Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: causes, manifestations, treatment

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 caused 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 it for a long time without affecting the root cause.

The mechanism of development of the disease

Degeneration of the intervertebral cartilage and bone tissue in the cervical spine causes clinical symptoms already in the early stages. The proliferation and displacement of vertebral fragments inevitably leads to impaired blood flow, innervation and insufficient nutrition of brain structures. Causes of spinal deformity in the neck area are:

• congenital disorders of the structure of bone tissue;
• physical injury;
• incorrect posture;
• hypodynamia;
• obesity;
• osteochondrosis of the lumbar or thoracic regions.

In almost half of cases, the pathology is found in middle-aged and young people, more often in women. Its development is facilitated by a prolonged incorrect position of the head during sleep, sitting at the desk, during telephone conversations and during transport trips. The progress 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 the nerve plexuses around it. Prolonged compression causes a narrowing of the vascular lumen, slowing blood flow and a decrease in the supply of oxygen to the tissues. Malnutrition, hypoxia and subsequent cerebral ischemia are aggravated by compression of the 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 headache - dull pain. It occurs when the first three vertebrae are affected. It starts at the top of the neck, extends to the occipital and parietal part, then covers the temples and forehead. More often it is one-sided, similar to a classic migraine. It lasts from half an hour to several days, increases with the tilt or rotation of the head, active physical actions.
• If osteochondrosis affects the fourth and fifth vertebrae, cervicobrachialgia develops. Its danger lies in the resemblance to a heart attack. The pain is one-sided, sharp, burning, covers the neck, shoulder and radiates under the shoulder blade, into the hypochondrium, sometimes into the forearm and hand.
• Myofascial dysfunction causes the so-called cervical migraine. Throbbing or pressing pain from the side of the neck spreads down 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 various types of vegetative-vascular dystonia:

• with frequent headaches;
• violations of thermoregulation, intracranial pressure, breathing;
• spasmodic mood changes.

With significant pinching of the spinal nerves, speech disorders, numbness of the tongue, loss of sensation of the fingers occur. A person becomes like a drunk or under the influence of psychotropic drugs: he utters 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.

Diagnostics

With 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 on the region of the cervical vertebrae in the places where nerve roots protrude - the emerging painful reaction indicates headache;
• presses on points close to the bony protuberances under the lower edges of the ears: a subsequent painful attack clearly signals the development of a cervical migraine following mechanical compression.

For an accurate diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, a number of instrumental studies are prescribed. Radiography, MRI and computed tomography remain the main ones. With their help, pathological changes that have occurred in the structure of the bones, cartilage and soft tissues are visualized.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Drugs are designed to eliminate symptoms, restore normal blood circulation and biomechanics of the entire cervical spine.

• To relieve pain, NSAIDs, analgesics, muscle relaxants and antispasmodics are used.
• The reduction of vegetative manifestations, the improvement of venous outflow and the prevention of edema in the affected area help vasodilators - vasodilator drugs.
• Products containing B vitamins and magnesium help improve the nutrition of nerve tissue cells and reduce adverse symptoms.
• At the same time, patients are recommended drugs for blood pressure regulation, 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. Analgesics are used one or more days. It means that it normalizes blood flow and vitamins - in cycles of 2-3 months. To maintain the effect of drugs, physiotherapy is prescribed:

• electrophoresis;
• balneotherapy;
• darsonvaluation;
• collar massage;
• needle and reflexology.

In case of exacerbations, the use of therapeutic bandages that support the cervical muscles is indicated.

In the absence of an exacerbation of osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercises help stop and prevent the symptoms of VSD. Gymnastics helps strengthen the neck muscles, relieves spasms, improves the elasticity of the vessels and ligament apparatus of the vertebral joints. Workouts include movements to stretch soft tissues: deep tilts of the head, turns, rotations.

Patients with osteochondrosis complicated by VSD should carefully arrange a bed. You need to rest only on an orthopedic mattress and pillow, do not drink a lot of fluids during the night to avoid edema. It is necessary to avoid work and hobbies associated with the unfavorable position of the cervical vertebrae: throwing backwards or low tilt of the head.