A rare cerebrovascular condition (meaning that it impacts blood vessels in the brain), moyamoya disease impedes the flow of oxygen and blood. Along with surgical procedures, doctors can also prescribe certain medications to manage the condition and prevent worsening health effects.
Moyamoya disease causes narrowing of one or both carotid arteries, but it can also affect other arteries in the brain. While the brain will create new blood vessels to ensure the proper flow of oxygen and blood, their small size can lead to many health problems. As a result, moyamoya disease is linked to symptoms like:
Moyamoya disease can also impact a person’s cognitive function, cause issues with sensation, and result in involuntary body movements.
In addition to bypass surgery to address the continued blood vessel narrowing that accompanies moyamoya disease, doctors may also prescribe certain medications:
While beneficial in terms of treatment, medications used to address the health effects of moyamoya disease can cause poor health effects of their own. For instance, calcium channel blockers can also increase a person’s risk of stroke in some cases. Your doctor can explain the different medication options and their risks to help you find a suitable treatment.