Frequent dizziness, tinnitus, flies before the eyes, a feeling of heaviness in the back of the neck are caused not only by tiredness.
They are often caused by degenerative dystrophic changes in the spine. Headaches with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are a typical manifestation of the disease. It is impossible to get rid of them for a long time without affecting the root cause.
The mechanism of disease development
Degeneration of intervertebral cartilage and bone tissue in the cervical spine causes clinical symptoms in the early stages. The proliferation and displacement of vertebral fragments inevitably leads to impaired blood flow, innervation and insufficient nutrition of brain structures. The causes of spinal deformity in the neck region are:
- congenital disorders of bone tissue structure;
- physical injury;
- inadequate posture;
- hypodynamics;
- obesity;
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar or thoracic regions.
In almost half of the cases, the pathology is found in middle-aged and young people, more often in women. Its development is facilitated by the prolonged incorrect position of the head during sleep, sitting at the table, during telephone conversations and in transport journeys. The progress of osteochondrosis is accelerated by the habit of sleeping on tall pillows. The mobility of this part of the body, the smaller size of the vertebrae compared to other parts, the location of a large number of large vessels and nerve trunks determine the early onset of symptoms. Pain syndrome is the main one.
Collapsing disc fragments and altered vertebrae compress the vertebral artery and the surrounding nerve plexuses. Prolonged compression causes a narrowing of the vascular lumen, slowing blood flow and decreasing the oxygen supply to tissues. Malnutrition, hypoxia and subsequent cerebral ischemia are aggravated by the compression of nerve trunks by osteophytes - radiculopathy.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In most cases, headaches and other pathological symptoms are secondary or vertebrogenic in nature - they are caused by pathological processes not in the brain, but in the adjacent spine.
- Reflex headache - boring pain. It occurs when the first three vertebrae are affected. It starts at the top of the neck, extending to the occipital and parietal part and then covers the temples and forehead. Most often, it is one-sided, resembling a classic migraine. It lasts from half an hour to several days, it increases with the inclination or rotation of the head, active physical actions.
- If osteochondrosis affects the fourth and fifth vertebrae, cervicobrachialgia will develop. Its danger lies in the resemblance to a heart attack. The pain is unilateral, acute, burning, covers the neck, shoulder and radiates under the scapula, in the hypochondrium, sometimes in the forearm and in the hand.
- Myofascial dysfunction causes what is called cervical migraine. The pulsating or pressing pain on the side of the neck spreads along one side, covering part of the occiput, crown, temple and reaching the superciliary arches.
In severe cases, additional symptoms are observed: photophobia, redness of the eyes, nausea, physical weakness.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause several types of vegetative-vascular dystonia:- with frequent headaches;
- disturbances of thermoregulation, intracranial pressure, breath;
- spasmodic changes in mood.
With significant compression of the spinal nerves, speech disorders, numbness of the tongue and loss of sensation of the fingers occur. A person is like a drunk or under the influence of psychotropic drugs: he speaks words indistinctly, does not immediately respond to an appeal to himself. In advanced cases, insufficient tissue nutrition and impaired blood supply lead to a persistent increase in intracranial pressure, decreased vision and hearing.
Diagnosis
With complaints of health problems in case of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is necessary to contact a neurologist. During the examination, the doctor determines the source of the pain. To do so, it uses the following methods:
- presses the area of the cervical vertebrae with the fingers at the places where the nerve roots protrude: the emergent pain reaction indicates headache;
- presses points close to the bony protrusions under the lower edges of the ears: a painful attack after that clearly signals the development of a cervical migraine as a result of mechanical compression.
For an accurate diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, several instrumental studies are prescribed. Radiography, magnetic resonance and computed tomography continue to be the main ones. With their help, pathological changes in bone structure, cartilage and soft tissues are visualized.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The medications are designed to eliminate symptoms, restore normal blood circulation and the biomechanics of the entire cervical spine.
- To relieve pain, NSAIDs, analgesics, muscle relaxants and antispasmodics are used.
- Reducing vegetative manifestations, improving venous flow and preventing edema in the affected area help vasodilators - vasodilator drugs.
- Products containing B vitamins and magnesium help to improve nerve tissue cell nutrition and reduce adverse symptoms.
- At the same time, patients are recommended medications for the regulation of blood pressure, correction of heart rate.
- Many patients receive tranquilizers, 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. It means that normalizes blood flow and vitamins - in courses of 2 to 3 months. To maintain the effect of the medications, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- electrophoresis;
- balneotherapy;
- darsonvalization;
- collar massage;
- needle and reflexology.
In case of exacerbations, the use of therapeutic dressings to support the cervical musculature is indicated.
In the absence of an exacerbation of osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercises help to stop and prevent the symptoms of VSD. Gymnastics helps to strengthen the neck muscles, relieves spasms, improves the elasticity of the vessels and the ligamentous apparatus of the vertebral joints. Exercises include soft tissue stretching movements: deep inclinations of the head, turns, rotations.
Patients with osteochondrosis, complicated by IVC, should carefully arrange a place to sleep. It is necessary to rest only on an orthopedic mattress and pillow, not to drink too much liquid at night to avoid edema. It is necessary to avoid work and hobbies associated with the unfavorable position of the cervical vertebrae: backward projection or low inclination of the head.