Leukoareoz of the brain: symptoms, causes, treatment

Leukoareosis of the brain is a rare disease. Nevertheless, many people are interested in information about what constitutes an ailment. What are the reasons for its occurrence? What are the dangers of the disease? What symptoms should I pay attention to? Are there effective methods of treatment and prevention? This information will be useful to many readers.

Leukoarez - what is it?

As already mentioned, such a disease in modern medicine is rare. Leukoareosis of the brain is a condition in which the white substance of the brain is affected - its density gradually changes. This pathology rarely develops as an independent disease and most often indicates the presence of problems with blood circulation.

The centers of leukoarose in the brain can be scattered in the deeper parts of the cerebral hemispheres, and also surround the ventricles with uniform and uneven bands. In any case, it should be understood that such a state is extremely dangerous for human health, because some changes in the structure and functions of the central system are non-negotiable.

The main causes of the disease

Today many people are interested in questions about why leukoarreosis of the brain develops. The causes most often lie in the violation of normal blood supply and nutrition of nerve tissues. For example, this condition is most often found in people suffering from cerebral ischemia, vascular dementia and some other diseases.

On the other hand, not less often the pathology develops as a result of the suffered stroke. In addition, people with Alzheimer's disease are susceptible to brain leukoareasis, which is accompanied by various atrophic processes, age-related changes and, ultimately, leads to dementia.

For reasons, experts also include Binswanger's disease - this is a very specific form of discirculatory encephalopathy. Naturally, atrophy of nervous tissues and other lesions of the structures of the central nervous system can also lead to changes in the white matter of the brain. And in some cases, the leukoareosis develops against the background of diabetes and some other metabolic disorders in the patient's body.

Are there risk factors

Certainly, the impact of certain factors can provoke the development of such a disease. In particular, studies have shown that bad habits, in particular smoking and alcohol abuse, increase the likelihood of cerebrovascular disease and related problems.

In addition, the brain leukoareosis develops more often against the backdrop of a sedentary lifestyle. The state of blood vessels and trophism of nerve tissues affects the human diet - unbalanced nutrition is also considered a risk factor. By the way, according to statistical data, older people are more likely to suffer from leukoareosis.

The first degree of leukoareosis and its symptoms

Many people are interested in questions about what signs accompanied leykoareoz brain. Symptoms in this case depend on the stage of the development of the disease and the degree of lesion of the nervous structures.

The initial stages of the development of the disease, as a rule, proceed without serious symptoms. Patients sometimes note increased fatigue, problems with sleep. Periodically, there are headaches, dizziness and noise in the ears. Sometimes changes in gait are possible - it becomes unstable. In addition, the level of cognitive activity and memory decreases, problems with concentration of attention appear. But most of these signs people usually write off for stress and overwork.

What changes are characteristic for the second stage of the disease?

The second degree of the disease is already accompanied by severe symptoms. In particular, patients notice a sharp decline in performance, memory loss, slowing of mental and psychomotor processes.

Leukoareoz also affects personal qualities. A person becomes more emotional and irritable, often can not control his actions or outbursts of aggression. Sometimes there are disorders from the genitourinary system - patients suffer from nocturnal enuresis.

Leucoareosis of the third degree: the main symptoms

At the third stage, the existence of the problem is no longer questioned. Symptoms in this case are the same as in the second stage, but are much more pronounced. The patient has not only changes in gait, but also problems with balance - patients often fall, which only aggravates their condition.

Patients become emotionally unstable. Problems with memory are exacerbated - often patients can not remember recent events. Due to the defeat of certain areas of the brain, the whole body is disrupted. In particular, patients are often simply unable to control the act of urination.

In the presence of the slightest change or suspicion, it is worthwhile to see a doctor. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the easier it will be to get rid of it.

Modern diagnostic methods

Of course, in the presence of any deterioration in the state of health, it is worthwhile to see a doctor. The diagnosis of "brain leukoareosis" can be made only by an experienced neurologist. First you will need consultation and examination from a specialist. Then it will be necessary to pass standard analyzes of urine and blood.

If a change in the structure of white matter is suspected, the patient is primarily referred for angiography. This is an x-ray method that allows you to examine and evaluate the state of the vessels of the central nervous system. Computed tomography is also mandatory. By the way, lesions of a leukoareosis at similar inspection look as areas with the lowered density. In addition, the doctor can also assign magnetic resonance imaging - during the study the outbreaks look like zones with a modified, hyperintensive signal.

Leukoareoz of the brain: treatment

After the doctor makes the final diagnosis, he will help to choose the appropriate treatment. In fact, in most cases, no special therapy is required. The main thing in this case is to correctly determine the cause of the structural changes in the white matter and to eliminate it.

Nevertheless, there are some drugs that doctors prescribe to people with a diagnosis of "brain leukoareosis." Treatment in the first place includes drugs that activate metabolism in the nerve tissues and improve blood supply. For example, patients are often recommended taking drugs that inhibit phosphodiesterase, in particular "Vinpocetine" and "Flunarizin." Complex therapy includes the use of adrenoreceptor blockers, for example "Nicergoline". These drugs have vasodilating properties and have a positive effect on blood supply in the areas of leukoareosis.

In addition, patients are prescribed drugs that improve the metabolic processes in the nerve tissues. For example, such drugs as Piracetam, Oxiracetam, and Neotropil are considered quite effective. In fact, studies of the effects of these drugs are still being conducted. Nevertheless, medical practice has proved that such a complex of drugs positively influences the foci of white matter change, providing nerve cells with nutrition, protection and, accordingly, increasing their survival.

The prognosis for the patients is quite positive, although in this case it all depends on which stage the leukoareosis was started on. What is the danger of this ailment? In the absence of therapy, it is possible to develop vascular dementia, as well as non-negotiable damage to the central nervous system.

Are there effective methods of prevention?

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or medicine that can permanently protect against a disease such as brain leukoareosis. Therefore, the only method of prevention is the right way of life. Do not give up physical activity - walk more often, go to the gym, move to the best of your body's capabilities. Be sure to watch for food - the diet should be balanced and saturated with useful, nutrients. And, of course, it is necessary to limit the amount of alcoholic beverages, to give up smoking and other bad habits.

On the other hand, all diseases of the cerebral vessels should receive appropriate treatment on time. And doctors recommend that all elderly patients periodically undergo examinations to assess the functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems.