Symptoms of intracranial hypertension in adults

The brain is very sensitive to any influences. In addition to the cranium, it is surrounded by a special fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. It has its own pressure. This pressure is called intracranial pressure.

With stable pressure inside the skull, a person does not feel any discomfort. But its increase causes a number of unpleasant sensations, any of which requires specialist advice.

This pathology is called intracranial hypertension. As a separate disease, it is not considered and is a symptom of many neurological abnormalities. Therefore, in each individual case, intracranial hypertension is considered in relation to a particular patient.

Causes of pathology

There are no clearly defined causes of this syndrome. Therefore, before starting treatment, the doctor must determine what caused the violation in order to understand how to fix the problem.

Usually, intracranial hypertension is associated with such diseases:

1. brain tumor or hematoma. The neoplasm begins to grow and presses on the tissues surrounding it, which causes pressure to build up.
2. Pathologies that lead to cerebral edema: hydrocephalus, meningitis, encephalitis.
3. In adults, this problem also develops against the background of acute heart failure, chronic lung diseases.
4. Violation of blood circulation in the vessels of the brain.

Obesity can also cause symptoms of the disease. In such a situation, you can get rid of the problem only by getting rid of extra pounds. Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle in this situation are the best helpers.

Several factors can trigger benign intracranial hypertension. This problem can occur during pregnancy, lack or excess of vitamins in the body.

It is distinguished from the pathological state by the fact that consciousness is not oppressed in a person. Usually this form of intracranial hypertension does not affect the state of the human body in any way. In most cases, even treatment is not prescribed, the state of health normalizes on its own.

A symptom of this type of hypertension is a headache that worsens during movement.

What indicates an increase in pressure

If pressure rises inside the skull, then the central nervous system cannot function normally. This leads to a deterioration in well-being and the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.

These include:

• Morning sickness and vomiting.
• Nervousness, irritability.
• Persistent feeling of fatigue. Even with a normal lifestyle, bruises appear under the eyes. On closer examination, you can notice the expansion of blood vessels under the eyes.
• Pain or heaviness in the head. Usually these sensations intensify in the morning. This is because when a person lies, the cerebrospinal fluid is quickly released, but absorbed slowly. This leads to pressure surges.

• The main symptom is considered increased sweating, rapid heartbeat, sharp jumps in blood pressure, pre-syncope.
• In some cases, there may be problems with potency, reduced sexual desire.
• When atmospheric pressure decreases, the patient's well-being deteriorates sharply. Sensitivity to weather changes is a symptom of intracranial hypertension. This phenomenon is quite common.
• With a long course of the disease, the function of the eyes, smell, and hearing are impaired.

Symptoms of intracranial hypertension are quite unpleasant and can significantly impair the quality of life. Therefore, if one or more symptoms occur, it is necessary to undergo a brain examination.

There are also indirect signs of the disease in adults:

• Sleep problems.
• Behavior change.
• Disturbances in the development of the psyche.

• Tremor of the chin.
• Paleness of the skin.
• Frequent bleeding from the nose.

Some signs of intracranial hypertension can be observed in other diseases. But to accurately determine the problem, you need to visit a doctor. He will prescribe the necessary examinations.

Diagnostic measures

The easiest way to determine the disease is by measuring the pressure in the skull. This is done only by inserting the needle inside. A manometer is connected to it, which measures the pressure. This method is not safe, which is why it is rarely used.

To make a diagnosis, the following procedures are prescribed:

1. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
2. Lumbar puncture.
3. X-ray studies of the bones of the skull.
4. Fundus examination.

The fact that this is indeed intracranial hypertension is evidenced by the following x-ray signs:

1. The fundus veins are dilated and tortuous.
2. The MRI shows that the fluid cavities of the brain have expanded.
3. The outflow of venous blood from the cranial cavity was disturbed. This is determined by ultrasound of the vessels.

Troubleshooting Methods

Treatment of intracranial hypertension is prescribed only after it is determined what caused the pathological condition.

All therapy is aimed at reducing the amount of secreted cerebral fluid (CSF) and increasing the rate of its absorption. Only this can normalize the pressure. Often, drugs with a diuretic effect are prescribed for this. But their constant use may be unacceptable for the patient.

Therefore, they also use such methods in which medicines do not need to be used:

• Gymnastics to reduce pressure. For each specific case, separate exercises are developed.
• For each case, a diet and drinking regimen is developed separately. Basically, they insist on reducing the amount of fluids and salty foods consumed.
• To unload the head venous bed, sparing manual therapy is used.
• Physiotherapy and acupuncture give good results.

Usually these methods are used in combination. Subject to all the doctor's recommendations, there is a gradual improvement in well-being and stabilization of intracranial pressure. The disappearance of symptoms can be seen within a few days after the start of therapy.

In very severe cases. For example, if intracranial hypertension is congenital or occurs as a complication after surgery, surgery is necessary. Most often, the patient is implanted with special tubes to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.

Some prefer to treat the disease with folk methods. To do this, use decoctions and infusions of herbs that have the property of lowering blood pressure.

But it is important to remember that in this way you can only get rid of the symptoms, but the problem will remain.

To improve well-being, you can prepare a lavender decoction. To do this, add 1 tsp to a glass of water. flowers and boil for a few minutes. The decoction should stand for some time. You need to use the medicine once a day after lunch, 3 tbsp. l., the course of treatment is a month. After this period, you need to take a two-week break and continue therapy. But without the knowledge of the doctor, this is not recommended.

Possible Complications

If the pressure inside the skull is not normalized, and it is constantly high, the brain will malfunction.

And this is a vital organ, so the consequences will be the saddest:

• The medulla gradually atrophies, due to which intellectual abilities will decrease, and all organs and systems will fail.
• If you do not go to the doctor, then due to constant squeezing, the brain will shift, which will lead to damage to its important centers. This complication is fatal. In most cases, death occurs due to respiratory arrest.

• The patient may also wedge the hook of the temporal lobe. You can notice this by the dilated pupil and the lack of reaction to light. If action is not taken, the pressure will increase, and the person may fall into a coma.
• Intracranial hypertension leads to atrophy of the optic nerve, as a result of which a person can become blind.
• Lack of treatment can also cause paralysis and mental disorders.

If measures are not taken, a person will not be able to live his former life and it is not known whether he can live at all.

Given the seriousness of the consequences, at the first symptoms of pathology, you need to visit a neurologist. If the treatment is prescribed in the early stages of the development of the pathology, then the brain will not be damaged yet and it will be possible to completely get rid of the problem.