Dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DEP) of the brain is a pathology of the central nervous system associated with blood circulation, it is 1, 2 or 3 degrees, depending on certain symptoms and the depth of damage, treatment slows down the progression, but is not able to repair the damaged areas.
Pathology develops due to chronic lack of oxygen for neurons. This leads to their death, disorders of brain function, deterioration of human well-being.
The first, the mildest, degree is treatable and largely reversible. But it is not always possible to detect it in time, since the initial signs are rarely perceived by patients as symptoms of the disease. It is possible to establish an accurate diagnosis at this stage only by the results of an instrumental study of the state of the brain.
Causes
To understand what discirculatory encephalopathy 1 (Art.) Degree is, you need to understand that this disease develops as a consequence of the pathology of blood circulation inside the cranium.
As a rule, vascular problems, and at the same time the disease, appear in the elderly. But if the lack of oxygen supply to the brain tissues was from childhood, then discirculatory encephalopathy of the 1st stage can develop in youth.
The reasons for the lack of oxygen in the tissues:
- atherosclerosis of the vessels feeding the brain;
- inflammatory vascular disease;
- radiation exposure;
- regular jumps or persistently high blood pressure;
- traumatic brain injury, dangerous post-traumatic encephalopathy;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- genetic pathology inherited from parents or developed during pregnancy due to the use of antibiotics, smoking, alcohol or drug abuse by the mother;
- acute poisoning or systematic exposure of the body to toxins, including taking certain types of drugs;
- unhealthy lifestyle – obesity, alcohol abuse, smoking.
The nutrition and state of neurons are negatively affected by regular lack of sleep, chronic stress, and lack of physical activity. In the presence of these aggravating factors, the degradation of brain tissue will go faster.
Doctors often encounter discirculatory encephalopathy of the 1st degree (stage) of complex or mixed genesis, resulting from two or more external factors. Sometimes – in combination with congenital anomalies.
Symptoms
At the initial stage, the symptoms of encephalopathy are practically invisible, blurred, since the cerebral cortex is still slightly damaged.
From the outset, patients mistake their condition for fatigue, stress, or a sign of age. Another phenomenon that complicates the work of a diagnostician is the similarity of symptoms with other brain diseases.
Signs of discirculatory encephalopathy 1 tbsp:
- sleep problems;
- memory impairment;
- decreased intelligence;
- tinnitus (tinnitus), dizziness;
- headache;
- manifestation of chronic fatigue;
- lethargy, tendency to depression;
- mood swings, frequent irritability;
- problems with the perception and memorization of new information.
At first, after a rest or a period of calm, the symptoms disappear. But as soon as a person overstrains or gets nervous, negative health returns.
However, some manifestations are more pronounced than others. It depends on the cause of the disease and the affected part of the brain.
Due to the variety of symptoms and the paucity of manifestations, such patients are sometimes diagnosed with CVD. It stands for cerebrovascular disease. And it means that doctors are not completely clear where the root of vascular disorders lies.
Diagnostics
The identification of chronic discirculatory encephalopathy of 1 (Art.) Degree is a difficult task, it is not easy to notice the degradation process behind the signs of fatigue.
Confirmation of the onset of DEP can be based on the results of the hardware study of the state of the brain.
If you manage to detect the disease at this stage, then with the help of combination therapy it is possible to achieve stable remission for many years.
The regular manifestation of at least one of the signs listed above is a reason to consult a doctor; if 3 from the list are identified, a suspicion of stage 1 of discirculatory encephalopathy is put.
After collecting anamnesis, if you suspect problems with blood vessels and oxygen starvation of neurons, hardware and laboratory tests are prescribed:
- CT and MRI assess the state of the cerebral cortex, the density of the gray matter, find lesions, possible neoplasms;
- a biochemical blood test shows the level of cholesterol, the danger of plaque accumulation on the walls of blood vessels and the development of atherosclerosis;
- X-ray of the cervical spine reveals congenital or acquired skeletal pathologies that interfere with blood flow;
- Ultrasound of the vessels of the cranium characterizes the state of large arteries and veins, blood flow in the vessels of the brain itself;
- REG (rheoencephalography) will assess the blood flow rate and blood viscosity.
CT / fMRI with contrast and ultrasound with Doppler ultrasonography are of the greatest diagnostic value . These techniques provide maximum data on blood supply and brain health.
Additionally, an examination is carried out by doctors of a narrower profile: a neurologist, an ophthalmologist. Purpose – examination of the fundus (vessels) and the characteristic of muscle tone, reflexes (neurological status).
After receiving and analyzing the results, the doctor will be able to draw conclusions and make the correct diagnosis.
Treatment
Therapy for these types of diseases requires a comprehensive one. It is necessary not only to get rid of the root cause of the pathology, but also to change the lifestyle in order to prevent the further development of the disease. By taking medications, they try to remove the symptoms, to avoid possible complications.
With early detection, treatment of CVD and hypertensive discirculatory encephalopathy of the 1st degree (stage), gives optimistic results. You just need to normalize blood pressure and the symptoms of brain damage will go away by themselves.
The following are usually prescribed as useful physiotherapy procedures:
- collar massage;
- acupuncture and other reflexology techniques;
- conducting exercise therapy course;
- laser and magnetotherapy, which normalize cerebral blood flow.
For each patient, treatment methods are selected individually. Doctors proceed from the patient’s condition, underlying causes and concomitant chronic diseases.
Depending on the problems that disrupt the circulation of neurons, medications are prescribed:
- venotonic;
- nootropics;
- drugs to stabilize the composition of the blood, lowering cholesterol, inhibiting the development and appearance of plaques;
- beta-blockers;
- blood pressure stabilizers from other groups.
It is also recommended to change the way of life:
- the diet excludes fatty, fried, sweet foods;
- you need to normalize sleep and the daily routine in general;
- increase physical activity;
- avoid stressful situations.
The beginning of therapy at stage 1 of DEP gives a rather optimistic prognosis.
The patient will be able to lead a fulfilling life without loss of quality. But, if the treatment is stopped, the degradation processes will begin again and will intensify.