Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: causes, manifestations, treatment

Frequent dizziness, tinnitus, flies before the eyes, a feeling of heaviness in the back of the head are caused not only by fatigue. Often they are provoked 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 the 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 growth and displacement of vertebral fragments inevitably leads 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 the cases, pathology is found in people of middle and young age, more often in women. Its development is facilitated by a long-term incorrect position of the head during sleep, sitting at a desk, 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. 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 provokes a narrowing of the lumen of the vessels, slowing down blood flow, and reducing 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 cephalgia - boring pain. Occurs when the first three vertebrae are affected. It starts in the upper part of the neck, spreading to the occipital and parietal parts, then covers the temples and forehead. It is more often unilateral, resembling a classic migraine. It lasts from half an hour to several days, aggravated by tilting or turning the head, active physical actions.

If osteochondrosis affects the fourth and fifth vertebrae, cervicobrachialgia develops. Its danger lies in the similarity with 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 pressing pain from 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 provoke various types of vegetative-vascular dystonia:

• with frequent headaches;
• violations of thermoregulation, intracranial pressure, respiration;
• abrupt mood changes.

With significant pinching of the spinal nerves, speech disorders, numbness of the tongue, loss of sensitivity of the fingers occur. A person becomes like a drunk or under the influence of psychotropic drugs: he pronounces words indistinctly, does not immediately respond 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 about equally often.
• Most often, people aged 30-60 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 - carotid arteries pass through them on the right and left, which supply the brain with blood.
• 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 spinal column 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 experiences 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 - it is a bone ring that is put on the tooth - a bone outgrowth on the second vertebra. This allows the head to turn side to side.

Pain in the neck, headaches, a feeling of weakness, numbness in the hands are symptoms that should make you turn to a neurologist. Examination by a specialist and examination using 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 enclosed in a dense annulus fibrosus. The nucleus performs the function of a shock absorber during loads on the spine, and the fibrous ring keeps the nucleus pulposus within the spinal column.

In conditions of poor blood circulation and nutrition, the tissues of the disc begin to break down. The fibrous ring 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 ability of the intervertebral disc to carry loads is reduced, and it is damaged.

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

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

In many ways, the nature and severity of pain, as well as its accompanying symptoms, depend on the stage of osteochondrosis:

• 1 stage.Changes occur inside the intervertebral disc - the nucleus pulposus moves and begins to irritate the nerve endings. But pain at the initial stage usually occurs only during physical exertion, movements, coughing and sneezing, and at rest a person may not feel any discomfort.
• 2 stage.The fibrous ring 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 the nerve endings is possible, which causes severe pain. Pain, in turn, forces a person to take a forced position.
• 3 stage.The fibrous ring 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 intense and constant pain in the neck and arms, often accompanied by numbness and muscle weakness.
• 4 stage.The fibrous ring becomes dense, and adhesions form between the vertebrae. As a result, immobility occurs in the affected area, while the pain may even decrease.

Diagnostics

With complaints of poor health in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you should 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 those places where the nerve roots protrude: the emerging pain reaction indicates cephalgia;
• presses on the points near the bony prominences under the lower edges of the ears: a pain attack after this clearly signals the development of a cervical migraine as a result of mechanical compression.

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

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Medicines 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 to reduce vegetative manifestations, improve venous outflow 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 are shown tranquilizers, antidepressants, sedatives.

Depending on the severity of the condition, the course of treatment is short or long. Painkillers are used one-time or over several days. Means that normalize blood flow and vitamins - courses of 2-3 months.

To maintain the action of drugs, physiotherapy is prescribed:

• massage of the collar zone;
• acupuncture and reflexology.

With exacerbations, the wearing of therapeutic bandages supporting 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 muscles of the neck, relieves spasms, improves the elasticity of blood vessels and the ligamentous apparatus of the vertebral joints. Training includes movements for soft tissue stretching: deep head tilts, turns, rotations.

Patients with osteochondrosis, complicated by VVD, should carefully organize a sleeping place. You need to rest only on an orthopedic mattress and pillow, do not drink a lot of liquid at night to avoid swelling. It is necessary to avoid work and hobbies associated with an unfavorable position of the cervical vertebrae: tilting back or low inclination of the head.

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Dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis

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

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

Causes of dizziness in cervical osteochondrosis

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

Due to a not very healthy lifestyle and regular overloads of the neck area, the condition of the spine of this zone is gradually changing.

Degenerative changes develop in the intervertebral discs, the holes through which the spinal nerves and vessels that feed 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 provokes the development of regular bouts of dizziness.

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

1. Compression of the vertebral artery by bone growths. Osteophytes pinch the vessel that feeds the cerebellum and the basal parts of the brain. Its permeability decreases, reduces the amount of blood and oxygen passing through it. In medicine, this phenomenon is called vertebral artery syndrome.
2. Irritation of Frank's nerve. The nerve fibers of the sympathetic system envelop the vertebral artery, feel any impact on it. In response to irritation, the nerve causes a spasm of the vessel, impairing its patency. Hernias, osteophytes, or instability of the cervical vertebrae can cause discomfort.
3. Subluxation of the upper articular process of the underlying vertebra or the formation of a disc herniation in the neck area.

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 medication is necessary, but what to take, which pills will help, only the doctor will decide after a thorough study of the patient's condition. 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 provokes the risk of developing encephalopathy due to a 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 stop unpleasant attacks, you should not read the reviews of strangers, but evaluate the accompanying symptoms that occur during the development of the disease.

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

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

1. Intermittent tinnitus, possibly pulsatile. Then gradually spreads to the entire head. As a rule, an attack occurs after being in an uncomfortable position, physical exertion, or against the background 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 provokes such a reaction.
4. Nausea, up to vomiting, accompanying attacks of dizziness.

Can the head 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 is started, the more effective the measures taken will be.

If you seek help early, there is a chance to avoid medication therapy and get rid of the problem that has arisen. Delaying the trip to the doctor, there is a risk of provoking the development of a more dangerous condition.

Diagnostics

How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with dizziness, what to do if a violation of coordination of movements has developed, and what is prescribed in such cases, you can figure it out after going through a full diagnosis, since each case is unique.

Before deciding on a therapy 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 features of its course. Due to these features, when dealing with complaints of regular dizziness, a thorough diagnosis is carried out.

A neurologist conducts an initial examination, during which:

• determines the range of symptoms accompanying the course of the disease;
• according to the results of a physical examination, finds features of changes in the cervical region;
• collects an anamnesis, a history of the development of the disease;
• asks about the characteristics of the patient's life in order to identify risk factors that affect the development of the disease.

After that, instrumental examinations will be scheduled:

• MRI of the brain and neck to determine if changes have already appeared and how extensive they are;
• Ultrasound of the vessels passing through the neck will show how much the patency of the blood flow and the nutrition of the brain are reduced;
• CT of the cervical spine reveals formed deviations from the norm of bone structures;
• electromyography will allow you to register the electrical activity of the muscles of the area being evaluated;

The correct answer to the question of what to do if your head is spinning from the neck and hurts is to go to the doctor. The clinic will accurately determine the causes of the poor 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-inflammatory drugs, etc. );
• physiotherapy techniques;
• various massage techniques;
• specialized complexes of physiotherapy exercises, exercise therapy;
• following a healthy diet.

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

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

Effective methods of treatment in the early stages are massage and special sets of exercises. Compliance with the recommendations of the doctor at the preclinical stage of the development of the disease makes it possible to completely cure it.

The results show methods of physiotherapy that allow getting rid of painful symptoms in a few sessions:

• classical manual therapy;
• shock-wave methods of influence on the body;
• hydromassage;
• laser therapy.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, when the head is already regularly dizzy, is a necessary 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 about whether it can be effective to use funds without pain for dizziness due to cervical osteochondrosis, how to get rid of it, quickly relieve an attack, than treat the condition at home?

Prevention by lifestyle

We list the measures suitable for preventing the progression of the disease:

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

• Rejection of habits, destructive addictions. Reducing alcohol consumption and the number of cigarettes smoked is required.
• Setting up a place to sleep. Get an orthopedic pillow and mattress that takes into account the structural features of your spine.
• Increase the time for physical activity in your daily schedule, avoid physical inactivity.
• Regularly perform 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 soon as possible.
• Regularly take specialized massage courses, learn safe self-massage techniques.

• Use comfortable backpacks to carry things, avoid bags that cause skew when walking. Use head restraints when traveling while sitting.
• In case of injury, seek help immediately. Start following medical recommendations from the first days.

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

Power protection

It is beneficial to follow a special diet that will support 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 food, which contribute to the restoration of cartilage in the body;
• maintaining a balance between protein and carbohydrate foods, a sufficient amount of lean meat and fish in the diet;
• limiting excessive consumption of salt and spices;
• reduction in the consumption of pickled, smoked products;
• reduction in the diet of sweets, including rich products;
• limiting caffeinated drinks;
• increasing 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 disease should be occupied by exercise therapy. They are especially relevant for the elderly or leading a sedentary lifestyle. At the same time, a special set of exercises must be repeated daily in order 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 cope with attacks, how to cure a deviation or eliminate a specific symptom, does this or that remedy really help, and does it cause additional harm, should be decided by a professional physician. An online consultation with a neurologist can help here.

Do not blindly follow the advice of friends and try to eliminate the disease without enlisting 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 the 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 painkillers and prescribe a course of physiotherapy exercises or physiotherapy.