Frequent dizziness, tinnitus, flies in front of the eyes, a feeling of heaviness in the back of the head are caused not only by fatigue.
Often they are provoked by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine. Headache with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a typical manifestation of this disease. It is impossible to get rid of them in the long run without affecting the cause.
Mechanisms of disease development
Deterioration of intervertebral cartilage and bone tissue in the cervical spine causes clinical symptoms already at an early stage. The proliferation and transplantation of vertebral fragments inevitably results in impaired blood flow, inadequate preservation and nutrition of brain structures. The causes of spinal deformities in the neck area are:
- congenital disorders of bone tissue structure;
- physical injury;
- incorrect posture;
- hypodynamia;
- obesity;
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar or thoracic region.
In almost half of the cases, the pathology is found in middle and young people, more often in women. Its development is facilitated by prolonged incorrect head position during sleep, sitting at a desk, during telephone conversations, and traveling on the go. The progression of osteochondrosis is accelerated by the habit of sleeping on high pillows. The mobility of this part of the body, the smaller size of the vertebrae when compared to other parts, the location of a large number of large ducts and nerve trunks, determine the onset of early symptoms. Pain syndrome is the main one.
Fragments of the collapsed disc and altered vertebrae compress the vertebral arteries and the surrounding nerve plexuses. Prolonged compression causes narrowing of the vascular lumen, smoothing blood flow, and decreased oxygen supply to tissues. Malnutrition, hypoxia and cerebral ischemia are further exacerbated by nerve trunk compression by osteophytes - radiculopathy.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In most cases, headaches and other pathological symptoms are secondary or vertebrogenic - they are caused by pathological processes not in the brain, but in the nearby spine.
- Reflex cephalalgia - a dull pain. It occurs when the first three vertebrae are affected. It begins at the top of the neck, extends to the occipital and parietal parts, then covers the temples and forehead. More often it is unilateral, resembling a classic migraine. Lasts from half an hour to several days, increased by tilting or turning the head, active physical action.
- If osteochondrosis affects the fourth and fifth vertebrae, cervicobrachialgia develops. The danger lies in its resemblance to a heart attack. The pain is unilateral, sharp, burning, covering the neck, shoulders and radiating under the scapula, in the hypochondrium, sometimes in the forearms and hands.
- Myofascial dysfunction causes so -called cervical migraines. The throbbing or pressing pain from the side of the neck spreads to one side, covering the occiput, crown, temples and up to the superciliary arch.
In severe cases, additional symptoms are observed: photophobia, redness of the eyes, nausea, physical weakness.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can provoke various types of vegetative-vascular dystonia:- with frequent headaches;
- violations of thermoregulation, intracranial pressure, respiration;
- spasmodic changes in mood.
With significant pinching of the spinal nerves, speech disorders, numbness of the tongue, loss of sensitivity of the fingers occur. A person becomes like intoxicated or under the influence of psychotropic drugs: he utters words vaguely, does not immediately respond to his own appeals. In further cases, inadequate tissue nutrition and disruption of blood supply result in a persistent increase in intracranial pressure, decreased vision and hearing.
Diagnostics
With poor health complaints in the event of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is necessary to contact a neurologist. During the examination, the doctor determines the origin of the pain. For this purpose, he uses the following method:
- pressing with the fingers on the part of the cervical vertebrae in places where the nerve roots protrude: the emerging pain reaction indicates cephalalgia;
- pressing on points near the protrusion of the bone below the lower edge of the ear: a painful attack afterwards clearly indicates the development of cervical migraine due to mechanical compression.
For an accurate diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, a number of instrumental studies are prescribed. Radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography remain the mainstays. With their help, pathological changes that occur in the structure of bone, cartilage and soft tissues are imagined.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Medications are designed to relieve symptoms, restore normal blood circulation, and biomechanics the entire cervical spine.
- For pain relief, NSAIDs, analgesics, muscle relaxants and antispasmodics are used.
- Reducing vegetative manifestations, increasing venous outflow and preventing edema in the affected area helps vasodilators - vasodilator drugs.
- Products containing B vitamins and magnesium help improve the nutrition of nerve tissue cells and reduce adverse symptoms.
- At the same time, patients are recommended drugs to regulate blood pressure, correction of heart rate.
- Many patients are shown sedatives, antidepressants, sedatives.
Depending on the severity of the condition, the course of treatment is short or long. Painkillers are used once or for several days. Means that normalize blood flow and vitamins - within 2-3 months. To maintain the effect of the drug, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- electrophoresis;
- balneotherapy;
- darsonvalization;
- collar massage;
- needles and reflexology.
In the event of an exacerbation, the application of a therapeutic bandage that supports the cervical muscles is indicated.
If there is no improvement in osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercise helps stop and prevent VSD symptoms. Gymnastics helps strengthen the neck muscles, relieve cramps, increase the elasticity of the ducts and ligament apparatus in the vertebral joints. Exercises include movements to stretch soft tissues: deep head tilt, rotation, rotation.
Patients with osteochondrosis, which is complicated by VSD, should arrange bedding carefully. You just need to rest on orthopedic mattresses and pillows, don’t drink a lot of fluids at night to avoid edema. It is important to avoid work and hobbies associated with unfavorable position of the cervical vertebrae: throwing back or low head tilt.