Features of VSD of the hypertensive type - symptoms and treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia

Any organs of the human body are susceptible to a nervous dysregulation state, but dystonic disorders of the autonomic nervous system, in particular VSD of the hypertensive type, are a frequent tone disorder. Up to 75% of people are susceptible to vascular dysfunction due to autonomic regulatory disorders of tone.

Until recently, syndromic conditions of this type were characterized by vegetative-vascular dystonia, even now this diagnosis is widely used in medicine, but with gradual replacement by a more modern one - NCD.

With vegetative-vascular dystonia, characterized by this type, identification of symptoms is difficult, because a patient with VSD of the hypertensive type is “poetically moping,” and the symptoms are also disguised as mental or cardiac pathologies.

The prevailing symptomatic picture characterizes the course of vegetative-vascular dystonia, which worsens the patient’s well-being, but the manifestations of paroxysms are especially unpleasant.

What is hypertensive type VSD?

VSD of the hypertensive type includes a number of manifestations that arise as a result of changes in the vessels and their functioning. Due to the occurrence of such a situation, internal organs cease to receive sufficient nutrition and do not function at full capacity.

Most often, hypertensive VSD occurs in mature people. Young children and teenagers are less likely to suffer from hypertensive VSD, as well as from arterial hypertension, which is the main symptom of this disease.

This type of VSD occurs due to constant stress on the nervous system, which causes dysfunction of the autonomic part of the central nervous system and cardiac hypertension.

Causes of vegetative vascular dystonia

VSD occurs as a result of exposure to the following factors on the body:

• stress, emotional overload - the nervous system does not receive enough rest, is under constant tension, as a result, a malfunction occurs in its functioning;
• decreased immunity, infections (cytomegalovirus, herpes type 2);
• excessive physical activity;
• Irregular sleep – if enough attention is not paid to sleep, the body becomes weakened and proper rest does not occur;
• problems with the spine, traumatic brain injuries - when the vertebrae are displaced or the brain is injured, nerve fibers can be pinched, resulting in disruption of the functioning of the nervous system;
• hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause;
• hereditary factor - if there are relatives in the family who suffered from VSD, the risk of transmitting the disease at the genetic level increases.

Signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia

VSD of the hypertensive type has obvious symptoms:

• a sharp increase in blood pressure (without the influence of other somatic diseases on this process or taking vascular medications);
• bringing blood pressure levels back to normal after a short break, without the use of medications prescribed by the attending physician;
• a decrease in blood pressure after using conventional sedatives (for example, valerian) or analgesics.

In addition, the following signs and symptoms of vegetative pathology are noted:

• frequent occurrence of headaches accompanied by increased general fatigue;
• the occurrence of paroxysmal heartbeats of particular strength;
• the appearance of insomnia at night and drowsiness during the day;
• increased normal sweating;
• attacks of headaches (migraines);
• occasional feeling of lack of oxygen;
• constant presence of an anxious feeling;
• nervousness and excitability;
• depressed state;
• deterioration of mental abilities;
• decreased memory functions;
• decreased ability to concentrate;
• the appearance of tremor of the upper and lower extremities;
• problems with appetite (even its complete absence);
• the appearance of hypertension syndrome, with its inherent symptoms.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypertensive type can differ in the stages of its development:

1. Mild vegetative-vascular dystonia: with not too pronounced symptoms that are not constantly present, but occur occasionally. This stage is characterized by long periods of remission, and periods of exacerbations do not cause a person to lose their ability to work.
2. Average VSD: the severity of symptoms is slightly stronger than at the previous stage. Periods of exacerbation are slightly longer in duration. Panic attacks may develop.
3. Severe dystonia: expressed in a sharp increase in numerical pressure values ​​(up to 200 mm Hg). It is characterized by a complete decrease in a person’s performance, with severe crises. Treatment of VSD of the hypertensive type at this stage is indicated to begin immediately.

How and with what to treat

Medications for VSD to calm the nervous system and normalize blood pressure are the only way to stop the manifestation of the syndrome. It is not possible to cure the disease, and drug therapy is aimed at eliminating signs of the disease, leveling out the emotional background, prolonging the period of remission and reducing the intensity of symptoms in case of relapse.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypertensive type can also be treated with traditional medicine recipes, but they can only be used in combination with drug therapy to achieve a positive result.

Medicines

Drug therapy for hypertensive vegetative-vascular dystonia includes the following drugs:

• sedatives: Persen, Motherwort, Deprim;
• tranquilizers: Hydroxyzine, Buspirone, Nozepam;
• vitamins: ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6);
• antidepressants: Prozac, Citalopram, Maprotiline, Moclobemide.

Important information: How to treat vegetative-vascular dystonia of the brain and symptoms of the disease

Among the medications for VSD of the hypertensive type, medications for the treatment of hypertension are prescribed separately:

• beta blockers: Metoprolol, Atenolol;
• ACE inhibitors: Captopril, Bagopril;
• calcium channel blockers: Nifedipine, Verapamil;
• diuretics: Veroshpiron, Furosemide.

Psychotropic drugs are of great importance in treatment. After stopping panic attacks and preventing their recurrence, the patient’s quality of life improves, and other symptoms during exacerbation of the syndrome become less pronounced.

Calming tablets

Because VSD is a nervous disorder, then tablets with a sedative spectrum to level out the psycho-emotional background are an important stage of treatment:

1. Amitriptyline improves mood and helps normalize blood pressure.
2. Fluoroacyzine is a potent drug that can suppress even the strongest emotional manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
3. Atarax - helps restore mental balance, but has disadvantages in the form of a large number of side symptoms.
4. Phenazepam - restores mental balance, stabilizing blood pressure.
5. Pyrazidol is prescribed only in cases of intense panic attacks, when a person’s fears are so great that he cannot go outside.
6. Asentra - stabilizes a person’s emotional background, inhibits the processes of the central nervous system. This is one of the most potent drugs, which is prescribed for this type of vegetative-vascular dystonia only in extreme cases.
7. Paxil - restores joy in life, tones, gives the patient confidence in his abilities.
8. Azafen is a sedative drug prescribed to patients with rare attacks of VSD syndrome.
9. Fluoxetine - suppresses surges in the central nervous system, restores emotional stability and peace of mind. It inhibits the release of adrenaline into the blood and helps normalize blood pressure.

Important information: How to treat VSD of the hypotonic type

Nootropic drugs

A group of medications that help improve brain activity: Encephabol, Phenylpiracetam, Pantogam.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine recipes for the treatment of hypertensive VSD are effective and do not cause side symptoms. They help normalize the patient’s emotional state and reduce the dosage of medications. Recommended recipes for treatment:

1. 2 tbsp. mix honey with 1 tbsp. oil and 25 g of propolis, crushed to a powder. Mix all ingredients thoroughly to obtain a paste-like consistency. The resulting composition must be rubbed into the skin of the temporal region and lower leg. The course of treatment is 14 days.
2. Take St. John's wort, birch buds, rose hips, chamomile and elecampane, 100 g each. Grind, mix, add a glass of water, put on fire and bring to a boil. Leave to infuse until it cools completely, strain, add water to make a volume of 250 ml and add a spoonful of honey to the broth. Take the decoction in the morning (on an empty stomach) and in the evening (after the main meal). Duration of treatment is 1 month.
3. Grind valerian root (to prepare the tincture you need 10 g of the ingredient). Pour a glass of boiled water over valerian and leave covered for 12 hours. Before use, strain through cheesecloth folded in several layers. Drink the resulting liquid daily in a dosage of 30 ml, three times a day before the main meal.

With an intense symptomatic picture of vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypertensive type or in the case of frequent relapses, several folk recipes can be used simultaneously.

Pressure

Pressure during hypertension of the hypertensive type can increase suddenly, for no apparent reason. Its changes are distinguished by the following features:

• there is no stability of the indicators that have arisen;
• attacks do not change in duration and intensity after some time;
• an increase in blood pressure can occur both daily and occasionally during the month;
• indicators return to normal without the influence of antihypertensive drugs;
• Blood pressure decreases while taking light sedative tinctures (motherwort or valerian).

We recommend reading: Causes of panic attacks

Possible complications

If the disease is not treated, it can cause serious consequences for the patient's health:

1. Hypertension, coronary heart disease, angina (squeezing pain behind the chest), stroke and even heart attack may develop.
2. The gastrointestinal tract can react with atony (weakening of intestinal tone), gastritis, and inflammation.
3. The nervous system may react with convulsions, panic attacks or asthenia.
4. The patient may also experience urinary incontinence, early menopause (in women) or erectile dysfunction (in men).

All these manifestations of VSD can significantly reduce the patient’s quality of life.

General condition of the body

This condition, which occurs during an exacerbation of VSD of the hypertensive type, is a consequence of an increase in the tone of one of the parts of the autonomic central nervous system, when the vascular condition is unsatisfactory.

Sympathoadrenal crisis occurs suddenly due to the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream. The general state of health changes as follows:

• pulse quickens;
• severe pain in the head suddenly appears;
• facial skin takes on a reddish tint;
• a burning pain occurs in the area of ​​the heart;
• chills appear;
• causeless anxiety and a feeling of fear arise;
• loss of strength increases;
• limbs weaken.

Panic attacks

Manifestations of hypertensive type VSD often resolve with the onset of panic attacks. This condition appears due to hormonal imbalance; it can last for several minutes or 1-2 hours.

A panic attack is accompanied by unreasonable fear for one’s own or someone else’s life, expressed in increased breathing, a feeling of lack of air and severe panic.

Panic attacks often occur in people who abuse alcohol.

Important! People who have once experienced a panic attack begin to fear its repetition, which in itself is a provocateur for the onset of the next attack.

Preventive actions

Regular preventive visits to the doctor will help reduce the likelihood of VSD in adults and adolescents due to hypertension. Patients diagnosed with endocrine, cardiovascular and other diseases should immediately begin treatment. Giving up bad habits, minimizing psycho-emotional overload, moderate physical activity are factors that will improve your health. The doctor will draw up an action plan.

On a note! Walking in the fresh air and a quick contrast shower are the two most common advice from doctors.

Why does hypertensive type vegetative-vascular dystonia syndrome occur?

The diagnosis of VSD of the hypertensive type is made in cases where a violation of the interconnected functioning of all parts of the nervous system is detected. For this problem to arise, the negative influence of a combination of external and internal factors is sufficient.

For the development of hypertensive type VSD, exposure to the following internal factors is required:

• osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
• genetic predisposition;
• head and brain injuries;
• dysfunction of the central nervous system;
• changes in hormone levels during pregnancy or puberty;
• pathologies of the endocrine system;
• inflammation of various localizations;
• suspiciousness and anxiety as characteristic personality traits;
• chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• allergy;
• low level of physical activity.

External factors include:

• bad habits;
• constant stress;
• regular lack of sleep;
• frequent drinking of coffee;
• sudden climate change.

VSD syndrome in combination with hypertension most often develops in the following categories:

1. Women: they are more emotional than men and have an unstable nervous system. In addition, representatives of the fair sex more often experience hormonal surges that occur as a result of natural processes in the body (pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation, menopause).
2. People engaged primarily in intellectual work: constant mental stress weakens the nervous system. Therefore, VSD of this type often occurs in teachers, accountants, doctors and workers in management positions.
3. People who often experience stress: situations that require a lot of nervous tension often cause blood pressure surges.

How to deal with vegetative-vascular dystonia using non-drug means

Hypertensive dystonia can and should be fought in all possible ways. At the same time as taking medications, it is necessary to use non-drug treatment methods. People do the following:

• start to lead a healthy lifestyle,
• visit sanatoriums and resorts,
• for psychological problems - go to a psychologist,
• do yoga,
• avoid stress.

All this allows for the broadest possible impact on pathology. Patients with VSD are recommended to regularly visit resorts and use physiotherapeutic methods of therapy. Massage, acupuncture, and electrophoresis have proven themselves well.

Important! Non-drug effects should be agreed with a doctor. If you combine all the methods correctly, you will be able to get the maximum effect from dystonia therapy.