Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: causes, manifestations, treatment

Frequent dizziness, tinnitus, flies in front of the eyes, 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. Headaches in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are a typical manifestation of the disease. It is impossible to get rid of them for a long time without affecting the root cause.

The mechanism of disease development

Degeneration of intervertebral cartilage and bone tissue in the cervical spine causes clinical symptoms in the early stages. The growth and displacement of vertebral fragments inevitably lead to impaired blood flow, innervation and malnutrition of brain structures.

The causes of spinal deformity in the neck area are:

• congenital disorders of the structure of bone tissue;
• 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 long-term incorrect position of the head during sleep, sitting at a table, during telephone conversations and traveling in transport. The progress of osteochondrosis is also 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 departments, the location of a large number of large vessels and nerve trunks, cause the early onset of symptoms. The pain syndrome is the main one.

Fragments of collapsing discs and altered vertebrae compress the vertebral artery and the plexus of nerves around it. Prolonged compression causes the vessel lumen to narrow, slowing blood flow and reducing oxygen delivery to tissues. Malnutrition, hypoxia and subsequent cerebral ischemia are aggravated by compression of nerve trunks by osteophytes - radiculopathy.

Symptoms of Cervical Osteochondrosis

In most cases, headaches and other symptoms of pathology are of a secondary or vertebrogenic 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, extending to the occipital and parietal parts, then covers the temples and forehead. It is most often unilateral, resembling a classic migraine. Lasts from half an hour to several days, aggravated by head tilting or turning, 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 gives under the shoulder blade, in the hypochondrium, sometimes in the forearm and hand.

Myofascial dysfunction causes the so-called cervical migraine. Pulsating or pressure pain on the side of the neck spreads along one side, covering part of the back of the head, crown of the head, temple and reaches the superciliary arches.

In severe cases, additional symptoms are observed: photophobia, redness of the eyes, nausea, physical weakness.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region can cause several types of vegetative-vascular dystonia:

• with frequent headaches;
• violations of thermoregulation, intracranial pressure, breathing;
• sudden mood swings.

With significant compression 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 pronounces words indistinctly, does not respond immediately to being addressed to himself. In advanced cases, tissue malnutrition and impaired blood supply lead to a persistent increase in intracranial pressure, decreased vision and hearing.

Some facts about the disease:

• Osteochondrosis of the neck occurs in men and women with equal frequency.
• Most of the time, people in their 30s and 60s get sick.
• As a rule, pathology occurs in people who at work have to constantly be in the same position and perform monotonous movements.
• The cervical spine has some structural features, due to which the disease can have many different manifestations.

What features of the cervical spine cause the symptoms of osteochondrosis?

• There are openings in the lateral processes of the vertebrae - the carotid arteries pass through them on the right and left, which supply blood to the brain.
• In the cervical region passes the initial part of the spinal cord - it contains fibers that carry nerve impulses to all parts of the body, provide movement, sensitivity. If there is compression of the spinal cord in the neck, neurological disorders occur throughout the body.
• This section of the spine has great mobility, and this predisposes to the occurrence of osteochondrosis (although, in most cases, the disease still develops in the lumbar region - it not only has high mobility, but also bears the greatest load).
• In the neck, nerve roots emerge from the intervertebral foramina, forming the cervical and brachial nerve plexuses. They are responsible for movements in the muscles of the neck, arms, shoulder girdle, skin sensitivity, regulation of autonomic functions.
• The first vertebra does not have a massive front part - the body - is a bony ring that is placed on the tooth - a bony outgrowth on the second vertebra. This allows the head to turn from side to side.

Neck pain, headaches, feeling of weakness, numbness in the hands are symptoms that should make you look for a neurologist. Examination by a specialist and examination with modern equipment will help to understand the causes of the pathology and take the most effective measures.

Stages and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

The first target of the disease is the intervertebral discs. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus surrounded by a dense annulus fibrosus. The nucleus acts as a shock absorber during loads on the spine, and the annulus fibrosus holds the nucleus pulposus within the spine.

Under conditions of poor blood circulation and nutrition, disc tissues begin to break down. The annulus fibrosus becomes loose and the core loses some of its moisture, becomes thinner and partially loses its shock absorbing properties. As a result of such changes, the intervertebral disc's ability to carry loads is reduced and is damaged.

One of the main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is neck pain of a stabbing, burning, stabbing nature, similar to "electrical discharges". It usually extends to one or both hands.

Some patients complain of constant or aching pain and, in addition to pain, stiffness of movement, dizziness, headache and memory impairment.

In many ways, the nature and severity of the pain, as well as the symptoms that accompany it, depend on the stage of osteochondrosis:

• 1 stage.Changes occur within the intervertebral disc - the nucleus pulposus moves and begins to irritate the nerve endings. But pain in the initial stage usually occurs only during physical exertion, movement, coughing and sneezing, and at rest a person may not feel any discomfort.
• 2 stage.The annulus fibrosus loses its ability to hold the nucleus pulposus, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and they shift relative to each other. As a result of such changes, pinching of nerve endings is possible, which causes severe pain. Pain, in turn, forces the person to assume a forced position.
• 3 stage.The annulus fibrosus is destroyed and an intervertebral hernia occurs. At this stage, the cervical spine is often deformed - its natural curvature decreases. A hernial bulge compresses or irritates the nerve roots, causing constant, severe pain in the neck and arms, often accompanied by numbness and muscle weakness.
• 4 stage.The annulus fibrosus becomes dense and adhesions form between the vertebrae. As a result, immobility occurs in the affected area, while the pain may even subside.

Diagnosis

With complaints of health problems in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you should contact a neurologist. During the examination, the doctor determines the source of the pain. For this, it uses the following methods:

• presses the region of the cervical vertebrae with the fingers where the nerve roots protrude: the emerging pain reaction indicates headache;
• presses on points near bony prominences under the lower edges of the ears: an attack of pain after this clearly signals the development of a cervical migraine as a result of mechanical compression.

For an accurate diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, several instrumental studies are prescribed. Radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography continue to be the main ones. With their help, pathological changes that have occurred in the structure of bone, cartilage and soft tissues are visualized.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Medications are designed to eliminate symptoms, restore normal blood circulation, biomechanics of the entire cervical region.

To relieve pain, NSAIDs, analgesics, muscle relaxants and antispasmodics are used.

Vasodilators - Vasodilators help reduce vegetative manifestations, improve venous flow and prevent edema in the affected area.

Means containing B vitamins and magnesium help to improve the nutrition of nerve tissue cells and reduce adverse symptoms.

At the same time, patients are recommended drugs to regulate blood pressure, correct heart rhythm.

Many patients receive tranquilizers, antidepressants, sedatives.

Depending on the severity of the condition, the course of treatment is either short or long. Analgesics are used once or for several days. Means that normalize blood flow and vitamins - courses of 2-3 months.

To maintain the action of drugs, physical therapy is prescribed:

• collar zone massage;
• acupuncture and reflexology.

With exacerbations, the use of therapeutic bandages that support the cervical muscles is shown.

In the absence of an exacerbation of osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercises help to stop and prevent the symptoms of VVD. Gymnastics helps to strengthen the neck muscles, relieves spasms, improves the elasticity of blood vessels and the ligamentous apparatus of the vertebral joints. Training includes soft tissue stretching movements: deep head tilts, turns, rotations.

Patients with osteochondrosis, complicated by VVD, must carefully arrange a place to sleep. You only need to rest on an orthopedic mattress and pillow, do not drink too much fluid at night to avoid swelling. It is necessary to avoid work and hobbies associated with an unfavorable position of the cervical vertebrae: backward leaning or low head tilt.

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Dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis

Dizziness with cervical chondrosis is a common occurrence in both sexes, starting from the age of 30. The specificity of lifestyle and some abuses lead to the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in adulthood in almost all second inhabitants of our country. There are patients who have problems already in adolescence.

It is impossible to underestimate the danger of this pathology: it worsens a person's well-being, contributes to the development of dangerous conditions. Symptoms are a variety of unpleasant sensations.

Causes of dizziness in cervical osteochondrosis

In the article, we will consider whether you can be dizzy and sick for a long time with cervical osteochondrosis, why it happens, why the condition worsens and what to do, how to get rid of the discomfort for good.

Due to an unhealthy lifestyle and regular overloads of the neck area, the condition of the spinal column in this area is gradually changing.

Degenerative changes develop in the intervertebral discs, the holes through which the nerves and spinal vessels that supply the brain gradually narrow.

The condition is extremely unpleasant and dangerous. The patient feels pain with sudden movements, in certain positions of the head and neck. The brain receives less oxygen than it needs, which causes regular bouts of dizziness to develop.

The main reasons why a person with osteochondrosis may feel dizzy:

1. Compression of the vertebral artery by bony growths. Osteophytes squeeze the vessel that feeds the cerebellum and the basal parts of the brain. Its permeability decreases, reduces the amount of blood and oxygen that passes through it. In medicine, this phenomenon is called vertebral artery syndrome.
2. Frank's nerve irritation. Nerve fibers of the sympathetic system surround the vertebral artery, feel any impact on it. In response to irritation, the nerve causes the vessel to spasm, impairing its permeability. Hernias, osteophytes formed, or instability of the cervical vertebrae can cause discomfort.
3. Subluxation of the superior articular process of the underlying vertebra or formation of a herniated disc in the neck region.

With dizziness and nausea due to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as well as the manifestation of other symptoms, such as weakness in women, treatment with drugs is necessary, but what to take, which pills will help, only the doctor will decide after a thorough study of the state of the patient. After all, the causes of dizziness are very diverse.

Depending on the specific cause of the development of the pathological condition and negative symptoms, various means and techniques are used.

You need to understand that a dizzy head, if the attacks intensify and become frequent, is a really dangerous condition. A person not only puts his life at risk by driving or crossing the road, but also puts himself at risk of developing encephalopathy due to the regular lack of blood and nutrition for neurons.

additional symptoms

Before deciding what will help with the appearance of dizziness in cervical osteochondrosis, what exercises will prevent unpleasant attacks, you should not read reviews from strangers, but assess the accompanying symptoms that occur during the development of the disease.

An experienced doctor, according to these signs, suggests the degree of development of chondrosis. It is also able to assess the danger of the condition by compiling a diagnostic algorithm. And then - to choose an effective and safe treatment.

Symptoms that accompany a decrease in cervical artery patency and signal the need to urgently consult a doctor:

1. Intermittent tinnitus, possibly pulsating. Then it gradually spreads to the entire head. As a rule, an attack occurs after being in an uncomfortable position, physical exertion or in the context of severe fatigue.
2. Cracking, pain when moving the neck.

3. Darkening of the eyes, short fainting spells when the head is thrown back. In advanced cases, even a sharp turn causes this reaction.
4. Nausea, even vomiting, accompanying bouts of dizziness.

The head may be spinning not from cervical chondrosis, why it developed and what to do, only a neurologist will tell you after the examination. The earlier the diagnosis is made and treatment started, the more effective the measures taken.

If you seek help early, there is a chance you can avoid drug therapy and get rid of the problem that has arisen. By delaying going to the doctor, there is a risk of provoking the development of a more dangerous condition.

Diagnosis

How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with dizziness, what to do if a violation of the coordination of movements develops, and what is prescribed in such cases, you can find out after going through a thorough diagnosis, as each case is unique.

Before deciding on a therapeutic regimen, it is extremely important for the doctor to find out what influenced the development of the disease. It is necessary to clarify how quickly it worsens and what are the characteristics of its course. Due to these characteristics, when dealing with complaints of regular dizziness, a complete diagnosis is carried out.

A neurologist performs an initial examination, during which:

• determines the range of symptoms that accompany the course of the disease;
• according to the results of a physical examination, it finds characteristics of changes in the cervical region;
• collect an anamnesis, a history of the development of the disease;
• inquires about the characteristics of the patient's life to identify the risk factors that interfere in the development of the disease.

After that, the instrumental exams will be scheduled:

• MRI of the brain and neck to determine whether the changes have already appeared and how extensive they are;
• Ultrasonography of the vessels passing through the neck will show how much the permeability of blood flow and brain nutrition are reduced;
• Cervical spine CT reveals formed deviations from the norm of bony structures;
• electromyography will allow recording the electrical activity of the muscles in the area being evaluated;

The correct answer to the question of what to do if your head is spinning in your neck and it hurts is to go to the doctor. The clinic will accurately determine the causes of the condition and select the appropriate therapy.

Treatment

After determining the specific stage of the disease, the doctor prescribes individual therapy. After all, you can encounter such a phenomenon as occipital nerve neuralgia, and you need to treat it in your own way.

Preference is given to complex treatment, which includes:

• taking medications (chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatories, etc. );
• physiotherapy techniques;
• various massage techniques;
• specialized complexes of physical therapy exercises, exercise therapy;
• following a healthy diet.

When you feel dizzy with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, treatment can be carried out either by conservative methods or by surgical intervention.

Operations are performed in situations where the spine is too narrow or persistent hernias have formed.

Effective methods of treatment in the early stages are massages and special sets of exercises. Compliance with the doctor's recommendations in the preclinical phase of the development of the disease allows you to completely cure it.

The results show physiotherapy methods that allow you to get rid of painful symptoms in just a few sessions:

• classical manual therapy;
• shockwave methods of influencing the body;
• whirlpool;
• laser therapy.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, when the head is already regularly dizzy, is a necessary and urgent step.

This dangerous symptom is an indicator of the development of really dangerous pathologies that can further worsen the comfort of human life. And even shorten its duration.

Prevention

It is possible to prevent the occurrence of unpleasant symptoms or significantly reduce their severity with the help of regular preventive actions. Many people think whether it can be effective to use pain-free funds for dizziness due to cervical osteochondrosis, how to get rid of it, quickly relieve an attack than treat the condition at home?

Prevention by way of life

We list the appropriate measures to prevent the progression of the disease:

• Decreased time spent in a flexed position. For example, at a computer, gadgets, or work that requires neck tension and a forward-leaning head position. Provide an ergonomic workplace.
• Organization of a sparing regime of alternating work and rest.

• Rejection of habits, destructive addictions. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of alcohol and the number of cigarettes smoked.
• Find a place to sleep. Get an orthopedic pillow and mattress that take into account the structural characteristics of your spine.
• Increase time for physical activity in your daily schedule, avoid physical inactivity.
• Regularly carry out a special warm-up during the working day. Ideally, you should set aside 5 minutes every hour for exercise.
• Avoid traumatic activities, extreme sports and excessive physical exertion.
• Watch your body weight. When obesity appears, try to lose excess weight as quickly as possible.
• Regularly take specialized massage courses, learn safe self-massage techniques.

• Use comfortable backpacks to carry things, avoid bags that cause twisting when walking. Use headrests when traveling seated.
• In case of injury, seek help immediately. Start following the doctor's recommendations from the first days.

It is impossible to ignore situations when, against the background of preventive measures, the neck and back of the head hurt. This is the first symptom of the disease and requires treatment.

energy protection

It is beneficial to follow a special diet that supports medically induced recovery processes in the neck and cervical spine.

Key principles of nutrition in the presence of such a problem or predisposition to it:

• the use of gelling foods in the diet, which contribute to the restoration of the body's cartilage;
• maintain a balance between protein foods and carbohydrates, a sufficient amount of lean meat and fish in the diet;
• limit excessive consumption of salt and spices;
• reduced consumption of canned and smoked products;
• reduction in the diet of sweets, including rich products;
• limit caffeinated drinks;
• increase the share of fresh vegetables and fruits in the daily menu;
• refusal of fatty and fried foods, fast food.

An important place in the life of a person with a similar illness should be occupied by exercise therapy. They are especially relevant for the elderly or those leading a sedentary lifestyle. At the same time, a special set of exercises must be repeated daily to achieve the expected result.

Despite the variety of traditional medicine, with dizziness due to cervical osteochondrosis, what to do, what to drink, how to deal with attacks, how to cure a deviation or eliminate a specific symptom, this or that remedy really helps and works to cause additional damage, it should be decided by a medical professional. An online consultation with a neurologist can help here.

Do not blindly follow the advice of friends and try to eliminate the disease without resorting to the recommendations of a qualified doctor.

In advanced cases, osteochondrosis can not only reduce the quality of life, but also deprive a person of his ability to work. Therefore, try to notice in time the factors that can lead to the destruction of intervertebral discs and, if possible, eliminate or reduce their harmful effects on the spine. If you are concerned about neck pain, be sure to consult your doctor. Only a specialist can determine the stage of the disease, select analgesics and prescribe a course of physical therapy or physical therapy exercises.