Acute cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Circulatory disorders and vascular genesis of the brain

It is customary to distinguish the initial manifestations of cerebrovascular accident as an early stage of CNM and DE (dyscirculatory encephalopathy) - multifocal brain damage caused by chronic circulatory failure.

In turn, the following forms of DE are distinguished:

• atherosclerotic;
• hypertensive;
• venous;
• mixed.

Causes and pathogenesis of CNM

As a rule, chronic cerebrovascular accident is a consequence of cardiovascular pathology. Typically, CNM develops against the background of:

• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• atherosclerosis, hypertension;
• diabetes;
• heart diseases of various etiologies;
• vasculitis;
• blood diseases accompanied by a violation of its rheological properties.

These pathologies change general and cerebral hemodynamics and lead to a decrease in cerebral perfusion (less than 45-30 ml/100 g per minute). The most important factors involved in the pathogenesis of CNM include:

• changes in the extra- and intracranial sections of the vessels of the head;
• insufficiency of collateral circulation;
• violation of autoregulation of blood circulation;
• violation of rheology.

Obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse and smoking play a significant role in the progression of CNM.

Symptoms of chronic cerebrovascular accident

In the early stages of CNM, the picture is characterized by patient complaints of a feeling of heaviness in the head, mild dizziness, instability when walking, noise in the head, fatigue, decreased attention and memory, and sleep disturbance. Initial manifestations of circulatory failure occur after psychoemotional and/or physical stress, during alcohol consumption, and under unfavorable meteorological conditions. Patients show signs of vegetative-vascular and emotional lability, some slowness of thinking processes, and possible convergence insufficiency. The progression of the initial manifestations of circulatory failure leads to the formation of the next stage - DE.

Depending on the severity of manifestations, three stages of chronic cerebrovascular accident are distinguished. In stage I, symptoms are mild, patients usually remain able to work; in stage II the symptoms are moderate, and in stage III patients become disabled.

With atherosclerotic encephalopathy, i.e. with DE caused by atherosclerotic damage to the vessels supplying blood to the brain, in stage I there is a decrease in attention and memory, especially for current events, it is difficult to memorize new information, and it is difficult for the patient to switch from one activity to another. At the same time, mild cognitive impairment, as a rule, is compensated by preserved everyday and professional skills, as well as intellectual capabilities. Patients often complain of increased fatigue and decreased performance; emotional lability with a decrease in psycho-emotional background is often observed. Diffuse noise in the head is noted. Patient complaints of instability when walking are typical. The neurological status reveals minor scattered symptoms in the form of moderate signs of pseudobulbar syndrome, tendon hyperreflexia and anisoreflexia, as well as postural instability.

In stage II, clinical manifestations progress, cognitive impairment increases, performance decreases, patients become touchy and irritable. A narrowing of interests is noted, and memory disorders increase. Dull headaches, dizziness, and unsteadiness when walking are often present. Neurological status reveals anisoreflexia, pseudobulbar symptoms, vestibulo-cerebellar disorders and subcortical symptoms.

In stage III, further worsening of neurological manifestations is noted. Patients exhibit significant diffuse neurological symptoms in the form of an increase in pyramidal insufficiency, pseudobulbar disorders, cerebellar and extrapyramidal symptoms, as well as impaired control of the pelvic organs. Epileptic seizures are possible. Stage III is characterized by pronounced disturbances of higher mental functions: significant cognitive impairment to dementia, the likely development of apatoabulic syndrome, pronounced emotional and personal changes. In later stages, patients lose self-care skills. Drowsiness after eating, Windscheid's triad, are typical for atherosclerotic encephalopathy. In stage III, Hackebusch's disease, or pseudo-Alzheimer's form of atherosclerosis, can be observed - a symptom complex, the main manifestation of which is dementia. At the same time, they note a decrease in memory, confabulation, a pronounced narrowing of the range of interests, uncriticality, speech disorders, gnosis and praxis. In addition, in the late stage of atherosclerotic encephalopathy, the formation of Demaget-Oppenheim syndrome, which is characterized by gradually developing central tetraparesis, is possible.

Chronic hypertensive encephalopathy is a form of DE caused by arterial hypertension. Arterial hypertension leads to diffuse damage to brain tissue; the disease progresses quite quickly with significant fluctuations in blood pressure and repeated hypertensive crises. The disease can manifest itself at a fairly young age, on average at 30-50 years. In the initial stages, the clinical picture of hypertensive encephalopathy is characterized by sufficient dynamics and reversibility of symptoms. Characterized by a neurosis-like syndrome, frequent headaches, predominantly in the occipital region, and noise in the head. In the future, signs of bilateral pyramidal insufficiency, elements of akinetic-rigid syndrome, tremor, emotional-volitional disorders, decreased attention and memory, and slow mental reactions may appear. As it progresses, personality disorders arise, the range of interests narrows, speech intelligibility is impaired, anxiety increases, and weakness is noted. Patients are characterized by disinhibition.

In stage III hypertensive encephalopathy, patients, as a rule, develop severe atherosclerosis; the condition is characterized by features typical of atherosclerotic encephalopathy - developing dementia. At an advanced stage, patients lose the ability to self-care, control pelvic functions, and signs of apatho-abulic or paranoid syndromes may appear.

A variant of hypertensive encephalopathy in combination with atherosclerotic brain damage is Binswanger encephalopathy (progressive vascular leukoencephalopathy). It usually manifests itself at the age of 50 years and is characterized by memory loss, cognitive impairment, and motor impairment in chronic cerebrovascular accident of the subcortical type. Sometimes there are epileptic seizures. As a rule, encephalopathy in chronic cerebrovascular accident develops gradually, although stepwise progression associated with vascular crises, blood pressure fluctuations and cardiac disorders is also possible.

Venous DE is characterized by venous congestion in the skull, chronic hypoxia and intracranial hypertension. Venous DE more often develops in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, as well as with arterial hypotension.

Diagnostic procedures for CNM include collecting anamnesis, taking into account information about somatic pathology (especially cardiovascular diseases), analysis of patient complaints, neurological, neuropsychological examination. Instrumental examination involves Doppler ultrasound (USDG), rheoencephalography, CT) or MRI, ophthalmoscopy and angiography. As a rule, an examination of the heart is necessary (electrocardiography - ECG, echocardiography), as well as a study of the rheological properties of blood.

Treatment of chronic cerebrovascular accident

Arterial hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for CUI, but episodes of hypotension are also unfavorable for patients with DE. During the correction process, it is advisable to maintain blood pressure at a stable level, slightly higher than the “optimal” indicators: 140-150 mm Hg. Medications for chronic cerebrovascular accidents should be selected taking into account the characteristics of the patient and his reaction to prescribed medications. For the treatment of arterial hypertension, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are used - ACE (captopril, perindopril, enalapril, enalaprilat), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (candesartan, eprosartan), β-blockers (in particular, atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, propranolol, esmolol), agonists central α-adrenergic receptors (clonidine), slow calcium channel blockers (nifedipine). Diuretics as antihypertensive therapy are used only when indicated (for example, heart failure, ineffectiveness of other antihypertensive drugs) due to a possible deterioration in blood rheology.

Forecast

Typically, chronic cerebrovascular accident is characterized by a slowly progressive course, although stepwise progression is possible (usually after vascular crises). In stage I, the ability to work and everyday adaptation of patients is preserved in most cases; in stage II, there is a slight or moderate decrease in working capacity; in stage III, patients are disabled and often incapable of self-care.

Cerebral circulation is the movement of blood in the vascular system of the brain and spinal cord. In a pathological process that causes cerebrovascular accidents, the main and cerebral arteries (aorta, brachiocephalic trunk, as well as common, internal and external carotid, vertebral, subclavian, spinal, basilar, radicular arteries and their branches), cerebral and jugular veins, and venous sinuses may be affected. The nature of the pathology of cerebral vessels can be different: thrombosis, embolism, kinks and looping, narrowing of the lumen, aneurysms of the vessels of the brain and spinal cord.

The concept of cerebral vascular insufficiency is generally defined as a state of imbalance between the need and supply of blood to the brain. It is most often based on the restriction of blood flow in atherosclerotic narrowed cerebral vessels. In this case, a temporary decrease in systemic blood pressure may cause the development of ischemia in the area of ​​the brain supplied by a vessel with a narrowed lumen.

Based on the nature of cerebral circulatory disorders, the initial manifestations of insufficiency of blood supply to the brain are distinguished:

• acute cerebrovascular accidents (transient disorders, intrathecal hemorrhages, strokes);
• chronic slowly progressive disorders of cerebral and spinal circulation (dyscirculatory encephalopathy and myelopathy).

Chronic cerebrovascular accident- dyscirculatory encephalopathy is a slowly progressive cerebrovascular insufficiency, cerebral circulatory failure, leading to the development of many small-focal necrosis of brain tissue and impaired brain function.

Transient cerebrovascular accidents - an acute disorder of brain functions of vascular origin, which is characterized by the suddenness and short duration of dyscirculatory disorders in the brain and is expressed by general cerebral and focal symptoms. The most important criterion for transient cerebrovascular accidents is the complete reversibility of focal or diffuse neurological symptoms within 24 hours. The following forms are distinguished: transient ischemic attacks and hypertensive crises.

Ischemic cerebrovascular accidents arise as a result of local cerebral ischemia and are manifested by focal neurological disorders and, less commonly, a disorder of consciousness. Local cerebral ischemia develops due to thrombosis or embolism outside or intracranial arteries, in rare cases, cerebral hypoperfusion due to systemic hemodynamic disorders. In cases where neurological disorders resolve within 24 hours, the disease is regarded as a transient ischemic attack. If neurological disorders persist for more than a day, ischemic stroke is diagnosed.

Causes of cerebrovascular accidents

The main reason is atherosclerosis. This is a disease accompanied by the formation of fatty plaques on the inner walls of the arteries, gradually blocking them and impeding blood flow through them. Before clinical symptoms appear, the narrowing of the carotid artery can be 75%. Platelets accumulate in affected areas, forming blood clots, the separation of which from the wall of a blood vessel can lead to blockage of blood vessels in the brain. Blood clots can also form in the brain. Other causes of cerebral circulation disorders are heart and blood vessel diseases, degenerative changes in the cervical spine. Stroke can be caused by rheumatic heart disease, changes in the heart valves, migraines, stress and physical strain. Impaired cerebral circulation can be a consequence of trauma, for example, resulting from a short-term pinching of the neck by a seat belt (the so-called “whiplash”) in a traffic accident. Due to a slight tear in the wall of the carotid artery, blood begins to collect in it, which leads to blockage of the artery. Cerebral circulation disorders can be caused by: cerebral bleeding, radiation sickness, complicated migraine, etc.

One common cause is bleeding in the brain due to high blood pressure. With a sharp rise in blood pressure, a vessel may rupture, causing blood to enter the brain, causing an intracerebral hematoma. A more rare cause of hemorrhage is a ruptured aneurysm. As a rule, related to a congenital pathology, an arterial aneurysm is a protrusion in the form of a sac on the wall of a vessel. The walls of such a protrusion, unlike the walls of a normal vessel, do not have a sufficiently powerful muscular and elastic frame. Therefore, sometimes a relatively small increase in pressure, which can be observed during physical activity or emotional stress in completely healthy people, leads to rupture of the aneurysm wall.

In addition, it is very important to remember that cerebrovascular accidents can develop against the background of chronic fatigue syndrome. In this case, a person should consult a doctor as soon as possible for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. This human condition can lead to disruption of the functioning of such body systems as endocrine, digestive, and, of course, cardiovascular.

And the constant stressful situations that a person finds himself in also do not give him health. In addition to cerebrovascular accidents and arterial hypertension, stress can lead to the development of nervous breakdowns and dysfunction of the central nervous system. Yes, and impaired blood circulation in the brain during stressful situations can also be quite serious.

Symptoms of cerebrovascular accident

Clinical symptoms of initial manifestations of insufficiency of blood supply to the brain are:

• headache after intense mental and physical work;
• dizziness, noise in the head;
• decreased performance;
• memory loss;
• absent-mindedness;
• sleep disturbance.

Focal neurological symptoms in such patients are usually absent or represented by scattered microsymptoms. To diagnose the initial manifestations of insufficient blood supply to the brain, it is necessary to identify objective signs of atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, vasomotor dystonia and exclude other somatic pathologies, as well as neurosis.

Diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident

For diagnosis it is important:

• the presence of vascular disease for a number of years - hypertension, atherosclerosis, blood disease, diabetes mellitus;
• characteristic complaints of the patient;
• data from neuropsychological studies - the most common MMSE scale for identifying cognitive impairment (normally you need to score 30 points by completing the proposed tests);
• examination by an ophthalmologist who discovered signs of angiopathy in the fundus;
• duplex scanning data - the possibility of neuroimaging of atherosclerotic lesions of cerebral vessels, vascular malformations, venous encephalopathy;
• magnetic resonance imaging data - detection of small hypodense foci in the periventricular spaces (around the ventricles), zones of leukariasis, changes in liquor-containing spaces, signs of atrophy of the cerebral cortex and focal (post-stroke) changes;
• blood tests - general, sugar, coagulogram, lipidogram.

Recurrent headaches, dizziness, increased blood pressure, impaired intellectual activity - even simple absent-mindedness should lead you to a neurologist.

Treatment of cerebrovascular accidents

Treatment should be aimed at preventing the development of repeated PMI and cerebral stroke. In mild cases (disappearance of symptoms of circulatory disorders within a few minutes), treatment in an outpatient setting is possible. In severe cases lasting more than 1 hour, and with repeated violations, hospitalization is indicated.

Therapeutic measures include:

• improvement of cerebral blood flow;
• rapid activation of collateral circulation;
• improvement of microcirculation;
• relieving cerebral edema;
• improving brain metabolism.

To improve cerebral blood flow normalization of blood pressure and increased cardiac activity are indicated. For this purpose, korglykon 1 ml of 0.06% solution in 20 ml of 40% glucose solution or strophanthin 0.25-0.5 ml of 0.05% solution with glucose is prescribed intravenously.

To reduce high blood pressure Dibazol is indicated in 2-3 ml of 1% solution IV or 2-4 ml of 2% solution IM, papaverine hydrochloride in 2 ml of 2% solution IV, no-spa in 2 ml of 2% solution IM or 10 ml of 25% magnesium sulfate solution intramuscularly.

To improve microcirculation and collateral circulation use drugs that reduce the aggregation of blood cells. Rapid-acting antiplatelet agents include rheopolyglucin (400 ml IV drip), aminophylline (10 ml 2.4% IV solution in 20 ml 40% glucose solution).

Patients with severe form of PNMK Parenteral administration of antiplatelet agents is indicated during the first three days, then it is necessary to take 0.5 g of acetylsalicylic acid orally 3 times a day after meals for a year, and if ischemic attacks are repeated, for two years to prevent the formation of cellular aggregates (microemboli) , and therefore, to prevent the recurrence of PNMC and cerebral stroke. If there are contraindications for the use of acetylsalicylic acid (gastric ulcer), we can recommend bromcamphor orally 0.5 g 3 times a day, which has the ability not only to reduce platelet aggregation, but also to accelerate the disaggregation of blood cellular elements.

With cerebral edema dehydration therapy is carried out: furosemide (Lasix) orally 40 mg IV or IM 20 mg during the first day. To improve metabolism in the brain, Amin Alon, Cerebrolysin, and B vitamins are prescribed.

As symptomatic therapy in case of an attack of systemic dizziness, atropine-like drugs are indicated - belloid, bellataminal, as well as cinnarizine (stugerop), diazepam (seduxen) and aminazine. It is advisable to use sedative therapy (valerian, oxazepam - tazepam, trioxazine, chlordiazepoxide - elenium, etc.) for 1-2.5 weeks.

When PNMK in the internal carotid artery system in young people, angiography is indicated to decide the issue of surgical intervention. Surgical treatment is used for stenosis or acute blockage of the carotid artery in the neck.

The brain, like any other organ, needs a constant flow of oxygen and nutrients. The role of transport is performed by blood, and therefore, with the slightest circulatory disturbances, the organ does not receive enough of its “food”, its productivity drops, and its functions are disrupted. And, of course, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is one of the most serious and dangerous circulatory disorders. The most famous type of cerebrovascular accident is cerebral stroke.

Causes of NMC

There are many risk factors that may lead to the development of cerebrovascular accident:

• hereditary predisposition,
• congenital or acquired thinness and fragility of blood vessels,
• atherosclerosis, thrombophelitis,
• excessively thick blood
• hypertension,
• heart defects,
• heart rhythm disturbances and other cardiovascular diseases,
• scoliosis, osteochondrosis, compression of the spinal and carotid arteries,
• TBI and spinal injuries,
• diabetes,
• obesity,
• individual reaction to hormonal contraceptives,
• exhaustion of the body,
• combination of nicotine and alcohol,
• sudden stress on the body (mental, physical, sudden temperature changes, etc.).

With age (after 60 years), the risk of developing cerebral circulation disorders increases significantly.

Acute cerebrovascular accident (ACVA)

This is the most famous form of NMC - stroke. There are 2 types of strokes:
ischemic stroke (cerebral infarction), in which, due to thrombosis, blood stops flowing to a certain area of ​​the brain, hypoxia develops and neuron death occurs;
hemorrhagic stroke, in which a vessel ruptures (usually also due to a blood clot) and, in fact, hemorrhage in the brain tissue.

Symptoms of a stroke

• Sudden sharp headaches
• Severe nausea
• Rapid breathing and heart rate
• Impaired speech and motor coordination
• Paresis and paralysis on the side of the body opposite to the lesion in the brain
• Double vision
• Confusion
• Possible divergent strabismus, pupils have different diameters

A stroke requires immediate hospitalization and treatment in a neurological hospital. With timely treatment, the survival rate is high, but patient disability occurs in approximately 20% of stroke cases.

Treatment of stroke

Treatment of strokes has several stages:

1. relief of an acute condition (drugs are prescribed to lower blood pressure, reduce vascular permeability, increase blood flow, relieve cerebral edema),
2. restorative drug therapy,
3. physical rehabilitation, restoration of affected body functions (walking, speech).

The most important stage of recovery is kinesitherapy in the rehabilitation center. It is also recommended that patients who have suffered a stroke undergo a course of psychotherapy.
Transient cerebrovascular accident (TCI)
A condition with symptoms reminiscent of a stroke, but less acutely expressed and passing within 24 hours.

Symptoms

• Severe headache, possible nausea
• Congestion in the ears, dizziness, double vision and flickering in the eyes, fainting
• Weakness in the body, it is difficult for the patient to stand, it is necessary to take a horizontal position
• Speech Impairment
• Numbness (rarely, paresis or paralysis) of the half of the body opposite to the lesion of NCM
• An epileptic seizure may develop
• Possible amnesia

Treatment of PNMK

Treatment of transient cerebrovascular accident is aimed at relieving cerebral vascular spasm, lowering blood pressure, using cardiotonic and tonic drugs.
Chronic cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
This condition does not have pronounced symptoms and develops gradually, therefore it is often detected in an advanced state, when personality degradation has already begun.

Symptoms

1st stage

• Frequent headaches, dizziness, possible fainting
• Fatigue, drowsiness
• Periodic pain in the eyes
• Tinnitus, feeling of fullness
• Possible nausea or lack of appetite
• Formication or numbness of the limbs, part of the torso or face
• Absent-mindedness, difficulty concentrating
• Memory impairment (new things are poorly remembered, a word may “fly out of your head”, the patient may completely not remember some insignificant event)

It is very important to detect and begin treatment for CNM at this stage, which has a positive prognosis.
2nd stage
In addition to the above symptoms:

• significant memory impairment,
• constant noise in the head,
• unsteadiness of gait, tremors of hands,
• constant half-asleep state,
• the patient has difficulty concentrating and understanding information,
• intelligence gradually decreases,
• depression, self-doubt, inappropriate and aggressive behavior appear.

At this stage, it is still possible to slow down and partially reverse the manifestations of cerebrovascular accidents.
3rd stage (last)

• Complete personality degradation
• Dementia, amnesia (the patient, having left the house, will not be able to find his way back, since he does not remember the address, what the house looks like, who the relatives are)
• Stiffness and severe uncoordination of movements
• Speech disorders

Diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular disorders

Impaired cerebral circulation is very dangerous, since due to acute or chronic lack of oxygen and nutrients, neurons die (and nerve cells, as we know, are not reborn), which “take with them” the health of the entire nervous system. With timely diagnosis and adequate treatment, the brain can create new neural connections, and living neurons will take over the functions of the dead. But this needs to be done on time, before the lesions become too extensive.
For the diagnosis of cerebrovascular disorders

• conduct an objective examination of the patient,
• personal and family history is collected,
• MRI or CT, EEG,
• REG and Doppler of cerebral vessels and cerebral arteries,
• general blood test, coagulogram, blood biochemistry.

It is necessary to conduct examination and treatment of acute cerebrovascular accident in a hospital setting. If you suspect a chronic disorder, it is important to contact a neurologist as soon as possible. Aximed, a modern neurology clinic in Kyiv, offers its clients:

• consultation with an experienced neurologist,
• diagnostics using the latest equipment,
• effective treatment in a neurological hospital,
• recovery in a rehabilitation center after strokes and other disorders of the nervous system.

Don't neglect your health! Specialists at the Aximed clinic remind you: cerebral cerebrovascular accident is dangerous due to its consequences, but a cerebral circulatory disorder diagnosed in time can be cured and maintain activity, vigor and a high quality of life.

For normal functioning of the brain, a large amount of blood is required, which is a natural transporter of oxygen. Damage to the main arteries, venous and jugular veins, due to the development of thrombosis, embolism, aneurysms, etc. leads to serious oxygen deficiency, tissue death and loss of certain vital functions for the body. Poor blood circulation in the brain is a serious pathology that requires urgent treatment.

Features of blood supply to the brain

The brain consists of five main sections: terminal, posterior, intermediate, middle and medulla, each of which performs its own necessary function. Obstructed blood supply to the brain leads to disruptions in the coordinated work of departments and the death of nerve cells. As a result, the brain loses certain functions.

Signs of circulatory problems in the head

Symptoms of the disease include:

If the blood circulation of the brain is impaired, oxygen starvation occurs, causing a gradual increase in the intensity of symptoms. Each of the manifestations may indicate a number of other diseases and requires mandatory contact with a neurologist.

Causes of obstructed blood supply to the brain

For normal functioning, the brain needs to receive about 25-30% of the oxygen supplied to the body. The supply system comprises about 15% of the total blood volume found in the human body.

Insufficient blood circulation has symptoms that make it possible to determine the presence of certain disorders.

The cause of the development of pathology is:

Whatever the cause of circulatory failure, the consequences of the disorders are reflected not only in the activity of the brain itself, but also in the functioning of the internal organs. The result of therapy is influenced by the accuracy of the identified cause - the catalyst and the timely elimination of violations.

What are the dangers of poor blood flow problems in the brain?

• Ischemic stroke – accompanied by nausea and vomiting. With focal damage, it affects the functioning of individual internal organs. Affects motor and speech function.
• Hemorrhagic stroke - disorders are provoked by blood entering the brain area. As a result of increased pressure, the brain is compressed, and tissue is wedged into the foramen magnum. The high speed of blood flow in the vessels of the brain leads to a rapid deterioration of the patient's condition. Hemorrhagic stroke leads in the number of deaths.
• Transient ischemic attack is a temporary lesion. Blood circulation can be restored with the help of medications that improve brain activity and stimulate hematopoiesis.
  A transient attack is observed mainly in elderly patients. The attack is accompanied by impaired motor and visual function, numbness and paralysis of the limbs, drowsiness and other symptoms.

Cerebral blood flow disorders in children

A change in the total indicator of cerebral blood flow of more than 10% is critical. In this case, there is a change in the tension of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which leads to serious disturbances in brain activity.

In both adults and children, the brain is supplied with blood by several main arteries and vessels:

• The middle cerebral artery supplies blood to the deep parts of the brain and the eyeball. The internal one is responsible for nourishing the cervical region, scalp and face.
• The posterior cerebral artery supplies blood to the occipital lobes of the hemispheres. This task is helped by small blood vessels that directly supply the deep parts of the brain: gray and white matter.
• Peripheral circulation - controls the collection of venous blood from the gray and white matter.

Control over the operation of the system is carried out thanks to a complex regulatory mechanism. Since brain tissue continues to develop after the birth of a child, new synapses and neural connections constantly appear, any disturbances in the blood circulation of the brain in a newborn affect his mental and physical development. Hypoxia is fraught with complications at a later age.

When solving a mathematical problem or any other mental load, an increase in the speed parameters of blood flow through the cerebral arteries is observed. Thus, the regulation process responds to the need for more glucose and oxygen.

Why do newborns have problems with blood supply to the brain?

Why is impaired blood supply to the head dangerous for a baby?

The complexity of the therapy lies in the fact that when prescribing drugs that improve blood circulation in the vessels of the brain, the doctor must take into account the effect of the drugs on the child’s still fragile vital structures: the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, etc.

The consequence of a lack of blood supply is:

1. Poor concentration.
2. Problems in learning.
3. Borderline intellectual disability.
4. Development of hydrocephalus and cerebral edema.
5. Epilepsy.

How to check the blood supply to the brain

Any drugs, tablets, injections and other medications are prescribed only after a complete examination of the patient and identification of the problem that has affected the deterioration of blood supply to the brain.

How and how to improve cerebral circulation

What improves blood circulation, what medications

New generation drugs are constantly emerging that have fewer negative side effects. Drug therapy is prescribed exclusively by the attending physician. Self-medication is strictly prohibited!

How to improve blood flow without drugs

Folk remedies for improving blood supply to the brain

Herbs that improve blood flow may cause bleeding. Before taking herbal tinctures, it is recommended to consult with your doctor.

Breathing exercises to improve blood circulation

Like any effective remedy, exercise without proper supervision and preparation can be dangerous. The first lessons should be conducted together with an instructor.

Breathing exercises are present in yoga and other eastern gymnastics. Effective methods were also developed by our compatriots. Thus, Streltsova’s method deserves special mention, as it allows you to quickly restore lost brain functions.

Exercises and gymnastics

The following types of gymnastics are optimal:

1. Yoga.
2. Qigong.
3. Pilates.
4. Classes in the pool, swimming.

Diet for poor cerebral circulation

What foods improve blood flow

1. Fatty fish.
2. Seafood.
3. Dairy products.
4. Vegetables and fruits, especially rich in iron vitamins.

Foods that are harmful to the blood supply to the brain

The following are prohibited:

1. Sugar.
2. Sweets and baked goods.
3. Smoked and fatty foods.
4. Flavorings and synthetic seasonings.
5. Carbonated and alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol and cerebral circulation

Alcohol abuse is harmful to humans. With prolonged abuse, there is a high probability of developing hemorrhagic stroke, which can be fatal.

According to a recent study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, moderate consumption improves blood circulation, while excessive consumption leads to brain cell atrophy.

Cerebrovascular accident has characteristic symptoms. They depend on what systemic disease caused the pathology. After all, it is precisely as a result of certain systemic diseases that the vessels and blood flow in them are damaged.

Cerebrovascular accident

Cerebral circulation occurs in the vascular system of the spinal cord and brain. Due to a number of factors, pathological processes can begin in the body that disrupt the blood circulation process.

This leads to dire consequences, including:

• damage to the main and cerebral arteries: aorta, brachiocephalic trunk, carotid, vertebral, spinal and other arteries;
• damage to the cerebral and jugular veins.

Cerebrovascular accident is a serious vascular pathology.

How significantly the brain tissue will change depends on the zone in which the lesion is located, the degree of its severity, the age of the patient, his individual characteristics and other factors.

Classification of circulatory disorders in the brain

Several classifications of this disorder have been accepted. So, according to the nature of the course, such violations are divided into:

1. Initial manifestations of circulatory disorders.
2. Acute disorders. They develop very quickly: in a matter of hours or even minutes. These include the following diseases:
3. stroke (hemorrhagic and ischemic);
4. disorders of a transient nature, that is, local (focal), which do not affect areas important for the preservation of life;
5. intrathecal hemorrhages: subarachnoid, epidural, subdural.
6. Chronic disorders. They manifest themselves in insufficiency of spinal and cerebral circulation. These disorders are characterized by slow development and chronic course, progressing over years. These include myelopathy and encephalopathy of the dyscirculatory type.

Depending on the type of disorder, it is accompanied by characteristic symptoms. In addition, the location of the lesion is also important. This is important when conducting diagnostics. So, the outbreak can be localized:

• in the right or left hemisphere;
• in the trunk;
• in the ventricles of the brain.

The disorder can also be multifocal in nature.

Signs and symptoms of impaired blood supply to the brain

In medicine, it is customary to distinguish between 2 types of signs of insufficiency of blood supply to the brain:

1. Focal. These include hemorrhagic stroke, cerebral infarction, intrathecal hemorrhage.
2. Diffuse. These include small focal changes in the brain matter, which are multiple in nature, minor hemorrhages and cysts, and minor foci of necrosis of brain tissue.

Each of these diseases is accompanied by characteristic symptoms. However, there are also common neurological symptoms:

• headaches;
• dizziness;
• disorders of the cerebral cortex: problems with reading, writing, speech impairment;
• paresis, paralysis;
• "pins and needles" or tingling sensation;
• decreased hearing and vision acuity;
• decreased intelligence, absent-mindedness.

The most common focal symptoms are:

• disorders of the musculoskeletal system: incoordination, paresis, paralysis, hyperkinesis;
• decreased sensitivity (for example, of some part of the body);
• pain syndrome;
• disorders of the extrapyramidal type;
• memory impairment: amnesia of retrograde or anterograde type;
• disorders of the intellect and emotional-volitional sphere: changes in personality traits, aggression, inappropriate behavior, etc.;
• seizures of the epileptic type.

In addition, there are a number of symptoms that are characteristic of circulatory failure caused by intense mental or physical activity or lack of oxygen in the room:

• dizziness;
• headache;
• feeling of noise in the head;
• sensation of ringing in the ears;
• decreased performance;
• sleep disorder

Such conditions are not accompanied by focal neurological symptoms; in rare cases, microsymptoms may be present.

Symptoms of acute disorders

These include strokes and transient disorders. The latter are accompanied by focal or general cerebral symptoms, sometimes both at the same time. They are usually present in atherosclerosis, hypertension, arterial hypertension.

Each disease is accompanied by its own symptoms.

Here are the most typical:

Stroke. Ischemic stroke always begins acutely. It is accompanied by focal symptoms, which depend on which hemisphere of the brain is affected. It is worth noting that the left hemisphere is responsible for the right side of the body and vice versa. Therefore, with this type of stroke, there is usually weakness on one side of the body, loss of sensitivity, and disturbances in thinking, speech, and memory may occur. Hemorrhagic stroke is much less common than the first and is usually fatal.

A transient ischemic attack is accompanied by mild focal neurological symptoms:

• violation of statics;
• speech disorders;
• paresis;
• confusion;
• muscle weakness, numbness in the limbs;
• diplopia, etc.

Hypertensive cerebral crisis is accompanied by cerebral symptoms:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• vomit;
• nausea.

Sometimes such symptoms of cerebrovascular accident may be absent. Symptoms in each individual case last for at least 24 hours.

Symptoms of chronic disorders

Chronic disorders of cerebral circulation include myelopathy and encephalopathy of the dyscirculatory type. These pathologies develop due to circulatory failure, progressing against the background of vascular diseases.

Encephalopathy is characterized by the following symptoms:

• headache;
• memory impairment;
• dizziness, which is non-systemic in nature;
• irritability, absent-mindedness, easy fatigue;
• sleep disturbance;
• diffuse symptoms of an organic nature: impaired oral reflexes, slight incoordination.

The disease goes through 3 stages of development, at each of which the symptoms become more and more pronounced, that is, the disease progresses. At the last stage, the patient develops dementia, parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, etc.

Myelopathy is also a progressive disease, which also goes through 3 stages of development. The manifestation of each stage is accompanied by characteristic signs.

1. Compensated stage: mild muscle weakness, fatigue.
2. Subcompensated stage: progression of muscle weakness, sensory impairment (segmental or conductive), reflex disorders.
3. Last stage: paresis, paralysis, significant sensory impairment, pelvic disorders.

Such disorders usually develop in older people. The condition progresses over many years. Due to cerebrovascular accidents, symptoms in elderly patients manifest themselves in the form of memory impairment, weak mental abilities, and changes in character traits (for example, a person becomes aggressive or absent-minded).

Causes of impaired blood supply to the brain

There are many reasons why cerebral circulation may be impaired. Here are the main ones:

1. Hypertensive crisis. This is the main factor that negatively affects the blood supply to the brain. If the pressure rises sharply to high levels (a hypertensive crisis occurs), this can lead to rupture of the vessel. In turn, blood can enter the medulla, resulting in the formation of an intracerebral hematoma.
2. Aneurysm. This is a congenital pathology, which is a formation on the wall of a vessel. This formation has the shape of a pouch, which lacks a muscular frame. Due to increased pressure, the aneurysm can rupture, which leads to poor circulation. Usually the cause of rupture is physical exertion or stress. If the aneurysm is located on the wall of a cerebral vessel, this leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage.
3. Arterial blockage. For example, inflammation of the heart valves can cause blockage. In turn, this provokes the formation of a blood clot in the heart. The latter can come off at any time, and the bloodstream can deliver it to the brain vessel. The latter is always smaller than the thrombus, which is why blockage occurs.
4. Atherosclerosis. During the disease, plaques form, which can also act as emboli and clog blood vessels. This could become.
5. Blood clotting. Any deviation of this indicator from the norm is dangerous. An increased rate can lead to thrombosis, that is, the formation of blood clots. Reduced levels cause bleeding even with minor bruises. Low blood clotting is called hemophilia.
6. Vascular spasm. A sharp contraction of the muscle layer of the vessel wall can cause excessive compression, or spasm. This is how a cerebral infarction develops.
7. Changes in the walls of blood vessels. And again it’s worth remembering blood pressure. If it often increases (we are not talking about a hypertensive crisis), then over time it affects the walls of small vessels that are responsible for feeding the deep structures of the brain. These changes are characterized by narrowing and even complete closure of small vessels, as a result of which the delivery of nutrients to the deeper structures of the brain is impaired or stopped.
8. Chronic fatigue. If the human body experiences excessive stress, this leads to brain fatigue. Moreover, this applies to both physical and mental stress. Over time, if a person does not change his lifestyle and does not provide the entire body and brain with proper rest, this leads to the brain depleting its resources. As a result, the blood supply to the brain may also be disrupted.
9. Problems with the cervical spine. In this case, the most common cause is osteochondrosis. With this disease, the arteries that deliver nutrients to the brain are pinched. As a result, blood circulation and brain functionality are impaired.
10. Injuries. With a concussion, bruises, hemorrhages, etc., a disorder of the blood supply can also occur. This is explained by compression of the brain centers, which causes difficult blood supply. In turn, this can even be fatal.

It is often the latter factor that is the reason why so many people die after car accidents, falls from heights and other similar tragedies.

Secondary reasons

There are factors that increase a person's chances of developing blood flow problems. These include:

1. Bad habits. In particular, alcohol, drugs, nicotine.
2. Overweight. It is very important to determine the cause of excess weight.
3. Physical inactivity. If a person leads a sedentary lifestyle, this negatively affects blood vessels.
4. Age. The older a person is, the higher the risk of developing a pathological process. Nevertheless, such a pathology is far from uncommon among middle-aged people, which is explained by the increased workload, stress, etc. that the life of a modern person is full of.
5. Chronic diseases. For example, diabetes mellitus, infectious diseases (both chronic and acute).
6. Genetics. Often the disorder is hereditary.

At the first signs of circulatory problems, you should contact a neurologist. Diagnosing such patients and making a final diagnosis is a difficult task for a doctor. The patient is prescribed a comprehensive examination using special equipment, for example, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc. This is necessary to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.