Vertebral artery syndrome is a complex of vestibular, autonomic and vascular pathologies that occurs as a result of a decrease in the lumen of the vertebral artery and circulatory disorders. A similar problem develops against the background of vascular diseases, pinched arteries of the intervertebral hernia, bone outgrowths, protrusions, and tumors.
Symptoms of such a violation can be very different. It all depends on the area of damage to the artery, as well as on the underlying disease. It is very important to timely recognize the pathology that has arisen and to conduct treatment to prevent the development of complications.
Anatomical features
Due to the structural features of the cervical spine, this area is more affected by the development of osteochondrosis. In the upper part of the spine there are seven vertebrae, each of which differs in its structure. Such signs are associated primarily with the complex amplitude of movement of the head and shoulder girdle.
In addition, the spinal cord, blood vessels and arteries, originating in the brain, pass through the cervical region. Some of their species pass into the diaphragm and digestive organs.
The main arteries, through which nutrients enter various organs, are also considered very important for the body. Despite the great importance of the jugular artery and carotid vein, they are less involved in the pathological process. The vertebral vein passes between the vertebrae and is squeezed by tensed muscles or displaced disks.
Violation feature
Osteochondrosis affects the musculoskeletal, circulatory and nervous systems. According to localization, extravertebral and vertebral syndrome are distinguished. The latter is characterized in that it is localized in the vertebral structures and is characterized by the spread of pain in the spine.
In osteochondrosis, lesions are observed in the intervertebral discs, muscles, small joints and ligaments of the spinal column. Vertebral syndromes are the presence of painful manifestations and other disorders in different parts of the spine. The operation of one or several segments is disrupted. A secondary manifestation of the syndrome is the occurrence of pain in the spine or during movement.
Osteochondrosis occurring in the cervical region is considered a very dangerous pathology, since often at the initial stage it proceeds almost asymptomatically. It is no less difficult to detect it in the later stages. This is due to the fact that the unpleasant sensations that arise may be completely irrelevant to the spine.
Diagnosis of the pathology of the cervical spine causes some difficulties, and periodically occurring pain syndrome is eliminated by many with the help of antibiotics. In addition, the combination of existing symptoms complicates the diagnosis.
Causes of occurrence
A decrease in the lumen of the vertebral artery occurs due to its deformation or crushing. Often, such a disorder develops against the background of such diseases as:
- cervical spondylarthrosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- congenital pathologies of the structure of the spine;
- neoplasms;
- instability of the vertebrae in the cervical spine;
- deforming spondylosis;
- osteophytes;
- muscle tonic syndrome;
- scar tissue formation.
Vertebral syndrome can be triggered by birth defects and pathologies of the structure of the vascular wall, tortuosity and excesses of blood vessels, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, vasculitis.
Main classification
According to the classification, vertebral artery syndrome is divided according to the type of hemodynamic disturbances. There are several types of violations, namely:
- compression;
- irritative;
- angiospastic;
- mixed.
Compression is caused by mechanical pinching of the artery. Angiospastic manifests itself in the form of spasms in response to irritation of the receptors in the area of the affected segment of the spine. Irritative occurs as a result of irritation of the sympathetic fibers of the spine. Mixed is a combination of irritative and compression type.
Developmental stages
Doctors distinguish two stages of the course of vertebral syndrome of osteochondrosis, namely, functional and organic. The first is represented by a combination of three groups of signs, namely, cochleovestibular syndrome, headache, and visual impairment.
Pain in the head can manifest itself in completely different ways. It can occur suddenly in the form of acute attacks with pulsation or continue for a long time, expressed in the form of aching sensations in the neck and forehead. Pain can be aggravated by head movements or static loads.
Violation of the cochlevestibular system is also specific. This can be both slight swaying and dizziness, as well as systemic disorders associated with damage to the vestibular analyzer. There is also a darkening in the eyes and hearing loss.
The organic stage occurs under the condition of prolonged compression effects on the vertebral artery. A violation manifests itself in the form of nausea, dizziness, unsteady gait, bouts of falling. This condition can lead to prolonged loss of consciousness, as well as ischemic attacks, after which a person feels severe weakness, tinnitus and headaches.
Main symptoms
With vertebral insufficiency syndrome, the clinical picture may consist of several options, namely:
- cervical migraine;
- basilar migraine;
- ophthalmic problems;
- peripheral syndrome;
- vestibulo-atactic syndrome;
- ischemic attacks;
- autonomic dysfunction.
Cervical migraine manifests itself in the form of a dull pain in the neck and back of the head, which goes to the frontal and parietal parts of the head. Pain increases after sleep, when turning the head and while walking. However, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, chills, sensory disturbances, tinnitus occur.
Vertebral basilar syndrome is characterized by a strong susceptibility to sounds, bright light, nausea, disorientation in space, hallucinations, impaired vision and hearing, one-sided headache in the back of the head.
Ophthalmic syndrome is caused by sparks in the eyes, short-term outbreaks, rapid eye fatigue and pain, impaired visual acuity, conjunctivitis.
In peripheral cochleovestibular syndrome, patients complain of gait shakiness, dizziness, hearing loss, and even mild hearing loss.
Vestibulo-atactic syndrome is caused by the fact that dizziness is combined with swaying when walking, a violation of spatial orientation and coordination of movements.
Ischemic attacks in vertebral syndrome are accompanied by blurred speech, blindness, unsteady gait, difficulty swallowing saliva and food, and a deterioration in sensitivity. Drop attacks occur with a sudden fall or throwing of the head, but the consciousness is not disturbed.
With autonomic dysfunction, sharp surges in pressure, lack of air, a rush of cold and heat, restless sleep, increased sweating are observed.
Which doctor to contact
Cervical vertebral syndrome is treated by a vertebrologist. That is why, when the first signs of a violation appear, you need to contact him. Depending on the particular course of the disease, he may refer you to such specialists as a neurologist, orthopedist, ophthalmologist or oncologist.
Diagnostics
During a neurological examination, the doctor determines the presence of deviations, estimates the range of movements and muscle tone. In order to study the bone tissue of the spine, determine the presence of degenerative changes and pathological growths, spondylography is performed in several projections, tomography.
To detect vascular disorders, rheoencephalography, ultrasound and duplex scanning are used, and MRI is used to detect damage to the spinal cord. After diagnosis and determination of the presence of vertebral cervical syndrome, treatment is prescribed, which is selected separately for each patient.
Treatment feature
The choice of outpatient or inpatient treatment of vertebral syndrome is determined depending on the severity of the course of the disease. The patient may be assigned:
- drug therapy;
- physiotherapeutic techniques;
- conducting an operation.
In addition, in some cases, folk remedies can be used as additional techniques.
Drug therapy
For the treatment of vertebral artery syndrome against the background of cervical osteochondrosis, medications are prescribed. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are required. They help eliminate the focus of inflammation and pain. These medicines include:
- "Nimesulide";
- "Meloxicam";
- Ibuprofen.
Muscle relaxants help to eliminate muscle spasm and normalize overall well-being. These drugs include Midokalm and Baclofen. Chondroprotectors improve the recovery of affected cartilage. The drug "Chondroitin" has proven itself well. To improve overall well-being, vitamin complexes are required.
Physiotherapeutic Techniques
With cervical osteochondrosis and vertebral artery syndrome, physiotherapy techniques are good. For the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment, it is important to minimize the mobility of the vertebrae. This can be achieved with an orthopedic collar around the neck. It fixes the cervical vertebrae in a stationary state.
Reflexology helps eliminate muscle spasm. Physiotherapy is contraindicated only at the stage of exacerbation of the disease. Often, such therapy is combined with massage sessions. The procedure is prescribed only by the attending physician, and it should be carried out under strict control. Therapeutic exercises should be moderate, as too sharp movements can lead to displacement of the vertebrae.
Folk remedies
As an auxiliary means of therapy, folk remedies and methods can be used. Take three heads of garlic, chop until gruel and put in a cool dark place for five days. Then strain and add 2 tbsp. l lemon juice and 50 ml of honey. Mix everything well. Take orally for 1 tbsp. l daily before bedtime.
Mix 50 g of corn stigmas with 20 g of lemon balm leaves, add the juice of half a lemon. Mix everything thoroughly, add 1 cup of boiled warm water. Put the infusion in a dark place for two hours. Drink half a glass 30 minutes before eating.
Operation
Surgery is prescribed only if vertebral syndrome leads to the development of ischemia, stroke, cognitive impairment, as well as pathologies of hearing and vision.
The most dangerous complication is vertebrobasilar stroke. This condition is characterized by a complete loss of auditory and visual function, as well as a violation of the respiratory system and heart failure.
Possible complications
Quite often, vertebral artery syndrome becomes the main cause of ischemic attacks, which significantly increase the risk of stroke. Other complications include:
- numbness of the limbs;
- high blood pressure;
- paralysis;
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- deterioration in sensitivity.
In addition, subcutaneous infection may occur during surgery. In especially severe cases, the patient dies.
Prophylaxis
Prevention consists in attentive attitude to one's health, timely treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, distribution of labor and rest.
It is necessary to avoid a long stay of the neck and head in one position, to get moderate physical activity, eat healthy food, and also undergo a comprehensive preventive examination.
The appearance of vertebral pathology is quite common and manifests itself in the form of pain in the trunk, spine, limbs. Spinal column defects can occur even in childhood.
The disease negatively affects the functioning of the brain. This occurs as a result of insufficient blood flow, which is provoked by deterioration in the work of the vertebral artery.
Reviews
According to patients, manual therapy techniques have proven themselves well. In addition, it is recommended to wear a supporting orthopedic collar to prevent vertebral displacement and timely prophylaxis. It is important to consult a doctor at the first sign of illness.