home→Diagnostics→ Pulsation in the head and neck: all possible causes, features, what and how to be treated? Throbbing pain in the neck Throbbing in the left carotid artery.

Pulsation in the head and neck: all possible causes, features, what and how to be treated? Throbbing pain in the neck Throbbing in the left carotid artery.

In this case, a person should lie on a bed with its headboard raised at an angle of forty-five degrees. It is with this position of the body that the pressure in the right atrium of the heart corresponds to ten centimeters of the water column. When changing the position of the body to the vertical, the pulsation of the cervical veins should disappear.

Causes and factors of occurrence

The main cause of swelling and pulsation of the jugular veins is right ventricular heart failure with congestion of venous blood in the systemic circulation. At the same time, stagnation in the veins of the neck is manifested by their expansion, swelling and visible systolic pulsation (positive venous pulse). This pulsation occurs as a result of the return (regurgitation) of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium.

The pulsation of the cervical veins differs from the pulsation of the carotid arteries in a smaller amplitude, the absence of its sensation during palpation. Also, a distinctive feature is the dissonance between the pulsation in the radial artery and the pulsation of the veins in the neck: the pulse is usually weak on the radial artery, while the venous pulse wave is clearly and clearly visible on the neck.

Increased pulsation of the cervical veins and their swelling can be traced in healthy people during stressful situations, neuroses, and excessive physical exertion.

Classification and signs

Signs of swelling and pulsation of the jugular veins are:

visible slow pulsation and swelling of the veins of the neck up to the angle of the lower jaw and even in the sublingual region;
in especially severe cases, swollen and dilated veins can also be found on the back of the hands;
swelling of the veins of the neck during inspiration (Kusmaul symptom);
swelling of the veins of the neck with pressure on the region of the right hypochondrium;
swelling in the neck;
visible pulsation of the heart in the anterior region chest wall, epigastrium, liver.

What diseases occurs

Swelling and pulsation of the jugular veins may occur with the following pathological conditions:

congenital and acquired heart and vascular defects (tricuspid valve insufficiency, aortic valve insufficiency);
heart failure;
pericarditis (constrictive, exudative);
cardiac tamponade;
hepatojugular reflux;
severe emphysema;
pneumothorax;
compression of the superior vena cava by a tumor or a pathologically altered neighboring organ;
neoplastic process (tumors) in the mediastinum;
aneurysm or severe atherosclerosis thoracic aorta;
retrosternal goiter;
thrombosis of large venous trunks;
arrhythmias (complete transverse heart block, heart rhythm from the atrioventricular node with the occurrence of simultaneous contraction of the ventricles and atria).

Which doctors should be contacted

With the appearance of swelling and pulsation of the veins of the neck, it is necessary to consult a general practitioner, a cardiologist. In the future, you may need to consult a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, pulmonologist, oncologist, cardiac surgeon.

Select the symptoms that bother you, answer the questions. Find out how serious your problem is and whether you need to see a doctor.

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Pulsating vein in the neck

What causes a vein in the neck to pulsate and what to do

Swelling of the veins, accompanied by a pulsation noticeable from the side, that suddenly appeared in the submandibular region is a symptom that requires close attention, and sometimes the help of a qualified doctor. About what to do if a vein in the neck pulsates, and what it can signal - further.

Causes

In an absolutely healthy person who does not have serious health problems, pulsation may occur after high-intensity physical exertion. In some patients, nervosa manifests itself in this way, while in others, the vein begins to pulsate as a reaction to severe stress. With disease of the veins, heart, blood vessels or other internal organs the symptoms are not associated, as a rule, there is no danger in case of a single occurrence. If you notice a connection between stress and pulsation of the veins, you can consult a neurologist.

The main cause of pulsation of the veins in the neck: heart failure in the right ventricle, accompanied by venous blood stasis in the systemic circulation.

At the same time, the vein does not just pulsate, it swells and expands.

When a pulse wave appears on the neck, it is not only well palpable - it can be seen from the side.

Why is this happening

Pulsating jugular veins can occur with the following health problems:

Thrombosis of large venous trunks.
Arrhythmia.
Heart or vascular disease (congenital or acquired).
Pericarditis.
Heart failure.
Emphysema of the lungs.
Mechanical effect on the superior vena cava (it happens with tumors or severe inflammation of neighboring organs).
Goiter located behind the sternum.
Aneurysm of the thoracic aorta.
Atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta.
Some other issues.

What to do

If you notice that the pulsation of the vein in the neck began to occur at a regular frequency, this is an alarm signal.

A doctor's consultation is a must. For the diagnosis and treatment of these symptoms are responsible: therapist and cardiologist. They can refer you to narrower specialists, which include a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, cardiac surgeon, pulmonologist.

Study

The primary study with complaints of the patient that the vein in the neck is pulsating is a palpation examination.

Note that the pulsation can be caused by violations of the outflow of blood in the veins (venous) or in the arteries (arterial). The doctor determines this during the initial examination.

One or more of the following tests may be needed to establish a more accurate diagnosis:

MRI with contrast;
Ultrasound of the neck and chest;
puncture;
duplex scanning of cervical vessels;
multislice CT scan of the cervical and thoracic regions;
Skull CT.

It is important to know: often the problem affects overweight people, so the doctor also pays attention to the patient's complexion. How is the presence of fat related to the pulsation of the veins?

Adipose tissue directly affects the cardiovascular system: on the one hand, fat is deposited around the heart, making it difficult for it to work; on the other hand, the heart has to work much harder, because there are much more tissues in the body of a full person and more blood needs to be transferred.

Treatment

The pulsation of the veins in the neck is only a symptom, not an independent disease, therefore, when the final cause of the symptoms is identified and the diagnosis is made, the doctor treats the underlying disease.

When neoplasms are detected, therapy is aimed at their removal. Heart failure and arrhythmias are treated with lifelong medication. With aneurysm, atherosclerosis, and some other problems, the doctor may decide to perform an operation, but this practice is used if the vessels are severely pinched or clogged, which interferes with normal blood circulation.

If you notice a pulsating area on your neck once or twice, this does not mean that there is a serious danger to your health. But regularly occurring pulsation is a symptom that you should definitely tell the doctor about, even if nothing else bothers you.

Pulsation in the head and neck: all possible causes, features, what and how to be treated?

Many people are familiar with the feeling of pulsation in the head. Such a condition does not necessarily indicate pathology, it is possible and normal under certain conditions. Most often, the feeling of pulsation in healthy people is provoked by stress, strong emotions, physical overload, or a sudden change in the weather. In these cases, discomfort is short-lived and goes away on its own.

At the same time, pulsation accompanies migraine, atherosclerosis, autonomic dysfunction and many other diseases, bringing the patient a lot of discomfort and unrest. It can be considered an alarming symptom, since without an examination it is impossible to say what exactly it is caused by and whether it really does not indicate pathology. The reason is relatively harmless - autonomic dysfunction (VSD), for example, or very serious - a tumor, aneurysm.

Pulsation in the head can occur with noise, ringing in the ears, dizziness, panic attacks, it occurs in its various areas - the temples, the back of the head, in one half. Pathological pulsation can be long, repeated many times, and this is exactly the case when you should go to a doctor - a neurologist or therapist.

Pulsation of the cervical vessels is also possible, which may be physiological or associated with their atherosclerotic lesions, heart defects, arrhythmia, arterial hypertension. In this case, an examination is also necessary to exclude the pathological nature of the pulsation.

Causes of pulsation of the vessels of the head

The causes of pulsation in the head are extremely diverse. Among them are those diseases to which older people are more susceptible, and those that occur in young people, proceeding for the time being asymptomatically. By the nature of the pulsation of the vessels, it is impossible to determine the exact cause of the appearance of this symptom. After a conversation with the patient and a simple examination, the specialist can only assume the pathology that provokes vascular disorders, and additional instrumental examinations will help clarify it.

Pulsation in the head accompanies such diseases as:

Autonomic dysfunction (vegetative-vascular dystonia (VVD);
Degenerative changes in the cervical spine - hernia, osteochondrosis, instability, congenital developmental features;
Vascular wall lesions - atherosclerosis, vasculitis;
Aneurysm, vascular malformation;
Neoplasms of the head and neck;
ENT pathology;
Glaucoma, incorrectly selected glasses;
Postponed craniocerebral trauma;
Neuroses, neurasthenia and other psychiatric problems.

Arterial hypertension is one of the most common causes of pulsation in the head. This disease is also very common among people of mature and old age, for whom throbbing in the head is a well-known symptom.

With hypertension, arteries and arterioles are primarily affected, which from constant high pressure spasm, resulting in impaired blood flow in the brain. Against the background of a sharp rise in pressure - a crisis - the patient feels a pulsation in the temples, pain in the back of the head, dizziness and tinnitus are possible. The higher the pressure figure, the more obvious and painful the throbbing feeling, but as the pressure decreases to normal, the symptoms gradually disappear.

Autonomic dysfunction is common among young adults, children, and adolescents. More often, females suffer from a violation, while the regulation of the vascular tone of the autonomic nervous system, resulting in fluctuations in systolic pressure, pulse, and it is quite possible that a pulsating feeling even in the throat occurs.

Pulsation against the background of autonomic dysfunction is provoked by stress, emotional experiences, physical overload and overwork. Smoking and alcohol abuse have a negative effect.

Pulsation with VVD occurs without pain, but is often accompanied by other signs of a vegetative disorder - sweating, redness of the face, discomfort and rumbling in the abdomen, cardialgia, a feeling of lack of air with increased respiration, weakness and decreased performance, low-grade fever. Mood swings are also panic attacks, which often help diagnose the cause of the pulsation.

Degenerative changes in the spine can be detected in almost every second adult inhabitant of the planet. Such a widespread pathology is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, and excess weight. Herniated discs, anomalies in the development of the bone processes of the vertebrae, osteochondrosis cause compression of blood vessels and nerves, resulting in pain and pulsation in the back of the head, parietal areas. Pulsations are accompanied by numbness in the limbs, pain in the neck, fluctuations blood pressure.

cerebral arteriosclerosis

Structural changes in the vascular walls in the form of atherosclerosis, inflammation (vasculitis) can cause narrowing of their lumen and hemodynamic disturbances. When an artery is stenotic by an atherosclerotic plaque by half, the brain begins to experience hypoxia even with the active work of the collateral blood flow pathways. Patients with atherosclerosis of the arteries of the head complain not only of a feeling of pulsation, but also of noise, ringing in the ears and head, decreased memory and mental performance, they are prone to depression and apathy.

Inflammation of the vascular wall is called arteritis. It can be the result of an autoimmune disease, trauma, surgery, infectious disease. In the acute period of vasculitis, there is a pulsation with intense headache, general weakness, and possibly anxiety.

Extremely dangerous cause pulsation of the vessels of the head is considered an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. An aneurysm is a tangle of pathologically developed vessels that can be located in any part of the brain. Arterio-venous malformation - interweaving of arterial and venous dysplastic vessels. These formations are almost always congenital in nature, they are asymptomatic for a long time and can be manifested by periodic throbbing pain in a certain part of the head - in the temples, occiput, crown.

Since vascular anomalies are accompanied by a violation of the structure of the walls of the vessels that form them, under certain conditions they can rupture - with a pressure surge, trauma, severe stress. The rupture of blood vessels turns into a hemorrhage into the substance of the brain or under its membranes, which is often fatal.

The feeling of pulsation depends on the size of the aneurysm - the larger it is, the more clearly the patient feels the pulsation. Small aneurysms may not cause pain, but throbbing symptoms are usually bothersome. In addition to pulsation, other signs of malformation are also possible: noise in the head, memory loss, anxiety, with large aneurysms - convulsions.

Pulsation without other symptoms may accompany small neoplasia, which put pressure on the vessels from the outside and make it difficult for blood to flow through them. More often it appears in the morning and increases as the tumor grows. Pulsation in the head may be one of the first symptoms of tumor growth.

Inflammatory processes of the ENT organs, accompanied by the accumulation of exudate there, can manifest themselves as pulsating sensations in the head, a feeling of fluid transfusion from the affected ear. In addition, patients are concerned about headaches, noise, whistling in the head, progressive hearing loss.

Glaucoma, incorrectly selected glasses or refusal of them with insufficient visual acuity create not only negative sensations in the eyes, provoke even greater vision problems, dizziness and a feeling of lightheadedness, but can also cause pulsation in the temples, frontal zone.

Such a pulsation becomes more noticeable with an increase in intraocular pressure, eye strain when working with a computer, reading, it is accompanied by a headache.

Pulsation in the head in some cases accompanies craniocerebral trauma. In the acute phase, it is combined with a severe headache, vomiting, convulsions, and in severe cases, consciousness is also disturbed. The consequence of an injury can be recurring bouts of pain and throbbing in the head.

A variety of neurotic disorders, schizophrenia and other psychiatric diseases often occur with a pulsation in the head, which the patient can describe very colorfully, clearly defining the place of its localization, which can make diagnosis difficult, because it is rather difficult to check whether the patient is telling the truth.

Neurasthenia is a borderline disorder that is provoked by stress, overwork, improper work and rest regimen, and individual characteristics of emotional response. Chronic tension of the nervous system sooner or later leads to its exhaustion, and the person turns into a neurasthenic patient who complains of constant fatigue, insomnia or drowsiness, irritability, reduced appetite and bad mood. In addition to these complaints, a pulsation in the head, soreness, noise, which are aggravated against the background of emotional experiences, are also characteristic.

In the case of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, the situation is more complicated: vague pulsations and noise can be part of the hallucinations that the patient experiences, and in addition to a vivid description of the symptoms, the doctor is often faced with their exaggeration, which makes it difficult to objectively assess the symptoms.

Throbbing in the neck

Pulsation in the neck often acquires great diagnostic value in a variety of vascular and cardiac pathologies, but it can also be normal. Fluctuations in the walls of blood vessels are visible to the naked eye in lean adults, crying children, but this does not necessarily indicate a disease, but it always requires clarification of the cause if the pulsation becomes constant and clearly visible to others, accompanies headaches or arrhythmias.

On the neck, both venous pulsation, most often associated with heart problems, and pulsation of the arteries with damage to the vascular walls proper, hypertension, etc., are possible.

Pulsation of the cervical arteries

Most probable causes aortic aneurysm (local expansion of the lumen of the vessel) formed in its initial section, arc, thoracic part, arterial hypertension, thyrotoxicosis with tachycardia and hypertensive crises, insufficiency of the aortic valve, when part of the blood returns to the left ventricle, creating an additional pulsation of the carotid arteries and their branches, visible to the naked eye.

Aortic valve insufficiency can occur in older people with atherosclerosis, after suffering rheumatism or syphilitic damage to the vascular wall and valve. This vice is quite feature- the so-called "dance of the carotid", when the carotid arteries on the lateral surface of the neck contract synchronously with the rhythm of the heart. In addition to the sleepy ones, the temporal, brachial arteries, vessels of the hands and even the feet also pulsate with aortic valve insufficiency. Against the background of the pulsation of the carotid arteries, shaking movements of the head appear in time with the beating of the heart.

Pulsation of neck veins

Such defects as tricuspid valve insufficiency, narrowing of the mouth of the superior vena cava, as well as severe arrhythmias (paroxysmal tachycardia, complete AV blockade) provoke pulsation of the neck veins, however, it can also be noticed under severe stress and excitement.

Pulsation of the cervical venous trunks often accompanies pathology that occurs with an increase in central venous pressure. In healthy people, the pulsation of the veins can also be traced on the lateral surface of the neck above the angle of the sternum by 4 cm, but only in the supine position with the head of the bed raised. When standing up, the venous pulsation normally disappears, and if it persists, then one can think about the pathology of the right half of the heart with its expansion and the formation of stagnation in the veins great circle circulation.

Venous congestion in the neck is accompanied by an expansion of the lumen of the vessels, their swelling and a pulsation visible to the eye, corresponding to heart contractions, which is considered a consequence of the return of venous blood from the ventricle to the atrium through an incompetent tricuspid valve.

The pulsation of the veins of the neck can be called a positive venous pulse, it differs from the vibrations of the walls of the carotid arteries with less force and the inability to feel it when palpated. Clinical pulsation of the neck veins manifests itself:

Swelling and pulsating vibrations of the venous walls on the neck to the lower jaw;
Expansion of the lumen of the veins during inspiration, pressure on the right hypochondrium;
Combination with swelling of the tissues of the neck, pulsating heart beats, pulsation in the epigastric region.

The most likely causes of pulsation of the venous vessels of the neck are heart defects, especially tricuspid valve insufficiency, pericarditis, heart failure with congestion in the venous section, hemotamponade, pulmonary pathology (emphysema, pneumothorax), superior vena cava syndrome, large retrosternal goiter.

What to do with pulsating sensations in the head or neck?

The pulsation in the head and neck cannot but disturb. Arising for the first time and unexpectedly, it can lead to panic and severe fear, because this symptom can indicate a number of serious diseases. Patients with migraine or VVD may well get used to repetitive pulsation, not perceiving it as a symptom of a dangerous pathology, but this does not exempt from the need to visit a doctor.

Regardless of the cause, which the patient may even assume, pulsation in the head or neck should be the reason for consultation with a specialist and examination. With such symptoms, you should go to a therapist, neurologist, phlebologist (with venous pulsation in the neck). The therapist can send for a consultation with a cardiologist, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, ophthalmologist, oncologist, depending on other complaints and the result of the initial examination.

When talking with a doctor, it is important to clarify at what time of day the pulsation appears, whether it is associated with nervous or physical stress, weather changes, phase menstrual cycle at a woman. In addition to pulsation, other symptoms, if any, should be described (pain, dizziness, etc.).

With a pulsation in the head, an MRI, angiography, ultrasound with dopplerometry of the vascular trunks of the head and neck, radiography of the cervical spine, and encephalography are indicated. Venous pulsation often requires phlebography, echocardiography, ECG. The exact list of examinations is compiled by a therapist or neurologist, suspecting the specific causes of the pulsation.

Treatment for pulsations in the head and neck may include the appointment of analgesics, antihypertensives, vascular drugs and nootropics, and in some cases, surgery is necessary - removal of a tumor, aneurysm, implantation of an artificial heart valve. All patients with such a symptom are recommended to normalize the regimen, eliminate stress and physical overload, observe balanced diet and motor activity.

Pulsation of the vessels of the neck

Pulsation is the vibration of the walls of the heart, blood vessels and adjacent tissues. This process is natural physiological in nature, but in some cases it may be a pathology, indicating the occurrence of certain diseases. Of great diagnostic value is the pulsation of the heart in the area chest and vascular pulsation in the neck. The main method of research in this case is the implementation of a phlebogram, since a graphic record obtained on the basis of data from multichannel sources makes it possible to accurately determine the nature of this process. There are the following types of cervical pulsation:

Venous. It is observed with tricuspid valve insufficiency, complete heart block, atrioventricular rhythm, stenosis of the right venous opening, paroxysmal tachycardia. It manifests itself in the form of one-, less often two-wave systolic pulsation of the jugular vein synchronously with systolic contraction of the ventricles or after presystolic contraction of the atria;

Arterial. Seen in aortic aneurysm arterial hypertension, diffuse thyrotoxic goiter, aortic valve insufficiency. It is manifested by increased pulsation of the carotid artery and its branches.

ARRYTHMIA.INFO

Common types:

Symptoms:

The information on this site should not be used for self-diagnosis and treatment and cannot be a substitute for in-person medical advice.

The vein on the neck on the left side pulsates strongly

In the ambulance they told me - for the first time: a flickering arrhythmia, and for the second time: they decided that it was from the stomach. I've had heart problems for a month now.

Soon they will make a scanner on the neck. And I have to go to the cardiologist. All you have to do is wait for months. And by this time, my condition is only getting worse.

The information provided on the website MEDICINE IN RUSSIA - www.minzdrav.com should not be used

for self-diagnosis and self-treatment, and cannot serve as a substitute for full-time medical advice. 18+

Causes of pulsation of the vein in the leg

Many people experience periodic pain and a feeling of heaviness in their legs throughout their lives. Some problems accompany a long time, which causes discomfort. Why does a person have a condition when one feels how a vein on the leg pulsates?

Causes

Fluttering veins can be associated with both a problem in the bones and muscles, and with nerves.

Factors provoking the appearance of pulsation of the veins of the lower limb:

Leg injury (fresh or long forgotten). If the integrity of tissues and nerve fibers has been violated, then it reminds of itself with pain in the legs.
Varicose veins. Vascular disorders lead to accumulation of blood and stagnation, as a result of which the limbs begin to hurt.
Obesity. Due to heavy loads on the legs, throbbing pains appear.
Pinched nerve. With this problem, a fluttering sensation is mistaken for a pulsation due to the fact that the pain radiates to the lower extremities.
Radiculitis. Due to compression of the roots of the spinal cord, pain radiates to the leg.
Deep vein thrombosis, atherosclerosis. Circulatory problems lead to poor blood flow and leg pain.

If numbness is added to the fluttering of the veins, then this condition indicates developing neuropathy (a problem with the nerve) or the occurrence of tissue ischemia (lack of blood flow to the affected area).

Muscle contractions

Pulsations in the legs sometimes mask muscle contractions (fasciculations) rather than problems with the veins.

The symptoms are similar to a pulsating vein. Usually the twitches go away on their own. Despite the fact that muscle flutter may occur for several years, fasciculations do not threaten health. If the patient observes weakness in the muscles and a change motor function in the legs, then there is a reason to see a doctor.

Benign muscle contraction may be due to a lack of magnesium in the body. Constant stress, sports with increased stress, alcohol abuse, hypothermia can also cause twitching in the legs.

These pains can occur at any time of the day.

Treatment, doctor's choice

If the causes of pulsation of the veins are not known and there are doubts about which physician of narrow specialization to contact, then you need to consult with your local doctor.

After the examination, the specialist will establish an accurate diagnosis and suggest further actions. The choice of equipment in modern medicine large enough (ultrasound, MRI, CT, ultrasound).

If you suspect a pinched sciatic nerve or nerve roots of the spinal cord, you must definitely do an x-ray of the lumbar spine. Do not delay the treatment of the disease, as this is a direct path to lameness, pain when moving and muscle atrophy. Weakness in the limbs and impaired mobility of the joints can also be the cause of nerve compression.

With varicose veins, you need to contact a phlebologist.

A neurologist treats diseases such as a pinched nerve.

If you suspect a deviation of a neurological nature, and not muscle fasciculations, you should consult a neurologist. The specialist will help to understand this problem and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.

When the pulsation radiates to the knee along the outer or front surface, the problem may be related to the nerves. If the same sensations are in the popliteal fossa, then a vascular surgeon cannot be dispensed with.

Prevention

To prevent and reduce throbbing pain in the legs, it is worth reviewing the lifestyle and daily routine.

When accompanied by throbbing pain in the veins with a feeling of numbness in the legs (caviar shrinks), you should stop smoking and drinking alcohol. Constant stress leads to a loss of vitamins, which leads to spasms and a feeling of fluttering in the veins.

With a vascular problem, circulatory disorders in the veins pose a threat to life (the formation of a blood clot can even lead to cardiac arrest). Therefore, with pain in the legs, timely treatment will help to avoid complications.

In the human body, all organs are interconnected. To avoid throbbing pain in the limbs, you need to get rid of the causes that cause painful conditions.

To avoid pinched nerve endings, the following rules must be observed:

Try not to overeat, because this often leads to weight gain.
Change body positions more often, do not stay in one position for a long time (sitting or standing).
Take breaks to perform exercises during sedentary work.

Measures aimed at the prevention of varicose veins:

Diet and weight control. The diet includes food containing fiber (colon cleanser). It is necessary to reduce the consumption of animal fats, give up fast food, give preference to foods rich in vitamin C (to strengthen the walls of blood vessels).
Compliance with the daily routine. Try to balance work with leisure.
If it is impossible to give up a sedentary lifestyle, change the position of the body. A pose is contraindicated when one leg is located on the other.
Do not wear tight clothes that squeeze your legs.
It is worth abandoning shoes that have both high and too low heels. The sole should be comfortable so that the foot does not experience discomfort.

As a preventive measure for venous thrombosis lower extremities swimming, fresh air, walking, diet (drinking plenty of water, avoiding products that thicken the blood) are important.

Preventing all the causes that contribute to throbbing pain in the legs comes down to a healthy lifestyle. Doing morning or evening exercises, contrast showers, giving up bad habits, cycling, massages and herbal foot baths - all these activities will help minimize the risk of foot disease.

Do not delay the visit to the doctor, because everyone knows for sure that early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.

Sharply protruding and tortuous temporal arteries are observed in patients with hypertension and atherosclerosis.

When examining the neck of a patient with aortic valve insufficiency, one can see the pulsation of the carotid arteries (“carotid dance”). In this case, a peculiar phenomenon can be observed, expressed in shaking the head (Musset's symptom). It occurs due to a sharp pulsation of the carotid arteries with differences in maximum and minimum pressure. The symptom of "dance of the carotid" is sometimes combined with the pulsation of the subclavian, brachial, radial and other arteries and even arterioles ("pulsating man"). In this case, it is possible to define the so-called precapillary pulse(Quincke pulse) - rhythmic redness in the systole phase and blanching in the diastole phase of the nail bed with light pressure on its end (Fig. 36, a). The pre-capillary pulse can also be seen on the mucous membrane of the lips when pressing on them with glass (Fig. 36, b) or when rubbing the skin of the forehead, as a result of which the color of the pulsating spot changes from hyperemia to pallor and vice versa.

Rice. 36. Determination of capillary pulse in the area of the nail bed (a) and on the lower lip (b).

IN vertical position the patient's neck sometimes shows pulsation and swelling of the jugular veins, which occurs due to obstruction of the outflow of venous blood into the right atrium. If the outflow through the superior vena cava is obstructed, the veins of the head, neck, upper limbs, anterior surface of the body expand and the blood is directed from top to bottom, into the system of the inferior vena cava. If the outflow through the inferior vena cava is obstructed, the veins of the lower extremities, as well as the lateral surfaces of the abdominal wall, expand and the blood is directed upwards into the system of the superior vena cava. When outflow through the portal vein is obstructed, a network of collaterals develops around the navel and blood is directed through the dilated superficial veins into the system of the superior and inferior vena cava.

On the neck, you can notice the pulsation and jugular veins ( venous pulse). Their alternating swelling and collapse reflect pressure fluctuations in the right atrium, depending on the activity of the heart. Slowing of the outflow of blood from the veins to the right atrium with an increase in pressure in it during atrial systole leads to swelling of the veins. The accelerated outflow of blood from the veins into the right atrium with a decrease in pressure in it during ventricular systole causes the veins to collapse. Consequently, during systolic expansion of the arteries, the veins collapse - negative venous pulse.

In a healthy person, swelling of the veins is clearly visible if he is in a supine position. When the position is changed to vertical, the swelling of the veins disappears. However, in cases of tricuspid valve insufficiency, exudative and adhesive pericarditis, emphysema, pneumothorax, swelling of the veins in the upright position of the patient is clearly visible. It is due to stagnation of blood in them. For example, in case of insufficiency of the tricuspid valve, the right ventricle with each contraction ejects part of the blood back into the right atrium, which causes an increase in pressure in it, a slowdown in the flow of blood from the veins into it, and a strong swelling of the jugular veins. In such cases, the pulsation of the latter coincides in time with the systole of the ventricles and the pulsation of the carotid arteries. This so-called positive venous pulse. To identify it, it is necessary to push the blood out of the upper part of the jugular vein with a finger movement and press the vein. If the vein quickly fills with blood, then this indicates its retrograde current during systole from the right ventricle to the right atrium.

Rice. 37. Stokes collar (according to A. L. Myasnikov, 1956).

A sharp expansion of the veins of the neck with its simultaneous sharp edema (Stokes' collar; Fig. 37) is caused by compression of the superior vena cava.

Expansion of the skin veins in the region of the sternum and the anterior chest wall is observed with tumors of the mediastinum that compress the deep veins.

Pronounced pulsation in the epigastric region can occur due to contraction of the enlarged and hypertrophied right ventricle (cardiac shock) or pulsation of the abdominal aorta. In this case, the pulsation caused by the right ventricle is better seen under the most xiphoid process, especially with a deep breath, in the standing position of the subject. The pulsation of the abdominal aorta is more clearly visible somewhat lower than the previous one in the patient's supine position, especially on exhalation.

Pulsation of the liver is transfer and true. The first is due to the transmission of heart contractions to the liver. In this case, the entire mass of the liver moves in one direction. True pulsation is expressed in the alternation of an increase (swelling) and a decrease in the volume of the liver. It is observed, for example, with insufficiency of the aortic valves, and the swelling of the liver coincides in time with the apex beat. In this case, the pulsation of the liver is arterial. With tricuspid valve insufficiency, a true venous pulsation of the liver is noted, which occurs as a result of regurgitation (reverse flow) of blood through an open opening from the right ventricle to the right atrium, and from there to the inferior vena cava and hepatic veins. The latter causes swelling of the liver.

Thus, the left carotid artery is several centimeters longer than the right. The common carotid artery enters the neck through upper aperture chest, rising almost vertically. The carotid artery in the neck supplies blood to most of the head, brain, and organ of vision.

It is worth noting that the common carotid artery does not give branches along its course, and at the level of the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage is divided into:

internal carotid artery;
External carotid artery.

Normal blood flow for the brain is about 55 ml per 100 g of tissue, and as for oxygen demand, the norm is 3.7 ml / 1 min / 100 g.

This volume of blood supply can be provided by normal arteries with intact vascular lumen. If the carotid artery in the neck has a narrowed lumen, then a violation of the blood supply to the brain is inevitable, as well as a violation of all kinds of metabolic processes, the development of ischemia. The narrowing of the lumen of the arteries can be a consequence of atherosclerosis, fibromuscular dysplasia, nonspecific aorto-arteritis, syphilis, tuberculosis, and collagenosis.

Chronic vascular disease called atherosclerosis is the culprit in the development of such a pathology in ninety percent of cases.

Often, atherosclerosis can develop into such a serious disease as a carotid aneurysm. In most cases, the localization of aneurysms is the cerebral part of the carotid artery (internal). As a rule, an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery has a multiple character. The size of aneurysms is no more than one centimeter, very rarely there are aneurysms whose diameter exceeds two to three centimeters. The disease is manifested by headaches and epileptic seizures, in rare cases, local cerebral ischemia may develop. To identify aneurysms, radiopaque angiography, magnetic resonance imaging angiography, and X-ray CT are used. In the presence of an aneurysm, surgical treatment is necessary.

In seventy-five percent of cases, there are "non-classical" types of structure of the circle of Willis (the arterial circle of the brain). Scientists say that these types of structure negatively affect the functioning arterial circle, on the regulation of blood flow in the brain, in addition, they can be the main cause of aneurysms. The most dangerous case is the trifurcation of the internal carotid artery, which has a strong influence on the correct distribution of blood in the brain. There are several types of trifurcation:

Front. With anterior trifurcation, 50% of the blood from the internal carotid artery enters the brain, and 30% from the opposite;
back. On the side of the posterior trifurcation, the internal carotid artery is able to deliver about fifty percent of the blood to the brain, the opposite artery - 40%, and the basilar - only 10%.

The results of numerous studies prove that the non-classical structure of the circle of Willis in 64% of cases manifests itself precisely in the owners of the mesocranial type of skull.

One of the mysterious and little-studied arterial diseases considered pathological tortuosity of the carotid arteries. Today, more than 25% of the adult population has various variants of tortuosity and lengthening of the carotid arteries in the neck. The cause of the tortuosity is usually congenital, but there are cases when the elongation of the arteries can develop as a result of hypertension.

What are the types of pathological tortuosity of the carotid arteries?

Elongation of the artery implies the presence of gentle bends along the course of the vessel, rarely causes concern, is found in a completely random study. With age, smooth curves can turn into kinks, as the elasticity of the arterial walls changes. As a result, a violation of blood circulation in the brain is inevitable.
Kinking (the artery bends at an acute angle). This species may be congenital, developing from an elongated carotid artery. Inflections can be formed due to arterial hypertension, progressive atherosclerosis. In this case, surgical correction of the tortuosity is necessary.
Coiling (an arterial loop is formed). Coiling involves significant changes in blood flow in an artery. The manifestation of symptoms of circulatory insufficiency in the brain indicates a violation of blood flow compensation, and also dictates the urgent need for a detailed examination and further treatment.

One of the most common causes of carotid disease is a narrowing of the carotid artery. The risk of narrowing increases with age. As atherosclerotic plaques form on the inner walls of the carotid artery, its lumen narrows, and the blood supply worsens. Plaques form in the carotid artery fibrous tissue, calcium and cholesterol. Atherosclerotic plaques tend to overgrow with platelets and clog the carotid arteries.

To prevent the development of diseases of the carotid arteries, you can use the following measures:

Cholesterol free diet;
To give up smoking;
Body weight control;
Regular exercise.

no, they are all cured

radiates into the ear, extending directly to the ear from the neck. As if I had a bad cold, but already like a week, usually I have a cold in 2-3 days. it hurts the most under the tonsil (I hope I put it correctly, the seal is (1.5 cm in diameter) under the jaws which is palpable 🙂)

The carotid artery has nothing to do with it.

It hurts, most likely, an enlarged submandibular lymph node, due to inflammation in the pharyngeal cavity, probably in the tonsil. See a doctor.

The most likely diagnosis is tonsillitis. submandibular/regional lymphadenitis.

Thank you, I'll see a doctor soon.

Dr Kovalyk approved: or cervical osteochondrosis.

This can be removed from the differential diagnosis, due to

it hurts the most under the tonsil (I hope I put it correctly, the seal is (1.5 cm in diameter) under the jaws which is palpable.

But it may be present outside of these complaints.

I didn’t get to the doctor, I didn’t have time, it almost completely passed by itself

Good afternoon! Finally, I found you, I read your correspondence with doctors since 2004, please excuse me, I live in Moscow and I have exactly the same symptoms as you have for 6-6.5 years with a slow increase. dizziness and all. as you describe exactly. Tell me, did you get rid of this and if so, how, I also have something with arteries (hypoplasia of one), I was examined everywhere, I live in Moscow, I even lay in the Central Clinical Hospital, but no one finds anything, but I already I can't move. so dizzy, not spinning, but like staggering, well, just like you. Waiting for an answer. Irina

Waiting for an answer. Irina

If you are waiting for an answer from vsh, then he lived here temporarily, recovered and was discharged. It is useless to wait here, I hope he is healthy. If you still need him, contact him at the address indicated in the profile.

Here we are, the doctors, and if you have a medical problem that has not been resolved in Moscow, please contact us, but only AS IT IS POSITED AND ACCEPTED.

Neck hurts on the left: causes and treatment

Every person who has ever had pain in the neck on the left is well aware of how unpleasant this ailment is. Soreness can be different, depending on the reasons that caused it. In any case, it is better to seek the advice of a general practitioner who will refer you to the right doctor. We will try to understand the reasons why the neck usually hurts on the left under the jaw, and also consider ways to deal with the disease.

Why does the neck hurt on the left side: possible causes

When the muscle on the neck on the left hurts, it is important to exclude the development of serious diseases by contacting a specialist. The symptom may be caused by the following conditions:

Inflammation of the lymph nodes. In this case, the patient is overcome by a pulling pain in the neck on the left, aggravated by rotation of the head.
Osteochondrosis. It is characterized by aching pain in the neck on the left, sometimes radiating to upper limb, occipital or temporal region. Soreness can develop with a sedentary lifestyle, for example, when a person has a sedentary job.
chronic stress. In addition to the appearance of pain in the neck on the left side, in this case, there is a general weakness of the body and headache attacks regularly occur.
Viral parotitis. With this disease, which is commonly called mumps, a person has a severe pain in the neck on the left, lymph nodes increase, and swallowing becomes painful.
Tumor. With the development of tumor processes in the cervical region or the brain, acute pain in the neck on the left gradually increases, which has a continuous character.
Meningitis. Pulsating pain in the neck on the left may indicate inflammation in the membranes of the brain. Pain is aggravated by tilting the head forward.
Spinal stenosis. In addition to pain in the neck when turning the head, in this case, limbs often go numb and general weakness occurs.

We have listed the main causes of pain in the left side of the neck, and in addition to them, there are such provoking factors as violations in immune system and infectious diseases. To determine the exact diagnosis, you must consult a doctor who will refer you to tests and examinations.

What to do if the neck hurts on the left

Due to the fact that pain in the neck on the left can have different causes, before prescribing a therapeutic complex, it is necessary to establish the root cause of the disease. Doctors usually prescribe the following studies to the patient:

clinical and biochemical analysis blood;
checking the body for the presence of malignant tumors;
x-ray examination.

If you are wondering what to do if your neck hurts on the left side and additional symptoms such as hearing loss, visual impairment, tinnitus and dizziness occur, you should do a tomography.

Complex examinations allow diagnosing pain in the neck on the left side, during which diseases that do not manifest themselves, but are tracked according to the results of studies, are detected. In this way, specialists detect pathologies in the circulatory system in patients, starting immediate treatment and preventing serious complications.

When pain in the neck on the left radiates to the ear, doctors may prescribe treatment with medications that have a local effect. The treatment process must be comprehensive, as painkillers, which are treated by many people who are not versed in medicine, do not give lasting results.

For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, various medical procedures and effects are used that help slow down the pathologies of the cartilaginous tissues surrounding the intervertebral discs. Medications against neck pain on the left in most cases contain components to relieve acute pain. You can supplement the treatment with exercises from therapeutic gymnastics with cervical osteochondrosis.

How to get rid of pain in the left side of the neck at home

If you have pain in the back of your neck on the left, and you started treatment with drugs, do not use the same drug for too long, so that addiction does not develop. Before taking any medicine from a pharmacy, be sure to consult your doctor.

If your neck hurts on the left side for several days without ceasing, go to the clinic. You can start with a GP who will refer you to a neurologist, orthopedist, rheumatologist, traumatologist, or chiropractor.

In cases where pain in the neck is caused by inflammatory processes occurring in lymph nodes, tonsillitis or tonsillitis, you will need an ENT doctor. He will help you eliminate the root cause of the disease, and the rest of the symptoms will disappear by themselves.

SHEIA.RU

Pulsating vein in the neck

What causes a vein in the neck to pulsate and what to do

Causes

In an absolutely healthy person who does not have serious health problems, pulsation may occur after high-intensity physical exertion. In some patients, nervosa manifests itself in this way, while in others, the vein begins to pulsate as a reaction to severe stress. With a disease of the veins, heart, blood vessels or other internal organs, the symptoms are not associated, as a rule, there is no danger in a single occurrence. If you notice a connection between stress and pulsation of the veins, you can consult a neurologist.

The main cause of pulsation of the veins in the neck: heart failure in the right ventricle, accompanied by venous blood stasis in the systemic circulation.

At the same time, the vein does not just pulsate, it swells and expands.

When a pulse wave appears on the neck, it is not only well palpable - it can be seen from the side.

Why is this happening

Pulsating jugular veins can occur with the following health problems:

Thrombosis of large venous trunks.
Arrhythmia.
Heart or vascular disease (congenital or acquired).
Pericarditis.
Heart failure.
Emphysema of the lungs.
Mechanical effect on the superior vena cava (it happens with tumors or severe inflammation of neighboring organs).
Goiter located behind the sternum.
Aneurysm of the thoracic aorta.
Atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta.
Some other issues.

What to do

If you notice that the pulsation of the vein in the neck began to occur at a regular frequency, this is an alarm signal.

Study

The primary study with complaints of the patient that the vein in the neck is pulsating is a palpation examination.

Note that the pulsation can be caused by violations of the outflow of blood in the veins (venous) or in the arteries (arterial). The doctor determines this during the initial examination.

One or more of the following tests may be needed to establish a more accurate diagnosis:

MRI with contrast;
Ultrasound of the neck and chest;
puncture;
duplex scanning of cervical vessels;
multislice CT scan of the cervical and thoracic regions;
Skull CT.

It is important to know: often the problem affects overweight people, so the doctor also pays attention to the patient's complexion. How is the presence of fat related to the pulsation of the veins?

Treatment

Pulsation in the head and neck: all possible causes, features, what and how to be treated?

It is also possible pulsation of the cervical vessels, which may be physiological or associated with their atherosclerotic lesions, heart defects, arrhythmia, arterial hypertension. In this case, an examination is also necessary to exclude the pathological nature of the pulsation.

Causes of pulsation of the vessels of the head

Pulsation in the head accompanies such diseases as:

Autonomic dysfunction (vegetative-vascular dystonia (VVD);
Degenerative changes in the cervical spine - hernia, osteochondrosis, instability, congenital developmental features;
Vascular wall lesions - atherosclerosis, vasculitis;
Aneurysm, vascular malformation;
Neoplasms of the head and neck;
ENT pathology;
Glaucoma, incorrectly selected glasses;
Postponed craniocerebral trauma;
Neuroses, neurasthenia and other psychiatric problems.

With hypertension, arteries and arterioles are primarily affected, which spasm from constant high pressure, as a result of which the blood flow in the brain is disturbed. Against the background of a sharp rise in pressure - a crisis - the patient feels a pulsation in the temples, pain in the back of the head, dizziness and tinnitus are possible. The higher the pressure figure, the more obvious and painful the throbbing feeling, but as the pressure decreases to normal, the symptoms gradually disappear.

Autonomic dysfunction is common among young adults, children, and adolescents. More often, females suffer from a violation, while the regulation of vascular tone by the autonomic nervous system is disrupted, resulting in fluctuations in systolic pressure, pulse, and it is quite possible that a pulsating feeling even in the throat occurs.

Pulsation against the background of autonomic dysfunction is provoked by stress, emotional experiences, physical overload and overwork. Smoking and alcohol abuse have a negative effect.

Pulsation with VVD occurs without pain, but is often accompanied by other signs of a vegetative disorder - sweating, redness of the face, discomfort and rumbling in the abdomen, cardialgia, a feeling of lack of air with increased respiration, weakness and decreased performance, low-grade fever. Also characteristic are mood swings, panic attacks, which often help to diagnose the cause of the pulsation.

cerebral arteriosclerosis

An aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation is considered an extremely dangerous cause of pulsation of the vessels of the head. An aneurysm is a tangle of pathologically developed vessels that can be located in any part of the brain. Arterio-venous malformation - interweaving of arterial and venous dysplastic vessels. These formations are almost always congenital in nature, they are asymptomatic for a long time and can be manifested by periodic throbbing pain in a certain part of the head - in the temples, occiput, crown.

Such a pulsation becomes more noticeable with an increase in intraocular pressure, eye strain when working with a computer, reading, it is accompanied by a headache.

Throbbing in the neck

On the neck, both venous pulsation, most often associated with heart problems, and pulsation of the arteries with damage to the vascular walls proper, hypertension, etc., are possible.

Pulsation of the cervical arteries

The most likely causes of very noticeable arterial pulsation are aortic aneurysm (local expansion of the lumen of the vessel), formed in its initial section, arc, thoracic part, arterial hypertension, thyrotoxicosis with tachycardia and hypertensive crises, aortic valve insufficiency, when part of the blood returns to the left ventricle, creating an additional pulsation of the carotid arteries and their branches, visible to the naked eye.

Aortic valve insufficiency can occur in older people with atherosclerosis, after suffering rheumatism or syphilitic damage to the vascular wall and valve. This defect has a rather characteristic sign - the so-called "dance of the carotid", when the carotid arteries on the lateral surface of the neck contract synchronously with the rhythm of the heart. In addition to the sleepy ones, the temporal, brachial arteries, vessels of the hands and even the feet also pulsate with aortic valve insufficiency. Against the background of the pulsation of the carotid arteries, shaking movements of the head appear in time with the beating of the heart.

Pulsation of neck veins

Swelling and pulsating vibrations of the venous walls on the neck to the lower jaw;
Expansion of the lumen of the veins during inspiration, pressure on the right hypochondrium;
Combination with swelling of the tissues of the neck, pulsating heart beats, pulsation in the epigastric region.

What to do with pulsating sensations in the head or neck?

When talking with a doctor, it is important to clarify at what time of day the pulsation appears, whether it is associated with nervous or physical stress, weather changes, or the phase of the woman's menstrual cycle. In addition to pulsation, other symptoms, if any, should be described (pain, dizziness, etc.).

Why does neck vein swell?

If you have swelling and pulsation of the veins of the neck, then this should be a serious signal for you, indicating a variety of diseases of the cardiovascular system. An increase in central venous pressure is one of the most common causes of swelling of the veins of the neck.

Additional reasons

Also, the causes of severe swelling and pulsation of the veins in the neck can be its various injuries, injuries of the skull, injuries of the spine and spinal cord, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, tumors of the internal organs of a person, as well as endocrine diseases.

Manifestations of swelling of the veins

The main signs of swelling and pulsation of the neck veins are: Noticeable slow pulsation and slight swelling of the neck veins near the jaw; Severe swelling of the veins of the neck during the entry of oxygen into the lungs; Neck swelling may occur.

Treatment of swelling and pulsation of the veins in the neck

If you find swollen veins and their pulsation in the neck, you do not need to immediately start to panic. Relax, get into a comfortable position for your body and just rest for a while. If the symptoms and discomfort have disappeared and have not bothered you for several days, then swelling and pulsation most likely occurred due to overexertion, stress, nervous breakdown and similar factors.

The need to visit a doctor

If such uncomfortable sensations occur constantly and do not stop for a long period of time, then you need to contact a specialist. He will conduct the necessary diagnostics and examination, find out the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment. In any case, self-treatment in such a situation is categorically not recommended.

Examination of the carotid artery

Carotid artery. Inspection of the carotid arteries. Palpation of the carotid arteries. Assessment of the pulse on the carotid arteries. Auscultation of the carotid arteries. Noises when listening to the carotid arteries.

Carotid artery

The study of the carotid artery has a large clinical significance, especially in the diagnosis of emergency conditions, monitoring the patient during surgery, etc. By the qualities of a pulsating artery, one can judge the state of central hemodynamics, the level of blood pressure, heart rhythm, and heart rate.

The right common carotid artery departs from the brachiocephalic trunk at the level of the sternoclavicular joint, the left - from the aortic arch.

They travel up the sides of the trachea and esophagus along the anterior surface of the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae. In front to the level of the lower edge of the thyroid cartilage, they lie relatively deep under the muscle layer.

At the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage, each common carotid artery divides into two branches - external and internal. The outer branch in the initial part is covered by the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and in the carotid triangle it lies superficially, only under a layer of skin and subcutaneous muscle. Here the artery is most accessible to research - inspection, palpation, auscultation.

Examination of the carotid arteries

The anterior surface of the neck along the inner edges of the sternocleidomastoid muscles from the jugular fossa to the corners of the lower jaw, that is, along the entire length of the common and external carotid arteries, is subject to inspection.

Inspection is carried out with direct and lateral illumination of the study area.

In most people at rest, the pulsation of the carotid arteries is not noticeable. Only in asthenics with poorly developed neck muscles, in persons with reduced nutrition, you can see a slight pulsation in the sleepy triangle.

In many people, the pulsation becomes visible during emotional and physical stress due to an increase in the stroke volume of the heart.

A pronounced pulsation of the carotid arteries in a person at rest is observed with a hyperkinetic type of blood circulation (NCD, hypertonic disease, thyrotoxicosis), with aortic insufficiency ("dance of the corotid"). Such a pulsation is often combined with a pulsation of the subclavian arteries in the supraclavicular and subclavian fossae, brachial arteries. Visible pulsation of the carotid and other arteries is noted with anemia.

Palpation of the carotid arteries

The carotid arteries are examined along their entire length - from the jugular fossa to the angle of the lower jaw.

Rice. 356. Palpation of the carotid artery in the area of the carotid tubercle

Particular attention should be paid to the ability to palpate the common carotid artery at the level of the carotid tubercle, which is located on the spinous process of the VI cervical vertebra, which approximately corresponds to the level of the lower edge of the thyroid cartilage (Fig. 356). Pressing the common carotid artery against the carotid tubercle with a finger is used to stop bleeding when the carotid artery is injured.

To assess the corotid pulse, the most accessible external carotid artery is usually palpated. It lies in the carotid triangle in the form of a bisector between the sternocleidomastoid and scapular-hyoid muscles. Here, the pulsation can be felt in every person, especially in normosthenics and asthenics.

There are several ways to palpate the carotid arteries.

rice. 357. Palpation of the carotid artery from the angle of the jaw to the jugular fossa.

1. Three fingers of the doctor's hand are located along the inner edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, carefully immersed deep into the neck until a pulsation is felt under the fingers. This is how a study is carried out from the jugular fossa to the angle of the lower jaw, first from one side, then from the other side. A study from two sides at once can provoke cerebral ischemia, which will manifest itself as dizziness, nausea, and even collapse.

2. Index and middle fingers right hand are installed in the carotid triangle at the angle of the jaw and the inner edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, it is better to put them with a ladder - at the top of the II finger, below - the III finger (Fig. 357).

Carefully, without exerting strong pressure with the pads of the terminal phalanges, the place of the greatest pulsation is found. Thus, the artery is felt from the angle of the jaw and below to the level of the lower edge of the thyroid cartilage.

Assessment of the pulse on the carotid arteries

The pulse on the carotid arteries is evaluated by the same parameters as the pulse on the radial arteries.

In a healthy person, the pulsation of the carotid arteries is palpable, especially in the carotid triangle and above the carotid tubercle. The pulse is rhythmic, of good filling and tension, the arteries are elastic, have a flat, smooth surface. All listed qualities are the same on both sides.

In a person who is at rest for a long time, during sleep, the pulsation frequency slows down, the filling and tension of the arteries decreases. With emotional and physical stress, the pulse rate and its value increase.

In pathological conditions, the filling of the carotid arteries, the magnitude of pulse waves can be reduced on both or one side. Their bilateral decrease is observed with low peripheral resistance, a drop in blood pressure (fainting, collapse, shock), a decrease in the contractile function of the myocardium (myocarditis, myocardial infarction). The absence of pulsation on both sides indicates a drop in blood pressure to 0 due to very low peripheral resistance, a sharp drop in stroke volume of the heart, or cardiac arrest.

A full, large pulse on the carotid arteries is observed with a hyperkinetic type of blood circulation (NCD, hypertension, thyrotoxicosis). Large, fast, jumping - with aortic valve insufficiency.

A tense pulse on the carotid arteries occurs with arterial hypertension, severe vascular sclerosis in the elderly, with arteritis. Sometimes the surface of the vessels becomes uneven with areas of compaction - these are also signs of sclerosis.

A limited pulsating protrusion of the vessel indicates an aneurysm. Unilateral deterioration or absence of pulsation is possible with compression of the vessel (lymph node, scar enlarged thyroid gland, tumor), as well as with atheromatosis, arteritis, thrombosis. In each such case, it is necessary to establish the level of vascular obstruction by examining its accessible proximal segment.

Auscultation of the carotid arteries

Auscultation of the carotid arteries is carried out on both sides sequentially. Preliminarily, the place of the best pulsation of the artery is groped with a finger, on which a phonendoscope is installed.

Rice. 358. Ascultation of the carotid arteries

The best place for auscultation is the inner edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the level of the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage - here is the common carotid artery and its branching (bifurcation, Fig. 358).

The external carotid artery is heard in the carotid triangle at the angle of the jaw. The initial segment of the common carotid artery is best heard at the point of attachment of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the clavicle.

Again, we pay attention to the degree of pressing the phonendoscope, excessive pressure on the vessel causes stenotic systolic murmur.

In many healthy people, during auscultation of the carotid arteries, 2 tones are heard:

I tone of local origin, formed as a result of a sudden tension of the arterial wall during the passage of a pulse wave,

II tone - wired from the aorta and pulmonary artery.

Noises when listening to the carotid arteries

Noises at rest are not heard, only with accelerated blood flow (emotional and physical stress) can a short, gentle systolic murmur be heard.

Pathological signs of auscultation of the carotid arteries are noises. They can be wired from the heart and blood vessels, or local. Wired noises are heard at aortic stenosis, narrowing and expansion of the aorta, with aortoarteritis, compression of large vessels. Systolic murmur is usually determined, only with aortic insufficiency with moderate arterial compression, systolic-diastolic murmur can be heard.

Conducted noises from the aorta and heart are heard on both sides, and from the brachiocephalic artery - only on the right. Local noises can be unilateral or bilateral. They often have an atherosclerotic genesis, but they also occur when the vessel is compressed by a scar, increased thyroid gland, lymph node, tumor. Local noise occurs with calcification, arteritis, aneurysm, narrowing of the lumen of the vessel in the presence of a large atherosclerotic plaque, parietal thrombus.

The listed reasons contribute to the birth of stenotic, systolic murmur. Only with a traumatic aneurysm of the carotid artery can a systolic-diastolic murmur be heard.

With anemia, a weak systolic murmur is heard over both carotid arteries and has a dual genesis - a decrease in blood viscosity and an acceleration of blood flow. Local systolic noise can be with thyrotoxicosis and with fever due to accelerated blood flow.

Features of the anatomy and pathology of the internal carotid artery

On the right and left on the neck of a person, two arteries with a strange name - sleepy arteries pulsate. These arteries - right and left - without a break carry food and oxygen to the brain, supplying about 75% of its organs with blood. Every 100 g of brain tissue needs 3.7 ml of oxygen every minute.

Why are these vessels so undeservedly called? With their active activity, they cannot be called sleepy. Perhaps the reason for this lies in a simple experiment: if you press the common carotid artery against the transverse processes of the vertebrae on which it is located, a person may fall into fainting- dream. The reason for this is a violation of the blood supply to the brain.

Attentive art lovers even notice the beating of the pulse in the deepening of the neck of the Gioconda of the great Leonardo da Vinci. His biographers describe that in order to study the anatomy of the human body, he dissected more than one corpse. Now there is no need to reveal the riddles of anatomy. You can learn a lot about the carotid arteries from this article.

A little bit of anatomy

The carotid artery in the neck, which in dangerous situations determines whether a person is alive or not, is called the common carotid artery. At the level of the third cervical vertebra, it divides into internal and external branches.

The external carotid artery supplies blood to the external organs of the head and neck, in particular the thyroid gland, ear, face, tongue, and others.

The internal carotid artery runs into the cranial cavity, so most of it remains invisible, but if some kind of catastrophe happens to the vessel, doctors must accurately locate it and have a common understanding of the topography.

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To this end, anatomists and neurosurgeons divide it into seven segments:

The internal carotid artery is about 1 cm in diameter and rises along the deep muscles of the neck up (cervical part), without giving off any branches: it carries blood only for the brain. For its penetration into the cranial cavity, there is even a special carotid canal in the temporal bone.
The path of the internal carotid artery within this tortuous bony tunnel ( sleepy canal) is called its rocky part. Here she gives the first branches, they are directed to the eardrum.
The vessel then passes through the ragged foramen (ragged foramen segment) without branches.
The next - the cavernous segment of the artery - is located between two sheets of the dura mater, on the cavernous sinus, where branches to these organs and the pituitary gland depart.
The wedge-shaped segment is a short segment of the artery, on which, without branches, it enters the subarachnoid space of the brain.
The ophthalmic segment runs parallel to the optic nerve and gives rise to the ophthalmic artery, as well as a branch to the pituitary gland.
The communicative segment ends with a branching of the internal carotid artery into the anterior and middle cerebral arteries, which supply the substance of the brain with blood.

For reserve blood supply, nature has created an additional closed ring of arteries at the base of the brain, which is called the circle of Willis. From here, arteries or parts of the brain can be supplied with blood in case of blockage of some part of the vessels. The internal carotid artery also has access to the circle of Willis.

Pathology of the internal carotid artery

It is clear that with such an important role played by the internal carotid artery in the body, any of its pathologies is reflected primarily in the blood supply, and hence the functioning of the brain.

For the normal performance of the function, the vessel must have a healthy inner shell (intima) and no narrowing of the lumen.

With any systemic pathology - the presence of atherosclerosis, aorto-arteritis, vascular complications of tuberculosis and syphilis, fibromuscular dysplasia - the lumen of the vessels narrows, which causes cerebral ischemia (stroke). Sometimes, against the background of such diseases, an aneurysm is formed (pathological expansion of a vessel with an inferior wall). Sometimes there is a congenital aneurysm of the cerebral vessels, which is discovered by chance, in vivo or posthumously.

Atherosclerosis of the internal carotid artery

It is unlikely that now there is a person who does not know about the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In connection with a violation of lipid metabolism, cholesterol is deposited in the form of accumulations in the intima (inner shell) of the vessels, causing a narrowing of their lumen.

Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease, its signs can be found in vessels of different diameters, but it is clear that the smaller the size of the vessel, the faster the blood circulation will be disturbed.

At the site of atherosclerotic plaque growth, a narrowing of the lumen occurs - fertile ground for the development of thrombosis.

Deceleration of the blood flow rate is one of the prerequisites that contribute to the formation of a blood clot. Among the other two (according to Virchow's triad) - a violation of the integrity of the inner wall of the vessel and thickening of the blood.

When a thrombus completely blocks the lumen of the vessel, ischemia occurs. Sometimes a blood clot breaks away from the wall and causes blockage of the vessel in a narrower place (thromboembolism).

Since the internal carotid artery supplies the brain with blood, with a significant narrowing of the lumen, a stroke may occur - the death of part of the brain due to a lack of its blood supply.

In 9 cases out of 10, atherosclerosis is the cause of the catastrophe of the vascular pool of the brain.

Aneurysm

Aneurysm - pathological expansion of the lumen of the vessel or protrusion of its wall, consisting of an inferior cicatricial connective tissue. The cause of their formation can be atherosclerosis, and malignant arterial hypertension, trauma.

Aneurysms do not manifest themselves for the time being. With an increase in blood pressure or under the influence of other factors, the pressure in the vessel rises, the vessel wall at the site of the aneurysm ruptures, since the elasticity of the structure is lost. There is a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Whether it is compatible with life or not depends on its zone and volume. This course is called apoplexy.

Because the aneurysm grows over a long period of time, it sometimes causes compression of the surrounding tissues, like a tumor (tumor-like form).

Treatment and therapy

Treatment for carotid plaque depends on the amount of narrowing it causes.

In severe lesions, surgical intervention is performed, the purpose of which is to remove the plaque and restore the integrity of the vessel. At not big size plaques and the possibility of combining the walls of the artery make an endarterectomy - a part of the vessel is cut out, and then it is sutured. With a large lesion or if it is impossible to connect the healthy ends to each other, a prosthesis is sewn in instead of the removed fragment.

Conservative therapy is carried out with a non-life-threatening violation of the blood supply to the brain. It involves the use of medications and diets that lower cholesterol levels, the prevention of possible blood clots (aspirin), and the fight against bad habits.

Only a doctor can decide on the method of treatment after a thorough examination of the localization and degree of narrowing of the lumen or volume of the aneurysm of the internal carotid artery.

To engage in self-medication, as well as to postpone going to the doctor, in such a situation is life-threatening.

2 How is a pulse check performed?

3 Pulse in the navel as a sign of pregnancy?

On the forums on the network, you can find recommendations on how to determine pregnancy by pulse. This is one of possible signs pregnancy, but controversial in terms of reliability. In pregnant women, the beating in the navel is felt much more often, which is associated with an increase in the uterus as the fetus grows. But the pulse in this zone can be felt by any person, including a man. It may indicate internal pathologies of the body, and if pain or other unpleasant symptoms appear, this is a signal to seek medical help.

Why can there be a pulse in the navel?

Lowering a hand on the stomach in the navel area, a person (both a man and a woman) can feel a beating. In this area is the inferior vena cava. Rarely, a pulse in the navel means that there is an aortic pathology (aneurysm). This situation requires immediate treatment and only with the help of a doctor. A common thought is that a beating in the navel or 2 fingers below is a sign of pregnancy. This is due to an increase in the uterus, which, with growth, presses on the blood vessels and other organs that are located nearby. Such manifestations are typical when a woman is expecting twins, or the fetus is already quite large. The vein begins to beat more often as a sign of the baby's hiccups in the womb. If the child does not have enough air (hypoxia), the hiccups become prolonged and rapid. The table below summarizes the causes of pulsation.

During pregnancy, such manifestations should be immediately checked by a doctor, in other cases, you need to pay attention to the manifestation of other symptoms (pain) and seek a diagnosis.

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What should be the pulse?

The pulsation of blood vessels and veins reflects the work of the cardiovascular system. Accordingly, for an adult and healthy person, the frequency of beats per minute should be within 60-90 units both on the inside of the hand, on the neck, and in the navel area. The heartbeat should be stable and rhythmic (the interval of beats is the same). When a woman is “in position”, the indicators may differ from the norm and do not indicate pathology, deviations. This is due to the processes of change and restructuring of the body, hormonal levels and the cardiovascular system for bearing the fetus. It should be even, stable, without changing the rhythm.

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How is a pulse check performed?

The pulse can be measured on the carotid artery and on the wrist.

For measurements at home, the person must be in a state of calm, preferably in a sitting position. The middle and index fingers are applied to the inside of the hand (accumulation of veins) or to the front of the neck and the time is recorded. You can also listen to the heartbeat by placing your hand just below your left chest. It is possible to check the pulse in the navel area using the "grandmother's method". To do this, the woman takes a position lying on her back, while her knees are bent. Retreating 2 fingers below the navel, gropes for a beating with light pressure. Some forums recommend lying on your stomach, but this is a dubious measurement technique.

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Is belly button pulse a sign of pregnancy?

It is very difficult to judge the reliability of the method for determining pregnancy by pulse. Since it depends:

from the individual characteristics of the mother's body;
from the duration of pregnancy;
from the physiological location of the veins and their proximity to the skin;
on the correct measurement of indicators.

It is not recommended to refer to such a method for determining pregnancy by pulse.

In some trimesters, especially at the beginning of the term, the beating in the navel may not be felt at all. This experiment was carried out by many women and the results were different. He was both pregnant and not. Based on this, it is possible to check how the vein beats in the umbilical zone, only to confirm pregnancy after a test with a positive response, a blood test, a gynecological examination, and a measurement of basal temperature.

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Carotid artery aneurysm: causes, features and methods of treatment

general information

Carotid aneurysm is classified as a dangerous disease circulatory system, which can lead to death.

The fact is that it has a relatively large diameter, which increases its throughput. It so happened genetically that it is this artery that plays a key role in the process of transporting blood.

The main feature of the disease is the fact that it can manifest itself repeatedly and give relapses. This happens for two reasons:

genetic predisposition and the presence of thinned walls of the entire circulatory system;
lifestyle and malnutrition, as well as injuries of the cervical spine.

When does the disease occur?

All causes that are prerequisites for the occurrence of an aneurysm can be divided into 3 subgroups:

Influence of external factors. This includes non-standardized physical exercise, which provoke various kinds of neuralgia and extensive inflammatory processes, as well as injuries, as a result of which the artery was in a pinched state for a long time (prolonged compression syndrome).
congenital pathology. If parents have poor heredity or suffer from pathological necrotic changes in the vascular system, then there is a risk of getting a congenital aneurysm in the fetus, which is eliminated in an operable way.
Accompanying illnesses. In the presence of atherosclerosis, a heart attack or a pre-infarction condition, as well as strokes, there is every chance of developing a carotid aneurysm. Also, the disease can be activated against the background of extensive inflammatory processes that affect the body, penetrating deep into the blood and depriving the walls of blood vessels of natural functions.

The risk group includes people who have chronic coronary heart disease, tachycardia and hypertension. Usually aneurysm affects the elderly, but it is not uncommon for it to occur in traumatism and associated inflammatory process among young people.

Classification and degrees

There are several signs that help to more accurately differentiate the disease, taking into account all its features. Carotid aneurysm is classified...

By form:
- spindle-shaped - determined by an oblong shape with even smooth contours;
- saccular - looks like a unilateral protrusion of the artery;
- fusiform - has a shape without clear boundaries, which can change depending on the position of the body and pressure.
By building:
- single-chamber - represented by a single thinning of the artery, in which its boundaries and parameters are marked;
- multi-chamber - thinning affects a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe artery, they look like a bunch of grapes.
By size and parameters:
- miliary - from 1 to 3 mm;
- medium - from 5 to 15 mm;
- large - from 15 to 25 mm;
- huge - from 1 cm in diameter or more.
By location:
- in the anterior part of the cerebral artery - the highest probability of occurrence for women;
- in the inner part of the carotid artery - typical for men;
- middle artery of the brain;
- numerous lesions of several arteries located at a distance from each other.

There are 4 degrees of the course of the disease:

initial - minor changes in the walls of the artery;
progressive - there are obvious violations and necrotic changes in the cells of the connective tissue;
acute - characterized by a rapid course and serious consequences, provoking a fatal outcome;
chronic - has a hereditary cause and can be in the same position all his life, without causing his owner any particular pain.

Danger and complications

An aneurysm of the carotid artery is an extremely dangerous phenomenon, provoking not only the rupture of the vascular wall, but also the formation of blood clots. Blood clots that are in the aneurysm for a long time can become a clear obstacle and carry danger.

Lack of treatment has a bad effect on a person’s condition, especially if the disease progresses by leaps and bounds. The advanced stage can attach other concomitant diseases that lead to complications and aggravate the situation, delay the moment of recovery.

Symptoms

Even the fact that the skin around the carotid artery is the least dense and most transparent does not give a chance for visual identification of the disease. It is also worth noting that for each person, the symptoms are individual and may depend on the level of immunity, endurance and pain threshold.

First signs

You need to pay attention to the state of your own health already when the first symptoms of an aneurysm of the carotid artery of the neck appear:

fast fatiguability;
pain in the inner part of the cervical region;
dizziness for no reason.

This can speak not only about aneurysm, but also about other disorders in the functioning of organs and systems.

Progression

When the disease is actively developing and aggravated, it is easier to recognize it due to such obvious symptoms:

ringing and noise in the ears for a long time, especially after sudden movements;
insomnia and a constant feeling of anxiety and restlessness;
a feeling of strong pulsation in the neck;
severe headaches that cannot be eliminated with simple painkillers.

Such symptoms should serve as a reason for an immediate visit to the doctor and set the person to search for the true cause of what is happening.

What to do in case of break?

It is not uncommon for an aneurysm in the process of untreated to thin the walls of the vessel so much that it cannot withstand blood pressure and breaks, spewing blood into the brain.

This is a rather dangerous and terrible phenomenon, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

paralysis of the whole body or individual parts;
violation of the speech apparatus, in which a person cannot clearly explain what happened to him;
acute pain in the eyes with subsequent visual impairment;
confusion;
bouts of lack of oxygen;
nausea and vomiting;
darkening of the skin of the neck.

How to prevent deterioration?

Frequent headaches, tinnitus, loss of consciousness are reasons for undergoing a complete diagnosis of the state of health. When an aneurysm of the carotid artery is detected, the treatment is performed by a phlebologist or a vascular surgeon.

In the absence of a planned medical examination and neglect of one's own health, which is characterized by the abuse of painkillers and vasodilators, there is a risk of transition to an acute stage, which in most cases leads to death.

Diagnostics

The external condition of the patient, which is characterized by a mixture of symptoms, says little about the presence of an aneurysm of the carotid artery. Much more information can be obtained through research on special computer simulation equipment:

MRI - magnetic resonance imaging allows you to get information about the presence of the disease, its form and stage, as well as make a prognosis and choose a treatment method.
CT - CT scan vessels has a smaller range of analysis, but has the highest accuracy.
ultrasonic dopplerography.

During a routine medical examination, you can notice an aneurysm on early stages and prevent its massive progression.

Treatment Methods

Depending on the location of the aneurysm and the age of the patient, the appropriate treatment is selected. Most often, aneurysm can only be repaired surgically. For this, two types of operations are used:

partial excision of the bag of the vessel;
prosthetics of especially large deformed areas.

In the first case, when there is open access to the aneurysm, it is cut out by two incisions, after which the carotid artery is sutured.

In the second case, if the aneurysm is of impressive size and affects more than 3-5 cm of the artery, they resort to implantation. To do this, the artery is clamped, connecting a person to artificial life support, the entire affected segment is removed, and rubber hoses imitating the carotid artery are implanted in its place.

This video shows the operation to remove the aneurysm and its prosthesis:

Forecasts and preventive measures

With early diagnosis, there is every chance that surgery can be avoided, but if this does not happen, complete excision of the aneurysm has a good prognosis for recovery. But you need to understand that forecasting also depends on age and general condition patient's health.

As a prophylaxis of an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery, it is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid prolonged sitting, and also give up bad habits to normalize all metabolic processes.

It is much easier to prevent an aneurysm than to treat it later. The carotid artery that feeds the brain may rupture due to thinning of its own walls, which leads to extensive hemorrhages. In this regard, it is recommended not to endure headache and tinnitus, but to look for the cause in a timely manner, giving preference to qualified specialists, rather than painkillers.

Many people are familiar with the feeling of pulsation in the head. Such a condition does not necessarily indicate pathology, it is possible and normal under certain conditions. Most often, the feeling of pulsation in healthy people is provoked by stress, strong emotions, physical overload, or a sudden change in the weather. In these cases, discomfort is short-lived and goes away on its own.

At the same time, pulsation accompanies atherosclerosis, autonomic dysfunction and many other diseases, bringing the patient a lot of discomfort and unrest. It can be considered an alarming symptom, since without an examination it is impossible to say what exactly it is caused by and whether it really does not indicate pathology. The reason is relatively harmless - autonomic dysfunction (VSD), for example, or very serious - a tumor, aneurysm.

Pulsation in the head can occur with panic attacks, it occurs in its various areas - the temples, the back of the head, in one half. Pathological pulsation can be long, repeated many times, and this is exactly the case when you should go to a doctor - a neurologist or therapist.

A pulsation of the cervical vessels is also possible, which may be physiological or associated with heart defects, arrhythmia, arterial hypertension. In this case, an examination is also necessary to exclude the pathological nature of the pulsation.

Causes of pulsation of the vessels of the head

Pulsation in the head accompanies such diseases as:

Autonomic dysfunction ( ;
Degenerative changes in the cervical spine - instability, congenital developmental features;
Vascular wall lesions - vasculitis;
and neck;
ENT pathology;
Glaucoma, incorrectly selected glasses;
Transferred ;
Neuroses, neurasthenia and other psychiatric problems.

Arterial hypertension is one of the most common causes of pulsation in the head. This disease is also very common among people of mature and old age, for whom throbbing in the head is a well-known symptom.

Autonomic dysfunction is common among young adults, children, and adolescents. More often, females suffer from a violation, while the regulation of vascular tone by the autonomic nervous system is disrupted, resulting in fluctuations in systolic pressure, pulse, and it is quite possible that a pulsating feeling even in the throat occurs.

Currently answering questions: A. Olesya Valerievna, candidate of medical sciences, lecturer at a medical university

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