Definition

Cerebral vascular insufficiency refers to decreased blood supply to the brain. It is extremely common among the elderly in developed countries due to the high prevalence of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The arteries affected in most cases are the carotid arteries—one on each side of the neck, running parallel to the jugular vein—which are the main arteries that supply blood to the brain.

Typically, the problem develops at the carotid bifucration—the splitting of the carotid artery into the internal (supplying the brain) and external (supplying the face and and scalp) branches. This bifurcation is similar to a stream splitting into two branches, and just as in a stream, debris and sediment can accumulate at the split. Significant symptoms begin to appear in most cases only when the blockage of the artery has reached 90 percent.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of cerebral vascular insufficiency are caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. Severe disruption of blood and oxygen supply results in a stroke. The official definition of a stroke is loss of nerve function for at least twenty-four hours due to lack of oxygen. Some strokes are quite mild; otherscan leave a person paralyzed, in a coma, or unable to talk, depending on which part of the brain is affected. Smaller ministrokes, or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), may result in loss of nerve function for an hour or more, but less than twenty-four hours. TIAs may produce transient symptoms of cerebral vascular insufficiency: dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, and confusion.

Causes

In most cases, erebral vascular insufficiency is a consequence of atherosclerosis.

Natural Medicines¹

Ginkgo Biloba

¹The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines, Michael Murray N.D., 2002