Vertebral artery syndrome - the whole complexsymptoms, which appears due to circulatory disorders in the brain. At the same time, the main blood vessel is affected. The pathology presented is not independent.
General description of the pathology
The vertebral artery is paired blooda vessel that passes into the cavity of the skull through the large occipital foramen. Thanks to it, a significant part of the brain tissue feeds: the trunk, the cerebellum, and the back parts of the organ.
If the artery is squeezed, then the nutrientsubstances can not enter the brain in sufficient quantities. As a result, oxygen starvation of tissues occurs. Often, vertebral artery syndrome occurs in young people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. If treatment is not carried out, then the patient will develop an ischemic stroke.
The consequences of pathology are quite heavy, so it is better not to delay a visit to the doctor.
Causes of development
According to ICD, the vertebral artery syndrome is M47.0. Squeezing of blood vessels cause the following reasons:
- Osteochondrosis, in which bone tissue begins to grow excessively.
- Intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine.
- Anomalies of the structure of blood vessels.
- Defects of the atlantosis articular joint.
- Malignant or benign tumor.
- Spasm of blood vessels.
- Scoliosis or other forms of curvature of the cervical spine.
- Atherosclerosis of blood vessels.
- Traumatic injury to the neck.
Most often, the vertebral artery syndrome develops with the defeat of the left side of the vessel, as it is more exposed to atherosclerotic changes, because it directly departs from the aortic arch.
Symptomatology of the disease
The first symptoms of vertebral artery syndrome are dizziness, as well as a slight darkening of the eyes. In addition, there are other manifestations of the disease:
- Headache in the temple or parietal region, having a burning character. After physical activity, its intensity increases.
- Decreased visual acuity (it is not persistent).
- Spontaneous hearing impairment on one side.
- Disturbance of speech and coordination of movements.
- Heart pain.
- Noise in ears.
- Excessive fatigue, general weakness.
- Nausea and indomitable vomiting, after which the person does not feel better.
- Angina pectoris.
- Blood pressure jumps.
- Periodically appearing pre-unconscious.
- A distinct crunch of the vertebrae in the neck when moving.
In vertebral artery syndrome, pain may be constantly present or appear periodically. Unpleasant sensations often localized in the occipital region.
Stages of development of pathology
Presented disease develops slowly. In this way it goes through several stages:
- Dystonic.It is characterized by the presence of a constant headache, which can become stronger with the movement of the head. At this stage, a person has dizziness of varying intensity, impaired functionality of the auditory and visual analyzers. Vascular tone is reduced.
- Ischemic.At this stage, there is a disorder of cerebral circulation. The patient has impaired speech and coordination, dyspepsia, dizziness. Such an attack is capable of provoking the slightest careless turn of the head.
It is important to prevent the progression of the disease, so if you have the first symptoms you should contact your neurologist to determine the tactics of dealing with the problem.
Diagnostic features
The main cause of vertebral artery syndrome isosteochondrosis. However, it is important to exclude other factors. For this purpose, an instrumental study, as well as neurological diagnosis. The doctor records the patient's complaints. During the examination, the specialist notes hardening of the muscles of the back of the head. To confirm the diagnosis will require the following research methods:
- Radiography.
- Doppler sonography using ultrasound and a contrast agent.
- MRI of the brain and spinal column.
- Biochemical blood test to determine the level of cholesterol in the blood.
Treatment can begin only after accurate diagnosis.
Conservative therapy
Синдром позвоночной артерии при шейном osteochondrosis occurs almost always, if the treatment was not carried out. When a person's condition is satisfactory, he does not require hospitalization. In the presence of ischemia, the patient’s brain tissue is placed in the hospital.
Treatment of vertebral artery syndrome must be comprehensive. It includes taking such drugs:
- Vitamin complexes: "Milgamma". Especially important are the vitamins of group B, which have a positive effect on the functionality of the nervous system.
- Preparations to improve the functionality of blood vessels.
- Muscle relaxants: "Mydocalm". They are prescribed only by a doctor if other drugs have proved ineffective.
- Painkillers: Baralgin.
- NPVS: Movalis, Nimesil, Ketoprofen.
- Preparations for improving cerebral circulation: "Kavinton", "Cinnarizin".
- Хондропротекторы: "Хондроксид", "Глюкозамин".They improve the metabolism in the joints, restore cartilage tissue. They are often prescribed for osteochondrosis. However, they will be effective only in the early stages of the disease.
In addition to drugs, the person must be assigned to exercise therapy. However, exercise is determined by the doctor. They are performed only after ischemic disorders and pain are eliminated.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of vertebral artery syndrome with cervicalosteochondrosis involves the use of orthopedic devices to reduce the load: the Schantz collar. In addition, such physiotherapeutic procedures will be useful:
- Electrophoresis in combination with analgesics.
- Phonophoresis using Hydrocortisone.
- Magnetic therapy.
- Dynamic currents.
Well helps manual therapy.All manipulations are performed only by an experienced specialist who can restore the anatomical relationship of tissues. But such treatment is not always shown, therefore consultation of the vertebrologist is required.
No less effective is the massage of the neck area. It relieves pain and spasm. The patient is often prescribed acupuncture. Spinal traction is also used.
The scheme of complex treatment includes medicalphysical Culture. It improves the mobility of the specified section of the spine, relieves symptoms. But you need to do the exercises regularly, correctly. The lack and excess of activity is fraught with complications, so the patient must strictly follow the instructions of the doctor. The complex includes turns and head tilts. If pain is present, exercise must be replaced.
Folk recipes
Folk treatment must be used incomplex with drugs. Broths improve their effectiveness, but their monotherapy will not give a lasting effect. For blood thinning it is useful to use a mixture of garlic, honey and lemon juice. Vegetable should be chopped, let it brew for three days and in the same proportions combined with the other components. It is necessary to take the medicine once a day for 1 tsp.
The fruits of Sophora Japanese and Japanese give a good effect.hawthorn Medicinal herbs are an excellent addition to traditional therapy, however any remedy based on them should be allowed by a doctor.
Surgery
Если симптомы синдрома позвоночной артерии при it is impossible to eliminate the cervical osteochondrosis by conservative means, then neurosurgical intervention is applied. There are indications for the procedure: severe course of the pathology, low effect from conservative therapy or its complete absence. But the operation is not always prescribed. A contraindication is considered to be a progressive or already completed stroke characterized by severe neurological disorders.
Surgical treatment cannot be used.in the presence of severe concomitant diseases of internal organs that are in the stage of decompensation. No intervention is prescribed for patients who have reached the age of 70.
Surgery is a very effective treatment. The following types of interventions can be distinguished:
- Replacing the damaged part of the artery with an artificial prosthesis.
- Removal of tissue, bone fragment or tumor, squeezing blood vessels.
- Shunting of an artery for restoration of blood circulation.
- Expansion of the vessel lumen with inert gas.
- Removal of a fragment of an artery on which an atherosclerotic plaque has formed.
После оперативного вмешательства человеку required to complete a recovery course. Its duration depends on how the procedure was carried out, what degree of severity of the underlying disease was diagnosed.
Possible complications
Now it is clear what symptoms, treatment of vertebral artery syndrome exist. In the absence of treatment, the development of such complications is possible:
- Violation of the functionality of the brain. At the same time, almost all body systems cease to function normally.
- Strong jumps in blood pressure, which negatively affects the heart muscle, blood vessels, eyes.
- Ischemic stroke. It requires immediate medical attention.
- Disability.
- Death.
Complications of this pathology are very difficult, but timely therapy will help preserve the quality of life and get rid of the problem.
Prognosis and prevention
Self-medication for vertebral artery syndrome is unacceptable. With proper therapy, the prognosis of pathology is favorable. But it depends on how long the underlying disease has developed.
In order for a person not to have the presented disease, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the doctors:
- For sleep, use a hard orthopedic mattress and a small pillow.
- Regularly take preventive massage courses.
- Strengthen the muscles of the neck with physical exercises.
- Secure the cervical region with a Schanz collar (if necessary).
- Avoid injury to the specified area.
- Every 6 months to undergo preventive medical examinations.
Prevention will avoid many problemswhich arise due to the presented disease. But if the symptoms did appear, it is necessary to immediately undergo diagnosis and start treatment.
