What are cerebral circulation disorders?

The proper blood supply to the brain is essential for human life. The brain’s circulation requires approximately 750-800 milliliters of blood per minute, which represents 15-20% of the total circulating blood. The brain is extremely sensitive to interruptions in blood supply; if this supply completely stops, severe disturbances in brain function can occur within five seconds. If the blood supply is interrupted for more than three minutes, it generally leads to permanent damage, while interruptions lasting longer than six minutes can result in irreversible brain damage, also known as brain death.

Blood Supply to the Brain

The brain’s blood supply is realized through bilateral carotid arteries and vertebral arteries, which form an arterial ring at the base of the brain. This circle of Willis ensures that if one or more major vessels become narrowed, cerebral blood flow remains adequate. Slow, asymptomatic occlusions can also develop; however, sudden occlusions cause immediate symptoms.

Common Causes of Cerebral Circulatory Disorders

The aim of this article is to present the most common causes of cerebral circulatory disorders and to highlight how certain conditions, such as fluctuations in blood sugar or blood pressure, as well as various diseases, affect brain function.

Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, is a particularly dangerous condition, as the brain’s main energy source is glucose circulating in the blood. When blood sugar levels drop, the brain cannot function properly, leading to confusion, strange behavior, and sometimes temporary paralysis or speech disorders. In more severe forms of hypoglycemia, epileptic seizures may also occur. It is important to emphasize that frequent or prolonged low blood sugar can cause permanent brain damage.

Conversely, high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can also cause problems. The accumulation of toxins in the blood and the shrinkage of cells can impair brain function, leading to disturbances as well.

Fluctuations in Blood Pressure

Maintaining proper blood pressure is vital for healthy blood supply to the brain. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can occur for various reasons and can lead to impaired blood supply to the brain. Mild cases may experience dizziness and weakness, while more severe cases can result in loss of consciousness.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is also a significant risk factor for cerebral circulatory disorders. Neglected high blood pressure often leads to severe long-term symptoms, such as dizziness and headaches. A hypertensive crisis, which is very rare, can present with severe symptoms such as confusion and seizures.

Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Level Abnormalities

Adequate oxygen levels are essential for the functioning of the human body. Oxygen deficiency, or hypoxia, can particularly cause disturbances in brain function. Early signs of hypoxia include dizziness and a feeling of uncertainty. In more severe cases, confusion, aggressive behavior, or even more severe symptoms such as speech disorders and loss of consciousness may occur. High carbon dioxide levels, or hypercapnia, can also cause problems, especially in lung diseases, which can exacerbate confusion and coma.

Infections and Feverish States

Fever and severe infections affect the entire body, including cerebral circulation. The elderly and those suffering from cardiovascular diseases are particularly at risk. Fever can cause strange behavior and confusion, but other neurological symptoms may also arise. If high fever is accompanied by headaches, there may be suspicion of meningitis, which requires urgent medical intervention.

Kidney and Liver Diseases

The kidneys play an important role in removing toxins, so disturbances in kidney function, such as chronic kidney disease, can also cause dysfunction in the brain. Inadequate fluid intake, fever, or dehydration can impair kidney circulation, leading to confusion.

Liver diseases, especially severe forms, can also lead to confusion and seizures. As a result of metabolic accumulation, the liver’s excretory function may be impaired, and blood ammonia levels may rise, which also leads to disturbances in brain function.

Ion Disturbances

Ion disturbances, such as deviations in sodium and potassium levels, also affect brain function. Low sodium levels can cause confusion and weakness, while low potassium levels can lead to fatigue and muscle weakness. High sodium or potassium levels may result in more severe symptoms, such as loss of consciousness and arrhythmias.

In summary, while the above conditions affect brain function, the root of the problems lies in the functioning of the entire body, and the neurological symptoms are merely consequences.