Frequent dizziness, tinnitus, flies in front of the eyes, a feeling of heaviness in the back of the head cause not only fatigue.
They are often provoked by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine. Headaches with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are a typical manifestation of the disease. For a long time it is not possible to get rid of them without affecting the root cause.
Mechanism of disease development
Degeneration of intervertebral cartilage and bone tissue on the cervical spine causes clinical symptoms in the early stages. Proliferation and displacement of vertebral fragments inevitably leads to impaired blood flow, innervation, and malnutrition of brain structures. The causes of spinal deformity in the neck area are:
- congenital disorders of bone structure;
- physical injuries;
- improper posture;
- hypodynamics;
- 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 long-term incorrect position of the head during sleep, sitting at a table, during telephone conversations and travel 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. Pain syndrome is the main one.
Fragments of collapsing discs and altered vertebrae compress the vertebral artery and nerve plexuses around it. Prolonged compression causes narrowing of the vascular lumen, slowing of blood flow and reduction of oxygen supply to the tissues. Malnutrition, hypoxia and cerebral ischemia are exacerbated by compression of nerve trunks by osteophytes - radiculopathy.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In most cases, headaches and other symptoms of pathology are secondary or vertebrogenic in nature - they are caused by pathological processes not in the brain, but in the adjacent spine.
- Reflex cephalalgia - dull pain. It occurs when the first three vertebrae are affected. It starts in the upper part of the neck, extends to the occipital and parietal part, and then covers the temples and forehead. It is more often unilateral, similar to a classic migraine. It lasts from half an hour to several days, it increases with tilting or turning the head, active physical actions.
- If osteochondrosis affects the fourth and fifth vertebrae, cervicobrachialgia develops. Its danger lies in its resemblance to a heart attack. The pain is one-sided, sharp, burning, covering the neck, shoulder and radiating under the shoulder blade, in the hypochondrium, sometimes in the forearm and hand.
- Myofascial dysfunction causes so-called cervical migraine. Pulsating or pressing pain from the side of the neck spreads along one side, covering part of the nape, crown, temple and reaching the adrenal arches.
In severe cases, additional symptoms are observed: photophobia, redness of the eyes, nausea, physical weakness.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause various types of vegetative-vascular dystonia:- with frequent headaches;
- violations of thermoregulation, intracranial pressure, respiration;
- convulsive mood swings.
Speech disorders, numbness of the tongue, loss of sensitivity of the fingers occur with significant constriction of the spinal nerves. The person becomes like a drunkard or under the influence of psychotropic drugs: he speaks words vaguely, does not respond immediately to an appeal 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 the 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. It uses the following methods for this purpose:
- presses the area of the cervical vertebrae with the fingers in those places where the nerve roots protrude: the pain reaction that occurs indicates cephalalgia;
- pressure on 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.
Numerous instrumental studies have been prescribed for the precise diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis. Radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are still leading. With their help, pathological changes in the structure of bone, cartilage and soft tissue are visualized.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The drugs are designed to relieve 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 edema in the affected area help vasodilators - vasodilators.
- Products that contain B vitamins and magnesium help to improve the nutrition of nerve tissue cells and reduce unwanted symptoms.
- At the same time, patients are recommended medications to regulate blood pressure, correct heart rate.
- Many patients are prescribed 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 - 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, wearing therapeutic bandages that support the neck muscles is indicated.
In the absence of worsening osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercises help stop and prevent the symptoms of VSD. Gymnastics helps strengthen the neck muscles, relieves cramps, improves the elasticity of blood vessels and the ligament apparatus of the spinal joints. Training includes soft tissue stretching movements: deep inclines, turns, rotations.
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 edema. It is necessary to avoid work and hobbies associated with the unfavorable position of the cervical spine: throwing backwards or low tilt of the head.