Treatment of vegetative vascular dystonia in children. Types of vegetative-vascular dystonia

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Vegetative dystonia is a disease that most often affects childhood. Since it is not a disease in the direct sense of the word, it is better to define it as a syndrome. According to official statistics, VSD occurs in approximately 15 - 25% of children. In reality, these figures can be much higher. Vegetative-vascular dystonia resembles a ghost disease: very often its manifestations can be confused with symptoms of other diseases or with severe fatigue. Therefore, before starting treatment for VSD in children, it must be diagnosed.

Predisposition to autonomic dystonia can be inherited. If the parents had disorders in the cardiovascular system or this syndrome manifested itself in some other way, then there is a high probability that VSD may develop in children.

Very often, vegetative-vascular syndrome is diagnosed in babies who were diagnosed with fetal hypoxia during their intrauterine development. The reasons for the development of VSD can be birth injuries, even minor ones, especially if the damage concerned the head area.

If a child in infancy often caught colds, had dysbacteriosis, or infectious infections, then as a result, a weakening of the immune system and vegetative system could occur. Vegetative dystonia is a rather complex multifactorial disease. In addition to various physical reasons, such as delayed development of certain organs and systems of the body and various injuries, the activation of VSD is associated with a psycho-emotional component. Diagnosis of VSD in children, its symptoms and appropriate treatment should be prescribed exclusively by a specialist.

Children who have experienced a nervous breakdown, experienced severe emotional stress or frequent stressful situations are more predisposed than others to the appearance of this syndrome.

Types of autonomic dystonia

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There is no single system by which VSD can be quickly diagnosed, so in most cases it is necessary to undergo additional tests. The existing typology cannot always help accurately recognize the syndrome, especially if the child suffers from mixed type VSD.

According to the nature of the disease, vegetative dystonia can be classified into the following types:

• Constant. Chronic form of VSD.
• Paroxysmal. Exacerbations occur occasionally, and most of the time the syndrome is invisible.
• Mixed. Combines characteristics of types 1 and 2.
• Hidden. Dystonia manifests itself only if there is a strong provoking factor.

VSD is also divided into the following types:

• Hypertensive. Characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
• Hypotonic. Manifested by a noticeable decrease in blood pressure.
• Cardiac. The heartbeat is spasmodic, the rhythm is disrupted.
• Mixed. May combine the above types.

This complex syndrome has many symptoms that negatively affect the state of the body and a person’s well-being, significantly worsening his quality of life. Adults need to constantly monitor the child’s condition, pay attention to even the slightest changes in his behavior and not ignore even the most minor complaints. If unpleasant symptoms last long enough, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Symptoms

Most often, vegetative dystonia in children is observed at the age of 4 or 5 years. When visiting kindergarten, various stressful situations may arise. Adaptation to the new environment and new rules occurs.

The child may begin to complain of abdominal pain, dizziness or headaches, lethargy, drowsiness, and an increase in temperature may occur. But schoolchildren, who experience greater stress than children of kindergarten age, are most susceptible to the syndrome in childhood.

The rapid development and growth of the body, lack of proper daily routine, poor nutrition, heredity and many other factors cause the appearance of different symptoms, in which we can talk about the presence of vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Primary school students experience exacerbation of VSD most often with attacks that appear during periods when the child’s immunity is weakened or he is exposed to great emotional stress. Signs of dystonia may also appear after a viral illness, especially during the cold season. The child may have poor sleep and appetite, often be capricious, behave unusually, complain about headache and some other ailments.

Teenage years

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Particularly striking manifestations of VSD can be observed in children of middle school age. This is an unstable time filled with emotional overload, during which the child tries to manage a lot of things and tries to keep several aspects of his life under control: friends, studies, clubs, sections, etc. During this period of life, the syndrome makes itself felt in a variety of ways. It often manifests itself as irritability, drowsiness or weakness. The teenager often experiences headaches and cold extremities. Even after small physical exercises, he becomes short of breath and has difficulty breathing. The child may suddenly become hot or cold, experience tachycardia, heart pain, and darkening of the eyes, especially with a sudden change in body position. In rare cases, fainting occurs.

It becomes more complicated with the onset of adolescence; with accelerated growth and serious changes in the body, the balance is disturbed and hormonal disbalance. These factors significantly aggravate the condition.

At the onset of adolescence, almost all children may experience disorders of the autonomic system, which is expressed by many deviations that are characteristic of the period when the nervous system is stabilized and character is formed.

The symptoms that are observed with VSD are diagnosed in almost 100% of children in adolescence. But the presence of symptoms can also signal problems with the heart or blood vessels, for which dystonia must be treated. Over time, the signs of the syndrome disappear, and according to statistics, they remain in no more than 15% of people who encountered this problem in childhood.

Treatment

Treatment of vegetative dystonia in childhood most often comes down to eliminating symptoms. Electrophoresis, electrosleep, massage, and water procedures may be prescribed. The key to treating a child with VSD is changing his lifestyle. You need to reconsider your daily routine, nutrition, social circle and hobbies.

What to do for VSD in childhood:

• Maintain a daily routine.
• Sleep at least 8 hours.
• Walk on fresh air.
• Standardize the load of school assignments and extracurricular activities.
• Limit watching TV and sitting at the computer.
• Do physical exercise and sports. Follow a diet or maintain a healthy diet.

Among physical education activities, one should especially highlight running and swimming, which not only heal the body, but also develop endurance and willpower in a person.

We need to dwell on healthy eating in more detail. From correct use food can largely depend on our condition and well-being. There is no universal diet for VSD in children, but if you monitor what the child eats and try to improve the quality of food, you can alleviate the symptoms of this disease. A nutritionist or pediatrician can give certain recommendations.

1. First of all, you should limit fatty foods, sweets, and soda. It is necessary to introduce foods rich in calcium and magnesium into the diet. Such products are: buckwheat, oatmeal, eggplant, greens and legumes.
2. If you have high blood pressure, you need to significantly reduce your salt intake, which can also be found in chips and crackers.
3. The menu must include freshly squeezed juices: cranberry, apple, orange, pomegranate and others.
4. The child should not be allowed to eat in a hurry, on the go, or to replace a full meal with a “snack.”

If there are no contraindications, you can try using herbal medicine and aromatherapy. Jasmine and lavender scents can soothe nervous system, and the smells of pine and citrus will improve your mood.

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Soothing tea will give a good effect and herbal teas from mint, chamomile, lemon balm. Treatment medications in childhood it is prescribed only in exceptional cases, when the symptoms are serious, or if the quality of life is severely deteriorating. In such rare cases, the doctor prescribes antidepressants or tranquilizers.

If a child constantly experiences increased sweating, headaches, darkening of the eyes, rapid heartbeat, extreme fatigue, drowsiness, irritability or dizziness, you should immediately consult a doctor in order to use additional examinations to rule out the presence of serious diseases and keep the child’s condition under control.

Most often, a child may experience stress if he lacks love and warmth, and also when there is no mutual understanding in the family. Quarrels between parents hit the child’s psyche hard and can leave a mark on long years. Understanding, participation, support and sincere love, on the contrary, can be a support for the baby and give strength to overcome any difficulties.

Do children have vegetative-vascular dystonia? Yes, and every year the number of children who suffer from VSD is growing. We must remember that this is purely our formulation; there is no such disease in any international classifier.

This is a condition in which there are functional or reversible changes in the functioning of many organs. These changes mainly concern vascular tone. Based on the predominance of disturbances in one part of the autonomic nervous system, VSD is divided into sympathotonic, vagotonic and mixed. A thorough examination of the child is required in order to exclude more severe organic lesions. Synonyms for VSD are autonomic dysfunction, panic attack, astheno-vegetative syndrome.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is an imbalance, a violation of the dynamic balance between two parts of the autonomic nervous system - the sympathetic and parasympathetic. What he says is absolutely true Dr. Komarovsky, vascular tone does not have time to respond to changed environmental conditions.

Vascular tone may be impaired for the following reasons:

Vegetative vascular dystonia in children can be found in many forms. But the main thing that parents need to understand is that the child reacts with a violation of vascular tone to an unsuitable lifestyle. In children, all physiological parameters change very quickly, adapting to any course of life. In this lies the same possibility of recovery and “plunging” into illness. You can regulate all aspects of a child’s life and raise him healthy, or you can shape the mentality and behavior of a deeply sick person.

Symptoms of VSD in children

Since blood vessels are present in all organs, there may be disturbances. Pediatricians identify the following forms of autonomic dysfunction in children:

The main difference between the symptoms of vegetative vascular dystonia in children and other diseases is the “volatility” of complaints and manifestations. A child may describe his condition in different ways, but all complaints appear after some traumatic event. The impetus for the development of vascular tone disorders can be physical activity, weather shocks, school or family troubles.

It is important to understand that the child is not pretending. The baby actually feels what he describes - pain, fears, difficulty breathing, heartbeat, fluctuations in body temperature. Parents need to try to work with their doctor to figure out what is happening.

What is your child like - sympatho- or vagotonic?

The predominance of one or another part of the nervous system can be determined by external signs.

Signs of sympathotonia:

• pale dry skin;
• the vascular pattern on the skin is not visible;
• cold hands, sometimes itching, “crawling” sensation;
• thinness coupled with increased appetite;
• hot temper and irritability;
• absent-mindedness;
• hyperactivity;
• tendency to increase blood pressure;
• poor adaptability to changes in atmospheric temperature.

Signs of vagotonia:

• completeness, which is hereditary in nature;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• adenoids;
• low performance;
• increased fatigue;
• periods of apathy;
• poor appetite;
• tendency to motion sickness;
• frequent periods low mood;
• poor memory;
• sleep disorders;
• whims;
• indecision.

Both options are not a diagnosis, these are the individual characteristics of the child. In itself, the predominance of one part of the nervous system over another is not a pathology, but a peculiarity of response to the influence of the external environment.

The individual characteristics of the child determine the choice of profession and hobbies, as well as predisposition to various diseases. However, depending on what kind of life the child leads, his pathological possibilities can either be realized or not.

Diagnostics

Instrumental diagnostics are required. Even if the doctor is 100% sure that the child’s disorders are functional (reversible) and not organic, all reasoning requires objective confirmation. The child must pass at least once full examination. The diagnosis of VSD is made only when, as a result, clinical examination no structural changes no organs were identified.

The doctor may prescribe an electro- and encephalogram, Holter monitoring (continuous recording of cardiac activity throughout the day), and pharmacological tests. Based on the results of the survey, the state of affairs becomes clear.

It is important not to “overdo it” with the examination. An excessive amount of research can create an unfavorable emotional soil for the child and especially sensitive relatives, on which overprotection and limitation of physical activity will flourish, which will reduce the already small adaptive capabilities of the baby.

Where to start treating VSD in a child?

With the normalization of the daily routine. Without a thorough review of periods of exercise and rest, eating and walking, no treatment will be of any use. Daily routine and proper nutrition are the basis of health for many years.

First you need to watch the child and find out how long the child is motionless - sitting at the table, on the sofa in front of the TV or with a gadget, lying in bed. Normally, in a school-age child, the amount of rest time and physical activity should be approximately equal. Blood flow increases only during movement, and without movement it is impossible to get rid of VSD in children and adolescents.

You need to rearrange the daily routine so that the child finds it interesting. You can go to the zoo or theater on foot, use the rope park, walk, play in the fresh air. It’s very good if you can get your child interested in some kind of sport. This may require visiting all the sports facilities and communities in the city, but it will be worth it. In any case, the child should have daily feasible physical activity.

A healthy diet is important for everyone, and especially for children. It’s not for nothing that the wise Chinese say that children get sick from poor nutrition, and in most cases they are right. Normally, the approximate need for basic nutrients for children it’s like this:

• proteins – up to 1.2 – 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight per day;
• fats - from 0.9 grams in the south to 1.3 grams in the north;
• carbohydrates – up to 4.2 grams.

Knowing the child’s weight, you can calculate the approximate need for basic substances. We must also remember that fast food in the form of chips, muffins, crackers and other snacks is a real chemical bomb for children and teenagers. There is nothing useful in them for the development of a child’s body; only the salt load increases (the norm is 5 g per day). Parents who buy all this for their children without restrictions are deliberately shortening their lifespan. It’s much better for mothers to learn how to cook so that their husband and children rush home as fast as they can, because it’s cozy and delicious. Normally cooked natural products much tastier than food from bags.

Sweets are a separate issue. Sweets containing “empty” carbohydrates can be replaced with dried fruits, homemade jelly, marshmallows, candied fruits, and fresh fruits.

Physiotherapy and herbs

Physiotherapeutic procedures can be used with success. These are various water procedures that can be successfully replaced by a good all-season water park. But a circular shower, baths with pine needles, iodine, and hydrogen sulfide are also very useful. Electrosleep, acupuncture, massage, aromatherapy are useful.

Some children benefit from medicinal plants. These are traditional valerian and motherwort, hawthorn and hops. These plants can be consumed as herbal tea or finished drugs- "", "Sedavit".

Medicines

They are used very limitedly, since they are not decisive for recovery. Balanced vitamin complexes are prescribed to compensate for the lack of microelements in the diet. In some cases, protective nootropics such as Cortexin are prescribed for a short course.

According to indications, antidepressants, antiarrhythmic and antihypertensive drugs can be prescribed for a short time in age-appropriate dosages. As a rule, the course of drug treatment lasts no more than a month.

A condition in which vascular tone is “unbalanced” due to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is vegetative-vascular dystonia in children. The pathology is accompanied by a number of characteristic symptoms in the nervous, endocrine, digestive and cardiovascular systems. The disease does not appear before the age of three, and girls are most at risk.

If you suspect that your child has this pathology, consult a doctor immediately - further development The disease can lead to bronchial asthma, stomach ulcers and hypertension.

We have to consider the causes of the disease, its main symptoms and accompanying pathologies. Particular attention will be paid to the treatment and prevention of dystonia. VSD in children manifests itself in a decrease in vascular activity - hence numerous systemic disorders. It’s sad, but VSD is diagnosed even in apparently healthy children. Let's try to understand the essence of this phenomenon.

Causes of pathology

First you need to understand that the human body needs strict regulation of the autonomic system. Internal organs and blood vessels are controlled by the autonomic nervous division. The slightest violations in interaction lead to disastrous consequences - VSD in children and adolescents with a whole “bouquet” of concomitant pathologies.

Here are the main causes of violations:

• rapid development of technogenic civilization;
• introduction of household chemicals and genetically modified products;
• hereditary predisposition;
• pregnancy pathologies;
• features of the constitution;
• brain injuries;
• increasing the intensity of information flows;
• socio-economic factors (family conflicts, increased pace of life of parents, frequent moves, stress at school);
• chronic infections (tonsillitis, caries, sinusitis);
• mental illness;
• toxic nerve damage;
• diseases leading to metabolic disorders in the body (heart and kidney pathologies, diabetes mellitus).

The main cause of dystonia is a stress factor. A high school load and an increased volume of educational programs are the main enemies of the modern child. It is difficult to avoid this, so it is worth thinking about relaxation and a change of activity. Below we will look at the symptoms of the disease.

What symptoms can be used to identify VSD?

Pathology most often manifests itself during periods of active growth of the baby - these intervals are associated with the rapid development of the autonomic system. Dominance of vagal tone has clinical consequences.

Children get tired quickly, cannot do long-term work, they are apathetic, indecisive and sleep poorly. The symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children are not limited to this.

Here is a complete list of signs of the disease:

• lack of appetite with excess body weight;
• fear of closed spaces and stuffy rooms;
• decreased activity of the baby;
• timidity;
• cold intolerance;
• unexplained pain in the abdomen;
• chilliness;
• feeling of lack of air;
• constant sighs, “lump in throat”;
• nausea;
• allergic reactions;
• marbling of the skin;
• vestibular disorders;
• high level of sweating;
• urge to urinate (frequent), strong salivation;
• puffiness under the eyes;
• constipation of spastic nature.

Also observed negative phenomena in the area of ​​the heart and blood vessels. Blood pressure decreases and heart rate becomes slower. There is an illusion of an “increase” in the size of the heart.

If VSD is accompanied by sympathicotonia, you should pay attention to following signs:

• decreased pain sensitivity;
• hot temper;
• mood swings (lability);
• absent-minded attention;
• feeling of heat, increased heartbeat;
• predisposition to neurotic conditions;
• paresthesia in the limbs;
• pale skin, cold extremities, white dermographism;
• unmotivated increases in temperature;
• polyuria.

Related pathologies - a danger that is not immediately visible

There are threats closely associated with the development of VSD. We are talking about related pathologies. Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children can be accompanied by quite strange symptoms, among which viral diseases, high blood pressure, and stressful conditions stand out.

These signs may indicate the development of the following ailments:

• infectious and inflammatory heart diseases;
• arrhythmia;
• Itsenko-Cushing syndrome;
• heart disease (changes in the heart muscle);
• bronchial asthma;
• Graves' disease;
• mental disorders.

The course of the pathology may be accompanied big amount syndromes (there are about thirty of them in total). With senestopathy, pain “wanders” to different points of the body, changing its intensity and location. From the digestive side, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and a banal loss of appetite may be observed.

If thermoregulation is impaired, you will experience regular (daily) low temperatures.

Here are a couple more examples:

• vascular syndrome (arterial hypertension and hypotension);
• cardiac syndrome (heart pain, disruptions in the normal functioning of the heart);
• respiratory syndrome (shortness of breath, difficulty breathing);
• neurotic syndrome (changeable mood, dizziness, fatigue, sleep disturbances and frequent headaches).

Methods for diagnosing the disease

Sometimes the disease proceeds in a calm rhythm, but sudden crises also occur. Among the signs it is worth noting suffocation, sweating, nausea, migraine, pallor, and increased blood pressure. Sympathoadrenal crisis is characterized by increased urination, fear of death, fever, chills, tachycardia and headache.

If these signs are present, the child urgently needs to be taken to the clinic, where he will be examined by the following doctors:

• pediatrician;
• cardiologist;
• ophthalmologist;
• neurologist;
• endocrinologist

Doctors make a diagnosis of VSD after possible organ damage of a different nature has been excluded. A number of instrumental studies are prescribed - Dopplerography, rheovasography,. These procedures help to localize the lesion - the autonomic system.

The ECG results are carefully examined:

• shortened PQ interval;
• flattened T-wave;
• ST segment located below the isoline level.

Modern treatment technologies

Effectiveness is achieved through a combination of preventive, medicinal and non-medicinal methods. Before starting treatment for vegetative-vascular dystonia in children, protect your baby from stressful situations. Stop swearing, reduce the impact of school load as much as possible. Love and peace - this is what should reign in the family.

Plan your baby's daily routine, balance entertainment, relaxation and physical activity. Positive mood- the key to therapeutic success. Manual therapy, therapeutic massage courses, water treatments and physiotherapy are recommended.

Medicinal herbs can also help, but here it is necessary to give preference to herbs with a sedative effect:

• lure;
• Eleutherococcus;
• aralia;
• motherwort;
• ginseng;
• valerians;
• Leuzsee;
• hawthorn.

Non-drug therapeutic effects

Excessive drug load can lead to unnecessary problems in the child’s body. Therefore, it is always worth starting the treatment of VSD in children with non-drug methods of influence. Actually, this therapy is considered basic. We are talking primarily about compliance with the regime:

• walks in the open air;
• 9 hours sleep;
• limiting the academic load (lessons need to be done, but breaks are organized between them);
• physiotherapy;
• balanced healthy eating;
• psychotherapy;
• reducing the time the child spends near the computer and other electronic devices related to information flows (mobile phone, TV);
• moderate physical activity;
• water procedures;
• therapeutic massage and electrophoresis;
• music lessons;
• acupuncture.

Herbal medicine is also recommended - the use of lemon balm (a neurotic form of the disease) and chamomile (digestive disorders). Bromine electrophoresis (the collar area is treated) and electrosleep are considered effective physiotherapy procedures.

Taking vitamin complexes will be a good help.

Among the useful sports disciplines are:

• tennis;
• swimming;
• skates;
• skis;
• outdoor games.

Treatment with medications

Medicines are not always prescribed by doctors and only in combination with non-drug effects. If the child is able to lead a full life, doctors prescribe a balanced set of medications.

If the disease is advanced, the child must undergo a medical examination, which includes an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist, a therapist, an ophthalmologist and a neurologist (for girls, a gynecologist is added).

The human autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. Their function is to regulate the work internal organs, maintaining important indicators: temperature, pressure, pulse and others. The activity of this system determines how the body will react to the influence external factors.

What is vegetative-vascular dystonia?

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is not considered an independent disease. In ICD-10 it is designated by code G90.8. Pathology implies a set of signs that arise against the background of the development of central or suprasegmental disorders of the autonomic function of the body, which is responsible for maintaining pressure, pulse, temperature, pupil width, and the functioning of internal organs.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is a fairly common phenomenon, occurring in the vast majority of the population. However, less than half of people need serious medical care. Usually the disease manifests itself in children during puberty and women during pregnancy.

Reasons for development

In a newborn child, autonomic dysfunction develops more often due to hereditary predisposition. VSD also occurs in children whose physical development occurs faster than neurohormonal development.

In adults, pathology appears for many reasons, the leading of which is stress. In addition to this, the culprits for the development of VSD may be:

• Acute or chronic diseases.
• Poisoning of the body.
• Cold.
• Sleep disorders.
• Chronic fatigue.
• Poor nutrition.
• Excessive physical activity or, conversely, a sedentary lifestyle.
• Change of time zone or climate.
• Hormonal imbalance in the body.

These factors negatively affect the functioning of the peripheral nervous system and provoke disruption of metabolic processes in the tissues of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, the body reacts inadequately even to minor physical activity.

Types of VSD

There are several types of neurocirculatory dystonia. Each variety has its own characteristics. Doctors distinguish the following classification of pathology:

1. Hypertensive type. Is different increased tone blood vessels and high blood pressure. Accompanied by pain in the head, rapid heartbeat, increased fatigue, and a feeling of heat. The skin located in the heart area becomes quite sensitive. If this type of VSD is not treated, hypertension may develop.
2. Hypotonic. In this case, symptoms appear vascular insufficiency, because vascular tone is significantly reduced. Because of this, a person becomes weak, he is often bothered by attacks of dizziness, he often loses consciousness, he is tormented by pressure changes, and astheno-neurotic syndrome occurs. Also characteristic sharp jumps blood pressure and body temperature.
3. Mixed. This type of dystonia occurs when vascular tone is unstable, when it either increases or decreases. The pathology is characterized by irregular blood pressure and various symptoms that are inherent in both hypertension and hypotonic type dystonia.
4. Cardiac. With this type of vegetative-vascular dystonia, the patient complains of pain in the heart of a different nature, and extrasystole is detected. But there are no pronounced symptoms of the development of serious pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

Symptoms

Somatoform vegetative dystonia has a rich set of symptoms, similar to the clinical picture of neurosis, which greatly complicates the identification of VSD. Typically, pronounced symptoms occur only during an exacerbation, then for a long period they may not bother the patient.

VSD manifests itself the following symptoms:

• Cerebral manifestations in the form of dizziness, cephalgic syndrome.
• Feeling anxious.
• Asthenia.
• Panic attacks.
• Sleep disorders.
• Losing weight.
• Depression.
• Frequent urge to urinate.
• Regular feeling of fear.
• Memory impairment.
• Paresthesia.
• Congestion and noise in the ears.
• Heartbeat disturbance.
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, shortness of breath.
• Feeling weak.
• Meteor dependence.
• Sensory disorders.
• Profuse sweating.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Polyneuropathy of the arms and legs.
• Syncope syndrome.
• Chills.

Mental disorders associated with autonomic dysfunction can lead to a person experiencing derealization or depersonalization. In the first case, the patient ceases to adequately perceive the world around him, and in the second - himself.

ATTENTION!!! Many people don't pay attention to data VSD symptoms, attributing everything to ordinary fatigue, overexertion, stress and other problems. As a result, the pathology develops into more severe diseases. Therefore, it is important to visit a doctor on time.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia is complex and consists of many techniques. In each specific case, the doctor prescribes a specific list of manipulations. These may include the following types examinations:

It is important for the attending physician to conduct a differential examination, distinguishing dystonia from other diseases with similar symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment of vegetative-vascular circulatory dystonia is carried out in an integrated way and is prescribed by a doctor for each patient individually.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy is used to eliminate the clinical manifestations of VSD. But they are not able to completely cure the disease. As a rule, doctors prescribe the following medications:

1. Herbal medicines made from herbs, for example, valerian.
2. Antidepressants.
3. Tranquilizers.
4. Nootropics.
5. Vascular agents.
6. Adaptogens.

Typically, drug therapy begins with mild drugs with calming effect. If there is no positive dynamics from them, then mild tranquilizers and antidepressants are used. If the patient has an increased feeling of anxiety, panic and other neurotic and mental disorders, then stronger medications are prescribed.

ATTENTION!!! Medicines have their contraindications and side effects, therefore, taking them without the doctor's permission is not recommended.

Physiotherapy and psychotherapy

Effective methods of physiotherapy are:

• Electrophoresis, which allows drugs to be administered into the patient’s body through the skin using an electric current.
• Electrosleep, in which weak electrical impulses affect the brain.
• Acupuncture, during which needles are applied to certain points on the body that are responsible for certain body functions.
• Magnetic therapy performed using a magnetic field.
• Laser therapy, when the body is exposed to a laser beam.

Patients with VSD are recommended to work with a psychologist. Indeed, with dystonia, disturbances in the psychoemotional state often occur. For some, they simply manifest themselves in the form of irritability, tearfulness, and for others, depression develops. Psychotherapy will help avoid the occurrence serious disorders, restore the emotional background.

Massage

Massage helps well with vegetative-vascular dystonia. If a person suffers from a hypertensive type of pathology, then it is recommended to massage collar area, legs and stomach. In this case, it is not allowed to use striking techniques or beating.

For hypotonic dystonia, acupressure and general massage are performed using classical techniques: stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration. With the help of massage sessions, the functioning of the nervous system is stabilized, headaches are relieved, and sleep is normalized.

Physical training

For vegetative-vascular dystonia, patients are advised to exercise physical therapy. The task of exercise therapy is to strengthen the body and increase its resistance to the influence of the external environment. In the process of performing the exercises, blood pressure normalizes, the psycho-emotional state improves, and blood circulation is restored.

Patients are advised to engage in swimming, water aerobics, cycling, skating or skiing, and running. You can also visit the gym. But you should not choose exercise machines whose exercises require you to be in a head-down position. It is best to exercise on a treadmill or exercise bike.

Doctors do not allow patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia following:

• Strength exercises.
• Body-building.
• Jumping from heights.
• Somersaults.
• Somersault.
• Eastern martial arts.

Therapeutic gymnastics should begin with simple exercises, gradually increasing the load.

Traditional methods

For vegetative-vascular dystonia, doctors recommend using traditional medicine. Usually they use decoctions, infusions of medicinal herbs having a calming effect. A decoction of the following plants has a beneficial effect on the autonomic nervous system: hawthorn flowers, oregano, motherwort, lemon balm, hop cones, peppermint, thyme.

Pour half a liter of boiling water over a large spoon of this mixture, let it brew for 30 minutes, and filter. Take a glass of folk medicine 3 times a day. Treatment is carried out for 20 days, then interrupted for a week and therapy is continued.

For high blood pressure against the background of vegetative-vascular dystonia, the following recipe is used: 10 g of hawthorn berries are poured into a glass of warm water, sent to water bath for 25 minutes, let cool. The berries are removed and a large spoonful of the decoction is taken three times a day for a month.

If, on the contrary, a person has low blood pressure, then you can use the following remedy: 100 g of Rhodiola rosea roots are poured with 500 ml of alcohol and left in a dark place for a week. Take the tincture three times a day, 10 drops diluted in a glass of water. Treatment with this medicine lasts for 2 weeks.

Diet for VSD

With angiodystonia, patients must follow the basic principles of dietary nutrition. The patient’s diet should contain only those foods that contain large amounts of vitamins and microelements.

• Fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Porridge.
• Dairy and fermented milk products.
• Fish and seafood.
• Lean meat.

You should avoid fatty, salty, spicy food, fast food, sausages and semi-finished products, strong coffee and tea, alcoholic beverages.

VSD and the army

Before entering the army, all conscripts are required to undergo a thorough examination. Psychovegetative syndrome in mild degree is not an obstacle to military service. But pathology in the moderate and severe stages can lead to serious health problems.

They do not take into the army guys who have been diagnosed with VSD of the hypertensive type, if there is high pressure- 140–155/90–100. It is strictly forbidden to send conscripts into service who have severe manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia, for example, frequent loss of consciousness, problems with the heart, or neurological disorders.

Forecast

The prognosis for vegetative-vascular dystonia is favorable. But in most cases, the disease does not disappear and at times manifests itself with various symptoms. It is very rare, but still possible, that VSD will provoke the development of pathologies such as arterial hypertension, heart failure, vestibulopathy, arrhythmia, endocarditis.

You can completely get rid of dystonia in childhood. Self-healing often occurs after hormonal changes in teenage children, women after childbirth or during PMS or menopause.

Prevention

Vegetovascular dystonia is a disease accompanied by unpleasant symptoms that interfere with a normal lifestyle. Therefore, it is better to prevent its development. There are no specific measures for prevention; you just need to lead a healthy lifestyle.

For support coordinated work In the body, a person needs to exercise, eat right, follow a daily routine, spend more time in the fresh air, and avoid stressful situations. You are also required to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.

Thus, vegetative-vascular dystonia is a disorder of the body’s autonomic system, manifested by numerous symptoms.

According to statistics, vegetative-vascular dystonia in children and adolescents is diagnosed as often as in adults. Despite the fact that some experts do not consider dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system to be a disease, the symptoms of this disease negatively affect the child’s body, depleting it and reducing the quality of life. Therefore, even if minor and isolated symptoms appear, it is important to immediately contact a specialist for complex diagnostics and prescribing adequate treatment.

Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children aged 3 years

Causes of VSD in children and adolescents

Cases of diagnosing a disease such as vegetative-vascular dystonia in children are quite common. The pathology requires complex treatment and maximum parental participation. The following factors can provoke the development of the disease:

• infectious diseases;
• heredity;
• frequent stressful situations;
• negative influence of chemical and physical environmental irritants;
• pathologies during pregnancy;
• parents' addictions to alcohol and smoking;
• excessive physical activity;
• poor quality, inadequate sleep. Lack of time to rest during the day;
• scoliosis, osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the spinal column;
• diabetes;
• poor nutrition, lack of vitamins;
• decreased physical activity;
• hormonal changes in adolescence;
• excessive mental stress.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia symptoms and treatment in children

An exhaustive list of factors in the development of pathology has not been established by medicine to this day. However, special attention must be paid psychological climate within the family circle, since children are especially susceptible to changes in emotional tension between parents.

Classification of pathology

In order to draw up the most comprehensive and adequate treatment regimen for VSD in adolescents and children, the doctor conducts a thorough diagnosis, during which he determines the etiology, nature of the disorder, type of dystonia and characteristics of the course.

According to the reasons for the development of pathology, the following forms are distinguished:

1. Dyshormonal, caused by change hormonal levels in adolescence.
2. Essential, as a result of heredity.
3. Infectious-toxic, provoked by infectious diseases, negative environmental influences and other external factors.
4. Neurological, provoked by disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system as a result of overwork or stress.
5. Mixed, combines several factors.

And her treatment

Based on the nature of the disorder, the following types are distinguished:

1. Predominance sympathetic division VS (sympathicotonic).
2. The predominance of the parasympathetic division of the VS (vagotonic).
3. Mixed.

According to symptoms, VSD is divided into the following types:

1. Cardiological. Pain, discomfort in the heart area.
2. Arrhythmic. Heart rhythm disturbances.
3. Hyperkinetic. Overload of the left ventricle due to increased blood volume, increased pressure.
4. Blood pressure instability.
5. Asthenoneurotic. Increased fatigue, loss of strength, anxiety.
6. Respiratory. Lack of air that occurs even at rest.
7. Weather dependent.

According to the nature of the course, the symptoms of the disease can be latent, paroxysmal or permanent (constant).

Features of pathology in children under 5 years of age

The causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children are varied

Primary manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children are possible already in the first year of life. The cause of the pathology may be violations intrauterine development, the course of pregnancy in the mother, negative impact external factors after birth. Symptoms of VSD in children under one year of age may include:

• stomach ache;
• unstable stool;
• weak appetite;
• frequent regurgitation;
• poor sleep (frequent awakenings).

The next stage, characterized by a high risk of developing pathology, is the period when the child begins to walk. kindergarten, contact with children and adults without parental assistance. The following symptoms are typical for VSD in a 2–3 year old child:

• increased body temperature;
• stomach ache;
• tearfulness;
• increased fatigue, weakness;
• dizziness, headaches;
• pallor or blueness of the skin.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD) in children

The presence of VSD in a 4–5 year old child may be indicated by the appearance of symptoms such as:

• frequent and sudden mood changes;
• categorical refusal to attend kindergarten or sports section;
• enuresis;
• frequent colds, regardless of whether the child attends kindergarten or not;
• apathy;
• shortness of breath, increased fatigue.

Regardless of the number and severity of symptoms, even a slight deviation from usual behavior and the child’s well-being is an indication to consult a doctor.

Symptoms of the disease in children under 10 years of age

The occurrence of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children 6–8 years old is associated with the beginning of a new, serious and responsible period, namely schooling. An unusual daily routine, new acquaintances with peers, teachers, excessive mental stress and other factors provoke prolonged fatigue, which leads to disruption of organ function. VSD can be manifested by the presence of the following symptoms:

• fast fatiguability;
• sudden changes in mood, hysteria;
• nausea, abdominal pain;
• headache;
• lack of air, shortness of breath;
• pale skin;
• thermoregulation disorders.

How to treat VSD in a child

Children aged 9–10 years are susceptible to the development of VSD as a result of a discrepancy between the mental, physical, psychological stress and capabilities and potential of the child’s body. The disease is characterized by the following manifestations:

• rapid change in body weight;
• increase or decrease in blood pressure;
• memory impairment;
• restless sleep;
• rashes, itching;
• depression;
• headache.

It is important to understand that intrafamily relationships play a major role in the development of VSD. Communication between parents and the child and among themselves, mutual understanding, trust are important components of the healthy and harmonious development of the child in the family circle.

VSD in adolescents: features of the course of the disease in girls and boys

Adolescent vascular dystonia

The main cause of vegetative-vascular dystonia in adolescents is hormonal changes against the background of a discrepancy between psychoemotional and physical development. The presence of the following factors can provoke pathology:

1. Increased school load. Complex and voluminous homework forces you to spend a lot of time and effort, leading to overwork and lack of sleep.
2. Physical inactivity. Free time carried out in front of a computer or with a phone in hand.
3. Consumption of information that negatively affects the fragile psyche (cruelty, violence).
4. Having difficulties in relationships with peers, teachers or parents.

The course of the disease in boys and girls can differ significantly. Males are more susceptible to pathology. This is due to excessive physical activity or, conversely, addiction to smoking, drugs, and alcoholic beverages. The disease can manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• anxiety;
• increased fatigue;
• memory impairment;
• headache.

In the fair sex, the disease manifests itself as a feeling of fear, hysteria, irritability, increased fatigue, tearfulness and mood swings.

Diagnostic measures. Which specialist should I contact?

Risk factors for vegetative-vascular dystonia in adolescents

The first thing parents need to do when identifying any symptoms in their child is to consult a doctor, in this case a pediatrician. Based on the medical history, examination and assessment of the results of basic studies (electrocardiogram, general urine and blood tests), the specialist will refer the patient for further examinations to clarify the diagnosis of VSD and prescribe adequate treatment. The following doctors may be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease:

• endocrinologist;
• neurologist;
• ophthalmologist;
• cardiologist;
• otolaryngologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• urologist;
• psychotherapist.

Comprehensive diagnosis of the disease may include the following methods:

• blood test for hormones;
• ultrasound examination thyroid gland;
• blood pressure monitoring;
• electrocardiogram;
• ultrasound examination of blood vessels located in the brain;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• vegetative tests.

Symptoms of VSD in children 7-12 years old

A complete diagnosis allows you to select the most appropriate treatment that will most effectively relieve the disease.

Therapeutic methods

Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is, first of all, non-drug therapy. Proper nutrition, adequate physical activity, walks in the fresh air, elimination of stressful situations, prevention of overwork, a psycho-emotionally healthy environment in the family - the basis of treatment.

One of the methods of non-drug treatment is physiotherapy, and it includes:

• massage;
• acupuncture;
• magnetic laser treatment;
• electrosleep;
• water procedures;
• electrophoresis;
• phytotherapy;
• aromatherapy.

Therapeutic treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia in adolescents

In a situation where non-drug therapy does not bring sufficient results and the child’s quality of life continues to decline, the doctor may decide to prescribe medications, namely:

1. Cerebroprotectors that normalize metabolic processes in the brain.
2. Medicines that stimulate blood circulation.
3. Taking antioxidants is relevant when the disease is caused by the negative influence of various environmental irritants.
4. Beta blockers are recommended when diagnosing the hyperkinetic type of the disease.
5. Nootropics that activate intelligence, memory, and mental performance.
6. Antidepressants that relieve anxiety, hysteria, and help elevate mood.
7. Tranquilizers.

Even when prescribing drug therapy, it is important not to stop following non-drug recommendations. Since eliminating the disease requires a complex and comprehensive impact.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is one of the diseases that can be easily defeated once and for all by promptly seeking medical help and following all doctor’s instructions.

Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia in adolescents

The task of parents is to implement the following recommendations for both therapeutic and preventive purposes:

1. Balanced diet. The menu for a child should contain foods rich in vitamins and minerals. It is important to exclude unhealthy, fatty foods, carbonated drinks, smoked foods, store-bought sweets, and fast food from your diet. The diet should be complete, containing fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, dried fruits, cereals, meat, fish, durum wheat pasta, freshly squeezed juices, and a sufficient amount of clean water.
2. Full sleep. During rest, the child’s body recovers and replenishes strength. It is important to create favorable and comfortable conditions for sleep and daytime rest. Your bedtime and wake-up time should be the same every day.
3. It is important to ensure that the child does not become overtired. Intensive school program, a huge number of additional classes, electives with more likely will harm the child than help him in adulthood.
4. Do not force, but encourage your child to play sports or other physical activities. It must be remembered that the lack of load has the same negative effect on the body as its excess. Special attention must be paid to hardening.

None of the above recommendations, medications or physical therapy methods will help a child who is under constant stress. Unhealthy family conditions, lack of mutual understanding in the team, psycho-emotional stress are the main causes of VSD. Treatment of the disease must begin with the normalization of the emotional situation. It is important to teach your child an adequate response to stressful situations, help him master self-control and increase self-esteem. Your child's health is in your hands!

Good day, dear readers!

In this article we will look at vegetative-vascular dystonia and everything connected with it.

What is vegetative-vascular dystonia?

Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD)– a complex of various clinical manifestations that develop as a result of disruption of the functionality of the autonomic nervous system of certain organs (mainly the heart and blood vessels) and body systems.

Other names of VSD - autonomic dysfunction, cardiopsychoneurosis(NDC).

How does the autonomic nervous system work?

To make it easier to understand this concept, it should be noted that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an autonomous part of the body’s nervous system, the center of which is located along the spine. The ANS consists of 2 conditioned mechanisms (divisions) that control the functioning of organs - sympathetic and parasympathetic. Both sections of the ANS, thanks to the presence of nerve cells in each organ and system, regulate their functionality, for example, causing the urge to defecate or urinate, feelings of hunger, nausea, increased or slow heartbeat, increased or decreased blood pressure, desire to sleep or lack of sleep, respiratory processes, production of insulin, adrenaline, serotonin, etc.

The sympathetic department is responsible for the activation of all processes, and the parasympathetic department is responsible for the relaxation or rest of certain organs.

How it works? A person is hungry, a signal goes to the autonomic nervous system, the person eats food, and the receptors again report this to the ANS, which sends a signal to the pancreas, which produces the juice necessary for processing food. After the required portion of juice, when the food is processed, the stomach reports this to the ANS, and it “talks” to the pancreas, which stops the production of juice, then as food passes through the gastrointestinal tract, the whole process is regulated, ending with the urge to defecate. Thus, the autonomic nervous system constantly regulates the work of the entire organism as a whole, either activating or deactivating the work of each organ, automatically. Thanks to these mechanisms, a person does not need to think - how to breathe, or produce pancreatic juice, or increase body temperature if an infection has entered, how to raise an arm or bend a leg, dilate the pupil in the dark or constrict in bright light, etc.

When, due to various pathological factors, a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system occurs, the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic sections of the ANS is disrupted, a person feels various kinds of symptoms, and at the level or organ where the disturbance occurred. It is important to note that the organ may not actually be sick, only its connection with the nervous system is lost, and therefore the normal functioning of the organ/system is disrupted.

Thus, in simple terms, vegetative-vascular dystonia is a collective name for various clinical manifestations (symptoms) that arise due to a disruption in the functioning of the central and/or peripheral parts of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Moreover, you need to understand that, for example, high blood pressure during VSD is not associated with hypertension, but manifests itself due to a disruption in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system at the level of the cardiovascular system, just like heart pain. But, if VSD is not treated and due attention is not given, it can lead to real diseases of certain organs - coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, and other diseases of certain organs/systems.

Doctors note that vegetative-vascular dystonia is most often observed in children (25-80%), most often at the age of 7-8 years or adolescents, mostly female, and in urban environments. This age falls precisely on transitional periods, possibly stressful ones, when a child moves from kindergarten to the first grade of school, as well as graduation from school and studies in higher educational institutions. VSD is increasingly common in adults, which is also due to modern, often negative news in the media, as well as the often unpredictable “tomorrow”.

VSD. History and modernity

It is impossible not to mention an interesting fact, which perhaps many people do not know, that the diagnosis of VSD, in fact, was made only to residents of the USSR, although today some doctors use it. This is evidenced by the absence of this disease in the international classification of diseases (ICD-10), because This kind of disease does not exist in Europe and America.

Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD)

The symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia are very diverse and differ in one direction or another depending on the cause, as well as the organ or system in which this disorder occurred. Thus, according to the same criteria, the VSD group included the following syndromes with their own characteristic features.

Parasympathicotonia (Vagotonia)

Vagotonia, or nervus vagus, is characterized by the following symptoms: depression, increased fatigue, sleep disorders (insomnia or excessive sleepiness), memory impairment, decreased performance, apathy, fearfulness, abdominal pain, appetite disturbances, nausea, feeling unwell in a stuffy room or in the cold, dizziness, pain in the legs, acrocyanosis, increased sweating, frequent urge to urinate, constipation, transient swelling under the eyes and allergic reactions.

From the cardiovascular system, the following symptoms were noted: pain in the heart area, low blood pressure (80/50 mm Hg), bradyarrhythmia, muffled heart tone(pulse up to 45-50 beats/min), increase in heart size.

Sympathicotonia

Sympathicotonia is characterized by the following symptoms: paleness of the skin, chills, increased blood pressure, tachycardia, anxiety (feelings of fear and anxiety), short temper, inattention, increased sensitivity to pain, mydriasis, polyuria, constipation.

Neurocirculatory dystonia (NCD)

Neurocirculatory dystonia is divided into three types: cardiac, vascular and mixed, each of which is characterized by its own symptoms.

Cardiac type of NCD (functional cardiopathy): disturbances of cardiac rhythm and conduction ( sinus bradycardia, tachycardia, extrasystole, atrioventricular block I-II degree), some forms of mitral valve prolapse and disturbances in the processes of ventricular repolarization.

Vascular type of NCD: arterial hypertension (hypertension) and arterial hypotension(hypotension).

Mixed type of NDC: a set of symptoms of cardiac and vascular types.

Other signs of autonomic dysfunction

Cardiovascular syndrome characterized by the following symptoms: heart rhythm disturbances (bradycardia, tachycardia, extrasystole), paleness of the skin, constant changes in blood pressure, various types of discomfort or pain in the heart area that does not go away when taking nitroglycerin.

Hyperventilation syndrome characterized by the following symptoms: a feeling of suffocation, lack of air, as if it is difficult to take a deep breath, muscle spasms, dizziness, sensory disturbances in the limbs and perioral area.

Irritable bowel syndrome characterized by: pain in the lower abdomen, flatulence (bloating), frequent urge to defecate, pain or discomfort in the pit of the stomach, appetite disturbances, nausea and vomiting, dysphagia.

Cystalgia– painful urge to urinate and the act itself, while urine tests do not show the presence of any diseases;

Sweating disorder, especially increased sweating is observed on the soles of the feet and palms;

Sexual disorders which are characterized in women by vaginismus and anorgasmia, in men by erectile dysfunction and ejaculation;

Violation of thermoregulation, which is characterized by daily temperature changes, from normal to a slight increase (up to 37.5°C), and slight chills.

Vegetative crises

Under the influence of unfavorable factors - overwork (mental and physical), acute infectious diseases, stress and others, which we will talk about a little later, a person can be attacked by various kinds of vegetative crises - panic attacks, vegetative storms, paroxysms. They can occur both short-term and long-term, up to several days. Let's consider the most common vegetative crises.

Sympathoadrenal crisis. It is characterized by the following symptoms: headache, increased blood pressure (up to 150/90-180/110 mmHg), rapid pulse (up to 110-140 beats/min), increased excitability, numbness of the extremities with a feeling of coldness in them, pain in the heart area, frequent urination, polyuria, dry mouth, sometimes elevated body temperature (up to 38-40°C).

Vagoinsular crisis. It is characterized by the following symptoms: sudden pallor of the skin, increased sweating, decreased blood pressure and body temperature, abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes angioedema may develop. Attacks of suffocation, pain in the heart area, syncope, and migraine are also possible.

Causes of VSD

There are a large number of causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia, but they are all divided into 2 main groups - primary, which most often lie in heredity, and secondary, which provoke dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which already has some abnormalities. Let's consider the main causes of VSD:

Primary causes of VSD development

• Damage to the central nervous system (CNS) of the fetus recent months pregnancy, during childbirth and the first days after birth. Most often this is facilitated by consumption by a pregnant woman. alcoholic drinks, various medications without consulting a doctor, smoking, stress, damage to the hypothalamus during childbirth. These situations lead in the future to an inadequate reaction of the child to a particular stressful situation, neuroses, emotional imbalance, etc.
• Unfavorable living environment for a child - family quarrels, the presence of alcohol-dependent people in the family, divorce, excessive custody of the child, conflicts at school, mental overstrain, stress, emotional overload.
• Heredity, which is most often transmitted to the child from the mother.

Secondary causes, or factors that increase the risk of developing VSD:

• Various types of chronic diseases - somatic, allergic, as well as nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, digestive and other systems, constitutional anomalies (diathesis);
• A sharp change in climate or living environment;
• Unfavorable environmental conditions in the living environment
• Lack of vitamins and minerals in the body (hypovitaminosis), which is most often caused by poor nutrition;
• Physical, emotional and mental overstrain, stress;
• Neuroses, hysteria;
• Depression;
• Hormonal changes in the body - puberty in boys and girls, the beginning of menstruation, PMS, menopause;
• Inability to verbally express oneself soul feelings(alexithymia);
• Bad habits – drinking alcohol, smoking, drugs;
• Violation of the structure of the spine (trauma, osteochondrosis);
• Sleep disorder (insomnia or excessive sleepiness);
• Poisoning (intoxication);
• Brain metabolic disorders.

Classification of vegetative-vascular dystonia

Due to the fact that the diagnosis of VSD was made only by Soviet doctors, an international classification of this condition was never developed. Therefore, when diagnosing VSD, the following factors are taken into account:

• Etiology;
• Localization of autonomic dysfunction – generalized, systemic or local;
• Variant of disorders - vagotonic, sympathicotonic and mixed;
• Organs and systems involved in the pathological process;
• The severity of VSD is mild, moderate and severe;
• The course is latent, permanent, paroxysmal.

The following methods are used to diagnose vegetative-vascular dystonia:

• Anamnesis;
• Electrocardiography (ECG);
• Cardiointervalography;
• Electroencephalography (EEG);
• Echoencephalography (EchoEG);
• Rheoencephalography (REG);
• Rheovasography;
• Pharmacological tests.

Additionally, consultations with the following doctors may be scheduled:

• Neurologist;
• Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT);
• Endocrinologist;
• Oculist;
• Psychiatrist.

Differential diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia

Differential diagnosis is necessary to exclude other diseases with similar symptoms to VSD. Thus, in terms of symptoms, the following are similar to vegetative-vascular dystonia: rheumatism, connective tissue dysplasia, rheumatic carditis, non-rheumatic carditis, heart disease, arterial hypertension (hypertension), bronchial asthma, acute infectious diseases, sepsis, malignant tumors (cancer), mental disorders.

Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD)

Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia is a rather lengthy and painstaking task. A positive prognosis largely depends on correct diagnosis and accurate determination of the cause of VSD.

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

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

Work/rest mode

Each person’s body has its own specific “charge”, which depends on many factors. When the strength runs out, but a person continues to overload his body with physical or mental work, the body begins to weaken, thereby being subject to various imbalances in the functioning of certain systems. The same thing happens if a person does not give the body enough time to rest. Therefore, to maintain health, it is very important that a person maintains a work/rest schedule. Work in moderation, rest and be sure to get enough sleep.

Physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle leads to weakening of the muscle tissue of certain organs that are least involved in a person’s daily life. In addition, physical inactivity increases the risk of developing various diseases of the cardiovascular system. “Movement is life”, this is a fair saying. The more a person moves, the better the blood “plays”, thereby improving blood circulation, the organs receive with the blood the nutrition necessary for their normal functioning in the form of oxygen and various substances.

Therapeutic massage and water treatments

Physical effects on the body, in particular therapeutic massage and water procedures, improve blood circulation, improve the functioning of the lymphatic system, if necessary, restore the structure of the spine (in the case of osteochondrosis), and along with the spine, the nerve channels with the vessels that pass through it are aligned. In addition, massage allows you to relax, relieve stress, and improve muscle tone. All these actions have a beneficial effect not only on the functioning of the central nervous system, but can also improve the overall health of a person.

Sources of emotional experiences

The modern number of media, as well as ways to obtain this information, is only growing from year to year. Today, few people will be surprised by a smartphone with the ability to get information from the Internet, a computer, a laptop, or a TV. But the whole problem lies in the quality of the information received. If we make a short review of at least posters for certain modern computer games, some cartoons, movies, news, we can highlight big picture– murders, violence, cruelty, lies, wars, occultism, etc. All this has an extremely negative impact on the developing psyche of the child, and on many people as well. Bad dreams, selfishness, disrespectful attitude towards other people are just the tip of the iceberg. The basis is emotional instability, imbalance, uncertainty about the future, panic fears. If you are a parent and have not yet studied the flow of information that feeds your child, this is the time to start doing so. Protect your child from the negative flow of information from the Internet and other sources. This is very important point not only from a therapeutic VSD point of view, but also as a preventive measure against other complex diseases that usually manifest themselves in an adult.

Family psychological correction

This measure is necessary if your family experiences frequent conflicts and difficulties raising a child. Remember, quarrels and scandals have a negative impact on the mental development of a child. Do not allow a showdown in front of the children. Children should grow up in a loving family where each member respects each other. In this way, a person is cultivated who will follow your family model, and it is better for the family to be happy.

Nutrition

For the normal functioning of any human organ or system, it is necessary to various vitamins and minerals. Each vitamin is involved not only in the functioning of the entire body, but also in the development of all organs and regulation of their vital functions.

Some of the vitamins are produced in the required quantities by the body itself, but basically, we can only get vitamins from the food we eat. If a person gets used to eating fast food, sandwiches, chips, beer and other low-health foods, he does not receive the required amount of vitamins, because These foods simply don’t contain them. It's tasty, perhaps, but it's certainly not healthy. Moreover, such junk food is harmful to human health. It is also extremely important to eat at least 3 times a day. Food is a kind of “energy” that is necessary for a person to perform various daily tasks. There is no food, or it is incomplete, there is no strength for work, and of course, human health.

Give preference to foods rich in vitamins and minerals - vegetables, fruits, herbs, cereals. Try not to fry foods, but to steam or boil them. The less you heat treat your food, the more vitamins and microelements they will retain. Human beauty and health largely depend on human nutrition.

Electrophoresis

For vagotonia, electrophoresis with caffeine, calcium, and mesatone is prescribed.
For sympathicotonia, electrophoresis with magnesium, papaverine, bromine, aminophylline is prescribed.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy is usually used in the following cases:

• Non-drug therapy did not bring the desired result;
• To relieve various kinds of symptoms that make it difficult to perform daily tasks;
• For the treatment of various chronic diseases that may be factors determining the development of VSD.

Medicines for VSD:

Sedatives. They have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and calm. Among sedatives widely used: preparations based on valerian, hawthorn, St. John's wort, motherwort - "Novopassit", "Persen", "Stressplant", herbal tea with lemon balm.

Tranquilizers (anxiolytic drugs). Used to relieve attacks of fear, stress, and anxiety. Among the tranquilizers we can note: “Diazepam”, “Relanium”, “Tranxen”.

Antidepressants. They are used to relieve feelings of depression, depression, apathy, anxiety, irritability, emotional stress, as well as to increase mental activity. In addition, antidepressants are used in cases where a patient with VSD constantly feels aches and pains throughout the body (in the heart, gastrointestinal tract, muscles and joints), which are not amenable to symptomatic treatment. Antidepressants include: Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Clomipramine, Coaxil, Prozac, Cipramil.

Nootropics. They are used to improve mental activity, brain resistance to various stressful situations, and improve the energy state of neurons. Among the nootropics we can highlight: “Pyritinol”, “Piracetam”, “Phenibut”.

To normalize peripheral and cerebral circulation, as well as blood microcirculation, it is used: "Cinnarizine", vinpocetine ("Cavinton"), pentoxifylline ("Trental"), nicotinic acid(vitamin B3 or PP).

For sympathicotonia, for pain in the heart areaß-blockers are used - propranolol (Anaprilin, Obzidan), Atenolol (Atenol, Tenormin).

To relieve heart pain used: Verapamil (“Verapamil”, “Isoptin”), “Valocordin”, valerian tincture.

With vagotonic reactions. Psychostimulants are used plant origin– preparations based on Schisandra, Eleutherococcus, Zamanikha, etc.

For intracranial hypertension(high blood pressure) dehydration therapy is used, which is aimed at removing excess water from the body. Diuretics are used for these purposes.

In combination, glycine has proven beneficial in the treatment of VSD, glutamic acid, pantogam, complexes of vitamins and microelements.

For constipation You need to add food with a lot of fiber to your diet, fresh vegetables and fruits. It is also allowed to take laxatives: Duphalac, Lavacol, Normaze.

At frequent diarrhea , the amount of fiber consumed in food must be reduced. Additionally, you can take an antidiarrheal agent: loperamide (Imodium, Lopedium), sorbents (Polifepan, Smecta).

At elevated temperatures You can take: “Pirroxan”, “Phentolamine”.

With increased sweating, the skin can be treated with solutions of formaldehyde, potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), tannic acid.

In case of venous insufficiency– if the patient has noise in the head and throbbing pain in it, heaviness in the head, you can take: “Vasoket”, “Detralex”. Medicines for venous insufficiency are taken for 1-2 months.

For dizziness against the background of high blood pressure, medications are used that improve cerebral circulation– “Vinpocetine”, “Cavinton”, “Nicerium”, “Oxybral”.

For severe headaches and dizziness, you can take Betaserc.

Important! During treatment for VSD, be sure to give up bad habits - smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, taking drugs.

Forecast

With timely detection, accurate diagnosis and strict adherence to the doctor’s instructions, treatment of VSD, the prognosis for recovery is favorable. In case of VSD, it is very important to correctly carry out psychological adjustment of the child, so that after he grows up, the mental deviations formed during VSD do not accompany him throughout his life.

Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia with folk remedies

Important! Before using folk remedies, be sure to consult your doctor!

Treatment of VSD with ready-made herbal preparations

Comment by herbalist A.A. Malgin: herbal treatment (herbal medicine) has certain wonderful advantages, for example:

• herbal medicine eliminates the causes of the disease,
• herbs have minimal amount contraindications (usually individual intolerance),
• herbal treatment has minimal side effects,
• herbs contain a large number of vitamins and other useful substances, which, in addition to treating the disease, also contribute to the health of the body as a whole,
• affordability.

Herbalists offer ready-made solutions that already take into account the specific composition of the collection, dosage, sequence, etc. The courses are developed by medical specialists based on their many years of experience.

Other folk remedies against VSD

Baths. For headaches, for VSD, dilute 5 tbsp in warm water. spoons of dry mustard. Pour the resulting mixture into a bath with water at about 40°C. Lie in this bath for 8-10 minutes, then wrap yourself in a simple cotton sheet and go to bed. Additionally, drink tea with a soothing herbal mixture.

Herbal tea. For neuroses and stress, drink before bed a sedative tea based on lemon balm, valerian, motherwort, thyme, and hawthorn.

Beet. Cut fresh beets in half and apply the halves to your temples for about 10 minutes. After that, squeeze the juice out of the beet halves, soak cotton swabs in it, and put them in your ears. This will help relieve headaches.

Juice. To strengthen the body during VSD, make juice from beets, cucumbers and carrots in a ratio of 1:1:3. Take this juice in the morning. It will charge your body with energy and vitamins.

Collection. to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, calm, and reduce headache attacks, you can prepare the following collection of medicinal herbs: horsetail (20 g), astragalus wooliflora (20 g), cudweed (15 g) and sweet clover (20 g). Mix the herbs, pour 200 ml of boiling water and close overnight to infuse. The infusion should be taken after meals, 1-2 tbsp. spoon, for 4-6 weeks.

Flax + anise + scumpia. Mix in equal proportions 1 tbsp. spoon flax seeds, scumpia leaves and anise fruits, pour 1 liter of water over them and boil for about 10 minutes. Cool and drink instead of water.

If nothing helps, perhaps it’s time to turn to God, for who but the Creator can heal His creation? Moreover, Jesus said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Often, prayer does much more than human knowledge.

Prevention of vegetative-vascular dystonia

Prevention of VSD includes the following preventive measures:

• Eliminate family quarrels and conflicts;
• Communicate with the child, find out the causes of his disorders, if any;
• Eliminate, as far as possible, the child’s contact with various types of information containing scenes of violence, murder, the occult - films, cartoons, computer games, free uncontrolled access to the Internet.
• Eat foods enriched with vitamins and microelements;
• Eliminate bad habits - alcohol, smoking;
• Do not let various diseases, especially infectious ones, take their course, so that they do not become chronic;
• Maintain a work/rest schedule
• Do not take uncontrolled medications without consulting a doctor;
• Avoid stress. If you work in a job with a high psycho-emotional load, think about whether it is worth it? It may be necessary to change jobs. Health is more important than money!
• Try to move more, play sports, ride a bike.

Which doctor should I contact if I have VSD?

• Neurologist.

Video about VSD

Discuss vegetative-vascular dystonia on the forum...

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What is vegetative-vascular dystonia

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is manifested by a large number of different signs indicating the formation certain diseases, capable of connecting certain organs with each other. Long-term treatment is required, but the disease is difficult to diagnose and only a doctor can identify the disease after a complete medical examination, and tests are required.

The disease vegetative-vascular dystonia is very dangerous, because it provokes disruptions in work different systems body:

• if the heart was affected, then a change in pressure occurs, tachycardia, extrasystole, arrhythmia are of concern;
• when changes are observed in the respiratory system, the patient is constantly bothered by shortness of breath, asphyxia, obsessive and prolonged yawning appears, breathing becomes difficult;
• disruptions in the functioning of the stomach may occur, which provoke a feeling of pain in the hypochondrium and abdomen, a disturbing feeling of nausea, vomiting, bloating, belching, diarrhea may appear, acidity decreases or increases;
• sometimes the genitourinary system is also affected. The patient begins to be bothered by a frequent urge to urinate, even if practically no liquid has been consumed. Pain in the groin area, burning, severe itching, adnexitis and enuresis appear. Vegetovascular dystonia has the following symptoms in adult women: the menstrual cycle is disrupted, infertility develops, and the risk of miscarriage increases. In men, prostatitis develops;
• symptoms of VSD, which has affected the blood vessels, are as follows: a feeling of chills, a subfibrile temperature rises, coldness in the legs and arms bothers you, sudden flashes of heat are felt, sweating increases.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is one of the most unpleasant and very dangerous diseases. Its development provokes malfunctions in almost the entire human body, which necessitates adjustments. familiar image life, rhythm of rest and work. It can only be treated with medication, but in the most severe cases, unpleasant symptoms remain.

This disease, taking into account the symptoms shown, is divided into several types:

1. Cardialgic type. The disease can manifest as sharp stabbing pains in the area of ​​the heart. They often occur both during heavy physical exertion and when the patient remains at rest. Often cardialgia is aching in nature and lasts for a long time, and can be repeated with a certain frequency. This feature is considered a distinctive sign of education complex syndrome disorders, which is called vegetative-vascular dystonia.
2. Tachycardic type. This type of disease occurs in older people. Home characteristic feature is an increase in the number of contractions of the heart muscle - approximately 90 beats per minute. Manifestation clear signs Vegetative-vascular dystonia is diagnosed by doctors as the formation of a tachycardic crisis. It may be necessary to treat a specific exacerbation, rather than the complex as a whole. In some cases it happens sharp increase heart rate, which reaches 140-150 beats per minute. Taking into account individual manifestations of VSD syndrome, neurocirculatory dystonia is determined to be of the hypertensive type. When this type of disorder occurs, cardiac output increases and healthy peripheral vascular resistance is maintained.
3. Bradycardic type. It occurs much less frequently and will be manifested by a decrease in the number of heartbeats. On average, the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle is about 60 beats per minute, but can drop to 40. Signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia appear in the form frequent fainting, the patient is worried about dizziness, which clearly manifests itself with increased physical activity. This syndrome always accompanied by cold feet and hands. Men in at a young age may suffer from manifestations of neurocircular dystonia of the cardiac type. The main indicator is irritability, an unstable emotional state.
4. Arrhythmic type. It is very difficult to determine this type of disease. This is due to the manifestation similar symptoms with arrhythmia of the heart and lung myocardium. Such symptoms are provoked by osteochondrosis, gallbladder pathology, and hyperfunction of the thyroid gland.

Symptoms of the disease

Signs of the formation of vegetative-vascular dystonia can appear with varying intensity. If your health worsens, you should immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will be able to accurately determine the causes of vascular dystonia and conduct a complete medical examination and prescribe the optimal treatment. Depending on the gender and age of the patient, a variety of symptoms of the disease may appear.

In adults

This disease in adults has the following symptoms:

• constant headache;
• numbness of the limbs;
• temperature increase;
• lack of air;
• development of a phobia (an attack appears unexpectedly);
• dizziness;
• the appearance of severe emotional discomfort;
• heartbeat slows or increases;
• increased sweating.

Women

The main symptoms of VSD in women are as follows:

• daytime sleepiness;
• tinnitus;
• dysfunction of the cardiovascular system;
• feeling constant fatigue, anxiety, severe irritability, suspiciousness;
• development of insomnia;
• respiratory and neurotic disorder;
• increased blood pressure, which provokes a hypertensive crisis;
• severe headaches;
• decreased appetite;
• burning sensation in the soles of the feet;
• the appearance of red spots on the neck and face;
• restless feeling of inner trembling;
• cold extremities;
• a sharp increase in temperature;
• disruption of the gastrointestinal tract - diarrhea, constipation, bloating.

Men

Symptoms of VSD of the hypertensive type in men appear in the following way– someone begins to withdraw into themselves, trying to cope with the problem on their own. And some individuals constantly go to doctors. Signs of the disease in representatives of the stronger sex directly depend on the type of nervous system. Men begin to be haunted by panicky thoughts, unreasonable fear, feelings of fatigue and irritability.

Some individuals believe that the main organ in the body is the brain, therefore, with the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia, a sharp change in mood occurs, sleep is disturbed, and insomnia develops, which provokes severe and incessant headaches. Symptoms such as increased urination or disturbances in the digestive system may also occur.

Teenagers often suffer from this disease. Education problems in early age depends on various factors. Symptoms of VSD in adolescents include the following:

• feeling of chronic fatigue;
• anxiety, tearfulness, rapid excitability, nervousness;
• fainting conditions;
• dizziness accompanied by severe headaches;
• the child feels nausea, causing vomiting;
• heart rate increases.

Exacerbation

An exacerbation of the symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia occurs with the onset of summer: as the air temperature rises, the risk of unpleasant symptoms also becomes higher. Prescribe effective drug Only a doctor can treat the disease. Any folk method of eliminating symptoms is strictly prohibited, because it can be dangerous and provoke a worsening of the condition.

Find out what to do with VSD - treatment, signs and complications of the disease.

Video about the symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia

Take off unpleasant signs The medicine prescribed by the doctor does not always help the disease. After the pill is taken, the symptoms of dystonia often continue to bother the patient. Therefore, it is not surprising that reviews of this disease will only be negative, because it is very difficult to cure. It is useful for everyone to know about the exacerbation of symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia and their manifestations, which are shown in the following video:

What are the signs of VSD?

Causes of VSD

In childhood, the causes of VSD development may be hereditary factors or a discrepancy between the pace of physical development and the level of maturity of the neurohormonal system.

In adults, the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia can be provoked by:

• Exhaustion of the body due to acute or chronic infectious diseases or intoxications.
• Sleep disturbances such as insomnia, early awakening or difficulty falling asleep.
• Chronic fatigue, depressed mood, depression.
• Irregular unbalanced diet.
• Excessive physical activity or physical inactivity.
• Hormonal changes in the body during puberty in adolescents, pregnancy or menopause in women.
• Change of climate or time zone.

The impact of these factors against the background of reduced adaptation of the body leads to an imbalance in the activity of the peripheral (autonomic) nervous system. This stimulates the activation of production biologically active substances and metabolic disorders in the tissues of the heart and blood vessels, which begin to respond inadequately even to normal stress.

Symptoms of VSD and its main manifestations

Manifestations and symptoms of the disease can be very diverse and imitate other serious diseases. But most often they occur in the form of several syndromes:

1. Cardiovascular syndrome is characterized by the appearance of heart rhythm disturbances (tachycardia, bradycardia or arrhythmia), changes in blood pressure, inadequate reactions of the peripheral vascular bed (pallor, marbling of the skin, flushing of the face, chilliness of the extremities).
2. Cardiac syndrome, the main symptom of which is a feeling of discomfort, burning and pain in the heart area or behind the sternum on the left. Such sensations are not associated with physical activity and can appear even at rest.
3. Hyperventilation syndrome, manifested by an increase in respiratory rate with difficulty inhaling and a feeling of lack of air.
4. Irritable bowel syndrome, which is manifested by pain in the lower abdomen, unstable stools with bloating and frequent irregular urge to defecate. There may also be indigestion in the form of nausea and vomiting, lack of appetite.
5. Syndrome of impaired sweating, characterized by increased sweat in the palms and feet.
6. Syndrome of altered urination, in which, despite the absence of signs of inflammation, patients note frequent and painful urination.
7. Thermoregulation disorder syndrome, expressed in persistent slight increase body temperature without deterioration general well-being and signs of infection or a decrease in temperature to 35-35.50C. These symptoms may be periodic (paroxysmal) or constant. A long course of the disease without appropriate therapy leads to secondary asthenia of the patient, the development of depression, various phobias and aggravation of the course of VSD.

Types of vegetative-vascular dystonia

The disease can occur in several clinical forms, having their own distinctive features:

• Hypertensive type. It is characterized by an unstable and unstable increase in blood pressure without changing general well-being. In some cases, patients may notice headaches, weakness, and increased fatigue.
• Hypotonic type. Manifested by a decrease in blood pressure below 100 mm Hg. Art., dizziness, severe weakness, increased sweating.
• Mixed type. It is characterized by an unstable level of blood pressure, periodic pain in the heart or behind the sternum, an increase or decrease in heart rate, severe weakness and dizziness.
• Cardiac type. With it, patients most often complain of pain in the heart or chest, which are not associated with any active physical activity. Characteristic transient disturbances heart rhythm, passing without drug intervention.

Diagnosis of VSD

The diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia is made only after a comprehensive examination of the patient and the exclusion of other pathologies that have similar manifestations to VSD.

The list of diagnostic measures includes:

1. Laboratory study of general blood count, biochemical composition of plasma, coagulation parameters, hormone levels. If necessary, urine tests are performed. Most often, the indicators of these studies do not go beyond normal values.
2. Functional techniques including ultrasonography internal organs and blood vessels of the head and neck, ECG, blood pressure monitoring.
3. X-ray of the spinal column, tomography of the brain and spinal cord.
4. Consultations with specialists in related specialties.

Only after confirming the absence of other diseases can a diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia be made.

Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia

The majority of patients with VSD do not need drug therapy. The basis of treatment for them is methods aimed at changing the patient’s lifestyle and normalizing the functioning of the nervous system.

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

If the above methods do not lead to positive dynamics in the course of the disease, there is a need to take medications:

1. Potassium and magnesium preparations (magnefar, magvit, asparkam, panangin), which improve conductivity nerve impulses, normalize the tone of the vascular bed.
2. Nootropics (phesam, piracetam, pyrocesin) - means for improving blood circulation in the nervous system, activating metabolic processes and restoring balance in the functioning of various organs.
3. Beta-blockers (anaprilin, atenolol, metaprolol) - drugs to lower blood pressure when it rises.
4. Tranquilizers (phenozepam, diazepam) - drugs with a pronounced sedative effect, eliminating episodes of panic and anxiety during VSD.
5. Antidepressants (amitriptyline, Lerivon, Cipralex, Prozac) are drugs that regulate the functioning of the central nervous system and eliminate the symptoms of depression in VSD.

Prevention of VSD

Prevention of the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia must begin in childhood. The opinion is often expressed that VSD in a child is a disease that, even without treatment, goes away with age. However, it has been proven that most adult patients already had certain clinical manifestations of dystonia in early childhood, which only intensified over time.

In order to prevent the development of the disease it is necessary:

• Normalize your daily routine, get proper rest for at least 8 hours a day.
• Eat properly, regularly and variedly.
• Give up all bad habits and drinking coffee.
• News active image life, avoid stress and nervous overload.

Thus, vegetative-vascular dystonia is a disease that does not pose a threat to human life, but at the same time significantly reduces its quality. The presence of any signs of VSD is a reason to consult a doctor. After all, only timely and correct treatment is a guarantee of improvement or complete recovery.

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General description of the disease

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

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

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

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

Causes of VSD

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

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

Attention!!! The slightest injury can contribute to the development of pathology if immunity is not at the proper level. To protect yourself from VSD, you should adhere to healthy image life and attend annual medical examinations on time.

Signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia

As soon as the slightest disruption occurs in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, this will immediately affect the patient’s condition. Despite the fact that the blood vessels are the first to suffer, causing the functioning of the heart and brain to deteriorate, disturbances in the autonomic system affect all internal organs.

The following conditions are characteristic of the disease:

• instability of blood pressure, it can deviate significantly from normal border up and down;
• The pulse rate changes significantly, it can slow down or speed up significantly;
• accompanies the person constant feeling fatigue and depression;
• poor tolerance physical activity; during times of severe stress, patients may not even get out of bed;
• body temperature can independently increase or decrease without any reason;
• constant feeling of chilliness or heat;
• sweating may increase due to hot flashes;
• there is a decrease in the temperature of the hands and feet, it is difficult to warm them even with radiators;
• sudden irritability, constant feeling of apathy and emotional exhaustion;
• severe and prolonged headaches appear;
• patients complain of sudden dizziness;
• sexual desire, physical and intellectual activity decreases;
• insomnia manifests itself, nightmares begin to occur instead of normal dreams;
• spasmodic pain may appear in the stomach area;
• due to disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, functional indigestion often occurs in the form of constipation or diarrhea;
• during the period of complications, the patient may suffer from panic attacks, fainting and crises.

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

Frequency of symptoms of dystonia

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

Increase/decrease in pressure	In approximately 90% of patients
Increased heart rate	In approximately 40% of patients
Panic attack	No more than 5% of patients
Diarrhea or constipation	In approximately 65% ​​of patients
Fainting conditions	No more than 5% of patients
Unstable psycho-emotional state	Almost 100% of patients
Spasmodic pain	30-35% of those suffering from VSD
Sleep disorders	No more than 80% of patients
Hot flashes and feeling of chilliness	Approximately 40% of those suffering from VSD
Physical weakness	Almost 100% of patients

Attention!!! The data given is relative and collected based on reviews left by patients. But many patients are not even registered with their diagnosis, or VSD is simply not confirmed.

Types of crises and their manifestations in VSD

Sympathoadrenal

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

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

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

Vagoinsular crisis

This condition is accompanied by fainting and antispasmodic pain in the abdominal area. The crisis is provoked by a signal from the autonomic nervous system to release insulin. Additionally, there is a strong decrease in blood glucose levels, and gastrointestinal activity is stimulated.

At the same time as the described symptoms, the patient develops strong feeling heat, consciousness is confused, heart rate drops significantly, pulse is difficult to palpate. Gradually, blood pressure drops significantly, bright scarlet spots appear on the skin, and severe sweating is observed. Due to strong stimulation of the stomach and intestines, flatulence, turbulence in the stomach, and diarrhea appear.

Attention!!! If the seizure is not immediately stopped with special drugs, the body becomes severely depleted, and the frequency of seizures increases significantly.

Prevention of crises and VSD

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

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

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

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

Diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia

To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must undergo a full examination, which includes collecting tests and visiting specialists. First, when symptoms appear, the patient consults a therapist. He prescribes general and biochemical tests, a cardiogram and a visit to a neurologist.

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

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

Traditional methods of treating VSD

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

Mustard bathrooms

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

Vegetable juices

1. Combine 20 ml of beet juice with 20 ml of cucumber juice.
2. After thoroughly stirring the liquid, 60 ml of carrot juice is added.
3. Take the medicine once a day for one month.
4. People with ulcers and gastritis should undergo this course of treatment with caution.

Video - How to treat vegetative-vascular dystonia

If you notice one or more symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia, you should undergo at least a minimal examination by a therapist. He will be able to determine the real complexity of the problem and, if necessary, refer to more narrow specialists. Any disturbances that arise should be treated at an early stage in order to maintain the proper functioning of all body systems. Lack of adequate treatment can lead to serious deterioration of the condition, including the development of heart attack and stroke.

VSD in children: symptoms and treatment, causes at different ages

From this article you will learn the features of the course of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children, how this disease manifests itself in childhood (3–12 years).

• VSD in children: symptoms and treatment, causes at different ages
• Causes and symptoms of VSD at different ages in children
• Age 3 years
• Ages 7–12 years
• Treatment methods for vegetative-vascular dystonia
• Non-drug treatment
• Treatment of VSD with drugs
• Prognosis and further prevention
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children - treatment in Moscow
• Directory of diseases
• Childhood diseases
• Last news
• Treatment and symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Causes of pathology
• What symptoms can be used to identify VSD?
• Related pathologies - a danger that is not immediately visible
• Methods for diagnosing the disease
• Modern treatment technologies
• Non-drug therapeutic effects
• Treatment with medications
• Prevention
• Symptomatic features, causes and treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia in a child
• Forms of VSD
• Causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Symptoms of the disease
• Outcomes and consequences of VSD
• VSD and muscular dystonia Are these synonyms?
• Treatment of VSD in childhood and adolescence
• Vegetative vascular dystonia in children
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Classification of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Forecast and prevention of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children
• Vegetative vascular dystonia in children, adolescents, children: signs, symptoms, treatment
• What is vegetative-vascular dystonia VSD, NCD?
• Causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD) in children
• Vegetative vascular dystonia signs, vegetative vascular dystonia symptoms, VSD in children, adolescents
• Syndromes of vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD) in children, symptoms of VSD
• Cardiac vegetative vascular dystonia syndrome (VSD)
• Respiratory syndrome of vegetative vascular dystonia (VSD)
• Syndrome of impaired thermoregulation with vegetative vascular dystonia (VSD)
• Vegetative vascular crises - hypothalamic, cerebral crises, panic attacks, crises
• Neurotic syndrome of vegetative vascular dystonia (VSD)
• Treatment of vegetative vascular dystonia in children in Saratov, treatment of pediatric VSD in Russia
• VSD in children treatment in Saratov
• We know how to treat and how to cure vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD) in children!
• VSD in children
• Features of symptoms in children and types of VSD
• Signs of VSD in children
• Identification of related pathologies
• Causes and factors for the development of VSD in children
• Treatment and prevention
• Non-drug therapy
• Drug therapy

Effective conservative and traditional treatment methods, prognosis for recovery, and preventive measures are described.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is a pathological condition of the nervous system, which entails a disorder of other important organ systems: cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, digestive. According to statistics, every 4th child aged 3 to 12 years is susceptible to this disease. But doctors are sure that in fact more than half of schoolchildren suffer from symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia younger age. The insidiousness of this pathology lies in the extremely complex clinical picture: the variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms significantly complicates the diagnosis of the disease.

Click on photo to enlarge

The danger of vegetative-vascular dystonia in childhood is the increased risk of developing severe complications:

• complex psychosomatic diseases (hypertension, ulcers, cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, obesity, cardiac dysfunction);
• psychological and physical disorientation of the child in society and space;
• periodic crises - temporary exacerbation of symptoms (sharp deterioration physical well-being and the emotional state of the little patient).

This disease can be treated by a pediatrician, neurologist, or cardiologist.

Causes and symptoms of VSD at different ages in children

Age 3 years

The first signs of dystonia may appear as early as 3 years of age. This is a psychologically difficult age for a child, when he begins to attend kindergarten and makes contact with strangers for the first time without constant help and support from his parents. Symptoms of VSD for preschoolers include:

• pale and bluish skin;
• headache;
• dizziness;
• fatigue, drowsiness, tearfulness;
• nagging pain in the abdomen;
• increase in body temperature.

The situation is aggravated by a decrease in the protective functions of the immune system due to frequent colds and infectious diseases in the first year of attending kindergarten.

Ages 7–12 years

The next peak of incidence occurs at the age of 7–12 years; many children do not tolerate their first school years well, and the increased physical and intellectual stress on their fragile psyche. Poor nutrition, lack of sleep schedule, psychological pressure from parents and teachers, a large amount of new information, problems communicating with classmates - all this leads to the development of VSD in children of primary school age.

At this age, vegetative-vascular dystonia most often has a paroxysmal nature, the peak of exacerbations occurs in the autumn-winter period (the time of maximum spread of viral and colds). Most often, parents do not take the child’s complaints seriously, attributing all symptoms to fatigue, stress, lack of sleep, colds, etc. At this point, VSD progresses and, in the absence of treatment, causes irreparable harm to the life and health of the baby. You should pay attention and consult a doctor immediately if you observe the following signs of dystonia in your child:

• insomnia, restless sleep;
• fast fatiguability;
• memory impairment;
• dizziness;
• motion sickness on the road;
• headache;
• sudden changes in mood, tendency to depression, anxiety, neuroses, hysterics, depressive state;
• arrhythmia;
• high or low blood pressure;
• lack of air, shortness of breath, cough;
• problems with thermoregulation (chills, intense sweating);
• nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea;
• sudden change in body weight (the child quickly loses weight or gains weight);
• marbled skin color, rashes, swelling, itching.

All of the above symptoms individually can indicate completely different diseases, so the appearance of one of them does not necessarily indicate the presence of vegetative-vascular dystonia, but is a reason to consult a doctor and undergo a diagnosis of the body. If a set of complaints from this list is detected, the pediatrician draws a conclusion about the possible development of VSD and prescribes a series of diagnostic measures.

It is very important for parents to listen to their children, monitor their physical and emotional state so as not to miss important signals at the initial stage of development of the pathology of the autonomic nervous system.

Treatment methods for vegetative-vascular dystonia

VSD – complex disease, requiring an integrated approach to treatment. It is very important to reduce the load on the nervous system and introduce healthy lifestyle rules. Correctly selected individual treatment, started on time, can save the child from pathologies forever. A late visit to the doctor usually leads to the fact that the VSD becomes a constant companion of the child and remains in adulthood.

In the case of chronic dystonia, one can only achieve temporary remissions of the disease, but when the body weakens (cold, infectious disease, stress), the symptoms again make themselves felt.

Non-drug treatment

Doctors prefer to treat vegetative-vascular dystonia in children non-drug methods. Pediatricians recommend that parents do everything to strengthen the autonomic nervous system:

• Protect your child from stressful situations as much as possible. To do this, you should create a warm and positive atmosphere at home in which he will feel comfortable.
• Reduce the intensity of your school workload as much as possible. You can refuse electives and extra classes, organize breaks while doing homework.
• Create and maintain a daily routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, with at least 8 hours of sleep. It is necessary to create a balance in the ratio of physical work-intellectual work-entertainment-rest. Stop using TV, tablet, computer, mobile phone.
• Try to give your child as many positive emotions, warmth and love as possible. Tell him more often that you love him, laugh, praise him for his achievements, walk together, visit interesting places. A positive psycho-emotional state of a small patient is the key to a complete recovery.
• Proper and regular nutrition will help quickly restore the strength and protective functions of the body. Add to diet natural sources vitamins and minerals - fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes. It is necessary to avoid overly salty, spicy, smoked, fried and fatty foods, fast food, carbonated drinks, and confectionery.
• As prescribed by your doctor, undergo a course of physiotherapeutic procedures - electrophoresis, electrosleep, water procedures, massage, magnetic laser treatment, acupuncture, herbal and aromatherapy.

Relief of the patient’s condition usually occurs within a week of such treatment, the child’s emotional background improves, the mood rises, sleep becomes sound, and performance is restored.

Gradually, over the next couple of months, all other symptoms of VSD in children disappear. It is very important not to stop treatment at the first signs of recovery; a relapse of the disease can cause much more harm health.

Treatment of VSD with drugs

In severe cases, if vegetative-vascular dystonia was diagnosed in the late stages, is difficult to treat, and the symptoms interfere with normal life, doctors prescribe medication. The pediatrician selects medications and dosage individually, taking into account age, body weight, body characteristics, and the presence of concomitant diseases, severity of symptoms. The most commonly prescribed drugs are from the following:

1. tranquilizers (sedatives);
2. antidepressants (to improve mood, relieve anxiety and hysteria);
3. nootropics (stimulating mental performance, intelligence, memory);
4. blood circulation stimulants;
5. neuroprotectors.

Drug treatment cannot be used alone, it must be part of comprehensive measures to eliminate vegetative-vascular dystonia in children. It will be effective only if it has a comprehensive effect on the autonomic nervous system.

Prognosis and further prevention

Timely diagnosis, effective and complete treatment make it possible to normalize important organ systems: autonomic, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular and respiratory, eliminate all unpleasant symptoms, and completely and forever get rid of VSD. It is necessary to make a lot of effort to create comfortable psychological and physical living conditions for the child, then dystonia will not leave negative consequences.

• monitor your child's daily routine;
• maintain a sleep schedule;
• follow the recommendations of proper nutrition;
• toughen up the child;
• try to spend as much time as possible with him in the fresh air, preferably outside the city;
• it is very important to maintain a peaceful and calm atmosphere in the family;
• teach your child self-control.

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Source: dystonia in children

Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is a symptom complex of functional disorders various systems, caused by a violation of the regulation of their activity by the autonomic nervous system. Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children can manifest itself as cardiac, respiratory, neurotic syndromes, vegetative-vascular crises, and thermoregulation disorder syndrome. Diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children includes a functional examination of the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems (ECG, EEG, EchoCG, EchoEG, REG, rheovasography, etc.). In the treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children, medication, physiotherapy, and psychological effects are used.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children

Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is a secondary syndrome affecting various somato-visceral systems and developing against the background of abnormalities in autonomic regulation functional state body. According to various data, certain signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia are diagnosed in 25-80% of children. More often, the syndrome is found in children 6-8 years old and in adolescents, predominantly female.

In pediatrics, vegetative-vascular dystonia is not considered as an independent nosological form, therefore, various narrow disciplines study its manifestations: pediatric neurology, pediatric cardiology, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric gastroenterology, etc. Autonomic disorders in children can give impetus to the development of serious pathological conditions - arterial hypertension, bronchial asthma, gastric ulcer, etc. On the other hand, somatic and infectious diseases can aggravate vegetative changes.

Causes of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children

The reasons for the formation of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children are often hereditary in nature and are caused by deviations in the structure and functioning of various parts of the autonomic nervous system on the maternal side.

The development of vegetative-vascular dystonia in a child is facilitated by a complicated course of gestation and childbirth: toxicosis of the pregnant woman, fetal hypoxia, intrauterine infections, rapid or protracted labor, birth injuries, encephalopathy, etc.

A special role in the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children belongs to various psychotraumatic influences - conflicts in the family and school, educational neglect of the child, overprotection, chronic or acute stress, increased school loads. Predisposing factors for vegetative-vascular dystonia in children can be somatic, infectious, endocrine diseases, neuroinfections, allergies, focal infections (chronic tonsillitis, caries, pharyngitis, sinusitis), constitutional abnormalities, anemia, traumatic brain injuries.

The direct triggers of autonomic dysfunction in most cases are unfavorable weather conditions, climatic features, unfavorable environmental conditions, physical inactivity, imbalance of microelements, excessive physical activity, poor nutrition, violation of the daily routine, insufficient sleep, hormonal changes during the puberty period. Manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children manifest themselves during periods of active growth of the child, when the functional load on the body is especially high and the nervous system is labile.

Autonomic disorders are accompanied by a variety of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, caused by impaired production of corticosteroids, mediators (acetylcholine, norepinephrine), biologically active substances (prostaglandins, polypeptides, etc.), impaired sensitivity of vascular receptors.

Classification of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children

When diagnosing vegetative-vascular dystonia in children, a number of criteria are taken into account, which are decisive in distinguishing the forms of the syndrome.

According to the predominant etiological signs, vegetative-vascular dystonia in children can be psychogenic (neurotic), infectious-toxic, dyshormonal, essential (constitutional-hereditary), mixed in nature.

Depending on the nature of autonomic disorders, sympathicotonic, vagotonic and mixed variants of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children are distinguished. Taking into account the prevalence of vegetative reactions, vegetative-vascular dystonia in children can be generalized, systemic or local.

According to the syndromic approach, the course of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is divided into cardiac, respiratory, neurotic syndromes, thermoregulation disorder syndrome, vegetative-vascular crises, etc.

According to the severity, vegetative-vascular dystonia in children can be mild, moderate and severe; according to the type of flow - latent, permanent and paroxysmal.

Symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children

The clinical picture of vegetative-vascular dystonia in a child is largely determined by the direction of autonomic disorders - the predominance of vagotonia or sympathicotonia. About 30 syndromes and more than 150 complaints accompanying the course of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children have been described.

Cardiac syndrome of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is characterized by the development of paroxysmal cardialgia, arrhythmia (sinus tachycardia, bradycardia, irregular extrasystole), arterial hypotension or hypertension. In the case of a predominance of cardiovascular disorders in the structure of vegetative-vascular dystonia, they speak of the presence of neurocirculatory dystonia in children.

Neurotic syndrome with vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is the most constant. Typically, the child complains of fatigue, sleep disturbances, poor memory, dizziness, headaches, and vestibular disorders. Children with vegetative-vascular dystonia experience low mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, phobias, emotional lability, sometimes - hysterical reactions or depression.

With leading respiratory syndrome, shortness of breath develops at rest and during physical stress, periodic deep sighs and a feeling of lack of air are noted. Violation of thermoregulation in vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is expressed in the occurrence of intermittent low-grade fever, chills, chilliness, poor tolerance of cold, stuffiness and heat.

Reactions of the digestive system can be characterized by nausea, increased or decreased appetite, unmotivated abdominal pain, and spastic constipation. The urinary system is characterized by a tendency to fluid retention, swelling under the eyes, and frequent urination. Children with vegetative-vascular dystonia often have marbled coloration and increased greasiness of the skin, red dermographism, and sweating.

Autonomic-vascular crises can occur of the sympathoadrenal, vagoinsular and mixed types, but they are less common in children than in adults. In childhood, crises usually have a vagotonic orientation, accompanied by sensations of cardiac arrest, lack of air, sweating, bradycardia, moderate hypotension, and post-crisis asthenia.

Diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children

The initial autonomic tone and autonomic reactivity are assessed using the analysis of subjective complaints and objective indicators - ECG data, Holter monitoring, orthostatic, pharmacological tests, etc.

To assess the functional state of the central nervous system in children with vegetative-vascular dystonia, EEG, REG, EchoEG, and rheovasography are performed.

During the diagnosis, other pathologies that have similar clinical manifestations are excluded: rheumatism, infective endocarditis, juvenile arterial hypertension, bronchial asthma, mental disorders, etc.

Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children

When choosing methods for treating vegetative-vascular dystonia in children, the etiology and nature of autonomic disorders are taken into account. Preference is given to non-drug therapy. General recommendations include normalizing the daily routine, rest and sleep; dosed physical activity; limiting traumatic influences, counseling family and child psychologist etc. For vegetative-vascular dystonia in children, courses have a positive effect general massage and massage of the cervical-collar zone, IRT, physiotherapy (electrophoresis on the collar zone, endonasal electrophoresis, galvanization, electrosleep), exercise therapy. Water procedures are useful: swimming, therapeutic showers (circular, fan, Charcot shower), general baths (turpentine, radon, pine, carbon dioxide).

Important role in complex therapy Vegetative-vascular dystonia in children is assigned to the treatment of focal infection, somatic, endocrine and other diseases. If it is necessary to include drug therapy, sedatives, nootropics, multivitamin complexes are used, and, according to the indications of a pediatric psychoneurologist, antidepressants or tranquilizers are used.

Forecast and prevention of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children

Consistent prevention, timely diagnosis and treatment of autonomic disorders can significantly reduce or eliminate the manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children. In the case of a progressive course of the syndrome, children may subsequently develop various psychosomatic pathologies, causing psychological and physical maladaptation of the child.

Prevention of vegetative-vascular dystonia in children includes preventing the action of potential risk factors, general strengthening measures, and harmonizing the development of children. Children with vegetative-vascular dystonia should be monitored by specialists and receive systematic preventive treatment.

Vegetovascular dystonia (VSD) is one of the health conditions that has several names and interpretations: neurocirculatory dystonia, cardioneurosis, autonomic dysfunction. In the light modern ideas VSD is not considered a disease, considering it a borderline state between pathology and health.

Moreover, all of the above terms for the name of this condition are used by doctors only in the Russian Federation and other post-Soviet countries. This pathology is not specified in the X International Classification of Diseases, and the term is not used in other countries.

The international classifier refers to this condition as “Somatoform dysfunction of the ANS” in the section “Mental disorders and behavioral disorders”. This means that VSD is of a psycho-emotional nature. Simply put, VSD (or, more correctly, somatoform imbalance) is a psychological problem.

With VSD, the tone of blood vessels is disrupted, which causes dysfunction of many organs and systems. Despite the widespread occurrence of VSD, it is not easy to diagnose. According to statistics, VSD is observed in 20% of children. In most cases of dystonia in adults, its onset occurred in childhood.

Causes

Overloading a child’s nervous system with flow is not always necessary and useful information(via phones, tablets, computers, etc.) is an important risk factor for the development of VSD.

Experts believe that there are many reasons that can provoke the occurrence of VSD - both internal and external.

The main role is played by social or external stimuli:

• overload of the psyche with an intense flow of information (spending long periods of time at the computer, TV, talking on the phone, etc.);
• change in living conditions (registration in a child care facility, school);
• complexity and significant volume of school programs;
• additional classes (study foreign languages, clubs, tutors, etc.);
• stressful situations at school or family (conflicts with parents, classmates, exams, etc.);
• physical inactivity;
• poor nutrition;
• use of new household chemicals;
• unfavorable ecology in the region.

No less important are internal reasons, that is, changes in the child’s body under the influence of any factors, causing development VSD:

• toxic effects due to bad habits, allergic reactions;
• hormonal imbalance during adolescence;
• past infectious diseases;
• injuries;
• imbalance in the body rapid growth child, since neuro-hormonal development lags behind physical development;
• overload of the body due to non-compliance with the daily routine, insufficient rest and sleep;
• hereditary predisposition to VSD.

The risk group includes children born to mothers who suffered infections during pregnancy, premature babies and children who suffered a birth injury. For children from single-parent families, socially disadvantaged families (parents suffer from drug addiction or alcoholism), in the absence of control over children or, conversely, with excessive care, the likelihood of developing VSD is many times higher.

Classification of VSD in children

According to the etiological principle (predominant cause), VSD can be:

• neurotic;
• infectious-toxic;
• dishormonal;
• constitutional-genetic;
• mixed.

By nature, autonomic disorders can be vagotonic, sympathicotonic, or mixed.

According to the prevalence, VSD can occur in a generalized, systemic or local form.

The severity of VSD is divided into mild, moderate, and severe. The course of dystonia can be latent, permanent and paroxysmal (paroxysmal).

In children, the following types of VSD are more often observed:

• hypokinetic;
• hyperkinetic;
• mixed.

Manifestations of VSD may include the following syndromes:

• cardiac;
• neurotic;
• thermoregulation disorders;
• respiratory;
• vascular crises, etc.

Symptoms

The intestinal variant of VSD occurs with abdominal pain, flatulence, and stool disorders in the child.

Manifestations of VSD in children can be very diverse. Specialists know about 30 different syndromes, and more than 150 complaints that are possible with VSD in childhood have been described.

The most common of them are:

• vascular pathology: palpitations, instability of blood pressure (increase or decrease), fainting, heart pain, arrhythmias;
• respiratory syndrome: feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath, attacks of suffocation, periodic involuntary sighs;
• neurotic syndrome: increased excitability, sleep disturbance (insomnia), hiccups, panic fears, unstable mood, anxiety, depression or hysteria, headaches, memory loss, etc.;
• intestinal syndrome: nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, increased or increased or decreased salivation;
• syndrome of impaired thermoregulation: periodically occurring causeless low-grade fever (increase in temperature no higher than 37.5 0 C), feeling of chilliness, chills, limbs constantly cold to the touch, poor tolerance of both heat and cold;
• changes in the skin: marbling, increased sweating and greasiness, acne.

Puberty with VSD in boys is somewhat slowed down, and in girls, on the contrary, it is accelerated.

Any type of VSD is characterized by: increased heart rate, palpitations and periodic pain in the chest on the left.

But other signs depend on the type of VSD:

1. With hyperkinetic dystonia, the main symptom is an increase in systolic pressure.

Other manifestations are:

• dizziness;
• headache;
• noise in ears;
• lack of appetite;
• increased sweating;
• frequent nausea;
• trembling in the arms and legs;
• feeling of lack of air;
• poor memory;
• increased nervousness;
• obsessive fears.

1. For hypokinetic VSD, the main manifestation is a decrease in blood pressure (100 mmHg or lower). Also characteristic:

• chilliness and chills;
• cold limbs, even in the heat;
• pallor;
• increased breathing;
• arrhythmias;
• feeling of lack of air;
• nausea;
• tearfulness;
• poor sleep;
• stool disorders.

It is not necessary to have all absolutely symptoms. The combination of several of them allows you to determine the type of VSD.

With the mixed type, blood pressure fluctuates (either increases or decreases), and other symptoms characteristic of the previously described options are noted. The mixed type most often subsequently becomes a hyperkinetic variant of VSD.

Diagnostics

Diagnosing VSD in children is not an easy task. It can be difficult due to the fact that there are no specific signs of this condition. The same symptoms manifest themselves in a number of diseases with which VSD must be differentiated. In addition, children are not always able to clearly express their complaints and feelings.

For example, darkening of the eyes, increased heart rate, and changes in blood pressure can occur due to physical activity, a sudden change in body position, or in a very emotional child. And low-grade fever, weakness and headaches can be caused by the presence of foci chronic infection(chronic tonsillitis, carious teeth, etc.).

Increased excitability and hysterical reactions can appear in children due to defects in upbringing. On the other hand, drowsiness and poor performance may not be the result of laziness, but are associated with problems with memory and concentration in VSD.

That is why, when identifying manifestations of VSD in a child, which do not exclude various pathologies, consultation with many pediatric specialists is necessary: ​​cardiologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, psychiatrist, etc.

In addition to the analysis of complaints and subjective sensations of the child, an assessment of autonomic reactivity and autonomic tone is carried out using objective data obtained from ECG, Echo-CG, Holter monitoring, orthostatic and pharmacological tests, laboratory tests, etc.

The functional state of the central nervous system is assessed using instrumental studies: echoEG, EEG, rheovasography, REG and other methods.

In the diagnostic process, it is necessary to exclude heart pathology (rheumatism, endocarditis), juvenile arterial hypertension, bronchial asthma, mental disorders, cancer, etc.

Each symptom individually can occur for different reasons, and a certain combination of symptoms may indicate the presence of VSD. The current level of diagnostic capabilities allows differentiation and confirmation of the diagnosis.

Treatment

For VSD, drug and non-drug therapy are used. Preference should be given to non-drug treatment. You need to start with him. Sometimes only eliminating the cause that provokes the manifestations of VSD leads to the normalization of the child’s condition and the disappearance of the symptoms of dystonia.

The following non-drug treatment measures will help get rid of autonomic dysfunction:

• exception psycho-emotional stress at home and at school: a calm, friendly environment is very important for the child;
• maintaining a daily routine, alternating work and rest, including time for games and entertainment according to age;
• The child's sleep duration is at least 8 hours;
• regular walks in the air;
• reducing time spent at the computer or TV;
• physical activity of the child, dosed physical activity in accordance with age, outdoor games;
• sports: swimming, skiing, skating, tennis;
• proper nutrition.

Perhaps the doctor will prescribe therapeutic massage, physiotherapeutic procedures, acupuncture, and psychotherapy sessions.

In advanced cases, in the absence of a pronounced effect from non-drug measures, drug treatment is prescribed (while all “failed” methods are continued). Pharmaceuticals are used when manifestations of VSD interfere with a child’s studies and worsen his quality of life.

According to indications, the following medications can be used:

• vitamin and mineral complexes;
• antihypertensive drugs for high blood pressure;
• blockers for persistent increases in heart rate;
• antioxidants that improve metabolic processes in cells;
• tranquilizers (sedatives);
• neuroprotectors that improve metabolic processes in the brain;
• antidepressants for severe depression, anxious state and other drugs.

Herbal medicine can also be used in treatment: preference is given to herbs with a sedative (calming) effect on the nervous system, which at the same time have a stimulating effect on the nerve centers (motherwort, hawthorn, aralia, lure, valerian, etc.).

If there are foci of chronic infection, they are treated.

A good effect is provided by drugs containing amino acids necessary for the body - glycine, cystine, glutamic acid. The drug Eltacin is widely used, which increases the supply of oxygen to tissues, which leads, in particular, to an improvement in myocardial contractility and ensures recovery of the body after mental or physical stress.

Diet

Nuts and dried fruits rich in vitamins and microelements should be included in the diet of a child suffering from VSD.

There are no particularly strict dietary restrictions for children with VSD. There are certain recommendations and restrictions.

Do not overdo it with sweets; it is better to give your child fruit for dessert;

If you have high blood pressure, limit the amount of boiled, strongly brewed tea;

Give your child fermented milk products and tea if your blood pressure is low.

Summary for parents

Despite the fact that VSD is not a disease, but is regarded as a borderline condition with a disease, one should not be indifferent or ignore the identified manifestations of dystonia.

You need to seek help from specialists (sometimes from several profiles), find out the cause of VSD and help the child cope with this problem. Otherwise, the formation of quite different serious illnesses: bronchial asthma, hypertension, gastritis, coronary heart disease, etc.

You should not engage in self-diagnosis: VSD is not easy to diagnose even for doctors. It, like a chameleon, can be expressed by symptoms characteristic of other diseases. On the other hand, these signs may well be manifestations of other diseases that need to be accurately diagnosed and treated.