Vertebral artery syndrome is a complex of symptoms that appears as a result of circulatory disorders in the brain. In this case, the main blood vessel is affected. The presented pathology is not independent.
General description of the pathology
The vertebral artery is a paired blood vessel that passes into the cranial cavity through a large occipital foramen. Thanks to it, a significant part of brain tissue is nourished: the trunk, cerebellum, and posterior parts of the organ.
If the artery is compressed, then the nutrients cannot enter the brain in sufficient volume. 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, the patient will develop an ischemic stroke.
The consequences of the pathology are quite severe, so it is better not to delay a visit to the doctor.
Development reasons
According to the ICD, the vertebral artery syndrome has the code M47.0. Vascular compression is caused by such reasons:
- Osteochondrosis, in which bone tissue begins to grow excessively.
- Intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine.
- Anomalies in the structure of blood vessels.
- Defects of the atlantooccipital joint.
- Malignant or benign tumor.
- Spasm of the vessels.
- Scoliosis or other forms of curvature of the cervical spine.
- Atherosclerosis of blood vessels.
- Traumatic neck injury.
Most often, the vertebral artery syndrome develops with damage to the left side of the vessel, since it is more exposed to atherosclerotic changes, because it directly departs from the aortic arch.
Symptoms of the disease
The first symptoms of vertebral artery syndrome are dizziness, as well as a slight darkening in the eyes. In addition, there are other manifestations of the disease:
- Headache in the temple or parietal region, which has a burning character. After physical activity, its intensity increases.
- Decreased visual acuity (it is not persistent).
- Spontaneous hearing loss on the one hand.
- Impaired speech and motor coordination.
- Heartache
- 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 fainting state.
- A distinct crunch of the vertebrae in the neck during movement.
In vertebral artery syndrome, pain may be present continuously or appear periodically. Unpleasant sensations are often localized in the occipital region.
Stages of the development of pathology
The presented disease develops slowly. On this path, 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, a cerebrovascular accident occurs. The patient has impaired speech and coordination, dyspepsia, dizziness. Such an attack can provoke 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 consult a neurologist to determine the tactics of dealing with the problem.
Diagnostic Features
The main cause of vertebral artery syndrome is osteochondrosis. However, it is important to exclude other factors. To do this, an instrumental study is carried out, as well as neurological diagnosis. The doctor records the patient's complaints. During the examination, the specialist notes the hardening of the muscles of the occipital part of the head. To confirm the diagnosis, such research methods will be required:
- Roentgenography.
- Doppler ultrasound and contrast agents.
- MRI of the brain and spinal column.
- A biochemical blood test to determine blood cholesterol.
Treatment can only begin after an accurate diagnosis.
Conservative therapy
Vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis occurs almost always if treatment has not been carried out. When a person is in satisfactory condition, he does not require hospitalization. In the presence of ischemia of the brain tissue of the patient is placed in a hospital.
Treatment of vertebral artery syndrome must be comprehensive. It includes taking such drugs:
- Vitamin complexes: Milgamma. Particularly important are B vitamins, which positively affect the functionality of the nervous system.
- Preparations for improving the functionality of blood vessels.
- Muscle relaxants: "Midokalm". They are prescribed only by a doctor if other drugs are ineffective.
- Painkillers: Baralgin.
- NSAIDs: Movalis, Nimesil, Ketoprofen.
- Preparations for improving cerebral circulation: Cavinton, Cinnarizine.
- Chondroprotectors: Chondroxide, Glucosamine. They improve the metabolism in the joints, restore cartilage. They are often prescribed for osteochondrosis. However, they will be effective only in the early stages of the development of the disease.
In addition to drugs, a person must be prescribed exercise therapy. However, the exercises are determined by the doctor. They are performed only after ischemic disorders, as well as pain, are eliminated.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Treatment of vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis involves the use of orthopedic devices to reduce the load: Shants collar. In addition, such physiotherapeutic procedures will be useful:
- Electrophoresis in combination with analgesics.
- Phonophoresis using "Hydrocortisone".
- Magnetic therapy.
- Dynamic currents.
Manual therapy helps a lot. All manipulations are performed only by an experienced specialist who can restore the anatomical relationships of tissues. But such treatment is not always indicated, therefore, a consultation with a vertebrologist is required.
No less effective is the neck collar massage. It relieves pain and spasm. Acupuncture is often prescribed to the patient. Spinal traction is also used.
The complex treatment regimen includes physiotherapy exercises. It improves the mobility of the specified spine, relieves symptoms. But you need to perform the exercises regularly, correctly. Lack and excess of activity is fraught with complications, so the patient must strictly follow the doctor’s instructions. The complex includes turns and tilts of the head. If there is pain, the exercises need to be replaced.
Folk recipes
Alternative treatment must be used in combination with drugs. Decoctions improve their effectiveness, but monotherapy with them will not give a lasting effect. To dilute blood, it is useful to use a mixture of garlic, honey and lemon juice. Vegetable should be pre-chopped, let it brew for three days and in equal proportions combine with other components. It is necessary to take the medicine once a day for 1 tsp.
A good effect is given by the fruits of Sophora Japanese and hawthorn. Medicinal herbs are an excellent addition to traditional therapy, however, any remedy prepared on their basis must be authorized by a doctor.
Surgery
If the symptoms of the vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis conservatively cannot be eliminated, then neurosurgical intervention is used. For the procedure, there are such indications: a severe course of pathology, a low effect of conservative therapy or its complete absence. But the operation is not always prescribed. A contraindication is a progressive or already completed stroke, characterized by severe neurological disorders.
You can not use the surgical treatment in the presence of severe concomitant diseases of internal organs that are in the stage of decompensation. No intervention is prescribed for patients over 70 years of age.
Surgery is a very effective treatment. The following types of interventions can be distinguished:
- Replacement of the damaged part of the artery with an artificial prosthesis.
- Removal of tissue, a fragment of bone, or a neoplasm that compresses blood vessels.
- Artery bypass surgery to restore blood circulation.
- Expansion of the lumen of the vessel using inert gas.
- Removal of a fragment of an artery on which an atherosclerotic plaque has formed.
After surgery, a person needs to undergo a recovery course. Its duration depends on how the procedure was carried out, what severity of the underlying disease was diagnosed.
Possible complications
Now it’s clear what symptoms, treatment of vertebral artery syndrome exist. In the absence of treatment, the development of such complications is possible:
- Impaired brain functionality. In this case, almost all body systems cease to work normally.
- Strong jumps in blood pressure, which negatively affects the heart muscle, blood vessels, eyes.
- Ischemic stroke. It requires immediate medical attention.
- Disability.
- Fatal outcome.
Complications of this pathology are very serious, but timely therapy will maintain the quality of life and get rid of the problem.
Forecast and Prevention
Self-medication for vertebral artery syndrome is unacceptable. With proper therapy, the prognosis of the pathology is favorable. But it depends on how long the underlying disease has developed.
So that a person does not have the presented disease, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of doctors:
- For sleep, use a hard orthopedic mattress and a small pillow.
- Regularly undergo preventive massage courses.
- Strengthen neck muscles with exercise.
- Fix the cervical spine with a trench collar (if necessary).
- Avoid traumatic damage to the indicated area.
- Every 6 months undergo preventive medical examinations.
Prevention will avoid many of the problems that arise as a result of the presented disease. But if symptoms nevertheless appeared, then it is necessary to immediately pass the diagnosis and begin treatment.