Modern definition and classification of asthenia. The main etiological factors contributing to its development, and the variety of symptoms for each of them. Treatment methods for this nosology. Asthenia (from the Greek. "Powerlessness", "loss of strength") is a pathological disorder of the psyche, which arises as a result of any disease or condition, in one way or another, depleting the body. It also displays his reaction to the depletion of energy resources over a long period of time and signals the possible presence of a serious pathology of the nervous system.
The main etiological factors of asthenia
This pathology arises in the process of the development of decompensation of the organism's adaptive reactions in response to the excessive influence of various stimuli. As a consequence, the structures responsible for energy production cannot provide enough energy. In combination with chronic stress, deficiency of macro- and micronutrients, malnutrition and metabolic disorders, the basis for the onset of the disorder is formed. Diseases that are most often the causes of asthenia:
- Mental disorders … Development of schizophrenia, depression, various cognitive disorders. They act directly on the structures of the brain and promote excessive amplification or suppression of afferent impulses. Most often it is a prolonged stay in a state of stress. In childhood - an unfavorable environment at school, at home, problems in communicating with friends, excessive demands from parents and teachers.
- Endocrine gland pathology … Diabetes mellitus type I or II, as well as hyper- or hypothyroidism. They realize their action through the regulation of metabolism and energy processes, which in the future can lead to their disruption.
- Diseases of the nervous system … Organic and vascular lesions are referred to. The most common are NCD, inflammatory diseases (encephalitis), and Alzheimer's disease. On examination, the patient has increased muscle tone and tension of the entire skeletal muscles. This condition is accompanied by chronic fatigue and soreness with and without physical activity.
- Trauma … The area of the head and spine is the most dangerous. Both acute and chronic trauma (osteochondrosis) can lead to violations of this type.
- Infectious and inflammatory conditions … The most common cohort of factors: influenza, acute respiratory infections, tuberculosis, viral liver damage, foodborne toxicity, brucellosis, and many others. The effect is exerted both by the pathogens themselves and by products from vital activity. As a result, there is a complex general and local lesion. With these and other infectious pathologies, the disease proceeds according to the hypersthenic type. The main manifestations will be nervousness, constant internal discomfort, aggressiveness. But if the cause is a severe infectious process, then the patient's activity, on the contrary, decreases due to intoxication. Drowsiness, memory impairment, inability to perceive new information and damage to the vestibular apparatus join.
- Digestive tract diseases … Severe dyspeptic disorders, acute and chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, enteritis, colitis.
- Cardiovascular pathology … Atherosclerotic lesions, hypertension, rhythm disturbances, ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction).
- Respiratory system disorders … Frequent pneumonia, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and many other pathologies lead to hyperreactivity of the body and make it vulnerable.
- Immunological changes … Low resistance to the effects of exogenous stimuli is manifested by a deficiency of white blood cells, anemia, and even suppression of the function of the red bone marrow.
Note! Long-term monotonous work, artificial lighting conditions, the perception of complex information in a short period of time, and sometimes just moving can also have a significant impact.
Asthenia classification
There are several types of this disease. Their separation makes it possible to correctly determine the initial cause of the pathology and, depending on it, prescribe the correct etiological treatment.
In modern practice, the following types of asthenia are distinguished:
- Functional … It is characterized by a short-term course and the possibility of reverse development. It occurs against the background of mental and emotional stress, infectious processes, or as a reaction to increased physical activity. Also found in the literature under the name "reactive".
- Organic … It is the result of long-term exposure to a chronic disease on the body. As a result, there is a violation of the structure of the tissue with the subsequent formation of irreversible changes in it.
Depending on the factor, the following types of syndrome are distinguished:
- Somatogenic … Associated with pathological conditions of the systems of internal organs. As a rule, this is not a one-time, but a long-term effect. With such a defeat, the production of energy itself remains unaffected, but the need for it gradually increases. Over time, this leads to depletion of the body's compensatory forces.
- Post-infectious … It occurs as a result of the action of the pathogen and its factors of aggression. These can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, as well as many types of parasites. In response to their introduction, the activation of immunological protection takes place, which requires a large amount of energy consumption.
- Postpartum … It is the body's response to changes in the perinatal period. The unique processes occurring during this period make the body work in an enhanced mode under the constant stimulation of stress hormones. If the correct regimen and nutrition is not provided for the woman during this time, the development of asthenic syndrome will be inevitable.
- Post-traumatic … Structural and functional disorders arising from exposure of tissues to environmental factors. This type of violation occurs quite often under normal circumstances. But it is also easy to prevent due to the rapid cessation of the etiological factor.
According to the duration of asthenic syndrome, there are two types of the course of the disease:
- Spicy … Should be followed immediately after the action of any of the factors. Most often this happens already in the first day against the background of infectious or traumatic injuries. The first symptoms will be described by the patient himself in the form of general complaints.
- Chronic … It is based on a long-term pathology. Clinical manifestations will not be specific and, as a rule, they do not cause alertness in the patient. Only during the height of the underlying disease can the presence of psychoemotional disorders be diagnosed.
Based on the clinical picture of asthenia, the disease is divided into three successive stages:
- Hypersthenic … It is characterized by an increased reaction to all types of stimuli (light, sound, tactile), uncontrollable emotionality and impatience.
- Intermediate … Combines the symptoms of excessive excitability and constant fatigue. Frequent mood swings and physical activity are noticed by both patients and relatives.
- Hyposthenic … It is the last and most severe form. In this case, the efficiency is reduced to a minimum. The patient is haunted by drowsiness, weakness, lack of motivation for any action or emotionality. Lost interest in the environment.
Attention! Asthenia is distinguished into a separate group, which arises from the functional decompensation of the structures of higher nervous activity, and is called neurasthenia.
Symptoms of asthenia in humans
The basis for the diagnosis is a thorough collection of anamnesis and patient complaints. Such patients are characterized by their large number and diversity. Therefore, all symptoms of asthenia are divided into several groups:
- General … Most often, the first problem will be fatigue, constant weakness, unwillingness to do previously habitual work. Also, patients will note impaired memory and intelligence. If earlier they literally "grasped everything on the fly", now it is difficult for them to concentrate on one thing.
- Autonomic nervous system … Sudden rises in blood pressure, rapid or slow heart rate, excessive sweating, palms will be wet and cold when touched.
- Digestive system … Possible decrease in appetite and as a result of body weight. Also, soreness is noted throughout the abdomen without clear localization. Migratory pains may bother you.
- Reproductive system … There is a violation of the menstrual cycle in girls - algodismenorrhea (painful periods), decreased libido.
- The immune system … Most often, this is a rise in temperature to subfebrile, an increase in some groups of peripheral lymph nodes (cervical, occipital, axillary).
- Respiratory system … Frequent acute respiratory diseases, perspiration and sore throat without pronounced changes in the mucous membranes.
- Musculoskeletal system … The clinic is represented by joint and muscle pains that are not associated with physical activity and time.
- Chronic circulatory failure of the brain … Hypotension is characteristic - a decrease in muscle tone, lethargy. Such patients do not want or even refuse to move. Moreover, they experience "emotional incontinence" - unreasonable crying or depression. Thinking processes and response to stimuli may slow down.
Note! These symptoms do not develop overnight. Their gradual increase occurs simultaneously with the deterioration of the quality of human life.
Features of the treatment of asthenia
There are many approaches to the treatment of asthenia, but each of them is based on eliminating the cause of its occurrence. And only after that one can hope for positive dynamics. Therapy consists in the complex use of the following methods, taking into account an individual approach.
General Tips
For therapy to be effective, it is necessary first of all to establish proper contact with the patient. During such communication, the doctor learns about all possible harmful factors and explains how to eliminate them on his own.
Adhering to a few simple tips will help not only cure asthenia, but also have a general strengthening effect on the body:
- Lifestyle correction … The optimal time for rest and work is selected individually for each patient. It is imperative to observe a full 7-8-hour sleep and transfer from night work. It is recommended to create a supportive and calm environment in the environment and to minimize stressful situations. The introduction of physical activity into the daily routine of the patient is also indicated.
- Balanced diet … Food should contain a sufficient amount of proteins (lean meat, cottage cheese), vitamins of groups B (eggs, fish, nuts) and C (kiwi, citrus fruits, cauliflower), amino acids (processed cheese, cashews, turkey) and other useful substances.
- Rejection of bad habits … It is recommended that you completely stop drinking alcohol and other irritants. You should also stop smoking any products, drugs.
Preparations for asthenia
Drug treatment has the most reliable effect when evaluating the effectiveness. Its application depends on the prevalence of individual groups of symptoms. You can prescribe from one to several drugs to achieve a therapeutic effect, starting with minimal dosages.
Anti-asthenia drugs:
- Nootropics … Medicines that can increase the brain's resistance to harmful effects and excessive stress. They also stimulate mental performance and improve memory. Among the most commonly used are Ginkgo, Piracetam, Pyritinol.
- Antidepressants … Used to improve mood, appetite and mental alertness. Normalize sleep by increasing the duration of the deep sleep phase. Relieve irritability and anxiety. These include Imipramine, Fluoxetine, Amitriptyline.
- Tranquilizers … Their advantage lies in the ability to eliminate anxiety. Thus, the person becomes calmer and more balanced. They use Atarax, Phenibut, Clonazepam.
- Atypical antipsychotics … A relatively new generation of drugs, but it has already gained popularity among prescriptions. Due to their ability to improve metabolic processes in the cells of the cortex, they increase their resistance to harmful effects. Today, Aripiprazole, Risperidone, Clozapine are used.
- Sedatives … The action of this group is based on the regulation of the processes of excitation and inhibition of the structures of the brain. Basically, they provide enhanced effects when administered with other drugs. The most famous of these are Novo Passite and Valerian.
- Adaptation enhancers … Tincture of aralia, zamanihi, leuzei and sterkuli. These are substances of plant origin that increase the tone and adaptive reactions of the body in response to any impact. They have practically no side effects and are well tolerated by all groups of patients.
Psychotherapy for the correction of asthenia
Many people know how to treat asthenia with psychological sessions. Since the disease is quite common, and not everyone trusts drug treatment, it is this solution that becomes a lifeline for patients. It is also necessary to understand that in most cases, not monotherapy is used, but various combinations of its types. Today there is such a variety of psychotherapeutic treatment:
- Etiotropic … Influence on the immediate cause. The goal is to achieve criticism from the patient of his illness. The themes of childhood and conflicts that could provoke disturbances in the present are raised. Family and psychodynamic therapy, gestalt therapy is used.
- Pathogenetic … It is aimed at interrupting the chain of the mechanism of the development of this disease. Neurolinguistic techniques, influence on cognitive-behavioral acts and correction of conditioned reflexes are useful.
- Symptomatic … The basis is the elimination of separately emerging at the moment general and specific violations. These are individual or group auto-training, hypnosis and suggestion. This type of activity can give patients an incentive to take action and accelerate recovery.
Physiotherapy for the treatment of asthenia
The use of this method in the treatment of asthenia is an extremely important point. Firstly, it is aimed at correcting the resulting organic disorders, and secondly, it improves the psychoemotional state of the patient. A variety of techniques allows you to prescribe them individually, depending on other somatic pathologies.
Directions of physiotherapy against asthenia:
- Massage … It is aimed at improving blood circulation mainly in the cervical-collar zone. Has a general beneficial effect on the central nervous system. Adjusting the strength during the session allows for complete relaxation and sedation.
- Water procedures … Most often, they use a contrast shower or Charcot with an alternate change in temperature and jet force. This technique trains the adaptive systems of a person to various factors. Also, special attention is paid to swimming.
- Acupuncture … Irritation of peripheral nerves in order to stimulate the desired structures of the central nervous system. It has its own special indications for each pathologist, is distinguished by the rapidity of the onset of the effect and the purposefulness of their stimulation.
- Physiotherapy … Corrects existing violations, restores attention and purposefulness of movements. It is characterized by ease and flexibility in carrying out. Selection of exercises and independent performance at home is possible.
How to treat asthenia - watch the video:
Asthenic syndrome is a common pathology among the population, which should not be taken lightly. Lack of treatment can lead to many serious mental and physical complications. It is easy to fight the disease in modern conditions, but you should not turn to self-treatment, because this may not only not improve the condition, but also lead to unpleasant consequences.
