ICH in adults treatment. Cranial pressure: symptoms, causes, treatment

Increased intracranial pressure does not always require treatment. If this condition is temporary, no therapy is needed. A persistent increase in ICP requires careful diagnosis.

Every person has intracranial pressure. it normal condition organism. Depending on certain circumstances, it can rise or fall. However, not all people are well aware of the dangers intracranial pressure. If it is too high, it is fraught with negative consequences.

It is necessary to understand what happens inside the cranium with increasing pressure. The brain is surrounded vascular network and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). The pressure increases when the normal outflow of this substance is disturbed.

The process of increasing pressure can be gradual or abrupt. With a smooth increase inside the brain, adaptation has time to occur. It is extremely important to solve the problem as soon as possible, as the disease can turn into chronic form, and the consequences will be sad due to the risk of stroke.

An increase in intracranial pressure leads to worsening cerebral circulation and normal brain activity.

A person notices how memory and reaction deteriorate sharply. Persistent headaches can be unbearable. If nothing is done, it may even develop a mental disorder.

Increased pressure in newborns

An increase in intracranial pressure indicators is often found in newborns. Although this serious symptom does not necessarily pose a significant threat. If the deviation from the norm is insignificant, it is possible that the indicators will soon return to normal.

Parents can be of invaluable help in this. If you create suitable conditions for the child's body, in the absence of serious pathologies, his pressure will quickly normalize. It is important to be with him every day fresh air, monitor nutrition and conduct a special massage.

If simple measures fail and intracranial pressure remains above normal for long period, action needs to be taken. The specialist will appoint a complex diagnostic measures, which will help to accurately determine the cause of the deviation from the norm.

Emergency care may be required for both an adult and an infant if intracranial pressure rises very quickly. At jump significantly increases the risk of death.

Complications of intracranial pressure

If proper attention is not paid to existing problem and not start adequate treatment may develop serious complications. High intracranial pressure often causes premature death or serious pathologies causing disability.

If intracranial pressure is not treated, the following consequences may appear:

• complete loss of vision;
• mental problems;
• impaired respiratory function;
• limb weakness;
• confusion;
• cerebellar impingement.

Often, increased intracranial pressure leads to the development of problems in the cardiovascular sphere. Some people suffering from this problem have even experienced epileptic seizures.

Complications that can provoke the death of a patient include the following:

• coma;
• ischemic stroke;
• hemorrhagic stroke.

When one of the above symptoms occurs, death usually occurs.

Types of complications

There are otogenic and rhinogenic intracranial complications. They usually occur with high intracranial pressure caused by an injury. In addition, do not forget about orbital complications.

Otogenic intracranial complications are much more common than rhinogenic ones and make up the bulk of intracranial abnormalities.

Intracranial rhinogenic complications are as follows:

Otogenic intracranial complications are those that arise due to the penetration of an infection into the cranial cavity. The most common ailment is purulent meningitis. In the absence of adequate treatment, the death of the patient may occur.

Intracranial trauma rarely leads to the development of rhinogenic complications. These problems usually develop after surgical operations in the paranasal sinuses, due to chronic sinusitis and transferred furunculosis.

Causes of the disease

Sometimes, in order to prevent certain problems, it is worth knowing what they can cause. If some diseases are properly treated in a timely manner, increased intracranial pressure can never be encountered.

An increase in cerebrospinal fluid pressure can begin due to such diseases and pathologies:

• aneurysm rupture;
• subarachnoid hemorrhage;
• tumors in the brain;
• various head injuries;
• hemorrhage in the ventricles of the brain;
• subdural hematoma;
• encephalitis;
• hydrocephalus;
• hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

Unfortunately, often competent treatment starts very late as many people do not take the symptoms seriously high blood pressure inside the cranium.

Symptoms of the disease

If you notice several of the following factors, it is important to contact a specialist for advice as soon as possible:

• frequent headaches, the intensity of which increases in the morning;
• increased fatigue, when the usual load becomes unbearable;
• incontinence or difficulty passing feces and urine;
• nausea and vomiting;
• severe sweating;
• constant dizziness;
• sharp drops blood pressure;
• memory impairment;
• loss of normal movement coordination;
• blurred vision, loss of clarity, double vision.

Since young children, as a rule, cannot clearly explain what is bothering them, it is important to carefully monitor the condition of your child. If the child behaves restlessly, does not sleep well at night, is naughty, it is possible that something hurts him. It is important to carefully examine the fontanelles. If they pulsate or swell noticeably, the problem is probably high intracranial pressure.

Children with this condition may experience the following symptoms:

• baby rolls eyes
• behaves either too lethargically or excessively irritable;
• refuses food or vomits;
• convulsions appear.

If there are several symptoms, it is best to call a brigade emergency care. With a sharp jump in intracranial pressure, coma and even instant death can occur.

Diagnostic measures

Before prescribing treatment, the doctor will examine the patient and, if necessary, issue a referral for certain procedures. As the medical monograph shows, direct is rarely used. It is relevant only in cases where other, more gentle methods have failed.

Held ultrasound diagnostics brain. Adults may need magnetic resonance imaging, as well as EEG and CT. Examination of the fundus will allow you to assess the condition of the veins on the retina. If they are dilated, this may indicate increased intracranial pressure.

The direct method for determining intracranial pressure is very difficult. To determine it, the surgeon takes a puncture of the cerebrospinal fluid and ventricles of the brain. Since this is associated with unnecessary material and moral costs, this method is used in exceptional cases.

Basic treatment methods

• diuretics;
• neuroprotectors;
• hormones.

Diet plays an important role in restoring the patient's condition. It is important to reduce the amount of salt and products that delay the outflow of fluid from the body. Manual therapy is used.

It is useless to try to eliminate the symptoms that have arisen without fighting the root cause of the disease.

This can only give a temporary result, and human life and health will continue to be at risk. If a drug treatment did not give any results surgical intervention. The effect of taking drugs can only be on early stage diseases.

If you experience symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, it is important to seek medical advice immediately. Only First stage disease is cured with medication. Quite often you have to resort to surgical methods, which are associated with big risk and involve severe consequences. The use of methods is allowed, but only as an additional therapy.

Raised intracranial pressure is a popular diagnosis. This dangerous disease both in a child and in an adult. Different reasons diseases complicate its treatment, but due to modern ways diagnostics, getting rid of elevated ICP is real. Find out how dangerous this disease is, how to reduce intracranial pressure with medicines at home.

What is intracranial pressure

Increased craniocerebral pressure is caused by an increase or decrease in the amount of intracranial fluid - CSF. It protects the brain, its membranes from damage, provides nutrition, respiration nerve cells. Normally, about 1 liter of CSF is produced per day. Thanks to normal microcirculation, the functioning of the brain and nerve cells is maintained. ICP healthy person varies from 3-15 mHg. Deviations from these indicators is dangerous state and requires treatment.

The following studies will help the doctor diagnose increased intracranial pressure: CT, MRI, puncture of cerebrospinal fluid, ultrasound of the head, examination of the fundus. CSF outflow disorders are often caused by craniocerebral trauma, inflammatory diseases, sharp jumps in growth in adolescents, nervous tension, tumors, alcohol and vitamin A poisoning, pregnancy. The list of symptoms is very diverse, the main thing is to notice them in time and competently examine them. The main signs of increased ICP are:

• a sharp decline peripheral vision, and later the central one;
• frequent headaches;
• a disproportionately large head in a child;
• swelling of the face (eyelids, cheekbones,) and neck;
• persistent nausea and vomiting;
• frequent fatigue, emotional lability or irritability;
• sharp headache when coughing, sneezing, bending over;
• frequent regurgitation (in infants).

How to lower intracranial pressure

Upon detection of this disease experienced doctor tell you what to do with intracranial pressure to prevent dangerous to health consequences. Helping a child or an adult is an integrated approach. Correct and effective treatment aimed at identifying and eliminating the causes of the disease. A complex approach includes physiological procedures, special gymnastics, drug therapy, folk remedies, diet. All this helps to reduce high blood pressure, return the patient to normal life.

If the initial cause was a brain tumor, then surgery will be required. Depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor chooses the tactics of treatment, methods of therapy. This can happen in an outpatient clinic or at home. The main thing is not to self-medicate, but carefully follow the recommendations of the attending physician.

Drugs that reduce intracranial pressure

AT drug therapy more than one drug is used to reduce intracranial pressure. Each drug has a leaflet that you can read online or in a pharmacy. The following groups of medicines are used:

• beta-blockers (Bisoprolol, Analopril, Atenolol, Propranolol);
• alpha-one-blockers (Losartan, Irbesartan, Doxazosin, Nicergoline);
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (Captopril, Kapoten);
• Ca-channel antagonists (Cordaflex, Amlodipine);
• plasma substitutes (Albumin);
• diuretics (hypothiazid, spironolactone, furosemide, torasemide, glycerol);
• sedatives(, Knotta, motherwort herb);
• vasodilators;
• hormonal preparations(Dexamethasone).

Folk remedies for intracranial pressure in adults

Possible treatment of intracranial pressure in adults folk remedies. You can find out how to quickly reduce intracranial pressure from your doctor or chiropractor. Folk methods can be treated when the disease has become chronic. Apply a massage of the neck and head to relieve vascular tone: pressure will not rise from it for a long time. It is recommended to take soothing herbs- motherwort, valerian, hops. Many folk remedies include the use of honey and bee products. Here are some recipes:

1. Mix dried fruits (dried apricots, raisins) and nuts (walnuts or almonds) in the same amount. Pour the mixture with linden honey, consume on an empty stomach for 30 g.
2. Take 150 g of lemon juice, 350 g of liquid honey, 2 cloves of crushed garlic. Mix the containers and insist in a dark, cold place for 10 days. Drink in the morning, in the evening after eating a teaspoon.
3. Rub hands and feet with propolis and mint tincture, in a ratio of 10:1. This medicine is applied every 2 days.

How to treat intracranial pressure

Proper Treatment intracranial pressure depends on its causes. If it is a congenital ailment, massage is used, diuretics are used. The best remedy for adults, it is peace and limitation of nervous stress. Drugs in tablets for hypertension have shown themselves to be effective: they reduce well high tone vessels. The use of plasma substitutes equalizes the pressure between brain tissue and plasma. It is possible to cure ICP if you consult a doctor earlier and follow his instructions. Properly selected medicine can normalize the condition for a long time.

Vasodilators for the brain

Vasodilator drugs under pressure, they help get rid of vasospasm and lower intracranial pressure. They remove the blockage of the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid in venous network. In the treatment of this disease, they effectively showed themselves:

• No-shpa;
• Eufillin;
• papaverine hydrochloride;
• magnesium sulfate;
• drugs nicotinic acid;
• antihypertensive drugs.

Antispasmodics

Many antispasmodic drugs are widely used to treat raised intracranial pressure. They clean up well pain syndrome and spasm. These are Tempalgin, Spazmalgon, No-shpalgin. In its composition, each tablet contains a vasodilating component, an anesthetic. Read the instructions carefully before taking the medication, stick to the dosage prescribed by the doctor.

Diuretics for intracranial pressure

Diuretics with intracranial pressure help to remove excess cerebrospinal fluid from the cranium. They are good at removing swelling from the face and limbs. Diuretics are for emergency therapy, when excess liquid you need to quickly remove from the body (Furosemide, Lasix) and for complex (Veroshpiron, Diakarb). During treatment, it is necessary to replenish the lost potassium and magnesium ions. They are very important for the functioning of the heart muscle, the brain. Together with diuretics, you need to drink such tablets: Asparkam, Panangin. Lowering ICP with diuretics is used for all causes of the disease.

Treatment with corticosteroid drugs

If the cause of intracranial hypertension is intoxication (alcohol, chemical products), inflammation meninges, brain tumor - hormonal corticosteroid drugs (Hypothiazide, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone) are used. They effectively restore the normal outflow of cerebrospinal fluid, relieve inflammation. Assign them to an adult and a child, the dose is calculated based on weight.

How to relieve intracranial pressure at home

Chronic patients already know the signs when they have increased ICP. These tips will make you feel better:

• do light massage head with fingertips;
• apply ice wrapped in a towel to your forehead;
• give up coffee;
• make a special therapeutic gymnastics to reduce ICP;
• stick to a special diet, exclude alcohol, fatty spicy food;
• give up smoking.

Video: reduced intracranial pressure

Intracranial pressure is the accumulation or lack of cerebrospinal fluid in a certain part of the skull, caused by a violation of its circulation.

The name of the liquid is liquor. It is located in the ventricles of the brain, in the spinal cavity, as well as in the space between the bones of the skull, bone marrow and brain. Liquor protects the "gray matter" from strong reboots and mechanical damage.

The fluid is always under a certain pressure. It is constantly updated, circulating from one area to another. The process usually takes about seven days. But sometimes its violation occurs and the cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in one place. There is increased intracranial pressure. If there is a decrease in CSF, then there is a reduced intracranial pressure.

The decrease often occurs after a head injury, with brain tumors, with prolonged vasoconstriction, and also due to long-term use of diuretic drugs.

The reasons

The main causes of ICP are:

• Violation of metabolic processes in which fluid is poorly absorbed into the blood;
• Spasmodic vessels, through which CSF cannot circulate normally;
• Excess fluid in the body, resulting in an increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid;
• Hypoxia of the brain;
• Meningitis;
• Encephalitis;
• tumors;
• Excess weight;
• severe poisoning;
• Too much vitamin A.

Symptoms of intracranial pressure:

When is surgery necessary?

1. If there is a trauma to the skull. Due to the impact, a hematoma may occur, which will provoke an increase in intracranial pressure;
2. Severe headache and fainting. In this case, most likely, there was a rupture of the aneurysm of the vessels.

One should always treat intracranial pressure, and not wait until an accident occurs.

Symptoms

"Speaks" the increased size of the head, strabismus. In school children and preschool age fatigue, irritability, hypersensitivity appear.

Diagnostics

Doctors determine the presence of a problem by many factors, including:

• Disc stasis optic nerve;
• outflow disturbance venous blood.

In addition, adults and older children undergo computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and infants are examined using an ultrasound of the skull through the fontanel.

Another way is that a special needle with a pressure gauge is inserted into the spinal canal or liquid cavities. This procedure is far from safe and should only be performed by highly qualified doctors.

to install accurate diagnosis It is desirable to use all of the above diagnostic methods. MRI and X-ray remain the main CT scan.

Treatment

Increased intracranial pressure is a serious threat to the life of the patient. Regular pressure on the brain disrupts its activity, as a result of which intellectual abilities may decrease and nervous regulation work of internal organs.

If the diagnosis revealed serious deviations, treatment should take place in a hospital.

If a tumor occurs, it is removed. If available, operations are performed to drain the fluid, with neuroinfections, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

The main thing is not to self-medicate. As soon as you feel unwell, immediately visit a doctor and get competent advice.

If there is no high threat to the life of the patient, symptomatic drug treatment is prescribed, aimed at normalizing intracranial pressure.

Diuretics

Most often, diuretics are used, which accelerate the process of removing liquor and improve its absorption. Treatment with such drugs is carried out in courses. If the disease recurs often, they are taken constantly, but at least once every seven days.

Sedatives and vascular drugs

Can be pierced by doctor's prescription nootropic drugs that improve nutrition and blood circulation of the brain. To normalize pressure, massage sessions are often held, patients go in for swimming, and improve their health.

If a serious complications no, you can do without medicines. Instead, this is done:

• Manual therapy;
• Osteopathy;
• Gymnastic exercises.

It is also worth thinking about the normalization of the drinking regimen.

How to measure intracranial pressure?

Intracranial pressure can be measured by inserting a special catheter into the lateral ventricle of the brain, where the cerebrospinal fluid is located. This method is considered to be the most accurate.

If the pressure is high, it can be reduced by pumping out some of the CSF.

Another way is to use a subdural screw. It is inserted into a hole in the skull. This device allows you to measure pressure in the subdural space.

epidural sensor

The transducer is inserted between the dural tissue and the skull. To do this, hair is shaved from the head, the skin is treated with an antiseptic. After that, an incision is made and the skin is pushed back so that the “cranial box” becomes visible. The final stage is the input of the sensor. It is necessary to measure pressure only in extreme cases.

Effects

If you do not take measures to normalize the pressure, the disease will take a chronic form. This is fraught with the occurrence of many diseases, the most dangerous of which is a stroke. Therefore, it is better to take the problem seriously and treat it as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed.

Treatment with folk remedies

• Alternative treatment should be used only in the chronic course of the disease or as an addition to already prescribed therapy.

Lemon juice with honey

Take one lemon. Cut it up. Squeeze out the juice carefully. Add 2 tablespoons of honey and one hundred milliliters of water. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and drink. The treatment period is twenty days. There is a break after ten days.

Pollen with honey

Used for head massage. Take 2 parts flower pollen add honey. Mix the ingredients and leave for 72 hours in a place where it does not penetrate sunlight. Then rub the mixture in small portions on the back of the head, back neck and bridge of the nose. Then wrap your head in a towel. Carry out the procedure every day for a month.

Plantain

Take three tablespoons of dry plantain, pour half a liter of boiling water over them and leave for thirty minutes. Drink fifty grams of decoction three times a day.

Related videos

Today, many people suffer from increased or decreased intracranial pressure, which negatively affects the patient's condition and can lead to irreparable consequences.

Increased intracranial pressure, the symptoms and treatment of which have distinctive features and nuances, can be caused by many factors.

Intracranial pressure is characterized by the accumulation or outflow of cerebrospinal fluid in a certain area of ​​the skull. This phenomenon is connected, first of all, with a violation of the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid, which protects the brain from mechanical damage, physical, emotional overload.

The battleship is concentrated over the entire skull under a certain pressure. In this case, there is a constant renewal and circulation of fluid from one part of the head to another. On average, the update process is 6-7 days. But if this process is violated, the cerebrospinal fluid stagnates in one part, which leads to an increase in intracranial pressure. In the event that the cerebrospinal fluid does not cope with its functions, then the person experiences a decrease in pressure.

Most often, the decrease in the battleship is associated with a head injury or the formation of a brain tumor. Moreover, a similar phenomenon is possible when long-term use diuretics, as well as vasoconstriction of the brain.

There are many factors that contribute to high blood pressure. But if this phenomenon is observed constantly, then you need to seek help from your doctor. Intracranial pressure increases for the following reasons:

• impaired metabolism, in which the liquid is practically not absorbed into the blood;
• spasms of blood vessels that impede the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid;
• stagnation of fluid in the human body;
• oxygen starvation, cerebral hypoxia;
• infectious and somatic diseases, including meningitis, hydrocephalus, encephalitis;
• malignant, benign tumors brain;
• stroke, heart attack;
• persistent headaches, migraines;
• overweight and bad habits;
• food, drug poisoning;
• vitamin A overdose.

All factors that can increase blood pressure can be controlled or treated. But this can only be achieved if timely detection signs. Increased intracranial pressure causes a lot of trouble, as it causes a deterioration in the general condition. With an effective successful treatment it is possible to eliminate not only the symptoms of the disease, but its source.

High blood pressure in adults and children manifests itself in different ways. Therefore, it is necessary to know how it manifests itself and what should be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Symptoms in adults

The disease can be diagnosed independently by the following symptoms:

• dysfunction of the organs of vision, hearing;
• swelling of the face, eyelids;
• pain in the head;
• gag reflex, nausea;
• dizziness;
• fatigue, a sharp deterioration in well-being;
• increased sweating;
• irritability and unreasonable attacks of aggression.

In each case, the symptoms of the disease are individual character. For example, one patient may feel weakness, nausea, and the other - blurred vision, headache.

If the increase in intracranial pressure is caused by a head injury, then in this case it is impossible to hesitate, as surgical intervention may be required. After an injury, a hematoma forms in the skull, which prevents the normal circulation of fluids and blood between the parts, the organs of the head.

Surgical care may be required for persistent headache and pre-syncope, since these manifestations are usually associated with rupture of an aneurysm of the vessels. In no case should you wait until the symptoms of intracranial pressure disappear on their own. You should always seek medical help.

In newborns this disease manifested in an increase in the size of the head and strabismus. Intracranial pressure in children requires surgical intervention, constant monitoring by doctors. In children of school, preschool age, the disease manifests itself in irritability, malaise and fatigue. The child becomes hypersensitive to ongoing events, and sometimes aggressive.

If a child complains of systematic headaches, nausea, which manifest themselves abruptly and for no reason, then ignore him disease state it is forbidden. Therefore, it is better to contact a pediatrician who will conduct a comprehensive examination, as well as prescribe an effective treatment.

Diagnostic methods

To identify signs of intracranial pressure, you can use computer diagnostics, magnetic resonance imaging. Thanks to this survey you can get more complete picture about the patient's condition and diagnose the disease. In addition, a pressure problem can be identified by stagnation of the optic disc and venous blood. Newborns are examined with ultrasound. It is carried out through the fontanelle of the skull.

To identify the disease, specialists can resort to a special procedure, which consists in maintaining spinal column needle gauge. This procedure characterized by pain, increased risk, so it should be carried out only by a highly qualified doctor.

It is possible to identify intracranial pressure, the symptoms and treatment of which may be peculiar, using all listed ways diagnostics. A comprehensive survey allows you to collect all necessary information about the patient's condition in order to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe an effective, surgical treatment. First of all, an MRI is performed, an x-ray of the brain.

Treatment of the disease

Intracranial pressure in adults is fraught with many negative consequences. Therefore, the treatment of the disease must be effective and timely, since it carries serious threat for the health and life of the patient. When there is constant pressure on the brain, its activity is disturbed. This may manifest itself in a decrease intellectual abilities and dysfunction of internal organs.

If a tumor is found, it must be removed. surgically. If the patient has hydrocephalus, then an operation is performed to drain fluid from the brain. High blood pressure caused by neuroinfection is treated antibiotic therapy. Identification of the cause of the disease plays a big role, so you should not engage in self-medication. In some cases, the loss of time can lead to serious consequences, including death.

As soon as the first symptoms of the disease appear, it is necessary to visit the attending physician and take advantage of his competent recommendations. When the disease proceeds without a threat to the life of the patient, he is prescribed symptomatic drug treatment. It contributes to the normalization of intracranial pressure.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure can be eliminated with the help of diuretics, which help to speed up the process of CSF withdrawal, as well as the absorption of the substance.

Medications must be taken in courses, but sometimes their constant intake is desirable. For example, with a recurrence of the disease. Diuretics should be taken at least once a week.

Nootropic drugs significantly improve blood circulation and nutrition of the brain. They are used in combination with a massage course. You can get a quick cure with exercise. The most effective sport for high intracranial pressure is swimming, which has a positive effect on the patient's condition.

If the disease proceeds without complications, then medication can be completely excluded. Their reception can be replaced by procedures such as:

• health exercises;
• manual therapy;
• method of osteopathy.

In some cases, to reduce the manifestations of the disease, it is required to limit the intake of water and other liquids. Because it allows you to normalize water balance in the body and eliminate swelling.

Pick up effective method only the attending physician can treat. Based on their symptoms and manifestations of the disease, he can offer the patient the most optimal and effective treatment.

Folk remedies

Treatment of intracranial pressure at home is possible as an additional therapy when therapeutic treatment already assigned. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

Recipes in which the main ingredients are honey and lemon are especially popular. One option is the following recipe: mix the juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons of honey and 100 ml boiled water. The resulting mixture must be drunk. The course of treatment is 20 days, after which you need to take a break.

You can also do honey masks for the scalp. For one month, you should rub a few tablespoons of honey into your hair and scalp. Regular use of the mask allows you to relieve headaches and give your hair a healthy look.

There are several methods for measuring intracranial pressure. First, a special catheter is used, which is inserted into the lateral ventricle of the brain, since it is in this area that the cerebrospinal fluid is concentrated. This method allows you to get more accurate data about the disease. In addition, with the help of a catheter, you can control and regulate the level of CSF. For example, at high pressure, a small part of the liquor can be pumped out, which will allow the condition to normalize.

Secondly, a subdural screw can be used, which is inserted into a previously prepared hole in the skull. This method is associated with risk, therefore it is used much less frequently than the use of a catheter.

Thirdly, the most difficult procedure, which is performed extremely rarely, is the insertion of an epidural sensor. It is inserted between the skin and the skull of the patient. The procedure is possible only when all hairline. Then the head is processed antiseptic. After preparatory phase an incision occurs skin and insert the sensor. Intracranial pressure is measured in this way only in extreme conditions.

Therefore, it is impossible to measure the level of pressure in the brain on its own. Therefore, if you begin to notice the symptoms and signs of high intracranial pressure, then urgently consult a therapist.

This problem has become common not only among the elderly and newborns, but also among young people and adolescents. Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in an adult is capable of excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid. Hypertension, if ignored, leads to disruption of work central nervous system, decrease mental abilities. Prolonged squeezing some brain tissue leads to death.

What is intracranial pressure

Cerebrospinal fluid - cerebrospinal fluid - protects against mechanical damage to the brain and overloads. The cranium is a hard rounded bone, the volume of which is constant. If the pressure in the head changes, then there is a brain tumor, problems with blood vessels (poor patency) or CSF absorption. Increased or decreased pressure in the head occurs due to its excess or lack, in case of circulation disturbance.

Symptoms in adults

Elevated ICP is also called hypertension. It may lead to lethal outcome. It is important to learn to distinguish characteristic symptoms benign intracranial hypertension in order to take timely measures and contact a specialist for examination. If signs of intracranial pressure in adults are identified, the following should be done:

• do not worry, so as not to aggravate the problem;
• make an appointment with a neurologist, undergo a brain examination;
• follow a diet, take medications prescribed by a doctor, follow all the recommendations of specialists.

Increased intracranial pressure

This pathology can be observed in individuals different ages. Clinical picture hypertension in adults and children is different. The problem of determining increased pressure on the brain is that its signs also indicate other serious illnesses. First there is a constant headache, mainly in the morning. There is a feeling of squeezing or bursting, especially in the temples. An increase in intracranial pressure is accompanied by signs:

• drowsiness, vomiting, nausea;
• feeling tired in the morning
• dizziness, loss of consciousness;
• violation of thought processes, memory loss, distracted attention;
• jumps in blood pressure during the day;
• sweating, bradycardia rare pulse);
• vision problems, tinnitus.

Reduced

Hypotension, hypotension is observed when the pressure inside the skull drops below 10 mm Hg. There is a strong headache, sharp, squeezing. With low pressure in the head, flashes before the eyes, a feeling of discomfort in the abdomen, tingling in the heart area are possible. Symptoms of a decrease in ICP are: vomiting, motion sickness, lethargy, irritability, weakness and loss of strength. Headache weakens when leaning down.

Symptoms in children

Newborns have intracranial hypertension in the first hours after birth. This may be indicated by a tremor of the chin, a divergence of the bones of the head, an increase in fontanelles, their pulsation, and convulsions. Symptoms of increased pressure inside the skull in children are regurgitation, repeated vomiting, strabismus, serious breach vision and movement restriction eyeballs. a clear sign there is an increase in the ventricles of the brain. In schoolchildren and children a little younger, high ICP is manifested by irritability, fatigue.

How the head hurts

At high pressure, the temples pulsate. Migraine appears in the morning after waking up. The headache has a pressing character, there is a feeling of narrowing of the skull or its bursting. It can be aggravated by bending over, sneezing, coughing, taking horizontal position, tension. After taking painkillers medications the pain doesn't go away.

The reasons

In children, the main factor causing increased ICP, is hydrocephalus - an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull. This pathology occurs with tumors of the head vessels, inflammation of the brain, obstructions in the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid (formations, blood clots). Reduced pressure appears when the patient's skull and its box are damaged as a result of surgery or trauma. In adults, they secrete the following reasons high pressure:

• swelling, inflammation of the brain;
• Availability foreign body, tumors, hematomas, intracranial hemorrhage;
• increased blood flow in dilated cerebral vessels due to intoxication of the body;
• congenital hydrocephalus, which leads to an increase in cerebrospinal fluid.

Why is intracranial pressure dangerous?

If ICP rises gradually, the brain has time to adapt, but from time to time gives distress signals. Its squeezing negatively affects general state health. Constant fatigue, headaches lead to poor sleep. The brain does not rest fully. For a child, this is dangerous, because the mental and physical development. An adult patient experiences a feeling of apathy, meteopathy (dependence on atmospheric pressure, weather changes). When the hemispheres of the brain are infringed, the centers of the heartbeat and respiration suffer, which leads to death.

How to determine intracranial pressure

Normal ICP - 10-17 mm Hg or 100-151 mm H2O. Craniocerebral pressure indicates the degree of influence of CSF on the brain. The critical level is 25-35 mmHg: this leads to lethal outcome. Methods for measuring the magnitude of intracranial compression in the head are:

• Ultrasound of the brain (neurosonography) through the fontanel - used for infants under the age of 12 months;
• computed tomography or MRI of the cranial cavity - common with severe violation blood circulation;
• echoencephaloscopy - often prescribed for infants;
• it is important to check the fundus to find out if there is swelling of the optic nerve;
• measure the intracranial level with a manometer: a catheter is inserted into the lumen of the spinal canal or into the ventricles of the brain, to which an apparatus is attached that works like a mercury thermometer.

Treatment

Rubbing the collar zone, the head is considered effective. A course of 15-20 massages helps to improve the outflow of venous blood. It is advisable to continue the treatment on your own. Twice a day for 15 minutes, massage the neck in a circular motion from top to bottom, the points of the base of the skull, hold the palms from the back of the head to the collarbones. Procedures are prescribed - electrophoresis or a magnet is placed on collar area. This relieves swelling, allows you to increase blood circulation. Acupuncture acts on reflex zones that relieve spasms venous vessels.

Physiotherapy implies moderate loads on the cervical-shoulder region. You can reduce intracranial pressure by swimming, walking, playing badminton, table tennis. At home, carry out such exercises by doing the exercises slowly:

• stretching the head forward and down to chest;
• alternate turns of the head to the right and to the left until it stops;
• tilting the head, touching the shoulder with the right ear, then similarly on the other side;
• on inhalation, the chin rises and the breath is held for 5 seconds, on exhalation it falls.

What to drink

With an increase in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid in the cranial cavity, diuretics are used - Furosemide, Diakarb, Acetazolamide. Such normalization and treatment of intracranial pressure in adults removes excess fluid. Nootropic drugs help to increase blood circulation in the brain. These are stimulants that improve thought processes, soothing - Pantogam, Piracetam, Encephabol. It is recommended to follow drinking regimen.

With edema, corticosteroids are prescribed - Dexamethasone, Asparkam and other drugs containing potassium. Blood circulation is normalized by Sermion, Cavinton, Cinnarizine. From homeopathic remedies to reduce pressure inside the cranium, Nervochel, Notta are effective. If the problem is caused by a neuroinfection, a course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

Surgery

Surgery necessary in the presence of a tumor, foreign body, aneurysm. If the cause of increased pressure in the head is hydrocephalus, the excess cerebrospinal fluid is removed surgically. Indications for surgical treatment: trauma of the skull, blockage of the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid, cysts. Operations are of two types: shunting with the transfer of excess to abdominal cavity or in right atrium. The method of spinal puncture of the ventricles is used.

Treatment with folk remedies

If you do not know what to do with intracranial pressure, there are no pills, you can turn to proven methods. What home remedies are used in this case:

• alcohol compress and camphor oil it will help to remove the spasm of the cerebral vessels: the ingredients are mixed in 50 ml each, rubbed into the scalp, a rubber cap is put on and wrapped in a scarf on top;
• alcohol tincture plants fights hypertension: infusions of valerian, motherwort, mint, eucalyptus, hawthorn are combined in equal amounts to make 500 ml of medicine. Store the mixture in a warm place for 14 days, add 1 tsp to water. This remedy is not suitable for babies, pregnant women;
• to normalize intracranial changes, squeeze out 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice, add half a glass of water, drink for an hour. Important condition- take at bedtime for 20 days with a break after 1.5 weeks.

Effects

If you do not fight the level of intracranial changes (ICP), a person may faint. It is impossible not to recognize and ignore hypertension. With it, diseases of the vessels of the brain develop, acquire chronic disruption of the CNS. Most dangerous consequence- stroke. Complications of brain compression include:

• decreased vision up to its complete loss;
• disorder of consciousness mental disorders;
• epileptic syndrome - constant seizures;
• respiratory failure, weakness in the legs and arms.

Prevention

The main ways to prevent compression of the brain is good sleep, regular physical exercise moderate strength, normalization of drinking balance. Alternate mental activities with sports. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol to avoid vasospasm. For improvement venous outflow raise the part of the bed on which you lie with your head by 30 degrees.

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