Cerebral atherosclerosis: symptoms, signs, treatment and complications of the disease. Cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is a direct path to dementia

Plaques interfere with blood circulation in the brain

Cerebral atherosclerosis is one of the forms of ordinary or classic atherosclerosis, in which damage to the blood vessels of the brain occurs. The correct course of biochemical processes is very important for him, but with this disease they are disrupted, which negatively affects the general condition. The cerebral form is characterized by the fact that sclerotic plaques appear in the arteries of the brain, which leads to impaired cerebral circulation. As a result, a stroke may occur, which can be fatal.

This diagnosis is given to ten percent of the world's population, but these are only registered cases. Up to 500,000 people die every year from the stroke itself or its consequences in Russia alone. In view of this, you need to take the symptoms of this disease and its treatment very seriously. However, first we will consider what reasons lead to its development, and whether atherosclerosis of this form is divided into any groups.

Causes

It is difficult to identify any special causes that specifically affect the blood vessels of the brain. If there are precipitating factors, they will increase the risk that cholesterol will be deposited in the inner arterial lining. It is worth considering that a sclerotic plaque grows over a period of twenty years. During this time, it passes from the stage of a simple fatty spot to the stage of formation that blocks the lumen of the artery. All this time, the following provoking factors are in effect:

• excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, as tobacco smoke negatively affects the condition of blood vessels;

Improper lifestyle is the main cause of atherosclerosis

physical inactivity, that is, a sedentary lifestyle; this is explained by the fact that due to inactive life, the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats is disrupted;

hypertension: the walls of the artery become saturated with fats, which leads to the formation of plaque, in addition, the arteries become less elastic;

diabetes mellitus: fat metabolism is impaired;

poor nutrition due to high consumption of animal fats.

Classification

Cerebral atherosclerosis can be classified in different ways, depending on the types of treatment, clinical forms, and so on. We will pay attention to several factors. To begin with, we will highlight three stages of the disease.

1. The first stage is characterized by functional vasomotor disturbances, but the symptoms are not stable.
2. At the second stage, functional-organic changes in blood vessels occur, and the symptoms become more stable.
3. The third stage involves organic changes in blood vessels. Due to repeated strokes, necrotic lesions often appear in different areas of the brain. Symptoms of organic brain failure become obvious.

Cerebral atherosclerosis of the brain arteries varies in location.

Brain vessels

Cerebral posterior artery.

Carotid internal artery.

Common carotid artery.

Cerebral anterior artery.

Brachiocephalic trunk.

Arteries of medium caliber, which are located on top of the cortex.

Several types of the course of the disease can also be distinguished.

1. Remitting course is characterized by mental disorders that either increase or decrease.
2. Slowly progressive course: negative symptoms gradually increase.
3. Acute course: mental disorders arise acutely and are quite extensive in time.
4. The malignant course is characterized by repeated strokes, due to which profound dementia develops.

Progressive atherosclerosis may be the basis for granting the patient a disability group, especially if a stroke has occurred. It is worth considering that some treatment methods assume that a person temporarily loses ability to work, which the doctor must take into account when the question of disability arises.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis do not particularly appear at the initial stage of the disease, so the diagnostic process is difficult. In addition, the symptoms that appear can be confused with other diseases. Despite this, we will still highlight the signs that may be observed during the development of this disease:

• sleep disturbance;

Poor sleep, headaches and memory impairment are the main symptoms of the disease

Treatment methods

Acetylsalicylic acid

Antiplatelet therapy. It is especially used in the case of atherosclerotic arterial stenosis. Example of prescribed drugs: clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid. This therapy reduces the possibility of ischemic stroke. Before prescribing drugs of this group, it is necessary to examine the state of hemostasis, since when taking acetylsalicylic acid, aggregation of blood cells increased in some patients.

Lipid-lowering therapy. Today, the use of drugs belonging to the group of statins is widespread. This therapy helps stop the growth of atherosclerosis.

Surgical intervention. To avoid stroke and other consequences, a decision may be made to undergo carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. Any decision on surgical intervention is made after a thorough examination.

Treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis also means maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eliminating bad habits that are risk factors.

• Dieting. This means avoiding fatty meats, pastries, sugar, honey, full-fat dairy products and all foods that will raise cholesterol.
• Quitting smoking and alcohol.
• Regular exercise.
• The right combination of work and rest.

Do not think that you can do without timely medical treatment. Its absence can cost life or lead to consequences that will seriously complicate it. Therefore, at the first symptoms, you need to immediately run to the doctor and change your lifestyle, which should entirely reflect concern for your health, especially about your blood vessels.

Cerebral atherosclerosis

Every year, cerebral atherosclerosis is diagnosed in more than 10% of the population of our planet. People over 50 years of age are most susceptible to this disease, however, the disease is starting to get younger.

This is largely due to the way of modern life, nutrition and ecology. Cerebral atherosclerosis holds a leading position among the factors that cause brain stroke. Unfortunately, a third of stroke survivors are likely to suffer from this insidious complication again.

For a long time, cerebral atherosclerosis may not manifest itself in any way or may disguise itself as other diseases. Therefore, very often cerebral atherosclerosis is diagnosed already in advanced stages, when it is already quite difficult to achieve a significant improvement in health.

Symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis

Cerebral atherosclerosis causes cerebral ischemia and disruption of its functions: memory and concentration decrease, intellectual abilities deteriorate, and mental disorders may occur.

The first symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis, which may suggest the presence of this disease, may be:

• headaches - they arise due to the narrowing of the lumen of the vessel by an atherosclerotic plaque, as a result of which blood stagnates and there is a lack of oxygen supply to the brain

the nature of the headache is dull, aching, very often it occurs after mental stress and gradually the headache begins to be constant

performance decreases

fatigue increases

sleep is disturbed, there may often be insomnia at night and drowsiness during the day

mood changes often

Gradually, these symptoms increase and new ones join them:

• memory declines

thinking slows down

excessive fussiness may appear

there is tinnitus

dizziness

difficulty with fine motor skills

an unsteady gait appears

difficulty remembering current events, with preserved memory for distant events

From time to time, so-called cerebral crises may occur. At these moments, a severe headache may appear, weakness in the arm and leg on one side, vision may weaken, and speech may be impaired. Such symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis last from 1 to 2 days, and then they gradually reverse. In this case, they say that it is a transient disorder of cerebral circulation.

If these symptoms last more than 2 days, then these are classic manifestations of a brain stroke and in this case, medical intervention and hospitalization are required.

An ischemic stroke is distinguished when the lumen of a vessel is closed by a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque and the blood supply to the brain is disrupted; hemorrhagic stroke - the integrity of the vascular wall is disrupted and hemorrhage occurs in the brain. Both of these conditions are quite life-threatening and require urgent medical attention.

Cerebral atherosclerosis causes of formation

Cerebral atherosclerosis occurs due to damage to the walls of brain vessels by atherosclerotic plaques.

Modern medicine believes that the cause of the development of this disease is previous disorders in the liver, its ability to synthesize high-density lipoproteins (HDL), also called good cholesterol. HDL has anti-sclerotic properties and imparts elasticity and strength to the walls of blood vessels.

However, HDL is destroyed when food is cooked, and HDL synthesis falls on the liver. As long as the liver copes with this function, no problems arise in the body, but as soon as the liver begins to malfunction, the body begins to build vascular cells not from HDL, but from LDL and VLDL - low and very low density lipoproteins. They are larger and the walls of blood vessels become rougher and less elastic.

In addition, the reasons that can cause the development of cerebral atherosclerosis are:

• foods high in animal fats

fatty food

drinking alcohol in large quantities

frequent neuropsychic stress

hereditary factor

Also, difficult working conditions, general aging of the body and decreased functions of organs and systems, and unfavorable environmental conditions can contribute to the development of cerebral atherosclerosis.

Treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis

Treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis is complex and should be carried out only after a complete and thorough examination. After this, the doctor will prescribe conservative therapy, which will be aimed at slowing the progression of atherosclerosis, improving cerebral blood supply, and preventing the development of various complications.

For successful treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis, it is necessary to eliminate all risk factors that can lead to worsening of the condition and contribute to the development of complications:

• arterial hypertension

increased blood cholesterol

diabetes

bad habits: smoking, alcohol abuse

excess weight

eliminate or reduce mental stress

normalization of sleep

Treatment prescribed by the doctor. will depend on the stage of the disease.

Thus, in the early stages, cerebral atherosclerosis can be treated with drugs that normalize blood pressure and reduce cholesterol in the blood. However, the main thing at this stage is a correct lifestyle, a healthy, balanced diet with a reduced content of cholesterol and animal fats, dosed physical activity and a refusal or reduction in the consumption of alcohol and smoked cigarettes.

If a stage has been diagnosed, when there are already more significant changes in the condition of the blood vessels of the brain and the general health suffers significantly, then drugs are prescribed that improve hemodynamics, increase blood flow speed, drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots, thin the blood, antioxidant drugs, lecithin , iodine-containing drugs.

At the stage when an atherosclerotic plaque or thrombus closes the lumen of the vessel by 70% or more, if the thrombus or plaque begins to collapse, then conservative therapy alone is no longer sufficient. As a rule, at this stage, patients are indicated for surgical treatment, in which the blood clot or plaque itself, as well as the area of ​​the damaged vessel, is removed, followed by prosthetics of this vessel.

Complications of cerebral atherosclerosis

With all vascular diseases of the brain, a dangerous consequence is the development of blood supply disorders.

Almost all of these blood supply disorders are quite dangerous for the health and life of the patient, so you need to keep this in mind and pay due attention to diet, treatment and prevention.

• With severe cerebral atherosclerosis, when the lumen of blood vessels is significantly reduced, oxygen starvation of brain tissue occurs. And, as you know, brain tissue is most sensitive to a lack of oxygen. With prolonged oxygen starvation, a critical moment comes when the discrepancy between the flow of blood to a certain part of the brain and the need of cells for oxygen reaches a critical value, then an ischemic stroke develops.

When a vessel damaged by an atherosclerotic plaque or thrombus ruptures, a hemorrhagic stroke (intracerebral hemorrhage) develops.

In case of chronic cerebrovascular accident, a complication may develop - discirculatory encephalopathy, in which changes in brain tissue occur.

Prevention of cerebral atherosclerosis

The meaning of prevention is to improve the quality and length of life, as well as prevent the development of complications.

There are primary and secondary prevention of cerebral atherosclerosis.

Primary prevention is aimed at eliminating factors that contribute to deterioration of health and are risk factors:

• smoking

arterial hypertension

dyslipidemia

diabetes

obesity

physical inactivity

poor nutrition

The goal of secondary prevention of cerebral atherosclerosis is to prevent the detachment of an atherosclerotic plaque, prevent parietal thrombus formation, prevent the progression of the disease, reduce existing complications and prevent relapses of the disease.

Diet for cerebral atherosclerosis

The diet for cerebral atherosclerosis should be aimed at improving fat metabolism and strengthening the walls of blood vessels. The beneficial substances that come from food should help remove cholesterol from the body and prevent its deposition on the walls of blood vessels.

How to eat properly with cerebral atherosclerosis:

• It is necessary to reduce the calorie content of dishes and the daily calorie intake, it should be 2000-2500 calories

Refusal of fried, salty, fatty foods

Significantly reduce the amount of salt - cook dishes without adding salt, and add salt to the finished dish

Give preference to vegetable fats

It is preferable to eat lean meats and sea fish

Consume low-fat dairy products

Increase the amount of vegetables and fruits

Add legumes and eggplants to the menu - they help lower blood cholesterol and improve metabolism.

Wheat bran, nuts, liver - contain lecithin

Eat seaweed several times a week

Eat foods rich in vitamins C, A, E - citrus fruits, rose hips, black currants, greens

It is best to cook by steaming or boiling food.

Drink enough fluid - up to 1.5 liters per day, this prevents blood clotting

In general, the main thing to remember is that any person has the power to improve his life himself and with the right lifestyle, no cerebral atherosclerosis will be terrible.

Cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels

Atherosclerosis is considered to be one of the most common causes of mortality in our population. But until today, scientists have not fully identified the main causes of this disease. But despite this, they claim that this is primarily due to heredity.

Cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels. What it is?

Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is considered to be the formation of plaques on the walls of blood vessels that affect all kinds of arteries not only of the brain, but also of the lower extremities. If atherosclerosis of the lower extremities is not treated, it leads to a type of disease such as gangrene, and cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is the main cause of cerebral stroke.

The above reasons can cause death in humans. Therefore, if this disease occurs, it must be treated immediately. At an early age, cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is observed very rarely. But despite this, it is necessary to carry out its prevention.

Prevention of cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels

Prevention of cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels includes:

• minimizing stressful situations, normalizing mental state;
• giving up alcohol and smoking;
• maintaining a healthy lifestyle, intensive sports;
• moderate nutrition, never overeating, limiting fats, carbohydrates and cholesterol;
• annual medical examinations.

Treatment of cerebral sterosclerosis of cerebral vessels

Before deciding on treatment methods for a disease such as cerebral atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels, it is necessary to find out the stage of this disease using diagnostics of the body. It involves a blood test for cholesterol (lipid profile), a complete examination of the patient and the following:

• ultrasound examination of all internal organs, especially the heart;
• MRI of the brain;
• examination of blood vessels using radiography;
• Dopplerography of blood vessels and so on.

Based on the examination data, the doctor prescribes the patient the treatment that is necessary in this case.

But before you start treatment, do not forget that its result may completely depend on the doctor. Therefore, take your choice of doctor seriously.

Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels– this is a steadily progressing systemic damage to the vessels located in the corresponding organ. In medicine, you can find other definitions of this disease, for example, cerebral type atherosclerosis or atherosclerotic damage to cerebral vessels, but the essence remains the same. The functioning of the central nervous system is disrupted, which gradually leads to irreversible consequences.

The etiopathogenetic mechanism for the development of cerebral atherosclerosis is associated with disturbances in protein-lipid metabolism, with damage to the intima of brain vessels by their decay products and directly by the fatty complexes themselves, with the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

According to statistics, in the vessels of the brain, atherosclerosis most often affects the arteries of the subcortical ganglia, the arteries of the thalamus and the pons. In most cases, formations are formed as fibrous plaques; lipoidosis is less common.

Men are more affected than women. In them, serious atherosclerotic changes begin to affect the vessels of the brain 10 years earlier. However, at older ages (after 55 years and older), both women and men suffer approximately equally from this cerebral vascular pathology. Statistics inexorably indicate that in recent years there has been an increasing number of young people, barely 30 years old, becoming ill.

In addition, certain atherosclerotic lesions of the cerebral vessels are most often observed in people who suffer from.

Symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis

Among the obvious signs indicating the development of pathological damage to the blood vessels of the brain are:

A marked decrease in memory, which manifests itself in forgetting events that occurred in the recent past. At first, memory impairments make themselves felt episodically, they are especially noticeable only after mental and physical fatigue. As atherosclerosis progresses, the gaps become more noticeable, but memory of past events remains for a long time.

Decreased mental performance, which manifests itself in the form of fatigue. The patient is unable to focus his attention on a specific object for a long time, or concentrate his own thoughts.

Emotional lability is another common sign of cerebral atherosclerosis. At the same time, a person’s mood is characterized by instability and variability. That is, even minor events lead to the appearance of a brightly colored emotional reaction. Most often, such people are tearful, prone to increased anxiety, they often have fears for their own health, and lack self-confidence.

Patients often complain about regular...

Constant companions of this type of cerebrovascular disease are frequent. They differ in that they arise during the period when a person changes his position from horizontal to vertical. That is, to put it simply, he gets out of bed, and not even with a jerk, but rather slowly.

As the disease progresses, pronounced changes in a person’s personality can be observed, his behavior changes, and mental disorders are not uncommon.

Epilepsy is another striking symptom of progressive cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, observed in older people. Expressed in the occurrence of convulsive seizures.

Senesthopathy, as symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis, manifests itself in the fact that a person complains of tingling in the face, numbness of the legs, and heat in the occipital region.

Cheyne-Stokes breathing or periodic breathing, which is characterized by certain cycles: shallow inhalations and exhalations are replaced by deep ones, after the seventh inhalation the breathing becomes rare again, then there is a pause and the cycle repeats. Most often, such breathing is observed when the arteries that supply the medulla oblongata are damaged by atherosclerosis.

Ataxia is more often observed with damage to the arteries supplying the cerebellum or vestibular apparatus. It is expressed in incoordination of movements of various muscles, loss of balance when walking and standing, inaccuracy and awkwardness of movements, while the strength of the limbs is not lost.

In addition, patients exhibit speech, auditory and visual impairments, as well as transient paralysis, to varying degrees.

It is often difficult for the patient to tolerate loud sounds, and an irritable reaction to light may occur.

It is advisable to divide the symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis into several periods for a clearer understanding of the progression of the disease:

The first stage is characterized by pseudoneurasthenic manifestations with periodic headaches, tinnitus, sleep disorders, intolerance to bright light, loud sound, decreased performance and other manifestations of a similar nature.

The second stage of the disease is marked by more pronounced clinical manifestations, with the development of depression, anxiety-delusional symptoms, and confusion.

The third stage is characterized by the development of dementia with severe memory impairment. Dementia develops against the background of organic brain damage due to atherosclerosis. A person becomes helpless, disorientation in time may occur, however, generally accepted norms of behavior remain intact for a long time.

An important symptom that both patients and their relatives with cerebral atherosclerosis should be aware of is brain or. It is accompanied by headaches, quite intense ones, and weakness in one upper or lower limb may be observed. Often a crisis is accompanied by visual and speech disturbances. As a rule, it lasts up to 2 days, and then the patient’s condition stabilizes. If the symptoms do not go away after this period of time, then it makes sense to assume that these manifestations are signs.

After a crisis, the patient is complacent and may be in a euphoric state, while all interests are reduced to everyday issues, and normal performance is lost.

The factors leading to the development of atherosclerosis, localized in the vessels of the brain, are identical to the risks that form atherosclerosis of any blood tract. It is important to remember that any atherosclerotic plaque can develop over several decades.

The following can influence the rapid progression of the pathological process:

Smoking. The World Health Organization claims that it is the intake of tobacco smoke into the body that becomes a factor that provokes the development of cerebral atherosclerosis. Its effect is multifactorial, but the most dangerous effect is considered to be a narrowing of the arteries of the brain and a gradual loss of their elasticity.

High blood pressure. If arterial hypertension remains untreated for a long time, this leads to hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels of the brain, resulting in an increased risk of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and stroke.

Diabetes. As the disease develops, there is a disruption in the body's processing of not only glucose, but also lipids, which ultimately have a detrimental effect on the blood vessels of the brain. In addition, it leads to increased blood pressure. In combination with existing arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus increases the risk of developing pathological vascular damage by 4 times.

Obesity. In people with excess body weight, as a result of impaired lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, there is a stable increase in cholesterol in the blood, which is a powerful factor provoking the development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, the problem of excess weight is relevant at the moment; according to statistics, about 25% of the Russian population suffers from obesity. Moreover, these people are of working age.

High blood cholesterol levels. Regardless of what leads to an increase in its amount, the risk of developing cerebral atherosclerosis increases several times. The danger especially increases against the background of consistently elevated LDL levels.

Belonging to the male sex or gender reason. It is at the age of 60 that men have a high chance of being diagnosed with cerebral atherosclerosis. Although after a woman passes menopause, the chances of suffering from cerebral atherosclerosis are equal. This is due to the fact that the level of estrogen, which inhibits the development of atherosclerosis in the female body, decreases significantly after menopause.

Heredity. If the family had relatives who suffered from cerebral atherosclerosis at an early age, then the risk of a similar pathology increases significantly.

Eating high in saturated fat negatively affects the condition of blood vessels, including the brain. This, first of all, leads to an increase in cholesterol levels and the rapid growth of atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, if there is a hereditary predisposition, a high-fat diet can provoke an enhanced effect of existing genes responsible for increasing levels. As a result, its synthesis will acquire an anomalous character.

Minimal physical activity or physical inactivity– one of the most powerful factors in the progression of cerebral atherosclerosis. Any exercise: walking, running, swimming – accelerates the removal of HDL from the body and helps prevent the disease.

Age is a factor that provokes the development of pathology, which cannot be excluded. The first fatty spots on blood vessels are detected at the age of 10 years, and they become most pronounced on average by the age of 50. This is due both to the action of other provoking causes and to the slowdown in metabolic processes of fat, carbohydrates, and vitamins in the body. Malfunctions of the endocrine gland, liver, multiple infections, etc. also have an impact.

Stress and bad habits in general, are the cause of many diseases, and cerebral atherosclerosis is no exception.

In order to determine the presence of a lesion, visits to several specialists are often required. Indeed, in addition to neurological disorders, the patient often complains of hearing and vision disorders. In addition, clinical symptoms are often not observed at all, or a person does not attach due importance to them, and the first serious reason for a comprehensive diagnosis becomes, at best, a cerebral crisis, and at worst, a stroke.

If cerebral atherosclerosis is suspected, the patient should be redirected from any specialist to a neurologist. Further clarification of the diagnosis and the necessary studies for this purpose are prescribed by them. In the diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease, ultrasound-based methods currently predominate.

So that an accurate diagnosis is made, the patient can be referred to:

Duplex scanning. First of all, this study provides information about the condition of the extracranial arteries that supply the brain. In combination with ultrasound examination of the cranial arteries, doctors receive a fairly complete picture of existing atherosclerosis. This kind of study makes it possible to assess the degree of narrowing of the vessel and determine the nature of the existing atherosclerotic plaque.

Transcranial Dopplerography- a study that allows you to assess the condition of intracranial vessels.

Angiographic examination cerebral vessels. This is one of the types of x-ray methods. It is known that vessels are not visible on x-rays, so an angiographic study involves the administration of a contrast agent intravenously. However, due to the high morbidity, this method can only be carried out according to strict indications.

Computed tomography method used primarily in patients who have had a stroke. It is necessary to clarify the affected area and determine the tactics for further treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis.

Additionally, an immunological test will be required. blood test and cholesterol level detection.

Magnetic resonance therapy is also used to study the condition of cerebral vessels and provides the most accurate information about existing atherosclerotic plaques. However, not every clinic has a tomograph at its disposal, so this research method is not as popular as studies performed using ultrasound.

If, based on the results of the studies, the neurologist sees that the vasoconstriction exceeds 50%, then the patient is required to be sent for consultation and possible further examination to a vascular surgeon. He re-evaluates the condition of the admitted patient and subsequently makes a decision on the cost-effectiveness of surgery.

Treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis

Therapy for this pathology is a long and, most often, lifelong process. This problem is solved by a neurologist whose responsibilities include identifying people with similar problems, assessing the severity of the disease and implementing conservative therapy. First of all, it is designed to improve blood supply to the brain and prevent arterial thrombosis.

As for therapy with drugs, the modern scheme of action comes down to:

Antiplatelet therapy, which is aimed at reducing the risk of ischemic stroke. Drugs used for this purpose: acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel. However, a hemostasis study is first necessary.

To improve the nervous regulation of the endocrine gland, sedatives or, on the contrary, tonics are used. This may be thyroidin, as well as small doses of estrogens.

In parallel, drugs are used to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. These can be statins (preventing the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, reducing LDL and increasing HDL) - lovastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, as well as fibrates (lowering cholesterol and triglycerides) - gemfibrozil, fenofibrate, clofibrate. In addition, anion exchange resins or bile acid sequestrants are prescribed to promote the removal of cholesterol; examples of these agents are: hestyramine, colestipol. Ezetimibe, atromide, miscleron, etc. will help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine.

Iodine preparations and diosponin will help reduce cerebral ischemic disorders. In addition, calcium iodine, potassium iodide or iodine solution can be prescribed for the same purpose. The drugs are taken in courses to eliminate iodism.

To solve a therapeutic rather than prophylactic problem, high doses of ascorbic acid are used, as well as B vitamins (B2, B6), significantly exceeding the daily requirement.

In addition, in complex therapy, patients are prescribed drugs aimed at preventing the development of circulatory disorders. These can be coronary lytics, as well as agents that dilate arteries and anticoagulants in case of a threat of blood clots.

When hemodynamically significant stenoses, either complete blockage of the arteries, or unstable plaques are detected, the vascular surgeon decides whether surgical intervention is necessary. Modern medicine has reached significant heights in the field of reconstructive operations on blood vessels, including the brain.

The following types of surgical interventions are currently available:

Endarterectomy. It is based on the fact that fatty growth is eliminated using the open method. To do this, a skin incision is made to gain access to the blocked vessel. After this, the surgeon stops the blood flow in this place, the wall of the bloodstream is quickly cut and the fatty deposit is removed. After such manipulations, the surgeon can only sew up the damaged area with a vascular suture. In this way, plaques on extracranial vessels can be removed.

Stents and balloons. To eliminate atherosclerotic formation on intracranial vessels, stents and balloons are used. That is, endoscopic removal of the atherosclerotic plaque is necessary. To do this, an endoscope with a stent is inserted into the widest vessel, and then, under constant X-ray monitoring, it is advanced to the place where there is narrowing of the artery due to the presence of plaque. It is there that a stent is installed, which, by increasing the lumen of the vessel, restores the flow of blood through it.

It is worth understanding that cerebral atherosclerosis is classified as a chronic disease, so treatment is most often lifelong. Depending on how timely the diagnosis was made and treatment started, the prognosis will depend. In the practice of neurologists, extensive forms of cerebral atherosclerosis are known, which, nevertheless, allowed people not only to live for a long time, but also to remain functional. However, there are often cases when the first clinical manifestation of this disease ends in a stroke and death for a person. That is why doctors play such an important role in timely diagnosis of the disease and its qualified treatment.

Neurologist M.M. Shperling in the lecture “How to treat cerebral atherosclerosis?”

Diet for cerebral atherosclerosis

It is impossible to get rid of cerebral vascular pathology or prevent attacks of exacerbation of the disease without following a certain diet. As a dietary option, doctors recommend a series of tables designed to meet the basic needs of the sick person.

However, each of them is based on several principles:

For patients who are overweight and for those whose body weight is not below normal, it is worth reducing the caloric content of food consumed per day. The reduction should be 10 to 15% of total calories.

Reduction, even complete exclusion from the diet of foods containing animal fats and large amounts of cholesterol. First of all, we are talking about egg yolks, caviar, brains, fatty meat and fish.

Reducing the volume of products containing large volumes.

Limiting the amount of salt consumed.

Avoid rich broths and fish soup.

Consumption of foods that are rich in lipotropic substances. It can be cottage cheese, herring (but only thoroughly soaked), oatmeal, cod.

The use of vegetable oils in the menu, not only sunflower, but also corn, flaxseed, and cottonseed.

Eating large amounts of unprocessed fruits and vegetables.

Introduction of fasting days, especially if you are overweight. These can be kefir, cottage cheese, apple, oatmeal and other types of mini-diets for one day.

Don’t forget about proteins; there should be at least 30 g of them in the daily menu. Sources can be: fish, eggs, meat, dairy products with a low fat content.

In particular, for the treatment of cerebral vascular pathology of an atherosclerotic nature, therapeutic diet number 10 may be suitable. Its goal is to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood and improve blood circulation. Its peculiarity is that the patient is asked to limit the amount of fluid consumed to 1.5 liters per day. We are talking not only about tea or coffee, but also about water. The maximum number of kilocalories per day should not be more than 2500, and if a sick person is obese, this figure is reduced by 700 kcal. At the same time, the products are not salted during cooking; they cannot be fried. Meals are divided into six approaches.

With atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels, the diet will have to be followed for a long time, perhaps even throughout life. Therefore, you should get used to consuming foods such as oatmeal, cabbage, garlic, and cottage cheese. A properly designed nutritional plan can not only alleviate the patient’s condition, but also serve as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent.

Prevention of cerebral atherosclerosis

Preventive measures for this disease should be not only primary, but also secondary. This is due to the fact that such pathology tends to occur in waves, the active phases turn into a process of regression and back. Therefore, it is so important, through prevention, not only to prevent the disease itself, but also to stop its progression. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the patient does not experience the possible complications of this pathology on his own health.

It is worth noting that primary prevention should be widespread. In this regard, the following measures are effective:

Activities aimed at environmental protection;

Reducing noise levels in cities and enterprises;

Providing workers with adequate conditions for rest, shortening the work week;

Health education work from adolescence;

Promoting a healthy lifestyle and physical activity (in this case, a person must be aware of the harm caused by physical inactivity);

Compliance with work and rest schedules;

Full sleep;

Stay in preventive health institutions;

Compliance with the diet and its variety;

Elimination of bad habits and, first of all, smoking.

In addition, it is necessary to promptly treat diseases that ultimately lead to the development of cerebral atherosclerosis. First of all, we are talking about pathologies of the thyroid gland - hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus. It is equally important to normalize the metabolic processes occurring in the body, since slow metabolism leads to excess weight.

Those people who have relatives in the family with early development of cerebral atherosclerosis need to more carefully monitor their own diet and limit the consumption of animal fats. When diagnosing lipid metabolism disorders, it is necessary to take iodine preparations for preventive purposes.

Instrumental examination of blood vessels after the age of 40 is an excellent means of prevention and early detection of atherosclerotic changes in cerebral vessels.

As for secondary prevention, it is primarily aimed at preventing the progression of the disease. It includes all measures from primary prevention, as well as adherence to a dietary regimen and the use of drug treatment. We must not forget about the important role played by adequate physical exercise and physical therapy.

It is important to remember that, despite the development of modern medicine, cerebral atherosclerosis is a serious problem leading to high mortality among the population. Therefore, the disease is much easier, if not completely prevented, then significantly delayed its development with the help of preventive measures.

Education: In 2005, she completed an internship at the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov and received a diploma in the specialty “Neurology”. In 2009, she completed her postgraduate studies in the specialty “Nervous Diseases”.

Cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is a very dangerous disease that can lead to serious consequences (for example, stroke or dementia). Cholesterol formations (plaques) appear on the inside of the arteries and vessels of the brain, which is the main cause of the pathology. This process impairs blood circulation in the brain and without appropriate treatment leads to very harmful consequences.

IMPORTANT! According to statistics, there are more than 10% of patients with cerebral atherosclerosis among adults, and their age is decreasing.

In common parlance, the pathology is also called senile dementia, which is increasingly occurring in older people.

Degrees of cerebral atherosclerosis

First degree or initial

This stage of the disease is characterized by minor damage to the blood vessels. Symptoms in this case appear extremely rarely or are completely absent. Patients may complain of:

• memory impairment;
• migraine and dizziness;
• insomnia;
• noise in ears;
• distracted attention.

With timely diagnosis and treatment, symptoms are less disturbing or disappear. While in society, the patient encounters difficulties only due to overexertion.

Second degree or pronounced (compensatory)

This stage of the disease is characterized by peatological and functional changes in the vessels of the circulatory system. This degree of pathology may be accompanied by:

• significant deterioration in the quality of work and its quantity;
• memory impairment, insomnia, depression, frequent mood swings;
• neurological symptoms (depending on which area was affected).

Third degree or pronounced (decompensatory)

Patient complaints become constant. Necrosis occurs in certain areas of the brain due to constant ischemic attacks. In these areas, connective tissue plays the role of brain tissue, resulting in the final loss of function of the affected areas. This stage of atherosclerosis is characterized by:

• significant decrease in intellectual abilities;
• emotional confusion;
• pseudobulbar, atactic and piratidal syndromes;
• psychoses;
• vascular detention.

IMPORTANT! Patients with this degree of cerebral atherosclerosis often become disabled and are deprived of the ability to self-care.

Causes

The most common causes of the described disease are:

• Poor diet (lots of fatty, spicy and salty foods).
• Stress (headache, nervous breakdowns).
• Liver disease (due to high cholesterol).
• Smoking and alcohol.
• Metabolic disorders (hypodynamia).
• Hormonal disorders (diabetes, menopause, etc.).
• Arterial hypertension(arterial walls become less elastic, cholesterol plaques begin to appear and accumulate).
• Working conditions; environmental conditions; problems with vital organs due to the aging process; associated diseases.

Symptoms

• Severe memory impairment. At first, this process goes unnoticed by the patient. But, after overstrain (both emotional and physical), serious changes and voids in memory appear.
• The ability to work and intellectual indicators decrease. A person gets tired very quickly, and concentration deteriorates.
• Frequent changes in mood. Patients may be anxious, depressed, and cry a lot. They are worried about insomnia and lack of self-confidence. After changing body position, headaches or dizziness may occur.
• Mental disorders. This group of symptoms is characterized by a progressive degree of pathology (grades 2-3). There may be attacks of cramps, tingling in the head and limbs, and a feeling of heat in the back of the head.
• When the medulla oblongata is damaged, pathological breathing occurs. Damage to the cerebellar structure leads to ataxia. What does it mean? The patient becomes awkward and has problems with movement and coordination. You may experience intolerance to bright lights and loud sounds.

Diagnostics

Determine exactly what kind of disease the patient has and diagnose diagnosis“cerebral atherosclerosis” is possible only after a thorough study. List of main examination methods:

• Blood tests for coagulation and lipidity.
• Ultrasound for the study of extracerebral arteries.
• EEG. To identify the presence and severity of cortical disorders.
• Examination of cerebral vessels through the temporal fossa. To do this, transcranial Doppler sonography is performed.
• MRI. Sometimes a special contrast is used for this research method. The substance will indicate all damaged areas on the monitor.
• Angiography. This examination also carried out using contrast. The substance is also injected into the affected area, but the result can only be determined using an x-ray.

IMPORTANT! Angiography and MRI are particularly important techniques for diagnosing cerebral atherosclerosis.

Treatment

There are quite a lot of drugs and treatment methods. A prerequisite is the use of a system of therapeutic measures, from recommendations on a healthy lifestyle to correction of work and rest.

It is necessary to refuse to work in unfavorable conditions (frequent overvoltage, noise). During the day, the patient should have additional time to sleep. Every day you need to perform a set of exercise therapy exercises or replace them with light walks. Bad habits must be abandoned completely. It is important to adhere to the diet prescribed by your doctor.

Drug treatment

• Any medications should be taken only after a thorough examination. And even after this you need to be under constant medical supervision, because the disease is very serious. The following medications are usually prescribed:
• Hypolipidemic agents. This group of drugs is aimed at preventing the further development of cerebral atherosclerosis. The most commonly prescribed drugs are statins, which must be taken for the rest of your life. To adjust the dosage, a blood lipid profile is regularly performed.
• Antihypertensive agents. This group of drugs forms the basis of the treatment process, normalizes blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke.
• Disaggregants – reduce the risk of blood clots. They must be prescribed to avoid complications in the future.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs - have a beneficial effect on blood vessels, strengthen them and prevent deformation of the vascular walls.
• Vasodilators are aimed at restoring blood circulation. They have a significant effect on reducing and eliminating clinical symptoms.

Surgical methods

• Surgery is used if cerebral atherosclerosis takes on a stenotic form. The operation is performed openly because the main goal is to remove the plaque. Extracranial arteries undergo surgical treatment much more often.
• During surgery, the affected area is opened.
• Then an endarterectomy is performed. The plaque is removed along with the choroid, which is damaged and can cause further re-formation of plaques.
• In case of complicated stenosis, prosthetics are prescribed by inserting a special tube. It bypasses the damaged area of ​​blood vessels and will perform all the functions of the affected area.
• Vascular and skin sutures are applied and drainage is performed. During the operation, vascular ultrasound indicators are constantly monitored to avoid mistakes and reduce the risk of complications.

Surgical treatment is not always carried out with tubes; special stents and balloons can be used. A catheter is used to insert the balloon into the artery, then the balloon is inflated at the site of the narrowing. This operation can be performed even on an intracranial vessel. After the intervention, the cholesterol plaque is compressed and the vessel becomes patent. A stent is installed to maintain the required diameter of the artery.

Traditional methods

Folk remedies are allowed, but only as an auxiliary approach. Therapy necessarily includes medications; it is impossible to cope with cerebral atherosclerosis only with folk remedies. You should definitely consult your doctor; some herbal remedies cannot be combined with medications, and their use may be strictly prohibited. In such situations, you need to follow the recommendations of doctors.

Several effective recipes for traditional treatment:

• Alfalfa, ginger and garlic are brewed separately and then mixed in the following ratio: 3:2:7.5. The decoction can be taken one teaspoon per day for 3 months.
• Crush 100 g of rose hips and add 0.5 ml of vodka. Then you need to wait a few days for the product to infuse and use 20 drops, 3 times a day.
• Another rosehip recipe, but without alcohol. Raspberry leaves are combined with rose hips to make tea.
• Garlic in alcohol is also effective. It needs to be peeled and pressed a little to release the juice. Then garlic is added to vodka. Every five drops of the product are diluted with a tablespoon of water.

Decoctions of valerian, horse chestnut, motherwort and hawthorn are often used. They are made separately or combined into herbal preparations.

Complications

The list of complications in pathologies such as cerebral atherosclerosis is very long. Brain cells quickly die when blood circulation changes, which entails many negative consequences. This includes the loss of important body functions. It is difficult to say how long it will take for death to occur with such a disease. But the most dangerous thing is a stroke. Also, a short path to death is atherosclerosis of the aorta, coronary cerebral arteries and aortic rupture. One of the most severe complications of atherosclerosis is aneurysms.

If the patient has concomitant diseases (for example, diabetes), then the likelihood of complications and death is very high. Patients also become worse due to the rapid development of atherosclerosis. All this leads to:

• Damage to the extremities (there may be ulcers and gangrene);
• Heart attack;
• Encephalopathy;
• Angiopathy and subsequent blindness;
• Nephropathy;
• Ischemia.

Prevention

All preventive measures are also used during the treatment of the disease. Atherosclerosis can also appear after a long lull. It is necessary not only to take a responsible approach to the use of medications, but also to make personal efforts to extend the period of remission. Prevention measures:

• Full sleep.
• Control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
• Short working day.
• Visiting sanatoriums.
• Elimination of noise and bad habits.
• Taking vitamins and doing exercise.

IMPORTANT! Particular attention should be paid to those patients whose pathology is hereditary.

Disability

As the disease progresses, the patient may be assigned a disability group. During the treatment process, procedures are performed after which the patient is unable to work as before. Disability is assigned in each situation individually:

• with the first degree of cerebral atherosclerosis, disability is not prescribed.
• With the second degree of the disease, in some cases, a third group may be prescribed. Depends on the symptoms and how limited the patient is in life activities.
• Patients of the third degree of atherosclerosis who require regular care are assigned the first disability group. If a person is able to serve himself, then the second one.

Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is an extremely dangerous disease that leads to stroke, dementia and death. By providing timely medical care, the consequences of pathology can be avoided or reduced. To reduce the risks of cerebral atherosclerosis and other serious diseases, it is necessary to: lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right and engage in physical activity from a young age.

The brain is one of the most complex systems of the human body. It collects, processes and transmits information received from external analyzers, and also monitors the functioning of all internal organs. As in any other system, various metabolic processes occur in the brain. Oxygen and nutrients flow through the arteries and capillaries to the nervous tissue, and through the veins there is an outflow of metabolic products and processed nutrients.

Metabolic disorders in brain tissue can lead to serious health consequences. Among the various diagnoses, cerebral atherosclerosis occupies a special place, as it often causes a life-threatening complication - acute cerebrovascular accident (cerebral stroke). We will talk about the causes, development mechanism, characteristic symptoms, as well as current methods of diagnosis and treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels in our review.

What is cerebral atherosclerosis? This metabolic disease is associated with dyslipidemic processes in the human body. With it, the balance of “bad” and “good” fats is disrupted, and cholesterol molecules begin to deposit on the inner walls of blood vessels, forming dense plaques that impair blood circulation.

The development of cerebral atherosclerosis is indicated in the case of atherosclerotic lesions. More often, this pathology develops in older people over 60-65 years of age, which is explained by a general slowdown in metabolism, concomitant diseases, degenerative damage to the vascular wall, etc.

Reasons for the development of atherosclerosis

The causes of damage to cerebral vessels by cholesterol plaques do not differ significantly from the factors causing systemic atherosclerosis. The disease develops when:

• pathologies accompanied by excessive synthesis of cholesterol in hepatocytes (functional liver cells);
• hereditary disorders of lipid metabolism (dyslipoproteinemia, familial hypercholesterolemia, etc.);
• poor nutrition, accompanied by the consumption of large amounts of animal fat saturated with cholesterol;
• chronic stress and overwork;
• smoking and alcohol abuse;
• obesity, excess weight;
• lack of sufficient physical activity;
• arterial hypertension;
• diseases accompanied by gross metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome);
• hormonal disorders (hypo-/hyperthyroidism, disorders of the synthesis of sex hormones);
• pathologies of the blood coagulation system.

Note! At a young age (up to 45-50 years), an additional risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis is male gender.

The mechanism of cholesterol plaque formation

Cholesterol, like other fats in the body, is transported through the vascular bed using special transport proteins - apolipoproteins. Such complexes in biochemistry are called lipoproteins. Depending on the ratio of the lipid and fat parts in their composition, they are distinguished:

• LP (high density lipoproteins);
• Low density drug;
• LP of very low density.

If the first fraction of cholesterol (HDL, “good” cholesterol) is responsible for the transport of lipids from organs and tissues to the liver for further utilization and has anti-atherogenic properties (prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques), then low-density lipoproteins (LDL and, to a lesser extent, VLDL) ) are one of the main risk factors for the development of cerebrovascular diseases.

Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels develops when the optimal ratio between “good” and “bad” cholesterol fractions is violated. Excess LDL, in the presence of predisposing factors and microdamage to the vascular wall, settles on the intima of blood vessels. The initial lipid stain, which looks like a flat, non-raising yellowish area, gradually increases in size and, without appropriate treatment, completely blocks the lumen of the artery. This causes problems with the blood supply to organs and tissues. The brain is especially affected, as it constantly needs large amounts of oxygen, glucose and other nutrients.

Classification

There are several options and successive stages of the disease. Cerebral is classified by:
Severity:

1. 1st degree – symptoms of the pathology appear only occasionally, with intense mental or psycho-emotional stress, or physical stress. Vascular disorders are functional (transient) in nature.
2. 2nd degree - signs of atherosclerosis become more stable, functional disorders gradually develop into morphological ones.
3. Grade 3 – regular ischemic attacks cause irreversible changes in brain tissue. Small areas of necrosis are replaced by connective tissue and cease to perform their functions.

Localizations. Depending on the predominant lesion, atherosclerosis is distinguished:

1. posterior cerebral artery;
2. internal carotid artery;
3. brachiocephalic trunk;
4. vessels of small diameter.

Clinical course:

1. latent atherosclerosis is characterized by an almost complete absence of symptoms;
2. intermittent is characterized by a special wave-like course, in which periods of exacerbation, accompanied by a vivid clinical picture, are replaced by relative well-being;
3. slowly progressive atherosclerosis develops gradually, with an increase in symptoms of vascular disorders;
4. quickly leads to a significant narrowing of the lumen of the cerebral vessels or their complete blockage;
5. The malignant form of the disease is characterized by the early development of acute complications.

Possible symptoms

Despite the different variants of the course of cerebral atherosclerosis, the symptoms of the pathology develop according to a similar scenario. The complex of signs characterizing a progressive disorder of cerebral circulation is called discirculatory encephalopathy (DE).

Atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries, accompanied by grade 1 encephalopathy, has a rather poor clinical picture. Symptoms of the disease are either absent or detected after overwork. Patients may complain of:

• deterioration of memory and concentration processes;
• dizziness, headache;
• insomnia at night and fatigue during the day;
• periodic tinnitus.

With second-degree DE, the person’s condition gradually worsens. He develops:

• decreased performance and general deterioration in the quality of work performed;
• sudden mood swings;
• depression, suicidal thoughts;
• memory impairment;
• insomnia or, on the contrary, pathological drowsiness;
• neurological symptoms that depend on the localization of atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels of the brain.

Note! Often, patients with stage 2 DE have a reduced critical attitude towards their health: they do not “see” the existing problems.

Discirculatory encephalopathy of the third degree is characterized by decompensation of the condition. Typical symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis:

• progressive decline in the patient’s mnestic and intellectual abilities;
• absent-mindedness, emotional lability (instability);
• the appearance of distinct neurological syndromes – pyramidal, ataxic, pseudobulbar;
• acute psychoses;
• vascular dementia.

The character of elderly patients with dyscirculatory encephalopathy in the later stages often becomes unbearable for loved ones. Personal qualities are sharpened: previously thrifty people become stingy, pedantic people become boring, etc. It is important to treat “quirks” with understanding, remembering that they are the influence of illness, and not a personal whim.

Caution: stroke

A dangerous complication of cerebral atherosclerosis is an acute circulatory disorder in the cerebral arteries - a stroke. This condition poses a serious threat to life: necrosis (irreversible death) of brain tissue leads to gross disruption of the functioning of the entire body.

How long after the onset of cerebral atherosclerosis a patient will develop a stroke is a purely individual question. The slowly progressive form of the disease can last for years without causing much discomfort to the patient. Malignant and stenotic atherosclerosis have a high risk of complications.

You should immediately call an ambulance if one or more of the above symptoms appear:

• unexpected weakness, severe paralysis or numbness of the muscles of the face, upper or lower extremities;
• dysarthria – speech disorder or difficulty;
• acute deterioration of visual acuity in one or both eyes;
• dizziness, unsteadiness of gait, impaired coordination of movements;
• acute, intense pain in the parietal part of the head, which has no apparent cause.

Note! The speech of patients with acute circulatory disorders of the frontal or parietal lobe is incoherent and incomprehensible. Often a person cannot answer simple questions about his own name or the current day of the week.

The sooner help is provided to a patient with impaired cerebral blood supply, the higher his chances of saving life and recovery. The therapeutic window, during which all medical procedures are highly effective, is 6 hours from the onset of this pathology.

Diagnostic methods

All patients with suspected cerebral atherosclerosis undergo examination, which includes:

1. Collection of complaints, medical history and life history. Tell your doctor about all the symptoms that bother you, remember when you first noticed their appearance, what pills or medications you took for this. Don’t forget to mention any illnesses you have suffered during your life, as well as the presence/absence of allergies.
2. General medical examination, including assessment of the condition of the skin and mucous membranes. Particular attention of the specialist should be directed to the search for xanthomas - small formations protruding above the surface of the skin, consisting of cholesterol and triglycerides. Xanthomas are a visible sign of lipid metabolism disorders.
3. Auscultation of the heart and lungs. It is carried out to assess the general condition of the body and identify possible concomitant diseases.
4. Blood pressure measurement. High blood pressure is one of the provoking factors for the deposition of cholesterol molecules on the inner surface of blood vessels, so cerebral atherosclerosis with hypertension is quite common.
5. Laboratory tests: CBC, LBC and OAM are routine diagnostic methods for assessing the general condition of the body. A lipidogram is a comprehensive method for studying fat metabolism, which allows you to determine the level of total cholesterol and its fractions, as well as identify the ratio between “bad” and “good” lipoproteins. This relative value is called the atherogenic coefficient (AC). Blood test for clotting.
6. Instrumental tests aimed at studying the exact localization and degree of cholesterol damage to blood vessels. The standard examination list may include: Duplex scanning; Angiography of cerebral arteries (using radiopaque contrast agent); Transcranial Dopplerography - ultrasound examination of cerebral vessels through the cranium; Magnetic resonance imaging; Electroencephalography - used to assess the functional activity of brain tissue.

Principles of treatment

After confirming the diagnosis and determining the extent of damage to the cerebral arteries, the patient is prescribed treatment. Therapy for cerebral atherosclerosis should be comprehensive, aimed not only at pathological symptoms, but also at the causes of the disease. The pathology will be treated by a neurologist, if necessary, involving a therapist and other specialists for consultations.

Before using potent medications, all patients with cerebral atherosclerosis are advised to pay attention to their lifestyle. The following will help reduce total cholesterol levels and minimize the risk of the formation of new atherosclerotic plaques:

• quitting smoking and alcohol abuse;
• normalization of body weight;
• sufficient physical activity;
• reducing stress levels;
• rationing of work and rest schedules;
• regular preventive examinations.

Bad habits not only have a detrimental effect on overall health, but also directly increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Nicotine contained in inhaled tobacco smoke contributes to the development of microdamage to the vascular wall and narrowing of the arteries. And regular consumption of alcoholic beverages leads to increased cholesterol levels in the blood.

Obesity is another factor that provokes the development of dyslipidemia. Normalization of body weight, which is achieved through proper nutrition and physical activity, significantly reduces the risk of the formation of new atherosclerotic plaques.

Active life is another assistant in the fight against cerebral atherosclerosis. To keep the brain vessels healthy, doctors recommend doing one of the permitted sports:

• swimming;
• callanetics;
• Pilates;
• Nordic walking;
• yoga.

At the same time, physical activity should not cause discomfort in the patient and cause negative emotions. Walking in the fresh air is also useful for illness: in the park, forest.

Low-cholesterol diet

All patients with cerebral atherosclerosis are recommended to follow the principles of a hypocholesterol diet for a long time. And what is it?

The basic principles of nutritional therapy for lowering cholesterol levels are:

1. Sharp limitation of animal fats rich in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. Fatty meat (beef, pork), lard, liver, kidneys, brains, tongue and other offal, butter, and fatty cheeses are prohibited.
2. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits. When using carrots, beets, turnips, apples, citrus fruits, etc. in the daily diet, digestion improves, and the level of “bad” cholesterol formed in the liver and absorbed in the intestines decreases.
3. Compliance with drinking regime. In the absence of kidney problems, all patients with dyscirculatory encephalopathy are recommended to drink up to 1.5-2 liters of fluid per day.

Drug therapy

A drug therapy plan is drawn up for each patient individually. The list of drugs used for cerebral atherosclerosis is presented in the table below.

Pharmacological group	Representatives	Mechanism of action
Antiplatelet agents	Thrombo-Ass; Cardiomagnyl.	Reduce the risk of blood clot formation on the surface of the plaque.
Statins	Rosuvostatin; Fluvastatin.	Reduces the synthesis of endogenous “bad” cholesterol by liver cells.
NSAIDs	Indomethacin.	Prevents inflammatory changes in vascular walls.
Antihypertensive drugs	Enalapril; Coronal; Propranolol.	Normalize blood pressure, reduce tension in the vascular wall.
Medicines to improve cerebral circulation	Piracetam; Actovegin.	Their use improves the saturation of brain tissue with oxygen and nutrients, thereby reducing the risk of acute vascular accident.
Tonics	Eleutherococcus; Ginseng root.	They are used to normalize the mood and increase the vitality of patients with mild forms of depression.

The stenosing form of atherosclerosis, accompanied by a significant narrowing of the lumen of the arteries, usually requires surgical intervention. A neurosurgeon performs a stenting, bypass or endarterectomy operation.

Prevention of the disease consists of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, following the principles of proper nutrition and sufficient physical activity. People over 40 years old should not forget about the need for regular monitoring of cholesterol levels and preventive medical examinations. Preventing a disease is always easier than treating it. This statement is especially relevant in relation to cerebral atherosclerosis.

Cerebral atherosclerosis is a pathology in which the arteries of the brain are affected by cholesterol plaques located in large and medium-sized vessels. Nosology appears in people over 60 years of age, which is caused by secondary diseases and toxic lesions of the vascular wall.

Atherosclerosis of the brain in older people leads to dementia, dementia with gradual formation. With long-term development, the question of how long it takes to die becomes relevant. A strong decrease in the patency of the intravascular lumen leads to death. In people over 60 years of age, the nosology is the cause of “senile sclerosis”

Cerebral atherosclerosis: causes, symptoms

The causes of cerebral atherosclerosis have not been reliably studied. There are many scientific works describing the pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of nosology with the formation of the stages of “fat spot”, “liposclerosis”, “atherocalcinosis”.

To explain the etiology of the disease, provoking factors are identified:

1. Increased fat content in the body;
2. Hormonal obesity;
3. Predominance of saturated fatty acids in food;
4. Alcohol abuse.

Symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis are nonspecific, so it is difficult to assume the predominance of a group of clinical symptoms. Despite the development of dementia in older people, the pathology may result in a complex of disorders of cardiac activity and pathology of internal organs.

The clinic is determined by the location of the atherosclerotic plaque. The degree of arterial damage and the level of blockage of microcirculation allows the doctor to predict how long it will take for the patient to die. For single plaques, surgical treatment can normalize microcirculation. The procedure helps eliminate only individual symptoms, and not the nosological form. Elimination of a single formation does not eliminate the tendency of the vessel wall to accumulate lipids.

Most variants have cerebral symptoms. In most forms, a number of specific signs of the disease occur:

• Head pain;
• Sleep disturbance;
• Frequent mood swings (especially in women).

Headache is formed due to narrowing of the lumen of the vessel by atherosclerotic plaque. Stagnant changes in the arteries of the brain lead to impaired blood supply, which is accompanied by hypoxia of neurons and impaired trophism. The nature of the changes determines the accompanying symptoms, leading to sleep disturbances and increased fatigue.

Changes in mood are determined by the nature of pathological disorders of brain tissue. Damage to brain neurons is accompanied by a number of symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis:

1. Slowing down thinking;
2. Memory impairment;
3. Ear noise;
4. Dizziness;
5. Small muscle twitches;
6. Unsteady gait.