Severe headaches, mixed with problems of the spine, seasoned with osteochondrosis, can cause the development of vertebral artery syndrome, or as the posterior cervical sympathetic syndrome is also called. The cause of this disease is the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, during which the structure of the passage of the vertebral artery is disturbed and leads to impaired blood circulation and nutrition of brain tissues. It is very difficult to separate and identify vertebral artery syndrome right away, because the symptoms are very similar to other possible diseases of the spine or brain.
What is vertebral artery syndrome
Vertebral Artery – this is a paired connection that originates from the subclavian artery and passes through the sixth vertebra. The vertebral artery passes through a special passage in the cervical vertebrae and enters the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum. The brain is fed through these two vertebral arteries and 30% of the arterial blood comes from these arteries, which feed the posterior cerebral cortex and its trunk.
Therefore, when under the influence of destruction of the spine in osteochondrosis, narrowing or deformation of the passage of the vertebral artery occurs, which leads to a disruption in the process of nutrition of the brain.
Causes of the development of vertebral artery syndrome other than cervical osteochondrosis
- Causes of vertebrogenic character – dysfunction of the spine itself. It can be intervertebral hernia, dysplasia, cervical osteochondrosis belongs to this group of causes.
- Causes of non-vertebrogenic character – secondary, not associated with the pathology of the spinal column. These can be pathologies of the development of blood vessels, arteries, the presence of atherosclerotic plaques and blockage, the possible presence of a tumor.
Symptomatology of the vertebral artery syndrome against the background of the development of cervical osteochondrosis
Previously, this disease spread mainly in older people, and was associated with age-related changes in the spine. Today, most of the younger generation may complain about the presence of such a syndrome. And the beginning of the course of the disease may indicate a pulsation at the back of the head, severe pain, which is easy to confuse with a migraine. Sometimes the pain radiates to the temples or eyes. Basically, the syndrome develops on one side, leaving the other side of the artery unchanged.
Therefore, the pain is localized on one side. In some cases, there may be circulatory disorders in both vertebral arteries, and the entire back of the head may hurt. The pain syndrome can reach its climax and it is difficult for the patient to raise his hand to touch, palpation causes acute pain. It's hard to even comb your hair. The longer vertebral artery syndrome remains untreated, the more pain will be present and will become a constant companion of a person. Often, in addition to soreness of the head, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of hearing and vision can be distinguished.
There may also be problems with the vestibular apparatus, that is, the presence of noise in the ears or head, impaired coordination of movement, frequent dizziness, possible clouding of consciousness or complete loss.
How to treat vertebral artery syndrome in osteochondrosis
Treatment of the syndrome follows after a detailed examination of the patient and a complete clinical picture. First, the patient is interviewed, anamnesis is collected. Then a neurological examination is performed. In addition, it is necessary to undergo such diagnostic methods in order to clarify and specify the diagnosis: x-ray of the cervical spine, dopplerography, MRI.
It is possible to treat vertebral artery syndrome against the background of cervical osteochondrosis with medication or other methods, including traditional medicine. Among the alternative methods of treatment are: the use of an orthopedic collar Shants – it is designed to maintain the neck in the correct physiological position, or – manual therapy, acupuncture.
Traditional medicine for the treatment of vertebral artery syndrome
One treatment with folk remedies should not be limited, it should be used on a par with drug treatment on the recommendation of a doctor.
- Peel 150g of garlic, pass through a press and place in a container that closes tightly. Leave in the refrigerator for three days and three nights. Squeeze the juice and mix with lemon juice and honey in a ratio of 1:1:1. Take this mixture for one tbsp. spoon strictly before bedtime.
- Hawthorn – 1 tablespoon, dry, better chopped, poured with boiling water (100 ml) should be infused for about 15 minutes. Take a tablespoon with three meals.
Therapeutic exercise can be done after exacerbations. Should be done once a day exercises for the cervical spine.
Basic exercises:
- head tilts left and right, back and forth – fix the position near the chest for 5-10 seconds;
- rotate head clockwise and counterclockwise;
- hang on the horizontal bar to relax the vertebrae in the neck;
- swing to strengthen the vestibular apparatus.
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