Hypotonic vegetative-vascular dystonia: symptoms and treatment methods

What is the hypotonic type of VSD and what are its key features?

Vegeto-vascular dystonia of the hypotonic type occurs in people in whom the action of the parasympathetic nervous system predominates. They are characterized by low blood pressure and vascular (vascular) tone. As a result, blood circulation is impaired, the organs do not receive the required amount of oxygen and other nutrients. This situation leads to hypoxia, blood stasis and poor functioning of organs, in particular the brain. This is manifested by many signs that, although they do not pose a danger to human health, are very unpleasant and worsen the patient's quality of life.

Possible causes of hypotonic type of VSD disorder:

• hereditary predisposition (more often transmitted through the female line);
• hormonal disorders;
• chronic foci of infection or other diseases;
• bad habits;
• traumatic brain injury, concussion;
• chronic stress;
• poor nutrition;
• pregnancy;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• the influence of vibration, ionizing radiation, high temperatures, industrial poisons.

.

The pathogenesis of this dysfunction is based on low adaptation to stressful situations with functional disorders of organs and systems.

Leading disease syndromes:

• cardialgic (pain in the heart);
• hypotensive;
• arrhythmic;
• respiratory disorders;
• angiocerebral (associated with hypoperfusion - poor blood supply to the brain and low intracranial pressure);
• dyspepsia;
• thermoregulatory disorders;
• asthenic.

What are the main symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypotonic type?

Symptoms of the hypotonic type of VSD:

• headache;
• fast fatiguability;
• lowering blood pressure (hypotension): below 100/60 mm Hg, more often with physical or emotional stress;
• dizziness;
• anxiety;
• fainting;
• irritability;
• body pain or discomfort;
• sleep disturbance;
• heartache;
• nausea;
• diarrhea;
• heartburn;
• difficulty breathing (feeling of lack of air, inferiority of inhalation);
• redness of the skin;
• arrhythmia;
• apathy (extrasystole);
• poor appetite;
• decrease in heart rate;
• increased skin moisture;
• decreased concentration.

Is it worth using additional diagnostics to make a diagnosis?

To confirm the hypotonic type of VSD, additional diagnostic methods are used. This is necessary in order to exclude other diseases with similar manifestations. And only if the results of the examinations are within the normal range, or the deviations are actually characteristic of vegetative-vascular dystonia, can this diagnosis be made.

Survey methods and their results:

1. Complete blood count: no changes.
2. Biochemical blood test: normal.
3. Electrocardiography: sinus bradycardia, extrasystole, negative T wave.
4. Test with hyperventilation: 30-45 s the patient makes deep breaths and exhalations; after that, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is recorded and compared with that recorded before the sample. The test is positive if the heart rate (pulse) has increased by 50-100% of the original or the T wave has become negative (mainly in the chest leads).
5. Orthostatic test:
   • an ECG is recorded while lying down;
   • then the patient stands for 10-15 minutes and the electrocardiogram is taken again;
   • a positive result is recognized if the pulse has increased and the T waves become negative (more often in the chest leads).

1. Potassium test:
   • registration of the initial ECG in the morning, on an empty stomach;
   • taking 6-8 g of potassium chloride in 50 ml of juice or unsweetened tea;
   • repeated electrocardiogram is removed after 40 minutes and 1.5 hours;
   • The result will speak of IRR when the initial negative or decreased T values ​​become positive.
2. Beta-blocker test:
   • recording of the initial ECG;
   • taking 60-80 mg obsidan (anaprilin) ​​in tablets;
   • repeated electrocardiogram in 60-90 minutes;
3. The result of the study in a patient with VSD: ST depression disappears, negative or low T becomes positive.
4. Bicycle ergometry results:
   • decreased performance and exercise tolerance;
   • an increase in heart rate by more than 50% of the original;
   • prolonged tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), the rhythm is restored only after 20-30 minutes;
   • the appearance of a deep S wave in the first lead and Q in the third;
   • deviation of the electrical axis to the right;
   • normalization of the T wave;
   • short-term ST displacement below the isoline by no more than 1 mm.

These changes are very similar to those in ischemic heart disease. But the difference is that with VSD, they arise not at the height of the load, but during rest.

1. Phonocardiography: additional tone in systole and not pronounced systolic murmur.
2. Echocardiography: no changes. In some patients, mitral valve prolapse is observed.
3. X-ray examination of the chest cavity organs: no changes.
4. Spirography: in some patients, an increase in the minute volume of respiration is observed.
5. Body temperature measurement.
6. Measurement of blood pressure (BP) on both arms and legs.
7. 24-hour pressure monitoring (Holter-BP).
8. Daily monitoring of the electrocardiogram (Holter ECG).
9. Consultation with an otolaryngologist, neurologist, psychotherapist.

How can the disease be effectively treated?

The principles according to which it is necessary to treat VSD according to the hypotonic type:

1. Etiotropic therapy: treatment of foci of chronic infection, hormonal disorders, exclusion of the influence of harmful occupational factors and intoxication; elimination of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol).
2. Increased physical activity.
3. Balanced diet.
4. Normalization of sleep and rest.
5. Decrease in body weight if it is excessive.
6. Limiting the intake of salt and saturated fat with food.

If the above measures have not eliminated symptomatic manifestations, doctors resort to prescribing medicines:

1. Drug treatment: sedative therapy - herbal medicine (valerian, hawthorn, St. John's wort, wormwood, peppermint, dog nettle); tranquilizers (Diazepam, Phenazepam, Mebikar, Phenibut, Oksidin, Amisil). With the recommendation of a psychotherapist - antidepressants.
2. If necessary: ​​adaptogens (ginseng, eleutherococcus), B vitamins, nootropics (nootropil, piracetam), drugs with metabolic action (trimetazidine, mildronate).
3. Reflexology: acupuncture, magnetoreflexotherapy.
4. Physiotherapy procedures aimed at activating the sympathetic nervous system: paraffin, ozokerite, pine and salt baths, contrast shower.
5. Active massage at a fast pace.

Conclusions

As we can see, the above-described functional disorder has very unpleasant symptoms, but its presence does not lead to any bad consequences and does not affect life expectancy. Sometimes the presence of pathology predisposes to the occurrence of various diseases in people who are careless about the body and do not correct this dysfunction. Therefore, be attentive to your well-being, as it reflects the state of your health.