Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (patient information): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Robot: Changing Category:Disease state to Category:Disease)
 
(11 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Vertebrobasilar insufficiency|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Vertebrobasilar insufficiency|here]]'''


{{SI}}
{{Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (patient information)}}


'''Editor-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer
{{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer


{{EJ}}
==Overview==
 
==What is Vertebrobasilar insufficiency?==
[[Vertebrobasilar insufficiency]] refers to [[conditions]] in which [[blood]] supply to the back of the [[brain]] is disrupted.
[[Vertebrobasilar insufficiency]] refers to [[conditions]] in which [[blood]] supply to the back of the [[brain]] is disrupted.


Line 23: Line 21:
*[[Sleepiness]] or even apparent sleep from which the person can not be awakened
*[[Sleepiness]] or even apparent sleep from which the person can not be awakened
*Slurred speech
*Slurred speech
*[[Stroke]] or [[transient ischemic attack]]
*[[Stroke (patient information)|Stroke]] or [[Transient ischemic attack (patient information)|transient ischemic attack]]
*[[Vertigo]] (sensation of things spinning around)
*[[Vertigo (patient information)|Vertigo]] (sensation of things spinning around)


==What causes Vertebrobasilar insufficiency?==
==What causes Vertebrobasilar insufficiency?==
Line 39: Line 37:
Other less common causes of vertebrobasilar [[vascular disorders]] include [[connective tissue diseases]] and [[vasculitis]].
Other less common causes of vertebrobasilar [[vascular disorders]] include [[connective tissue diseases]] and [[vasculitis]].


==How do I know I have Vertebrobasilar insufficiency?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Call 911 or your local emergency number, or get to the emergency room if you have any symptoms that may suggest a [[vertebrobasilar insufficiency]].
 
==Diagnosis==
Tests depend on the possible underlying cause, but may include:
Tests depend on the possible underlying cause, but may include:
*[[CT]] or [[MRI]] of the [[brain]]
*[[CT]] or [[MRI]] of the [[brain]]
Line 49: Line 50:
*[[X-rays]] of the [[arteries]] ([[angiogram]])
*[[X-rays]] of the [[arteries]] ([[angiogram]])


==When to seek urgent medical care==
==Treatment options==
Call 911 or your local emergency number, or get to the emergency room if you have any symptoms that may suggest a [[vertebrobasilar insufficiency]].
Sudden onset of vertebrobasilar symptoms is a [[medical emergency]] that requires immediate [[treatment]]. For [[treatment]] information, see:
*[[Transient ischemic attack (patient information)|Transient ischemic attack]]
*[[Stroke (patient information)|Stroke]]


==Prevention of Vertebrobasilar insufficiency==
Several possible [[treatments]] are available for treating symptoms due to off and on (intermittent) narrowing of the [[blood vessels]]. However, there is generally no good [[surgical]] [[treatment]] for patients who have narrowing of the vertebrobasilar arteries. [[Blood pressure]] may be permanently raised to make sure enough [[blood]] gets to that part of the [[brain]] or [[blood thinners]] may be used to make sure additional clots do not form.


==Treatment options==
==Where to find medical care for Vertebrobasilar insufficiency?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Vertebrobasilar insufficiency}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Vertebrobasilar insufficiency]


==Where to find medical care for Vertebrobasilar insufficiency==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Vertebrobasilar insufficiency}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Vertebrobasilar insufficiency]
The outlook depends in part on the underlying cause. [[Strokes]] are potentially life-threatening, and require urgent medical care. Age and the person's overall [[health]] are taken into consideration when determining one's outlook for recovery. A substantial recovery can be expected in younger patients who have no significant medical problems.


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)==
Recovery also depends on the area of the [[brain]] that has been affected. The outlook is very poor when the patient is in a [[coma]] or cannot move both arms and [[legs]].


==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
[[Complications]] of [[vertebrobasilar insufficiency]] are [[stroke]] and its [[complications]]. The [[complications]] of [[stroke]] include:
*Respiratory ([[breathing]]) failure (which may require use of a machine to help the patient breathe)
*Lung problems (especially [[lung]] [[infections]])
*[[Heart attack (patient information)|Heart attack]]
*[[Dehydration]] and [[swallowing]] problems (sometimes leading to the placement of [[feeding tube|tubes]] in the [[stomach]] for artificial feeding)
*Problems with movement or [[sensation]], including [[paralysis]] and [[numbness]]
*Formation of clots in the legs
Patients may have [[visual loss]] in one [[eye]].
[[Complications]] caused by [[medications]] or [[surgery]] may also occur.
==Prevention==
General prevention of [[strokes]] caused commonly by [[atherosclerosis]] includes cessation of smoking, regular [[exercise]], [[blood pressure]] control, healthy [[diet]], and management of [[diabetes]]. Prevention of [[dissection]] includes avoidance of neck manipulation, and prevention of [[trauma]] to the [[neck]].


==Sources==
==Sources==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001423.htm


{{SIB}}
{{WH}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
{{WS}}
[[Category:Patient Information]]
 
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Overview complete]]
[[Category:Neurology]]
[[Category:Neurology patient information]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]
[[Category:Cardiology patient information]]
[[Category:Cardiovascular diseases]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Template complete]]
[[Category:For review]]

Latest revision as of 23:06, 9 December 2011

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Vertebrobasilar insufficiency?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Videos on Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

FDA on Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

CDC on Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency in the news

Blogs on Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Directions to Hospitals Treating Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Risk calculators and risk factors for Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer

Overview

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency refers to conditions in which blood supply to the back of the brain is disrupted.

What are the symptoms of Vertebrobasilar insufficiency?

What causes Vertebrobasilar insufficiency?

The vertebrobasilar system is also called the back (posterior) circulation of the brain. Three main blood vessels provide blood flow to the back of the brain:

The back of the brain contains structures that are crucial for keeping a person alive. For instance, the brainstem controls breathing and swallowing, among other things. Parts of the brain help with vision (occipital lobes) and movement coordination (cerebellus) are also located in the back of the brain.

Many different conditions may cause blood flow in the back part of the brain to be reduced or stopped. The most common cause is a stroke due to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Vertebrobasilar vascular disorders may also be caused if a tear (dissection) in an artery wall leads to the release of a clot that blocks blood flow. Dissection can be caused by clogged arteries, conditions such as fibromuscular dysplasia, or injuries such a car accident. It may even be caused by manipulations of the neck by a chiropractor, or during massage. However, most of the time, no apparent cause of dissection can be identified. When vertebrobasilar disease is present in a younger person, dissection of one of the arteries is often the cause.

Other less common causes of vertebrobasilar vascular disorders include connective tissue diseases and vasculitis.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call 911 or your local emergency number, or get to the emergency room if you have any symptoms that may suggest a vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

Diagnosis

Tests depend on the possible underlying cause, but may include:

Treatment options

Sudden onset of vertebrobasilar symptoms is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. For treatment information, see:

Several possible treatments are available for treating symptoms due to off and on (intermittent) narrowing of the blood vessels. However, there is generally no good surgical treatment for patients who have narrowing of the vertebrobasilar arteries. Blood pressure may be permanently raised to make sure enough blood gets to that part of the brain or blood thinners may be used to make sure additional clots do not form.

Where to find medical care for Vertebrobasilar insufficiency?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The outlook depends in part on the underlying cause. Strokes are potentially life-threatening, and require urgent medical care. Age and the person's overall health are taken into consideration when determining one's outlook for recovery. A substantial recovery can be expected in younger patients who have no significant medical problems.

Recovery also depends on the area of the brain that has been affected. The outlook is very poor when the patient is in a coma or cannot move both arms and legs.

Possible complications

Complications of vertebrobasilar insufficiency are stroke and its complications. The complications of stroke include:

Patients may have visual loss in one eye.

Complications caused by medications or surgery may also occur.

Prevention

General prevention of strokes caused commonly by atherosclerosis includes cessation of smoking, regular exercise, blood pressure control, healthy diet, and management of diabetes. Prevention of dissection includes avoidance of neck manipulation, and prevention of trauma to the neck.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001423.htm

Template:WH Template:WS