The first alarm bells: signs of cerebral atherosclerosis. Significant symptoms and manifestations of atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease well known to people. It is believed that it occurs atherosclerosis from excess cholesterol entering the human body. Indeed, high cholesterol levels in the blood contribute to the appearance of plaque and deposits on the walls of blood vessels. However, to prevent atherosclerosis, it is not enough to simply limit the consumption of foods containing cholesterol. Completely avoiding foods containing cholesterol can be harmful to health. In fact, the problem of atherosclerosis is much more complicated.
First of all, as I said above, cholesterol is a substance necessary for the human body. The organs of a healthy person contain approximately 200 g of it. Most of the cholesterol is found in the nervous tissue and brain. Cholesterol performs various functions in the body - it participates in the formation of a number of hormones, including sex hormones, in the synthesis of vitamin D and bile acids, binds and neutralizes some toxins and toxic substances, entering the body with food. Cholesterol is an essential material for the structure and formation of cell membranes, as well as for the process of cell renewal and regeneration.
On average, a person receives about 20% of cholesterol from food; the body synthesizes the rest of the cholesterol itself, and also has the ability to remove excess cholesterol from the body. This is of great importance for the balance of cholesterol in the body.
To complete the picture, I will say: in the body there are substances that maintain cholesterol in the blood in a dissolved form, which prevents cholesterol from depositing on the walls of blood vessels.
From the above it follows: we can formulate four points of a nutrition strategy that will be aimed at preventing and combating the development of atherosclerosis:
1. Restriction in the diet of foods rich in cholesterol.
2. Reducing the consumption of dishes and products that beneficially stimulate cholesterol synthesis in the human body.
3. Consumption of substances with food that dissolve cholesterol in the blood and help maintain the dissolved state.
4. Inclusion in the diet of foods that have a beneficial effect on the removal of excess cholesterol from the body.
A large amount of cholesterol is found in fatty meat and dairy products: beef, pork, cheese, butter, full-fat milk, fatty cottage cheese, loin and smoked meats, poultry, fish. Offal products are very rich in cholesterol. There is especially a lot of cholesterol in the brain and yolk of a chicken egg. The use of these products should be limited.
Much in health depends on individual characteristics human body. There are people whose bodies, since childhood, have been able to convert large doses of cholesterol into harmless substances and remove excess cholesterol. They can not restrict themselves in food until old age, maintaining good health. For many others, such nutrition is a great danger. This is especially true for people who tend to be obese, lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle, or who have relatives with atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol synthesis occurs mainly in the human liver and in the walls of the small intestine. The raw materials for the synthesis of cholesterol are the breakdown products of fats, proteins and carbohydrates; the synthesis of cholesterol is enhanced by abundant high-calorie foods, which contain large amounts of fats, carbohydrates, for example, sugar.
There is evidence that many plants contain organic acids that normalize the metabolism of carbohydrates in tissues and inhibit their conversion into fats and inhibit the formation of cholesterol. This is how, for example, tartronic acid works; it is found in many fruits and vegetables, especially in cabbage, quince, pears, apples, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, and currants.
There are many substances that can rid the body of excess cholesterol. Nature took care of this too. Cholesterol is removed from the body by bile produced in the liver. Thus, choleretic drugs help remove excess cholesterol from the body. The processes of eliminating excess can be stimulated by introducing vegetable oil, beet and radish juice, and high-fiber foods into the diet.
Taking vitamins and mineral salts has a positive effect on the breakdown of cholesterol and liver function. Among mineral substances, it is useful to consume iodine, magnesium, cobalt and manganese salts. Of the vitamins, it is worth highlighting vitamins C, B2, B6, PP, and inositol.
Vitamin C is found in many vegetables, nuts, herbs, fruits, berries, especially in cabbage, rose hips, black currants, red peppers, strawberries, sea buckthorn, gooseberries, and citrus fruits.
Vitamin B6 is found in various foods in small quantities; a lot of it is found in liver, caviar and bran.
Vitamin PP is found in liver, mushrooms, peanuts, buckwheat, soybeans, and wholemeal bread.
Vitamin B 2 is found in kidneys, liver, soy, eggs, bread, and green peas.
Inositol can be found in both animal and plant products; bran, organ meats, green peas and cabbage are especially rich in inositol.
Let's summarize:
Foods that are rich in cholesterol and stimulate cholesterol synthesis should be excluded or reduced in the diet of a sick person: fatty meat and fatty dairy products: beef, poultry, fish, pork, full-fat milk, cheese, butter, fatty cottage cheese, loin and smoked meats.
Particularly rich in cholesterol are the brains and yolk of eggs.
Products that contribute to the breakdown and elimination of excess cholesterol from the body are vegetable oil, beet and radish juice.
Products that have a positive effect on the breakdown of cholesterol, are rich in fiber and contain:
1) vitamin C: berries, greens, rose hips, black currants, nuts, red pepper, sea buckthorn, gooseberries, strawberries, citrus fruits;
2) vitamin B 6: liver, caviar, bran;
3) vitamin PP: liver, mushrooms, peanuts, buckwheat, soybeans, beans, wholemeal bread;
4) vitamin B 2: kidneys, liver, soy, cheese, eggs, meat, bread, green peas;
5) iodine: carrots, cucumbers, beets.
6) Magnesium: buckwheat, green peas, lettuce, parsley, soy, oats, rye.
7) Cobalt: pears, lettuce, green onions, potatoes, garlic, tomatoes, black currants, egg yolk, brains, soy;
8) manganese compounds: garlic, oats, rye, wheat;
9) inositol: bran, offal, green peas, oranges, wheat flour, cabbage.
Products that help remove cholesterol from the body - bread made from whole grains or with the addition of bran, porridge from whole grains; vegetables, fruits and berries (cabbage, radishes, radishes, beets, apples, gooseberries, cherries, black currants, oranges, potatoes, wheat, rice, corn).
Iodine, as you know, is found in many seafood products, and among vegetables - carrots, cucumbers, and beets. Relatively much magnesium was found in buckwheat flowers, green peas, lettuce, parsley, soybeans, wheat, oats, rye, carrots; There is a large amount of cobalt in pears, in addition, in lettuce and green onions, potatoes, garlic, tomatoes, black currants. Manganese compounds are present in beets, garlic, oats, rye, and wheat.
There is one more substance that is absolutely necessary for the body in order for the liver to perform its functions normally. This is choline, which prevents fatty liver degeneration and reduces cholesterol in the blood. Many foods contain choline - eggs, liver, kidneys, soybeans, cabbage, tomatoes, rice, wheat and rye bread, pork, herring, cod. In addition, it can be synthesized in the body from methionine, which is abundant in cottage cheese and egg whites.
The removal of cholesterol from the body is facilitated by dietary fiber, which is the name given to coarse, difficult to digest food components - fiber, pectin, lignin. They not only speed up the movement of food through the intestines, but also envelop and absorb various harmful substances, including cholesterol. Therefore, the anti-atherosclerotic diet must be enriched with dietary fiber, which is found primarily in whole grain bread or with the addition of bran, in whole grain porridges; in vegetables, fruits and berries (cabbage, radishes, radishes, beets, apples, gooseberries, cherries, black currants, oranges).
There is evidence that starch, which is abundant in plant foods (potatoes, wheat, rice, corn, etc.), helps reduce cholesterol levels in the liver and blood. During digestion, starch is also converted into a coating substance that removes cholesterol from the body.
The better the solubility of cholesterol in the blood, the less it will be deposited on the walls of blood vessels. The task of maintaining cholesterol solubility is performed by phospholipids, among which the main place belongs to lecithin. In the human body for the synthesis of lecithin is The already mentioned choline and methionine are used. In addition, egg yolk, brains, soybeans, and unrefined vegetable oils are rich in lecithin.
The stabilizing ability of lecithin depends on the presence of magnesium and calcium compounds, with the former enhancing it and the latter suppressing it. In this regard, to successfully combat atherosclerosis, it is necessary to limit the consumption of foods high in calcium, especially those rich in calciferols (vitamin D). These are fatty fish, as well as fish oil, caviar, offal, egg yolk, butter, cheese.
All of the above allows us to identify a group of products that are especially useful for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. Vegetables should be put in first place here, especially cabbage, beets, radishes, and radishes. Next come legumes - soybeans, beans, beans, peas. Onions, lettuce and other greens, berries and fruits are useful, among which we especially highlight black currants and apples. The diet should include enough whole grain and bran bread, porridge, especially buckwheat and oatmeal. An obligatory component of the anti-atherosclerotic diet are vegetable oils, which are certainly not refined. The optimal amount of vegetable oil per day is 15-20 g, which is about one tablespoon. The oil is best used raw for dressing salads, vinaigrettes and other dishes.
Accordingly, it is easy to determine the group of products whose consumption needs to be limited, we emphasize - limited, and not completely excluded. This includes, first of all, fatty meat and dairy products. It is preferable to use poultry (chickens, turkeys), lean beef and fish. Try to cook dishes from the liver, kidneys, and brains less often, and significantly limit sausages in your diet, which, in addition to fat, also contain a considerable amount of salt. There is an opinion among scientists that excess table salt contributes to the development of cerebral atherosclerosis. Therefore, it makes sense to minimize the consumption of very salty foods so that the daily dose of salt is 2-3 g. You should not get too carried away with sugar and sweets due to their high calorie content.
It is known that egg yolk contains a lot of cholesterol, but, on the other hand, eggs are the most important source of supplying the body with necessary substances, including lecithin. Therefore, eggs should be included in your diet, but no more than four per week.
Atherosclerosis— special shape pathological and anatomical changes in the artery during arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is a change in the walls of arterial vessels, consisting in their compaction with loss of normal elasticity. The causes of sclerotic changes in the arteries are varied, the most common being age-related changes, inflammatory processes in the artery walls and lime deposits.
Atherosclerosis is one of the most frequent illnesses modern humanity. It mainly affects older people, but is not always hallmark old age. Recently, atherosclerosis has become a disease of young people and it only gets worse over the years.
The disease is most widespread in highly developed countries such as the USA, Russia, France, Germany, and Italy. In African countries and South America atherosclerosis is much less common. In addition, in large cities the disease occurs much more often than in rural areas. Men suffer from atherosclerosis 3-4 times more often than women. Such differences in the incidence of the disease depend primarily on the living conditions of people. Constant nervous tension, frequent stress, as well as food rich in animal fats - all these factors significantly contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
Animals do not suffer from atherosclerosis. True, under experimental conditions, in some of them it was possible to induce certain atherosclerotic changes(by introducing cholesterol or protein and fatty foods containing it with food), but these phenomena were much weaker than those that occur in a person with atherosclerosis.
There are 5 main factors contributing to the onset and progression of the disease.
1. Endocrine and metabolic disorders in the body (playing a predisposing role).
2. Nervous disorders leading to changes in lipid-protein balance.
3. Nutrition factor (large amounts of cholesterol, protein and fatty products introduced into the body with food).
4. Sedentary lifestyle.
5. Heredity.
It is now known that the main cause of atherosclerosis is a large amount of cholesterol circulating in the human blood. Excess cholesterol in the form of plaques is deposited on the walls of the arteries, reducing their lumen and reducing blood flow. And a decrease in the amount of blood flowing to a certain organ causes oxygen starvation, dysfunction and, ultimately, can lead to a heart attack, stroke or heart attack. An artery can be compared to a water pipe through which water flows for a long time and which gradually rusts from the inside. As a result of this, the lumen of the pipe decreases, the flow of water weakens, and its quantity decreases. This pipe needs to be replaced. But you can't replace the artery. Therefore, one should always strive to reduce the possibility of its contamination, especially with low-density lipoproteins.
The atherosclerotic process affects all arteries, but depending on in which tissues and vessels the process has gone deeper, several of its varieties are distinguished: atherosclerosis with predominant damage to the vessels of the brain, atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels, atherosclerosis of the lower extremities (obliterating endarteritis), etc.
Atherosclerosis is a disease of blood vessels in which cholesterol and calcium salts are deposited on their walls, connective tissue grows, and atherosclerotic plaques form. In this case, the walls of the vessels become denser, the lumen narrows, and as a result, the blood supply to the organs is disrupted. Atherosclerosis can develop due to various reasons: metabolic disorders, insufficient physical activity, sedentary image life, abundant and unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse, smoking, environmental pollution. Typically, atherosclerosis develops over several decades, gradually affecting vascular system. Therefore, upon learning about the presence of atherosclerosis, you should immediately take action intensive treatment, since there is a possibility of a full recovery. It is necessary to establish a work schedule with regular breaks, to ensure good sleep, do physical exercise. Also great value has the organization of an optimal diet. You should correctly distribute food intake throughout the day: 30% of the daily ration should be consumed for the first breakfast, 10-15% for the second breakfast, 50% for lunch and 10-15% for dinner. In middle age, a person should consume 2800 calories per day, and in old age - 2400-2600. It is also advisable to reduce the consumption of carbohydrates and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet; eating seaweed (kelp), low-fat cottage cheese, and peas is beneficial.
Symptoms: Symptoms of atherosclerosis may vary, depending on where the predominant vascular damage occurred. Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is characterized by headaches and dizziness, a feeling of constant noise, and weakened memory. Atherosclerosis of the heart vessels is accompanied by pain in the heart. Atherosclerosis of peripheral vessels causes pain in the legs, lower back and back, fatigue, and weight loss.
With atherosclerosis of the coronary (heart) vessels, attacks of angina appear, that is, pain in the area of the heart of a squeezing or pressing nature, which can intensify both with physical activity and at rest. Attacks of angina pectoris are explained by the fact that, as a result of a number of reasons, a narrowing of one of the coronary vessels occurs, nutrition of the heart muscle decreases, and it is forced to respond with pain to lack of nutrition. If an attack of angina pectoris drags on for a long time, necrosis of some part of the heart muscle may occur. This condition is called a heart attack.
With atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, patients complain of dizziness, noise in the head, and weakened memory. People around notice changes in the patient’s psyche and behavior. When blocked cerebral artery(thrombosis), its rupture may occur, accompanied by hemorrhage. Then a stroke occurs.
When peripheral vessels are affected by atherosclerosis, symptoms such as dry and wrinkled skin, emaciation, pain in the back, lower back, arms and legs appear. Often atherosclerosis of the lower extremities leads to gangrene and forced amputation.
What's happening? Atherosclerosis is a lesion of the arteries, accompanied by the accumulation of fatty substances on their inner surface in the form of yellowish plaques, leading to a sharp change in the walls of the artery. Doctors figuratively call atherosclerosis “the rust of life.” Atherosclerosis is very strongly associated with stress in our lives, since stress triggers the release of cholesterol from the liver into the bloodstream, and ever-increasing levels of cholesterol in the blood are associated with an increasing risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), a major factor in heart attacks.
The most unpleasant thing about atherosclerosis is that its direct consequences are not only headaches and pain in the legs, but also severe mental damage, including memory loss, as well as such serious diseases as diabetes, kidney failure, angina, heart attack and stroke.
What to do? For those over 35, it’s a good idea to take a cholesterol blood test every year to reassure yourself. This test will either help you make sure that everything is fine with you, or will give you the opportunity to start treatment at an early stage of the disease, when it is not difficult to cope with it. It is enough not to exercise, lead a sedentary lifestyle and be overweight to be at risk.
Recipes. Traditional medicine for the prevention of atherosclerosis recommends walking in an oak grove every day for at least half an hour a day. It is also useful to use garlic, a decoction of hawthorn fruits (a tablespoon of fruit in a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour, drink before meals and at night). You can take a tincture of hawthorn fruit in alcohol: a teaspoon with water at night.
Atherosclerosis can be treated with a sensible diet, given that certain vegetables and fruits, as well as other foods, help cleanse the body of cholesterol.
Fruits and berries that are beneficial for atherosclerosis:
Grapefruit (lowers blood pressure, normalizes the functioning of the liver and gastrointestinal tract);
Lemon in the form of juice (juice from half a lemon in half a glass of boiling water 2 times a day) and salad dressing;
Peaches in the form of juice, a quarter glass half an hour before meals (contraindicated for diabetes and allergies);
Figs (contraindicated for gout, diabetes and gastrointestinal diseases);
Persimmon (1-2 fruits daily);
Prunes, previously scalded with boiling water;
Apples (in the form of juice, half a glass three times a day, half an hour before meals, or eat 2 apples a day: one before breakfast and one after dinner);
Strawberries (normalizes metabolism);
Raspberries (drink an infusion instead of tea: 3 tablespoons of raspberries per glass of boiling water, leave for an hour);
Currants (berries and juice). Vegetables that are beneficial for atherosclerosis:
Potatoes (a mixture of potato, carrot and celery juices is useful, which should be consumed 100 ml on an empty stomach before breakfast, lunch and dinner for three weeks);
Onions (mix a glass of onion juice with a glass of honey and take a tablespoon 3 times a day 2 hours after meals);
Cucumbers (in the form of juice, a quarter glass);
Tomatoes (ground in salad with garlic, sweet pepper, horseradish and apples);
Radish (a tablespoon of juice 3 times a day).
A grain useful for atherosclerosis is buckwheat (porridge made from unroasted grains).
To prevent atherosclerosis, it is useful to eat seaweed, and also use it for cooking. different dishes and salad dressings unrefined sunflower oil.
For atherosclerosis Most often the vessels of the heart, brain, and limbs are affected. The manifestation of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels is attacks of angina pectoris (pain in the heart area). Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels leads to dizziness, with rapid changes in body position, with sudden movements, a feeling of noise in the head, weakening of memory; A blockage in a cerebral artery can lead to a stroke. Most often this happens when cerebral atherosclerosis is combined with hypertension. Manifestations of atherosclerosis of peripheral vessels are dry and wrinkled skin, emaciation, constantly cold extremities, pain in the back, lower back, arms, legs, and fatigue. Sometimes sclerosis affects the liver.
Doctors and traditional medicine recommend limiting the consumption of foods containing cholesterol - fats, meat (especially kidneys, liver), eggs, sardines, sprats, cocoa, chocolate, black tea. Recommended introduction into the body ascorbic acid(vitamin C), vitamin B 2 and iodine preparations.
There are more seaweed, peas, eggplants, cauliflower, wild strawberries, and walnuts. You need to eat 3 lbs. ripe cherries per day, drinking 7-8 glasses of milk during the same day, gradually. Watermelon helps eliminate cholesterol.
Sunflower oil is used to treat and prevent atherosclerosis.
Raw potato juice helps (on an empty stomach).
Treatment of atherosclerosis is a long, complex and painstaking task. It is very important here to overcome your habits and inclinations. The patient must refuse to eat food to which he is accustomed, change his diet and general regimen, methodically and constantly carry out the treatment prescribed by the doctor. It is necessary to normalize working and living conditions, increase physical activity and take measures in advance to slow down the progression of the disease. Smokers urgently need to get rid of their bad habit, since their blood vessels wear out at a much faster rate than non-smokers. Persons who are addicted to alcoholic beverages need to give up this harmful attraction and normalize their lifestyle.
The development of atherosclerosis can be stopped, and sometimes even reversed, since atherosclerosis is reversible in the early stages.
In folk medicine, there are many remedies recommended for atherosclerosis. They are mainly aimed at preserving and restoring the elasticity of blood vessels, removing cholesterol, and strengthening the body’s cellular forces. But we must remember that the fight against atherosclerosis will not be effective and the best remedies will be useless until the body is polluted and not rid of toxins. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to cleanse the body using one of the many cleansing methods.
In folk medicine There are many remedies recommended for atherosclerosis. Here are some recipes:
1. Fruit tincture rosehip. Crush the rose hips, fill a 2/3 half-liter bottle with them and add vodka. Leave in a dark place for two weeks, shaking daily. Take 20 drops per piece of sugar.
2. Fruit juice hawthorn. Mash 0.5 cups of ripe hawthorn fruits with a wooden pestle, add 1/2 cup of water, heat to 40° and squeeze the juice in a juicer. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals.
3. Infusion of leaves plantain big. Brew one tablespoon of dry crushed leaves with a glass of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes. Drink in sips within 1 hour (daily dose).
4. Mix horseradish with sour cream. Grate the horseradish and mix with fresh sour cream in the following proportion: 1 tablespoon of horseradish to 1 cup of sour cream. Take 1 tablespoon of juice 3-4 times a day before meals.
5. Onion syrup. Grate one large onion (about 100 g), add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, leave for 24 hours. Take 1 tablespoon one hour after meals or one hour before meals three times a day.
6. Tincture garlic Crush 50 g of garlic and pour a glass of vodka. Leave in a warm place for 3 days. Take 8-10 drops in a teaspoon cold water 3 times a day.
The oldest homeopathic recipe was found by a UNESCO expedition in 1971 in one of the Tibetan monasteries. Dates back to 4-5 millennium BC. e.
Purpose: cleanses the body of fat and lime deposits, dramatically improves metabolism. The vessels become elastic, which prevents sclerosis, angina pectoris, heart attack, restores vision, and relieves noise in the head. The body is rejuvenated.
Preparation. Thoroughly wash and peel 350 g of garlic, finely chop and rub in a vessel with a wooden or porcelain spoon. Weigh 200 g of this mass, taking it from below, where more juice. Place in a glass vessel and pour in 200 g of 96% alcohol. Close the container tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 10-12 days. Take drops according to the scheme below 15-20 minutes before meals in 1/4 glass of cold milk.
Days Breakfast Lunch
1st day 1 drop 2 drops
Day 2 4 drops 5 drops
Day 3 7 drops 8 drops
Day 4 10 drops 11 drops
Day 5 13 drops 14 drops
Day 6 15 drops 14 drops
Day 7 12 drops 11 drops
Day 8 9 drops 8 drops
Day 9 6 drops 5 drops
Day 10 3 drops 2 drops
Repeat the course after six years.
Garlic Recipes
Mix ready vodka liqueurs(1:10) garlic (75 ml), alfalfa grass (30 ml), ginger rhizomes (20 ml). Keep refrigerated. Take 1/2 teaspoon 3 times a day, 15-20 minutes before meals, with water.
Mix ready-made vodka tinctures (1:10) of garlic (75 ml), small periwinkle (40 ml), autumn colchicum (10 ml). Take 1/2 teaspoon 3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals.
Prepare a collection of garlic - 50 g, mistletoe - 25 g, hawthorn flowers - 25 g. Pour 1 teaspoon of the collection with a glass of boiling water, leave, covered, for 8-10 hours, strain. Take a glass 3 times a day 20-30 minutes before meals.
Pour 100 g of well-chopped garlic into 2 glasses of vodka, leave in a warm, dark place for 3 days, shaking the contents periodically, and strain. Take 5-10 drops in a teaspoon of cold water 3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals.
Place 300 g of garlic pulp in a half-liter bottle and fill with alcohol. Infuse in a tightly sealed container in a warm place, shaking the contents occasionally, for 3 weeks, strain, and squeeze out the remainder. Take 20 drops daily in 1/2 glass of milk.
Fill a half-liter bottle 1/3 of the volume with finely chopped garlic, add alcohol or vodka. Leave in a tightly sealed container in the sun or in a warm place for 2 weeks, shaking the contents occasionally. Take once a day before lunch, starting with 2 drops and gradually increasing the dose by 1 drop per day. Having reached 25 drops, reduce the dose in the reverse order, again to 2 drops. Take a break for 2 weeks and repeat the course.
Pour a paste of 1 head of garlic and 2-3 tablespoons of crushed wormwood leaves into 700 ml of hot red or dry white wine. Leave for 5 days, shaking the contents periodically, strain, and squeeze out the rest. Take 2-3 tablespoons 3 times a day before meals.
Pour 250 g of garlic pulp into 350 g of liquid honey, mix well and leave in a dark, cool place for 1 week, stirring the contents occasionally. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 30-40 minutes before meals for atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, varicose veins and endarteritis.
Pour the pulp from 1 head of garlic into a glass of unrefined oil. After a day, pour the juice of 1 lemon into the oil infusion and stir. Leave in a cool, dark place for 7 days, shaking the contents occasionally. Take 1 teaspoon of garlic oil 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals for cerebral atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, shortness of breath, gastritis and low acidity gastric juice, constipation. The course of treatment is 3 months. Break - 1 month and repeat treatment until recovery.
Mix garlic pulp, chopped walnuts and unrefined vegetable oil in equal parts by volume. Use 1-2 tablespoons daily, adding to salads made from boiled beets, carrots, etc. Store in a cool, dark place in a tightly closed container.
Fill a half-liter bottle with garlic pulp and top up completely with vodka. Infuse in a dark, warm place, shaking the contents occasionally, for 2 weeks, strain, and squeeze out the remainder. Take 5 drops in a teaspoon of cool boiled water 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals.
Pour the pulp from 1 head of garlic into 700 ml of Cahors wine, leave in a dark, cool place for 1 week, shaking the contents periodically. Take 1-2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day before meals.
Squeeze the garlic juice, mix half and half with honey and take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day 30-40 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 4-6 weeks. After a month's break, the course of treatment can be repeated.
Stir 1/4 teaspoon of garlic juice into 1/2 cup of goat milk. Take daily in the morning on an empty stomach.
Grind 5 heads of garlic with fine table salt, mix with 500 g of butter. Take with bread or mashed potatoes.
Treatment with infusions and decoctions
1. Hawthorn - tincture of fruits in alcohol. Place a glass of fresh hawthorn fruits in 200 ml of alcohol, after mashing them a little. Leave for 3 weeks, then strain and take a teaspoon with water before meals at night.
2. Hawthorn - tincture of flowers in alcohol. Place 4 tablespoons of flowers in 200 ml of alcohol and leave in the dark at room temperature, shaking the bottle periodically. After 10 days the drug is ready for use. It should be taken before meals, 1 teaspoon with water.
3. Hawthorn - fruit decoction - 20 g of dried or fresh berries per 200 ml of boiling water. Leave for half an hour or cook for 5 minutes over low heat, drink 200 ml of decoction at once before meals and at night.
4. Hawthorn - extract of hawthorn fruits. Brew 500 ml of boiling water a glass of fresh or dried hawthorn fruits, add 2 tablespoons of sugar and cook over very low heat for 40 minutes (the broth should reduce by half). Store the decoction of berries, without straining, in the refrigerator, take 1 table spoon before meals and 2 table spoons at night.
5. Blood red hawthorn. 0.5 kg of ripe fruits are washed and crushed with a wooden pestle (pustle), 100 ml of water is added, heated to 40° and pressed with a juicer. The resulting juice is drunk 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals. It has a beneficial effect on the heart, especially in old age: it prevents overstrain and wear of the heart muscle.
6. Buckwheat. An infusion of flowers is drunk for coughs and sclerosis of blood vessels (brew a dessert spoon of flowers with 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave for 2 hours in a closed container, strain. Take 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day).
7. Onion-garlic (garlic). Fresh garlic bulbs are used for atherosclerosis (2-3 cloves daily).
8. Large plantain. Infusion and fresh juice from the leaves are recommended for atherosclerosis. Brew a tablespoon of dry crushed leaves with a glass of boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. Drink in sips within 1 hour - daily dose. Chop the well-washed leaves, mash, squeeze out the juice, mix with an equal amount of honey, cook for 20 minutes. Apply 2-3 tbsp. spoons a day. Store in a well-sealed container in a cool, dark place.
9. Leave thyme (5 g per 500 ml of boiling water) tightly closed for 40 minutes. Thyme - strong remedy, and can be consumed no more than 2-3 times a week. It has a calming, bactericidal effect, relieves cerebral vascular spasm.
10. Melissa (herb) - 10 g, cap (herb) - 10 g, hawthorn (flowers or fruits) - 40 g, speedwell (herb) - 10 g, strawberry (herb) - 30 g.
1 tbsp. Brew a spoon with 250 ml of boiling water and drink like tea, with honey or sugar. The mixture is very tasty and can be added to tea.
11. For the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, a mixture of equal parts is taken fresh juice onions and honey.
Take a teaspoon 3-4 times a day.
12. Sage - recipe by N.G. Kovaleva: leave 90 g of fresh sage, 800 ml of vodka and 400 ml of water in the light for 40 days in a closed glass container. Take 1 tbsp. spoon half and half with water in the morning before meals. This tincture is recommended for older people to stimulate the nervous system.
Juice treatment
In addition to juice from hawthorn berries, wild strawberry and wild strawberry berries and juice are widely used for atherosclerosis. People's and official medicine The medicinal qualities of strawberries and wild strawberries have long been highly valued. The famous scientist Linnaeus, thanks to strawberries, got rid of gout, and Fontenel believed that he owed his long life to the strawberries that he had eaten since childhood.
Strawberry juice gives therapeutic effect and for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gallstones and urolithiasis, gout, anemia, salt metabolism disorders, and atherosclerosis. It has a diaphoretic and diuretic effect, and the phytoncides contained in the juice kill many types of pathogenic microbes. Therefore, juice is used for diseases inflammatory in nature in the mouth and throat, with bad breath.
Strawberry and strawberry juice is a good, healthy drink to take in a bathhouse.
To prevent atherosclerosis, use pomegranate juice, which contains up to 20% sugars, citric and malic acids, tannins, phytoncides, vitamin C, and a rich set of mineral salts. “Pomegranate juice is not only an anti-sclerotic remedy; it is prescribed for stomach pain, gastrointestinal disorders, and headaches. When taking dry steam (in a steam room, especially in a sauna), headaches often occur. Drinking pomegranate juice helps relieve these pains.
Black currant juice has anti-sclerotic properties. Black currant berries contain up to 16% sugars, organic acids, flavonoids, pectin and tannins, potassium and iron salts, anthocyanin compounds, coloring and other substances. But the most important advantage of black currant berries is great content vitamins, especially vitamin C, as well as B vitamins, vitamins K, P, provitamin A. That is why black currant juice is recommended for atherosclerosis; it is taken for cardiac arrhythmias, heart defects, and cardioneurosis. In addition, the juice is healing for colds, with cough and hoarseness, with infectious diseases; hemorrhagic vasculitis, periodontal disease, glomerulonephritis.
Considering its wide palette healing properties, the juice of black currant berries can be safely consumed in a bath, which will help improve the health of the body.
A good remedy against atherosclerosis is chokeberry, the juice from the berries of which stimulates the appetite, increases the acidity and digestive ability of gastric juice. Chokeberry juice helps to significantly reduce blood pressure and is therefore recommended for atherosclerosis and hypertension. It should be noted that in people with normal blood pressure who drink chokeberry juice, their blood pressure does not change. However, chokeberry is contraindicated in case of increased blood viscosity.
Treatment with urine
This disease requires long-term use of urine to reverse the degeneration process. Fasting and daily urine intake, combined with diet, will break the strong cycle of tissue destruction of mental stress.
Atherosclerosis is a disease that is caused by the proliferation, thickening and hardening of the arteries.
Reasons of this disease are: hereditary predisposition, obesity, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, fat metabolism disorders (increased lipid levels), stress. Atherosclerosis is classified depending on the location of the vascular lesion: atherosclerosis of the aorta, renal arteries, mesenteric arteries, cardiac arteries and arteries of the lower extremities.
Manifestations of the disease depend on the form of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis of the aorta is characterized by tinnitus, arterial hypertension, and dissecting aortic aneurysm (which can lead to death). Strokes, fainting and dizziness are possible.
Atherosclerosis of the renal arteries is manifested by disorders in the kidneys, which leads to increased blood pressure which cannot be treated. Also, over time, this disease leads to nephrosclerosis (that is, shrinkage of the kidney) and kidney failure.
Atherosclerosis of the renal arteries has two types of manifestations.
1. Thrombosis intestinal arteries, which leads to a heart attack and death of a section of the intestinal wall.
2. Colic that occurs after eating, vomiting and bloating.
Atherosclerosis of the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries) leads to the formation of angina pectoris (pain, palpitations, a feeling of pressure in the heart area, a feeling of lack of air).
Atherosclerosis of the lower extremities is manifested by such a symptom as intermittent claudication. With such an attack, the legs become cold, the skin becomes pale, with a bluish tint, and fatigue increases. There is also severe pain in calf muscles at brisk walking, which disappears with rest.
The disease is diagnosed based on manifestations, increased levels of lipids in the blood, ECG at rest and with exercise (to detect angina). X-ray angiography, echocardiography and coronary angiography, ultrasound scanning of blood vessels, and Doppler sonography (detection of the size of plaques and blood flow in the vessels) are also performed. In severe and controversial cases, MRI is prescribed.
Treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.
Treatment of diseases leading to atherosclerosis.
The use of statins - drugs that lower blood lipid levels.
Fibrinolytics for dissolving atherosclerotic plaques and blood clots.
In severe cases, when therapeutic treatment is ineffective, surgical excision is prescribed.
Prevention:
1) quitting smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
2) low-fat diet;
3) active lifestyle.
In conclusion, it must be said that to prevent atherosclerosis, in addition to a rational and low-calorie diet, you need a healthy, physically active lifestyle, not burdened by stress and overload of the nervous system. And in those cases when we have to talk not about prevention, but about the treatment of atherosclerosis, diet therapy should be combined with medication.
Tea treatment
Functional disorders of the cardiovascular system associated with disruption of regulatory mechanisms are reversible and easily treatable if they do not lead to organic changes. Atherosclerosis is a lesion of the arteries, in which numerous plaques containing large amounts of fatty substances, especially cholesterol and its esters, appear on their inner surface. As a result, the lumen of the arteries narrows significantly, which impedes blood flow. Arterial wall becomes dense, blood vessels lose their ability to expand properly and adequately respond to the tissue’s increased need for blood flow. Why does atherosclerosis occur?
There may be several reasons. It is caused by poor nutrition, nervous tension, sedentary lifestyle, and other factors. The development of atherosclerosis is promoted not only by food rich in animal fats, but also by an excess amount of calories consumed, as well as an increased content of simple sugars in food. Increased consumption of sugar leads to increased cholesterol levels in the blood, and poorly digestible carbohydrates - fiber - enhance the removal of cholesterol from the body. A direct relationship has been revealed between excess weight, the development of atherosclerosis and the incidence of coronary disease.
A person with a “sedentary” lifestyle needs to take care of significantly limiting calories in food. The role of table salt should be mentioned, since a direct connection has been identified between the amount of salt consumed and the incidence of hypertension. With a large intake of salt from food, the volume of fluid and blood plasma in the body increases. Excessive salt intake causes an overload of regulatory mechanisms, contributing to a persistent increase in blood pressure.
It is incorrect to reduce the prevention of disease only to the organization of a balanced diet. It is known that among peoples engaged in hunting and cattle breeding, the main foodstuffs are of animal origin, but there is no atherosclerosis; the same diet in a resident of a modern city leads to the development of disorders of the cardiovascular system. So what contributes to the disease?
"Nervous system overstrain"- the experts answer. Intellectual work is associated with great nervous tension. A state of nervous tension is typical not only for people holding responsible positions, but also for people such as telephone operators, operators, bank employees, drivers, doctors and many, many others. Responsibility and stress among workers in many sectors of activity with a decrease in the share of physical labor leads to overstrain of the nervous system.
Scientists have proven that emotional stress and excitement of the nervous system cause an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood, the content of adrenaline, which, in turn, causes an increase in the level of free fatty acids in the blood. At the same time, the protective properties of the vascular wall decrease - all this ultimately leads to the development of atherosclerosis. Particularly adversely affect negative emotions. The frequency of coronary disorders corresponds to the degree of nervous tension associated with the profession. A connection has been established between population density and the spread of coronary disease.
Can a person learn to control his emotions? To a large extent it can. We need some skills that are capable of resolving problems that have arisen not by the power of feelings, but by the dictates of reason, without an admixture of emotions.
Intense muscle work helps relieve nervous tension and also increases energy consumption, preventing the deposition of calories in fat depots. Physical training significantly improves the activity of mechanisms that regulate vascular tone, lowering blood pressure. Mode physical training must be individual and under the supervision of a physician.
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that your heart cares about how and what you eat and what you drink. Be sure to include foods containing vitamin E in your daily menu: vegetables, legumes, milk, nuts, and especially vegetable oil (25-30 grams per day).
Seafood products (fish, shrimp, squid, mussels, seaweed) are very useful, as they contain iodine, which improves metabolism. Quite a few biologically active substances, which reduce blood viscosity, increase vascular tone and lower blood pressure, are contained in tea. Green tea is especially useful for the prevention and relief of diseases of the cardiovascular system. It contains a whole complex of substances that dissolve fats and inhibit the deposition of cholesterol on the artery wall.
People prone to high blood pressure should be given preference green teas. Even though green tea contains more caffeine than black tea, its aftertaste is much milder. The fact is that the effect of caffeine - to tone the heart and blood vessels - is very unstable and, therefore, quickly passes due to the body's compensatory mechanisms, which ensure a persistent decrease in blood pressure. Green tea - good workout for vessels.
Patients with hypertension can also drink black tea, but a prerequisite for brewing is its duration. Tea should be brewed for no more than 5 minutes. This protects the drink from excessive extraction of compounds that, in the second phase of the tea’s action, maintain or even increase vascular tone.
For patients with hypertension and atherosclerosis, flavored teas are very useful. They have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, promote relaxation and have a hypotensive effect. There cannot be specific recommendations for fragrances, since aromatherapy itself is very individual. But you can remember the information that geranium, lavender and bergamot oils reduce blood pressure.
is one of the serious and dangerous chronic diseases heart vessels And brain, in which single or multiple foci are formed cholesterol And lipid sediments , original atheromatous plaques , consisting of calcium and connective tissue in the inner lining of the arteries.
An artery whose wall is damaged becomes less elastic and, as a result, becomes denser. Gradually growing connective tissue and calcification lead to deformation and significant narrowing of the lumen between the walls of the artery until it is completely blocked, thereby causing a chronic lack of blood supply and organ ischemia, which feeds through the affected artery. Acute arterial blockage is also possible blood clots or contents from the disintegrated substance of an atheromatous plaque, which causes complications of atherosclerosis, leading to the formation of necrosis ( heart attack ) or in an organ supplied by an artery.
General damage to all arteries organism is quite rare. Very often observed blockage of blood vessels certain organs: the brain and heart, lower extremities or kidneys. The progression of atherosclerosis is expressed in the fact that with intense functional load on the organ, the blood flow to it is insufficient. This leads to unpleasant sensations on the part of the organ. The clinical picture of the disease varies depending on the location and distribution of the affected arteries. Atherosclerosis has a chronic course and is the cause disability and even premature death.
Atherosclerosis is associated with an increased level of neuropsychic stress, high cholesterol levels, an unhealthy lifestyle, insufficient physical activity, smoking, etc. The average age at which atherosclerosis most often affects human body from 40 to 45 years. Men are susceptible to atherosclerosis 3, and sometimes 4 times. more often than women, this is due to the fact that the prevention of atherosclerosis in the stronger sex is often not taken seriously. In particular, men continue to smoke and drink alcohol, despite the threat of the disease.
Symptoms of atherosclerosis
Like any disease, atherosclerosis has its main signs by which the disease can be recognized. Symptoms of atherosclerosis can be varied. It all depends on the degree and location of damage to a particular vessel. Damaged blood vessels in the brain lead to insufficient blood supply and, as a consequence, to a deterioration in its functions. The first symptom in this case is decreased memory for recent events. Diagnosis of atherosclerosis in this development of events shows irreversible changes.
Further observed emotional instability and gradual decreased intelligence. Very often, patients complain of a feeling of pulsation and “noise” in the head. All other symptoms of atherosclerosis depend to a greater extent on which part of the brain is affected. Atherosclerosis affecting the vessels of the brain very often becomes the main cause ischemic .
Complications of atherosclerosis
Atherosclerotic lesion of the aorta appears gradually increasing arterial hypertension, noises appearing in front of the abdominal aorta in the ascending direction. A complication in this case is insufficient blood supply to the brain and, as a consequence, fainting , strokes . Threatening to the life of the patient is dissecting aortic hematoma . The disease manifests itself as an attack of pain in the chest or abdominal cavity. All symptoms occur acute loss blood. The most common and life-threatening complication of aortic atherosclerosis is characterized by a sudden rupture with bleeding in chest cavity or into the abdominal space, leading to death. Aneurysm of the thoracic aorta is manifested by hoarseness of voice, rough systolic murmurs,.
The absence or a small number of symptoms make an abdominal aortic aneurysm the most life-threatening for the patient.
Atherosclerotic lesion mesenteric arteries , which nourish the intestines, is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Attacks of colic-like abdominal pain ( abdominal toad ), often with bloating and vomiting, which most often occurs after eating.
- arterial arteries with necrosis of the wall of the mesentery and intestine.
Atherosclerotic damage to the arteries and vessels of the lower extremities is characterized by the following symptoms: chilliness of the legs, pain in the calves that occurs when walking, and deformation of the nails, weakening of the pulsation of the arteries, development dry gangrene .
Atherosclerosis renal artery manifests itself chronic failure blood circulation (ischemia) of the kidney, nephrosclerosis and chronic renal failure. Renal artery thrombosis is manifested by acute renal pain, pain when tapping the lumbar region from the side of the formed thrombosis.
Regardless of the location of atherosclerotic lesions, two types of complications are distinguished. Chronic and acute. TO chronic complications include chronic vascular insufficiency, which is accompanied hypoxia , atrophic and dystrophic changes in the affected organ. Acute complications are most often caused by the occurrence of blood clots, emboli and vascular spasms, in such cases, immediate treatment of atherosclerosis and its complications is required. Acute occlusion , accompanied by acute ischemia, leads to the development of heart attacks.
Diagnosis of atherosclerosis
At the first manifestations of atherosclerosis, you must immediately consult a doctor and undergo mandatory examination. Very often, atherosclerosis develops unnoticed over a period of time. long period. The general direction of diagnosing atherosclerosis as a whole is as follows:
- interviewing the patient to find out the symptoms - coronary heart disease, signs of cerebral circulatory disorders, abdominal angina, ;
- Examination of the patient. Includes identifying signs of premature aging of the body. Pay attention to the following signs: hair loss, as well as changes in the nail plates on the toes, excessive hair growth in the ears and a number of other signs of damage internal organs. This is followed by listening to the internal organs and palpating all accessible arteries. Analysis of identified systolic murmur at the moment of listening to the heart, increasing blood pressure.
- Determination of risk factors contributing to atherosclerosis. Detection of hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, nervous stress, bad habits or other factors that directly affect the development of atherosclerosis.
- Laboratory and instrumental diagnostics atherosclerosis. Laboratory assessment of fatty (lipid) changes in the body. ECHO-cardiography . Ultrasound scanning vessels of the head, neck and lower extremities. Electrocardiography .
Treatment of atherosclerosis
Treatment of atherosclerosis is usually a long process. The treatment regimen, which lasts at least 6 months, includes several components. Reception hypolipidemic drugs
, which reduce blood lipid levels, improve tissue oxygenation, improve blood rheology and increase the elasticity of vessel walls. Development special diet in order to reduce the patient's cholesterol level. Stop smoking, as nicotine impairs blood circulation and promotes thrombosis. Taking medications that reduce the risk of thrombosis.
The presence of atherosclerotic plaques, which prevent normal blood supply to organs, determines the use of surgical methods for treating atherosclerosis. The damaged area of the blood vessel and blood clot are surgically removed, and vascular prosthetics is also performed. This method is used to treat atherosclerotic lesions of the arteries of the lower extremities, internal organs and coronary heart arteries.
Doctors
Medicines
Prevention of atherosclerosis
Prevention of atherosclerosis involves eliminating the largest number of risk factors and changing lifestyle. Categorical cessation of smoking, combating obesity, increasing physical activity, eliminating stressful situations. Studies have shown that eliminating one factor contributing to the development of atherosclerosis reduces the risk of developing the disease by half. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle will help avoid diseases such as atherosclerosis.
Diet, nutrition for atherosclerosis
List of sources
- Pathophysiology of diseases of the cardiovascular system (ed. L. Lilly; Translated from English), - M.; Binomial. Knowledge Laboratory, 2003;
- Aronov D.M., Lupanov V.P. Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Second edition, revised. Moscow, "Triad-X", 2009;
- Atherosclerosis/A. L. Rakov, V. N. Kolesnikov // New pharmacy. - 2002. - No. 6
Atherosclerosis is a disease based on impaired lipid (fat) metabolism in the body. With this pathology, fat is deposited on the inner wall of medium- and large-caliber arteries. Atherosclerosis underlies many cardiovascular diseases and is also a risk factor for stroke and heart attack. It occupies a leading position in the list of the most common diseases in the world. Also one of the first places is vascular disease ranks on the list of diseases leading to fatal outcome. According to statistics, every 10th death on the planet occurs from the consequences of atherosclerosis, which most often include myocardial infarction and cerebral hemorrhage.
The areas where this disease is most common are European countries and North America with a high level economic development. According to the United States Population Bureau, 30 percent of deaths are caused by atherosclerosis. In the second half of the twentieth century, this metabolic disorder began to be increasingly diagnosed in Japan and China. Experts note that this is facilitated by the development of technology, which entails a sedentary lifestyle. In the Russian Federation, atherosclerosis is also a common pathology. Every year, atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels cause death among men in more than 60 percent of cases. Traditional causes of atherosclerosis are considered to be poor diet, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. According to these factors, atherosclerosis is a modern disease, since in ancient times there was no fast food or tobacco products, and at the same time our ancestors led an active life. However, data from some studies refute this assumption. Employees of a medical center in California analyzed mummified bodies. During the experiment, the remains of 76 people who lived on the territory of 5 continents many centuries ago were examined. The study found that 35 percent of the bodies had symptoms of atherosclerosis. The head of the study emphasized that scientists were unable to detect at least one ancient civilization, whose representatives did not show signs of this disease. This led researchers to believe that large percentage The risk of developing atherosclerosis in modern humans is determined by a genetic factor.
The absence of a direct connection between atherosclerosis and diet is confirmed by studies conducted among residents African countries. Some African tribes feed primarily on camel and goat milk, which is several times fattier than cow's milk. Despite this, increased blood cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis are much less common in these people than in other peoples.
A large-scale study on the topic of atherosclerosis was conducted in India. The analysis provided evidence that mortality from the consequences of atherosclerosis among residents of the southern part of the country is 7 times higher than among those living in the northwestern region. It is noteworthy that residents of northwestern India consume significantly more tobacco products and fatty animal products.
Causes and risk factors of atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a polyetiological (multifactorial) disease, in the development of which more than a dozen factors are simultaneously involved. The causes and risk factors of atherosclerosis are:
- dyslipidemia – a disorder of lipid metabolism;
- arterial hypertension - high blood pressure, which provokes stratification of the epithelium of the vascular wall and the rapid penetration of lipids into it;
- smoking – the integrity of the vascular wall is also compromised;
- obesity – accompanied by impaired metabolism and excessive concentration of lipids in the blood serum;
- metabolic disorders - diabetes mellitus;
- complicated heredity - plays a major role in familial dyslipidemia;
- male gender – atherosclerosis occurs more often in men than in women;
- age over 55 years – metabolism slows down with age;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- unhealthy diet – excess fat consumption;
- hormonal imbalance - androgens have an atherogenic effect.
Dyslipidemia
Dyslipidemia is a disorder of lipid metabolism. Lipids, also known as fats, play an important role in the body. They are the building material for cell membranes, for nervous tissue and for the synthesis of hormones. However, their increased content is accompanied by the development of atherosclerosis. There are several lipid fractions, each of which plays its own role.In order to assess lipid metabolism disorders, it is necessary to know what normal blood lipid composition looks like.
The ratio of major lipids is normal
Lipid name | Characteristic | Normal concentration |
Total cholesterol | It is a precursor of sex hormones, bile acids, vitamin D. | 3.5 – 5.2 millimoles per liter |
LDL (Low density lipoproteins) | They transport cholesterol from one cell to another. They are also called “bad lipids” because they increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis. | up to 3.5 millimoles per liter |
HDL (High density lipoproteins) | Functional examination Objective signs of aortic atherosclerosis are:
Atherosclerosis of the abdominal aortaThis variant of atherosclerosis is accompanied by impaired circulation in the internal organs (visceral circulation). In this case, atherosclerotic plaques are deposited on the inner wall of the visceral arteries (arteries that supply internal organs). The narrowing of these arteries leads to the development of ischemia and disorders of the internal organs.For a long time, chronic oxygen starvation of internal organs can occur hidden. This explains the fact that atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta is diagnosed extremely rarely. Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta are:
Pain syndrome most often appears after eating fatty foods in large quantities. Initially, there is a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the stomach, which occurs 10 - 15 minutes after eating. Further, these sensations are replaced by pronounced, aching pains of a dull nature. As a rule, the pain is localized around the navel and lasts about an hour or more. The pain does not respond to painkillers, such as no-spa. They go away on their own and appear again half an hour after a heavy meal. Upon examination and palpation (medical palpation), abdominal pain is revealed in its various parts, depending on the location of atherosclerosis. Impaired intestinal motor function Weight loss Leriche syndrome Objective symptoms of Leriche syndrome are:
Diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis When atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus are combined, the risk of developing cardiovascular complications increases several times. Firstly, this is explained by the fact that diabetes itself is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. And secondly, diabetes mellitus is combined with a number of other pathologies (for example, arterial hypertension), which also increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Thus, diabetes mellitus is not only a risk factor for atherosclerosis, but also contributes to its progression. The combination of these two pathologies is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. Also, these pathologies occur with vascular damage, which increases the risk of complications such as gangrene and trophic ulcers tenfold. Manifestations of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosisThe main manifestation of diabetes mellitus is an increased level of glucose (popularly known as sugar) in the blood. This provokes a number of symptoms that characterize diabetes in the initial stages.The main symptoms of diabetes are:
Complications of diabetes The danger of diabetes mellitus also lies in the fact that insulin deficiency leads to a decrease in the activity of enzymes that break down fats. This, in turn, leads to increased concentration. Also, in diabetes mellitus, endothelial function is impaired and vascular permeability changes. As a result, lipids penetrate and saturate the vascular wall much more easily. Thus, when diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis are combined, a vicious circle is observed. An increased concentration of glucose creates the ground for lipids to penetrate into the vascular wall. And atherosclerosis itself reduces tissue sensitivity to insulin and provokes the development of insulin resistance. Pathology of the cardiovascular system and atherosclerosis Numerous studies have proven that atherosclerosis is combined with increased risk development of cardiovascular diseases. First of all, this is a risk for the development of coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is a chronic lesion of the heart muscle, which is caused by a decrease in blood supply. As a result of decreased blood circulation, the myocardium (heart muscle) ceases to receive the required amount of blood and oxygen. The main cause of coronary heart disease today is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. Coronary atherosclerosis and coronary heart diseaseCoronary atherosclerosis is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart. It is known that the heart is fed by two coronary arteries - the right and left. Each of them gives rise to numerous small branches that nourish the myocardium. Atherosclerotic lesion of any of these arteries leads to insufficient coronary circulation. Narrowing of the artery lumen by more than 70 percent leads to a detailed clinical picture of coronary heart disease. Complete obstruction of a blood vessel can lead to myocardial infarction.Lack of blood circulation provokes oxygen starvation of the heart muscle. The heart begins to lack oxygen and nutrients supplied by the blood. With a lack of oxygen in the muscle, anaerobic (oxygen-free) processes begin to activate. These processes are accompanied by the production of lactic acid, which is a strong irritant. It irritates the nerve endings, which provokes pain - the main symptom of coronary artery disease. Characteristics of pain in coronary heart disease are:
Myocardial infarctionA serious complication of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels is myocardial infarction. A heart attack is the death (necrosis) of a certain area of the heart muscle due to complete occlusion of one of the coronary arteries. Any tissue in the body needs oxygen to carry out its functions. Thus, the vital activity of tissues and organs of the body is maintained. The lack of oxygen leads to cell death and tissue destruction. The organs most susceptible to lack of oxygen are the brain and heart. Complete cessation of blood supply to the heart due to blockage of the coronary arteries leads to acute organ hypoxia and tissue necrosis.The lack of oxygen activates the anaerobic processes of the heart, in which the end product is lactic acid. Being a strong irritant, it irritates the nerve endings and provokes severe, burning pain. Manifestations of myocardial infarction are:
CardiosclerosisCardiosclerosis is characterized by replacement muscle tissue hearts into connective tissue fibers. As a rule, cardiosclerosis is a consequence of long-term ischemic heart disease. The main reason for it is hypoxia (oxygen starvation). Hypoxia is the main stimulator of connective tissue proliferation. Therefore, when the heart lacks oxygen for a long time, its tissue is replaced by connective tissue fibers. In cardiosclerosis of atherosclerotic origin, the proliferation of connective tissue occurs diffusely. The structure and architecture of the myocardium is lost. Connective tissue, unlike muscle tissue, does not have such contractility. Therefore, as the connective tissue grows, heart failure develops. It is expressed in the fact that the heart begins to contract with much less force. Accordingly, it can no longer provide normal blood supply to the body. The patient experiences shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, swelling in the legs progresses. Before use, you should consult a specialist. |
A chronic disease in which arteries are affected as a result of disturbances in protein and fat metabolism in vascular tissues.
The disease is characterized by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of blood vessels, narrowing and deforming the vessels, which causes circulatory problems and damage to internal organs.
Vascular atherosclerosis is one of the most pressing diseases of our time. It ranks among the top four causes of illness, disability and premature death.
Several factors are involved in the formation of atherosclerosis: age, metabolic disorders, chronic diseases.
Causes of atherosclerosis
The cause of atherosclerosis is that large arteries become clogged with so-called atherosclerotic plaques, which prevents normal blood supply to organs.
An atherosclerotic plaque is a formation consisting of a mixture of fats (primarily cholesterol) and calcium. This “growth” on the inner shell of the vessel is covered on the outside with a capsule.
Violation of the integrity of this tire (that’s what it’s called in medicine) leads to the formation of a blood clot, a conglomerate of cells (mainly platelets) and blood proteins, on the plaque.
The thrombus, firstly, further narrows the lumen of the artery, and secondly, a piece can come off from it, which is carried further along the vessel by the blood flow until the diameter of the latter becomes so small that the thrombus gets stuck.
In this case, a severe circulatory disorder occurs: blood simply stops flowing to any organ (or part of it) and it may die. The latter situation occurs in the following diseases:
- stroke,
- blockage of intestinal arteries,
- leg arteries,
- kidney infarction,
- splenic infarction, etc.
The atherosclerotic plaque is constantly growing, gradually narrowing the lumen of the artery. At the beginning, symptoms appear only with arterial spasm (sharp contraction), and then with relaxed arteries.
Risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis
The causes of atherosclerosis are not fully understood, but the risk factors for the development of this disease are precisely known:
- smoking
- hyperlipoproteinemia
- arterial hypertension
- diabetes mellitus
- obesity
- sedentary lifestyle
- emotional overstrain
- poor nutrition
- hereditary predisposition
- postmenopause
- hyperfibrinogenemia
- homocysteinuria
- hypothyroidism
Eliminating these factors is the key successful treatment atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels
Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is the most common disease of the brain, affecting vessels of the muscular-elastic type, with the formation of single or multiple foci of lipid, mainly cholesterol, deposits - atheromatous plaques - in the inner lining of brain vessels.
The subsequent proliferation of connective tissue in it (sclerosis) and calcification of the vessel wall lead to slowly progressive deformation and narrowing of its lumen until complete emptying (obliteration) of the vessel and thereby cause a chronic, slowly increasing insufficiency of the blood supply to the organ fed through the affected brain vessel.
Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels occurs in people over 20 years of age, but with the greatest frequency in men aged 50-60 years and in women over 60 years of age. The pathogenesis is complex and not fully deciphered.
Play a role pathological features metabolism and transport of fats and fat-protein complexes, on the one hand, and disruption of functional and structural integrity inner shell arteries - on the other.
Predisposition to cerebral atherosclerosis is often hereditary; Risk factors contribute to the spread of the disease:
The clinical picture varies depending on the predominant localization and extent of the process, but is always determined by the manifestations and consequences of tissue or organ ischemia, depending both on the degree of narrowing of the lumen main arteries, and from the development of collaterals.
Since symptoms pathognomonic for atherosclerosis itself are unknown, the diagnosis is based on signs of damage to individual vascular areas or vessels.
Atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities
Most often, atherosclerosis affects the vessels of the lower extremities in the places of branching, the aorta and coronary vessels, the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries. Inside the vessel, a mushy mass of lipids accumulates on its walls.
The lumen of the vessels narrows, the walls of the vessels become ulcerated, blood clots form, and scar tissue grows. Granular masses of lime salts are deposited on the walls of blood vessels - vascular calcification occurs.
Subsequently, the entire wall of the vessel becomes calcified. The most striking manifestation of obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities is intermittent claudication. When walking, severe pain occurs in the calf muscles, thigh muscles and even in the hip joint.
When you stop, the pain in the legs subsides and the patient can continue on his way. However, when movements are resumed, sharp pain occurs again. Since even with complete blockage of the vessel, collateral circulation develops through the deep femoral artery and its branches, the clinical picture may be blurred.
Coldness in the legs, cramps in the calf muscles at night, numbness of the toes, fatigue when walking - all these are quite early symptoms of obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities.
Pallor and cyanosis skin are also characteristic of the debut of the disease. Plantar symptom is a way to assess anemization of leg tissues. In the supine position, the patient raises his legs to 45° without bending his knees.
At the same time he is asked to bend ankle joints- the speed at which a feeling of fatigue appears and the appearance of pallor of the soles shows the degree of vascular damage and the development of anemia in the tissues.
Symptoms of atherosclerosis
Symptoms of atherosclerosis depend mainly on the malnutrition of the organ supplied by the artery altered by sclerosis. Poor circulation is one of the main negative manifestations of atherosclerosis, which leads to various complications in the functioning of the heart, brain and other organs. The characteristic symptoms accompanying circulatory disorders in the body include the following:
A person suffering from atherosclerosis constantly feels tired, apathy manifests itself, frequent fainting occurs, dizziness and a general deterioration in health are observed.
Symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis
The greatest danger is a pathological disorder cerebral circulation, which develops due to atherosclerotic damage to the carotid arteries and other blood flow pathways that deliver blood to the brain (for example, the carotid artery and aorta). Insufficient oxygen supply to the brain is accompanied by wide range symptoms listed below:
Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels is also manifested by permanent redness of the face, increased sweating and general malaise of the body.
Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels
During the development of atherosclerosis, the most common damage to the coronary cardiac blood flow, which leads to disruption of the heart muscle - a weakening of the force of contractions and an increase in pulse with rhythm disturbances. This ultimately leads to the development of coronary heart disease and the manifestation of the following symptoms of the disease:
The above symptoms may intensify when leading an unhealthy lifestyle, abuse of bad habits, poor nutrition and overwork.
Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities
Insufficient blood flow, which is an integral effect of atherosclerosis on the body, leads to the fact that blood does not flow in sufficient volumes to areas of the body remote from the heart - the upper and lower extremities. The manifestation of symptoms is most pronounced in the lower part of the legs, as in the furthest from the heart:
A characteristic feature of leg pain with atherosclerosis is that it is observed in the muscles. This important point, since pain in the lower extremities also accompanies a disease such as arthrosis, but in this case the pain is observed not in the muscles, but in the joints.
Diagnosis of atherosclerosis
The diagnosis of atherosclerosis is based on signs of damage to individual vascular areas or arteries and always consists of several main stages:
Clarification of the patient's symptoms and complaints
At the first stage, the doctor compares the patient’s complaints with the symptoms of the disease. Symptoms of atherosclerosis, depending on the location and stage of development of the disease, vary greatly, but a number of common ones can be identified:
Examination of the patient
Professional specialists, along with studying the patient’s complaints, always conduct an external examination for the presence of xanthoma and xanthelasma - characteristic skin growths yellow. The examination may also include palpation (palpation) of all accessible arteries (iliac, popliteal, femoral, carotid and others) and listening to murmurs in the aorta.
Establishment of risk factors for atherosclerosis
To diagnose the disease, the attending physician must clarify the risk factors for the development of the disease (smoking, obesity, diabetes, unbalanced diet, etc.). However, even after examination and identification of external signs of the disease, as well as the patient being at risk, making a diagnosis is impossible without laboratory blood tests and instrumental diagnostics.
Laboratory research
The main purpose of a blood test is to detect higher level lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides). Each age has its own norm, since their accumulation, even with a balanced diet, is inevitable. Blood sampling is done in the morning and on an empty stomach, since it is under such conditions that various biochemical indicators are not influenced by the liquid drunk throughout the day, food taken, and physical activity.
Duplex scanning of the brachiocephalic arteries
This is an inexpensive, painless, safe and informative (with an accuracy of 99%) method of examining the blood flow in the neck that supplies the brain. For this procedure, we use the MyLab 50 ultrasound system. When scanning with an ultrasound sensor, the diagnostician receives a holistic picture of the state of the blood flow in the neck: lumen, presence of cholesterol plaques, blood flow speed. Diagnostic results are ready within a few minutes after the procedure.
Duplex scanning of extremities
If there is a suspicion of atherosclerosis affecting the arteries of the arms or legs, duplex scanning of the extremities will help to refute or confirm the diagnosis. This method is similar to scanning the brachiocephalic arteries; it allows you to find blood clots and diagnose venous insufficiency. The main advantage of the procedure is the absence of contraindications and complete safety.
Doppler ultrasound of cerebral vessels
This method is used to assess the state of cerebral blood flow. It is based on ultrasound scanning using special equipment - the RIMED Digi-Life Doppler. Using this method, it is possible to diagnose cerebral atherosclerosis in the early stages and prevent stroke.
X-ray contrast angiography
The essence of this method is to inject a radiopaque substance into the arteries and veins through a special catheter and study the arteries in which the blood flow is impaired. This method is one of the most accurate in studying arteries that are inaccessible to duplex scanning. The method is often used to diagnose coronary heart disease, the most common disease that develops as a result of atherosclerosis.
Determination of the ankle-brachial index
The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is an important indicator in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic bloodstream lesions. This is the ratio of blood pressure in the lower leg to the pressure in the arm. At certain ABI values, a professional physician can detect atherosclerosis of peripheral vessels in the early stages and prevent its development.
X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging
X-ray, MRI and CT to diagnose the disease are prescribed to the patient, as a rule, in cases where highly specialized methods for identifying atherosclerosis of the peripheral arteries, blood flow of the heart and brain were not enough. They provide the diagnostician with information about various injuries, aneurysms (dilation of arteries) and other pathologies.
ECG, stress ECG and EchoCG
An ECG is used if coronary heart disease is suspected, the consequence of which is most often atherosclerosis. This is a universal method in cardiology, and no doctor can prescribe treatment without it. In order to make the heart work in a stressful situation, for example, during physical activity, a stress ECG is used. Simulating cycling gives the doctor an understanding of how the vessels that supply the heart with blood work during exercise.
Echocardiography (EchoCG) is an informative way to examine the heart and coronary arteries with ultrasound. A diagnostician can assess in real time the nature of wall damage, the presence of blood clots, and the speed of blood flow.
Success in the treatment of atherosclerosis depends entirely on timely diagnosis. Since this disease cannot be cured, the patient needs to monitor his health for the rest of his life, see a doctor and periodically undergo examination of the vascular system.
Treatment of atherosclerosis
Treatment of atherosclerosis aims to prevent the progression of the process and stimulate the development of indirect pathways of blood flow to the affected organ or part of the body. The treatment regimen for atherosclerosis considers both drug and non-drug methods.
Non-drug treatment of atherosclerosis
| Normalization of body weight. |
| Dosed physical activity in conditions of sufficient oxygen flow. The exercise regimen is selected individually, taking into account the localization and severity of atherosclerosis, as well as concomitant diseases. |
| A diet with limited intake of animal fats, enriched with vitamins and dietary fiber, the calorie content of which corresponds to the patient’s load. |
| It is recommended to avoid eating fatty and fried foods. |
| It is advisable to replace meat in the diet with fish (preferably sea) 2-3 times a week. |
| Vegetables and fruits, rich in fiber and vitamins, should form the bulk of your diet. |
| Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol increases the level of triglycerides (chemical compounds - esters of triglycerol with fatty acids), promotes weight gain, worsens gout (uric acid metabolism disorder), and provokes muscle damage in patients taking statins (a group of drugs that affect the synthesis of lipids by the liver). |
| Quitting smoking. Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, especially myocardial infarction and damage to the arteries of the lower extremities. Quitting smoking, on the contrary, is accompanied by an increase in antiatherogenic substances (substances that prevent atherosclerotic damage to the arteries) in the blood. |
| Elimination of stressful situations ( conflict situations at home and at work). |
Drug treatment of atherosclerosis
| Statins - reduce the synthesis of cholesterol by the liver and its intracellular content, increase the destruction of lipids (fat-like substances), have an anti-inflammatory effect, and prevent damage to new areas of the arteries. |
| Statins increase the life expectancy of patients, reduce the incidence of complications of atherosclerosis and the severity of arterial damage. |
| Statins can cause damage to the liver and muscles, so when taking statins it is necessary to regularly monitor blood tests for the presence of products of liver destruction (alanine aminotransferase - ALT) and muscles (creatine phosphokinase - CPK). |
| Statins should not be used for active liver disease (if the ALT level is more than 3 times higher than normal). |
| Intestinal cholesterol absorption inhibitors (a group of drugs that interfere with the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine). The effect of this group of drugs is limited, since dietary cholesterol makes up approximately 1/5 of the total cholesterol in the body, and 4/5 of the cholesterol is formed in the liver. |
| Bile acid sequestrants (ion exchange resins) are a group of drugs that bind cholesterol-containing bile acids in the intestinal lumen and remove them from the body. May cause constipation, bloating, and taste disturbances. |
| Fibrates are a group of drugs that reduce the level of triglycerides (small molecules of fat-like substances) and increase the level of high-density lipoproteins (protective substances that prevent atherosclerosis). Can be used in conjunction with statins |
| Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are a group of drugs obtained from fish muscle. They reduce the level of triglycerides, reduce the risk of heart rhythm disturbances, and prolong the life of patients after myocardial infarction (death of a section of the heart muscle due to the complete cessation of blood flow to it). |
Surgical treatment of atherosclerosis
Surgical treatment is carried out depending on the location of atherosclerotic plaques. With atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries ( own arteries heart) a number of measures are applied.
Percutaneous methods of intervention (i.e. without opening chest, medical instruments are inserted through vessels under the control of an X-ray machine):
For atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries, the following are used:
For atherosclerosis of the lower or upper extremities, the following are used:
In case of atherosclerosis of the intestinal arteries, only part of the intestine is removed during its infarction (death of a section of the intestine with a complete cessation of blood flow to it).
Treatment of atherosclerosis with folk remedies
The most popular means traditional medicine, with the help of which you can cure a disease such as atherosclerosis.
Clove spice remedy
This remedy is used for some symptoms of atherosclerosis such as dizziness and sharp pain in the heart area; it can be used to improve vision and hearing.
You will need 500 grams of vodka, which we pour into a three-liter jar. Also add twenty-five grams of clove seasoning and 500 grams of sugar to the vodka in a jar, add four small lemons with peel, previously grated. Thoroughly mix the ingredients in the jar until the sugar is completely dissolved and fill the remaining volume with warm, boiled warm water.
Place the jar with the product in a dark place for two weeks. In two weeks our ready-made product should be taken regularly 15 minutes before meals, 25 grams three times a day. We do not stop drinking the product until it runs out, after which we take a seven-day break and repeat. The full course, which leads to recovery, will be completed after three such cans have been consumed.
Treatment of atherosclerosis with garlic and honey
This folk remedy is recommended for use not only for atherosclerosis, but also for cardiovascular diseases. To prepare the product, you will need 250 grams of garlic, which must be chopped on a grater or through a garlic press. Mix garlic with 350 grams of honey. Place the mixed mass in a dark place for a week.
After seven days, the infused mass should be taken one teaspoon 15 minutes before meals three times a day. Garlic has a positive effect on the human body, it is useful for cardiovascular diseases, and can be taken in any form.
Garlic and lemon tincture
The folk remedy not only has general strengthening properties, but also helps cure the disease of atherosclerosis. You will need 300 grams of garlic squeezed through a garlic press, which you need to put in a small jar and add to it the juice of three medium-sized lemons just squeezed. There is no need to close the jar, just tie it with gauze.
Before taking the product, the infusion should be shaken thoroughly. Take a teaspoon of infusion and dilute it in a glass of boiled water and drink. Within two weeks after taking the tincture, patients feel better, memory improves, immunity is strengthened and performance returns.
Rosehip for atherosclerosis
Another popular method of folk treatment for atherosclerosis, which was used in Rus', is prepared on the basis of rose hips. You will need a half-liter jar of rose hips, which must be crushed.
Fill a half-liter bottle 2/3 full with crushed rose hips, and fill the rest of the bottle with vodka. We leave the bottle in a dark place for two weeks so that the product infuses, but the bottle must be shaken daily. This remedy must be taken with refined sugar. Add 20 drops of infusion to the refined sugar and dissolve.
Infusion of Japanese Sophora
Sophora japonica perfectly washes away organic salt from the walls and cleanses the blood. To prepare this method, you will need 50 grams of Japanese sophora, which must be infused with 500 grams of vodka in a dark place for thirty days.
This remedy should be taken one teaspoon three times a day. If drinking alcohol is contraindicated for a person, there is a way out - Japanese Sophora should be brewed in boiling water.
We brew it like tea: for a glass of water we need a teaspoon of sophora. This infusion should be infused for a day in a thermos and consumed 2 tablespoons twice a day.
Prevention of atherosclerosis
Like any other disease, atherosclerosis is easier to prevent than to treat. Prevention of the development of the disease, as well as its treatment, has similar methods, main task which – qualitative change way of life.
Smokers should give up this bad habit. Nicotine and tar, which are contained in cigarettes, disrupt microcirculation in the walls, promote blood clots and replace oxygen cells with carbon monoxide. Smoking a cigarette after a meal interferes with the normal process of lipid metabolism, as a result of which excess cholesterol is deposited on the inner walls.
You should also sharply limit or stop drinking alcohol. It does not directly contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, but it creates additional stress on the heart and increases blood pressure. But hypertension has a negative effect on blood vessels, causing them to constantly increase in diameter, thereby accelerating the development of pathology.
Another important medicinal and preventive method are physical activity. They will be useful not only for overweight people, but also for those whose activities involve sedentary work. There are special programs therapeutic physical culture aimed at preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Diet for atherosclerosis
A balanced diet is one of the most important components of non-drug treatment and prevention of the disease. Diet for atherosclerosis includes avoidance of fatty and salty foods, fried foods, and flour bread premium. The daily diet should be enriched with vegetables, herbs and fruits. Nuts, sea fish, dried fruits are useful.
Prohibited Products
The diet prescribed for atherosclerosis excludes refractory fats, red meat, and any fatty and fried foods. Sausages and pates, rich broths are excluded. It is not recommended to eat offal (brains, liver, etc.). Fatty dairy products fall into disgrace (the permissible fat content of cheese is no more than 30%). You should not include baked goods, confectionery products with cream, or fatty sauces into your diet.
In small quantities, you can introduce various vegetable oils and dietary meats into the diet (this is veal, lean poultry without skin, game, rabbit meat). You are allowed to eat cheeses little by little (mild and low-fat).
Eggs can be consumed, but not more than 2 pieces. per week. You can season your food soy sauce. Sweets are allowed in small quantities. Dry wine can also be included in the patient’s diet - it is believed that it has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system (resveratrol, present in wine, fights blockages in blood vessels).
Fish (various types) is welcome. It is worth consuming low-fat dairy products. Vegetables, berries and fruits are beneficial. The diet may include dietary types of bread, dry cookies, wholemeal pasta, and various cereals (except semolina). Nuts and sugar-free drinks are beneficial.
Differences in different localizations of atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis can have different localizations. If the vessels of the extremities are affected, then it is worth limiting the intake of vitamin D. The diet for atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain and neck is enriched with vitamins B (B6, B12), E, C.
It's good to eat tomatoes. If affected carotid arteries, you definitely need to cut down on calories. It is recommended to unload on vegetables. The diet prohibits baking, sweets, pickles, and smoked foods.
Questions and answers on the topic "Vascular atherosclerosis"
Question:Hello, please tell me, my 73-year-old grandfather has atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, they say cut off his leg above the knee, is there anything else that can be done?
Answer: In most cases, vascular surgeons try to bypass this procedure, but there are times when necroectomy is simply necessary to save a person’s life. Reasons for amputation in atherosclerosis of the lower extremities: blood flow in the vessels of the legs is completely stopped; obstruction of the arteries of the lower extremities is pronounced; necrotic tissue decomposition.
Now widespread and accessible to almost everyone who is not in critical condition and does not require emergency amputation against the background of spreading gangrene, gentle techniques.
Angioplasty and stenting is an operation during which a balloon is inserted into the affected (narrowed) vessel at the end of a long catheter.
Classic stenting is an intervention that involves the introduction of a stent (a metal tubular prosthesis that ensures normal blood flow) in order to preserve the vascular lumen.
Bypass surgery is a surgical procedure aimed at creating an additional bypass when an artery is blocked by a blood clot or atherosclerotic plaque.
Question:A 29-year-old man has pain in his legs not when walking, but at night, closer to the morning. Every night my legs are spinning. Is this a symptom of atherosclerosis? What diseases does this look like?
Answer: Hello. Similar pains and discomfort in the legs are observed with the so-called restless legs syndrome - a common neurological disease However, this syndrome is characterized by the development of symptoms in the evening and in the first half of the night. Atherosclerosis usually develops later and causes intermittent claudication - pain in the legs when walking. In a young man (especially a smoker), Buerger's disease must be excluded. Other causes of leg pain may be pathology of the spinal column and spinal cord, diseases of the bones and joints. To resolve the issue, contact a specialist.
Question:Please tell me, are there any folk remedies for the treatment of obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities? Thanks in advance for your answer!
Answer: Traditional methods of treating atherosclerosis exist, however, the effectiveness of none of them has been proven. On the other hand, diet therapy is successfully used in the treatment of atherosclerosis throughout the world.
Question:Hello! My dad is 59 years old. He has atherosclerosis, critical stenosis of the iliac artery, occlusion of the superficial femoral artery. He also has tachycardia. ischemic disease stage 2. In November he was in the hospital, he was given IV drips and sent to Krasnodar for surgery, but he is afraid. Tell me if I should have surgery or if I can treat it with other methods. Sincerely, Tatyana
Answer: With atherosclerosis, the lumen of the artery becomes clogged with a semi-petrified plug of fats and dead blood cells. There are currently no medications that can dissolve these plaques and restore blood flow through the affected arteries. Vasodilators in similar cases give a very weak and short-lived effect. In such cases, only surgery can save the affected leg.
Question:I am 33 years old. After a TBI, a diagnosis was made: grade 3 hypertension, risk 4. Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, grade 2. Against the backdrop of a decline venous outflow by 80% and thickening of the aorta. Cholesterol 4.7. Is such a diagnosis possible at my age?
Answer: Such a diagnosis is possible. In some people, due to their metabolic characteristics, atherosclerosis develops in youth (even at 20 years old!). Atherosclerotic lesion cannot be cured, but its development can be significantly slowed down. Be sure to consult a cardiologist regarding the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Question:How to treat atherosclerosis with traditional methods?
Answer: Hello, traditional methods of treating atherosclerotic lesions consist of following a diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which help normalize fat metabolism and reduce blood cholesterol levels. Read more about the content of such diets in the section on atherosclerosis.
Question:Woman, 58 years old, abdominal aorta replacement a year ago, postoperative period without complications, when monitored by ultrasound, cholesterol plaque closes the lumen by 30-40%. Is there any drug treatment?
Answer: Unfortunately, there is no treatment that could “dissolve” the plaque, but there are medications that slow down its growth by lowering cholesterol levels in the blood and normalizing fat metabolism (medicines from the statin group, for example, Lovastatin).
Question:Hello, please answer the question: My father is 57 years old, he was diagnosed with atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, he underwent tests and was sent for surgery, is it necessary or not? Is it possible to do without surgery? Thank you.
Answer: Hello, it all depends on the degree of blockage of the arteries of the lower extremities with atherosclerotic plaques. However, if the doctors prescribed surgery, then they had a reason for it. Rely on their experience. The operation can really significantly improve the situation and save your father from gangrene of the limbs.
Question:Hello! My dad is 68 years old, he was diagnosed with obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, initially he was treated for two months thumb the legs said that it was a fungus, and when the toes turned dark and red, they decided that it was atherosclerosis, now he is in the hospital receiving a course of treatment, but the doctor says that most likely he will have to amputate his leg, because there's no pulse on her vascular surgeon We weren’t at the consultation, but reading other people’s questions about the signs are very similar, tell me if there is an alternative treatment without surgery, what would you advise, what to do. He will be discharged but the pain will not stop. Are there any painkillers that could help? Thanks in advance for your answer.
Answer: Hello, the symptoms you described are indeed characteristic of obliterating atherosclerotic lesions of the legs. In such cases, only surgery can save the patient, since at the moment there are no drugs that can restore blood flow in arteries affected by atherosclerosis. You should start treating your father with a consultation with a vascular surgeon and decide on surgery as soon as possible. Using painkillers will not only not solve the problem, but may also harm your father, since in the absence of pain he will not notice the onset of gangrene and will not agree to the operation. Don't waste time - show your father to the surgeon as soon as possible!
Question:Man, 56 years old, cardiac ultrasound showed atherosclerosis of the aorta. Has bad habits: he smokes a lot for a long time, drinks alcohol (but does not abuse it). I did not carry out prophylaxis; after I learned the diagnosis, I have not yet been treated with anything. What treatments can help him?
Answer: The principles of treatment of atherosclerotic lesions are outlined in our article. The main thing is to convince the patient to quit smoking. Second, get your blood lipids tested. If found high level cholesterol, consult your doctor regarding treatment with statins (simvastatin, etc.).
Question:Hello! Please tell me whether a slow reaction, memory loss, and incomprehension can be signs of atherosclerotic lesions? The suspected patient is a 55-year-old man. He always answers questions after a long pause. If yes, how can this be treated?
Answer: The signs you describe may be a sign of atherosclerotic brain damage, but they may also indicate the presence of another disease that can lead to dementia. Be sure to show the patient to a neurologist. Treatment of the symptoms described depends on the cause of the disease, which can only be determined through appropriate examination.
Question:Is it possible to study physical culture with atherosclerosis.
Answer: Physical exercise is beneficial for atherosclerosis and significantly improves the condition of the cardiovascular system. With atherosclerosis, the loads should not be tiring, and the sport itself should be non-traumatic.
First, let's look at what atherosclerosis is. In modern medicine, atherosclerosis is a chronic disease of various human organs, caused by the accumulation of so-called bad cholesterol on the internal walls with other types of plaque in the form of plaques and subsequent narrowing of the lumen. Because of this, blood flow is disrupted, blood vessels narrow, and organs experience a lack of blood. Sometimes the vessels become completely blocked, and there is a risk of developing severe cardiovascular pathologies.
Atherosclerosis detected at an early stage is treatable.Atherosclerosis is considered a high-risk pathology because it can be fatal. The disease can be recognized mainly when there are problems with altered blood supply to human organs and limbs, that is, atherosclerosis is diagnosed in patients with late stages its development. Initially, atherosclerosis was considered a disease of old age, since the risk of its development gradually increased in proportion to a person’s age. But recent data indicate an increase in the percentage of young people experiencing this pathology. Atherosclerosis has an ICD 10 code I70.
Symptoms
It is important to recognize the signs of atherosclerosis in time to begin timely treatment. But the symptoms of this disease do not always appear, or they are subtle. This complicates timely diagnosis. Atherosclerosis is considered a systemic disease, therefore it affects large areas circulatory system person. This explains the variety of manifestations of the disease. This pathology mainly affects the brain, human limbs and.
Specific symptoms are characteristic of the disease, but it is not always possible to detect it on time and correctly. Some people have very mild symptoms, and they attribute the malaise to physical or emotional fatigue, the effects of sports and other factors.
Manifestations are directly related to which organ is affected by the disease. But all are characterized by preclinical and clinical symptoms. In the first case, there are no signs, since the process is just developing. When the lumen closes by 50%, pronounced negative signs begin to appear. Most patients already seek help with them. The doctor, after conducting a comprehensive diagnosis, determines how to treat atherosclerosis in each specific case. How the disease manifests itself depends on the organ affected. Mainly the heart, limbs and brain.
Damage to the heart muscle
In approximately 75% of cases with atherosclerosis, symptoms actively manifest themselves in the form of unpleasant and pronounced pain in the area of the heart. The disease affects the coronary vessels, affecting the flow of oxygen and the flow of nutrients to this organ. The heart is considered the most sensitive organ to changes in the quality of its nutrition. Second only to the brain. The main symptoms include:
- pain in the chest area;
- feeling of chest tightness;
- impaired breathing;
- pain when inhaling and exhaling;
- attack-type angina;
- instability of the patient's blood pressure;
- back pain;
- pain radiating to the jaw, ear or neck;
- feeling cold;
- weakness in the limbs;
- attacks of vomiting and nausea.
The intensity of manifestations depends on the stage of atherosclerosis. The more advanced the disease, the more pronounced the symptoms will appear. Stress, bad habits and overeating aggravate the course of the disease.
Manifested when the vessels of the upper or lower extremities are damaged:
- feeling cold;
- feeling of goosebumps running over the skin;
- the skin becomes pale.
If complications of atherosclerosis are observed and the disease is in advanced stage, then the symptoms become brighter. This manifests itself in the following:
- the process of tissue degeneration begins due to nutritional deficiency;
- the fat layer becomes thinner;
- hair falls out (this process is irreversible);
- there is severe pain in the arms or legs;
- wounds appear on the limbs;
- affected areas of the body swell;
- fingers and toes turn red;
- the process of tissue necrosis begins.
Severe phases of atherosclerosis of the extremities require surgical intervention.
Brain damage
People with atherosclerotic syndrome face the most striking manifestations of pathology. This is due hypersensitivity organ. The following symptoms present as vascular disease progresses:
- arises headache, but without clear localization, therefore it is impossible to detect the exact area of these painful sensations;
- there is ringing and noise in the ears;
- a person’s sleep is disturbed (he may suffer from insomnia or constantly want to sleep);
- often have nightmares, which is due to brain activity and oxygen deficiency;
- the personality changes for the worse (the person becomes irritable, nervous, aggressive);
- a person becomes overly excitable, nervous, and is constantly accompanied by a feeling of anxiety;
- the disease is accompanied by lethargy and increased fatigue with minimal physical activity;
- key functions such as speech, breathing and the ability to eat are gradually impaired;
- the quality of coordination changes, it becomes difficult for a person to move and navigate independently.
One can only imagine what it feels like for a person faced with such a disease. He ceases to control his own body, which causes panic attacks, psycho-emotional disorders, and a feeling of doom. This negatively affects the general condition. Therefore, it is important to identify the causes of atherosclerosis in a timely manner, prescribe a comprehensive diagnosis and begin treatment.
Causes of vascular disease
Knowing the possible causes of the disease, you can try to prevent its manifestation by eliminating provoking factors. Vascular pathology develops when:
- smoking;
- chronic high blood pressure;
- diabetes mellitus;
- elevated cholesterol levels.
But doctors say that main reason serves to disrupt the proper metabolism of cholesterol in the patient’s body. Atherosclerosis forms naturally. The process begins at age 10 or older. As a person ages, processes may slow down or speed up. It all depends on the intensity of exposure to provoking factors.
There are several main factors that increase the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis and its active manifestation.
Knowing what can trigger the pathology, you have every chance to prevent this disease. Check your body carefully, watch what you eat and what you do.
Stages
Doctors cannot accurately name the reasons for the development of atherosclerosis. But it is reliably known that the basis of the mechanism is a violation of lipid metabolism. The manifestation of such dysfunction starts a process that leads to life-threatening atherosclerosis and other associated diseases.
The formation of the disease is conventionally divided into three stages.
- Formation of spots. These are fatty or lipid stains. At the first stage, there are no symptoms, the patient does not even realize that the pathological process has started in the body. Spots form quickly. If a sick person has diabetes, various stages of obesity or cardiovascular diseases, the process accelerates.
- Formation of the resulting layers. The tissue under the adhered lipid layer becomes inflamed. This is a protective reaction of the body. Because of this, it is formed chronic lesion inflammation. The process entails the decomposition of fatty deposits and tissue germination. As a result, lipids begin to rise above the vascular walls.
- Complications. This is the last stage of the disease. A person faces complications, symptoms begin to manifest themselves clearly. The further process can follow two scenarios. Plaques rupture and lead to the release of blood and the formation of blood clots, or these plaques completely block the lumens of blood vessels. In the second case, there is a risk of stroke.
It is difficult to say exactly how long and how quickly the disease will develop. For some patients this takes a few weeks, for others it continues for several years. This largely depends on the specific metabolism, the quality of metabolic processes, predisposition and other factors.
Doctors
Based on which human vessels are affected by atherosclerosis, the disease is classified into several types. The disease may affect:
- aorta;
- coronary arteries;
- vessels supplying the brain;
- vessels of the extremities (lower and upper);
- renal.
And here a natural question arises about which doctor treats atherosclerosis. You need to push off from the affected area. If this disease is associated with the brain, then you need to go to a neurologist. If you have problems with cardiovascular system look for a cardiologist's office. And if it is the lower or upper extremities, you will need a phlebologist.
But usually you have to visit several doctors at once. If you don't know who to contact immediately upon arriving at the hospital, go to a therapist. He will give necessary recommendations and referrals to the appropriate offices. Atherosclerosis needs comprehensive examination to identify all potential foci of development of this pathology. Do not start treatment on your own without prior consultation. Only based on the results of the examination and tests can an accurate diagnosis be made and complex therapy begin.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of atherosclerosis in severe stages does not cause problems for doctors, since the disease manifests itself clearly and characteristically. But identifying violations at an early stage is difficult. To do this, the patient himself must think about his health and undergo preventive examinations. But even in this case, only a qualified specialist will be able to notice the early signs of atherosclerosis. Therefore, when diagnosing, an integrated approach is used. It includes a number of survey activities. The disease is confirmed using:
- collecting anamnesis of the patient seeking help;
- methods of initial examination (examination of the body, weighing, checking heart murmurs, pressure, etc.);
- laboratory examination methods;
- instrumental studies of the body.
An initial visit to the doctor will provide the necessary answers. The doctor will tell you how to check blood vessels for atherosclerosis and give appropriate directions to diagnostic rooms. If the diagnosis of atherosclerosis shows the presence of pathology, treatment will need to be promptly started. This requires time and effort. The conditions of service in many public clinics and the lack of free time people often become reasons for self-medication and ignoring the recommendations of preventive examinations. This is a global problem that needs to be addressed.
Treatment
With atherosclerosis, symptoms appear quite clearly only in the last stages of development. It is not so often that people detect pathology in the initial stages, which is explained by the asymptomatic nature of the disease. But if during the examination it was possible to identify disturbances in the functioning of blood vessels, the attending physician will immediately prescribe the necessary treatment. Otherwise, the consequences of atherosclerosis can lead to serious illnesses and even death.
Treatment is carried out using several methods, depending on current state patient and neglect of vascular disease.
- Drug treatment. Most cases of atherosclerosis can be eliminated by prescribing to patients medicines. The list of medications includes statins, fibrates, nicotinic acid agents and sequestrant drugs. They are accepted as a whole. In order for the drugs to give the desired effect, at the same time the patient must adhere to the rules healthy eating, maintain optimal level physical activity and lead a balanced lifestyle. Physiotherapy methods can complement treatment. They are relevant for those who are faced with vascular damage to the upper or lower extremities.
- Surgical intervention. For atherosclerosis, it is important to use three main surgical invasive methods. Bypass surgery and vascular prosthetics are considered highly invasive operations. With the help of bypass surgery, it is possible to create a new highway by connecting the affected vessels to healthy ones. Prosthetics of the affected areas allows you to replace the vessel using a unique modern material. There is also a minimally invasive method called angioplasty. It is based on inserting a catheter through the femoral artery, followed by clearing the blocked vessel.
An operation may be prescribed in advanced cases or when it does not provide the desired effect. You should not immediately resort to bypass surgery, prosthetics or angioplasty. If possible and time, it is better to use the method drug therapy. Modern drugs have high performance exposure with minor side effects.
But the most reliable way to treat and protect against atherosclerosis in a person of any gender and age is to prevent the possible development of this disease.
Treatment is difficult and time-consuming, plus medications are expensive. By taking preventative measures, it is possible to maintain optimal health and prevent the development of complications. Be healthy, exercise, eat right and get rid of bad habits. So the likelihood of encountering atherosclerosis will be minimal. Subscribe to our website, share links with your friends, leave comments and ask relevant questions!
