Frequent dizziness, tinnitus, flies before the eyes, the feeling of heaviness in the back of the head is not only caused 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 influencing the root cause.
Mechanism of disease development
Degeneration of intervertebral cartilage and bone tissue in the cervical spine causes clinical symptoms at an early stage. The proliferation and displacement of vertebral fragments inevitably impairs blood flow, innervation, and inadequate nutrition of brain structures. The causes of cervical spine deformity are as follows:
- congenital disorders of bone tissue structure;
- physical injury;
- improper posture;
- hypodynamics;
- obesity;
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar or chest regions.
In almost half of the cases, the pathology is found in middle-aged and young people, more often in women. Its development is aided by the prolonged misplacement of the head during sleep, sitting at a desk, during telephone conversations, and when traveling. 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 the other parts, the location of a large number of large blood 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 the nerve braids around it. Prolonged compression causes narrowing of the vessel lumen, slowing of blood flow, and decreased oxygen supply to the tissues. Malnutrition, hypoxia, and subsequent cerebral ischemia are exacerbated by compression of nerve strains by osteophytes - radiculopathy.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In most cases, headache and other symptoms of pathology are secondary or vertebrogenic in nature - they are not caused by pathological processes in the brain but in the adjacent spine.
- Reflex cefalalgia - boring pain. Occurs when the first three vertebrae are affected. It begins at the top of the neck, extends to the occipital and parietal parts, and then covers the temples and forehead. More often unilateral, it resembles a classic migraine. It lasts from half an hour to several days, increasing by tilting or turning the head, with 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 unilateral, sharp, burning, covering the neck, shoulders and radiating under the shoulder blade, in the hypochondria, sometimes in the forearm and hand.
- Myofascial dysfunction causes what is called a cervical migraine. Pulsating or squeezing pain from the side of the neck spreads on one side, covering the nape of the neck, the crown, part of the temple, and reaches the upper arch.
In severe cases, additional symptoms are observed: photophobia, redness of the eye, nausea, physical weakness.
The cause of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be different types of vegetative-vascular dystonia:- with frequent headaches;
- violation of thermoregulation, intracranial pressure, respiration;
- convulsive mood swings.
With significant pinching of the spinal nerves, speech disorders, numbness of the tongue, and loss of sensitivity of the fingers occur. One will be like under the influence of a drunk or psychotropic drug: he speaks words clearly, does not respond immediately to a call to himself. In advanced cases, inadequate tissue nutrition and detrimental blood supply lead to a sustained increase in intracranial pressure, loss of vision and hearing.
Diagnostics
Complaints about poor health of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be contacted by a neurologist. During the examination, the doctor determines the origin of the pain. To do this, use the following methods:
- press the region of the cervical vertebrae with your fingers at the places where the nerve roots protrude: the pain reaction that develops indicates cephalalgia;
- presses points near the bony protrusions below the lower edge of the ears: the subsequent painful seizure clearly indicates the development of a cervical migraine as a result of mechanical compression.
A number of instrumental tests are prescribed for the accurate diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis. Radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography remain the leaders. They are used to visualize the pathological changes that have occurred in the structure of bone, cartilage, and soft tissues.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck
The drugs are designed to eliminate symptoms, restore normal blood circulation, and the biomechanics of the entire cervical spine.
- NSAIDs, painkillers, 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 containing B vitamins and magnesium improve the nutrition of nerve tissue cells and reduce harmful symptoms.
- At the same time, patients are recommended drugs to regulate blood pressure and correct heart rate.
- Many patients are presented with sedatives, antidepressants, sedatives.
Depending on the severity of the condition, the treatment process is short or long. Painkillers are used for one or more days. Devices to normalize blood flow and vitamins - in 2-3 month courses. In order to maintain the effect of the drugs, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- electrophoresis;
- balneotherapy;
- darsonvalization;
- collar massage;
- needle and reflexology.
In case of exacerbation, the wearing of therapeutic bandages to support the neck muscles should be indicated.
In the absence of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, therapeutic practices help to stop and prevent the symptoms of VSD. Gymnastics helps to strengthen the muscles of the neck, relieves cramps, improves the flexibility of vessels and the ligaments of the vertebral joints. Workouts include movements to stretch the soft part: the deep head tilts, turns, turns.
Patients with osteochondrosis complicated by VSD should carefully organize their sleeping area. You just need to rest on an orthopedic mattress and pillow, don’t drink a lot of fluids at night to avoid edema. Work and hobbies involving unfavorable cervical vertebrae should be avoided: throwing back or a low head tilt.