Vertebral artery syndrome of the cervical osteochondrosis: treatment

Such violation, as the vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis that could significantly disrupt cerebral blood flow. You suffer frequent headaches, difficulty breathing, thought processes slow down. Despite the fact that the spinal blood vessels supply the occipital part of the brain is only a small percentage of the blood, disorders in their functioning can bring a person great damage.

Osteochondrosis is compressed not only nerve terminations, but also blood vessels. In the cervical spine such processes are especially dangerous and require immediate treatment.

The essence of pathology

To understand the essence of the problem, remember, what is a vertebral artery. In fact, two of them: each begins from a different artery in the shoulder area and extends to the back of the brain.

The first sign of compression of such a blood vessel – dizziness. In the brain receives insufficient oxygen, the person quickly begins to feel an imbalance.

With cervical osteochondrosis affects the structure of the spine protrude the intervertebral discs, muscle spasms occur. This whole set of problems it creates pressure on the vertebral artery, blood circulation is disturbed. The condition is aggravated by compression of the nerve endings. Pain syndrome aggravated by muscle spasms, thereby clamping the artery even more.

Reasons

Vertebral artery syndrome can occur for a number of some reasons. They can be divided into 2 large groups: congenital and acquired.

Congenital

This can be attributed to abnormalities of directly vertebral arteries. From birth, the artery may be the wrong diameter or to have extra curves. Such pathological changes in the structure of the arteries is dangerous to humans.

• I advise you to read: pinched artery in the cervical

Purchased

In this category you can record various injuries of the spine, tumor formation, pathological processes in the spinal column. The most common problem is osteoarthritis of the cervical and all of its complications, such as protrusion, herniation. In such a situation there is a slow compression of the vertebral artery, which people usually notice with the appearance of vertigo. Often blood vessels are not compressed by the intervertebral discs and bony growths – osteophytes.

Important signs to seek medical help to avoid oxygen starvation.

In mechanical injuries of the spine in the cervical spine may occur the compression of the arteries, which will not subside due to disruption of the structure of the spine and muscle spasm. Injuries should immediately seek medical attention.

Short-term effects in the form of dizziness can be cause by a bad position of the head during sleep. Symptoms usually bugged after you Wake up and go as fast as they appear. To accelerate the normalization condition it is possible to make easy self-massage of the cervical area. This will reduce the pressure on the artery.

• See also: Causes and treatment pain in the neck and head

Symptoms

Along with the vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis symptoms of a different kind. At the initial stage of compression of the arteries the pain increases a little, is permanent. Burning, aching pain occur in some parts of the head, dizziness is also present very often. The severity of symptoms is not very strong and the person begins to understand what to expect.

The second stage of development of the vertebral artery syndrome – ischemic. At this stage in the development of human diseases pestering pain, dizziness, but he gets used to them already. But what we're not used to it, it's a sharp shot in the head and neck. A sharp piercing pain, severe disturbances in the functioning of the speechapparatus, loss of consciousness, severe noise in the ears. All these symptoms appear suddenly and the person overcomes the fear. Manifestations may be associated with pathological processes in the spine or vascular dystonia.

Consequences of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes a disruption of the structure of the spine. Damaged intervertebral discs and osteophytes compress nerves and blood vessels. A person feels the following symptoms when squeezing pozvonochnika:

• Dizziness;
• Pain in various areas of the head, with aching in nature;
• Nausea with retching;
• Noises in the head and disorientation;
• Disorders of the visual system;
• Infringement of a motility of fingers, precision in the movements;
• Weakness in the hands;
• Short fainting.

VSD

Dystonia – disruption of the endocrine system - namely, a pathological condition of the hypothalamus. The disease manifests itself in the following way:

• Localized neck pain;
• Tachycardia, accelerated pulse;
• Pain in the heart and the sternum;
• Sudden changes in pressure;
• A slight numbness and coldness in the hands, fingers;
• A superficial dream, difficult to fall asleep, hard to Wake up;
• Depression, neurosis, depression;
• Digestive disorders.

• Recommended reading: cervical-cranial syndrome

Diagnosis

The first manifestations of cervical degenerative disc disease and vertebral artery syndrome, you must consult a doctor. It is important to note what pain bother you most, as you put it, how long, in what position cease. Should self-examination, record the results and go to the doctor already with them, this will facilitate diagnosis.

The first doctor, who treated patients with similar pain – physician. A preliminary examination will help confirm or deny your suspicions. Next, you must pass a number of tests on the basis of which the doctor will give a referral to a neurologist or spine.

Vertebral artery syndrome is to diagnose it is one of the specialized doctors. Looks narrow specialist physician - a General practitioner, making their own inspection and submit to the lab tests. Then, you must undergo a series of examinations, who will appoint a neurologist. Which may include:

• X-ray irradiation. Allows to get information about the causes of circulatory disorders. Typically, the information will be generalized, this method is often not enough.
• Dopplerographical examination. Can detect the degree of narrowing of the vertebral artery, defects in the structure and unwanted curves.
• A number of different ultrasound studies, appointed by the doctor.
• Magnetic resonance imaging. Is the most effective method of diagnosis, allowing to recognize changes in the structure of the bone and soft tissues.
• CT. Gives extensive information on violations in the bone tissue.
• Biochemical analyses.

Treatment

Proper treatment of the vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis should be complex and diverse. You cannot self-medicate, all actions must be agreed with your doctor.

• I advise you to read: napravlennosti stroke vertebral artery

After a complete diagnosis and identifying all the details of the disease should start treatment. The doctor prescribes a course of drugs aimed at restoration of bone, cartilage, blood circulation.

Drug

This can be attributed to numerous medicinal drugs intended for the treatment of the disease, and eliminate her symptoms. Therapy varies, depending on the condition of the patient, presence of other diseases, age, etc. the Total list of medicines in the vertebral artery syndrome looks like this:

• Chondroprotectors. Required for the partial restoration of damaged intervertebral disc and to stop the process of their destruction. A mandatory form of drugs osteochondrosis any part of the spine.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Help relieve to reduce swelling, reduce the pressure on the blood vessels.
• Vasodilating drugs. Help to establish cerebral blood circulation, normalize capillary pressure.
• Painkillers. Have an analgesic effect of medium strength, help the patient to return to normal life, to eliminate or significantly reduce pain.
• Antidepressants. Potent analgesics that are used in rare cases when the patientstrong sleep disorder, depression, neurosis.
• Muscle relaxants. Restores mobility of the neck muscles, relieve spasms, partial establish circulation. Muscles gradually regain their tone.
• Vitamins. Important drugs with beneficial effects on the body. Strengthen the immune system, bone and cartilage.

See also: drug treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease.

Physical therapy

With the vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis treatment should lead exclusively by a qualified doctor. And this applies not only to medicines. It is important to choose the right methods of massage, gymnastics, various medicinal treatments.

Cervical spine is a very sensitive area in the human body. Here, as in any other region of the spine, it is impossible to self-medicate, even with the help of massage and exercise. All procedures shall designate a specialized doctor.

Procedures

After a complete diagnosis, in addition to medication, the doctor prescribes physiotherapy:

• Electrophoresis with the use of analgesics;
• The effects of magnetic fields;
• The bites of leechesto restore blood circulation;
• Stimulation with a weak current;
• The impact point needles;
• Diadynamic therapy.

Massage

It is important to find a professional masseur for this purpose. A good massage is incredibly effective and is a great addition to the basic treatment. In severe condition of the disease is better not to do self-massage, even easy. But if the disease is in its earliest stages of progression, you can consult a doctor about self-massage, this will relax procedure after waking up.

• See also: How to do self-massage of the neck.

Exercises

Without strengthening the neck muscles is almost impossible to achieve a positive result in the elimination of vertebral artery syndrome. You must carefully choose the exercises that will fit you with varying degrees of pathology.

For starters, the ideal option would be exercises in the supine position. Need to try to make small cuts in the neck muscles, flexing the neck at a very small angle. Gradually your muscles will become stronger.

You can then move on to the exercises in the standing position, you can ask loved ones to help you. You can rest head in the pillow , a little straining of the muscles of the neck, but it is not long. So the muscles get stronger. It is important to always carried out a warm-up.

In any exercise, posture must be correct, this will allow you to find a position for the spine, where the load on your back and neck will be minimal.

In some cases, you can buy a special support collar.

Traditional methods

There are so many recipes of traditional medicine for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease and vertebral artery syndrome. It is important to understand that such medicines are only able to deal with the pain a little easier overall.

There are several more available in the home recipes:

• Compress on the basis of horseradish. Ingredients will be the horseradish root, which must be crushed. Thereafter the mass is poured on a rag and cover film (cellophane). The compress is placed on the neck and wrapped with a scarf. Leave for a few hours.
• Tincture of garlic. The drug is a multicomponent, includes: honey, crushed garlic and lemon juice. All the ingredients are stirred and it turns out the cure. It is recommended to use a large spoon before bed.
• Bath with pine needles. You need to gather green pine needles in the forest (a small amount). Then fill with boiling water and wait about half a day. In the evening you need to prepare a bath and pour the infusion. A half-hour treatment will relieve you from spasms and restores circulation.

Operation

Surgical intervention is assigned very rarely. Doctors are trying to delay this outcome, but sometimes surgery is inevitable. If there is a severe lack of oxygen, dispose of the destroyed intervertebral disc. Upon successful completion, the patient returns to normal life.

Prevention

Preventive measures from the vertebral artery syndrome and cervical degenerative disc disease is very simple. It is important to have an active lifestyle, not to overload the spine, and less time sitting. In order for treatment to be effective, you need to adjust your daily routine to reduce some of the load. An important attribute of such adjustment will becomemorning exercise. It is necessary to abandon bad habits, to minimize the time of sitting, move more. You must keep your back straight, do not slouch, then the neck will be healthy.