Intracranial pressure: treatment in adults

The human brain is placed in a protective fluid (liquor), and inside it are located fluid cavities (ventricles). Intracranial pressure is the pressure exerted by the cerebrospinal fluid on the brain. For good brain work, it is very important that it is normal.

What causes can lead to an increase in pressure? Likvor constantly circulates along the ducts that connect the brain parts. Without going into the special terminology, let's say that having separated in certain parts of the brain and having passed its way along the ducts, it is absorbed into the blood. Thus, in about seven days there is a complete renewal of the cerebrospinal fluid. If, for any reason, the cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in an amount greater than that required for brain function, increased intracranial pressure occurs . Treatment in adults and children depends on the cause that caused this process.

Craniocerebral trauma, even long-standing (including birth trauma), meningitis, encephalitis, oxygen starvation (hypoxia), violation of venous outflow may lead to increased intracranial pressure in adults. In some cases, the individual features of the central nervous system may be the cause.

What are the mechanisms that cause high intracranial pressure? After all, treatment in adults and children is prescribed depending on them. The most frequent reasons for which it can increase are the allocation of more CSF than necessary for the body, the incomplete absorption of it into the bloodstream and the violation of the patency of the ducts through which the cerebrospinal fluid circulates.

With the following symptoms, high intracranial pressure can be suspected:

- a feeling of heaviness in the head and a headache that appears in the second half of the night or closer to the morning;

- nausea in the morning (in severe cases, vomiting);

- manifestations of vegetative dystonia (unstable blood pressure, palpitations, sweating, pre-occlusive conditions);

- Rapid fatigue with loads (physical and mental);

- deterioration in weather conditions.

Measuring intracranial pressure is actually possible only by introducing a special needle with a manometer into the liquid cavities of the skull. The complexity of this procedure is explained by the fact that it is usually not used to directly measure such an indicator as intracranial pressure. Treatment in adults is prescribed on the basis of the following indirect symptoms:

- when viewed from the oculist, the enlarged and convoluted veins of the fundus are revealed;

- Magnetic resonance imaging shows that the fluid cavities of the brain are dilated, and the medulla at the ventricular margin is rarefied;

- during the ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck, there is a violation of venous outflow.

Of course, the quality of life is significantly reduced by the appearance of such a formidable sign as high intracranial pressure. Treatment in adults and children should be prescribed as soon as possible after diagnosis, otherwise under the influence of excessive pressure the white brain substance will gradually atrophy. Over time, this will cause a decrease in intellectual abilities and disruption of the internal organs.

It is very important to reduce the secretion and increase the absorption of cerebrospinal fluid in order to reduce high intracranial pressure. Treatment in adults includes both medication and non-medicament methods: light massage, special gymnastics, special drinking regimen. Even these simple measures can significantly improve well-being. But only a doctor can prescribe them, as well as drug therapy.

If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of high intracranial pressure, be sure to see a doctor. He will conduct all the necessary studies and after the diagnosis is prescribed treatment.