How to cleanse blood vessels from cholesterol plaques and blood clots using folk remedies, at home, or with medication. Why are cholesterol plaques dangerous in the blood vessels of the brain?

Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is a pathology that develops due to the formation of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels, resulting in an increased risk of developing hemorrhagic/ischemic stroke.

The insidiousness of the disease is that at an early stage of development, a diabetic does not feel alarming symptoms and signs. Against the background of a reduction in the lumen of the arteries, tinnitus, headache, and dizziness may occur. Often these symptoms are attributed to fatigue or other reasons.

Cholesterol plaques in the blood vessels of the brain are formed in three stages. The first stage is characterized by the formation of lipid stripes and spots. At the second stage, liposclerosis is diagnosed. In the area of atherosclerotic neoplasms, connective tissue and the plaque itself are formed. Its surface is uneven, fibrin and platelets settle on it.

At the third stage, intensive deposition of calcium salts is observed, cholesterol formation acquires a more dense structure. Gradually it increases in size, which leads to complete blockage of the blood vessel.

Causes and risk factors for plaque formation

The immediate cause of the formation of a cholesterol plaque in the head is a high concentration of low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol) in the body. The deposition of neoplasms begins with small spots. Over time they increase in size. During decay, they tend to circulate through veins, arteries, and capillaries, as a result of which blockage is observed.

Other reasons are metabolic pathologies - diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome. Often the cause of cholesterol accumulation is based on poor circulation in the body, disruptions in the endocrine system, or a genetic factor.

The likelihood of the disease increases in the presence of the following provoking factors:

Unhealthy lifestyle (drinking large amounts of strong drinks, smoking, using drugs);
Obesity 3 and 4 degrees;
Decompensated diabetes mellitus;
Tendency to overeat, consume unhealthy foods;
Climax;
Tendency to form blood clots;
Low physical activity.

Lack of timely treatment always leads to complications. This is Alzheimer's disease, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, heart attack, angina pectoris, arrhythmia or sudden death.

Clinical manifestations of cerebral atherosclerosis

The symptoms of atherosclerotic changes in the brain are varied. Not all signs and symptoms appear immediately. The clinical picture tends to increase gradually - as the disease progresses, more and more new symptoms appear, as the number of atherosclerotic plaques increases and cerebral circulation worsens.

At the stage of initial symptoms, the patient feels general malaise intermittently. As a rule, this is observed after excessive physical activity or after being in a room that is not ventilated. Signs: dizziness, extraneous noise in the ears, headache, slight difficulty concentrating.

As the disease progresses, symptoms intensify. A diabetic experiences tremors of the limbs, depression, impaired coordination of movements, and speech deteriorates. Over time, if therapy is not started, the patient experiences memory loss, mental abilities deteriorate significantly, and difficulties arise with independent care—outside help is required.

The main symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis:

Headache of varying duration and intensity.
Sleep disorder – the patient has difficulty falling asleep, often wakes up at night, has nightmares, and feels drowsy during the day.
Exacerbation of character traits - aggressiveness, suspiciousness, irritability, capriciousness, etc.
Chronic fatigue, significant decrease in performance.
Dizziness, memory impairment.
Slowness of movements, lack of coordination.
Speech is unclear.
"Choking" while eating.

An ischemic stroke develops as a result of complete blockage of a vessel, in other words, the death of the brain occurs because it does not receive nutrients and oxygen. Depending on which vessel has closed, symptoms appear: weakness, severe speech impairment, decreased/absent sensitivity of the limbs, impaired swallowing function, loss of coordination.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs somewhat less frequently in diabetics. The peculiarity is that it progresses quickly. Against the background of pathology, hemorrhage occurs in the gray/white matter of the brain, and not blockage of the vessel.

It is difficult to determine the type of stroke based on symptoms, and drug treatment is fundamentally different.

Principles of non-drug treatment

There are no discoveries in the field of science regarding new methods of treating atherosclerosis. Treatment for diabetes mellitus is always comprehensive and includes non-drug and medicinal methods of treating the patient.

Therapy necessarily takes into account all provoking factors that lead to the development of cerebral atherosclerosis. When hypoxia is a deficiency of oxygen in the body, the patient is recommended to take daily walks in the fresh air, and is prescribed oxygen baths and oxygen cocktails.

If there is a risk factor such as physical inactivity, it is necessary to play sports. The doctor recommends walking, slow running (if there are no medical contraindications), aerobics, swimming and other sports. For diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to constantly monitor sugar in the body and take pills that help lower glucose.

In case of stress and emotional lability, it is necessary to normalize the patient’s psychological state. It is necessary to optimize your sleep and rest schedule (sleep at least eight hours a day). If necessary, mild sedatives are prescribed, for example, Persen or Motherwort tincture.

The diet involves limiting a number of foods that contain a fat-like substance - cholesterol. It is necessary to abandon the consumption of offal, fatty meats, chicken eggs, cod liver, refractory animal fats (butter, pork fat);
Consumption of olive, corn and sunflower oil is allowed;
The menu includes a lot of plant-based fiber. It is found in fresh vegetables and fruits;
Be sure to eat seafood, lean fish, berries, and dried fruits.

If the patient has arterial hypertension, then the pressure should be maintained no higher than 140 per 90 mmHg.

Drug therapy

When laboratory diagnostics show a high concentration of cholesterol, then along with a correct lifestyle, medications are prescribed to help remove cholesterol in the blood.

All medications are prescribed exclusively by a doctor. Periodic medical supervision is required. The dosage and duration of drug use are determined individually - they depend on age, concomitant pathologies (hypertension, diabetes mellitus), LDL level in the blood, and other factors.

The treatment regimen includes statins, in particular Mertenil, Zocor, Atoris. These medications do not help get rid of cholesterol, but they stabilize the size of cholesterol tumors, which prevents them from enlarging. Take medications once a day. During therapy, performance monitoring is carried out - once every 60-90 days. Based on the results of the study, the dosage is adjusted.

The following drugs are prescribed for the treatment of atherosclerosis:

Group of fibrates. Medicines help reduce triglycerides in the blood. Accepted by the course.
assigned at the discretion of a medical specialist. The drug reduces triglycerides and increases the content of HDL - good cholesterol.
Antiplatelet agents improve blood circulation because they dilute biological fluid, which significantly reduces the risk of blood clots.
B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamin E. Vitamin therapy provides a general strengthening effect and is considered an additional treatment.
Bile acid sequestrants are resins that bind lipid acids, as a result of which they are not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.

The treatment regimen for hypertension includes antihypertensive medications that lower blood pressure. They are taken every day.

Lability of blood pressure increases the risk of a hypertensive crisis - in combination with vascular atherosclerosis, it can provoke a stroke, resulting in disability or death.

Surgical treatment of atherosclerosis

Surgical intervention is necessary in those clinical situations when a diabetic has a high risk of blocking the main arteries. Surgery can eliminate the largest plaques. In medical practice, several techniques stand out.

Endoscopic intervention that removes atherosclerotic accumulations. A small incision is made in the artery, then a special device is inserted - an endoscope equipped with a stent. It contains a medication that helps destroy fat-like deposits. During the manipulation, the endoscope is directed to the required area, where the stent is installed.

Very often, the cause of some diseases of the cardiovascular system is plaque in the blood vessels. They are formed in the bloodstream, and then settle on the vessels and pose a serious danger to human health. The most common complication in the presence of plaques is a disruption of normal blood flow in the body. In advanced cases, blood clots begin to form.

Why do they appear in blood vessels?

Atherosclerotic plaques tend to form in people with high blood cholesterol levels. When examined, they appear as deposits consisting of calcium, fat and tissue. Of course, plaques in blood vessels do not form immediately. At first, their rudiments look like fatty stripes on the walls.

Plaques are very dangerous for the human body. They have a heterogeneous density, which makes them more likely to break off and clog blood vessels. The separated part is already called a thrombus. The stuck blood clot enlarges over time and completely blocks the blood flow.

People who often drink alcohol or eat fatty and fried foods should also monitor the presence of plaques in the body. There is a high probability of cholesterol deposits in older people, as well as those who suffer from diabetes and excess body weight.

Signs of atherosclerosis

The groups of people potentially suffering from atherosclerosis were listed above. It is important for them to undergo all tests on time, monitor their health and control cholesterol. Plaques in the vessels initially do not pose any danger, and the disease develops asymptomatically.

A small deposit may not develop for years, but begin to grow only when the body is exposed to stress, heavy physical activity and high blood pressure. After the plaque has grown to a certain size, it begins to put pressure on the walls of blood vessels, and they begin to burst. Active formation of blood clots occurs, which clog and narrow. A person already feels this symptom very well.

Most often, plaques appear in the cervical region, in the vessels of the brain and legs.

The vessels in the neck are the most vulnerable. They are thin and constantly squeeze when turning the head. Such a weak spot is especially susceptible to the formation of cholesterol plaques.

As in all other vessels, plaques in the cervical region gradually begin to increase. True, due to their subtlety, a person feels the symptoms of the disease earlier. The formation of plaques in blood vessels thins them, making them fragile and hard.

After deposits have almost completely filled the vessel, it begins to suffocate from lack of oxygen.

Symptoms of cerebral vasoconstriction

If a person's plaque formation is out of control, and most of the deposits are in the brain, then symptoms will not be long in coming. A patient who has plaques in the vessels of the brain often suffers from migraines, dizziness, and insomnia. It is likely that mental disorders will develop.

If this stage is neglected, the situation will worsen. Hyperanxiety will appear. The patient will behave inappropriately and become very suspicious.

In the most severe cases, a person is unable to care for himself, has difficulty remembering and perceiving new information, and also requires additional care. In such conditions, treatment practically does not bring results.

Symptoms of vasoconstriction in the legs

A person who constantly suffers from illness in the calf muscles, suffers from heaviness in the legs and cramps may suspect that he has plaques. Cholesterol plaques in the vessels of the legs also cause changes in skin color. My limbs are constantly cold.

If the situation gets too bad, your legs begin to hurt even at rest. In a horizontal position, the limbs hurt even more. Relief, on the contrary, comes when lowering your legs down.

The disease is considered very advanced if tissue begins to die due to blood clots and plaques. The patient develops trophic ulcers. They are difficult to treat, and medications provide only temporary relief.

Symptoms of cervical vasoconstriction

It goes without saying that the vessels in the cervical spine are the only source of oxygen for the brain. Their blockage is characterized by the most striking symptoms. The interesting thing is that in this case, the human brain itself is first affected.

Atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels of the neck cause the following symptoms:

frequent dizziness;
heaviness in the head and neck;
loss of strength and weakness;
memory loss.

It is worth noting the danger of this disease. Symptoms of plaques in the cervical spine are often mild. A person only pays attention to the pain at first, but then gets used to it and does not see a doctor for a long time.

Plaques and blood clots are dangerous not because of their symptoms, but because of their ability to completely block blood vessels. Sometimes a blood clot gets into a very important vessel, and then a person’s life will be at great risk.

Experienced doctors note that recently most strokes are provoked by plaques. A stroke, in turn, has very dangerous consequences. If a person is not provided with timely medical assistance, then his recovery may take a long time, and full recovery is out of the question.

Methods for diagnosing cervical plaques

Of course, it is better to prevent a disease than to treat it, but it is very easy to miss the development of plaques in the body. As mentioned above, the disease does not manifest itself for a long time and the person does not feel any symptoms.

To understand that a person really suffers from such an ailment as plaques on the walls of the vessels of the neck, the doctor must prescribe the appropriate diagnosis. Now almost all clinics are equipped with the necessary modern equipment, so the examination should not be difficult for either the doctor or the patient, however, many procedures are provided only on a paid basis.

The most informative methods that detect the presence of plaques in the cervical spine are MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and vascular ultrasound. But there are some nuances here too. The fact is that in half of the cases, blockage of blood vessels by atherosclerotic plaques can only be detected if the lumen has been completely closed and the disease has already entered an advanced state.

How does the presence of plaques affect the patient’s face?

A person can understand that he has plaques in his blood vessels by looking at his face. Most often they can be seen before the eyes. These plaques are called xanthelasmas, and they are usually located on the inner corner of the upper eyelid. If you do not pay attention to them, the plaque may increase, and another xanthelasma will appear next to it.

A person who has xanthelasma must remember that this defect is a direct symptom of the presence of plaques in the body. Some doctors suggest removing this lump, but without treating the body and cleaning the blood vessels, this procedure does not bring any benefit. Xanthelasma appears again, and a small scar forms at the site of its removal.

Treatment of plaques in blood vessels

Certain medications can help fight plaque. However, is it only medications that can help cope with this disease? How to clear blood vessels from plaques while minimizing the intake of chemical medications?

In fact, there is a way. But it is impossible to completely overcome plaques without medications. After the doctor has determined their presence, the patient should consume large quantities of vegetables and fruits every day.

At the initial stages of the manifestation of cholesterol plaques, the doctor may prescribe physiotherapy to the patient. They perfectly relieve the symptoms of the disease and prevent them from increasing.

Special diets will also help reduce the number of plaques in blood vessels. As a rule, salt is almost completely excluded from them. Products such as garlic, walnuts, lemon and olive oil actively dissolve deposits.

In addition, there are more modern treatment methods. The procedure is called "cryoapheresis". It not only removes all deposits, but also perfectly cleanses the blood. A special cleansing diet, which is also prescribed by a doctor, will also help to cleanse the blood vessels even more.

If a patient is admitted to the hospital in an already advanced state and his vessels are almost completely clogged with plaques, then the doctor may refer him for surgical removal of deposits. The operation is mainly indicated for cerebral vessels.

If they are also almost completely clogged, the doctor may also refer the patient for surgical removal of the plaques.

Prevention methods

Is it possible to prevent the development of plaques and from plaques in the initial stages of the disease? Preventive recommendations from doctors for those people who monitor their health will help answer this question.

So, in order to protect yourself from the development of plaques in the blood vessels, it is important to adhere to proper nutrition throughout your life. Here are the basic principles of healthy eating for an adult:

A person should reduce the consumption of animal fats as much as possible.
Every day you need to eat foods that are rich in protein.
You need to eat often, but the portions should be small.
You need to consume fermented milk products every day.
Most of the diet should consist of plant foods.

However, some people are too fanatical about diet and begin to exclude any fatty foods. This is not recommended, because in addition to bad cholesterol, there is also good cholesterol. Good cholesterol is found in vegetable oils, as well as in fatty fish.

What medications are prescribed when atherosclerotic plaques are detected?

This disease also has periods when without drug therapy treatment would not make sense. In this case, the doctor may prescribe pills. Usually they help destroy plaques, as well as strengthen the blood vessels themselves. These can be statins, fibrates, nicotinic acid. If necessary, multivitamins and fish oil are prescribed.

People suffering from cholesterol plaques have poor blood condition. To improve it, certain drugs are also prescribed, for example Cardiomagnyl. If affected, tranquilizers or antidepressants will be added to the list of medications.

All medications must be taken only as prescribed by a doctor and in the order in which he recommended taking them. Treatment for this disease usually takes a long time, so you need to be patient. If all recommendations are followed, a person will not only get rid of plaques, but also improve the condition of the blood and blood vessels. They will become stronger and more elastic. A person’s mood will improve, vigor and clarity of mind will appear.

In this article we will introduce you to the main methods of cleansing blood vessels from atherosclerotic plaques. This information will help you avoid many of the consequences and complications associated with atherosclerosis.

Who should think about the need to cleanse blood vessels with atherosclerosis?

Men over 40 years of age with excess body weight have lipid metabolism disorders.

Vascular atherosclerosis is more often observed in people of the following categories:

women over 55 years of age;
people who consume large amounts of fatty, fried, smoked, salty foods and animal products;
people who have a hereditary predisposition to atherosclerosis;
people who suffer from atherosclerosis, rheumatic diseases, or vascular thrombosis;
people with bad habits.

Ways to cleanse blood vessels

How to prepare for more effective blood vessel cleansing?

Before cleaning the vessels, you should make sure that such measures are necessary. To do this, you need to take the following blood tests:

PTI or INR;
to determine the level of total, triglycerides, low and high density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL).

Indications for the need for vessel cleansing may include the following indicators of these tests:

INR – hypercoagulation more than 1.25;
PTI – more than 142%;
total cholesterol – 5.18-6.19 mmol/l;
LDL – 2.59-4.12 mmol/l;
HDL – for men less than 1.036, for women less than 1.29 mmol/l.

The results of these analyzes may be different. They depend on age and the list of medications taken. That is why the doctor must “decipher” the results of the tests described above.

If there are concomitant diseases, the doctor may recommend that his patient perform such instrumental research methods as:

or ultrasound of blood vessels of other organs;
MRI of vessels and other organs.

How are blood vessels cleared of atherosclerotic plaques?

After deciphering the tests, an individual step-by-step program for cleansing the blood vessels is drawn up. It may consist of the following activities:

taking medications to lower cholesterol levels;
taking medications to eliminate excessive blood viscosity;
adherence to a certain diet that helps normalize the functioning of the digestive tract and stabilize the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood;
adherence to a certain diet that prevents the formation of blood clots;
taking traditional medicine that helps normalize blood cholesterol levels;
taking traditional medicine to thin the blood;
lifestyle changes that contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Some unscrupulous doctors and herbalists offer their patients programs to eliminate rheumatic nodules and other structural changes (for example, atheromas or calcified atherosclerotic plaques) from the walls of blood vessels. Such attempts to “cleanse the blood vessels” can waste your time and progress the disease. Such “pseudotypes of vascular cleansing” are especially dangerous when there is a change in the structures of blood vessels near vital organs. For example, coronary vessels or cerebral vessels.

In some cases, surgery is necessary to eliminate these formations. In such situations, professional doctors always include in the vascular cleansing program such an item as “surgical intervention,” which can be carried out using minimally invasive or classical techniques.

Taking medications to lower cholesterol levels

Taking medications to reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol should be carried out under constant medical supervision of the patient by a doctor. To carry out such monitoring, tests for the level of total cholesterol, LDL and HDL may be prescribed.

Simvastatin

To stabilize cholesterol levels, the following drugs belonging to the group may be prescribed:

bile acid sequestrants: Cholestyramine, Colestipol;
a drug to suppress the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines Guarem;
statins: Zocor, Holetar, Atokor, Rosuvastatin, Fluvastatin, etc.;
fibrates: Gevilon, Fenofibrate, Lipanor, Trilipix, etc.
drug for stopping fat oxidation Proburkol;
other drugs to lower cholesterol: Essentiale forte, Lipostabil, Ezetrol, Benzaflavin, etc.

When analyzing laboratory test data, the doctor may change the dosage of the drugs he prescribes or recommend that the patient replace one lipid-lowering drug with another. This approach to controlling cholesterol levels helps protect the patient from the formation of new atherosclerotic deposits and helps cleanse blood vessels.

Taking medications to eliminate excess blood viscosity

Taking medications to eliminate excessive blood viscosity should be carried out under constant medical supervision of the patient by a doctor. To carry out such monitoring, tests for the level of INR or PTI may be prescribed.

The following medications may be prescribed to prevent blood clots:

Aspirin, Thrombopol, Thrombo-ass, KariAsk, etc.;
Agrenox;
Trombonil;
Plavix;
Ticlopidine;
Tirofiban;
Epphibatide;
ReoPro.

These drugs and their analogues can be prescribed at various stages of the disease, and the duration of their use is determined by the doctor individually. Each of them has its own indications and contraindications. That is why the use of these drugs to cleanse blood vessels from blood clots and prevent the appearance of blood clots should be constantly monitored by a doctor by monitoring laboratory tests.

Following a certain diet to stabilize the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood

It is possible to achieve cleansing of blood vessels from atherosclerotic plaques and stabilization of cholesterol levels in the blood if certain measures are followed.

Dishes included in the diet should be:

low-calorie for obesity or taking into account the energy load of a person with normal weight;
low-fat;
prepared by boiling or baking foods;
contain a sufficient amount of fiber;
contain products such as legumes, cereals and cereals;
contain foods such as lean meat, seafood and fish (sea);
contain dairy products with reduced fat content;
contain a large amount of fresh vegetables and fruits;
contain products containing polyunsaturated fatty acids omega 3 and 6;
contain sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals.

The restriction must be observed regarding the following food products:

salt;
egg yolks;
meat by-products;
fatty meats and dairy products;
baked goods and confectionery products;
mushrooms;
broths from mushrooms, fish and meat;
caviar;
chocolate;
strong coffee, black tea and other caffeine-containing products;
sorrel, spinach;
radishes and radishes;
margarine;
industrial mayonnaise;
seasonings: black pepper, mustard, horseradish.

The list of such restrictions may narrow or expand depending on the level of increase in “bad” cholesterol in the blood and concomitant diseases.

In addition to this diet, a vegetarian diet may be recommended. The daily diet of “vegans” does not include products of animal origin, and such a menu can help eliminate many unfavorable factors that predispose to metabolic disorders and the deposition of cholesterol deposits on the walls of blood vessels. According to many nutritionists, this way of eating eliminates excessive susceptibility to stress and irritability, normalizes sleep and promotes psycho-emotional balance.

Following a certain diet to prevent blood clots

If it is necessary to cleanse blood vessels from blood clots, a change in diet should include the following requirements:

inclusion of a variety of foods in the diet: fresh fruits, berries and vegetables high in vitamins (especially vitamin C and E), lean meats, vegetable oils and dairy products;
Every day the diet should contain foods with a high level of insoluble and soluble fiber;
be sure to include in your diet foods high in Omega 3 and 6 acids: mullet, salmon, low-fat sea fish, flaxseed and oil;
include garlic and ginger in your diet;
include in your diet foods that are rich in flavonoids: grape juice and red wine from red grape varieties, fresh red grapes.

Eliminating the following foods from your diet will help reduce blood viscosity:

margarine;
smoked products;
chocolate;
fatty meats;
fatty cheeses;
confectionery and baked goods.

The consumption of the following products should be kept to a minimum:

wheat flour of the highest and first grade;
offal;
carbonated drinks;
egg yolks.

In addition to these rules of rational nutrition, you should adhere to a sufficient drinking regime. It should be calculated depending on the age, weight of the patient and concomitant diseases.

A balanced menu of the above products should also be created taking into account the age, weight and concomitant diseases of the person wishing to carry out a course of vascular cleansing.

Taking traditional medicine and dietary supplements to normalize blood cholesterol levels

To eliminate cholesterol deposits on the walls of blood vessels and prevent their appearance, traditional medicine recommends using the following means available in Russia and the CIS countries:

Rowan;
hawthorn;
tansy;
viburnum;
celery;
wild strawberry leaves;
rose hip;
mumiyo etc.

These gifts of nature can be used as an independent remedy or as part of herbal mixtures. Before using them, you should definitely consult a doctor or experienced herbalist about the presence of possible contraindications to their use.

Today you can also use dietary supplements based on these natural remedies. These include the following drugs:

CardioActive Hawthorn (Evalar);
Hawthorn Premium (Pharm-Pro);
Doppelhertz active cardio hawthorn (Germany);
Beetroot with celery (Spring of Health);
Omega 3 and 6 complexes;
Golden mumiyo (Evalar), etc.

The choice of dietary supplement and the duration of its use should be monitored by a doctor. These products should only be purchased from official representatives or pharmacies.

Taking traditional medicine and dietary supplements to thin the blood

To thin the blood, cleanse the walls of blood vessels from blood clots and prevent their occurrence, traditional medicine recommends using the following means available in Russia and the CIS countries:

white willow bark;
rose hip;
sweet clover;
seaweed;
garlic;
ginger;
sprouted wheat;
green beans;
horse chestnut;
liquorice root;
mulberry;
wormwood, etc.

These natural remedies can be used either independently or as part of herbal preparations. Before using them, you should definitely consult a doctor or experienced herbalist about the presence of possible contraindications to their use.

Today, to cleanse blood vessels from blood clots, you can use dietary supplements based on these and other natural remedies. These include the following drugs:

Garlic powder (Solgar);
Rosehip Syrup with Hawthorn (Natural Aid);
Ginkgo Long (NSP);
Organic nettle tea (ALKALOID, AD);
Aescorin® N (Steigerwald);
Venoplant (SchwabeGmbH Co, Dr. Willmar);
Red rowan fruits (Horst Company), etc.

The choice of dietary supplement and the duration of its use should be monitored by a doctor. In some cases (for example, with high cholesterol levels and a tendency to form blood clots), the doctor may recommend a combination of two or more dietary supplements to more effectively cleanse blood vessels. These products should only be purchased from official representatives or pharmacies.

In addition to the natural remedies described above, a branch of medicine such as hirudotherapy (treatment with the bites of laboratory leeches) can be used to cleanse blood vessels. During a leech bite, the human body receives hirudin (a substance contained in leech saliva) and other enzymes that help thin the blood and prevent the formation of blood clots. Like any treatment method, hirudotherapy has a number of contraindications, and it may not be prescribed to everyone.

The main causes of the development of the disease include the atherosclerotic process.

Let us remind you that the name sklerosis means “compaction”, “hardening” of the vascular walls of the brain, and the Greek word athere is translated as “mush”.

As a result, we get atheresklerosis (atherosclerosis), or hardening of the inner walls of blood vessels with lipoid infiltration, which leads the blood vessels to harden and lose elasticity.

In the subsequent period of time, the lumen in the arteries narrows, disrupting blood circulation in the organ systems that feed from this vessel.

Sometimes complete blockage of the lumens in the vessel is possible, which leads to necrosis of body tissue.

In addition, it is possible for an atherosclerotic thrombus to detach from the vessel walls and move through the bloodstream, which threatens to completely block a smaller vessel, and this already leads to a stroke.

Most often, atherosclerotic plaques can be found in men over 60 years of age, but sometimes they can be found in women and young people under 30 years of age.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the predictive factors for cerebral vascular sclerosis:

genetic predisposition;

high blood pressure;

obesity;

diabetes;

male gender;

decreased mobility;

psycho-emotional stress;

poor nutrition.

Symptoms

The main signs of the disease that force a person to seek advice from a specialist doctor:

increased and rapid fatigue;
memory lapses;
high excitability;
recurrent headaches;
“floaters” in the eyes;
drowsiness.

In the absence of timely treatment, brain tissue does not receive the required amount of nutrients and oxygen, which provokes the gradual death of nerve cells.

This process can continue for a long time (several years), during which the sick person does not receive any proper treatment, which further aggravates the sclerotic problems of the body, leading to irreversible negative consequences.

The initial stage of cerebral vascular sclerosis gives a person the following “bells”:

lethargy;
headache;
dizziness;
decreased performance;
sleep disorders;
memory loss;
noise in ears;
loss of attention and concentration;
emotional instability.

Prevention

Preventive measures for cerebral atherosclerosis include:

taking a complete anti-sclerotic diet;
motor activity;
normalization of weight.

Limits should be introduced on the consumption of fatty foods, and preference should be given to fruits and vegetables.

Eat less sugar and bread.

In addition, you must:

hike;
move more;
stop smoking and alcoholic beverages;
Avoid (if possible) negative emotions.

The anti-sclerotic diet involves consuming foods rich in cholesterol:

margarine;
vegetable oil;
egg white;
skimmed milk;
lean meat;
fish;
Domestic bird.

The second stage of the anti-sclerotic diet involves the use of:

fruit;
vegetables;
legumes;
croup

Food should be predominantly baked or boiled.

Four meals a day should consist of small portions.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment of cerebral vascular sclerosis involves solving several main problems:

stimulating the development of a roundabout blood flow path that bypasses suffering tissues and organs;
prevent the process of further sclerosis of blood vessels.

The diet of patients must contain the correct balance of animal and vegetable fats.

It is necessary to limit the following products:

fat meat;
eggs;
smoked meats

It is necessary to introduce restrictions on the consumption of bakery and pasta products.

To reduce body weight, the patient must limit the consumption of high-calorie foods.

Pay close attention to getting rid of concomitant diseases that contribute to the progression of the disease.

First of all, these include:

diabetes;
arterial hypertension.

The complex of physical therapy includes physiotherapeutic treatment:

massage;
balneotherapy and some other procedures.

Drug therapy is one of the most important conditions for the treatment of cerebral vascular sclerosis.

This type of therapy requires compliance with certain conditions:

taking medications that improve blood supply and nutrition to the brain;
taking medication that normalizes blood sugar and blood pressure;
taking medications that have a lipid-modifying effect (lipid-lowering drugs).

It should be noted that all medications are selected for each patient according to a strictly individual regimen.

Do not try to self-medicate!

Take care of yourself.

Be healthy!

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What is cerebral vascular sclerosis

Discirculatory encephalopathy or vascular sclerosis is a consequence of hypertension and metabolic disorders of the body. Pathological changes occur as a consequence of a decrease in vascular capacity. As a result, the cerebral blood supply is disrupted and tissues that do not receive sufficient oxygen begin to atrophy, and necrotic phenomena occur.

Signs of cerebral vascular sclerosis appear gradually as degenerative changes appear.

What causes vascular sclerosis in the brain?

Vascular sclerosis is a chronic disease in which the elasticity of the artery walls is impaired. At the same time, cholesterol or fat deposits begin to form in the cavity. A small plaque grows over time, and the blood flow lumen gradually decreases.

There are several reasons for such deviations:

Hereditary and genetic predisposition.
Hypertonic disease.
Metabolic disease.
Diabetes.
Stress and psycho-emotional disorders.
Overweight, obesity.
Alcohol addiction and smoking.

Destructive changes are more often observed in elderly male patients. But disorders also occur in young people, aged 20-30 years.

How does dyscirculatory encephalopathy manifest?

It is possible to cure cerebral vascular sclerosis, but only if the disease is detected at an early stage. This is the main difficulty of therapy. Although the first signs of dyscirculatory encephalopathy appear already at the initial stage of development of the disease, usually the patient simply ignores them, mistaking them for ordinary fatigue.

It is customary to distinguish the symptoms of the disease depending on the degree of degenerative disorders:

Consequences of vascular sclerosis

Even modern treatment methods are not able to completely eliminate the consequences of sclerotic changes. The disease is extremely dangerous. If in the initial stages the body tries to fight pathological changes associated with insufficient blood circulation, then as deviations develop, the disorders become irreversible.

The consequence of dyscirculatory encephalopathy of the brain is:

Disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system.
Decrease in intelligence and memory.
Dementia.
Ischemic stroke.
Death.

How and how to treat cerebral vascular sclerosis

Drug treatment of cerebral vascular sclerosis is prescribed according to individual indications. An individual course of therapy is developed for each patient, depending on the patient’s condition. In addition to medications, to improve well-being, changes in eating habits and lifestyle are necessary.

Traditional therapy methods

To determine the optimal type of treatment, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the patient, using several types of diagnostics for vascular sclerosis.

In traditional therapy, the following types of instrumental research are used:

After receiving the results of differential diagnostics, the doctor will prescribe complex therapy, including taking the following drugs:

Medicines to improve blood circulation.
Anticoagulants - drugs "Xarelto", "Dolabene", "Heparin" thin the blood and help dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Statins – these drugs for cerebral vascular sclerosis are used to reduce the processes of cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Traditionally, Simvastatin, Simgal, and Cimetidine are used.

In addition to drug therapy, adjustments must be made to the patient’s lifestyle: eating habits, smoking cessation and alcohol abuse.

Depending on the disorders of brain activity, medications are prescribed to combat the disease. Therapy is carried out on the lesions, as well as conservative treatment designed to stop pathological changes.

Despite the drug treatment methods used, a course of therapy, even with the help of imported drugs, may not have the desired effect. Surgery for vascular sclerosis is prescribed only if there is a real threat to the patient’s life.

Surgery is performed by exposing the artery and then removing the sclerotic plaque.

Treatment with folk remedies

Depending on the type of vascular sclerosis, or more precisely, on the stage of the disease, some methods of alternative therapy can have a beneficial effect on the patient’s well-being. The result of alternative treatment directly depends on the stage of the disease. Any methods can be used only during periods of non-exacerbation.

Practice has shown that several types of folk remedies are the most effective:

Traditional treatment for vascular sclerosis includes the use of various tinctures, decoctions and additional methods: hirudotherapy, apitherapy, etc.

Nutrition for cerebral vascular sclerosis

The diet for sclerosis is not too strict. It is enough for the patient to limit himself to consuming foods rich in animal cholesterol. You will need to give up lamb, pork, fried and smoked foods.

It is necessary to include as many fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs in your diet. Legumes and nuts, especially walnuts, will benefit.

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Causes of development of vascular sclerosis

One of the main reasons for the development of vascular sclerosis of all organs and systems is the atherosclerotic process.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease of elastic and muscular-elastic arteries with the formation of cholesterol and fatty deposits on their inner wall, which causes complex cellular changes, subsequent proliferation of connective tissue and the formation of special fibrous plaques on the arterial wall. For this reason, the lumen of the arteries gradually narrows, due to which the blood supply to all organs and systems that receive power from this artery is disrupted.

In addition, complete blockage of the lumen of the vessel by the above-mentioned plaques is also possible, which will lead to necrosis of tissues, organs or parts of the body. And also the detachment of an atherosclerotic plaque from the wall of blood vessels and its migration through the bloodstream (embolus), where it can completely block a vessel of a smaller caliber, and this threatens necrosis (infarction), in the brain - a stroke.

Such atherosclerotic plaques can sometimes be found in young people aged 20-30 years, but most often people over 50 years of age suffer from this disease. Moreover, according to statistics, atherosclerosis occurs 5-7 times more often in men than in women.

Causes of cerebral atherosclerosis

The process of formation of atherosclerotic plaques is complex and multifaceted; it consists of numerous aspects and predisposing factors:

Hereditary predisposition;
High blood pressure;
Diabetes;
Obesity;
Smoking;
Male gender;
Poor nutrition;
Psycho-emotional stress;
Sedentary lifestyle;
And many other risk factors...

Symptoms and signs of head damage

The particular insidiousness of this disease is that at the initial stage, the symptoms of vascular sclerosis are practically non-specific and often remain without due attention from both the patient and, sometimes, the doctor.
There are main signs of cerebral vascular sclerosis that should make a person wary and think about consulting a specialist. These are moments such as:

Fast fatiguability;
Memory impairment;
Increased excitability;
Drowsiness;
Flashing “flies” before the eyes, ringing in the ears;
Periodic short-term headaches.

Without timely treatment, brain tissue chronically does not receive the necessary portion of oxygen and nutrients, which leads to the gradual death of nerve cells. This process can last for several years and a person does not immediately pay attention to the changes occurring in his body. In its development, this disease goes through a number of stages, which gradually transform into one another and ultimately cause irreversible consequences.

Initial stage of the disease

The following “bells” indicate the initial stage of cerebral sclerosis:

Lethargy;
Emotional instability;
Weakening concentration and attention;
Noise in ears;
Decreased memory;
Sleep disorder;
Decreased performance;
Mild dizziness and headaches.

A very important manifestation of this stage is severe headaches, the presence of which is noted by about 90% of patients. The early stages make themselves felt by intermittent headaches, pressing, sometimes throbbing. In addition, the feeling of fullness and pressure in the head is disturbing. During activities that provide mental and physical stress, pain can intensify, as well as with stress or lack of oxygen (occurs due to prolonged exposure to a poorly ventilated area, for example). Some patients experience pain in the morning, while others intensify in the evening, that is, it does not depend at all on the time of day. They can cause sleep disturbances. The presence of such headaches makes a person hot-tempered, irritable, provoke a decrease in performance and attention, and loss of flexibility of thinking. Often, along with headaches, the noise that accompanies them occurs in one or both ears. Although sometimes the noise occurs before the headaches appear. People may complain of transient dizziness and unsteadiness when walking.

Second stage

During this period, changes begin to occur in the human psyche. The patient becomes lethargic, inactive, and intellectual abilities begin to gradually decline. Memory is impaired: a person forgets what he did yesterday, but he can remember long-ago events in the smallest detail. The ability to work suffers, concentration weakens,
understanding of the meaning of what is read is impaired, and professional skills are lost.

Third, deep stage

Memory suffers more and more. People begin to forget key dates regarding their lives and families. They become professionally unfit and cannot continue to work. The peak of vascular sclerosis is heart attacks, strokes and dementia (dementia).

A little about atherosclerosis of the aorta

One of the special cases of the development of vascular atherosclerosis is atherosclerosis of the aorta. The most common type of this disease is localized in the abdominal region. Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries poses a particular danger. In the initial stages, its symptoms may be completely absent or very mild.

Sometimes patients may feel chest pain that spreads to the interscapular area. When the affected layer of the vessel atrophies, sac-like protrusions or aneurysms may form in certain areas of the aorta. The pain that can appear with an aneurysm depends on its location (with an aneurysm of the ascending part of the aorta - retrosternal pain, of the descending part - back pain, aneurysm of the aortic arch - pain in the shoulder, neck). In addition, symptoms may include headache, swelling of the face, and sometimes hoarseness.

The most dangerous complication of an aneurysm is the phenomenon of its dissection and subsequent rupture with a fatal outcome. Depending on the size of the aneurysm and the presence of concomitant arterial hypertension, the risk of such a rupture increases.

Diagnosis of cerebral vascular sclerosis

If you observe any of the above symptoms and complaints, a person should contact a neurologist, who will prescribe the necessary examination, select appropriate therapy and monitor the subsequent development of the disease, which will affect the patient’s condition.

Making a diagnosis of cerebral vascular sclerosis and identifying the degree of development of the disease is usually made through the use of ultrasound methods:

Ultrasound of brain and neck vessels- with this ultrasound examination, the condition of the blood vessels that are located outside the head and neck, as well as inside the skull, is checked. This procedure is quite safe and does not cause any discomfort to the patient. Its duration is about 40 minutes; upon completion of the tests, the doctor issues a protocol with his conclusion. Sometimes ultrasound of cerebral vessels can be called neurosonography (this name is often found).
Duplex scanning- one of the components of a full-fledged vascular ultrasound, it is usually carried out in several modes:
1. Two-dimensional (B-mode) - allows you to perfectly view the vessels and surrounding tissues, except for those located inside the skull. Thanks to this mode, the doctor can find out about the state of blood flow in the vessels of the head.
2. Transcranial duplex scanning - it is used to study the blood flow in the vessels inside the skull. Transcranial ultrasound can also be used to examine the brain substance for the presence of space-occupying formations. But the information content of this technique is inferior to computer and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
Angiography of cerebral vessels using a contrast agent. The method of its implementation is as follows: a radiopaque substance is injected into the vascular bed and at the same time several X-ray images are taken.

One type of vascular angiography is magnetic resonance angiography (MR angiography or MRI angiography) - a research method based on the use of magnetic fields and electromagnetic waves. MR angiography can be performed in several ways - with or without the introduction of a contrast agent. Which is especially valuable for patients with allergies to contrast agents.

The combination of the above instrumental methods, together with tests performed in the laboratory, the patient’s medical history and complaints, allows the doctor to make or exclude a diagnosis of cerebral vascular sclerosis and select appropriate therapy.

Treatment of the disease

When treating this disease, the doctor sets himself several main tasks:

Prevent further process of vascular sclerosis.
Stimulate the development of circuitous blood flow pathways in suffering organs and tissues.

There are several main points related to solving the first problem:

A balanced diet with the correct content of vegetable and animal fats, with the required content of vitamins. The diet of such patients should be dominated by plant foods, as well as fish and seafood. It is necessary to exclude or at least limit foods high in cholesterol, such as smoked meats, eggs, and fatty meats. Also limit the consumption of low-quality pasta and bakery products. If the patient is overweight, then the diet should be aimed at reducing the caloric content of food.

Video: what food lowers cholesterol and prevents atherosclerosis?

Read more about proper diet and lifestyle for vascular sclerosis by following the link.

It is necessary to pay close attention to the treatment of concomitant diseases, the presence of which contributes to the progression of the process. First of all, these are arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. This pathology should be treated gradually and systematically to avoid further complications.

The second task is achieved through the selection of individual physical therapy. Physical activity must be strictly dosed and regular and correspond to the age and capabilities of each individual patient. Such loads will contribute to increased bypass blood flow.

In combination with physical activity, physiotherapeutic treatment can be used: balneotherapy, massage and other procedures as prescribed by the attending physician.

Taking medications that improve nutrition and blood supply to the brain.
Taking medications that normalize blood pressure and blood sugar in the presence of concomitant pathologies.
Taking medications that have a lipid-modifying effect (hypolipidemic drugs).
and a number of other drugs used to treat this pathology.

Attention: All medications must be selected individually for each patient. Do not try to self-medicate!

Video: atherosclerosis in the “Health” program

To summarize, we can conclude that the treatment of cerebral vascular sclerosis is a complex undertaking. A person must combine mental work with physical activity, regularly engage in physical exercise, and normalize diet and weight. In addition, he must walk in the fresh air for several hours a day, take the necessary medications as prescribed by the doctor and under his supervision. Preventive measures to prevent the development of this disease should be equally comprehensive.
After all, if the patient wishes and uses all the possibilities of modern medicine, stable remission and improvement of the condition can be achieved.

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The main causes of sclerosis development

Leading experts have not been able to fully study the etiology and causes of cerebral vascular sclerosis. But there are some factors that serve as sources of cholesterol plaques on the walls of brain vessels.

It should be noted that any pathologies that are, in one way or another, associated with poor low-quality production or with the breakdown of fats in the human body in almost one hundred percent of cases are the result of lipid metabolism. Such human disorders also include cerebral vascular sclerosis. In addition, the following factors can also lead to the development of cerebral vascular sclerosis:

too sedentary lifestyle;
predisposition to sclerosis;
the presence of endocrine diseases in a person;
disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
poor nutrition, which includes an excess of cholesterol and fats;
bad habits such as alcohol and smoking.

Main symptoms of sclerosis

In fact, vascular sclerosis has several different stages, at the first stage these are the following symptoms:

weakened attention;
general emotional instability;
frequent irritability;
absent-mindedness and memory impairment;
frequent depression;
dizziness and headaches;
decreased level of working capacity;
sleep disorder;
fainting and fainting conditions.

At the second stage, sharp disturbances in most mental functions can be observed. In addition, it is at the second stage that a person’s intellectual abilities sharply deteriorate, and the person himself becomes faint-hearted. People with second-degree sclerosis experience severe difficulties in performing their usual work, they experience a sharp decline in memory, and while reading it is very, very difficult for them to grasp the general meaning of what they have just read.

And there is a third stage of cerebral vascular sclerosis, in which memory deteriorates many times more severely. People forget almost everything that was important in their lives and lose their overall ability to work. In addition, sclerosis can result in heart attacks, strokes and dementia.

Diagnosis of sclerosis

To make a correct and reasonable diagnosis of sclerosis, a qualified specialist requires some clinical signs of the disease. But in order for the fight against sclerosis to be effective and safe, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures. To determine the stage of the disease, specialized ultrasound examinations are used:

duplex scanning, or, as it is otherwise called, ultrasound examination of extracranial vessels;
angiography of cerebral vessels. This method is also often used as an additional procedure if the diagnosis is indeed confirmed. In this case, a substance is injected into the vessel, which helps to assess the state of the sealing of the walls;
transcranial Dopplerography, that is, ultrasound examination of cerebral vessels;

It should be noted in advance that all of the methods listed above are one hundred percent effective and safe, and when combined with modern laboratory tests, these procedures provide the most detailed information about the health status of a patient with sclerosis.

Treatment of sclerosis

In order to treat vascular sclerosis, you must first pay special attention to your diet. It is extremely important that a person consumes foods that help lower cholesterol levels. Some foods that help lower cholesterol include:

seaweed and just cabbage;
onions, zucchini, carrots, cucumbers, garlic;
green peas and seafood;
walnuts, low-fat fermented milk products, vegetable oil;
green tea, lemon and grape juice.

In addition, it is extremely important to limit any overwork, and also remember that any person who is sick with sclerosis of any stage needs full sleep and rest. In order to cure cerebral vascular sclerosis, it is necessary to remember that the treatment is complex and includes some procedures.

Taking medications aimed at improving the condition of cerebral vessels. The composition of these funds will directly depend on the initial state in which the patient is, as well as on the presence of concomitant diseases.

Taking medications that help normalize brain nutrition, as well as blood pressure. Nootropic drugs are usually used for these purposes.

Taking medications that allow you to adjust and restore the functioning of the liver and its cells. Very often, people with sclerosis have too high cholesterol levels, and this may indicate that the liver is not functioning properly.

It should also be noted that all necessary medications are selected individually for each individual patient.

If, during diagnosis, a person is diagnosed with hemodynamically significant stenoses, which have blockage of more than 70 percent of the cross-sectional area of the vessels, and also if unstable atherosclerotic plaques are detected, then this means that a person with cerebral vascular sclerosis needs a qualified consultation with a vascular surgeon. It is the vascular surgeon who will be able to give a competent assessment of a person’s condition and determine the need for surgery, which, for example, treatment with folk remedies will not do.

Surgical intervention involves complete or partial removal of the atherosclerotic plaque. In many cases, this type of intervention is performed according to the principles of carotid endarterectomy. This principle means that the artery affected by the disease is first exposed, then dissected, and then the atherosclerotic thrombus or plaque is removed from the vascular cavity. After all of the above operations have been performed, a suture is placed at the operation site to restore the integrity of the operated vessels.

In addition to all the activities listed above, it is necessary to remember that a person needs good physical activity, and the level of this physical activity directly depends on the capabilities of the sick person’s body.

For example, for some, the maximum physical activity is walking down the street in the fresh air, but for others it is just a few steps within the room. Well, someone can afford to jog, do gymnastics and ride a bike.

In addition, physiotherapy will be a sufficiently effective method of treatment. With the help of physiotherapy, you can normalize blood pressure, as well as sleep, metabolic processes and blood circulation in the brain.

When exposed to the head of a sick person, the magnetic field helps to reduce the tone of cerebral vessels, improve blood circulation, sleep and the general emotional state of the person.

Prevention of sclerosis

Vascular sclerosis, if it occurs only in the initial stages, can manifest itself in the form of popular and well-known ischemic attacks, which, by the way, are accompanied by extremely stable neurological symptoms, that is, disturbances in sensitivity, speech, hearing, movements and vision. But it is also worth noting that these signs are short-lived by nature, so they quickly pass.

There are also other diseases that manifest themselves in the form of memory impairment, intellectual abilities, sleep disorders, character changes and depression. In this situation, everything is much more complicated and serious, so it is extremely important to engage in competent prevention.

In order to prevent this disease, it is necessary to move as much as possible, walk in general, and also avoid negative emotions and completely abandon bad habits that negatively affect the body.

In addition, a person urgently needs to switch to an atherosclerotic diet, that is, give up foods that contain too much cholesterol. It is better to replace foods with vegetable oil, protein, poultry and fat-free milk. And of course, you should make sure that your diet includes as little bread and sugar as possible. But you should remember that diet alone cannot help, especially in this situation.

Based on all of the above, you need to remember that you need to bring your own weight back to normal, and also completely replace all fatty meats and fish with something leaner. In addition, a person’s diet should also include cereals and a wide variety of vegetables.

The method of preparing the food necessary for the diet is also important: food consumed by a person with sclerosis should be either boiled or baked, and nothing else. And this food, according to the diet, must be consumed in small portions and exactly four times a day, and the last eating session must be carried out at least a couple of hours before departure.

Thus, this disease, cerebral vascular sclerosis, is very, very long-term. It is brain sclerosis that requires an urgent radical change in your usual and favorite way of life. You should also remember that a competent, adequate, and most importantly, timely diagnosis, coupled with effective and efficient treatment, can work real miracles in the course of the disease.

Stenosing atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease caused by a disorder of lipid metabolism, leading to the formation of cholesterol plaques on the surface of the vascular wall. Fatty formations interfere with normal blood flow, creating optimal conditions for the formation of blood clots.

Let's consider the main causes, symptoms of atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries, the most effective methods of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, possible complications, and prognosis.

Causes, risk factors for pathology

The exact cause of the appearance of cholesterol deposits on the walls of blood vessels has not been established. According to modern concepts, persistent pathology of fat metabolism develops with prolonged exposure to a complex of triggers, which are called risk factors. The likelihood of developing cerebral atherosclerosis is higher in (1):

older, elderly patients;
patients with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, stroke, high blood pressure;
young men.

Symptoms and clinical manifestations

Lack of oxygen and nutrients sharply limit the functional resource of nerve cells: neurons begin to quickly “get tired.” Doctors call this condition increased exhaustion of psychological processes.

In addition to increased fatigue, the patient experiences inertia of thinking, memory impairment, periodic headaches, and dizziness. Often a noticeable deterioration in well-being is associated with increased mental stress and stress. Such coincidences only complicate early self-diagnosis.

As the plaque grows, signs of acute cerebrovascular accident (ACVA) appear. They signal a significant narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels. Sensations that should alert you:

headache;
weakness or paralysis of limbs;
slurred speech;
foggy thinking;
unilateral vision loss;
violation of orientation in space.

More rare, less characteristic manifestations of ischemia of the central nervous system:

fainting;
ear noise;
nausea, vomiting;
feeling of heat;
increased heart rate;
agitation or drowsiness;
convulsions.

Signs of neurological deficit can be transient (ministroke, transient ischemic attack) or persistent (ischemic stroke). In the first case, they disappear quickly, usually within 10-15 minutes and always up to a day; in the second, they persist for 2 or more days.

If symptoms of acute cerebrovascular accident appear, you must immediately call an ambulance and do not refuse hospitalization, even if the patient’s condition has returned to normal. This will give doctors the opportunity to use all modern treatment methods, limit the amount of damage, recover faster, and reduce the risk of death.

Diagnosis and treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis

In the initial stages, the disease is most often discovered accidentally during an examination of the cerebral vessels. Very rarely, a patient is purposefully referred for a consultation with a neurologist by a psychologist/psychotherapist if he notices symptoms of nervous system exhaustion characteristic of the disease that cannot be corrected by non-drug methods.

CT scan of the brain: brainstem stroke in a patient with locked-in syndrome (area of necrosis highlighted in red)

Most cases of cerebral atherosclerosis are diagnosed during examination of patients who have suffered a stroke. You can obtain an image of cholesterol plaques and assess the degree of blood flow disturbance using MRI, CT or X-ray angiography, transcranial Dopplerography with or without color mapping.

To assess the general condition and identify risk factors for the disease, the patient is referred to:

general, biochemical blood test with determination of cholesterol fractions (lipid profile);
electrocardiogram;
Ultrasound of the heart.

Atherosclerotic lesions of blood vessels of any location cannot be completely healed. The goal of therapy is to stop the progression of the disease, and in case of pronounced narrowing of the artery lumen, to restore blood flow. Treatment tactics necessarily include diet and lifestyle correction. More severe patients require medications to control risk factors. If there is significant stenosis of the blood arteries, surgery is necessary.

Patients with any cerebral circulatory disorders are managed by a neurologist. Consultation with a vascular or endovascular neurosurgeon is necessary for patients for whom surgical intervention is indicated.

Diet, nutritional habits

In the initial stages of atherosclerosis, you can stop it without medication - with proper nutrition and healthy habits. Basic:

Minimum saturated, maximum unsaturated fatty acids. The former contribute to the formation of cholesterol plaques and have low nutritional value. The main source of saturated lipids is red meat, chicken skin, fatty dairy products (butter, cottage cheese, cheeses, cream), and palm oil. Healthy fats are found in olive, sunflower, sesame oils, nuts, seeds, avocado, and some fish.
Elimination of trans fats. These harmful lipids increase the content of bad cholesterol and reduce the level of good cholesterol. They are a by-product of high-temperature processing of vegetable oils. There are a lot of trans fats in margarine, deep-fried foods, and products containing them. Carefully study the nutritional value of cookies, salted nuts, and store-bought baked goods - potential sources of trans-lipids.
The basis of the diet is food rich in fiber. Dietary fiber reduces the concentration of bad cholesterol and lowers blood pressure. They are rich in whole grain porridges, vegetables, herbs, legumes, and fruits. The latter are an excellent alternative to harmful sweets, the consumption of which should be minimized.

There are also products that have natural anti-atherosclerotic activity, which it is advisable to include in the diet:

garlic;
turmeric;
ginger;
basil
tomatoes;
green tea;
cinnamon;
barley;
cocoa;
oat bran;
flax seeds;
hawthorn berries.

Drug therapy

The use of drugs for lipid metabolism disorders is designed to reduce the negative impact of diseases that can provoke the growth of cholesterol plaque, namely:

prevent the formation of blood clots;
reduce cholesterol and “bad” lipoproteins;
normalize blood pressure;
improve blood circulation.

These goals are achieved by prescribing a complex of drugs, which will be discussed in more detail.

Lipid-lowering drugs

They reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase the content of healthy cholesterol. There are 5 main classes of drugs with a similar effect:

- the most effective drugs that block hepatic sterol synthesis. For hypercholesterolemia they are prescribed first.
– perfectly reduces the concentration of neutral fats. Medicines are indicated primarily for patients with hypertriglyceridemia, as well as for intolerance/insufficient effectiveness of statins.
– high doses reduce triglyceride levels and increase good cholesterol levels. The significant prevalence of side effects limits the use of the drug.
– increase the rate of excretion of bile components. To compensate for the resulting deficiency, the liver has to use free cholesterol for their synthesis, its concentration decreases. Rarely used.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors (ezetimibe) - inhibit the activity of a substance that helps dietary sterols be absorbed. The drug cannot be used for a long time, since it also impairs the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K.

Antiplatelet agents

With cerebral atherosclerosis, the blood flow inside the affected artery slows down noticeably, and vortices form. These are optimal conditions for thrombus formation.

The risk of blood clots can be reduced by using antiplatelet medications, which prevent platelets from sticking together. The safest, most effective representative of the group is aspirin. It is suitable for most patients. In some cases, doctors prescribe clopidogrel and warfarin.

Neuroprotectors

They improve blood supply to the brain, make neurons less susceptible to oxygen deficiency and the effects of toxic substances, improve memory and thinking. Neuroprotectors include:

nootropics (piracetam, thiocetam, cortexin, nootropil);
cerebroprotectors (fezam, neuroxon, sermion, cinnarizine);
microcirculation normalizers (Cerebrolysin, Cavinton, Trental).

Antihypertensive drugs

Constant exposure to high pressure makes blood vessels brittle and prone to damage by cholesterol plaques. The likelihood of developing a stroke increases many times over. , inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis, prevents a possible brain stroke.

ACE inhibitors (captopril, lisinopril, fosinopril);
angiotensin receptor blockers (valsartan, fimasartan);
calcium antagonists (nifedipine, lercanidipine).

Surgery

Due to the location of the cerebral arteries, cerebral atherosclerosis is difficult to correct surgically. However, if the lumen of the artery is significantly narrowed, this is the only way to restore normal blood supply. There are two available treatment methods:

Stenting procedure.

Intracranial angioplasty (stenting) is the safest method that does not require craniotomy. The surgeon relieves the narrowing through a series of inflations of a miniature balloon inserted through another large vessel. Then the required diameter is fixed with a stent - a tiny frame that is installed inside the artery.
Bypass surgery is a more complex operation that involves creating a bypass path for blood flow. To do this, the doctor cuts out a small fragment of the vessel from another part of the body, drills a hole in the skull and sews one end of the prosthesis above and the other below the area of stenosis.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle, regular examinations, treatment of risk factor diseases. To reduce the likelihood of developing the disease you need to:

limit the consumption of red meat, fatty dairy products, tropical oils (coconut, cocoa, palm), lard. A good alternative source of protein, healthy fats - legumes, fish, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils;
love vegetables, fruits, herbs, cereals. These products contain the optimal ratio of vitamins, minerals, fiber, plant hormones;
Eat a serving of fatty fish 2 times a week. It is the best source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are called;
give preference to boiled, baked, raw food. Fried, deep-fried - only as a rare indulgence;
play sports or at least walk at least 3 km daily;
monitor your weight;
quit smoking, or better yet never start;
do not abuse alcohol: the maximum permissible daily dose of ethyl alcohol for men is 28 g, for women – 14 g;
Monitor blood pressure levels at least once a year;
every 4-6 years, determine the content of cholesterol fractions in the blood plasma, testing is carried out more often if there are relatives suffering from the disease;
If hypertension is diagnosed, do not ignore doctors’ recommendations about the need for lifelong use of hypotonic medications.

Complications and prognosis

The most common, terrible consequence of damage to the cerebral arteries by cholesterol plaques is. People with systolic pressure levels above 140 mm Hg are most predisposed to it. Art., concentration of bad cholesterol over 200 mg/dl. Atherosclerosis increases the risk of disease relapse. Scientists estimate that it is 20% in the first 2 years after an attack (1). Patients with severe stenosis have the greatest chance of developing a relapse (more than 70%).

The appearance of cholesterol plaques on the walls of the blood vessels of the brain is often associated with Alzheimer's disease, memory impairment, decreased intellectual acuity, and myocardial infarction (2).

The prognosis for lesions of the cerebral arteries is cautious. The duration and quality of life of the patient will largely depend on the effectiveness of treatment, the degree of narrowing of the lumen, the general health of the patient, and his readiness to change his usual lifestyle.

Literature

Jiann-Shing Jeng; Sung-Chun Tang; Hon-Man Liu. Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Management of Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease, 2010
Sudha Seshadri. Vascular Dementia and Vascular Cognitive Decline, 2011
Justine Fritzel. What is Cerebral Arteriosclerosis? - Symptoms & Treatment

Last updated: February 21, 2019