How to increase pressure in the head. Increased intracranial pressure: WHAT to do. Symptoms and signs of disorders

Increased intracranial pressure (increased intracranial pressure syndrome, liquor-hypertension syndrome) is a clinical syndrome manifested by headache, nausea, vomiting, and recurrent visual disturbances.

Causes

The following reasons can lead to increased intracranial pressure:

space-occupying formation in the cranial cavity (brain abscess, cerebral aneurysm, cysts, metastatic or primary brain tumors);
cerebral edema - can be local or diffuse (general), develops against the background of toxic lesions, encephalitis, ischemic stroke, hepatic encephalopathy, hypoxia, brain contusion. With arachnoiditis and meningitis, swelling of the meninges develops, which also leads to increased intracranial pressure;
increased blood supply to the brain - due to either obstructed blood outflow from the brain through the venous system (dyscirculatory encephalopathy), or, conversely, increased inflow (hypercapnia, hyperthermia);
disturbances in liquor dynamics - may be caused by decreased absorption, circulation disorders, or increased production of cerebral fluid (CSF). Disturbances in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics always lead to increased accumulation of fluid in the cranial cavity, i.e. to the development of hydrocephalus.

In some cases, increased intracranial pressure in adults, and sometimes in children, occurs due to unknown causes (idiopathic form). Most often, this condition is observed in obese women. Therefore, some experts suggest that endocrine disorders play a certain role in the pathological mechanism of increased intracranial pressure. Also in the formation of the idiopathic form of this clinical syndrome may matter:

abrupt withdrawal of corticosteroids, especially after a long course of use;
taking certain medications;
hypervitaminosis of vitamin A.

The cranial cavity is a closed space with a limited volume, so an increase in any of the structures included in it leads to an increase in intracranial pressure. This, in turn, leads to compression of the brain of varying severity, resulting in the development of metabolic disorders in nerve cells(neurons).

With a significant increase in intracranial pressure, a displacement of brain structures occurs, i.e., dislocation syndrome develops - wedging of the cerebellar tonsils into the foramen magnum occurs, which leads to compression of the brain stem, in which the respiratory and vasomotor systems are located. nerve centers. The result is a violation of vital functions, which, if not provided in a timely manner medical care may be fatal.

If dislocation syndrome develops, emergency surgery is performed to save the patient’s life. surgical intervention– decompression craniotomy.

Kinds

Increased intracranial pressure, depending on the cause, is divided into two forms:

primary (idiopathic) – the exact cause cannot be determined; has a benign course;
secondary – develops as a complication of diseases and injuries of the brain.

According to the duration of the course, acute and chronic forms of increased intracranial pressure are distinguished. The acute form usually develops against the background of neuroinfectious processes and traumatic brain injuries. The causes of chronic increased intracranial pressure in adults and children quite often are slowly growing space-occupying formations (cysts, tumors) and vascular disorders. Often the chronic form of the syndrome becomes a residual consequence of toxic encephalopathy, stroke, infections, injuries and a number of other acute brain processes, as well as neurosurgical operations.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure

The main symptom of increased intracranial pressure is headache. At acute form syndrome, its intensity quickly increases, and in chronic cases the pain is constant, with periodic attacks of intensification. Headache with increased intracranial pressure is usually localized in the fronto-parietal areas, has a bursting character and is accompanied by a feeling of pressure from the inside on the eyeballs. It is often accompanied by nausea, and with significant intracranial hypertension, patients experience vomiting, even indomitable.

With chronic increase in intracranial pressure, worsening general state. Increased weather sensitivity, rapid mental and physical fatigue, sleep disturbances, and irritability develop. A sharp and significant increase in intracranial pressure leads to disorders of consciousness - from mild stupor to severe coma.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure also include visual disturbances:

decreased visual acuity;
double vision (diplopia);
blurring of the contours of observed objects.

A secondary increase in intracranial pressure is always accompanied by symptoms of the underlying pathology (focal, cerebral, intoxication, general infectious).

Increased intracranial pressure in children

Causes of increased intracranial pressure in children:

birth intracranial injuries;
arteriovenous malformation of the brain;
congenital hydrocephalus;

Syndrome in children long time proceeds subclinically, i.e. without bright clinical picture. This is due to the increased elasticity and pliability of the sutures of the skull, as well as the relative softness of the cranial bones, characteristic of the first years of life.

A bulging fontanel in an infant may indicate increased intracranial pressure

Increased intracranial pressure in children of the first year of life is manifested by the following symptoms:

breast refusal;
anxiety;
moodiness, tearfulness;
frequent heavy regurgitation;
bulging fontanel;
oculomotor disorders.

Chronic increase in intracranial pressure in children can lead to delay mental development child until formation severe forms oligophrenia (idiocy).

Diagnostics

The idiopathic form of increased intracranial pressure responds well to conservative therapy and has a positive outlook.

In the complex treatment of increased intracranial pressure, drugs with neurometabolic effects are used (porcine brain hydrolysate, glycine, piracetam, γ-aminobutyric acid). Cranial manual therapy can improve venous outflow from the brain.

In case of acute increase in intracranial pressure or during an exacerbation chronic form The patient is advised to limit all types of activities that put strain on the eyesight (reading books, watching television, working on a computer, knitting), and also to stop listening to music through headphones.

If dislocation syndrome develops, in order to save the patient’s life, emergency surgical intervention is performed - decompressive craniotomy. If indicated, ventricular external drainage can be performed.

In order to eliminate the cause of increased intracranial pressure, planned surgical operations(cerebral shunting to eliminate hydrocephalus, correction congenital anomalies, removal of intracranial space-occupying neoplasms, etc.).

Prevention

Prevention of the development of intracranial hypertension includes:

timely and active treatment of neuroinfectious diseases;
prevention;
timely correction of disorders of liquorodynamics and blood circulation;
rational management of pregnancy and childbirth;
avoiding mental and physical stress;
adherence to daily routine;
refusal bad habits.

Possible consequences

The consequences of increased intracranial pressure are determined by many factors, in particular, the duration of the syndrome, the compensatory capabilities of the body, and the timeliness of starting therapy.

With a rapid increase in intracranial pressure and the development of dislocation syndrome, death is possible.

The idiopathic form of increased intracranial pressure responds well to conservative therapy and has a positive prognosis.

Chronic increase in intracranial pressure in children can lead to delayed mental development of the child up to the formation of severe forms of mental retardation (idiocy).

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Probably all of us periodically experience problems such as slight dizziness, slight headaches, blurred vision, etc. Most often, these problems are associated with increased intracranial pressure. Unfortunately, not everyone pays due attention to this disease. But sometimes such symptoms can, in turn, be signs of much more serious problems: hemorrhages, tumors, hematomas, etc.

Frequent increases in ICP should be a signal that it is time to be examined by a neurologist.

Increased intracranial pressure is an imbalance between pressures blood vessels and cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull in favor of the latter. According to statistics, periodically appearing symptoms of this disease occur in 30% of the inhabitants of our planet.

How is intracranial pressure measured in an adult?

If a patient exhibits symptoms of increased ICP, the attending physician prescribes a set of measures in order to measure it

One of the most common procedures comprehensive examination To identify this disease is to examine the fundus. This procedure is performed in the eye doctor's office. A special solution is instilled into the patient's eyes to dilate the pupils. The optometrist should then use an electric ophthalmic speculum to identify symptoms of ICP. These include: dilated tortuous retinal vessels, changes in eye contour, color and disc tissue
If the ophthalmologist identifies the ailment described above, the patient should go to a neurologist. Most often, this specialist prescribes magnetic resonance imaging of the brain to make a diagnosis. A patient wearing a helmet with wires connected to special sensors is placed in a field created by an electromagnet. The procedure lasts 40-45 minutes. If a person suffers from claustrophobia, then he will not be able to withstand such a procedure.
You can also identify the presence of a problem using duplex scanning of the brachiocephalic arteries. They are responsible for supplying the brain with blood. Using an ultrasound machine, a specialist visually assesses the dimensions of blood vessels, the speed of blood flow and other important indicators
Another procedure that can be used to detect ICP is rheoencephalography. A weak alternating current is passed through the patient's brain and the resulting changes in resistance are recorded. At the same time, the weak current that affects the brain is neither felt nor felt
But, the most accurate indicator of intracranial pressure can be achieved by surgically inserting a needle into the spinal canal. This procedure can only be carried out by a very experienced specialist. Even a small mistake can lead to patient disability

Normal intracranial pressure in adults

The unit of measurement for intracranial pressure is millimeter of mercury. The norm for a child is 1-2 mm Hg. Art. And the norm for adults is 5-7 mmHg. Art.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in adults

Symptoms of ICP appear gradually.

And they begin to notice this illness due to headaches

It can be pressing, bursting and pulsating
Usually this pain appears immediately after waking up from sleep.
Intracranial pressure increases when sneezing, straining, orgasm, and when taking a horizontal position for a long time. This may cause nausea and “noise” in the head.
With ICP, it is impossible to relieve headaches with analgesics

In addition to headaches, very often a companion to this problem is the syndrome autonomic dysfunction. It manifests itself:

sudden changes blood pressure and heart rate
constipation or bouts of diarrhea
attacks of suffocation
increased salivation
increased sweating
dizzy
pain in the heart area
irritability or apathy

In the most critical condition, increased intracranial pressure is accompanied by symptoms that can be life-threatening:

loss of consciousness up to coma
loss of muscle strength
severe dizziness that interferes with normal movement
severe vomiting
diction disorder
dysfunction of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems
urinary incontinence

Causes of increased intracranial pressure in adults

Cerebrospinal fluid constantly circulates through the spaces and ventricles of the brain, connected by ducts

During the day, this liquid is completely renewed 7 times. If more of this fluid accumulates in one area of the brain than necessary, the problem described above will occur.

There are three most common causes for this disease:

the release of cerebrospinal fluid occurs faster than the body needs
cerebrospinal fluid is not absorbed completely
disruption of the cerebrospinal fluid circulation pathways

Each of the above reasons for increased ICP may occur due to:

traumatic brain injury
infectious diseases (meningitis or encephalitis)
features of the brain structure obtained at birth
oxygen starvation
disturbances in the flow of blood from the brain
poisoning

Why is intracranial pressure dangerous in adults?

With this disease, the ducts and fluid cavities may increase in size (hydrocephalus). The skull is a closed cavity. As the ducts of the cerebrospinal fluid increase, the mass of the medulla decreases. Which can lead to critical consequences for health and normal functioning.

The magnitude of the danger of this disease depends on the rate of increase in intracranial pressure

If this does not happen very quickly, then the brain may have time to adapt to such changes. But, at the same time, he will “express” his dissatisfaction in the form of pain
The more often such a disease manifests itself, the more headaches the sufferer will have. This usually happens in the morning hours. Also, an increase in ICP can lead to fatigue, loss of performance, apathy and drowsiness.
People who have this disease often become susceptible to painful sensitivity to changes in atmospheric pressure and weather changes
With increased intracranial pressure, an adult may experience memory loss, blurred vision and general malaise.
But, do not think that this problem can only cause discomfort, but is not life-threatening. Frequent increases in intracranial pressure over time can lead to the body no longer being able to cope with such a load.
The expansion of the channels and cavities of the brain, which occurs with an increase in ICP, can cause compression of the cerebral hemispheres and destruction of vital areas
The most serious cause of the problem described above is the blockage of the cerebrospinal fluid ducts due to the formation of a tumor

Can high intracranial pressure be cured?

The symptoms of this disease are not a reason to panic

But, in order to live a long and happy life You need to listen carefully to your body. If you have symptoms of increased ICP, you should visit a neurologist. If the problem is detected early, you can cope with this disease and normalize your health.

How to treat increased intracranial pressure?

Treatment of increased ICP begins with finding out the reasons that led to this disease. If it was not possible to find out the cause of this illness, then measures are taken to remove excess cerebrospinal fluid from the body
If the cause of this disease is a tumor, then measures are taken to surgical removal or chemotherapy. Surgery may also be necessary for intracerebral hematoma or aneurysm.
If the cause of increased ICP is an infectious disease, then antibiotic therapy is indicated

For any of the above factors that led to the described illness, patients need to:

refuse baths and saunas
reduce salt and fluid intake
avoid fried and fatty foods
do physical therapy
include diuretic drinks in your diet
exclude physical activity
Avoid stress and overexertion as much as possible
Always get enough sleep and deal with stress

People who experience symptoms of increased intracranial pressure should give up bad habits. Manual therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy and other procedures can help treat this disease.

To reduce the amount of cerebrospinal fluid, taking diuretics is indicated.

Also in drug treatment the following drugs can be used:

With a sharp exacerbation of the described illness, urgent hospitalization and treatment in a hospital are required.

Has proven to be effective in reducing symptoms of increased ICP. physiotherapy. With its help, you can not only alleviate the course of this ailment, but also reduce the dosage of medications used in treatment.

The following exercise helps to reduce ICP well. Take a round cylindrical stick with a diameter of 3-4 cm. It needs to be placed behind your back. Then place it on your neck and move from the back of your head to your shoulders for 15 minutes. You need to repeat this exercise 3-4 times a day.

In the most difficult cases To help patients diagnosed with increased ICP, surgery may be required. These may be the following procedures:

Installation of a shunt for the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid
Removal of hematoma
Increasing the volume of the cranium due to bone excision
Excretion of cerebrospinal fluid

Each of these types of operations has many limitations and complications. Therefore, they are resorted to in extreme cases.

Reduced intracranial pressure in adults

But intracranial pressure can have a negative effect not only when it increases

Low ICP also causes a lot of trouble. Every fifth person in the world suffers from hypotension. An illness that can lead to a heart attack.

The causes of low intracranial pressure are most often problems with blood vessels. Because of which the brain does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients in the proper amount. The causes of such a disorder in the body may be:

avitaminosis
chronic fatigue
intoxication
infections
allergic reactions
bad habits
depression and stress
osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Also, low ICP can cause hormonal imbalance in the body.

Like increased intracranial pressure, hypotension has many symptoms. And the more of them appear simultaneously, the the problem is more serious. These symptoms include:

loss of performance
fast fatiguability
dizziness
pain in the heart area
heaviness in the stomach
flashes before eyes
fainting

Often, low intracranial pressure is a consequence of pregnancy or menstruation in women. This problem is also observed in adolescents at the time of rapid growth.

Treatment for low ICP is developed individually for each case. In this case, the following treatment options can be chosen:

prescription of medications
herbal treatment and homeopathy
physiotherapeutic procedures
physiotherapy

In order to get professional help in treating this disease, you need to consult a cardiologist.

If symptoms of low ICP are detected in a person for the first time, then he is prescribed physical exercise aerobic type. A daily routine is also drawn up that hypotensive patients should follow. It includes:

healthy sleep (at least 8 hours a day)
periodic visits to the pool
daily contrast shower
gymnastics
good rest

acupressure
sodium chloride baths
magnetotherapy
cryotherapy
reflexology
iodine-bromine baths
self-massage of the upper neck
electrosleep;
darsonvalization of the neck, head and heart area
galvanic collar
inhalation of air from high content ozone

Thanks to these procedures, you can increase blood circulation and increase vascular tone.

If symptoms of low ICP have occurred more than once, then taking medications based on caffeine and other substances that stimulate blood flow in the body is indicated.

As an alternative to medications, this problem can be treated with herbal preparations with a tonic effect:

Chinese lemongrass tincture
Hawthorn tincture
Tincture of enticement
Eleutherococcus tincture
Ginseng tincture

But even when treated with such drugs, you should consult your doctor.

Folk remedies for intracranial pressure in adults

Folk remedies for the problem described are not a panacea. And you can’t expect a miracle from them. But with their help you can provide good support to the body. Facilities traditional medicine In addition to their effectiveness, they have another important quality. They do not burden the liver and stomach.

You can cope with high intracranial pressure using tinctures of valerian, mint, motherwort and eucalyptus

You can also use a compress of alcohol and camphor oil. To do this, take these components of the compress in equal parts and soak them in this mixture. soft cloth and apply it to your head before going to bed. To enhance the effect, you can wrap your head in cellophane on top
A tincture of clover inflorescences in vodka helps to cope with the problem described. You can do it yourself. These flowers need to be infused for two weeks. Then you need to dilute 10 ml of the resulting tincture in a glass of water and drink it once a day.
Another remedy for high intracranial pressure is mulberry decoction. To do this, 20 grams of branches of this plant are poured with a liter of water and boiled for half an hour. You should drink a glass of this decoction before meals.
A mixture of lemon and garlic before bed (about 30 ml) will also help relieve symptoms of increased ICP.
Birch sap is also indicated to solve this problem.
Another proven remedy is a tincture of mint, hawthorn, valerian, eucalyptus and motherwort in vodka. To do this, herbs are mixed in equal proportions. For one tablespoon of this mixture you need 500 ml of vodka. This remedy must be infused for 24 hours. To relieve the symptoms of high intracranial pressure, you need to take 20-25 drops of this remedy.

Intracranial pressure: reviews

Kira. My fluid exchange at the base of my skull was disrupted. Nothing helped. Until I turned to a famous osteopath. He examined me and said that he indicated a minor injury to the cervical spine that could be causing the problem. After several sessions, the injury was removed. Intracranial pressure as if taken away by hand.

Sveta. As a teenager I had terrible headaches due to ICP. Examination showed that the veins are dilated, which leads to different quantities blood coming in and going out. Injections were prescribed. Very painful. But she survived. After this course I practically forgot about the problem.

Video. How to REDUCE intracranial PRESSURE? Mini massage

In addition to blood pressure, there are many indicators that indicate the presence of serious diseases. Intracranial pressure (ICP) will also tell you a lot. This diagnosis may seem scary, but treatment with specialist consultation is usually successful. The main thing is to contact a medical facility in time so that the disease does not develop into an advanced form. Let's take a closer look at what intracranial pressure is, its symptoms and treatment in adults.

Increased intracranial pressure is the stagnation of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, in certain areas of it. This liquid is called liquor, it is constantly moving and being renewed. But for various reasons, due to the difficulties of circulation, it penetrates and remains in certain cavities of the brain, thereby causing additional pressure.

Pressure standards vary quite a lot (60-200 mm water column or 3-15 mm Hg).

Liquor is needed for the human body, as it is a shock-absorbing agent for possible bruises and injuries.

Brain tissue puts pressure on the fluid, and with changes in this process, cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in a certain part of the brain. This leads to increased intracranial pressure. The accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid is localized depending on the disease leading to this pathology. According to this principle, symptoms also differ.

Doctors distinguish between acute and chronic form intracranial hypertension:

The acute form appears due to brain damage and hemorrhage. This happens during a stroke. If you don't call ambulance, pathology can lead to death or irreversible consequences for human health, significantly worsening the quality of life. Medicines are powerless here, so craniotomy must be used. With it you can quickly get rid of high blood pressure by removing damaged brain tissue and spilled blood;
The chronic form usually occurs as a result of neurological diseases. It could also be an infection or a side effect from taking certain medications.

Typically, intracranial pressure increases due to diseases such as:

Symptoms

Symptoms of ICP in adults are as follows:

Signs of intracranial pressure in adults with autonomic dysfunction syndrome:

Stroke-like conditions can be fatal. Increased intracranial pressure in this case manifests itself in the following symptoms:

loss of consciousness, coma;
pathologies of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems;
weakening of the arms and legs;
constant vomiting;
speech disorder;
pathologies of the pelvic organs, expressed in incontinence or retention of feces and urine;
dizziness leading to difficulty walking.

Diagnosis of intracranial hypertension

Basic diagnostic methods in adults:

Treatment of ICH

Let's consider what to do after the disease has been recognized. The doctor determines the treatment of intracranial pressure depending on the cause of the pathology. If an aneurysm, hematoma or tumor is detected, surgery will be required. Excess cerebrospinal fluid is removed using a shunt. For other diagnoses, doctors prescribe conservative treatment.

Medicines and procedures

Basically the following are written out: medicines:

Procedures for intracranial pressure:

hyperventilation;
acupuncture;
massage;
physiotherapy;
hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches).

Please note: Homeopathy and physiotherapy are not used for brain tumors and head and spinal injuries.

Diuretic drugs have a positive effect on high intracranial pressure. Diacarb is considered the most effective. The drug will help remove excess fluid through increased kidney function. There is a decrease in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid, which eliminates the manifestations of intracranial pressure. "Diacarb" has a convenient dosage, side effects Hardly ever.

Many drugs are prohibited during pregnancy. Typically, drug treatment in this case is limited to corticosteroids and diuretics.

Folk remedies

Let's look at how to treat intracranial pressure using traditional methods. To prepare Vanga's recipe you will need:

Corn flour – 1 tbsp. l. ;
Boiling water – 1/2 cup.

Mix the ingredients and leave for 40 minutes. Pour off the settled liquid so that there is no sediment in the infusion. Take the medicine on an empty stomach and eat after an hour. Then you need to do this before bed two hours before your last meal. Course duration: twice a day, no more than 30 days without a break. During therapy, it is useful to take magnesium or potassium tablets or include more walnuts, dried apricots, dates, and prunes in your diet.

For the next folk method you will need:

Lemon – 1 pc. ;
Honey – 2 tbsp. l. ;
Water – 100 ml.

Cut the citrus into two parts and squeeze out the juice. Mix the ingredients and consume within 60 minutes. It is recommended to drink at night, but the mixture may cause sleep problems for some due to ascorbic acid in large quantities. In this case, you can drink the drink in the morning. Take for intense headaches. The duration of the course is 20 days, after which you need to take a ten-day break.

To prepare a decoction of plantain you will need:

Water – 0.5 l;
Dry plantain – 3 tbsp. l.

Add herbs to the liquid and keep on the stove for a quarter of an hour. Then let it brew for 30 minutes. Use 4 times a day in a dosage of 50 g.

A hot bath with linden will help. To prepare a decoction for water procedures you will need:

Boiling water – 2 l;
Linden blossom - 2 cups.

Mix the ingredients and leave for 40 minutes. The bath should be at a temperature of 50 degrees. Pour the broth into the bath and lie in it for 30 minutes or longer. It needs to be constantly refilled hot water. In the bathroom you need to sit on a height (small chair or inflatable pillow). The body is almost in a vertical position, the legs are 20-30 centimeters below the pelvis. This will help outflow excess liquid from the head area.

To prepare a head mask you will need:

Alcohol 70% - 50 ml;
Camphor oil – 50 ml.

Camphor oil can be purchased at any pharmacy. Apply the mixture to the scalp, rubbing in slightly. Afterwards, put cellophane or a special hat on your head and insulate it with a towel. The mask should be left on all night, and upon waking, rinse with shampoo. After a week of such procedures, the pressure will drop.

To make a mint compress, you need the following ingredients:

Water – 1 l;
Mint, crushed – 1 cup.

Place the mixture on the stove for a quarter of an hour, wait until it cools to 50 degrees. Dip a cotton cloth into it and place it on your head. Keep until cool, then change until the broth is finished.

Exercises

Therapeutic exercises can be considered as an alternative to certain medications in drug therapy, and preventative measure in order to reduce the risk of seizures. The specialist selects techniques depending on the diagnosis.

The most famous exercises to help cure ICP:

Smoothly tilt your head left and right, touching your ears to your shoulders. Also bend forward and backward, pulling your chin towards the chest area. Then you need to slowly rotate your head to the sides. Each tilt should be about twenty times. At first, pain may appear due to tension in the neck muscles, but then it disappears;
Place your hands behind your neck and clasp the lower part of the back of your head to thumbs were on the neck muscles, which are located at the level of the earlobes. After a quarter of an hour, run your fingers along them up and down. This will help cause blood to flow away from the brain and cause noticeable relief in the back of the head and temples;
For execution breathing exercises you need to take a straight sitting position. Inhale through your nose, holding your breath for a few seconds. Exhale slowly, pursing your lips into a tube. The exercise should continue for several minutes. At this time, you need to pay attention to your feelings.

Nutrition for ICP

With increased intracranial pressure, nutrition should be based on the correct ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. You should also normalize your water balance by reducing or eliminating salt when cooking.

Allowed to eat:

The last meal should be three hours before bedtime. You need to drink 1.5 liters of water per day. Meals are fractional, 5-6 times a day in small portions.

Prohibited products:

cakes;
cakes;
alcoholic drinks;
pancakes, baked goods and fresh bread;
chocolate;
pickles and pickled vegetables;
smoked dishes;
spices.

The basics of the diet are agreed upon with the doctor; meal changes are made after consultation. You should not self-medicate - it can be dangerous.

It is recommended to be outside more often - this will help improve blood circulation. Yoga classes will help. It is important to explain to the specialist why you came to class. Increased exercise stress may be harmful if there is increased intracranial pressure. Treatment cannot be delayed; if symptoms are detected, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Still have questions? Ask them in the comments! A cardiologist will answer them.

Many of us do not attach importance to such symptoms as minor headaches, slight dizziness, blurred vision... But these manifestations of increased intracranial pressure (abbreviated as ICP) may indicate severe structural damage to the substance of the brain tissue, mainly in children (tumor, hemorrhage, hematoma,). That is why neurologists pay such great attention to the problems of intracranial hypertension, or increased ICP.

What is intracranial pressure?

Intracranial pressure is a quantitative indicator that reflects the force of the cerebrospinal fluid on brain tissue. Normal value ICP ranges from 100 to 151 mmHg, which corresponds to 10 - 17 mmHg.

Methods for determining intracranial pressure

The level of intracranial pressure can be assessed in the following ways:

insertion of a catheter into the lumen of the spinal canal or ventricles of the brain, followed by attachment of a pressure gauge that works in a similar way to a mercury thermometer;
the use of both computer and magnetic resonance imaging methods;
ultrasound examination of the brain (synonym: neurosonography) in children under 1 year of age;
echoencephaloscopy;
examination of the fundus picture with the definition of a typical clinic - papilledema, blurred contours, pallor.

Before measuring intracranial pressure, it is important to decide on the research method. In infants, preference is given to neurosonography and echoencephaloscopy. For patients who have undergone acute disorder cerebral circulation, a tomographic examination is prescribed, an assessment of the condition of the fundus by an ophthalmologist.

Causes leading to increased intracranial pressure

Conditions that cause high intracranial pressure include:

increase in brain volume due to edema, inflammation;
education large quantity cerebrospinal fluid for hydrocephalus;
the presence of a space-occupying formation (tumor, hematoma, foreign body) in the cranial cavity;
an increase in blood content in the dilated vessels of the brain during poisoning and intoxication.

The main diseases accompanied by an increase in ICP:

cerebrovascular accidents of various origins (ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes);
traumatic damage to brain tissue (concussion and brain contusion);
inflammatory changes in the membranes during meningitis, encephalitis and ventriculitis;
intoxication with salts of heavy metals, methanol or ethyl alcohol, vapors of toxic gases;
tumors not only of the substance, but also of the membranes of the brain, sub- and epidural hematomas;
developmental anomalies (Arnold-Chiari, Dandy-Walker);
benign intracranial hypertension;
hydrocephalus.

It should be noted that symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in infants in 90% of cases are caused by birth trauma.

General symptoms characteristic of intracranial hypertension

In the case of increased intracranial pressure, symptoms are characterized by diversity and polymorphism. The clinical picture of the disease in children and adults is different. The leading signs that accompany an increase in ICP are:

headache, occurring mainly in the morning upon awakening, localized in both the frontal, temporal and occipital regions, having a pressing or bursting character;
nausea and vomiting;
drowsiness;
impairment of memory, attention and thinking;
dizziness;
rise or fall in blood pressure;
bradycardia - rare pulse;
sweating;
visual impairment due to swelling of the optic nerve papilla up to blindness.

Symptoms of intracranial pressure in children

Increased intracranial pressure in children, symptoms of which can appear in the first minutes and hours after birth, often leads to the development of serious complications. Knowing the key signs of the disease, it is possible to establish the correct diagnosis in the early stages and prescribe to the child correct treatment(cm. ).
Symptoms indicating the presence of high ICP in children include:

bulging of the large and small fontanelles, as well as their pulsation;
divergence of the skull bones with an increase in the size of the sutures;
change in the child’s behavior: drowsiness, lethargy or, conversely, irritability, tearfulness;
repeated vomiting (“fountain”), which does not bring relief;
visual impairment;
oculomotor disorders in the form of strabismus, limited range of motion of the eyeballs;
impaired level of consciousness; in severe cases, a coma may develop;
convulsive syndrome;
increase in head circumference;
decreased strength in the limbs up to complete immobility;
regurgitation when eating.

There are two possible options for the development of the clinical picture of intracranial hypertension:

sudden onset of symptoms of the disease with impaired consciousness to the level of deep coma; the probability of death is 92%;
gradual appearance of symptoms of the disease.

What is hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cranial cavity and is accompanied by increased intracranial pressure. The following conditions lead to hydrocephalus:

increased formation of cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain) with tumors of the choroid plexus;
the formation of obstacles to the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid;
inflammatory process in brain tissue.

Symptoms of hydrocephalus in children

The leading sign characteristic of hydrocephalus in a child is a progressive increase in head size up to the age of two years. The main symptoms of hydrocephalus in newborns, caused by increased intracranial pressure, include:

intensive head growth by the end of the first month;
sparse hair;
disproportionately large forehead;
exophthalmos - protrusion of the eyeballs;
progressive decrease in visual acuity due to developing atrophy of the optic nerves;

Hydrocephalus in children of other age periods is accompanied by neuroendocrine disorders, delayed psychomotor development, and head twitching with a frequency of 2-4 times per second.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in adults

With increased intracranial pressure, symptoms in adults develop gradually in most cases. A headache with the following parameters comes to the fore:

character - pressing, bursting, squeezing, occasionally - pulsating;
time of occurrence - in the morning after waking up, which is associated with an increase in ICP;
provoking factors - horizontal position of the body, coughing, sneezing, straining, hyperextension of the head;
accompanying symptoms - nausea and vomiting, noise in the head;
is not relieved by taking analgesics.

In second place in frequency with increased intracranial pressure is autonomic dysfunction syndrome, which is accompanied by:

fluctuations in blood pressure and pulse during the day;
disturbance of intestinal motility with the development of constipation or, conversely, diarrhea;
hypersalivation - increased salivation;
humidity skin, especially in the area of the palmar and plantar surfaces;
attacks of suffocation;
dizziness;
feelings of fear, anxiety, irritability, apathy, drowsiness;
pain in the heart and abdomen.

Much less frequently, increased intracranial pressure may be accompanied by the development of stroke-like conditions that threaten the patient’s life. In such cases, the following symptoms are observed:

disturbance of consciousness up to coma;
severe dizziness and instability when walking;
decreased strength in the limbs;
speech function disorder;
uncontrollable vomiting;
dysfunction of the pelvic organs in the form of incontinence or retention of urine and feces;
dysfunction of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

What is benign intracranial hypertension?

Benign (idiopathic) intracranial hypertension is one of the most poorly studied pathological conditions in modern neurology and neurosurgery. This disease is typical for overweight women and children. Numerous studies have failed to establish the cause.

With benign intracranial hypertension, the same symptoms that are characteristic of increased intracranial pressure are observed. It should be noted that with this disease spontaneous recovery occurs several months after the first manifestations.

Complications that can result from increased intracranial pressure

A life-threatening condition is a sudden increase in intracranial pressure, leading to death if not treated appropriately. Other complications associated with high ICP include:

pinching of the cerebellum in the foramen magnum, which is accompanied by respiratory failure, decreased strength in the limbs, and disturbance of consciousness;
epileptic syndrome;
decreased vision up to blindness;
mental dysfunction;
ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes.

Modern methods of treating increased intracranial pressure

Treatment begins after identifying the cause that led to the development of the disease.

Stage one - Eliminating the cause of the disease.

In the event that an intracranial formation has led to an increase in intracranial pressure - a tumor, hematoma, aneurysm, after appropriate additional examination, emergency surgery is performed (removal of a space-occupying formation).
In case of excessive secretion of cerebrospinal fluid with hydrocephalus, shunt operations are performed, the purpose of which is to create an additional outflow path for cerebrospinal fluid, which leads to a decrease in intracranial pressure.

Stage two - Drug correction of intracranial pressure levels.
For this purpose they use the following groups drugs:

osmodiuretics (mannitol, glycerol), the action of which is aimed at reducing the amount of cerebrospinal fluid;
loop diuretics (furosemide);
hormonal drugs (dexamethasone);
diacarb;
neuroprotectors ().

Stage three - Medication manipulations.
Ventricular puncture and decompression craniotomy are designed to reduce the volume of cerebrospinal fluid in the cranial cavity.
Stage four - Diet therapy.
The amount of liquid and salt entering the body is limited, which corresponds to diet No. 10, 10a.
Stage five - The use of manual therapy techniques, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, controlled arterial hypotension, hyperventilation.

Extremely rarely, during enhanced treatment, decreased intracranial pressure may occur, the symptoms of which are:

drowsiness;
weakness;
headaches that get worse with head movements;
dizziness;
nausea and vomiting.

Treatment of increased intracranial pressure should be comprehensive.

What to do if you have symptoms of increased intracranial pressure?

Below is an algorithm of actions that all patients with symptoms of increased ICP should follow.

Calm down. It must be remembered that currently there are many methods that allow normalizing the level of intracranial pressure without threatening life.
Make an appointment with a neurologist, who will prescribe a list of examinations (CT or MRI, ultrasound, radiography, examination by an ophthalmologist).
Strict adherence to all doctor’s recommendations (following a diet, taking medications, and, if necessary, surgical treatment). Failure to comply with prescriptions may result in death.

5 myths about increased intracranial pressure

Myth one: In patients with increased ICP, recovery is observed with age, so there is no need for any treatment.

This is one of the most important misconceptions. Persistent and prolonged exposure to cerebrospinal fluid on the brain substance leads to the development of the complications listed above.

Myth two: Intracranial hypertension is an incurable disease.

Availability wide range drugs, techniques surgical treatment refutes this fact. Elimination of the cause that caused the increase in ICP leads to complete recovery.

Myth three: the tendency to increase intracranial pressure is genetically determined and inherited.

Currently, there is not a single study confirming the hereditary theory of the development of the disease.

Myth four: children suffering from increased intracranial pressure are mentally retarded and have low level IQ.

Wrong point of view.

Myth fifth: ICP levels can be normalized only by taking medications.

Incorrect fact, as in some cases surgical treatment may be required.

Increased intracranial pressure: facts and figures

The leading cause of increased ICP in children under 1 year of age is hydrocephalus.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension occurs with an incidence of 1 to 2 cases per 100,000 population.
Even 200 years ago, scientists drew attention to the problem of increased intracranial pressure; The issue has not yet been fully studied; research continues.
There are several dozen medical associations around the world that deal with intracranial hypertension.
Every tenth child at an appointment with a pediatric neurologist has high level intracranial pressure.
The number of people suffering from increased intracranial pressure is approaching 100,000,000.
According to the data evidence-based medicine, herbal preparations do not have any effect on the level of ICP and, accordingly, cannot be used for treatment. Similar information is available for homeopathic medicines.
Patients who have managed to normalize the level of ICP should visit a doctor once every two years in order to prevent the development of relapse of the disease.

Increased intracranial pressure can occur not only in older people. A significant proportion of newborns have increased performance pressure. For this reason, they are prescribed special medications. In some patients, the pathology may remain for life. In this case, it is important to know how to treat intracranial pressure in both infants and adult patients.

Patients with increased intracranial pressure often suffer from headaches, migraine attacks, and a feeling of pulsation in the head, which leads to unbearable discomfort. High intracranial pressure is formed due to increased pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid - cerebrospinal fluid, which circulates in the cranium. If the cerebrospinal fluid pressure is elevated, then patients suffer characteristic features pathologies that need to be treated without delay.

Features of treatment in a child

You can first learn about increased intracranial pressure in a baby at an appointment with a neurologist, who examines babies a month after birth. Already the first examination by specialists indicates the need to normalize intracranial pressure in children, since in the future children will not be able to develop correctly, neuropathologies and other disorders will appear.

The first thing they do after making a diagnosis is to figure out the cause.

If the causes of high blood pressure do not threaten the baby’s life, then intracranial pressure can be treated at home by taking medications. In difficult situations, when there is a need for surgical intervention, doctors resort to surgical route solutions to the problem - create workarounds for removing cerebrospinal fluid and normalizing intracranial pressure. The choice of treatment method is determined after a thorough diagnosis of the child’s body.

Drug treatment pathology consists in prescribing various groups of drugs:

drugs to stimulate blood flow - Actovegin, Somazin, Cinnarizine, Pantogam;
to remove excess fluid from the body, Diacarb or Triampur is prescribed;
neuroprotective drugs, for example, Ceraxon.

To relieve swelling, you can use weak hormonal or anti-inflammatory drugs; Glycine and Magne B6 will also be useful.

Treatment with physiotherapeutic methods

If intracranial pressure (ICP) is not accompanied by severe pathologies, but is a benign process, then the pathology can be successfully cured using physiotherapeutic methods.

Typically, patients are prescribed the following procedures:

Electrophoresis with aminophylline. A course of ten procedures is recommended, the duration of each procedure is at least fifteen minutes. Eufillin, introduced into the collar zone, helps to activate brain nutrition and blood circulation, since with ICP the brain suffers significantly from a lack of oxygen. After normalization of vascular function, cerebral fluid is absorbed and flows away from the brain, which lowers intracranial pressure.
Application of a magnet to the collar area. With help magnetic field vascular tone decreases, tissue sensitivity to oxygen starvation. Also, the use of a magnet makes it possible to relieve swelling of tissues and improve the condition of nerve tissues.
Very often, on the recommendation of the attending physician, a massage of the cervical-collar area is performed. This effective remedy helps to establish the outflow of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid, reduce spasm of the muscles of the collar zone, and relax the muscle corset. All this contributes to the outflow of cranial fluid. The massage course consists of fifteen sessions. After this, patients can independently master the massage technique and do it twice a day for fifteen minutes.
Physical therapy, and best of all, swimming, will help eliminate the symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. At this sight physical activity all muscle groups work. Swimming relieves the body as much as possible and tones the muscles of the cervico-brachial region. It is beneficial to swim two to three times a week for thirty to forty minutes a day. If swimming is impossible for some reason, it is replaced with water aerobics or physical therapy with an emphasis on cervical region.
With increased intracranial pressure good results gives acupuncture. Treatment with this method allows you to normalize metabolic processes in the body, eliminate vascular spasm, restore functioning nervous system damaged by increased intracranial pressure. Acupuncture is not used as an independent method of therapy; it only complements the main treatment.
Circular shower - another one effective method cure increased intracranial pressure. Using a jet of water, the shower unit affects certain areas of the neck, which allows you to activate sensitive receptors, increase muscle tone, normalize blood circulation and ensure the outflow of fluid from the skull.

Physiotherapy can treat uncomplicated cases of intracranial pressure, but in more severe situations, specialized drug treatment is indicated.

Drug treatment

Several groups of medications are used to treat intracranial hypertension. Diuretics are aimed at reducing the production of cerebrospinal fluid, since they inhibit the transport of chlorine ions. Among this group, the most famous are Diacarb and Furosemide. Diacarb is mainly prescribed for children, including infants, but Furosemide is used in adults.

Potassium-containing drugs - these drugs activate electrolyte metabolism and normalize the balance of electrolytes in the body. Thanks to the use of drugs of this medicinal group, the nutrition of the brain improves and a larger volume of oxygen is supplied. Usually drugs are prescribed for severe conditions. For example, traumatic brain injuries, in which cerebral edema provoked increased intracranial pressure. The most famous representative of this group is Asparkam.

Corticosteroid drugs - this group of drugs is used for diagnosed meningitis, brain tumors, as well as severe intoxication or development allergic reaction accompanied by cerebral edema. Effective drug this group is Dexamethasone.

It is worth noting that research recent years showed that previously actively prescribed medications for ICP do not have the desired effects at all. Therefore, doctors today do not recommend taking the following medications: Notta, Cavinton, Sermion, Nootropil, which do not provide a therapeutic effect.

Surgery

If medications It is not possible to reduce cranial pressure, and a decision is made to perform surgical intervention. In patients with severe congenital pathologies, severe injuries or tumors, surgery may be the only method of saving their lives.

Used for treatment different kinds shunting. IN in this case A hole is made in the skull where the catheter is placed. At one end it is immersed in the cerebral ventricle, and the other end is brought out into the abdominal cavity or other suitable area. Despite the progressive nature of this operation, patients experience some inconveniences:

there is always a risk of valve clogging, which is why the intervention has to be repeated;
For young children, a series of surgical interventions will be necessary, since as the body grows, it is necessary to reinstall the catheter.

The second option for removing fluid from the brain is puncture. With this type of intervention, an incision is made in the soft tissues of the skull. A catheter is inserted into the incision to a shallow depth and secured to a sterile reservoir. It will collect excess cerebrospinal fluid. The disadvantage of such an intervention is complications, as well as the need for a repeat procedure in fifty percent of cases. If a lumbar puncture is performed, fluid is removed from the spinal canal, after which intracranial pressure is normalized.

Endoscopic surgery is performed in the form of perforation of the bottom of the third ventricle. A set of instruments for endoscopy under the control of video equipment carries out the necessary manipulations to create a channel for the outflow of intracranial fluid. As a rule, such operations are used in adult patients. The operation has a favorable outcome in most cases. There are practically no complications after it is performed.

Traditional treatment

In addition to the main methods of therapy, you can also treat folk remedies. A decoction of mulberry branches will be beneficial for patients. Dried thin twigs are cut into one and a half to two centimeters, two tablespoons of twigs are poured with four glasses of water and boiled for twenty minutes over low heat.

The resulting broth should be filtered and drunk one glass three times a day.

The course of therapy with this remedy is three weeks. Improvement in the patient's health occurs due to the unique composition of the resulting liquid. It contains antioxidants, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, manganese, zinc, choline and many others active substances and microelements useful for both adults and children.

A mixture of alcohol tinctures also helps with increased intracranial pressure. For treatment you need to take the following components:

hawthorn, motherwort, valerian - 4 parts each;
eucalyptus and peppermint - one part each.

All tinctures for preparing the product must be purchased at the pharmacy and then combined in the required proportions. Ten sticks of cloves are added to the resulting liquid and left to infuse for two weeks. You need to take the liquid twenty-five drops along with sugar. Take the medicine before meals three times a day. The resulting mixture eliminates venous spasm, which opposes the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

It is necessary to treat increased intracranial pressure as quickly as possible, already when the first signs of pathology are detected. Otherwise, patients risk cerebral circulatory arrest ( ischemic stroke), compression of brain tissue, damage to stem structures. There are serious consequences epileptic seizures and vision problems.