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.
They are often provoked by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine. Headache with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is 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 the intervertebral cartilage and bone tissue in the cervical spine causes clinical symptoms in the early stages. The growth and displacement of spinal fragments inevitably leads to impaired blood flow, innervation and malnutrition of brain structures. The causes of spinal deformity in the neck are:
- congenital disorders of bone structure;
- physical injury;
- improper posture;
- hypodynamia;
- obesity;
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar or thoracic region.
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 prolonged incorrect position of the head during sleep, sitting at a desk, during telephone conversations and traveling in transport. 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 compared to other parts, the location of a large number of large vessels and nerve trunks, determine the early onset of symptoms. The pain syndrome is the main one.
Fragments of collapsing discs and altered vertebrae compress the vertebral artery and the nerve plexuses around it. Prolonged compression provokes narrowing of the vascular lumen, slowing blood flow and reducing the supply of oxygen to the tissues. Malnutrition, hypoxia and subsequent cerebral ischemia are exacerbated by compression of the nerve trunks by osteophytes - radiculopathy.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In most cases, headache and other symptoms of pathology are of secondary or vertebrogenic nature - they are caused by pathological processes not in the brain but in the adjacent spine.
- Reflex cephalalgia - dull pain. This happens when the first three vertebrae are affected. It starts in the upper part of the neck, extending to the back and parietal part, then covers the temples and forehead. It is more often unilateral, resembling a classic migraine. Lasts from half an hour to several days, increases with tilting or turning the head, active physical activity.
- If osteochondrosis affects the fourth and fifth vertebrae, cervicobrachialgia develops. Its danger lies in the resemblance to a heart attack. The pain is unilateral, sharp, burning, covers the neck, shoulder and radiates under the shoulder blade, in the lower ribs, sometimes in the forearm and arm.
- Myofascial dysfunction causes so-called cervical migraine. Pulsating or pressing pain on the side of the neck spreads to one side, covering part of the nape, crown, temple and reaches the adrenal arches.
In severe cases, additional symptoms are observed: photophobia, redness of the eyes, nausea, physical weakness.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can provoke different types of vegetative-vascular dystonia:- with frequent headaches;
- disorders of thermoregulation, intracranial pressure, respiration;
- spasmodic mood swings.
With a significant pinching of the spinal nerves, speech disorders, numbness of the tongue, loss of sensitivity of the fingers occur. A person becomes drunk or under the influence of psychotropic drugs: he speaks words incomprehensibly, does not respond immediately to a call to himself. In advanced cases, insufficient tissue nutrition and impaired blood supply lead to a permanent increase in intracranial pressure, decreased vision and hearing.
Diagnosis
In case of complaints of poor health in case of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is necessary to contact a neurologist. During the examination, the doctor determines the origin of the pain. To this end, he uses the following methods:
- presses with fingers the area of the cervical vertebrae in those places where the nerve roots protrude: the emerging reaction of pain indicates cephalalgia;
- presses points near the bony protrusions below the lower edges of the ears: a painful attack then clearly signals the development of cervical migraine as a result of mechanical compression.
A number of instrumental tests are prescribed for an accurate diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis. Radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography remain the leaders. With their help, the pathological changes that have occurred in the structure of the bones, cartilage and soft tissues are visualized.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The drugs are designed to eliminate the symptoms, restore normal blood circulation and biomechanics of the entire cervical spine.
- NSAIDs, analgesics, muscle relaxants and antispasmodics are used to relieve pain.
- Reducing vegetative manifestations, improving venous outflow and preventing swelling in the affected area help vasodilators - vasodilator drugs.
- Products containing B vitamins and magnesium help to improve the nutrition of nerve tissue cells and reduce adverse symptoms.
- At the same time, patients are recommended drugs to regulate blood pressure, correct heart rate.
- Many patients are shown tranquilizers, antidepressants, sedatives.
Depending on the severity of the condition, the course of treatment is short or long. Pain relievers are used once or for several days. Means that normalize blood flow and vitamins - in courses of 2-3 months. To maintain the effect of the drugs, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- electrophoresis;
- balneotherapy;
- darsonvalization;
- collar massage;
- needle and reflexology.
In case of exacerbation, it is indicated to wear therapeutic bandages that support the cervical muscles.
In the absence of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercises help to stop and prevent the symptoms of VSD. Gymnastics helps to strengthen the muscles of the neck, relieves spasms, improves the elasticity of blood vessels and ligaments of the spine. The workouts include soft tissue stretching movements: deep bends, twists, turns.
Patients with osteochondrosis complicated by VSD should carefully arrange a place to sleep. You should rest only on an orthopedic mattress and pillow, do not drink a lot of fluids at night to avoid swelling. It is necessary to avoid work and hobbies associated with the unfavorable position of the cervical spine: throwing back or low tilt of the head.