Due to a lack of oxygen, an intense headache appears. Cervical migraine is considered to be its variety, the symptoms of which lead to poor health. The signs and treatment of such an ailment are described in the article.
general information
With cervical migraine, circulatory disorder in the brain is observed. This phenomenon occurs due to a violation of blood flow in 1 or 2 vertebral arteries.
Due to circulatory disorders in the vertebral arteries, up to 30% of blood flow is provided, their problems serve as factors of serious consequences. Strokes are likely, but there may be discomfort with bouts of severe headaches. A disorder of coordination, vision or hearing is also manifested.
Types and causes
In the medical field, cervical migraine is non-vertebrogenic (not associated with pathology in the vertebral discs) and vertebrogenic (associated). The first type is usually associated with congenital pathologies of the cervical spine, in which the diameter of the vessels decreases. This phenomenon is rare and is usually associated with concomitant ailments - atherosclerosis of the vessels, spasms of the muscles of the neck and shoulders, whiplash injury.
Vertebrogenic migraine manifests itself in the form of changes in the intervertebral discs, their destruction or the presence of an abnormality that does not allow normal blood supply to the brain of the head. Often the disease develops due to undetected or untreated osteochondrosis of 1 or 2 vertebrae. The reasons for the development of cervical migraine include instability of the cervical spine, in which there is pathological mobility of the vertebrae and their displacement. Injuries resulting from damage to the neck lead to a change in the location of blood vessels and provoke headaches.
Stages of the disease
Like many diseases of the spine, cervical migraine has 2 stages:
- Reversible. It manifests itself in the form of spasms and narrowing of blood vessels, which does not occur constantly. Pain in the head appears only during an exacerbation.
- Irreversible. Vessels cannot acquire a normal physiological state, they are compressed. Headache torments almost constantly.
At any stage, symptoms of cervical migraine appear when bending, turning the head or body. This is very discomforting, so medical attention is required.
How is it manifested?
The main symptom of cervical migraine is dull pain in the back of the head. Pain sensations appear in the temples and forehead, lead to deterioration of visual acuity, the appearance of sparks in front of the eyes and blurred vision. Other symptoms of migraine in cervical osteochondrosis include:
- constant wave-like pain;
- burning pain syndrome;
- pain that radiates to other parts of the head: ophthalmic, nasal, frontal, temporal;
- the occurrence of discomfort when touching the head with your hands or a comb;
- dizziness, nausea, visual impairment;
- fainting in severe cases.
Diagnostics
To confirm the presence of migraine from cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor performs a diagnosis. He interviews the patient about his feelings. External examination is carried out to establish the reaction of the cervical spine, to pressure on the back of the head, if there is an anomaly, the skin of the neck will be very sensitive.
If cervical migraine syndrome is suspected, additional procedures are performed:
- An x-ray of the neck allows you to establish a pathology in the bones or cartilage.
- Ultrasound with Doppler. The event reveals the state of blood vessels in the cervical spine.
- Computer and magnetic resonance therapy. Procedures help examine the tissues and blood vessels by checking for pathology.
- Blood tests performed in the laboratory. With them you can find out about the concentration of cholesterol.
- Rheoencephalography. Allows you to study a painful vessel for patency.
Symptoms and treatment of cervical migraine in each person may differ. With the help of diagnostic measures, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate type of therapy.
How to treat?
Thanks to the correct diagnosis and effective treatment of cervical migraine, the prognosis of recovery will be improved. The doctor should prescribe therapy, he should not engage in self-medication, since it can be harmful to health.
Treatment is medication when drugs are used. Physiotherapy and surgical methods can also be used. The choice of therapy depends on the symptoms of the disease.
Cervical migraine is often treated with the following means:
- anti-inflammatory and decongestant;
- diuretics;
- painkillers;
- muscle relaxants;
- chondroprotectors;
- neuroprotective agents;
- vitamin complexes;
- drugs to eliminate hemodynamic disorders.
Congenital pathologies of the vertebral arteries are treated with a surgical method that eliminates defects. But these operations are rarely performed. If cervical migraine appeared due to injuries, then surgery is likely to be required. After this, physiotherapeutic procedures are performed on additional medical equipment. Physical therapy and massage are carried out by a specialist.
Exercises
To relax and eliminate vascular constriction, a preventive set of exercises is used. With its constant implementation, it will be possible to get rid of cervical migraine:
- You have to sit comfortably, put your hands on your shoulders. Elbows make movements in a circle back and forth.
- In this position, the elbows are brought down and parted, straining the shoulder blades.
- In a standing position, the body is turned slowly left and right.
- You need to stretch your head to the shoulders and back and forth.
- It is necessary to step in place, knees lifting up.
- In a standing position, hands should be raised and inhaled, lowered and exhaled.
- A rolling pin is used for soft tapping on the shoulders.
- The edges of the palms easily tap on the cervical spine.
- You need to sit on a chair, bend your lower back and throw your head back.
All exercises are carried out 10-15 times. After classes, self-massage of the cervical spine is needed. Gently rub the neck with your fingers, starting from the top.
After diagnosis, specialists recommend performing professional massage or acupuncture. The second procedure is based on the action of special thin knitting needles inserted under the skin in certain areas, affecting the nerve endings. This therapy should be carried out by an experienced specialist and after the approval of a doctor.
Folk methods
Although they are not able to eliminate the signs and symptoms of cervical migraine, treatment with folk remedies significantly increases the effectiveness of medical therapy. They should be used during remission. Natural products help in prevention. Before therapy, the actions should be agreed with the doctor.
In traditional medicine, the following methods are used:
- It is necessary to chop hop cones, melt the lard. The components are mixed in equal amounts. The mass is applied to the neck, covered with a warm scarf, left overnight. In the morning, wash off, rub the skin with a towel.
- St. John's wort (150 g) is added to vegetable oil (0.5 l). It is heated in a water bath, everything is kept for 30 minutes. Infusion is carried out for three days in the refrigerator. Every morning, a little medicine should be warmed up and rubbed into the neck; rinsing is not required.
- Fresh horseradish leaves are needed, which are scalded with boiling water, applied to the neck. The compress is removed after a slight burning sensation.
- It is necessary to stretch the cabbage leaf, grease one part with honey, attach it to the neck for 30 minutes.
These remedies will be an excellent complement to traditional therapy. These are only aids and not the basis of treatment.
Other treatments
Doctors often prescribe cervical massage. This procedure strengthens muscles and improves local blood circulation. Another massage is used as a prophylaxis. Effective are acupuncture, therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy. The course of therapy is long, but the result appears quickly.
In the treatment of a pathological condition that has not progressed to a serious stage, as well as for protection against relapse, an orthopedic pillow should be used. Sometimes treatment is performed surgically. Surgery is required to detect displacement of the vertebrae. This is a complex procedure in which there may be complications.
Prevention
Headaches appear due to oxygen starvation of the brain, so you need to be more often in the fresh air. It is advisable to choose those areas where the air is saturated with oxygen, preferably in a forest or park, where there are many trees. Prevention will be rest at sea.
Mobility is important. Modern man spends a lot of time in a sitting position. This is the cause of stagnant processes in the body and the appearance of various ailments. The vertebral section is particularly affected. Due to lack of movement, drying of the soft paravertebral tissues occurs, which causes starvation of the intervertebral discs, which leads to pathologies.
Doctors advise to adhere to an active lifestyle, choose mobile hobbies, if the main lifestyle is sedentary. Swimming in the pool, fitness, water aerobics and physical education unload the spine, relax the ligaments and muscles, strengthen the muscular skeleton, and improve the nutrition of the intervertebral discs.
Proper nutrition is also needed. The diet should include fruits and vegetables that will saturate the body with vitamins and minerals. But it is necessary to exclude their nutrition of fish and meat, which include complexes of valuable elements necessary for blood vessels and bones. It is important to obtain the component omega 3, which increases the elasticity of blood vessels and arteries.
With full and timely treatment, the prognosis will be positive. Cervical migraine will stop or significantly facilitate its manifestation. With a running process with organic disruptions, the prognosis is not so favorable, unfortunately, it will only manage to ease the attacks. Therefore, you can not start the disease.