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Organic brain damage, mental. Diseases of the brain with organic changes

As you know, the brain is the main organ of the human central nervous system. Scientists have still not been able to fully comprehend all the intricacies of his work. Today, specialists have information about the functioning of individual cells and are quite successful in diagnosing and correcting various diseases of this organ. So a fairly common disorder of this type is considered to be organic brain damage, what it is and what causes it, we will talk on this page www..

It is believed that organic brain damage is a fairly common pathology. Such a diagnosis, according to neurologists, can be made in literally 9 out of 10 patients. However, in most cases, the disturbances are minimal and do not in any way affect the activity of the brain or the person’s well-being.

What is organic brain damage?

Depending on the etiology, organic brain lesions can be diffuse (dyscirculatory encephalopathy, Alzheimer's disease, etc.) or localized (tumors, injuries, stroke, etc.).

Such pathological conditions give different symptoms. Diffuse organic lesions are manifested by memory impairment, decreased intelligence, the patient develops dementia syndrome, cerebroasthenia, psychoorganic syndrome, headache, dizziness, etc. And localized disorders make themselves felt by general cerebral or focal neurological symptoms, depending on the location of the pathological focus, as well as from its volumes.

Why does organic brain damage occur, what are its causes?

Vascular diseases are considered a fairly common factor that provokes organic damage to brain tissue. Among such diseases are hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, discirculatory encephalopathy, chronic ischemic brain disease. The main root cause of such disorders: hypertension or atherosclerosis. Vascular diseases of the brain mostly cause psychoorganic syndrome, and with a stroke, focal neurological symptoms are also observed.

Organic brain damage can also be caused by traumatic brain injury. The degree of damage depends on the type of injury received (concussion, bruise, compression or traumatic hematoma), as well as on its severity. In this case, patients may be diagnosed with a psychoorganic syndrome (latent or pronounced form), as well as focal manifestations (represented by paralysis, paresis, disturbances of sensitivity, vision or speech, etc.).

Organic brain lesions are often provoked by infections. As is known, a variety of infectious agents can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, including viral and bacterial particles, fungi and some protozoa. Such pathological particles can provoke meningitis, encephalitis, arachnoiditis, and abscesses. Correct and adequate therapy helps to achieve complete recovery, but in some cases the patient remains with cerebroasthenia, mnestic and other mental disorders.

Organic brain damage can be explained by chronic and acute intoxication. Such conditions can develop due to the consumption of alcohol and drugs, smoking and the use of certain medications, due to liver or kidney failure, poisoning with pesticides, mushrooms, household chemicals, carbon monoxide, etc. The manifestations of such disorders are determined by the type of toxic substance, and also its dosage and duration of influence. The patient may even experience intoxication psychoses, deep coma and dementia.

In adulthood, organic brain lesions most often occur due to neurodegenerative diseases. Most often, doctors diagnose Alzheimer's disease, Pick's dementia, or Parkinson's disease. With such pathologies, the patient’s brain neurons are damaged and die, which causes a number of mental disorders.

Therapy of organic brain lesions is carried out only under the supervision of a qualified neurologist.

Organic damage to the brain, which manifests itself in the form of impairment of intelligence, memory, thinking, speech, understanding and other cognitive functions, is called dementia. In most cases, this disease is progressive in nature, it is accompanied by social maladaptation, and as a result it can cause disability. Dementia is most often observed in older people.

It should be noted that there are a number of types of dementia. This pathology, in fact, is not considered an independent disease - it rather acts as a symptom of other diseases. There are the following types of dementia:

Organic brain lesions that are associated with vascular and neurological diseases. This condition can be observed, for example, in or with Alzheimer's disease.
Organic brain damage in diseases of internal organs. In this case, dementia may become a sign of chronic renal or liver failure.
Organic brain damage due to intoxication. There are situations when dementia appears due to alcohol poisoning, chronic poisoning with arsenic or nitrogenous compounds in production.

In older people, dementia is often caused by chronic drug use. As a rule, this pathology occurs when several medications are prescribed simultaneously in too large doses. Such dementia is reversible if medications are discontinued. Most often, antidepressants, sleeping pills, antiarrhythmic and antihypertensive drugs lead to a temporary deterioration in intelligence and memory.

Symptoms of organic brain damage

Organic brain damage can have a variety of symptoms - in this case, everything depends on the main disease against which this pathology occurs. Most often, initial manifestations are characterized by decreased activity, loss of interests, and apathy. In addition, sloppiness may increase and an inability to take care of oneself may appear.

The person also complains of forgetfulness; in some cases, patients forget the names of loved ones, may forget what they look like, or not remember the day of the week. Disturbances in the functions of counting, writing, and speech are often observed. Sometimes patients can confuse words and swap syllables. In some cases, the ability for involuntary speech is lost - people can only repeat phrases said by others.

There is also often a significant change in emotionality. A person loses the ability to be happy or sad, he may seem detached from everything around him. In addition, the opposite situation is possible, when people become overly emotional, and their emotions become too pretentious and inappropriate. Against the background of a disorder of emotions and thinking, hallucinations or delusions may appear.

Diagnostics

With a pathology such as organic brain damage, early diagnosis of the disease is of great importance. Indeed, even with Alzheimer's disease, with the help of correct and timely treatment, in some cases it is possible to stop the course of the disease or the progression of disorders. This is especially true for young people, since it is among young people that potentially reversible dementia is much more common.

The basis of diagnostic measures is the medical history, as well as data obtained during a neurological examination. It is with the help of this procedure that it is possible to obtain the most important information regarding the causes of organic brain damage.

Atrophic processes in the brain are considered a diagnostic symptom of dementia. To recognize such processes, it is necessary to perform a brain tomography. It should be noted that, by and large, the identification of vascular lesions in the brain and a pronounced deterioration in the patient’s cognitive abilities gives rise to just such a diagnosis.

Treatment

It should be noted that in the arsenal of modern medicine there are no sufficiently effective treatments for this disease. In most cases, symptomatic treatment of the disease is used, which can significantly alleviate the patient’s plight. In addition, proper patient care is also important. Medicines are prescribed if aggressive behavior, depression, or hallucinations appear. In addition, the need for drug therapy arises if it is necessary to improve blood circulation in the brain.

It is necessary to understand that the treatment of organic brain damage should be closely related to the diagnosis of its origin. Treatment of the underlying disease is of great importance. It should also be noted that some disorders of cognitive functions are reversible - for this you just need to make certain adjustments to your diet and lifestyle. This is relevant in the case of alcoholic or atherosclerotic dementia, as well as in certain liver diseases.

As for psychosocial treatment, a patient diagnosed with “organic brain damage” is in great need of psychological support for the patient and his family members. The patient is recommended to stay in a familiar home environment, since an inpatient psychiatry department can significantly worsen his condition. This measure is used exclusively in cases of severe senile dementia. It is also very important to organize a certain level of psychophysical activity, to provide a person with hints regarding orientation in space and time.

Since this is a symptomatic disease, the main symptoms need to be treated - most often this is deterioration or memory loss. It should be noted that in folk medicine there are many recipes that help improve memory.

Blueberry. In order to improve memory, you need to drink 200 grams of blueberry juice every day. This method is effective for senile dementia.
Rowan bark. To make a decoction, you need to take 50 grams of crushed bark, add 200 grams of boiled water and boil for 5 minutes over low heat. Infuse the resulting decoction for 5 hours, then strain it and take 50 grams several times a day. This method is effective for alcoholic and schizophrenic dementia.
Elecampane root. You need to grind 50 grams of root and add 0.5 liters of vodka. Leave this mixture for a month, shaking the container from time to time. After this, the tincture can be strained and consumed several times a day before meals.

Organic brain damage in children

In children, this pathological condition is caused by the impact of negative factors on the fetus and newborn during the prenatal period, during childbirth, and in the first days after birth.

Most often, hypoxia leads to brain damage in children, which is associated with factors such as:

unfavorable course of pregnancy;
birth injuries;
asphyxia;
infectious diseases;
hemolytic disease of newborns.

In these conditions, hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, as well as intracranial hemorrhage, may appear.

Organic brain damage in children can lead to residual brain damage. They can be transient or continuously progressive. In this case, symptoms such as:

headaches;
nervousness;
dizziness;
surges in intracranial pressure;
increased excitability;
sleep disorders;
memory impairment;
decreased concentration.

These signs may be of an increasing nature, as a result of which the threat of developing diseases such as cerebral palsy, myelopathy, neuropathy, hydrocephalic syndrome, mental retardation, and epilepsy increases.

You need to understand that organic brain damage is an extremely serious pathological condition that significantly impairs a person’s quality of life. However, in some cases, this pathology can be reversible - to do this, it is enough to adjust your diet and lifestyle. Therefore, it is so important to consult a doctor in time, who can make the correct diagnosis and select the appropriate treatment. The sooner the necessary measures are taken, the greater the chances of returning to a normal, fulfilling life.

Definition of the concept Organic diseases are diseases that arise as a result of primary or secondary damage to brain tissue. Ø Although the division into organic and functional disorders is widely used in medicine, in some cases it is not possible to draw a clear line between these concepts. Ø For example, in schizophrenia, traditionally considered as a functional psychosis, nonspecific signs of organic changes in the brain are often found. Ø The term “organic” does not imply that in all other mental illnesses there are no changes in the structure of the nervous tissue, but indicates that in this case the cause of brain damage or the nature of such damage is known. Ø

The main groups of organic diseases of the brain: Vascular (CVA, discirculatory encephalopathy both against the background of atherosclerosis and hypertension) Ø Degenerative (Alzheimer’s disease, Pick’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Huntington’s chorea, Parkinson’s disease) Ø Exogenous-organic (consequences of TBI, neuroinfections, chronic intoxication, radiation, alcoholism, drug addiction) Ø

The theory of “exogenous types of reactions” Karl Bongeffer (1908): The brain responds to external hazards of various etiologies with a limited number of similar nonspecific psychopathological reactions.

Most often, when exposed to exogenous hazards, the following syndromes (“exogenous type reactions”) occur: Ø Ø Ø Ø Asthenic syndrome Syndromes of impaired consciousness (delirium, amentia, twilight disorder, stupor, stupor, coma) Syndromes of perceptual disorders (hallucinosis) Emotional disorders (depressive , manic, dysphoria, euphoria, emotional lability, etc.) Hallucinatory-delusional syndromes Catatonic syndrome Amnestic (Korsakovsky) syndrome Convulsive syndrome (symptomatic epilepsy)

The theory of “reactions of an exogenous type” Opposes the nosological principle in psychiatry (since it recognizes that the same mental disorders arise under the influence of different etiological factors) Ø It is reflected in ICD-10. The diagnosis for organic disorders is made by: the type of reaction + the reason that caused it (if known). For example: l organic amnestic syndrome due to traumatic brain injury, l organic amnestic syndrome due to vascular disease of the brain Ø

Psycho-organic syndrome Represented by a combination of various disorders of three spheres of mental activity (Walter. Bühel’s triad): Ø Intellect (change in thinking according to the organic type, decreased level of generalization, concrete thinking, clinically sometimes misunderstanding, misunderstanding) Ø Memory (hypomnesia, amnesia, paramnesia) Ø Emotions (emotional lability, weakness, emotional roughness, dysphoria, euphoria, apathy)

Psychoorganic syndrome Leading symptoms - Various affective disorders (irritability, emotional lability, weak-willedness, explosiveness, depression, grumpiness, grumpiness, malice, complacent euphoria, indifference, apathy) - Impaired attention (exhaustion, distractibility, difficulty switching) - Impaired mobility of thinking from detailing to the point of viscosity - Volitional disorders (weakening of initiative, narrowing of interests, stereotyping of activities) Ø

Psychoorganic syndrome Mandatory signs Deterioration of intelligence (stupidity); Decreased ability to work and productivity; Weak social adaptation; Psychopathic-like behavior Ø

Forms of psychoorganic syndrome are designated according to the leading symptom of emotional disorders: Ø Cerebrasthenic - asthenia, accompanied by symptoms of organic pathology of the central nervous system (headaches, weather sensitivity, poor alcohol tolerance, etc.) Ø Explosive - excitability, aggressiveness, mood instability, tendency to dysphoria Ø Euphoric - superficial unjustified fun, inadequate playfulness, disinhibition, fussiness. Ø Apathetic - inactivity, lethargy, spontaneity, adynamia, indifference to one’s own fate and the fate of loved ones

Diagnostic options for psychoorganic syndrome according to ICD-10 Organic neurosis-like disorders - organic emotionally labile disorder (asthenic), organic anxiety disorder, organic dissociative disorder (hysterical) Ø Organic personality disorder - characterized by a significant change in habitual behavior, emotional-volitional and behavioral disorders predominate Ø Mild cognitive impairment – intellectual-mnestic disorders predominate, which, however, do not reach the level of dementia Ø Dementia – pronounced intellectual-mnestic decline lasting more than 6 months (severity criterion: inability, due to intellectual-mnestic disorders, to cope with one’s daily responsibilities, to care for oneself independently) Ø

Vascular diseases of the brain Ø Cerebral atherosclerosis Ø Hypertension Ø Acute cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

Atrophic (degenerative) diseases of the brain Ø Ø Ø Atrophic processes include a number of endogenous organic diseases, the main manifestation of which is dementia: l Alzheimer's disease l Pick's disease l Huntington's chorea l Parkinson's disease l some rarer diseases In most cases, these diseases begin in in mature and old age without an obvious external cause. The etiology is largely unclear. For some diseases, the leading role of heredity has been proven. A pathological examination reveals signs of focal or diffuse atrophy without inflammation or severe vascular insufficiency. Features of the clinical picture depend primarily on the localization of atrophy.

Exogenous-organic diseases of the brain Ø Consequences of TBI Ø Neuroinfections Chronic intoxication Ø Radiation Ø Alcoholism Ø Drug addiction Ø

Mental disorders in traumatic brain injuries (traumatic brain injury) Ø Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): 1. Open TBI: - penetrating (with damage to the dura mater) - non-penetrating (damage to soft tissues and bones of the skull) 2. Closed TBI - concussions (shakes) - contusions (bruises)

Commotions and contusions Commotions are a concussion of the brain due to a fall on any part of the body or as a direct result of a head injury. At the same time, blood vessels, cerebrospinal fluid and lymph begin to move, damage the higher vegetative centers (located in the walls of the 3rd and 4th ventricles and at the bottom of the Sylvian aqueduct), and intracranial pressure increases. During concussions, general cerebral neurological symptoms (damage to the brain stem) come to the fore: nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, etc. Ø Contusions are local organic damage to the brain and its membranes at the site of impact. With contusion, concussion also occurs, but the clinical picture of the disease is determined by local (focal) symptoms of damage to the cerebral cortex. Ø

Periods of traumatic disease of the brain I. Initial (acute, primary or “chaotic”, according to N. N. Burdenko) period. Ø Duration - “minutes-days”. Ø The condition is determined by cerebral edema. Ø A loss of consciousness is typical (like stupor, stupor or coma). Subsequently (if death does not occur), a reverse development occurs: coma is replaced by stupor, then stunned, and last of all, orientation in time appears.

Periods of traumatic disease of the brain II. Acute period. Ø Duration “days-weeks”. Ø Characterized by adynamia syndrome, general cerebral symptoms predominate (associated with increased intracranial pressure): Ø 1) Diffuse headaches, aggravated by external stimuli (noise, bright light), with movement Ø 2) Dizziness, aggravated by movement, vestibular disorders Ø 3 ) Various autonomic disorders Ø 4) Severe asthenia, manifested by a combination of exhaustion and irritability in various proportions. Ø Mental disorders are present, acute psychoses are possible

Mnestic disorders of the acute period of TBI 1) retrograde amnesia - depending on the severity of TBI, it can cover only the moment of injury, or days, weeks, months and even years before the injury; Ø 2) anterograde amnesia - usually occurs in severe TBI and extends to short periods of time immediately following the period of loss of consciousness; Ø 3) anteroretrograde amnesia; Ø 4) fixation amnesia. Ø

Psychoses of the acute period of TBI Develop in the first days of the acute period Distinguished by the relative poverty of psychopathological symptoms against the background of a severe somatic condition Ø With contusions they occur more often than with concussions, while the clinical picture of psychosis often depends on the location of the lesion: - back of the head - visual hallucinations - frontal lobe - disinhibition , euphoria, foolishness - temporal lobe - auditory hallucinations, depersonalization, phenomena of “already seen” - with damage to the right hemisphere - depression Ø Ø

CLINIC OF PSYCHOSES OF ACUTE PERIOD TBI 1). Twilight clouding of consciousness. They usually occur after a short period of clarity of consciousness. Ø Duration – from several hours to several days. Ø After emerging from the twilight stupefaction, complete amnesia is observed. 2) Delirious stupefaction. Ø Develops predominantly in people who abuse alcohol, following the disappearance of symptoms of stunning, against the background of asthenia. Ø Duration from several hours to 2-3 days. Ø Characterized by vivid visual hallucinations with an affect of fear and anxiety, on the basis of which secondary delusions can arise.

CLINIC OF PSYCHOSES OF ACUTE PERIOD TBI 3). Oneiric clouding of consciousness. Ø It is rare. Occurs in the first days of the acute period Ø Lasts from hours to 5-6 days. Ø Characterized by complete disorientation in the environment with a predominance of euphoric or ecstatic delirium. Ø Patients report the content of their experiences after psychosis has passed. 4). Amnestic (Korsakovsky) syndrome. Ø One of the severe forms of traumatic psychoses. Ø Duration: from days to 1.5-2 months (longer in people who abuse alcohol) Ø Mental disorders in Korsakoff syndrome of traumatic etiology are considered reversible.

CLINIC OF PSYCHOSES OF ACUTE PERIOD TBI 5). Affective psychoses. Ø a). dysphoric states Ø b). hypomanic or manic states with a euphoric mood, Mori-like disorders, expansive confabulations; Ø c). subdepressive or depressive states, colored by anxiety, fear, hypochondriacal experiences. 6). Hallucinatory-delusional psychoses Ø (schizophrenia-like). Ø Acute sensory delusions, confabulations, verbal hallucinations, possible individual mental automatisms, impulsive and aggressive actions against the background of a predominant affect of anxiety and fear. Ø Psychosis usually lasts for several days and is replaced by asthenia.

CLINIC OF PSYCHOSES OF ACUTE PERIOD TBI 6). Paroxysmal conditions of the acute period. Ø More often develop with contusions than with concussions (associated with the presence of a pathological focus in the cortex of the brain) Ø These include the following types of epileptic seizures: a). simple partial motor (Jacksonian); b). simple partial with mental dysfunction (fits of metamorphopsia, disorders of the “body diagram”, “already seen”, “already heard”, “already experienced”, emotional-affective, ideational, hallucinatory seizures; c). simple partial secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which can be single or serial. Sometimes status epilepticus develops.

Periods of traumatic disease of the brain Ø Ø Ø III. Late period (reconvalescence). Lasts weeks - months (up to 1 year). During this period, all the phenomena of the acute period gradually smooth out, and a significant number of patients recover. The clinical picture of this period is characterized by post-traumatic cerebrovascular syndrome. In addition, as in the acute period, affective psychoses, delusional (schizophrenia-like) psychoses, as well as epileptic seizures can be observed.

Periods of traumatic disease of the brain IV. The period of long-term consequences (residual, chronic period). Ø It can last for many years, sometimes for a lifetime. Ø Mental disorders can be represented by: Ø Various variants of psychoorganic syndrome (“traumatic encephalopathy”); Ø Traumatic endoform psychoses (similar in clinical picture to endogenous ones Ø Symptomatic (post-traumatic) epilepsy Ø Deterioration of the mental state in this period is provoked by exogenous hazards (alcohol consumption, sudden changes in weather and atmospheric pressure, overwork, infectious diseases, stress, etc.).

DEFINITION OF DEMENTIA ACCORDING TO ICD-10 Ø Dementia is a syndrome caused by a disease of the brain, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, in which there is impairment of a number of higher cortical functions, including memory, thinking, orientation, understanding, numeracy, learning ability, language and judgment. . Consciousness is not changed. There are usually disturbances in emotional control, social behavior or motivation.

Dementia (ICD criteria - 10) (Ø Memory impairment l l Ø Impaired ability to memorize new material Difficulty in reproducing previously learned information Impairment of other cognitive functions l l impaired thinking l Ø impaired ability to make judgments impaired processing of information Clinical significance of identified disorders Emotional and motivational disorders Initial higher level of cognitive abilities Ø Duration of symptoms for at least 6 months Ø Consciousness preserved Ø Ø

DEFINITION OF DEMENTIA ACCORDING TO ICD-10 The main diagnostic requirement is evidence of a decrease in both memory and thinking to such an extent that this leads to disruption of individual daily life activities.

Schematic classification of dementia Dementia Primary forms of dementia (90%) Degenerative (50%) Vascular (15 – 30%) Secondary forms of dementia (10%) Mixed (15 – 25%) (degenerative + vascular)

Development of dementia Mild dementia Moderate dementia Severe dementia 24 Cognitive impairment Emergence of dependence 20 on others MMSE 16 Behavioral disorders Absolute dependence 10 on care 0 3 6 Years 9

TREATMENT OF COGNITIVE DISORDERS IMPACT ON MICROCIRCULATION Ø Calcium channel blockers nimodipine, cinnarizine, flunarizine Alpha-blockers nicergoline Ø Phosphodiesterase inhibitors Ø vinpocetine, pentoxifylline, aminophylline

TREATMENT OF COGNITIVE DISORDERS NEUROPROTECTIVE THERAPY Piracetam and its derivatives Peptidergic drugs and amino acids Actovegin, Cerebrolysin, Semax, glycine Ginkgo biloba preparations Tanakan Antioxidants and antihypoxants Mexidol

TREATMENT OF COGNITIVE DISORDERS Dopaminergic therapy Ø Dopaminergic mediation plays a key role in the process of switching attention from one type of activity to another Bradyphrenia, perseveration - Piribedil (pronoran)

TREATMENT OF COGNITIVE DISORDERS IMPACT ON THE ACETYLCHOLINERGIC SYSTEM ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS Ø I generation: l l l Ø physostigmine tetraaminoacridine (tacrine, Cognex) amiridine (neuromidin) II generation: l l ipidacrine (Axamone) rivastigmine (Excel) he) donepezil (Aricept) galantamine (Reminyl)

Organic damage to the brain manifests itself in the form of disorders of memory, understanding, speech function, thinking and other cognitive functions. As a rule, this pathology is progressive, accompanied by social maladjustment and can subsequently lead to disability. The disorder is often observed in older people.

Organic brain damage. Types of pathology

There are several types of the disease. This pathology, in fact, is not considered an independent disease. Most often it acts as a symptom of other ailments. Among the main types of pathology are organic brain damage associated with neurological and vascular diseases. This condition is observed in Alzheimer's disease or vascular atherosclerosis. Brain disorders can develop against the background of pathologies of internal organs. In such cases, the disease accompanies chronic liver or kidney failure. In some cases, organic brain damage occurs as a result of alcohol poisoning, poisoning with nitrogenous compounds or arsenic in hazardous production conditions. In older people, pathology is often caused by taking medications - several medications in high doses. If treatment is discontinued, this disorder becomes reversible. Temporary deterioration of memory and intelligence is caused by antidepressants, antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics and hypnotics.

Symptoms of pathology

Organic brain damage can manifest itself in different ways. In many ways, the symptoms depend on the disease in which it occurs. As a rule, the main manifestations are decreased activity, apathy, and loss of interest in life. At the same time, the patient becomes unable to take care of himself, and sloppiness appears. Among the symptoms, experts also highlight forgetfulness, dysfunction of speech, writing, and counting. In some cases, patients begin to confuse words or rearrange syllables.

Organic brain damage in children

At a young age, this pathology is caused by the influence of negative factors on the development of the fetus during gestation, as well as on the condition of the child in the first days of life. The main causes of the pathology are birth injuries, unfavorable pregnancy, asphyxia of newborns, hemolytic disease of the newborn, and infectious diseases. Such conditions are characterized by intracranial hemorrhages and hypoxic ischemic damage. Sometimes (more often as residual effects of the factors described above) residual organic damage to the brain occurs. This condition is characterized by symptoms such as headache, changes in nervousness, decreased concentration, dizziness, sleep disturbance and others. These signs can progress, resulting in an increased risk of pathologies such as neuropathy, epilepsy, mental retardation,

Brain - the most important organ of the human body.

It controls all vital processes: processes all information, adapts the body to all types of changes. With any, even the most minor damage, organic brain damage is possible.

What are the types of organic brain lesions?

The brain can be damaged at any age. OGM is formed as a result of pathological changes, most often they are irreversible. Examples of lesions can be a tumor, benign or malignant cyst, atherosclerosis. Changes can be local or diffuse.

With the first, one type of activity “suffers,” for example, memory. With diffuse, the clinical picture is broader.

Types of brain damage:

The occurrence of pathology against the background of serious diseases of the heart, nervous system, and blood vessels.

This disease manifests itself in the process of atherosclerotic lesions of cerebral vessels, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. With atherosclerosis, the brain lacks oxygen or nutrients, and the nervous system gradually begins to die.

In Alzheimer's disease, plaques form in the soft brain tissue, which are 90% composed of amyloid protein. Its increased content prevents neurons from forming and developing.

The occurrence of pathology against the background of an illness of internal organs.

Organic brain damage can progress rapidly if the body’s liver or kidneys are not functioning well. These changes can occur due to large accumulations of toxins, which can negatively affect the functioning of all vital organs and destroy all neural connections.

If you notice the symptoms of the disease in time, then with proper treatment you can cope with dementia. But just getting rid of harmful toxins will not be enough to fight, and treatment with medications will be required.

Intoxication.

In most cases, brain damage occurs due to exposure to large amounts of alcoholic beverages, surrogates, and low-quality tobacco. This pathology may occur against the background of kidney disease and liver failure. Penetrating into soft tissues, they negatively affect neural connections, possibly causing complications in the form of dementia or coma.

Useful to know: Alzheimer's disease: how to distinguish the first symptoms and signs

Organic damage to the entire brain cavity can occur due to poisoning with arsenic, nitrogen, pesticides, carbon monoxide, low-quality household chemicals, mushrooms, heavy metals, or taking large amounts of medication.

The degree of brain damage can vary, it all depends on the amount of toxic substance and the depth of tissue damage. Intoxication psychoses and hallucinations are possible. To stabilize the patient’s condition, the doctor may prescribe a sedative and medications that support the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Traumatic brain injury.

After a serious traumatic brain injury, consequences may occur. They can stay for the rest of their lives. In the “best” case, periodic headaches and dizziness are possible. If the case is complex, then the manifestation of psychoorganic syndrome, paralysis, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and paresis is possible.

Symptoms

Not all individuals know what an organic lesion is. Organic brain damage does not have specific symptoms due to its complex genesis; they manifest themselves individually.

General changes: decreased activity, inability to concentrate for a long time, apathy, sloppiness.

Elderly people may forget the names of relatives, the day of the week, the date, and speech is impaired. If the disorder progresses, the patient forgets words and cannot maintain a dialogue. The emotional state has 2 types: the absence of any emotions or inadequate, aggressive behavior. There are hallucinatory attacks.

Organic damage in infants

Organic brain damage in children can occur already during the period of perinatal development. During intrauterine development, the fetal nervous system is very weak and vulnerable, so any unfavorable factor can negatively affect it, provoking the development of pathology.

The main reasons for the change may be:

hypoxia of the fetal brain;
alcohol consumption;
drugs;
poor nutrition;
chronic diseases;
birth injuries;
asphyxia;
early birth;
infection of the fetus.

Separately, it is worth saying that too “young” the age of the expectant mother can also negatively affect the development of the fetus.

Useful to know: Retrocerebellar cyst or infectious brain tumor

Brain dysfunction in a child is detected immediately after birth. The baby has impaired muscle tone, tremors, and developmental delays.

There are cases when the level of disorder of the brain organ is insignificant and it can only be detected with the help of special medical devices. In such cases, the disease is no longer curable; it only needs to be controlled. If the pathology is not noticed in time, it can gradually progress and provoke ischemic damage and cerebral hemorrhage.

Organic damage to the entire or any area of the brain in children manifests itself in the form of severe headaches, poor sleep, decreased concentration, and unstable intracranial pressure. Without treatment, complications are possible: neuropathy, epilepsy, cerebral palsy.

If the pathology is detected after the baby is born and proper treatment is prescribed, then the pathology can be reversed, the main thing is to start the fight earlier.

Diagnosis

Organic diseases of the brain area must be constantly monitored, even after successful treatment and disappearance of symptoms.

The main stages of diagnosis: collecting anamnesis, examination by a neurologist, and performing a computed tomography scan of the brain.

A well-collected anamnesis allows you to see the time duration of the disorder, the degree of development, and possible hereditary factors.

Tomography helps to identify foci of inflammation.

If the frontal lobe is damaged, the following are possible: convulsions, paralysis of the eye muscles, mental disorders, loss of smell.
If the crown area is damaged, then the following are possible: failure of all types of senses, seizures, convulsions, decreased attention, loss of reading and counting skills.
If the temporal lobes are damaged, then possible: loss of hearing, sense of smell, epilepsy, lack of emotionality.
If the occipital lobes are damaged, then possible: disturbances or loss of vision, imbalance of movements, the occurrence of hallucinations, convulsions.

Treatment methods

The main feature of all types of pathologies of the brain and nervous system is the impossibility of restoring neural connections. In the process of competent treatment, you can only stop the development of the disease and stimulate the normal functioning of healthy areas of the brain organ.

Useful to know: Cerebral hemorrhage: description, types

The patient must understand what is happening to his body. The attending physician must explain in detail what the concept of “organic damage to the brain region and what it is” means.

Treatment of organic damage to the entire and individual areas of the brain is carried out using certain groups of medications:

Drugs to protect healthy nerve cells, activate brain function, restore and improve memory.
Neuroprotectors. They contain peptides and amino acids that stimulate normal blood supply to tissues, thin and cleanse the blood.
Anticonvulsant medications.

In addition to drug therapy, medical massage is recommended; it promotes better blood supply to brain cells, and physical therapy to relieve spasms. If there is a speech disorder or an unstable psycho-emotional state, it is recommended to work with a speech pathologist and sessions with a psychologist.