In addition to diseases, a number of symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia can be caused by temporary malfunctions in the body due to elementary non-compliance with the daily regimen and nutrition.
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“I am shaking with anger when I see the diagnosis of VVD,” admits an expert in evidence-based medicine, a therapist at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital named after SI Spasokukotsky Oleg Abakumov. When a doctor enters the verdict “vegetative-vascular dystonia” in his medical record, he is actually signing off on his medical record, Abakumov emphasizes. Because such a diagnosis does not exist in reality! It simply does not exist in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). In practice, doctors of district clinics put VVD literally without exception. Remember: at least once such a “disease” was diagnosed, if not to you personally, then to one of the family members for sure.
Here is a set of the most common symptoms in which the patient often hears “everything is clear, you have vegetative-vascular dystonia”:
– weakness, fatigue;
– sweating, a feeling of heat or, conversely, chills;
– headaches, dizziness;
– increased heartbeat;
– water hammer;
– violation of memory, concentration of attention;
– numbness of hands, feet;
– Superficial sleep with frequent awakenings in the middle of the night.
As a rule, patients with such a bouquet are sent to a neurologist. And he declares: “I myself have the same and nothing: I go to work, I fly you,” Oleg Abakumov describes. The unfortunate VSDs are offered to drink some kind of fictional drug that “improves the functioning of the nervous system.” And in general, accept: yes, the lack of energy, the pressure of jumping and unstable sleep are your sworn friends for life.
“Stop! This is wrong! ”, – Dr. Abakumov is outraged. In fact, you need to pass certain tests, undergo examinations (most of them are included in the list of free compulsory health insurance!) “. To help all who suffer, the doctor named the seven most common health disorders, which are most often hidden behind vegetative-vascular dystonia.
1. Hypothyroidism. This is a disorder of the thyroid gland, in which an insufficient amount of thyroid hormones is produced.
Which doctor to contact: endocrinologist.
What tests will be required: hormone tests (there are several types of them, the necessary ones are determined by the doctor after the examination and based on the symptoms); Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
2. Anemia. This is a low level of hemoglobin in the blood.
The most common causes are low levels of iron and (or) vitamin B12, explains Oleg Abakumov.
As cardiologist, somnologist, candidate of medical sciences Alexander Kalinkin told KP, in Russia, according to expert estimates, up to 50% of the population experiences iron deficiency to one degree or another.
Which doctor to contact: therapist, endocrinologist.
What tests will be required: a blood test for hemoglobin. However, it’s important to note that this test doesn’t always reveal iron deficiency, cautions Dr. Kalinkin. To obtain reliable data, ferritin levels and other laboratory tests are also required. Their list is determined by the endocrinologist.
3. Elevated levels of prolactin (in women).
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain, explains Oleg Abakumov. It is necessary for normal menstruation and lactation. The increased production of the hormone leads to serious dysfunctions in the body. In turn, the cause of excess prolactin is usually a pituitary adenoma (a benign tumor that usually responds to conservative treatment, that is, without surgery).
Which doctor to contact: therapist, gynecologist, endocrinologist.
What tests will be required: a blood test to determine the level of prolactin, an MRI of the pituitary gland with contrast.
4. Reduced testosterone levels (in men).
As endocrinologist Larisa Bavykina told KP, from the age of 26-30, the testosterone level in men decreases every year by an average of 1%. However, this is enough for a man to maintain reproductive function until the end of his life. If the hormone falls too much, tangible health problems begin.
Which doctor to contact: urologist, urologist-andrologist.
What tests will be required: a blood test for testosterone. Then the doctor prescribes the tests necessary for medical indications after examining and questioning the patient.
5. Heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases
Fatigue and other symptoms, which are often attributed to vegetative-vascular dystonia, are the most characteristic of chronic heart failure (CHF), doctors say.
Which doctor to contact: a cardiologist.
What examinations will be required: blood tests, ECG, ultrasound of the heart, as well as other examinations for medical indications (coronary angiography, MRI of the heart and main vessels, stress tests).
6. Anxiety disorder
This condition is often characterized by many of the symptoms attributed to VVD. Due to the disruption of the brain, the body, as they say, goes crazy, producing a variety of reactions – from headaches to indigestion.
Which doctor to contact: a psychiatrist.
What tests will be necessary: the doctor makes a diagnosis based on the examination and questioning of the patient.
7. Depression
Another type of mental disorder that can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including a set of signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Which doctor to contact: a psychiatrist.
What tests will be necessary: the doctor makes a diagnosis based on the examination and questioning of the patient.
TO THE POINT
Try to normalize your lifestyle.
In addition to diseases, a set of VVD symptoms can be caused by temporary malfunctions in the body due to elementary non-compliance with the daily routine and nutrition against the background of bad habits, said neurologist Viktor Koss in an interview with KP. This option is more common in older people or those whose body is very weakened by stress, chronic diseases, etc.
Therefore, the first thing to try is to normalize your lifestyle. Namely: sleep at least 7 hours a day, move more (walk at least 40 minutes a day), eat more vegetables, fruits and minimize sweets and fast food.
“If you have switched to such a lifestyle and at the same time, after a month and a half, the symptoms of VVD do not go away, then you need to start being examined, working out with the doctor the possible causes of disorders in the body,” Victor Koss said.
