Headaches with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine-
one of the first signs that may indicate the development of the disease. At first, they appear paroxysmal, then they are permanent, accompanied by a sharp deterioration in well-being, stiffness of movements and fainting. It is important to understand that without proper therapy, the disease can progress and cause dangerous consequences.
Osteochondrosis - definition and development mechanism
Osteochondrosis- chronic progressive disease of the spine. During the examination, there is a gradual destruction of cartilage and deformation of the bone segments. The cervical spine consists of six vertebrae - bone segments connected by ligaments. For shock absorption during movement, turns and tilts of the head, intervertebral cartilages are located between adjacent vertebrae. Vertebral arteries and nerves pass through special holes, which are directed to the brain, and their protection from damage is one of the functions of the cervical spine.
With osteochondrosis, the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs loses its elasticity. Its main reason is insufficient supply of blood and nutrients to the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs. This process can be associated with age-related changes, insufficient blood supply to the cartilage, as well as with the consequences of injuries and inflammatory diseases of the joints. The intervertebral discs become thin and not elastic enough, so they cannot absorb in motion. This leads to a decrease in neck mobility, painful sensations, compression of the nerves and blood vessels that pass in this area. The process progresses, since the cervical spine is the most mobile and has a weak muscle corset.
Causes of headaches in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Cervical osteochondrosis- a common disease among both the elderly and young people. It is accompanied by limited mobility of the neck in all or in a certain direction, impairment of hearing or vision, as well as acute headache. These symptoms appear already at the initial stage of the disease and only progress over time.
Headache in cervical osteochondrosis is associated with a number of pathological changes:
- decrease in the clearance between adjacent vertebrae of the cervical spine;
- compression of nerves and blood vessels that go to the brain;
- insufficient blood supply to brain cells;
- deformation of bone tissue, formation of growths, fusion of vertebrae - the body's adaptation mechanism against bone abrasion during movement.
Headaches with osteochondrosis can occur only with damage to the cervical spine. In this area, arteries and nerves pass, which carry blood to the brain and participate in its innervation. With the defeat of the thoracic and lumbar regions, pain in the head does not occur. However, the disease is most often diagnosed in this area, since it is the most mobile, and the supporting muscle corset is poorly developed. Poor posture, prolonged sitting, lack of physical activity, or, conversely, too intense loads without sufficient warm-up contribute to the rapid development of osteochondrosis at any age.
The nature of pain caused by osteochondrosis
Headaches with osteochondrosis are a symptom by which the disease can be identified even in the absence of any damage to the neck. However, it is impossible to make a definitive diagnosis based on examination alone. There are several options for headaches with osteochondrosis, depending on the cause of their occurrence:
- when squeezing the vertebral artery - the pain resembles a migraine, often extends only to one half of the head;
- when pinching the roots of the spinal nerves - pulsating, acute, increases during turns and tilts of the head;
- chronic headaches - associated with ischemia, lack of oxygen and nutrients in certain areas of the brain.
With osteochondrosis, headache is often accompanied by additional symptoms. The main ones are stiffness in the neck, muscle spasm and discomfort. In addition, the patient may experience numbness in the hands and a tingling sensation on the skin of the palms. With insufficient blood supply to the brain, hearing and vision deteriorate, and difficulties in coordinating movements appear. Also, there is an increased sensitivity to bright light and loud sounds, tactile stimuli. These signs disappear after the restoration of blood circulation.
Diagnostic methods
Headaches with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are a symptom for which it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. To start treatment, it is necessary to determine the location of the problem area, the stage of the disease and the pathological changes caused by the disease. For this, a set of examinations is prescribed, including:
- MRI of the head is one of the most informative and accurate diagnostic methods, thanks to which it is possible to assess the state of the brain tissue;
- MRI of the cervical spine is an easy way to get an accurate picture of all disorders that appear in this area (thinning and decreased elasticity of the inter-articular cartilage, overgrowth of the articular surfaces of bones;
- Doppler ultrasonography of the vessels of the neck and head is performed with the addition of a contrast agent to monitor cerebral blood flow and identify areas of the brain that suffer from ischemia.
Treatment of headaches with cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of headache in cervical osteochondrosis is symptomatic. Seizures can be treated at home, but they will continue to manifest. It is important to understand that osteochondrosis is a chronic, progressive disease, and it is impossible to completely restore the structure of the affected spine. The goal of therapy is to slow down further destruction of the vertebrae, restore normal blood supply and innervation, and get rid of soreness and other unpleasant symptoms.
Drug treatment
Most patients are prescribed a comprehensive treatment regimen for osteochondrosis. Pain relievers can be taken at home, but the headache will recur. It is important to find an effective set of medicines that will affect not only the symptoms, but also the causes of the headache. Timely start of treatment will keep the spine at the same level and prevent further deterioration in well-being.
Doctors can prescribe several types of drugs to relieve headache in cervical osteochondrosis:
- non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate pain and relieve inflammation in the joints (ibuprofen);
- muscle relaxants - a group of drugs that relieve muscle spasms, thereby improving blood circulation in the vertebral artery (tolperisone hydrochloride);
- vasodilators - necessary for high blood pressure, as well as to eliminate vascular spasm (magnesium sulfate);
- nootropics are an additional category of drugs that are selected to improve blood circulation in the brain cells.
If osteochondrosis hurts the head and neck, drugs can be prescribed both in the form of tablets or injections, and in the form of an ointment. To improve blood circulation and cartilage nutrition, gels with a warming component and anti-inflammatory effect are useful. They stimulate blood circulation and regeneration processes, therefore, maintain the condition of the spine during periods of exacerbation of the disease.
Additional techniques
Treatment of headaches in osteochondrosis includes a number of techniques that strengthen the cervical spine, prevent compression of important nerves and arteries. They are special exercises for the formation of a muscle corset, as well as physical and other methods of influencing the affected area. They are prescribed in combination with drug therapy and carried out in a course of several sessions.
- Physiotherapy exercises - simple exercises to strengthen muscles and ligaments, increase their elasticity. The warm-up consists of turns and bends, circular movements of the head. Next, you should alternately put your palm on the forehead, temple and back of the head. The head is tilted to the side of the hand, and the palm resists. At home, you can do exercises in the morning and in the evening, giving physical education at least 20-30 minutes a day.
- Massage is an effective technique that will help relieve severe headaches with osteochondrosis, as well as prevent the progression of the disease. At home, you can do self-massage, in which the muscles of the back and lateral surfaces of the neck are kneaded, as well as the trapezius muscles. It is useful to attend therapeutic massage sessions, which are carried out in a course of 5-10 procedures. The course is repeated every 4–5 months.
- Physiotherapy is a set of techniques that a doctor can prescribe to improve well-being in patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. This can be magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, paraffin applications and other methods of exposure. Under external influence, the blood flows faster to the damaged area, the nutrition of the damaged intervertebral discs and their oxygenation are improved. In addition, recovery processes are activated at the cellular level, due to which the disease does not develop further.
Regular exercises, attending massage and physical therapy sessions will help get rid of severe headaches with osteochondrosis. The main condition is to complete the full course of procedures. They are carried out at intervals from several days to a week, and to achieve the maximum effect, it may take up to 10 sessions. In the course of treatment, ease of movement is noted, the absence of headache and other symptoms, an improvement in concentration and performance. However, it is important to remember that osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, therefore, the course of procedures is repeated every 4–6 months.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis
The operation is prescribed only in cases where conservative treatment is ineffective. This occurs in advanced cases, if the patient has a fusion of adjacent vertebrae or the formation of osteophytes - bone growths on the articular surfaces of the bones. These changes lead to constant headaches, stiffness of the neck, chronic ischemia of some parts of the brain. The operation can be performed in several ways:
- removal of pathological growths on the surfaces of the vertebrae, which do not allow them to participate in movement;
- connecting adjacent vertebrae to reduce compression of nerves and blood vessels;
- replacement of the damaged segment with an implant.
The decision about surgical intervention is made on an individual basis. It should be understood that this is a complex operation that will require a long recovery period. In the early stages, it is not carried out, since there is no threat to the patient's health.
Prevention methods
Symptoms and treatment of headache in cervical osteochondrosis are associated with the mechanism of development of this disease. Injuries are one of its causes, but the pathological process can also manifest itself in a healthy person. Doctors recommend instilling the right habits from an early age that will help maintain the health of the cervical spine and prevent the development of dangerous diseases:
- correct posture both when walking and while working at the monitor is the main condition for a uniform load on the spine;
- moderate physical activity - even a healthy person can benefit from daily simple exercises to strengthen and increase the elasticity of the muscles and ligaments of the neck;
- a properly selected mattress and pillow will help to avoid pinching of nerves and ischemia of brain cells during sleep;
- avoiding power loads in everyday life - do not try to carry weights in uncomfortable bags and bags;
- for those who are engaged in sedentary work - regular breaks for a short warm-up;
- in the cold season - wearing a scarf.