Pelvic ganglioneuritis is inflammation in the nerve trunks. The disease develops both in acute and chronic form. Everything will depend on which nerve node was affected.
The disease manifests itself in severe and constant pain and sensitivity is impaired. You need to know how pelvic ganglioneuritis manifests symptoms. Treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor. In order to identify the disease, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis.
Pelvic ganglioneuritis - what is it?
The symptoms of this disease are very diverse, but the main ones are considered to be pronounced, incessant pain and disruption of normal sensitivity.
An accurate diagnosis can be determined based on specific symptoms, but a number of instrumental studies are required to carry out differential diagnosis.
In order to suspect and identify pathology in time, you should know its clinical features. Pelvic ganglioneuritis is always quite severe, but it has several symptoms, in the presence of which the disease can be quickly detected. If such signs are identified, it is very important to immediately consult a doctor to select appropriate therapy.
To treat the disease, conservative methods are most often used, but if they are ineffective, the patient is prescribed surgical intervention.
In the international classification of pathologies ICD-10, pelvic ganglioneuritis does not have its own designation. This disease belongs to the class of neuralgia, which is why some of its types can be found under codes B00-B99.
Complications of the disease
The disease has a number of serious complications that can occur if the pathology is not treated on time. Some consequences occur due to incorrect treatment. You need to know that first of all, a specialist will refer you for a comprehensive examination and only then make a diagnosis.
The following complications exist:
- constant burning sensation in the place where the ganglion is damaged;
- encephalitis;
- muscle weakness;
- herpes affects the spinal cord;
- inflammation of the reproductive system in females;
- Guillain-Barre syndrome.
It is best to avoid such complications. If it turns out that the pathology has been neglected, then all that remains is for the doctor to select an effective treatment for ganglionitis in order to cure the consequences. In fact, the therapy itself is difficult and takes a lot of time. The patient constantly feels how quickly he gets tired and his ability to work decreases. To ensure that the consequences do not reappear, you need to regularly visit your doctor.
Pathogenesis
According to reviews, pelvic ganglioneuritis usually develops against the background of some infectious process in the body. So, the source of the disease can be:
- angina;
- measles;
- flu;
- dysentery;
- rheumatism;
- tuberculosis;
- sepsis;
- scarlet fever;
- diphtheria;
- syphilis;
- oophoritis;
- adnexitis;
- prostatitis.
Among other things, pelvic ganglioneuritis can be of a herpetic nature, that is, appear against the background of the spread of the herpes virus in the peripheral nervous system.
Much less commonly, this disease can result from the toxic effects of toxic elements or potent medications, as well as the progression of cancer.
Main reasons
The main cause of pelvic ganglioneuritis in acute and chronic forms is various infections. These can be streptococci, staphylococci, herpes, as well as other pathogens.
First of all, damage to the nearest nerve endings occurs. Ganglioneuritis is postherpetic, as it can be caused by the herpes virus.
There are the following reasons for the development of the disease:
- hypothermia;
- physical and emotional stress;
- constant stressful situations;
- abuse of alcoholic beverages and cigarette products;
- surgery that was performed close to the nerve ganglion;
- HIV infections;
- decreased immunity.
It happens that ganglioneuritis of the celiac trunk occurs due to toxic or drug poisoning. The disease can occur in rare cases against the background of various tumors, so you need to monitor your condition and lead a healthy lifestyle. Give up bad habits and alternate rest with physical activity.
Symptoms of the disease
Treatment of pelvic ganglioneuritis begins, as a rule, with eliminating its manifestations that cause discomfort to the patient. Typically, conservative methods are used for this. First of all, the patient is prescribed appropriate medications. For example, if a person is experiencing severe pain, he is prescribed suitable analgesics; in case of loss of sensitivity, physiotherapeutic procedures and immunomodulators are prescribed. That is why doctors say that treatment and symptoms of pelvic ganglioneuritis are interrelated.
The main signs of the disease by which it can be identified include:
- pronounced pulsating, burning, aching pain;
- impaired sensitivity in the coccyx area;
- insomnia;
- emotional instability;
- severe pain during intimacy;
- abnormalities of the menstrual cycle.
It is noteworthy that pain, considered the main symptom of pelvic ganglioneuritis, does not increase with mobility. But it worsens during sudden changes in weather, during stressful situations and during meals.
As for sensitivity, with such a disease it can be either decreased or increased.
Diagnostics
A qualified neurologist will be able to identify pelvic ganglioneuritis based on clinical manifestations. However, to carry out differential diagnosis, instrumental studies are necessary, before which the doctor must:
- carefully study the history of the disease and the person’s lifestyle to detect the original cause;
- perform a physical examination;
- conduct a detailed survey to determine the severity of existing signs and the time of occurrence of the problem.
Laboratory tests of stool, urine and blood if pelvic ganglioneuritis is suspected are simply meaningless, since they do not carry any diagnostic value.
Instead, the following instrumental examinations may be needed:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
- CT;
- MRI;
- electromyography;
- X-ray of the spine.
Causes of ganglionitis:
- injuries of various types and locations;
- intoxication lesions of the body in severe form under the influence of factors of toxic, narcotic, alcoholic and medicinal origin;
- abuse of corticosteroid therapy;
- the occurrence of neoplasms of a benign or malignant nature;
- inflammatory changes in the tissues of the female genital organs;
- osteochondrosis, radiculitis;
- manifestations of hepatitis;
- chronic rhinitis, susceptibility to sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis or otitis media;
- disruptions in metabolic processes.
In some cases, ganglionitis becomes a consequence of weather and climatic factors, nervous system disorders, and mental disorders.
Therapy
It’s worth saying right away that only comprehensive treatment can be effective. Taking into account the severity and frequency of the pain syndrome, the nature of the rashes and other external signs, as well as the presence of all sorts of complications, the patient is prescribed ganglion blockers, vaccines against the herpes virus, novocaine blockades, drugs aimed at maintaining a normal level of water-salt balance, and all kinds of antiviral medications. Among other things, the patient is prescribed symptomatic and pathogenetic therapy. Physiotherapeutic procedures are no less important. Only by adhering to all the instructions of the neurologist can you count on a positive outcome of the disease.
Several effective methods are used to treat pelvic ganglioneuritis:
- drug therapy;
- surgical intervention;
- physiotherapeutic procedures.
Features of manifestation
The inflammatory focus can be localized in different zones, and therefore the pathology can be associated with damage to the pterygopalatine, geniculate or ciliary ganglion. No less common is a disorder associated with pathological changes in the ear, submandibular, sublingual, trigeminal, upper cervical and stellate nodes. Taking into account the cause that provokes the development of the disease, ganglionitis is distinguished as herpetic, intoxicating, traumatic, infectious or tumor in nature.
What drugs are effective
With this disease, doctors usually prescribe to their patients:
- vitamin complexes - “Vitrum osteomag”, “Kalcemin Advance”, “Calcium D3-nycomed”, “Neuromultivit”, “Unigamma”, “Vitaxon”, “Pentovit”, “Neurorubin”;
- antidepressants and sedatives - Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Escitalopram, Paroxetine, Fluvoxamine;
- ganglion blockers - “Gigronium”, “Benzogixonium”, “Imekhin”, “Dimecolin”, “Quateron”, “Pentamin”, “Camphonium”, “Temekhin”, “Pahikarpin”, “Pirilene”;
- antispasmodics - “Piren”, “Ipravent”, “Platifillin”, “No-spasm”, “Buscopan”, “Oxyvent”, “Midriacyl”, “Midrum”, “Detrusitol”;
- neuroleptics - Fluanxol, Levomepromazine, Abilify, Quetiapine, Molindone, Triftazine;
- anticholinergics - “Besalol”, “Atrovent”, “Atropine sulfate”, “Bellalgin”, “Atropine”, “Bellasthesin”, “Becarbon”;
- antihistamines - Rupatadine, Azelastine, Cetirizine, Astemizole, Akrivastine, Bilastine, Loratadine, Levocabastine;
- analgesics - “Ibuklin”, “Tempalgin”, “Ibuprofen”, “Ketanov”, “Naproxen”, “Pentalgin”, “Baralgin”, “Caffetin”, “Ketorol”;
- antiviral and antibacterial agents - “Imupret”, “Influcid”, “Lavomax”, “Neovir”, “Derinat”, “Poludan”, “Remantadin”, “Engistol”;
- immunomodulators - “Likopid”, “Intron A”, “Reaferon”, “Amiksin”, “Savrats”, “Immunofan”;
- calcium chloride and calcium gluconate.
In addition, modern medicine offers special virostatics for the treatment of the herpetic form of pelvic ganglioneuritis - Famciclovir and Brivudine. Today these drugs are considered very popular.
In acute forms of the disease, patients are additionally prescribed corticosteroids.
Second stage of treatment
In combination with selected drugs, a good effect can be achieved with the help of physiotherapeutic measures. The following procedures are considered the most effective:
- Ural Federal District;
- rad baths;
- ultrasound;
- mud applications;
- drug electrophoresis;
- diadynamic therapy;
- magnetotherapy.
If conservative methods do not bring the desired effect, the patient is prescribed a sympathectomy - a procedure in which the damaged sympathetic nerve ganglion is excised. Typically, surgery is performed using minimally invasive techniques:
- laparoscopically;
- thoracoscopically.
In general, the duration of treatment and its success depend on the timeliness of contacting a specialist, the accuracy of the diagnosis and the quality of the therapy itself.
Treatment
Treatment of ganglioneuritis depends on the type of pathology. As a rule, drug therapy, physiotherapy, and surgery are used. Treatment for ganglionitis can only be prescribed when an accurate diagnosis is made.
For herpetic ganglioneuritis, antiviral drugs are prescribed such as: Acyclovir, Zovirax. If the disease is caused by an infection, then it is already necessary to use the antibiotics Cefotaxime, Azithromycin. In addition, the specialist prescribes certain medications to treat various types of illness.
The following drugs are used:
- Analgesics Ketonal and Ibuprofen are needed to relieve pain;
- Ganglioblakators Pentamin, Benzohexonium help to reduce the activity of the nervous system;
- Chonolytics Atropine, Cyclodol;
- Antihistamines Cetrin, Tavegil are used to reduce allergic reactions;
- Neuroleptics such as: Pirecetam, Actovegin;
- Antispasmodics Drotaverine, Spazmalgon eliminate spasms.
If analgesics do not provide any benefit, the doctor may use novocaine to relieve pain. Surgery to remove the ganglion is prescribed if medications do not bring any effect. In case of illness, physical therapy gives a positive result.
If inflammation of the ganglion occurs, then exposure to ultraviolet light helps. This procedure has a huge number of different therapeutic effects. Electrophoresis is more often used to treat the disease. Radon baths are effective; they are beneficial and damaged tissues can be quickly restored.
Mud applications have a bactericidal property and when treating ganglionitis, bioactive substances accumulate in the body. It is important to start treatment on time because the patient’s further condition will depend on this. If the pathology is neglected, there may be irreversible consequences. In order to avoid this, you must consult a doctor at the first sign. There is also celiac ganglioneuritis.
Alternative medicine
In fact, treating the symptoms of pelvic ganglioneuritis with folk remedies is not the best solution. All doctors unanimously speak about the dangers of such therapy. Indeed, in reality, it is not capable of completely eliminating the pathology, but only temporarily dulling the external manifestations of the disease. At the same time, the original cause of the disease will remain unidentified, which is why it may soon remind itself. Of course, after such therapy the risk of relapse is extremely high. But for those who, for some reason, simply cannot see a doctor, treatment of pelvic ganglioneuritis with folk remedies can really be useful. But it is worth noting once again that such therapy is not able to completely rid a person of the problem.
Fans of traditional medicine consider willow decoction to be a very effective remedy. It is recommended to take one tablespoon 4 times during the day before meals. To make the medicine you need:
- Pour 10 g of crushed tree bark into 200 ml of hot water;
- cook the product over low heat for 20 minutes;
- strain the prepared broth through several layers of gauze;
- After the infusion has cooled, you can drink it.
Another folk remedy that effectively treats the symptoms of pelvic ganglioneuritis is an ointment made from glycerin and iodine. This medicine must be used every day for a month. To prepare you need:
- mix iodine and glycerin in equal proportions, placing the components in a convenient bottle;
- Shake the bottle thoroughly, soak a cotton pad in the resulting solution;
- Gently lubricate the areas where the pain is localized.
Prognosis and prevention
Measures aimed at preventing the appearance and development of ganglioneuritis can be primary and secondary. The former are necessary to prevent the occurrence of the disease. These include:
- maintaining an active healthy lifestyle;
- systematically undergoing preventive examinations by doctors of various profiles;
- timely treatment of infectious pathologies.
Secondary prevention involves preventing relapses of ganglioneuritis after a course of treatment. Such measures involve systematic visits to a neurologist and physiotherapeutic procedures.
The further prognosis for pelvic ganglioneuritis is mostly favorable, however, provided that the treatment is started on time and competently. But in some situations, patients complain of pain and impaired sensitivity for several years after the course of treatment. Therapy often takes a lot of time, and the ability to work of people diagnosed with “pelvic ganglioneuritis” is significantly reduced. But be that as it may, with timely and correct treatment, most patients successfully get rid of the pathology and lead a full life.
Preventive measures
First of all, it is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. Avoid fatty, salty, smoked and fried foods. Do not drink alcoholic beverages and stop smoking. Lead an active lifestyle, but don’t overexert yourself. Avoid stressful situations and try to spend more time outdoors. Swimming helps strengthen all muscles.
If infectious diseases appear, then begin to treat them in time. A medical examination is performed every year, this will help to avoid various diseases. Exercising every morning will help strengthen your immune system. You need to sleep at least eight hours a day. If you follow all the recommendations, this will help prevent the disease in the future.
Also read about facial, vestibular or ulnar neuritis.
Treatment of ganglionitis should only be prescribed by the attending physician; self-medication is not recommended. The symptoms should never be ignored because the disease has a number of serious consequences. The specialist first sends you for a full examination in order to make a correct diagnosis. If treatment for ganglionitis is prescribed in a timely manner, the patient has a great chance of getting rid of it completely. Treatment of pathology does not occur as quickly as we would like; this will require enough time.
