activity, swimming, yoga, athletics;
• pay more attention to cardio, it is enough just to exercise on an exercise bike or ride bicycles;
• sports loads should exclude sudden movements and heavy lifting;
• spend enough time outdoors, walk in parks;
• harden, you can start with a contrast shower;
• avoid strong processing, so as not to bring yourself to physical exhaustion;
• observe the sleep regimen, its duration should not be less than eight hours;
• avoid stressful situations;
• take natural soothing infusions.

Attention!!! Almost 50% of the adult population suffers from a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. Compliance with elementary rules will reduce the likelihood of pathology and maintain health at the proper level.

Video - Vegetative-vascular dystonia: signs, symptoms, prevention

Diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia

To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must undergo a complete examination, which includes the collection of tests and visits to narrow specialists. First, when symptoms appear, the patient turns to the therapist. He prescribes general and biochemical tests, a cardiogram and a visit to a neurologist.

Based on their findings, you may need to undergo a brain tomography. An ultrasound examination of all organs is necessarily done and a conclusion is made about their performance. Only after such an extensive examination can the exact cause of the disease be identified.

Attention!!! If vegetative-vascular dystonia is diagnosed in pregnant women, a full examination should be postponed until the child is born. Some of the mandatory procedures can simply harm the fetus and worsen the condition of the mother.

Alternative methods of treatment of VVD

At the initial stage of vegetative-vascular dystonia, home recipes can help to cope with the problem, which have practically no contraindications and can be used by patients at any age.

mustard baths

1. 50 g of dry mustard should be diluted with warm water to a creamy state.
2. Take a full bath so that when immersed in it, the water reaches the top of the chest.
3. Carefully pour the mustard solution into the water and stir thoroughly.
4. The temperature of the water in the bathroom should not exceed +39 degrees.
5. The procedure lasts no more than 10 minutes.
6. At the end of the session, it is necessary to put on underwear and wrap yourself completely in cotton cloth.
7. After the procedure, you should drink some warm tea and go to bed.
8. The course of therapy is no more than 10 procedures every three months.

vegetable juices

1. Combine 20 ml of beetroot juice with 20 ml of cucumber juice.
2. After thoroughly stirring the liquid, 60 ml of carrot juice is added to them.
3. Drink the medicine once a day for one month.
4. It is worth taking such a course of treatment with caution for people with ulcers and gastritis.

Video - How to treat vegetative-vascular dystonia

If you have noticed one or more symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia, you should undergo at least a minimal examination by a therapist. He will be able to determine the real complexity of the problem and, if necessary, refer to narrower specialists. The resulting disorders should be treated already at the initial stage in order to maintain the proper functioning of all body systems. The lack of adequate treatment can lead to a serious deterioration in the condition, up to the development of a heart attack and stroke.

Vegetovascular dystonia (VVD, or neurocirculatory dystonia) is a very common problem that modern man has to face. This is a combination of emotional and mental disorders with autonomic disorders (from the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, genitourinary systems). Treatment of VVD is a complex process that requires an individual approach and constant correction. Modern methods of treatment include lifestyle modification, a change in the approach to professional activity, correction of psycho-emotional disorders, the use of medications in accordance with the developed syndromes. To implement the entire treatment complex, a neuropathologist, therapist, psychologist (psychiatrist) may be required.

First of all, before starting treatment, it is necessary to exclude other diseases of various organs and systems that can give symptoms identical to those in VVD. Only after a reliably established diagnosis can treatment be started.

The modern view on the elimination of the VVD syndrome consists in the simultaneous use of a complex of drug and non-drug effects, with the latter playing a leading role. Treatment options for VSD include:

• correction of the psycho-emotional sphere;
• maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
• modification of work activity;
• physiotherapy methods;
• Spa treatment;
• drug therapy.

Correction of the psycho-emotional sphere

"All diseases are from the nerves," - this statement fits perfectly with vegetovascular dystonia. In most cases, VVD is “to blame” for some psychological factor, its elimination contributes to recovery. When determining the anamnesis of the disease, patients almost always indicate on their own how “it all started”. Overload at work, conflicts with employees or at home, problems in personal life, chronic stress - something of the above is always present in the life of a patient with VVD. But the patient does not always understand the importance of eliminating the psychological cause, usually there is simply a statement of fact and nothing more. It is important to convey to the patient the need for a different view of the problem. A person must realize that his reaction to a stressful effect creates the prerequisites for the occurrence of pathological symptoms (manifestations of VVD), that it is necessary to reconsider his attitude to the situation. If the conflict cannot be resolved on its own, or the patient cannot change his attitude to what is happening, then the help of a psychotherapist is required. There are a great many methods of psychotherapy that can help a patient with VSD: methods of suggestion and auto-training, elements of psychoanalysis with keeping a “health diary”, art therapy, gestalt therapy, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, training in relaxation methods. What will be most effective is decided individually in each case.
The patient needs to know that all the symptoms of VVD do not carry an immediate danger to life, that nothing threatens his life. Sometimes awareness of the "harmlessness" of symptoms helps to cope with the fear that accompanies VVD.
If possible, it is necessary to create a positive environment around the patient. This is facilitated by rational rest, trips to nature (to the forest for mushrooms, fishing, just walking in the park, etc.). The presence of a hobby will only contribute to the normalization of the psycho-emotional state. Sports are desirable.

Healthy lifestyle

First of all, you need to optimize the daily routine. Quality and full sleep (going to bed at the same time, sleep duration of 7-8 hours, etc.), eating at the same time, being in the fresh air - these are all small but significant factors for successful treatment of VSD.
It is desirable to give up bad habits. Tobacco smoking and, especially, addiction to alcohol only exacerbate the existing disorders. Trying to change your attitude to the situation by taking large doses of alcohol is also a false path.
In the presence of chronic foci of infection, their sanitation is indicated (treatment of chronic tonsillitis, caries, etc.). Of course, the presence of any somatic pathology requires treatment by an appropriate specialist.
The diet is also subject to correction. Since with VVD there are always violations of vascular tone, such patients are shown products that help strengthen blood vessels and the heart, rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium salts: buckwheat, oatmeal, nuts, sunflower seeds, apricots, bananas, raisins, dried apricots, prunes, rose hips, legumes, dairy products, cheeses, herbs, green tea, honey. When cooking, it is desirable to use unrefined olive and sunflower oils. Juices and compotes are useful, due to the high content of vitamins and biologically active substances in them. Fluid intake by the body is optimal at the level of 1.5-2 liters per day. Normalization of the diet and diet also contribute to weight loss.
Moderate physical activity is shown, but with a positive attitude, i.e. it is necessary to engage in a “favorite” sport (taking into account contraindications). More often than others, swimming, yoga, jogging are recommended, i.e. relatively quiet sports. Moderate physical activity has a positive "training" effect on the cardiovascular system, contributes to the normalization of vascular tone, improves blood flow in organs and tissues.

The work of the peripheral nervous system is characterized by autonomy. The PNS is represented by 2 departments, one of which is responsible for maintaining a person in an excited state (sympathetic department), and the second for relaxation and energy accumulation (parasympathetic department). These departments are in constant interaction, ensuring the smooth functioning of the body, but when there is an imbalance in their communication, a series of failures occurs, expressed by a spectrum of symptoms. The combination of these symptoms is called vegetative-vascular dystonia.

There are many causes of VSD

Most often, the first signs of VVD are found in children aged 6-9 years. According to medical statistics, girls are more at risk of developing dystonia than boys. Manifestations of the disease at this age are due to the child's lifestyle and functional changes in the body. Educational activity begins, respectively, mental and physical loads increase, the daily routine is adjusted. Such changes increase the instability of the child's nervous system, which is the impetus for the first failures in the body.

The causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia include maternal heredity. In addition, complications of pregnancy and childbirth can affect the development of the symptom complex:

• late toxicosis;
• fetal hypoxia due to preeclampsia or placental insufficiency;
• intrauterine infectious diseases;
• pathology of childbirth (too fast or too slow course);
• birth trauma (imposition of obstetric forceps);
• encephalopathy.

In addition to the listed reasons for the occurrence of the disease, there are additional reasons, including psychosocial and somatic problems:

• conflicts in the family;
• overprotection;
• chronic stress;
• allergies;
• infectious diseases;
• endocrine diseases.

Frequent conflicts in the family can cause the development of VVD in a child

By themselves, critical emotional states and dysfunctions of internal organs do not always entail the development of the disease. However, if a malfunction in the autonomic nervous system has already occurred, any violation can trigger the onset of symptoms of dystonia. Often, external factors such as ecology, climate, weather conditions and behavioral causes (lack of sleep, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet) stimulate the occurrence of VSD.

Causes of VSD in adults

In more than 50% of people, the first signs of the disease begin to appear even in the prepubertal period, which is often due to heredity and lability of the nervous system. However, it happens that VVD develops already in adulthood against the background of serious pathologies in the work of internal organs or for psychosocial reasons.

Heredity

One of the common causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia is a congenital predisposition to the disease. More often than others, the transmission of defective genes through the female line is observed. This item also includes the onset of VVD in childhood. The mechanism of occurrence in this case is the overload of the unstable nervous system with severe emotional and functional states. Of great importance are the pathologies of pregnancy and childbirth, infectious diseases transferred at the stage of intrauterine development.

Autonomic dysfunction of the heart and blood vessels

Often SVD (somatoform autonomic dysfunction) is confused with VVD, which, of course, is a mistake. SVD can be considered as an impetus for the development of dystonia. Cardiac dysfunction is manifested only by somatic disorders without the participation of the nervous system and is expressed by the following symptoms:

• heartache;
• increase in heart rate;
• increased blood pressure, characterized by a lack of response to drug therapy;
• hypertension.

In the ICD-10, autonomic dysfunction of the cardiovascular system is designated by the code F45.3.

Causes of VVD in adults: heredity, pathology of pregnancy, childbirth, stress, hormonal failure, etc.

Mitochondrial diseases

These are diseases of a hereditary nature, are transmitted only through the female line and are characterized by a violation of the formation of a supply of cellular energy. In other words, with such diseases, starvation of human tissues and organs occurs. Mitochondria are responsible for the generation of energy reserves necessary for the activity of all organ systems, and in particular the brain, heart, liver, organs of hearing and vision. In view of this, mitochondrial diseases can cause congenital blindness and deafness, neuropathic pain, and brain dysfunction.

Hormonal disruptions

Functional changes in the hormonal background occur against the background of age:

• in puberty;
• in menopause (in women);
• in old age (senile changes in hormonal functions).

In addition, disruptions in the production and ratio of hormones occur during childbearing. This is necessary in order to keep the pregnancy. During these periods, a person is characterized by emotional instability and any stressful situation or strong emotion can provoke a malfunction in the ANS.

Individual characteristics

This item can be attributed to the mental indicators of a person. Some people are overly emotional, prone to stress. The psyche of such people is unstable, they are characterized by constant anxiety, suspiciousness. VSD can occur against the background of constant psycho-emotional overstrain.

Sedentary lifestyle

Hypodynamia is rather a factor provoking dystonia, and not the cause of its development. People who lead an inactive lifestyle, do not devote time to sports, have a sedentary job, have reduced immunity and, accordingly, are susceptible to various infectious diseases.

A sedentary lifestyle can also lead to vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Infectious diseases, including focal

Infections weaken the human body, reduce the level of its immune defenses. During the recovery period, a situation is possible in which a chronic focus of inflammation affecting the autonomic nervous system remains. In this case, the person will feel weak, get tired quickly, but think that these are residual effects of the disease, although in fact these are the primary signs of the onset of VVD.

Osteochondrosis

Vertebral cartilage degeneration leads to pinched nerve endings and the development of many neuropathic symptoms. When the violation is localized in the cervical region, the work of the cardiovascular system is disrupted, due to the fact that there are nerve nodes responsible for the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

Mechanical injury

We are talking about craniocerebral and spinal cord injuries, causing damage to a whole complex of nerve endings responsible for the functioning of internal organs.

Stress

Chronic stress or a single emotional shock can cause a whole range of pathologies, including hormonal ones. Among the reasons for the development of VVD, stress takes the second place after hereditary predisposition.

Stress is the second most popular cause of VSD.

In addition to the above reasons for the development of autonomic dysfunction, there are the following provoking factors:

• diseases of the digestive tract;
• allergies;
• occupational diseases (associated with chronic intoxication or constant stress);
• psychosocial reasons (tense atmosphere in the family, conflicts at work);
• bad habits;
• drastic climate change.

Considering that at present life in large cities is associated with daily stressful conditions, lack of vitamins, lack of sleep and chronic fatigue, it is believed that dystonia is a disease of citizens. However, in fact, the development of the disease is not affected by the territorial factor. The reason for the susceptibility to dystonia among urban residents lies in the fact that they live in adverse natural and psychosocial conditions.

The most controversial diagnosis is VSD. Symptoms in adults are similar to others, treatment is often prescribed incorrectly, which leads to a deterioration in the patient's condition. The disease "Vegetovascular dystonia" is not included in the International Classification of Diseases. In the ICD, code F45.3 indicates somatoform autonomic dysfunction that accompanies most pathologies of the heart, central nervous system, and mental disorders. Despite this, doctors constantly make this diagnosis to patients. The term "neurocirculatory dysfunction" is also used.

What is vegetovascular dystonia (VSD)?

What is the syndrome of vegetovascular dystonia? It is a violation of the autonomic nervous system, accompanied by specific symptoms. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the work of the heart, blood vessels, maintains a constant internal environment of the body, promotes rapid adaptation of a person to the external environment, and regulates vasomotor reactions.

In the autonomic NS, sympathetic and parasympathetic parts are distinguished, which are controlled by the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus. The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems act in opposite ways. In simple terms, the sympathetic system is activated during a period of excitement, for example, increases the heart rate, relaxes the smooth muscles of the organs. Parasympathetic, on the contrary, slows down the heart rate, contracts muscles, narrows the coronary arteries.

With VVD, the coordinated work of these two systems is disrupted, which leads to the appearance of many unpleasant symptoms in a person. By themselves, these manifestations do not threaten the patient's life, but significantly reduce the quality of life. Sometimes the symptoms of VVD are the result of serious diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and central nervous system.

In medicine, there is still no single classification of VVD. When making a diagnosis, doctors take into account the division of neurocirculatory dysfunction according to the type of course:

• hypertonic type. Sympathetic NS predominates, which causes pressure surges, tachycardia, and hyperexcitability.
• hypotonic type. The parasympathetic NS is in the lead. The patient has a decrease in blood pressure, fainting, muscle weakness.
• Mixed type. There are symptoms of hypotonic and hypertonic course of the disease.

According to the nature of the flow, the following types of VSD are distinguished:

• Latent. Symptoms are mild.
• Permanent. The signs are constantly present.
• Paroxysmal (paroxysmal). Attacks of the disease begin suddenly and are severe.

Causes of VSD

The VVD syndrome manifests itself in childhood.

At risk are children who:

• Experienced oxygen starvation in the womb.
• Received a birth injury.
• They have disorders in the central nervous system.
• Transferred intrauterine infections.

The disease can also manifest in adulthood.

The causes of VVD in adults can be:

• Chronic stress, lack of sleep.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Chemical poisoning.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
• Diseases of the heart, blood vessels.
• Mental disorders.
• Poor nutrition with a lack of vitamins.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Heredity.

In women, the disease occurs twice as often as in men, since the female psyche is more mobile and easily excitable.

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The symptoms of VVD depend on the work of which internal organs is impaired. The patient has several symptom complexes, they can be isolated or combined with each other.

The following symptom complexes are distinguished:

• Respiratory. Occurs as a result of hyperventilation syndrome. Characteristic signs are: shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, heaviness in the chest, asthma attacks.
• Cardiovascular. The heart and main arteries are involved in the process. The patient has: jumps in blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbance, a feeling of cardiac arrest.
• Urogenital. The work of the genitourinary system is disrupted, this is expressed in: swelling, frequent urination, problems with potency, violation of the cycle.
• Dyspeptic. It affects the functioning of the digestive system. The patient feels: sudden causeless pain in the abdomen, upset stool, heaviness in the stomach, nausea.
• Syndrome of violation of thermoregulation. This is manifested by: a feeling of chills, coldness of the extremities at normal external temperature, an increase in body temperature, increased sweating.
• Dysdynamic. Characteristic manifestations: pressure surges, tinnitus, dizziness, causeless fainting, weakness, drowsiness.
• Neurotic. The patient's mental state worsens. The main symptoms: depression, irritability, fear, panic attacks, sleep disturbance, decreased ability to work, memory impairment, attention, meteorological dependence.

Often the signs of VVD are not pronounced, patients complain of a general deterioration in well-being, manifested in:

• Frequent headaches.
• Increased response to weather changes.
• fatigue.
• Depressive mood.
• Obsessive fears.
• Trembling hands.
• Increased heart rate.

Attacks of vegetative dystonia

In many patients, vegetative dystonia attacks begin suddenly and are very difficult. In this case, we are talking about vegetative crises that require mandatory treatment. During an exacerbation, a large amount of a hormone or adrenaline is released into the blood. This is accompanied by a serious deterioration in well-being and is manifested by the following symptoms:

• Paleness of the skin.
• An attack of suffocation.
• Freeze of the heart.
• Pain behind the sternum.
• Darkening in the eyes.
• Increased intestinal peristalsis.
• The temperature rises to 37.5 degrees.
• Tremor of the limbs.
• Panic attack.

Vegetative crises sometimes occur for no reason, but often they are preceded by:

• overwork;
• stress;
• lack of vitamins in the winter-spring period;
• abrupt change of weather;
• transferred infection that caused.

Vegetative crises should be differentiated from an attack of angina pectoris. The latter usually begins after physical exertion and is stopped by nitroglycerin. The vegetative crisis begins suddenly and also suddenly stops, no heart medications have an effect on it.

VVD diagnostics

Establishing a diagnosis of VVD is quite problematic, since the symptoms of the disease are characteristic of other diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The diagnosis is made by excluding organic lesions of internal organs: ischemia, arterial hypertension, bronchial asthma,. Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia are observed in various mental illnesses accompanied by somatoform autonomic dysfunctions: obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety syndrome, phobias, hypochondria, post-traumatic stress. Psychiatric consultation is required to rule out mental illness.

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The patient is given referrals to narrow specialists: cardiologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, urologist. If no lesions of the internal organs are found, then the doctor conducts an examination for VVD:

• Holter monitoring. Daily monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure. With its help, the beginning and end of vegetative attacks, the correspondence of their occurrence to the time of day and physical activity of a person are recorded.

• Electroencephalography. Measures the electrical activity of brain neurons, notes the increase and decrease in excitability. Excludes the presence of a focus of excitability characteristic of epilepsy.
• orthostatic test. Assesses the patient's blood circulation in accordance with the change in body position. In a healthy person, adaptive reactions are not disturbed, so a change in body position does not affect blood circulation in any way. In patients with vegetovascular dystonia, there is an increase or decrease in pressure, tachycardia begins, which is due to insufficient correction by the central nervous system.

Complications

If left untreated, the symptoms of vegetodystonia intensify and become permanent. The disease can provoke organic changes in the heart and blood vessels, then the patient will develop the following conditions:

• or hypotension.
• Persistent irregular heartbeat.
• Deterioration of the urinary system: frequent urination, fluid retention in the body.
• Decreased visual acuity.
• Loss or sudden weight gain.
• Persistent indigestion, accompanied by persistent constipation or diarrhea.
• Violation of cerebral circulation, which leads to frequent fainting, dizziness, decreased performance.

VVD treatment

With mild symptoms of VVD, they are treated by adjusting the diet, adjusting the daily routine, and exercising. Sometimes the disease is so severe that a person is afraid to even leave the house, cannot perform professional duties. 30% of patients require treatment with tablets. Drug therapy is indicated for frequent vegetative attacks that worsen the patient's quality of life.

Indications for drug therapy of VVD:

• Severe course of the disease.
• Frequent exacerbations.
• Constant fainting.
• Suffocation attacks.
• Panic attacks.
• Dysfunction of internal organs.

Medication treatment

Therapy is carried out with the help of the following drugs:

• lowering blood pressure ( Kapoten, Captopril).

• Normalizing heart rate Anaprilin).

• Increasing pressure ( Eleutherococcus, Ginseng, Lemongrass). They have a stimulating effect, increase working capacity, relieve drowsiness.

• Expanding vessels that improve cerebral circulation (Cinnarizine, Vinpocetine, Mexidol).

• Nootropics that stimulate the activity of the nervous system ( Nootropil).

• Antidepressants ( Seduxen, Phenazepam). They are prescribed for permanent depressive states, normalize mood.

• Sedatives ( Novopassit, Afobazole). They have a mild sedative effect, relieve feelings of anxiety, fear, improve mood.

• Antipsychotics ( Haloperidol, Fluphenazine). They are used for significant mental disorders. They normalize sleep, eliminate panic manifestations, reduce autonomic reactions.

• Vitamin-mineral complexes ( Alphabet, Vitrum). They make up for the deficiency of vitamins, which is one of the causes of VSD.

Treatment of VVD folk remedies

With a mild form of VVD, treatment with folk remedies is possible. Usually used decoctions or infusions of medicinal herbs, soothing or tonic baths.

The most effective herbs are:

1. Hawthorn.
2. Motherwort.
3. Valerian.
4. Melissa.
5. Mint.

They make decoctions and drink throughout the day. Improvement occurs after 2 weeks of regular use. It is useful to arrange aromatherapy sessions. Scented candles, oils, sticks are suitable for this. Aromas of vanilla, orange, lavender have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Before using folk remedies, you should make sure that you are not allergic to herbs and oils.

Diet for VVD

It is important for a patient with a diagnosis of VVD to establish a diet and daily routine. Eating foods rich in vitamins greatly alleviates the symptoms of the disease. The diet should include as much as possible:

• fresh vegetables and fruits;
• greens;
• seafood;
• nuts;
• dairy products.

Normalization of the daily routine involves a full sleep of at least 8 hours, regular rest, moderate sports, walks in the fresh air. You also need to minimize stressful situations, triple meetings with friends, trips to the cinema, to nature, that is, to provide positive emotions. If the patient is worried about fears, phobias, depression, then psychotherapy sessions will help.

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Forecast and prevention

Despite the fact that the exact causes of VSD have not been established, doctors recommend avoiding stress and overexertion. Prevention of vegetodystonia also lies in a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, positive impressions.

The prognosis of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, the frequency of crises. At the initial stage, in 90% of patients it is possible to achieve complete disappearance of the disease. In severe cases, long-term therapy is required, with regular repetition of courses every six months.

Vegetovascular dystonia, although not an official diagnosis, significantly worsens the patient's quality of life. If the disease is not treated, a person will develop persistent mental disorders, he will lose his ability to work. The success of treatment is largely determined by the desire of the patient to get rid of the pathology.