Ganglioneuritis
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Forms of the disease
- Symptoms
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Possible complications and consequences
- Forecast
- Prevention
Ganglioneuritis is an inflammatory process that affects the nerve node and the nerve fibers adjacent to it.
With ganglioneuritis, the nerve node and surrounding nerve fibers become inflamed
Causes and risk factors
In most cases, the disease is caused by an infection (streptococcal, staphylococcal, viral). The source is the foci of chronic inflammation in the body (for example, caries) or acute infectious processes (flu, tonsillitis, etc.).
Risk factors include:
- chronic overwork;
- long-term stay in a stressful situation;
- alcohol abuse;
- surgical intervention.
In rare cases, ganglioneuritis appears as a result of a tumor process.
Forms of the disease
Depending on the location of the affected ganglion, the following main forms of the disease are distinguished:
- cervical ganglioneuritis (lower cervical, upper cervical, stellate);
- ganglioneuritis of the lower sternum;
- sacral ganglioneuritis;
- pelvic ganglioneuritis.
There are other forms of ganglioneuritis (pterygopalatine, geniculate).
Symptoms
Ganglioneuritis is characterized by:
- burning throbbing pain, not aggravated by movement, but aggravated by a sudden change in weather or in a stressful situation;
- disorder of sensitivity in the zone of influence of the affected node;
- emotional instability;
- sleep disorders.
With ganglioneuritis, severe throbbing pain occurs at the site of the affected nerve
Certain types of ganglioneuritis are characterized by specific symptoms depending on the location of the affected nerve.
Symptoms of the upper cervical ganglioneuritis:
- mydriasis (pupil dilation);
- exophthalmos (bulging of the eyeball);
- expansion of the palpebral fissure;
- redness of one part of the face;
- hyperhidrosis;
- hoarseness of voice;
- toothache without clear localization;
- hyperthyroidism.
Ganglioneuritis of the lower sternum is characterized by:
- pain in the heart, sternum, scapula;
- tachycardia;
- breathing disorders.
Sacral ganglioneuritis manifests itself:
- pain, vascular disorders in the lower body and legs;
- urinary disorders;
- itching of the external genital organs;
- disorders of the menstrual cycle in women (acyclic bleeding).
For pelvic ganglioneuritis, characteristic aching pains in the lower abdomen and menstrual irregularities
Signs of having a pelvic ganglioneuritis:
- aching pain in the lower abdomen, extending to the perineum and rectum;
- soreness during intercourse;
- menstrual irregularities.
Symptoms of the geniculate ganglioneuritis:
- pain in the ear of an paroxysmal nature, radiating to the neck, back of the head, face;
- paresis of facial muscles.
Pterygopalatine ganglioneuritis is characterized by:
- neuralgia;
- tearing from one eye;
- hyperemia of half of the face.
Diagnostics
The primary diagnosis is made by a neurologist on the basis of patient complaints in the presence of characteristic neurotrophic and vasomotor disorders. In order to confirm it, the following are carried out:
- X-ray of the spine and (or) chest;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and (or) abdominal cavity;
- magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography;
- electromyography.
If pelvic ganglioneuritis is suspected, abdominal ultrasound is performed
Treatment
Etiotropic treatment, that is, aimed at eliminating the root cause of the disease, consists in the use of antiviral and immunostimulating agents (with the viral nature of the disease) or antibiotic therapy (with a bacterial origin).
In addition, drug therapy includes:
- pain relievers;
- antihistamines;
- anticholinergic, neuroleptic, antispasmodic drugs and ganglion blockers (if necessary, to reduce the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system);
- cholinomimetics, calcium chloride and gluconate (if necessary to increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system);
- vitamin preparations;
- sedatives, antidepressants (if necessary).
With ganglioneuritis, antiviral or antibiotic therapy is prescribed, depending on the cause of the disease
A good therapeutic effect is provided by physiotherapy in combination with pharmacotherapy or as the main treatment in the rehabilitation stage:
- electrophoresis with drugs;
- magnetotherapy;
- UFO;
- mud applications.
The main and most painful symptom of ganglioneuritis is intense pain. If it does not respond to conservative treatment, they resort to novocaine blockade or surgery - sympathectomy (resection of the sympathetic nerve in the affected area).
Possible complications and consequences
The most common complications of ganglioneuritis are:
- postherpetic neuralgia;
- weakening of muscles in the affected area.
Left untreated, ganglioneuritis can lead to encephalitis.
Forecast
With timely and adequate treatment, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
Measures for the prevention of ganglioneuritis are aimed at preventing the disease (primary prevention) and preventing relapse after healing (secondary prevention):
- primary prevention - strengthening the immune system (healthy lifestyle, hardening, good rest) and timely treatment of acute and chronic infectious diseases;
- secondary prevention - balneotherapy, routine examinations by a neurologist.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
