Lupus – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus — a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks — occurs in many but not all cases of lupus.

Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight. While there’s no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms.

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Symptoms

No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time.

The signs and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body
• Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
• Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dry eyes
• Headaches, confusion and memory loss

Lupus facial rash

A typical sign of lupus is a red, butterfly-shaped rash over your cheeks and nose, often following exposure to sunlight.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you develop an unexplained rash, ongoing fever, persistent aching or fatigue.

Causes

As an autoimmune disease, lupus occurs when your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your body. It’s likely that lupus results from a combination of your genetics and your environment.

It appears that people with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with something in the environment that can trigger lupus. The cause of lupus in most cases, however, is unknown. Some potential triggers include:

• Sunlight. Exposure to the sun may bring on lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response in susceptible people.
• Infections. Having an infection can initiate lupus or cause a relapse in some people.
• Medications. Lupus can be triggered by certain types of blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. People who have drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the medication. Rarely, symptoms may persist even after the drug is stopped.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of lupus include:

• Your sex. Lupus is more common in women.
• Age. Although lupus affects people of all ages, it’s most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45.
• Race. Lupus is more common in African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans.

Complications

Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many areas of your body, including your:

• Kidneys. Lupus can cause serious kidney damage, and kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death among people with lupus.
• Brain and central nervous system. If your brain is affected by lupus, you may experience headaches, dizziness, behavior changes, vision problems, and even strokes or seizures. Many people with lupus experience memory problems and may have difficulty expressing their thoughts.
• Blood and blood vessels. Lupus may lead to blood problems, including a reduced number of healthy red blood cells (anemia) and an increased risk of bleeding or blood clotting. It can also cause inflammation of the blood vessels.
• Lungs. Having lupus increases your chances of developing an inflammation of the chest cavity lining, which can make breathing painful. Bleeding into lungs and pneumonia also are possible.
• Heart. Lupus can cause inflammation of your heart muscle, your arteries or heart membrane. The risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks increases greatly as well.

Other types of complications

Having lupus also increases your risk of:

• Infection. People with lupus are more vulnerable to infection because both the disease and its treatments can weaken the immune system.
• Cancer. Having lupus appears to increase your risk of cancer; however, the risk is small.
• Bone tissue death. This occurs when the blood supply to a bone declines, often leading to tiny breaks in the bone and eventually to the bone’s collapse.
• Pregnancy complications. Women with lupus have an increased risk of miscarriage. Lupus increases the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and preterm birth. To reduce the risk of these complications, doctors often recommend delaying pregnancy until your disease has been under control for at least six months.

Lupus – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus — a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks — occurs in many but not all cases of lupus.

Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight. While there’s no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms.

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Symptoms

No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time.

The signs and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body
• Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
• Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dry eyes
• Headaches, confusion and memory loss

Lupus facial rash

A typical sign of lupus is a red, butterfly-shaped rash over your cheeks and nose, often following exposure to sunlight.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you develop an unexplained rash, ongoing fever, persistent aching or fatigue.

Causes

As an autoimmune disease, lupus occurs when your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your body. It’s likely that lupus results from a combination of your genetics and your environment.

It appears that people with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with something in the environment that can trigger lupus. The cause of lupus in most cases, however, is unknown. Some potential triggers include:

• Sunlight. Exposure to the sun may bring on lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response in susceptible people.
• Infections. Having an infection can initiate lupus or cause a relapse in some people.
• Medications. Lupus can be triggered by certain types of blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. People who have drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the medication. Rarely, symptoms may persist even after the drug is stopped.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of lupus include:

• Your sex. Lupus is more common in women.
• Age. Although lupus affects people of all ages, it’s most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45.
• Race. Lupus is more common in African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans.

Complications

Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many areas of your body, including your:

• Kidneys. Lupus can cause serious kidney damage, and kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death among people with lupus.
• Brain and central nervous system. If your brain is affected by lupus, you may experience headaches, dizziness, behavior changes, vision problems, and even strokes or seizures. Many people with lupus experience memory problems and may have difficulty expressing their thoughts.
• Blood and blood vessels. Lupus may lead to blood problems, including a reduced number of healthy red blood cells (anemia) and an increased risk of bleeding or blood clotting. It can also cause inflammation of the blood vessels.
• Lungs. Having lupus increases your chances of developing an inflammation of the chest cavity lining, which can make breathing painful. Bleeding into lungs and pneumonia also are possible.
• Heart. Lupus can cause inflammation of your heart muscle, your arteries or heart membrane. The risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks increases greatly as well.

Other types of complications

Having lupus also increases your risk of:

• Infection. People with lupus are more vulnerable to infection because both the disease and its treatments can weaken the immune system.
• Cancer. Having lupus appears to increase your risk of cancer; however, the risk is small.
• Bone tissue death. This occurs when the blood supply to a bone declines, often leading to tiny breaks in the bone and eventually to the bone’s collapse.
• Pregnancy complications. Women with lupus have an increased risk of miscarriage. Lupus increases the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and preterm birth. To reduce the risk of these complications, doctors often recommend delaying pregnancy until your disease has been under control for at least six months.

Multiple sclerosis – symptoms, treatment

Multiple sclerosis or disseminated sclerosis is a pathology of the nervous system of a wave-like progressive nature. An autoimmune-inflammatory process develops. There is a destruction of the white matter (myelin) of the spinal cord and brain. A large number of plaques are formed – zones of damage to nerve fibers. Nervous tissue is sometimes replaced by connective tissue.

Symptoms and signs of multiple sclerosis

The most common signs of multiple sclerosis are incoordination, muscle weakness, problems with urination, sensory disturbances, fatigue, dizziness, vision problems, decreased intellectual abilities, tingling and numbness of the extremities, impaired speech function , sexual dysfunctions, problems with swallowing.

• Let us dwell on the manifestation of these symptoms in more detail.

Impaired coordination of movements

The most common coordination disorders in multiple sclerosis are: 11 gait disturbances: she becomes wobbly and clumsy, walking becomes unsteady.

Coordination disorders can be a response to sensitive genesis (in this case, the cause is impaired muscle-articular sensitivity), directly vestibular disorders, malfunctions at the level of the cerebellum.

Muscle weakness

First of all, muscle weakness manifests itself through reduced motor activity.

• Tendon reflexes in the area of ​​the knees and calves are disturbed.
• Decreased strength of one half of the body (hemiparesis).
• Decreased muscle tone. The natural tension of the muscles begins to be insufficient to ensure movement.
• Painful spasms appear on leg extension. With the progression of the disease, they are painful even when the person is in the supine position.

Often, movement disorders lead/adjacent to osteoporosis. – a disease of the skeleton, which is associated with metabolic disorders.

Sensitivity disorders

Another characteristic symptom at an early stage is paresthesia – sensory disorders.

• Most often, the toes and cheeks begin to go numb, the sensitivity of the legs decreases – from the ankles to the ribs.
• Worried about “crawling” and tingling of the body.
• Possible false sensations of electric shock in the back, arms. Especially often this happens when bending the head, with sharp turns.
• A number of patients develop expressive unilateral sensory disturbances in the face area.

It is with a violation of sensitivity in 30-50% that multiple sclerosis begins in people at a young age.

Vision problems

Vision problems in multiple sclerosis are related to damage to the optic nerve.

Retrobulbar or optic neuritis occurs in 60% of people with multiple sclerosis. Its characteristic symptoms are:

• Reduced visual acuity. In this case, the problem may appear in one or both eyes.
• Pain when moving the eyeballs.
• It becomes difficult to perceive and distinguish colors, especially many difficulties arise in the perception of green and red colors.
• Narrowing of the field of view. A person is forced to choose a convenient angle for himself.

Blindness progresses in a number of patients. Also, visual disturbances are accompanied by headaches.

Urination disorders

The nature of the disorders depends on the damage to the area of ​​the brain.

• In case of damage to the area above the pons of the brain, control over urination decreases, urinary incontinence occurs:

• incomplete emptying.
• If the sacrum is affected, problems with urge to urinate and chronic urinary retention begin. In this case, infection often develops rapidly. Problems associated with leukocyturia and microflora come to the fore.

In the early stages of multiple sclerosis, delay, increase in frequency, imperative urges (uncontrolled leakage) are more characteristic, and in the later stages – incontinence, loss of control over urination.

Sexual disorders

• Present in most patients with urinary disorders.
• The problem is exacerbated by several factors at once: both damage to a number of parts of the central nervous system, and fatigue characteristic of the disease.
• In men, sexual disorders are associated with problems with ejaculation, erection. Many men experience decreased libido.
• In women, problems are manifested both in pain during intercourse and the inability to achieve orgasm.

Rare symptoms of multiple sclerosis

There is also a group of symptoms that occurs only in a subset of patients with multiple sclerosis. But these symptoms are also very serious:

• Short-term semi-consciousness – paroxysmal state (for a few seconds). Completely consciousness is not lost, but the attacks can be repeated several times (sometimes dozens) per day. The problem is to a lesser or greater extent relevant for 5-10% of patients with multiple sclerosis.
• Epileptic seizures. They occur in approximately 2% of patients.
• Acute psychosis (more often in women).
• Sudden onset of back pain with a feeling of pressure from a tight belt (transverse myelitis).
• Respiratory disorders. Characteristic for patients with brain stem damage.
• Sweating disorders.
• Hypothermia – a decrease in basal temperature (below 35 ° C). Multiple sclerosis is a multifactorial disease. The reasons, prerequisites are a combination of unfavorable external and internal factors.
  • Frequent infections – bacterial and viral nature.
  • Increased radioactive background.
  • Past injuries. Often the disease is discovered after an accident.
  • Stressful situations.
  • Genetic predisposition (especially important genes that are responsible for controlling the immune response).

  Also, many doctors point to the autoimmune nature of the occurrence of multiple sclerosis. The immune system begins to recognize nerve cells as foreign.

  Routes of infection

  Despite the fact that a viral, bacterial infection can provoke a disease, it is impossible to directly become infected with multiple sclerosis from person to person.

  Infection can only push the immune system to aggressive production of antibodies, and the body to replace the organ parenchyma with dense connective tissue, forming pathological foci in the brain and spinal cord.

  But since viruses, bacteria are “provocateurs” for persons predisposed to the disease (for example, close relatives suffer from multiple sclerosis), it is recommended to pay special attention to the prevention of colds, to vaccinate against infectious diseases in a timely manner.

  Risk factors

  Pay attention to the statistics:

  • Women suffer from multiple sclerosis more often than men.
  • Most of the patients who are diagnosed with the disease are persons from 18 to 50 years old. But it is possible to get sick with multiple sclerosis in early childhood (up to 10% of diagnosed cases occur in childhood) and in adulthood.
  • A high risk of developing multiple sclerosis in those who have problems with the endocrine system. Especially dangerous is the presence of diabetes and thyroid pathology.
  • Significantly increases the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases.

  Overweight is also a risk factor. Especially if excess body weight in a person is not all right with lipids: in particular, when the content of low-density cholesterol in the blood is increased.

  There is also a relationship between the disease and the geographical location of a person:

  • Most patients with multiple sclerosis are in a temperate climate. Here 1 case is recorded for 300-1000 people.
  • In the tropics, one in 5,000-20,000 people with multiple sclerosis occurs
  • Among people who were born and live near the equator, the smallest number of cases

  Significantly increases the likelihood of developing multiple sclerosis and smoking. This fact has been proven by Norwegian and American scientists. The fact is that smoking saturates the body with neurotoxins.

  Diagnosis

  Many diseases, especially at the first stage, in terms of symptoms and clinical manifestations are very similar to multiple sclerosis. Therefore, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, a complex of studies is important. Classical computed tomography, CT angiography, laboratory diagnostics, puncture of the cerebrospinal fluid, Holter ECG, electroencephalography 9 are of great help in substituting the diagnosis. 0003

  Tomography

  The basic diagnostic procedure for the detection of multiple sclerosis is tomography.

  CT and CT scans are available at the 5th hospital

  CT helps to detect large foci of demyelination and a number of other signs that occur in patients with multiple sclerosis.

  Huge pluses in the use of CT-agniography:

  • The diagnostic method helps to organize the search for constrictions, expansions in the vessels or a complete cessation of blood flow through them. Allows you to create a complete picture of the state of the vessels.

  • This is a radiological radiopaque examination.

  • Good alternative if MRI is contraindicated.

  If it is necessary to determine the number and localization of areas of destruction of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers in the world of diagnostics, such a type of tomography as MRI is also used.

  Laboratory diagnostics

  Comprehensive examination. The following indicators are taken into account:

  • Leukocyte formula.
  • Glucose.
  • Protein.
  • Total number of cells.
  • Albumin.
  • Myelin protein (protein component of myelin).
  • Opening pressure,
  • IgG oligoclonal groups.

  SSEP testing

  Somatosensory evoked potentials are tested in some patients. They show how nerve impulses are transmitted to the brain from the receptors of the lower and upper extremities. The method is aimed at finding delays in electrical responses to sensory stimulation.

  SSEP is extremely important for the diagnosis of patients in whom lesions are only in the spinal cord, and the brain has not met with the disease.

  Ultrasound of the brachiocephalic arteries (BCA)

  A quick opportunity to take full control of the neck vessels involved directly in the blood supply to the brain, to assess the degree of atherosclerotic lesions, metallogeny of the vessels in this area.

  Ultrasound of the brachiocephalic arteries is very important if multiple sclerosis is accompanied by osteochondrosis of the spine, there is a risk of stroke.

  Vessels are viewed from different angles. The results of ultrasound diagnostics – a “picture” with the diameter, lumen of the vessels.

  Holter ECG

  In patients with suspected multiple sclerosis or its development, it is important to study in detail the state of the cardiovascular system as a whole. And just ECG is not limited here. The ideal option is a Holter ECG.

  Monitoring is a record of the heart rate over a sufficiently large amount of time: a day or more.

  At the same time, the heart rate is recorded in different phases: at rest, during movement, while eating and, accordingly, during chewing and swallowing.

  A solid picture of the rhythm (gastric extrasystoles, pauses), heart rate, ischemic changes is visible.

  Electroencephalography

  • Electroencephalography allows you to graphically record the electrical activity of brain cells.
  • The procedure is painless and harmless.
  • The study is based on the registration of ultrasonic waves.
  • Electroencephalography is effective for analyzing and monitoring brain structures and their displacements. Thanks to these results, the doctor can accurately determine the degree of development of disorders.

  Ophthalmological examination

  70% of patients with multiple sclerosis for more than 5 years have optic nerve disorders. Such patients require diagnostics of the structure of the eye disk, computerized

  computerized perimetry to detect the affected area.

  Changes in the retina and optic disc detected during the examination are directly related to the level of degenerative damage in the white matter brain.

  Diagnosis is based on anamnestic and clinical data. At the same time, in order to prescribe the correct treatment, it is important to determine the type of multiple sclerosis:

  Primary progressive. With the progression of the disease, but there are periods with periods of stabilization.

  Remittent. Two or more exacerbations, between which there is no increase in the severity of the disease. During periods of remission, a complete restoration of impaired functions is possible;

  Secondary progressive. The severity of the neurological deficit is constantly and steadily increasing.

  It is also important to correctly determine the clinical form of the pathology. It can be cerebrospinal, spinal, optic, stem, cerebellar.

  Timely diagnosis is the key to choosing the right treatment regimen. But since the picture is often very blurred, it often takes 5 years from the onset of the disease to the diagnosis. This is due to the fact that many diseases are similar clinically. But the more comprehensive the examination, the higher the chance that the diagnosis will initially be made correctly, the patient will be prescribed adequate treatment on time, and there will be no serious complications.

  Complications, prognosis

  If treatment is not started in time, or treatment does not take into account the type of multiple sclerosis, the risk of complications is high: 1 bedsore,

• tremor,
• epileptic seizures;

• paralysis in the upper and lower extremities,
• trigeminal neuralgia,
• depression,
• diplopia – double vision,
• Lermitte’s symptom – paresthesia (a sudden feeling of intense burning) with a feeling of electric current passing through the back.

Despite the fact that the disease is not easy, a favorable prognosis can be confidently voiced for a number of patients.

If earlier, when the diagnosis of “multiple sclerosis” was made, after 3-5 years, most patients began to become disabled, now with properly selected drugs, it is possible to delay the progression of the disease by 10, and sometimes 20 years.

But much depends on the form of sclerosis. One of the most insidious primary progressive form. At first, the symptoms are the most vague. The diagnosis is often made not immediately, to treatment, respectively, too. But there are cases when, after 10 years from the onset of the disease, the patient simply cannot take care of himself, it is difficult for him to move around.

Up to 50% of patients experience a form of natural course. with the preservation of working capacity and practically habitual way of life. The only thing is that they cannot visit baths, stay in the heat for a long time. The main difficulty is to learn to accept your diagnosis and live with it.

Treatment

Treatment of multiple sclerosis is aimed at solving several problems: “plaques”,

Medicines and physiotherapy are used to solve problems.

Complex drug therapy

In the treatment, it is important to take immunomodulators and anti-inflammatory drugs. The following drugs are especially well known:

• Interferons beta. The drugs have an immunomodulatory effect on the main links of immune reactions.
• Medicines based on glatiramer acetate. Drugs of this group are able to replace myelin antigens and start the process of inhibition of T1-lymphocytes. T2-lymphocytes, on the contrary, are activated. Due to this, the drug has a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect.
• Fingolimod. Modulator of sphingosine phosphate receptors on lymphocyte membranes. Significantly reduces the number of “auto-aggressive” T-cells circulating in the blood.
• Natalizum. It slows down the penetration through the blood-brain barrier and reduces the activity of T-lymphocytes in the foci of axonal damage. The inflammatory process is significantly slowed down.

In exacerbations, when the disease is accompanied by obvious attacks, adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosteroids (methylprednisolone) are used. Thanks to these drugs, it is possible to quickly reduce the movement of immune cells to the spinal cord, the brain. But these drugs are only good as short-term therapy. For long-term use, they are not suitable, as they can cause addiction.

If the disease is accompanied by signs of depression, the doctor may prescribe amitriptyline, melipramine. However, the appointment of these drugs is carried out very carefully – only after a detailed examination. Alas, many patients already have urinary retention, and amitriptyline, melipramine can greatly aggravate the situation. All sorts of selective inhibitors without anticholinergic properties, but with an excellent ability to reuptake serotonin, can become an alternative for such patients. These drugs include trazadone, sertraline, fluoxetine, and paroxetine.

Agomelatine has also been widely used in recent years for depression. It is a drug with a melatonergic mechanism of action. It normalizes circadian rhythms (oscillations).

Problems with urination require targeted therapy to address the problem.

If the main problem is urgency, tolterodine oxybutynin, amitriptyline, nifedipine are used.

If you have trouble emptying your bladder, the blocker terazosin helps. But it is important that when taking the drug there should be careful monitoring so that orthostatic hypotension does not develop.

Some patients may also receive additional drugs to reduce external sphincter tension. Among them are diazepam, tizanidine.

The above preparations are used in tablet and injection forms.

Hypobaric oxygenation

Oxygenation is a great help for patients with multiple sclerosis. It is possible through the procedure of hypobaric oxygenation.

Especially hypobaric oxygenation is relevant for patients in whom multiple sclerosis is accompanied by cardio diseases and diabetes.

Hypobaric oxygenation is carried out in a pressure chamber. Oxygen is supplied under high pressure. In the process of hypobaric oxygenation, adaptive and regenerative mechanisms are activated.

Massage

An excellent remedy for reducing discomfort and pain in patients with different types and stages of sclerosis is massage. Especially massage is useful for solving the following problems:

• Muscle relaxation and spasticity relief.
• Activation of blood circulation.
• Prevention of bedsores. Relevant for people who are forced to spend most of their time in bed.

Diet therapy for multiple sclerosis

• The general principle for all patients with multiple sclerosis is to limit the dietary sources of fast carbohydrates. The main ones are sugar, pastries made from refined flour.
• The remaining principles of nutrition largely depend on what specific problems the patient has in each particular case.
• In case of difficulty in chewing, pureed food is recommended.

In the presence of constipation, it is worth using more liquid food (if there are no problems with the urinary system at the same time), products with bifidobacteria.

Conclusions:

1. Multiple sclerosis is a pathology affecting the nervous system. The basis is damage to the sheaths of nerve fibers and impaired conduction of impulses.
2. The disease is not hereditary, but with certain combinations of genes, the risk is higher.
3. Increased radiation background, intoxication, stress, trauma can provoke the development of the disease.
4. When the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis appear, it is important to see a doctor promptly. It’s better to let it be confirmed that this is just overstrain, fatigue, and not be in a situation where one on one is the acute phase of the disease.
5. Multiple sclerosis significantly impairs the quality of life. First of all, because physical activity decreases. But, if earlier multiple sclerosis was immediately a sentence, now there are methods, drugs, through which it is possible not only to stop the symptoms of the disease, but also to slow down the development of the disease. Doctors have learned to keep the disease under control. With timely diagnosis and treatment, pathology has ceased to negatively affect life expectancy.
6. CT, laboratory diagnostics, plays an important role in diagnosis. When clarifying the diagnosis, it is essential where the problem foci are located: in the brain or spinal cord.

In the 5th hospital of the city, the treatment of multiple sclerosis is one of the main profiles. The base of the hospital has expert-class equipment for diagnosing this disease. Consultations of experienced neurologists are available. The approach to treatment is complex. Medical therapy, massage, physiotherapy exercises, including bicycle training on special simulators, sessions of hypobaric oxygenation are organized.

Aortic sclerosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Contents

• 1 Aortic sclerosis: what is it and how is it treated?
  • 1.1 Aortic sclerosis: everything you need to know
    • 1.1.1 Causes of aortic sclerosis
    • 1.1.2 Symptoms of aortic sclerosis
    • 1.1.3 Diagnosis of aortic sclerosis

    90 011 1.1.4 Treatment of aortic sclerosis

  • 1.2 Aortic sclerosis : What is this?
  • 1.3 Why does aortic sclerosis occur?
  • 1.4 How does aortic sclerosis manifest itself?
  • 1.5 Does age affect the risk of developing aortic sclerosis?
  • 1.6 Diagnosis of aortic sclerosis
  • 1.7 Examination for aortic sclerosis
  • 1.8 Risk of complications in aortic sclerosis
  • 1.9 Treatment of aortic sclerosis: what methods are used?
  • 1.10 Prevention of aortic sclerosis
  • 1.11 When should I seek medical help if I suspect aortic sclerosis?
  • 1.12 How will aortic sclerosis affect my life?
  • 1. 13 Related videos:

Find out what aortic sclerosis is, what symptoms it causes, and how it is treated. Read our article about diagnostic methods, the causes of aortic sclerosis and how to deal with it.

Aortic sclerosis is a serious disease characterized by thickening and thickening of the walls of the aorta, the main artery that begins its journey from the left ventricle of the heart and distributes blood throughout the body. With increased aortic stiffness, the heart must work harder to maintain normal blood flow, which can eventually lead to serious complications and potentially dangerous consequences.

Aortic sclerosis can be caused by various factors, including age, fat metabolism disorders, smoking, arterial hypertension, and hereditary predisposition. If one or more of these factors are present, the risk of developing aortic sclerosis is greatly increased.

The main symptom of aortic sclerosis is elusive chest pain, less often – heart rhythm disturbance, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting. If you suspect aortic sclerosis, you should see a qualified cardiologist for diagnosis and treatment. Usually, ECG, ECHOCG, and magnetic resonance imaging are used for diagnosis.

Treatment of sclerosis of the aorta depends on the severity of the disease and may include both medical therapy and surgery (often resorting to replacement of the affected part of the aorta) to prevent serious complications that can threaten the patient’s life.

Aortic sclerosis: everything you need to know

Causes of aortic sclerosis

Aortic sclerosis is a pathological condition characterized by thickening of the aortic wall and loss of elasticity. The cause of aortic sclerosis, as a rule, is atherosclerosis – a violation of lipid metabolism and a violation of the breakdown of fats in the human body.

Other risk factors for aortic sclerosis include smoking, elevated blood cholesterol levels, hypertension, heredity and aging.

Symptoms of aortic sclerosis

Symptoms of aortic sclerosis may vary depending on the degree of damage to the walls of the aorta. Some of the most common signs of aortic sclerosis may include chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and dizziness. In most cases, however, aortic sclerosis can be asymptomatic, so it is important to have regular medical check-ups to detect hidden forms of aortic sclerosis.

Aortic Sclerosis Diagnosis

Aortic sclerosis is diagnosed using a variety of imaging modalities such as ultrasound (ultrasound), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An important point in the diagnosis of aortic sclerosis is the analysis of the patient’s symptoms and medical history, as well as conducting additional studies to identify possible complications associated with suspected aortic sclerosis.

Treatment of aortic sclerosis

Treatment of aortic sclerosis depends on the degree of damage to the aortic wall and may include medication, surgery to replace the affected area of ​​the aorta, and lifestyle changes (including quitting smoking, proper nutrition, and regular physical activity).

To prevent the development of aortic sclerosis, it is recommended that you lead a healthy lifestyle, control your cholesterol and blood pressure, and get regular check-ups, especially if you have risk factors.

Aortic sclerosis: what is it?

Aortic sclerosis is a disease in which the aortic wall thickens and loses its elasticity. Because of this, blood is more difficult to pass through the aorta, and various health problems arise.

Aortic sclerosis can occur for many reasons, including hereditary factors, age, smoking, and other risk factors. The disease can be fatal if not detected and treated in time.

Doctors may use a variety of methods to diagnose aortic sclerosis, including echocardiography, CT, or MRI. Treatment for aortic sclerosis may include lifestyle changes, drug therapy, or surgery, depending on the extent of the disease and other factors.

Why does aortic sclerosis occur?

Aortic sclerosis is a pathology characterized by thickening, induration and stiffness of the walls of the aorta. Despite the fact that the causes of this disease remain not fully understood by the medical community, today there are several hypotheses that explain its occurrence.

• Hypertension. High blood pressure is one of the main causes of aortic sclerosis. Constant overload of the walls of the artery can lead to their pathological thickening and rigidity.
• Atherosclerosis. This disease, in which plaques of fatty deposits form on the walls of large arteries, may be another cause of aortic sclerosis.
• Genetic factor. Aortic sclerosis can develop as a result of hereditary predispositions. Some studies attribute the appearance of pathology to mutations in the genes responsible for the formation of collagen in the aorta.
• Smoking. Tobacco smoking is a risk factor for the development of aortic sclerosis. Harmful substances contained in tobacco smoke adversely affect the condition of the arterial walls.

These factors can affect the aorta either individually or in combination, reinforcing each other and accelerating the progression of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent aortic sclerosis with an integrated approach: maintaining a healthy lifestyle, preventing hypertension and atherosclerosis, and periodic preventive examinations. It is important to know that early diagnosis and timely treatment can help stop the progression of the pathology and avoid serious complications.

How does aortic sclerosis manifest itself?

Aortic sclerosis is a disease that can remain without clear symptoms for a long time. However, with the further development of the disease, the following symptoms appear:

1. Chest pain – discomfort in the chest area, which can be described as a tight squeezing sensation.
2. Shortness of breath – Difficulty breathing may manifest as shallow or rapid breathing activity.
3. Circulatory failure – a feeling of weakness, dizziness, decreased performance, changes in skin color (pallor).
4. High blood pressure – persistent high blood pressure that may be accompanied by headache and tinnitus.

An accurate diagnosis of aortic sclerosis may require a combination of medical procedures and tests. If you have the above symptoms, be sure to see your doctor. Seeking medical attention early can help prevent serious complications from developing.

Does age affect the risk of aortic sclerosis?

Aortic sclerosis is a disease in which the walls of the aorta begin to change and thicken. It can lead to serious consequences, including circulatory problems and eventually heart failure.

Studies show that aortic sclerosis is more common in older people, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia.

It should be noted that age is not the only risk factor. Factors such as genetic predispositions, unfavorable lifestyle and other medical conditions can also increase the risk of aortic sclerosis.

Diagnosis of aortic sclerosis

Diagnosis of aortic sclerosis begins with an examination and history of the patient. The doctor pays attention to the patient’s age, the presence of complaints and hereditary predisposition to cardiovascular diseases.

To confirm the diagnosis, echocardiography is performed, which can detect thickening and stiffness of the walls of the aorta, the protrusion of the inner layer, the presence of blood regurgitation and other changes.

Complementary examinations are magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, chest x-ray and aortography.

Doppler ultrasonography, cardiogram and blood pressure are also performed to assess the degree of damage to the aortic wall and the prognosis of the disease. Doctors may also order a complete blood count and biochemical tests to assess the general condition of the patient.

Examination for aortic sclerosis

A comprehensive examination of the patient is performed to diagnose aortic sclerosis. The doctor may prescribe cardiography, ultrasound, x-rays, as well as magnetic resonance imaging.

X-ray techniques are used to image the heart and lungs, check for pneumatic masses, and determine the size of the heart.

Magnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate method for diagnosing aortic sclerosis. This method allows obtaining a three-dimensional image of the heart and blood vessels, assessing the blood flow velocity and determining the degree of damage to the aortic wall.

If aortic sclerosis is diagnosed, the doctor may prescribe treatment that will be aimed at reducing the manifestations of the disease and preventing possible complications.

The risk of complications in aortic sclerosis

Aortic sclerosis is a rather dangerous disease that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. The risk of such complications depends on many factors, including the degree and location of sclerotic changes, the age and general health of the patient.

One of the most dangerous complications of aortic sclerosis is aortic insufficiency, when blood begins to circulate incorrectly throughout the body, which can lead to heart failure. Thrombosis, stroke, and aneurysm formation are also possible, which can be fatal.

To find out if there is a risk of developing complications in aortic sclerosis, complex diagnostics, consisting of many methods and studies, will help. It is important to carry it out regularly, especially if there are indications for this.

• Prevention – the main thing here is proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking and alcohol.
• Treatment of aortic sclerosis requires a serious approach and the appointment of a specially selected complex of drugs. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Treatment of aortic sclerosis: what methods are used?

Treatment of aortic sclerosis depends on the degree of development of the disease and the complications that arose as a result of its progression. The main method of treatment is to adjust the patient’s lifestyle, including quitting smoking and alcohol, regular exercise and a balanced diet.

If there are symptoms of the disease, such as chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations, medication may be prescribed. Anticoagulants that lower cholesterol levels, nitrates, and other vasodilators can be used as drugs.

In addition, to prevent the progression of the disease, patients are advised to undergo regular medical examinations and take measures to prevent and reduce the risk of other diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Prevention of aortic sclerosis

Aortic sclerosis is a serious disease that can lead to various complications such as aneurysms and rupture of the aorta. While there is no specific cause for aortic sclerosis, certain factors can increase your risk of developing it.

Here are a few ways you can help prevent aortic sclerosis:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Good nutrition, regular exercise, and not smoking can help reduce your risk of developing aortic sclerosis.
• Watch your blood pressure: High blood pressure can increase your risk of developing aortic sclerosis, so it’s important to keep your blood pressure under control.
• Detect conditions early: conditions such as hypertension or hypercholesterolemia can increase the risk of developing aortic sclerosis, so it is important to get tested and treated early.
• Avoid Injury: Chest injuries can lead to aortic sclerosis, so risky activities that can lead to injury should be avoided.

Although it is not always possible to prevent the development of aortic sclerosis, following these guidelines will help reduce your risk of developing it and increase your chances of living a healthy life.

When should I seek medical attention for suspected aortic sclerosis?

Aortic sclerosis is a serious disease requiring urgent treatment. If you notice symptoms associated with this problem, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the more effective the treatment will be.

The first sign of aortic sclerosis may be chest tenderness or heart pain. If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately call an ambulance or go to the nearest hospital.

Also worth looking out for are heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue on exertion, which may indicate aortic sclerosis. Do not self-medicate – it is better to undergo a series of necessary examinations to find out the cause of these manifestations.

It is important to note that aortic sclerosis may not show any symptoms in the initial stage. Therefore, if you have a predisposition to this disease (for example, if relatives were sick), you must lead a healthy lifestyle, take tests and undergo preventive examinations by doctors.

How will aortic sclerosis affect my life?

Aortic sclerosis is a serious condition that can have a major impact on your life. It can cause restriction of blood flow to organs and tissues, which can lead to a decrease in their functionality.

However, if the disease has been diagnosed in the early stages, following the doctor’s recommendations and the right approach to treatment can provide good results.

Despite this, people with aortic sclerosis may experience some limitations in daily life.