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Atherosclerosis of the arteries

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What is atherosclerosis of the arteries?

Atherosclerosis of the arteries is a disease of a more chronic character and is expressed in the narrowing or complete blockage of the blood vessels of the head, neck and extremities. Accompanied by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques (lipid infiltrations) due to calcification and proliferation of connective tissue. This eventually leads to insufficient blood circulation in the brain or limbs.

Atherosclerosis, which affects the main arteries of the lower limbs, occurs most commonly. Preferably, this pathology manifests in men over the age threshold of 40 years. But once the woman enters the postmenopausal period, the chances of development of atherosclerosis in both sexes equalize. The same applies to atherosclerosis of the main arteries of the head and neck.


Symptoms of atherosclerosis of arteries

Depending on what main arteries were damaged by arteriosclerosis, will vary the symptoms of the disease.

If we are talking about the defeat of the arteries of the brain, the person will experience:

  • Bouts of headaches and dizziness of varying intensity;

  • Noises in the ears;

  • Difficulty falling asleep, night waking, drowsiness during the day on the background of General fatigue;
  • The decrease in short-term memory;
  • The change in traits, the appearance of tearfulness, increased levels of anxiety, excessive suspiciousness and emotional lability;
  • Disorders of gait and speech, and other neurological disorders.

When atherosclerosis affects the main arteries of the upper and lower limbs, this will manifest itself in the following way:

  • With the defeat of arteries of the lower limbs of people most often suffer from intermittent claudication;
  • The feeling of fatigue occurs much earlier, time-consuming activity is the passage of a long stretch of track;
  • There is a dystrophy of the nail plate, hair loss on legs reduce calf muscle size.
  • Gangrene of the extremities is the apogee of the development of the disease;

  • Reduction of pulsation in the arteries;
  • If affects primarily the arteries of the upper extremities, in the hands of the person feels cold, can form ulcers, and small wounds will bleed for long periods of time.

Causes atherosclerosis of the arteries

The reasons leading to the formation of lipid deposits in all the arteries, are the same.

Regardless of where localized atherosclerotic plaque, its growth was provoked by the following factors:

  • High blood pressurethat is not controlled and is not treated over a long time period;

  • Commitment bad habits, particularly Smoking;
  • The cholesterol content in blood exceeds the norms;
  • Excess body weight;

  • Diseases of the endocrine system;
  • Violation of absorbability of glucose;
  • Sedentary lifestyle;
  • Errors in diet;
  • Age-related changes which are unavoidable precipitating factor;
  • Frequent stress.

Diagnosis of atherosclerosis of arteries

In order to begin the treatment of atherosclerosis, it is necessary to determine the site of lesion of an artery, the degree of lipid plaque, its character, degree of calcification and proliferation of connective tissue. For this you need to come to the therapist that after standard examination and medical history will send the patient to the passage of ultrasonic angiotenzinovye arteries of the head, neck or lower extremities.

If you are not able to recreate the integrity of the picture, that requires further investigations such as MRI or x-ray angiography.

To obtainthe most complete information about the patient's condition, he will need to take the General and biochemical blood analysis.

Find out more: the 4 most essential (medical) product atherosclerosis


Treatment of atherosclerosis of the arteries

Treatment of atherosclerosis of the arteries is impossible without an integrated approach. Fail to improve health, only adhering to a proper diet or, on the contrary, only by taking a pill prescribed by your doctor.

Drug treatment is reduced to accept the following:

  • Antiagregantov, among which cardiomagnyl, plavix, thrombotic-ass, etc.
  • Funds aimed at reducing blood viscosity. These include Phlogenzym, sulodexide, and others;
  • Medications to improve peripheral blood circulation is nicotinic acid, alprostan;
  • Drugs that increase collateral circulation. It Actovegin and solcoseryl;
  • Tools that can reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood, among them: torvacard, crestor and other;

  • Drugs that are designed to address pain symptoms (analgesics), reduce inflammation (NSAIDs), eliminate associated disease (etiological agents).

In addition, patients are shown a lifelong supplementation of acetylsalicylic acid can reduce the risk of blood clots. This can be either cardiomagnyl or thrombotic-ass. Course taking vitamins aimed at maintaining the normal condition of tissues and organs lacking blood circulation.

Patients with a diagnosis of "atherosclerosis of the arteries" will need to reconsider their way of life. This includes avoiding harmful habits: alcohol and tobacco. In the presence of excess weight you must decrease. The revision of the scheme of power – another condition in order to avoid the consequences of atherosclerotic lesions. Equally important medical correction of high blood pressure and regular physical exercise.

If atherosclerotic plaque has narrowed the artery by more than 50%, then the patient mandatory direct on consultation to the vascular surgeon who takes the decision on necessity of surgical intervention.