How to treat high blood pressure. Intracranial pressure - symptoms and treatment in adults. Diagnosis of the causes of increased intracranial pressure

Elevated inside cranial pressure can be serious neurological symptom associated with the most various diseases. Intracranial pressure may increase with hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, meningitis, etc. Increased intracranial pressure may not disturb at all for some time, and then appear suddenly, debuting with severe headaches, sometimes with the addition of nausea and vomiting. The most common complaint in people with increased intracranial pressure is a sharp paroxysmal or monotonous headache, which, as you know, can accompany a large list of various diseases, from hypertension to oncological processes. High intracranial pressure can lead to serious consequences: loss of vision, hearing and even death. How to find out if intracranial pressure is increased or is it normal? In order to unequivocally answer this question, you need to know how to check intracranial pressure.

Clinical signs of high intracranial pressure:

severe headaches, poorly relieved by analgesics, sometimes combined with nausea and / or vomiting;
blurred vision (double vision, rapid loss of vision);
increased fatigue;
in young children (up to 1 year old) - accelerated growth rates of head circumference, bulging of the fontanel, delayed psychomotor development.

In most cases, a person with increased intracranial pressure can be found from 2 or more of the signs listed above. But for correct assessment these symptoms, it is necessary to consult a neurologist, who should analyze the clinical picture of the disease, complaints, and be sure to prescribe instrumental examination methods that will confirm or refute the diagnosis.

To exclude or verify the syndrome of increased intracranial pressure, it is necessary, after consulting a neurologist, to undergo a series of additional surveys and consultations:

Ophthalmologist's consultation. An ophthalmologist should conduct an examination of the fundus. If the subject's intracranial pressure is really increased, then when examining the fundus, edema of the optic nerve head will be detected, which appears due to a violation of the outflow of blood from the retina. This sign is only an indirect confirmation of a change in intracranial pressure, however, if it is detected, this serves as a guide to additional diagnostic methods (more expensive, for example, MRI, CT) and / or an indication for hospitalization in a hospital for inpatient additional examination and treatment.
Ultrasound of the brain. This method is used for the smallest patients (children under one year old), it allows you to determine the width of the ventricles of the brain. Detection significant expansion ventricles of the brain on ultrasound is another indirect symptom of a change in intracranial pressure.
Electroencephalography. With the help of this method of examination, the bioelectrical activity of the brain is assessed. Changes in certain indicators according to electroencephalography may be one of the manifestations of increased intracranial pressure.
Neuroimaging diagnostic methods. These include magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. With their help, you can evaluate the ventricular system of the brain, exclude many diseases that can become trigger factor for an increase in intracranial pressure (brain tumors, malformations, etc.)
Spinal puncture. This is the most reliable and trustworthy method for studying intracranial pressure. Spinal puncture is a diagnostic method in which a special puncture needle is inserted into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord with a pressure gauge attached to it, which allows you to set exact numbers intracranial pressure. Normally, these figures vary from 80 to 170 mm of water column. The puncture is performed only in a hospital (neurological or neurosurgical).

Most exact method assessment of intracranial pressure - spinal tap, but this method is not always used, the puncture is performed only when prescribed by a neurologist or neurosurgeon, when there are certain indications. Fundus examination and consultation with a neurologist, sometimes neuroimaging (CT / MRI of the brain) and EEG are the most important and basic steps in establishing this diagnosis. In any case, the main diagnostic and medical tactics must be determined by a specialist.

Increased intracranial pressure can occur not only in the elderly. A significant proportion of newborns have elevated blood pressure. For this reason, they are prescribed special medications. In some patients, the pathology can remain for life. In this case, it is important to know how to treat intracranial pressure in both infants and adults.

Patients with increased intracranial pressure often suffer from headaches, migraine attacks, a sensation of throbbing in the head, which leads to unbearable uncomfortable sensations. High intracranial pressure is formed due to increased pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid, which circulates in the cranium. If the CSF pressure is elevated, then patients suffer from characteristic signs of pathology that must be treated without delay.

Features of treatment in a child

For the first time, you can find out about increased intracranial pressure in an infant at an appointment with a neurologist who examines babies a month after birth. Already the first examination of specialists indicates the need to normalize the indicators of intracranial pressure in babies, since in the future children will not be able to develop properly, neuropathologies and other disorders will appear.

The first thing they do after making a diagnosis is to deal with the cause.

If the causes of high blood pressure do not threaten the life of the baby, then intracranial pressure can be treated at home by taking medications. In severe situations, when there is a need for surgical intervention, doctors resort to surgical path solutions to the problem - create workarounds for removing cerebrospinal fluid and normalizing intracranial pressure. The choice of treatment method is determined after a thorough diagnosis of the child's body.

Medical treatment pathology lies in the appointment various groups medicines:

drugs to stimulate blood flow - Actovegin, Somazin, Cinnarizine, Pantogam;
to remove excess fluid from the body, Diacarb or Triampur is prescribed;
neuroprotective drugs, for example, Ceraxon.

To relieve puffiness, you can use weak hormonal or anti-inflammatory drugs, Glycine and Magne B6 will also be useful.

Treatment with physiotherapy methods

If intracranial pressure (ICP) is not accompanied by severe pathologies, but is benign process, then the pathology can be successfully cured with the help of physiotherapeutic methods.

Typically, patients are prescribed the following procedures:

Electrophoresis with eufillin. A course of ten procedures is recommended, the duration of each procedure is at least fifteen minutes. Eufillin introduced into collar area, contributes to the activation brain nutrition, blood circulation, since with ICP the brain suffers significantly from a lack of oxygen. After normalization of the vessels, the cerebral fluid is absorbed and flows from the brain, which lowers the intracranial pressure.
Applying a magnet to the collar area. With the help of a magnetic field, vascular tone decreases, the sensitivity of tissues to oxygen starvation. Also, the use of a magnet makes it possible to remove swelling of tissues, improve the condition of nerve tissues.
Very often, on the recommendation of the attending physician, a massage of the cervical-collar zone is performed. it effective remedy helps to establish the outflow of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid, reduce spasm of the muscles of the collar zone, relax muscle corset. All this contributes to the outflow of cranial fluid. The massage course consists of fifteen sessions. After that, patients can independently master the technique of massage and do it twice a day for fifteen minutes.
Physiotherapy exercises will help to eliminate the symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, and swimming is best. With this form physical activity all muscle groups work. Swimming unloads the body as much as possible, tones the muscles of the neck and shoulder. It is useful to swim two or three times a week for thirty to forty minutes a day. If swimming is impossible for some reason, it is replaced with water aerobics or physiotherapy exercises with an emphasis on the cervical region.
With increased intracranial pressure nice results gives acupuncture. Treatment with this method allows you to normalize metabolic processes in the body, eliminate vascular spasm, restore the functioning of the nervous system damaged by increased intracranial pressure. Acupuncture is not used as independent technique therapy, only complements the main treatment.
Circular shower - another effective method treat increased intracranial pressure. With the help of a jet of water, the shower unit acts on certain areas of the neck, which allows you to activate sensitive receptors, increase muscle tone, normalize blood circulation and ensure the outflow of fluid from cranium.

Uncomplicated cases of intracranial pressure can be treated with physiotherapy, but specialized medical treatment is indicated for more severe situations.

Medical treatment

Several groups of medications are used to treat intracranial hypertension. Diuretic drugs are aimed at reducing the production of cerebrospinal fluid, as they inhibit the transport of chloride ions. Among this group, the most famous are Diakarb, Furosemide. Diakarb is mainly prescribed for a child, including a baby, but Furosemide is used in adults.

Potassium-containing drugs - these drugs activate electrolyte metabolism and normalize the balance of electrolytes in the body. Through the use of this drug drug group, brain nutrition improves, oxygen enters in a larger volume. The drugs are usually prescribed for severe conditions. For example, traumatic brain injuries, in which cerebral edema provoked increased intracranial pressure. The most famous representative of this group is Asparkam.

Corticosteroid medicines- this group of drugs is used for diagnosed meningitis, brain tumors, as well as severe intoxication or the development of an allergic reaction, accompanied by swelling of the brain. Effective drug this group - Dexamethasone.

It is worth noting that recent studies have shown that previously actively prescribed drugs for high blood pressure do not have any desired effects. Therefore, doctors today do not recommend taking such drugs: Notta, Cavinton, Sermion, Nootropil, which do not give a therapeutic effect.

Surgery

If it is not possible to lower the cranial pressure with medications, a decision is made to conduct an operative intervention. In patients with severe congenital pathologies, severe injuries or tumors, surgery may be the only way to save their lives.

Used for treatment different kinds bypass. AT this case a hole is made in the skull, where the catheter is placed. With one end, it is immersed in the ventricle of the brain, and the other end is brought out into abdominal cavity or other suitable area. Despite the progressiveness of such an operation, patients experience some inconvenience:

there is always a risk of clogging of the valve, due to which the intervention has to be repeated;
for young children, a series of surgical interventions will be necessary, since with the growth of the body it is necessary to reinstall the catheter.

The second option for removing fluid from the brain is a puncture. With this type of intervention, an incision is made in the soft tissues of the skull. A catheter is inserted into the incision to a shallow depth, which is fixed to a sterile reservoir. It will collect excess cerebrospinal fluid. The disadvantage of such an intervention is complications, as well as the need for a second procedure in fifty percent of cases. If a lumbar puncture is done, then the fluid is removed from the spinal canal, after which intracranial pressure normalizes.

Endoscopic surgery is performed in the form of perforation of the bottom of the third ventricle. A set of instruments for endoscopy under the control of video equipment performs the necessary manipulations to create a channel for the outflow of intracranial fluid. As a rule, such operations are used in adult patients. The operation has a favorable outcome in most cases. Complications after its implementation practically do not arise.

Alternative treatment

In addition to the main methods of therapy, you can also be treated with folk remedies. A decoction of mulberry branches will be useful for patients. Dried thin branches are cut into one and a half to two centimeters, two table boats of branches are poured with four glasses of water and boiled for twenty minutes over low heat.

The resulting broth should be filtered and drunk one glass three times a day.

The course of therapy with this remedy is three weeks. Improving the health of patients occurs due to the unique composition of the resulting liquid. It contains antioxidants vitamin C, tocopherol, manganese, zinc, choline and many others active substances and trace elements useful for both adults and children.

Helps with increased intracranial pressure and a mixture of alcohol tinctures. For treatment, you need to take the following components:

hawthorn, motherwort, valerian - 4 parts each;
eucalyptus and peppermint - one part each.

All tinctures for the preparation of the product must be purchased at the pharmacy, and then combined in the right proportions. Ten sticks of cloves are added to the resulting liquid and left to infuse for two weeks. It is necessary to take liquid twenty-five drops along with sugar. Drink the medicine before meals three times a day. The resulting mixture allows you to eliminate venous spasm, which opposes the normal flow of CSF.

It is necessary to treat increased intracranial pressure as soon as possible, already when the first signs of pathology are detected. Otherwise, patients are threatened with cerebral circulatory arrest (ischemic stroke), compression of brain tissue, and damage to stem structures. Serious consequences are epileptic seizures and vision problems.

Constant headache along with nausea and some neurological disorders(edema of the internal disc) - the main symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), the diagnosis of which at an early stage will help to avoid the development of dangerous diseases and injuries.

Symptoms

Consider several main manifestations of ICP that affect well-being:

One of the first symptoms of increased intracranial pressure is a persistent headache that starts on waking and gets worse at night or in the evening. Discomfort caused by increased intracranial pressure may increase during coughing or other sudden movements head.
Along with a constant headache, hallmark considered nausea (without vomiting).
A sharp change in mental, mental state is another signal that can be caused intracranial hypertension(may be manifested by excessive irritability, slow decision-making, other noticeable behavioral disorders). AT rare cases(if not properly treated), these disorders can lead to pathological torpor and even coma.
Periodic, frequent fainting is possible.
Pain in the eyeballs, double vision, bruising under the eyes may occur.
Excessive sweating.

Often these symptoms are exacerbated by changes in atmospheric pressure, during a sharp change in the weather. The headache may worsen when lying down. This is due to a violation of the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

The manifestation of one or more symptoms - a reason to contact a specialist. In no case do not start self-medication, because taking the wrong drugs can significantly worsen the condition.

Causes of ICP

Let's name a few main factors that affect the increase in ICP:

violation of metabolic processes that impair the absorption of fluid into the blood;
an increase in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF);
the occurrence of a volumetric formation in the cranial cavity (tumor, hematoma);
an increase in the amount of blood in the dilated vessels of the brain (may occur with poisoning, intoxication);
genetic anomalies and defects in the cerebrospinal fluid.

It should be noted that there are a number of diseases accompanied by an increase in ICP:

violation of cerebral circulation of various origins (and);
traumatic injury brain tissue (concussion);
encephalitis - inflammation of the brain tissues (GM) leads to their swelling, which causes an increase in ICP;
with purulent meningitis, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid changes, it becomes more viscous and its outflow is more difficult (with all types of meningitis, GM edema occurs);
intoxication with salts of heavy metals, vapors of toxic gases;
developmental anomalies (Arnold-Kari, Dandy-Walker);
hydrocephalus - with this disease, the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid is disturbed.

Do not confuse high blood pressure (hypertension) with intracranial pressure. In both cases, a headache occurs, the pressure may fluctuate. At the same time, increased ICP is a symptom, but it is a disease.

Diagnostics

Only a specialist can detect elevated ICP. For this, as a rule, magnetic resonance and computed tomography are used, which makes it possible to see the state of the tissue in the brain, whether the cerebral ventricle is enlarged. If these methods are not enough, a number of analyzes are used and special studies:

The optometrist examines the fundus of the eye to determine the cause of pain in the eye area. Increased pressure indicates swelling of the disc in the optic nerve, while the veins in the retina expand. Also, the outflow of blood in the retina can be disturbed.
With the help of electroencephalography, probable malfunctions can be detected brain activity method of recording impulses emanating from different areas of the brain.
Sometimes a method is used in which a catheter is inserted into the lumen of the spinal canal or ventricles of the brain, with the further attachment of a manometer, which works similarly to a mercury thermometer.
Due to the high error, in rare cases, they resort to echoencephaloscopy (ultrasound neurophysiological method).

The norm of ICP in an adult is 5-7 mm Hg. Art., more high performance indicate a disorder and the need for treatment.

How to treat ICP?

Therapy for high ICP should be initiated without delay. After all, prolonged pressure on the brain causes malfunctions in its work, which leads to nervous disorders and decreased intelligence. If the study showed a significant deviation from the norm, the patient is assigned to the hospital.

After identifying the pathology that led to the development of the disease, phased treatment begins:

Eliminate the cause.

When increased ICP is caused by intracerebral formation (tumor, hematoma, aneurysm), surgical intervention and remove it. In the case of excessive secretion of cerebrospinal fluid in hydrocephalus, bypass surgery is performed, the task of which is to create an additional path for the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid, which will lead to a decrease in ICP.

Medical correction of the pressure level.

At this stage, one usually uses the following drugs:

osmodiuretics (Mannitol, Glycerol) - their action is aimed at reducing the amount of cerebrospinal fluid;
"Loop" diuretics (Furosemide) - increase the excretion of sodium and chlorine from the body, dilate peripheral vessels, which leads to a decrease in ICP;
hormonal preparations(Dexamethasone) - have anti-inflammatory, antitoxic, immunosuppressive effects;
Diacarb - used to restore normal pH levels and susceptibility to "loop" diuretics;
neuroprotectors (Glycine) - contribute to the stimulation of mental activity.

Diet therapy. On the this stage limit the amount of salt and fluid intake, diets No. 10, 10a are well suited.
Application of manual therapy techniques:

hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a method of using oxygen under high pressure in medicinal purposes;
hyperventilation - a method of intensive breathing that exceeds the body's need for oxygen;
artificial hypotension - a therapeutic and prophylactic method of deliberate reduction blood pressure.

In the case of taking painkillers, pain is relieved, but not a decrease in ICP.

Folk methods for reducing ICP

There are recipes traditional medicine, which help to effectively deal with ICP on early stages and have a beneficial effect in combination with drug treatment. Here are the most effective of them:

Rubbing hot (about 50 C) lavender oil into whiskey. It can be bought ready-made at the pharmacy or prepared at home. To do this, mix dry lavender herb with olive oil(1:1 by weight), insist 20 days and filter. Manipulation is carried out at the first manifestation of a headache.
Mix alcohol with camphor oil in a ratio of 1:1. The solution is applied to the surface of the scalp immediately before going to bed, put a thin plastic cap on top (if it is well fixed, a regular disposable bag will do) and wrap a towel. The result will be a reduction in elevated ICP in the morning and at night. This method is recommended for exacerbation of headache.
Well-proven complex herbal tincture. To prepare, grind mint, hawthorn, eucalyptus, motherwort and valerian in equal proportions. 50 g of the resulting mass insist on vodka for 20-30 days, after which we filter. It is necessary to use 20-25 drops at a time. initial symptoms ICP.
A mixture of minced lemon with garlic is not only an excellent tool in the fight against colds, but also a proven cure for high ICP. To prepare, twist 2 lemons and a large head of garlic. Use the resulting slurry in pure form it is impossible, it can provoke an increase in the acidity of the stomach. She is bred warm water(2 l) and taken at bedtime (30 ml).
Enough simple method to normalize ICP there will be inhalation with bay leaf. To do this, 5 leaves are poured with a liter of boiling water and breathe in pairs, leaning over the container.

Be sure to coordinate the methods of traditional medicine used with your doctor. Some components can significantly enhance (or neutralize) the effect of medications.

Features of increased ICP in children

Consider some high symptoms:

A feature characteristic of increased ICP will be behavior in which the child can be relatively calm during the day, and in the evening (night) cry without calming down, that is, the behavior becomes stably restless. This is due to the structure of the venous and cerebrospinal fluid system. At a later time, the baby is more in horizontal position, the venous outflow at the same time slows down, the veins of the brain and skull overflow, which increases the volume of cerebrospinal fluid. This leads to an increase in ICP.
With increased ICP, irritation of the centers medulla oblongata, which are responsible for vomiting, nausea. Due to the fact that frequent vomiting, regurgitation in children occurs with different reasons, it is impossible to make a diagnosis of increased ICP based on this symptom alone.
Disproportionate size of the head, an increase in the "fontanelle" or frontal part of the skull, divergence of the sutures of the bones of the skull. All this is due to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cerebrospinal fluid spaces of the brain.
Graefe's symptom is a violation of work oculomotor nerves, which occurs as a result of birth trauma and as a result of high ICP. Manifested by periodic uncontrolled deviations of the eyeballs down.

The only method that allows you to compare the indicators of the norm of ICP with the data of a sick child is a spinal puncture. Such a study, although the most accurate, is used extremely rarely. After all, it is invasive (penetrating), and in modern conditions there are many other ways to diagnose increased ICP by a combination of signs.

The first thing to do is to be examined by a neurologist. Parents should tell the doctor in detail about the features of the child's sleep, changes in appetite, sleep patterns.

On examination, the ophthalmologist can detect changes in the fundus, whether the veins are dilated, whether there is swelling of the optic nerve head.

Neurosonography is a fairly informative research method in children under one year old (while the "fontelle" is still open). it ultrasound procedure GM of a child, in which it is possible to detect an increase in the interhemispheric gap, changes in the ventricles, volumetric formations in the GM. For born child ultrasound does not have a negative effect, and it is difficult to overestimate the benefits of this method.

The choice of tactics and method of treatment of increased ICP in a child depends on the disease that caused it. Consider the most common methods:

Normalization of sleep, feeding.
Long walks on fresh air.
Moderate physical activity, swimming has a very beneficial effect.
The appointment of diuretics (diuretics) - Diakarb, Triampur, as well as drugs that improve blood circulation in the GM (Pantogam, Cavinton).
Physiotherapy procedures.
Drugs that have a mild sedative (calming) effect.

If treatment is not started in time, the child's vision may deteriorate, the psyche may be disturbed, and an epileptic syndrome may occur. And in the case of clamping the cerebellum, a disorder of consciousness, respiratory failure, weakness in the limbs is possible.

Symptoms of intracranial pressure in infants are 90% associated with birth trauma.

What parents of a child with this diagnosis should know:

Exists misconception about the incurability of elevated ICP. Timely therapy with a wide range of different medicines, as well as the possibilities surgical treatment help to cope with this pathology.
The main thing is to follow the doctor's instructions.
It must be remembered that with increased ICP in children, treatment should be complex, individual and take place under the supervision of a specialist.
The main cause of this dysfunction in children is due to abnormal pregnancy or difficult births.

Prevention

Properly performed prevention of ICP deviations helps not only to reduce the risk of occurrence, but also to cope with backfire disease and fully recover. At the same time, its success depends on your desire and the way you lead your life.

Experts recommend in without fail rest for at least 30 minutes after lunch and take small breaks during work. In addition, in order to reduce the overall burden on the body in violation of ICP, you should limit the time you watch TV and stay at the PC to one hour a day.

Moderate and regular exercise is another effective method prevention of elevated ICP. Morning work-out in this case would be the best solution. Some people choose yoga classes - it normalizes physiological processes in the body and ensures the normal functioning of all parts of the nervous system.

Sanatorium treatment comprehensively helps to overcome the influence of an unfavorable environmental situation and the so-called "urban loads". A visit to the resort helps to relax, renew immunity, protect yourself from nervous breakdowns and physiological disorders in the body.

Regarding nutrition, nutritionists recommend introducing lemon, beans, kiwi, buckwheat, apricots into the diet. At the same time, it is necessary to minimize the consumption of fatty and sweet food. If you are suffering from excess weight should seriously consider reducing it.

With increased ICP, you should not overheat (bath, sauna, beach). Doctors also recommend bringing down body temperature if it exceeds 38 C.

Bad habits: Smoking and alcohol abuse are extremely important risk factors for your health. You should not wait for the first signals of violation of ICP, you should give up destructive addictions long before that.

Remember, systematic medical checkup and treatment under the supervision of specialists will also help to prevent or cope with this pathology.

Increased ICP (video)

From this video you can learn more about the causes that cause increased ICP, diagnostic methods to detect pathology, as well as traditional and folk ways to deal with it.

Increased intracranial pressure - serious symptom, which can signal the presence of dangerous pathologies in a person. But thanks modern medicine elevated ICP can be successfully treated, as well as the underlying cause that provoked it.

The article discusses intracranial pressure. We talk about the causes of its occurrence, symptoms, possible consequences. You will learn how pressure is measured and treated, whether it is possible to carry out therapy with folk remedies.

What is intracranial pressure

Pressure in the skull occurs against the background of congestive accumulation or deficiency of cerebrospinal fluid, both phenomena are a consequence of impaired CSF circulation.

Cerebrospinal fluid is collected in the cerebral ventricles, in the region of the spinal cord, in the part of the head between the bones of the cranium, the brain and the bone marrow. Main function liquor - protection of gray matter from overvoltage and damage.

The liquid is characterized by being under constant pressure, while approximately every week there is an update of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Violation of this process contributes to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in one localization, resulting in an increase in intracranial pressure. With a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid, intracranial pressure decreases.

The reasons

A decrease in ICP often occurs with mechanical injuries head, tumors, prolonged vasoconstriction, including against the background of long-term use of diuretics.

Provoking factors:

disorders of metabolic processes that impair the absorption of fluid into the blood;
vascular spasms that impede the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid;
a lot of water in the body, which contributes to an increase in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid;
migraine;
hypoxia of the brain of the head;
meningitis and encephalitis;
hydrocephalus;
tumors and cysts;
stroke;
overweight;
poisoning;
vitamin A hypervitaminosis.
and etc.

Symptoms

The development of signs of intracranial pressure occurs gradually. The main role in the clinical picture belongs to headaches.

The nature of headaches is pressing, squeezing, in some situations - pulsating. Pain sensation occurs in the morning after waking up, aggravated by lying down, coughing, sneezing, physical activity.

Other symptoms of ICP:

bouts of nausea and vomiting;
noise in the head;
jumps in blood pressure;
pulse jumps;
pain in the abdomen;
constipation or diarrhea;
increased work of the salivary glands;
increased sweating;
dizziness;
suffocation;
feelings of fear and anxiety;
irritability;
apathy,
drowsiness;
heart pains.

You can find detailed information about intracranial pressure in the following video:

Pressure measurement

Reliable measurement of ICP is possible only in outpatient settings. To determine the parameters, a catheter is inserted into the cerebral ventricle, which contains cerebrospinal fluid, to the patient. This method allows you to accurately detect an increase in ICP.

Pressure inside the skull is measured using an epidural transducer. To install it, a hole is made in the patient's skull by removing the hair and treating the skin area. antiseptic solution. The sensor is placed between the bones of the cranium and the hard meninges. This method is contraindicated for children.

Non-invasive technique ICP measurements- Examination of the fundus. This is an indirect method, during which swelling of the visual discs is detected, excessive filling of the vessels of the fundus with blood, which indicates an increase in pressure inside the skull.

Effects

Complications of increased ICP:

suspension of the blood circulation of the brain - the cessation of blood movement occurs with an increase in pressure up to 400 millimeters of the water column;
compression of the tissues of the organ - the consequence provokes a prolonged increase in ICP, the disease leads to the death of white gray matter, cerebellar neurons, coordination disorders and a decrease in strength in the arms and legs occur;
damage to the brain stem - as a result of increased ICP, the organ shifts, the top of the stem enters the hemispheres, the bottom pinches the hole occipital bone, symptoms of the phenomenon - bradycardia, symmetrically dilated pupils that do not respond to light, decreased muscle tone, lowering temperature;
visual impairment - the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid near the optic nerve leads to compression of the latter, pressure provokes the death of long processes of neurons, swelling of the nipple of the nerve, inflammation passes to the retina of the eye, the result is visual impairment and blindness;
symptoms of epilepsy - seizures occur when certain parts of the brain are squeezed, the syndrome resembles an epileptic seizure.

Treatment

The main task of therapy is the elimination of the cause that caused the increase in ICP. If intracranial pressure does not pose a threat to the patient's life, the doctor prescribes medication, massage, physiotherapy exercises. At high risk complications require surgical intervention.

Physiotherapy

To liquefy the cerebrospinal fluid, the patient may be prescribed physiotherapy, namely:

electrophoresis - a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (eufillin) is injected into the collar zone, the procedure is continued for fifteen minutes, the drug improves the supply of oxygen to the brain, normalizes the functions of the vessels of the organ;
installing a magnet on the collar zone - the procedure reduces vascular tone, stabilizes pressure, suppresses the sensitivity of brain cells to oxygen deficiency, reduces swelling of organ tissues;
massage of the neck and spine - massage promotes improved outflow venous blood from the head;
acupuncture - affects the reflex zones, eliminates vascular spasms, activates metabolic processes and the activity of the nervous system;
circular shower - the procedure helps to increase muscle tone, activate receptors, normalize blood circulation.
Physiotherapy exercises, moderate sports such as walking, swimming, cycling will help reduce intracranial pressure.

Medical therapy

Medications can be prescribed only by a doctor after the results of diagnosis and staging accurate diagnosis. Groups of drugs prescribed for ICP:

diuretics (Acetazolamide, Furosemide) - reduce the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid by suppressing the transport of chloride ions;
potassium-containing drugs (Asparkam) - normalize the electrolyte balance, improve the exchange between tissues, ensure sufficient absorption of oxygen by the brain;
corticosteroids (Dexamethasone) - relieve swelling, eliminate intoxication and allergic reactions in the body.

For the treatment of intracranial pressure, patients are often prescribed nootropics, in addition to increasing the efficiency of the brain, drugs from this group increase the body's resistance to harmful effects- overwork, hypoxia. Patients may also be prescribed drugs to improve cerebral circulation.

Surgery

Surgery - the only method treatment of ICP developed against the background of hydrocephalus, injuries, tumors and congenital pathologies.

Depending on the degree and nature increase in ICP, the presence or absence of complications, the patient may be prescribed one of several types of surgical intervention - bypass, puncture or endoscopic surgery.

When performing shunting, CSF is redirected from the cerebral ventricles into the peritoneal cavity or atrium. During the operation, the surgeon makes a hole in the skull, where the catheter is inserted. The doctor places the first end of the tube into the ventricle of the brain, and brings the second out. Depending on the type of procedure, the end of the system is fixed in the right atrium or in the peritoneal cavity. The progress of the operation is controlled by X-ray examination.

Shunting is shown:

with the formation of cysts that produce cerebrospinal fluid;
with hydrocephalus;
with blockage of the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid.

Effective surgical methods removal of stagnant cerebrospinal fluid - punctures, namely ventricular and lumbar. The first procedure ensures the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid from the cerebral ventricle to the outside through a needle, the second involves the exit of cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal.

Cases of the need for puncture:

taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for histological examination;
withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from the cerebral ventricles;
measurement of ICP;
administration of medications.

Endoscopy involves perforation of the bottom of the third ventricle of the brain of the head. Using a rigid neuroendoscope, the surgeon connects the bottom of the cavity and the subarachnoid cisterns, inserts a thin tube into the canal, and liquid flows down it.

Endoscopic surgery is prescribed to patients in such cases:

ICP is caused by traumatic injuries;
it is necessary to eliminate the system of shunts;
there were complications after shunting.

Folk methods

Treatment of intracranial pressure by alternative methods is only an auxiliary procedure, the use of which should be consulted with a doctor.

Folk remedies for intracranial pressure help improve blood circulation, normalize the functions of the nervous system, and also reduce the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid.

Effective Recipes:

Infusion of mulberry branches - chop dried raw materials, for cooking, take two tablespoons of raw materials, boil in 1 liter of water - let the broth boil, then boil for another twenty minutes. Leave the decoction for one hour. Before use, strain the infusion, drink one glass, the frequency of use is three times a day. Duration treatment course- three weeks.
Alcohol tinctures - make a cocktail of tinctures, for this, take 100 milliliters of valerian, motherwort and hawthorn, as well as a quarter of this dosage of eucalyptus tinctures and peppermint. Add 10 pieces of cloves to the "cocktail", leave for 14 days. Take the medicine as follows - apply 25 drops to a piece of sugar or dilute in a spoonful of water. Frequency of administration - three times a day, twenty minutes before meals.
Decoction of poplar buds - take two tablespoons of raw black poplar, boil them in 500 milliliters of water for fifteen minutes. Cool the broth and strain, use the drug 200 milliliters on an empty stomach three times a day. The duration of treatment is about 3 weeks, then take a three-week break and repeat.

What to remember

Lead to the development of ICP:

pathologies that provoke stagnation of cerebrospinal fluid;
metabolic disorders;
a large number of fluids in the body.

You can measure pressure:

by measuring by installing an epidural sensor;
by inserting a catheter into the cerebral ventricle;
through eye examination.

Treatment methods for ICP:

physiological procedures;
drug therapy;
surgical operations.

See you in the next article!

Please support the project - tell us about us

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a disease that cannot be ignored. It may seem to a person that slight dizziness and headaches that bother in the morning are nonsense. However similar symptoms may indicate serious structural damage to the brain tissue, and the causes of increased ICP lie in dangerous pathologies(, hemorrhage or).

Especially dangerous is increased intracranial pressure in a newborn baby. Untreated hydrocephalus becomes a catalyst for serious illnesses. Having found signs of the disease, the first thing to do is to be examined by a neurologist. Patients are prescribed appropriate drugs and massage. But sometimes it can not do without surgical intervention.

Increased intracranial pressure occurs due to edema or an increase in the content of cerebrospinal fluid. The causes of excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid may be in serious pathologies:

inflammation in the membranes or the brain itself (meningitis, ventriculitis, encephalitis);
traumatic brain injury;
organism intoxication ethyl alcohol, poisons, or after a person has taken uncontrolled strong pills and drugs.

In addition, the reasons may be the following:

tumor, hematoma,;
ischemic stroke, in which vasospasm interferes with normal blood circulation, and also affects the balance of cerebrospinal fluid;
congenital pathologies of the brain.

In adults, a change in intracranial pressure can occur due to chronic diseases and an unhealthy lifestyle:

high blood cholesterol;
diabetes;
dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
excess body weight;
abuse of nicotine and alcohol;
oxygen starvation (constant stay in a stuffy, unventilated room);
passion for self-medication, in which there are signs of an overdose medicines and even vitamin complexes.

As for children, the causes of increased intracranial pressure in infants in ninety cases out of a hundred are caused by hydrocephalus, which occurs due to birth injuries or pathologies during the mother's pregnancy:

detachment of the placenta;
protracted childbirth;
premature discharge of amniotic fluid;
oxygen starvation of the fetus;
clamping the umbilical neck of the embryo;
infectious diseases of a pregnant woman;
drinking alcohol and drugs mother.

There are frequent cases of hydrocephalus due to too rapid healing of the fontanel in a newborn, which causes an increase in intracranial pressure. Sometimes pathologically high intracranial pressure occurs due to a violation of the process of fusion of the bones of the skull.

External manifestations of ICP

Increased intracranial pressure manifests itself through certain symptoms. Usually they are accompanied by a general decrease in the quality of life and a deterioration in the patient's condition:

The signs inherent in vegetative dystonia are pre-fainting, dizziness, excessive sweating, darkening of the eyes during the morning rise from bed.
Often there are symptoms gastrointestinal disorder expressed in constant nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting reaction to some types of products that have always been on the usual menu and did not cause nausea before.
Adolescents and adults have signs of circulatory disorders and the work of the heart muscle: temporary tachycardia (rapid heartbeat with minor physical exertion), bradycardia (rare poorly palpable pulse), blood pressure jumps, shortness of breath.
A characteristic feature is frequent headaches, which intensify in the evening and during a sharp change in weather. Pain syndrome is sometimes not relieved even by painkillers or head massage.

Indirect symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in adults may indicate an unstable mental and emotional condition person:

increased nervousness and irritability;
decreased performance and fatigue;
depressed mood;
seizures unreasonable fear or anxiety;
decreased sexual activity;
isolation and unwillingness to make contact.

Outwardly, the person looks emaciated, has an unhealthy cyanotic complexion and dark circles under the eyes.

Manifestations of hypertension in newborns

In infants, changes in the color of the skin are also noticeable: usually in children with increased intracranial pressure, they appear pale, and during bouts of crying - bluish-burgundy.

The strong one keeps them awake at night. If do light massage the back of the head, they can calm down for a while, but in the morning they cry again for no reason. Parents should be concerned about the behavior of the baby if they observe symptoms of hypertension:

an increase in the fontanel (large and small);
pulsation visible to the eye in the fontanel area;
an increase in the size of the sutures between the bones of the skull;
bright venous mesh at the temples;
strong tilting of the head back during sleep;
slight tremor of the chin at rest;
frequent "fountain" vomiting after eating;
"strangeness" in the child's vision, for example, staring at one point or lack of focus;
lethargy of the limbs, "hanging" of the hands and feet.

Observing such clinical picture in a child, you should immediately report suspicions to the pediatrician and undergo an examination by a neurologist.

Methods for diagnosing ICP

In some cases, it is possible to determine increased intracranial pressure preliminary diagnosis, that is, by the method of external examination by a neuropathologist and an ophthalmologist. Symptoms in newborns are noted when measuring the circumference of the child's head and the ratio of indicators with body height. Pathological progression of head enlargement indicates impaired brain development and the presence of increased intracranial pressure.

The doctor also pays attention to the proportionality of the forehead and superciliary arches, on too rare hairline, the degree of protrusion of the eyeball, the color of the skin. The neuropathologist analyzes the general psychomotor development of the child, observes whether there is a tremor of the chin or frequent twitching of the head.

An ophthalmologist can confirm the diagnosis on the basis of an analysis of the fundus: he determines whether there is swelling in the optic disc, whether contour blurring is present, whether myopia is progressing. These symptoms, observed together, indicate pathological intracranial pressure.

Among the modern methods of examination are used following methods:

neurosonography (ultrasound examination of the brain);
methods of computer diagnostics.

To clarify the diagnosis, intracranial pressure is measured using a special manometer, which is attached to a crater inserted into the spinal canal. However, this procedure is quite complicated and is possible only in the intensive care unit or in the neurosurgery clinic. To measure pressure in newborns and children under 1 year old, echoncephaloscopy or neurosonography is preferred.

Echoencephalography is an absolutely painless procedure and less dangerous than inserting a crater into the spinal canal. As a rule, the method is used during the child's sleep. The head is lubricated with a special gel, then a special helmet is put on, which has slots for sensors. Ultrasound signals are recorded for 5 to 10 minutes, after which the indicators are analyzed using computer testing.

The treatment strategy is indicated only on the basis of a complete comprehensive examination.

Surgical intervention

In some cases, you can not do without surgery. Hypertension in children can be a catalyst for serious irreversible pathologies. Therefore, if traditional therapy where drugs and general strengthening massage are used, does not help, surgical intervention cannot be postponed.

Before the operation, the patient must pass preparatory stage, during which he takes drugs prescribed by a doctor to stabilize pressure and prevent increased blood clotting.

The operation itself consists in the introduction of a shunt (outlet tube), through which excess cerebrospinal fluid is removed ( cerebrospinal fluid) accumulated in the ventricles of the brain.

If the cause of high intracranial pressure is a tumor, a craniotomy is performed with removal dangerous education.

In the future, the patient is again prescribed pills to restore pressure, as well as strengthening therapy, including massage and gymnastics.

Medical treatment

If a person has, it seems to him that it is easier to take painkillers than to seek advice in a timely manner. However, drugs for the treatment of increased intracranial pressure and relief of the condition are prescribed only by doctors, after examination and diagnosis:

Inflammatory edema relieved by analgesics (ibuprofen, indomethacin, paracetamol).
Meningococcal infection is treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Intracranial pressure is reduced by diuretics (lasix, veroshpiron, diacarb).

Preparations for relieving pain are selected taking into account age and individual sensitivity. It can be aspirin, ibuprofen and other drugs that have an additional anti-inflammatory effect.

Parallel to medical method, massage and other restorative procedures are prescribed.

Firming procedures

Contrary to popular belief about omnipotence folk methods, increased intracranial pressure is not treated with home remedies. Healing herbs, diets and massage can only reduce symptoms or strengthen the body for its successful recovery.

Determine the severity of the situation and assign adequate treatment only a specialist can. Even such a procedure as a head massage is better to entrust chiropractor or learn from him for two or three sessions how to do it correctly.

Usually warm up occipital part(when there are symptoms of a headache in the temples, they are also massaged). If a person is doing a head massage on their own, it is most convenient to put your palms on the top of your head and drive thumbs from the back of the head to the base of the neck. Massage can be done every day. In addition to relieving headaches, the procedure stimulates the normal circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

During recovery, it is important to follow a diet. The menu should not contain spicy and fatty foods. Nursing mothers should pay special attention to their diet. Black coffee and tea can be easily replaced with infusions of chicory root or fireweed angustifolia (Ivan tea). And before going to bed it is good to drink sedative infusions with mint or motherwort.

If the child sleeps restlessly, baths with a decoction of chamomile and a general relaxing massage help. Both adults and children are advised to sleep only in a well-ventilated room and walk outdoors as often as possible.