Syndrome of the vertebral artery with cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment

In the list of violations of well-being associated with cervical osteochondrosis, the so-called vertebrobasilar syndrome. Special because along with by others cerebral circulatory disorders givenPathology not only reduces the patient's quality of life, but, without undergoing timely treatment, can pose a serious threat to the patient’s health and well-being.

What is vertebrobasilar syndrome?

FROMvertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis - this is a complex frustration aroseayah due to impaired hemodynamics in the vertebral artery pool. This state is aboutby day of the complications cervicalsteochondrosis, due to the specificity of the anatomical features of the vertebral artery, can lead to functioning almost all organs and systems.

Pesthetic attention to this pathology is due by that besides subjective discomfort (pain, dizziness, vision problems), vertebrogenic The syndrome is able to negatively affect the vital functions of a number of structures of the central nervous system, which causes a state of health and life threatening.

Causes

The reasons for the development of this pathology lie in the anatomical features cervical spine and in particular the most arteries. This double vessel is a branch of the subclavian artery. Coming to sixthmu neckmu vertebray, vertebral artery enters the canal formed by the processes of the cervical vertebrae (from the firstabout the sixth). From this channel, the vertebral artery falls into skull.

Laying in the bone canal, vertebral artery subject toand deformation at the slightest instability of the cervical vertebrae, and also at decrease in height of intervertebral disks.

Development mechanisms vertebrogenic syndrome:

1. Due to deformation of the artery reduces the volume of blood flow through it, which leads to disruption of blood supply to the basal structures of the brain.
2. Еще один механизм развития патологических symptoms associated with cervical osteochondrosis - this is irritation or even infringement of the sympathetic nerve bundle, which runs along with the vertebral artery. Injury of nerve fibers and leads to the rapid development of neurological symptoms.

This is how a pathological symptom complex is formed, better known as vertebral artery syndrome on the background of cervical osteochondrosis.

Risk factors

There are a number of conditions in which there is more likely vertebral artery syndrome occurs with cervical osteochondrosis (the cause of the disease lie in the pathology of the spine), this:

1. FROMam osteochondrosis.
2. ANDoverweight characteristic of obesity.
3. Systemic diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders (diabetes, atherosclerosis).
4. Hemotional stress and physical stress.
5. FROMSystemic toxic effects (alcohol, nicotine).
6. Genetically driven susceptibility to vascular disorders.

Clinical manifestations

Symptomatology this vascular pathology highly recognizable:

• Pronounced nPathoid headaches, characterized by a pulsating character and having a spread from the back of the neck to the back of the head, and from there to the temples and the frontal area. More often headache with vertebrogenic the syndrome has one-sided localization.

• Bsensations localized directly on surface of the scalp.
• Hvestibular arrestgo apparatus: feeling instabilities like during walkings, tak and at rest, wiggling, episodes of dizziness, hearing loss, hearing of extraneous sounds in the form of ringing or tinnitus. "Float away floor from under the feet "with sharp turns of the head.
• Subjective reduction of visual acuity due to flickering in front of eyes of sparks, flies, fog or veil, sensations sand In eyes.
• Hmuscle tension and soreness neck (especially on palpation).
• Episodes of numbness in any part of the face.
• Violations in the area of cardiovascularfer in the form of episodes of tachycardia, pain in the chest, feeling of lack of air during inhalation.
• Psychological manifestations in the form of attacks of aggression, panic attacks, depressive states or a tendency to apathy.

In addition to high blood pressure, often accompanying vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis, major symptoms of this vascular disorder in severe cases may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Tnausea arising at the height of an attack and ending with vomiting.
• Pcrackling and crunching committing movementsth in the cervical region - bends and turns of the head.
• Havethe strength of pathological phenomena with partiess of view: double vision, narrowing of the visual field, fuzzy visibility.
• Progresirovanie hearing impairment and increased pathological noise.
• RAsstroystvo act of swallowing.
• Deterioration of the sensitivity of the skin of the lips, mucous membrane of the tongue and throat; numbness and paresthesias in these areas.
• Poteri consciousness. Often this state is preceded by a deflected backward position of the head (as, for example, when looking up). Approximation loss of consciousness can be recognized by increased nausea and dizziness, impaired speech, sudden loss of vision in one of the eyes.

These symptoms combined with soreness and other by signs exacerbations of cervical pathology practically unmistakably point to vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis.

Diagnostics

Variety of subjective pointsSigns vertebrogenic syndrome and different perception of complaints by different patients makes it difficult diagnostics vertebrobasilar syndrome. In this regard, a list of mandatory examinations was developed, designed to identify objective signs characteristic of this pathology.

• DDoppler or ultrasound doppler of arteries to detect extravasal deformities of the vertebral artery.
• Xane radiographys callcove with the use of functional tests and image fixation during flexion and extension of the cervical region.

• MRT (magiton resonance imaging)detecting presence, degree and localization of deformities of blood vessels.

Vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis diagnosed when a patient has three main clinical criteria:

1. Hthe presence of characteristic for this pathology set and combination of symptoms.
2. ATidentified using methods magnetic resonance imaging and x-rayand typical changes.
3. Characteristic disorders detected during scanning, as well as in the course of Doppler sonography of the vertebral arteries using stress tests, with flexion and extension of the head.

Such a list of diagnostic criteria was established in order to avoid overdiagnosis. vertebrogenic syndrome

The importance of differential diagnosis

Abrupt attacks of headache in combination with dizziness and nausea against a rise in blood pressure, as well as the likelihood of loss of consciousness may indicate both stroke in vertebro-basilar basin, transient ischemic attack or toxic infection nervous tissue at neuroinfection, and to identify the vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis. Symptoms arise suddenly, which makes it difficult to collect history. Both conditions are considered urgent and are indications for hospitalization and detailed examination.

Differential diagnosis is necessary for the correct selection of treatment for each of the listed diseases.

Medication Therapy

When vascular pathology, to which applies and vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis, treatment must be comprehensive and affect not only the etiology, but also focus on the correction of violations resulting from circulatory disorders.

1. The first step of drug treatment is selection nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate neurogenic inflammation. Etcpriority is given drugs from the group of NSAIDs selective type blocking only the enzyme cyclooxygenase the second type; This approach combines effectiveness in combating disease with patient safety. Typical representatives of this group of drugs are drugs based on nimesulide, meloxicam or celecoxib.
2. A number of disorders that cause symptoms in vertebrogenic syndrome develops under the influence of pathological hypertonus muscles of the neckand. This is one of the signs that we have - Vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis. Reviews Patients indicate that the inclusion of muscle relaxants in the treatment regimen contributes to a more rapid normalization of health and general condition. From the group of such drugs give a good effect "Midocalm ", "WITHsirdalud"Baclofen ". Eliminating muscle spasm, muscle relaxants reduce the intensity of pain, thereby reducing the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. An important point! During the period of use of these drugs should refrain from activities that require increased attention and quick reactions. In addition, such work is incompatible with vestibular disorders that manifest vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis.
3. Treatment States caused by malfunction hemodynamics in vertebrobasilar basin, nis meaningful without the use of funds normalizing mitoRrecirculation, bioactive substances and other drugs whose action is aimed at combating tissue hypoxia.

Physical methods

As an independent therapeutic technique, physiotherapy insufficientabout effectivea; vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis requires an integrated approach to treatment. However, as an auxiliary physiotherapy gives quite good results.

The disadvantage of the method can be considered that its use is contraindicated in the period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.

Massage with vertebrogenic the syndrome is often contraindicated even in the period of remission, since it can cause displacement of the vertebrae and impairment of the neurovascular bundle.

The preferred method for this pathology is reflexology, which can relieve muscle spasms without causing harm to the patient and not aggravating his condition.

Equally important is the orthopedic mode (immobilization of the cervical spine with wearI collar trench). This is especially important moment in cases where worseMr.ue patient conditions associated with a change in position or head movements.

Beyond aggravation, a set of measures is needed to strengthen muscle frame of the neck. In connection with the specifics of the pathology, the decision on the appropriateness of the impact through massage or exercise therapy should take a specialist. Exercises also must be performed under the supervision of a specialist.

Folk methods

Among the recipes containing popular experience in the treatment of certain disorders, there are also tools that help cope with some manifestations vertebrogenic syndrome

1. Use garlic to reduce blood viscosity. To obtain the therapeutic composition of the three large heads of garlic must be crushed and kept in the darkthose three days. Then the mass must be filtered and added to it in the same quantities honey and lemon juice. Pandbe bedtime by tablespoon.
2. Reduce blood pressure will contribute to the reception composition prepared 40 grams of corn stigmas, 20 grams of lemon balm, lemon juice and glasses of boiling water. After an hour of infusion, take on half a cup three times at day behind 30 minutes before meals.

Remember: in so serious situations that as vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis, causes diseases and numerous disorders not eliminated by herbal infusions or other folk remedies. Full scheme therapies may appoint only the attending physician after a detailed examination of the patient. Folk means are used as auxiliary; their use is permissible under the following conditions:

• ABOUTpresence allergic reactions to Ingredients.
• ABOUTno contraindications and approval of the attending physician.

Indications for surgical treatment

The decision on surgical intervention is taken in the case of development due to vertebrogenic syndrome following pathological conditions:

• ANDshemic attacks strokes.
• ANDintellectuallymesticalcognitive frustration.
• FROMtremendous progression of disorders speniya hearing and balance.

In addition, evidence is recognized when vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis combined with severe hypertension, anatomical abnormalities of the vertebral artery or atherosclerosis, as well as the ineffectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Complications

The most terrible complication of vertebrobasilar syndrome is stroke in the vertebrobasilar basin. Its consequences can be:

• ANDhearing off
• Pcomplete loss of vision.
• FROMcardiovascular failure.
• Respiratory failure.