Frequent dizziness, tinnitus, flying in front of the eyes, a feeling of heaviness in the back of the head is caused not only by fatigue.
Often they are provoked by degenerative-dystrophic changes of the spine. Headache with cervical osteochondrosis is a typical manifestation of the disease. It is impossible to get rid of them for a long time without affecting the root cause.
Mechanism of disease development
Degeneration of intervertebral cartilage and bone tissue in the cervical spine causes clinical symptoms already in the early stages. The proliferation and displacement of spinal fragments inevitably leads to impaired blood circulation, innervation, and inadequate nutrition of brain structures. The causes of spinal deformity around the neck are:
- Congenital disorders of bone tissue structure;
- Physical injury;
- Improper posture;
- Hypodynamics;
- Obesity;
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar or thoracic regions.
Pathology occurs in almost half of the cases in middle-aged and young people, more often in women. Its development is facilitated by its prolonged incorrect position during sleep, sitting at a table, during telephone conversations and traveling by 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 spine 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 key.
Fragments of collapsed discs and altered vertebrae compress the vertebral artery and the nerve plexuses around it. Prolonged compression causes narrowing of the vascular lumen, slowing of blood flow, and oxygen supply to the tissues. Malnutrition, hypoxia, and subsequent cerebral ischemia are exacerbated by osteophyte compression of nerve trunks - 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 cephalgia - dull pain. This occurs when the first three vertebrae are injured. It starts at the top of the neck, extends to the occiput and parietal part, then covers the temples and forehead. More often it is unilateral, resembling a classic migraine. Lasts from half an hour to several days, increases by tilting or turning, with active physical activity.
- If osteochondrosis affects the back of the fourth and fifth vertebrae, cervicobrachialgia develops. Its danger is similar 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 forearm and hands.
- Myofascial dysfunction causes the so-called cervical migraine. The pulsating or pressing pain from the neck extends to one side, covering part of the occiput, crown, temple, and reaching the upper arches.
In severe cases, additional symptoms are noted: photophobia, redness of the eyes, nausea, physical weakness.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can lead to different types of vascular dystonia:- With frequent headaches;
- Disorders of thermoregulation, intracranial pressure, respiration;
- Changes in spasmodic mood.
Significant tingling of the spinal nerves causes speech disorders, numbness of the tongue, loss of sensitivity of the fingers. A person becomes intoxicated or under the influence of psychotropic drugs: he speaks vaguely in words, does not immediately respond to his own appeal. In advanced cases, malnutrition of the tissue and disruption of the blood supply lead to a constant increase in intracranial pressure, impaired vision and hearing.
Diagnosis
In case of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with complaints of poor health 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 methods:
- Fingers press on the cervical spine in the areas where the nerve roots protrude: the resulting pain response indicates cephalalgia;
- Affects the points near the bony outgrowth under the lower edges of the ears: after this the painful attack clearly reflects the development of cervical migraine as a result of mechanical compression.
Numerous instrumental examinations are prescribed for the accurate diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis. Radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography are still considered leaders. They visualize pathological changes that have occurred in bone, cartilage and soft tissues.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Medications are aimed at relieving symptoms, restoring normal blood circulation, and biomechanics of the entire cervical spine.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, muscle relaxants and antispasmodics are used to relieve pain.
- Reduces vegetative manifestations, improves venous outflow, and prevents swelling in the affected area with vasodilators - vasodilators.
- Products containing B vitamins and magnesium help to improve the nutrition of nerve tissue cells and reduce negative symptoms.
- At the same time, patients are recommended medications to regulate blood pressure, heart rate correction.
- Many patients are shown 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. Means to normalize blood circulation and vitamins - for 2-3 months. Physiotherapy is prescribed to maintain the effect of drugs:
- Electrophoresis;
- Balneotherapy;
- Darsonvalization;
- Collar massage;
- Needle and Reflexology.
In case of exacerbation it is shown to wear therapeutic bandages that support the cervical muscles.
In the absence of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercise helps to stop and prevent the symptoms of VSD. Exercise helps strengthen the neck muscles, relieves spasms, improves vascular elasticity and the ligamentous apparatus of the spinal joints. Exercises include movements for stretching the soft tissues: deep tilt of the head, twisting, twisting.
Patients with osteochondrosis complicated by VSD should be careful when sleeping. You should rest only on the orthopedic mattress and pillow, do not drink a lot of fluids at night to avoid swelling. It is necessary to avoid jobs and hobbies that are associated with an unfavorable condition of the cervical spine: throwing back or lowering the head.