carotid arteries - the vessels that provide blood supply to the brain and other organs of the neck.They pass through the area of the chest, the neck, the human brain.Cases when form plaques in the carotid artery.Treatment should be immediate, as this condition can lead to severe brain damage and even cause stroke.
The formation of plaques in blood vessels
Typically, the walls of arteries have a smooth structure.Due to this the blood of well-fed at all the internal organs.However, under certain conditions, vessels are narrowed, as their walls are formed atherosclerotic plaques.They may consist of cholesterol, calcium and other lipid substances.With progressive disease, the arteries may be completely blocked.The blood supply in the area of the skull is broken.
cholesterol plaques in the carotid artery is one of the causes of stroke.In some cases, the surface of such education is rough.Thus begins the inflammatory process occurs thrombus which occludes the artery, not only, but also migrates with the blood flow.
stage of formation of lipid plaques
The first stage of this process - lipoidoz.In this form small spots of lipids, they are of a yellowish color.With the progression of the disease, they are connected to the strip.Next (in step liposkleroz) lipids impregnated vessel wall, the frame itself is formed plaques.It can be either a soft or dense structure.Plaques latter type impair blood flow.The last step - the formation of cholesterol plaques complicated.High blood pressure, increasing the velocity of the blood - such moments can lead to the destruction of the integrity of the lipid formation.Completely close the lumen of the vessel may, in case of calcification plaque.
What causes the appearance of plaques of cholesterol
Atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery appears more often when struck already, and other vessels of the body.Contribute to this process, factors such as smoking, poor diet with an abundance of fatty junk food.Also, the disease develops due to diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension).Provoke cholesterol substances may be increased thrombus formation.
symptoms manifestations of the disease
early stage of the disease can occur without any symptoms.However, if formed plaque in the carotid artery, the symptoms of atherosclerosis are: the patient becomes sluggish, there is increased weakness.Also, people complain of peculiar tingling, especially on one side of the body.May lose control of one limb (arm or leg).Violated memory.Another plaque in the carotid artery and causes such symptoms: slurred slurred speech, reduced and complete loss of vision in the eye.And fainting may occur.
When these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.Although these manifestations of ischemic attacks may disappear after a certain time, you can not ignore them.Paying due attention to violations of this nature, you can prevent a stroke.
diagnosis of lesions of the carotid artery
First of all, an expert listens to complaints, ask questions about the symptoms and the time the problem occurred.Then, the pressure is measured, appointed by ultrasonography (with contrast).Thus, the structure of the vessel is estimated, blood flow in it.If the information is not enough, the doctor recommends a CT scan.It is also possible to carry out angiography.We introduce a contrast agent, the artery is studied by X-rays.The images obtained in such a diagnosis, all visible structural alterations in the vessels.However, such an imaging method is rarely used because the risk of damage to the plaque and various complications is rather high.
If found plaques in the carotid arteries, the treatment can be medical.Doctor prescribes medications that lower cholesterol - statins ("Crestor", "Lipidor" "Zocor").Also carried normalization of lipid metabolism ("Clofibrate" "Gemfibrozil" "Fenofibrate").Specialists with the help of medication lead indicators of blood pressure to normal.Administered drugs that lead to liquefaction of the blood.This prevents clots.Doctors recommend a diet change toward eating foods with low cholesterol.If the patient smokes, the first symptoms of the disease should be a reason to get rid of a bad habit.More severe cases of carotid artery atherosclerosis require surgical intervention.
Struck carotid artery.Plaques surgery to remove them
If the disease is severe and there is a risk of stroke, experts conduct surgery.Operation at the carotid artery may be carried out by two methods.Endarterectomy involves a small incision through which extracted and cholesterol plaques.It can be carried out under local or general anesthesia.After this intervention the patient remains in the hospital for several days.Such removal of plaque in the carotid arteries - is quite effective and common method of treatment.If the operation can not be realized due to certain circumstances, the angioplasty and stenting is performed under local anesthesia.Is introduced through the femoral artery of a special tool - the catheter.Through it passes the equipment needed for manipulation.Angioplasty allows you to explore the degree of damage to the vessel lumen restore it.
stenting as a treatment for atherosclerosis
Stenting - a surgery on the carotid artery (and other vessels), which provides for the installation of the implant in its cavity.A stent is a tube of metal, which consists of individual cells.His main task is to keep the artery in the expanded form.Thus, the artery is not occluded, blood flow in it bounces back.Such an operation for removing plaque in the carotid arteries is carried out as follows.Through a catheter inserted in the femoral artery contrast.In an area that is above the lesion, the stent is delivered.Produced its installation, smoothing the vessel.With the image on the monitor specialist oversees the operation.The final stage of the filter is removed and the stent catheter.
If surgically been removed plaque in the carotid artery, treatment is necessary and in the postoperative period.You should be prepared for the fact that the therapy will be quite long.Prescribe medication that will prevent the occurrence of blood clots.You also need statins.These are substances that slow the development of atherosclerosis.Blood pressure should be closely monitored.Visits to a neurologist should perform on a regular basis, especially during the second occurrence of symptoms.It is worth remembering that the stent will not cure atherosclerosis.However, it can prevent stroke and significantly improve quality of life.
Folk remedies for cholesterol plaques
If diagnosed plaques in the carotid arteries, treatment of folk remedies can help improve blood circulation, several to expand the lumen of blood vessels.They use herbs such as valerian, motherwort.They have a calming effect, dilate the arteries.Horse chestnut thins the blood, promotes the normalization of lipid metabolism.The positive impact has hawthorn.It normalizes blood circulation in the brain, heart rhythm and stabilize blood pressure.Folk remedies for the treatment of plaque, the use of which shows a positive trend - rose hips, buckthorn.Based on the hips preparing infusion (using an alcohol).Suitable such means 20 drops a few times per day.If alcohol is not possible, rose hips is simply welded.
known recipes and using garlic.It is used in pure form, prepared alcoholic tinctures.It is proved that it stimulates metabolism, has a positive effect on lipid metabolism.
products useful in blockage
To reduce the amount of cholesterol formations (plaque in the carotid artery), treatment and prevention must involve adjusting supply.You should know the products, which are particularly useful in atherosclerosis.Good effect on blood vessels have a cucumber.Potassium, which is contained in them, is useful for the heart and nervous system.It has similar properties and beets.The juice of the vegetable contains potassium, magnesium, lots of vitamins.Lowers cholesterol a product such as corn oil.
also very rich in potassium are bananas.It is recommended to use them both in hypertension and in atherosclerosis.It normalizes blood chemistry honey.He is a fount of useful minerals and vitamins.Experts recommend use honey regularly (if there are no contraindications, allergies).You can prepare a mixture of dried fruits.To do this, crushed dried apricots, prunes, lemon, add a couple tablespoons of honey.Useful and buckwheat.Also, special attention should be buckthorn berries.They contain a substance that prevents the deposition of cholesterol.Use them fresh or rubbed with honey (sugar).
prevention of cholesterol plaques
In order to protect themselves from such a disease, you should stop smoking.Alcohol is also better to exclude (or severely limit).But physical activity is essential.It should also be carefully selected food.Preference is to give vegetable fats.In order not to linger in the body fluid (or increase pressure) to reduce the amount of salt is recommended.It should abandon admission fried foods.If a person suffers from diabetes, hypertension, visits to the doctor should have regular.In order that the body was in good shape and health remained as long as possible, it is important to avoid stressful situations.