In this article I would like to discuss the most controversial nosology - vegetative vascular dystonia. It seems that the existence of the latter is recognized, but at the same time it is absent from the main list of diseases of the ICD 10th revision. How could this have happened? Most likely, the matter is in the heterogeneity of its symptoms, which does not allow attributing it to a strictly defined class of pathologies of one of the body systems. After all, the clinical manifestations are truly multifaceted - nausea, palpitations, and headache are found in VSD. And this is not a complete list.
The most common causes of nausea
I think each of us has experienced nausea several times in our lives. Moreover, the older we get, the more pathological conditions, accompanied by such an unpleasant and annoying symptom, are encountered on our way. Unfortunately, most often these are far from harmless diseases. After all, even a banal foodborne infection without proper medical intervention can lead to disastrous consequences.
Therefore, I consider it appropriate to remind you of the main reasons for this condition, before we talk about why you feel sick with VSD.
So, the leading place in the list of causes of nausea will rightfully take poisoning. Not necessarily food. It can be vapors of toxic substances, and emissions from hazardous industries. Not less often, the above symptom occurs against the background of organic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis), infectious (salmonellosis, dysentery) and parasitic (giardiasis, helminthiasis) diseases.
It can also vomit in physiological (for example, pregnancy) and in pathological conditions: during hypertensive crises or cerebrovascular accident in the vertebro-basilar system.
It is very important at this moment to pay attention to the concomitant manifestations of the disease - vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, an increase in body temperature, that is, to try to objectively assess your condition. It should be remembered: what did you eat the day before, were you near hazardous industries, is your blood pressure high now? This will help you and your doctor, even before carrying out special examination methods, at least indirectly determine the cause of the observed nausea.
If the state changes when the weather changes and weather sensitivity limits your actions, we recommend watching our video at the link below. Simple answers to difficult questions on the Cardiograph channel!
How to identify the source of the problem
VSD is considered a diagnosis of exclusion. Therefore, before attributing nausea to the clinical manifestations of this particular disease, the doctor will not only carefully and scrupulously take an anamnesis from you, but will also force you to undergo quite a few examinations, and will also refer you for consultation to other specialists.
More often, vegetative-vascular dystonia affects individuals with an unstable emotional background, easily excitable. Women and adolescents are most suitable for this description, to whom this pathology is attributed in 80% of cases.
Usually, nausea during an attack of VSD is not isolated. This means that there is a whole complex of symptoms, and not a single disorder. The clinical picture of the disease we are discussing is truly multifaceted and includes complaints from many organs and systems. The latter, in most cases, allows one to suspect the true cause of violations.
So, paroxysm can be accompanied by loss of appetite, rapid breathing and heartbeat, a sharp drop or increase in blood pressure, sweating, vomiting and abdominal pain. Often there is a feeling of fear, anxiety, trembling in the body. It is possible to list the symptoms for a long time.
The main thing that you must understand is that the sudden appearance of such a clinic is almost always preceded by a stressful situation, accompanied by a strong psycho-emotional shock. We can say that vegetative-vascular dystonia is a disease "coming from our head", that is, to a large extent associated with personal feelings and experiences.
Therefore, you should not be alarmed or prejudiced against a doctor who, after clarifying your anamnesis and conducting additional research, will give you a referral to consult a psychotherapist or psychologist.
The main, but I emphasize that it is far from mandatory, diagnostic measures in case of patient complaints of nausea will be:
- clinical and biochemical analyzes of blood, urine - to exclude diseases of an infectious nature, renal and hepatic pathologies;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal and retroperitoneal organs, fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS) to detect damage to the digestive system;
- MRI or CT of the brain, Doppler sonography, triplex or duplex scanning of extra- and intracranial vessels, because the cause of such a violation can be CNS tumors, stenosis of the arteries of the vertebrobasilar circle.
With vegetative vascular dystonia, no organic pathology is diagnosed, or the severity of complaints does not correspond to the detected changes. For what this diagnosis is, see the video at the link below.
Why can I feel sick with VSD?
Against the background of VSD, nausea occurs during a change in the weather, as well as at the time of even minor emotional upheavals. In this case, either sympathoadrenal or vagoinsular crisis develops. The first is characterized by an increase in arterial and intracranial pressure, blood flow to the muscles and, accordingly, its outflow from the abdominal organs. Feeling of fullness in the stomach and causes discomfort and sometimes vomiting. The second type of paroxysm, on the contrary, is accompanied by hypotension and increased peristaltic activity of the stomach and intestines, which can also provoke the appearance of the above symptom and diarrhea.
Clinical case
In support of the connection between nausea in VSD and emotions, I would like to tell you about one patient whom I observed about a year ago. A young guy (25 years old) turned for medical help, complaining of a sharp bursting headache, severe nausea, palpitations, chest pain. Symptoms appeared after a family conflict. Previously, I have not noted any health problems. On examination, the following changes were found: heart rate - 96 beats / min, blood pressure - 140/100 mm Hg, hyperhidrosis of the skin, pain when moving the eyeballs, trembling in the hands.
The patient was emotionally depressed. The preliminary diagnosis was “Vegetovascular dystonia with a paroxysmal course”. During the examination, a clinical analysis of blood and urine, ECG, ultrasound of the abdominal and retroperitoneal organs, and MRI of the brain were performed. Due to the absence of organic pathology, the diagnosis of VSD was confirmed. The patient received Anaprilin, Cerucal, Afobazol, Glycine, Cytoflavin, Piracetam. He was also referred for a consultation with a neurologist, who additionally prescribed "Persen" and "Phenibut". The condition improved within two weeks.
How to get rid of symptoms
Of course, one of the most important points for the patient is the treatment of pathology. In this section, we will look at how you can simply get rid of nausea with VSD.
Since the disease we are considering does not have an organic background, in other words, there is no damage to any of the organs, then there is no single remedy for its treatment.
Usually, doctors resort to prescribing symptomatic therapy - the patient takes a drug to combat a single manifestation of pathology. For example, if it is an increase in heart rate and an increase in blood pressure, the beta-blocker Anaprilin is used.
To quickly eliminate nausea will help "Cerucal", aka "Metoclopramide", "Domperidone".
But the main goal of treatment is still an attempt to prevent the development of repeated paroxysms of the VSD. This will require communication with a psychologist or psychotherapist who can resolve the internal emotional problems that provoked the disease. It will not be superfluous to take sedatives (Afobazol, Persen, Adaptol), and sometimes antidepressants (Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine).
Expert advice
You should not be afraid of turning to "soul healers", because the root of the problem of nausea with VSD, like other symptoms of this disease, lies precisely in emotional disturbances. By putting your thoughts in order, you can achieve long-term remission. Yoga classes, communication with animals, the so-called animal therapy will be no less effective. A visit to the pool will also have a beneficial effect on the healing process. It is worth setting aside time for your favorite hobby.
All of the above refers to non-drug methods of treatment, but, nevertheless, they play a dominant role in the fight against attacks of VSD, accompanied by vivid symptoms.
Have you experienced nausea with VSD? How did you fight her? We are waiting for your answers in the comments.
Bibliography
- Diseases of the Nervous System: A Guide for Physicians: In 2 volumes - Vol. 1 / Ed. N.N. Yakhno
- Neurology. Practical Physician's Handbook. O.S.Levin, D.R. Shtulman
- Samosyuk N. I., Samosyuk I. Z., Fedorov S. N., Chuhraeva E. N., Zukow W. Vegetative-vascular dystonia: diagnosis and treatment with the inclusion of modern methods of physiotherapy. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2015; 5 (7): 117-152
- I.N. ZAKHAROVA, MD, DSc, Professor, T.M. Tvorogova, Ph.D., I.I. PSHENICHNIKOVA. MODERN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF VEGETATIVE DYSTONIA IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. MEDICAL ADVICE • No. 16, 2016
