How to Handle Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Dysplasia connotes an abnormal growth or development of the cells. The disease called fibromuscular dysplasia means one or more arteries of the body have walls that are narrowing. This condition, which is called stenosis, occurs as a direct result of an abnormal development of the cells inside the blood vessels.

When this narrowing of the arteries causes decreased blood flow, several symptoms may show. But there are a number of cases wherein people with fibromuscular dysplasia do not show any symptoms at all. This could even mean that any of their physical examination will not demonstrate any signs of the problem. And more often than not, the discovery of the disease happens only by accident through some radiology scans intended for diagnosing other diseases.

Fibromuscular dysplasia commonly occurs in the renal arteries, the ones that supply blood to the kidneys. About 75% of the patients diagnosed contracted the disease on these parts. The second most common organ affected by fibromuscular dysplasia is the brain. Such condition is called carotid fibromuscular dysplasia.

The real cause of fibromuscular dysplasia is still being studied. To date, a lot of theories have been formulated. One factor being considered is genetics. Also, it is observed that this disease is more common in women than it is in men. And of the number of diagnosed women, majority of them are on their premenopausal stages, which means their ages are between 25-50 years old.

The most feasible determined cause of fibromuscular dysplasia is the abnormal development of the arteries in the body, especially on those that are supplying the vessel wall with blood. And it usually happens because there is not enough oxygen supply in the blood being sent to them. It may also arise due to the irregular positioning of the artery, as a side effect of certain drugs, as well as the effects of tobacco.

The signs of fibromuscular dysplasia usually depend as to what organ it had affected. As stated earlier, it is more frequent on the renal artery. And so, pain would be felt in that area. On worst cases, kidney failure would happen. And all the things associated with the kidney starting to fail, including high blood pressure, are going to be observed in patients.
Other symptoms may also include dizziness, temporary loss of vision, tinnitus, vertigo, neck pain, and chronic headaches. However, these symptoms are usually associated with carotid fibromuscular dysplasia. The carotid artery is the one situated in the neck that supplies blood to the brain.

Fibromuscular dysplasia may be diagnosed through CT scan, MRI, angiogram, and ultrasound. And it goes without saying that these are professional diagnostic methods. And that means regular consultation with your physician is necessary before any of these methods are performed.

To date, there is still no known total cure for fibromuscular dysplasia. What medications do is to improve the blood flow through the arteries and the vessel. And the kind of treatment prescribed for fibromuscular dysplasia will depend entirely as to what particular artery is involved.

The procedure called percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or PTA is the most preferred method of treatment. This is usually performed together with an arteriogram. Arteriogram is the procedure wherein a wire is inserted into the affected artery. A dye detectable by an x-ray machine is injected through it.

Once the affected area is seen and examined, PTA can now be conducted. To carry out PTA, a catheter is extended the affected artery. And then it is inflated so that the blood vessel becomes stretched. With that, blood will be able to flow more freely into the vital organs.

As for medicinal therapy, antiplatelet agents are usually given to patients with fibromuscular dysplasia. The most popular example of an antiplatelet agent is aspirin. Generally, it has to be taken at least once in a day. And to make the drug and the medications more effective, doctors would advise that tobacco smoking has to be stopped totally.