Spinal osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic process that results in damage to the cartilaginous segments of the spine (intervertebral discs) with subsequent involvement of other parts of the spinal segment in the process. Due to greater mobility in the cervical region compared to other parts of the spine and a weak muscular frame, cervical osteochondrosis is observed very often - in more than 25% of cases. And headache is one of the most common manifestations of this disease.
Clinical picture of cervical osteochondrosis
The degree of severity and nature of symptoms in cervical osteochondrosis depends on the stage of the degenerative-dystrophic process, as well as on the location of the lesion. It should be noted that there is no specific clinic for cervical osteochondrosis; the main manifestations of the disease are pain and loss of sensitivity in the neck, back of the head, shoulder girdle, arms and fingers.
Cervical osteochondrosis is almost always accompanied by headaches (cephalgia), cervicalgia (pain in the neck, radiating to the back of the head, shoulder and arms), limited mobility of the upper spine (neck and shoulder girdle), and dizziness. Depending on the damage to a particular spinal segment, headaches may be observed in different localizations, combined with numbness, short-term or long-term loss of sensation in the shoulder and arms, down to the fingers.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis accompanied by headaches and dizziness?
Headaches are a very common complaint with cervical osteochondrosis. It is often accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, poor coordination, and blurred vision. Let's consider how changes in the spinal column during cervical osteochondrosis lead to similar symptoms.
In the transverse processes from the VI to II cervical vertebrae there are canals through which the vertebral arteries pass, supplying blood to many parts of the brain and the so-called “Frank’s nerve”. Due to degenerative changes in the joints of the spine and directly in the vertebrae, the formation of osteophytes (bone growths) occurs, which leads to a narrowing of the spinal canal and compression of elements of the neurovascular system.
Osteophytes directed to the muscles irritate them, this causes a reflex muscle spasm, which leads to compression of the intervertebral discs, aggravating the course of the disease. Osteophytes, irritating the nerve roots at the exit of the spinal column, cause pain and spasms, the localization of which depends on the affected area.
Osteophytes directed to the canal of the transverse processes irritate Frank's sympathetic nerve, which leads to spasm of the vertebral artery, and also mechanically compress this artery, provoking a violation of cerebral circulation.
An acute disturbance of cerebral hemodynamics (brain circulation) leads to the development of an ischemic attack of the brain, which leads to the appearance of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis such as dizziness, nausea, headache, loss of coordination, and blurred vision.
Another reason for compression of the Frank nerve and the vertebral artery is displacement of the disc in the posterolateral and lateral directions, protrusion of the disc into the intervertebral canal during a hernia or protrusion (protrusion of the disc without violating its integrity).
The cause of compression of the nervous and vascular structures in the cervical spine can also be subluxation of the cervical vertebrae, their confusion relative to their natural position.
In addition, muscle spasm caused by psycho-emotional fatigue, excessive physical exertion or an uncomfortable position during sleep also leads to poor circulation in the cervical region and, as a consequence, headaches and dizziness.
Features of headaches in cervical osteochondrosis.
Headaches (cephalgia) with cervical osteochondrosis are usually of moderate intensity. Patients characterize the pain as dull, pulling, boring, pressing (feeling of squeezing of the head). Cephalgia with osteochondrosis is usually paroxysmal in nature (from several hours to several days).
Most often, the pain is one-sided, localized in the cervical-occipital region and spreads to the frontal and temporal regions.
Headaches with cervical osteochondrosis are often accompanied by:
- photophobia (intolerance to bright light);
- phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sounds, noise);
- feeling of stuffiness in the ear;
- complaints of blurred vision.
Stiffness in the cervical spine and muscle tension are often noted. Pain and stiffness depend on the position of the neck, and intensify with tension in the muscles of the affected side, or with prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
Headaches with cervical osteochondrosis are often combined with pain in the shoulder and arm.
NEURALGIA
Neuralgia is a lesion of a peripheral nerve, usually manifests itself in the form of acute, severe, burning, piercing pain in the area of innervation of the affected nerve.
If neuropathies and neuritis are characterized by symptoms of loss of nerve function (i.e., decreased sensitivity or motor activity), then neuralgia is characterized by symptoms of irritation (in addition to pain, burning and tingling sensations, increased sensitivity). The most common are neuralgia of the cranial (trigeminal, glossopharyngeal) and spinal (intercostal) nerves.
The causes of neuralgia can be: hypothermia, inflammatory diseases, trauma, tumors, intoxication and even stress.
To relieve attacks of neuralgia, you can use a combination of acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and caffeine, which are contained in the drug SPAZMALIN®. It will help you quickly get rid of acute pain.
Directions for use and doses
The drug is taken orally after meals, 1-2 tablets 2-3 times a day. The maximum daily dose is 6 tablets. The break between doses of the drug should be at least 4 hours. To reduce the irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract, the drug should be taken after meals with water, milk, or alkaline mineral water. Before using the drug SPAZMALIN®, read the instructions.
What can provoke increased headaches with cervical osteochondrosis
- Prolonged forced positioning of the body, especially while sitting at a computer or desk.
- Uncomfortable head position during sleep;
- Sudden head movements, especially rotational ones.
- Impacts, injuries.
- Incorrectly performed massage and other manual procedures.
- Excess weight puts more stress on the spine.
- Eating spicy and salty foods does not directly worsen the headache, but leads to disruption of metabolic processes, which aggravates the disease.
How to get rid of headaches with cervical osteochondrosis
To relieve headaches, including those with cervical osteochondrosis, analgesics in combination with antispasmodics help well. For severe muscle tension and irritation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used. However, it must be remembered that these drugs do not treat the underlying disease, providing only symptomatic care, and at the same time they have a number of serious side effects. Thus, analgesics and NSAIDs, including those containing diclofenac, suppress bone marrow function, lower immunity, inhibit gastric secretion, irritating its mucous membrane and provoking the development of gastritis, and reduce blood clotting. In addition, it has been proven that systematic or frequent use of diclofenac increases the risk of heart attack by 40%, and NSAIDs in general lead to the formation of gastropathy, gum ulceration, pancreatitis and aphthous stomatitis. Antispasmodics can cause the opposite effect - increase dizziness, headache, and also cause palpitations and more complex arrhythmias.
Recently, Botox injections have been used to relieve spasms. However, botuloxin is a strong poison; in addition to the unpredictable individual reaction of the body, it can cause headaches, muscle weakness up to paresis of some muscle groups, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system. With each repeated use, the effect of the drug decreases.
Neuroprotectors have a prolonged (long-lasting) effect, improving metabolism in brain tissue and thereby relieving pain. However, such drugs must be taken in long courses, but if used uncontrolled, they can cause dizziness, headaches, anxiety, increased blood pressure and arrhythmia.
It is important to remember that in this case, a headache is only a symptom of the disease. In addition to symptomatic care, it is necessary to direct efforts to fight the disease itself - the spine needs to be treated.
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis, in addition to the use of painkillers and antispasmodics, should include the use of hydroprotectors, vitamin complexes, as well as exercise therapy and physiotherapy.
Electrophoresis is the most commonly used physiotherapy procedure. Its essence is a local increase in temperature and improvement of blood circulation, which relieves muscle spasms, eliminates pain and speeds up the healing process. In general, any thermal procedures relieve muscle spasms and improve blood circulation.
Magnetotherapy involves the use of low-frequency magnetic field inductors aimed at the problem area, which leads to local dilation of blood vessels, improved oxygenation and metabolism, accelerated elimination of toxins and reduced blood viscosity. Thanks to this, magnetic therapy has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-edematous effect.
Effective assistance in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be provided by a modern drug - the therapeutic pain-relieving anti-inflammatory patch NANOPLAST forte.
SPASM OF SMOOTH MUSCLE OF INTERNAL ORGANS
This is a common cause of abdominal pain, especially in people with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Spasm of smooth muscles provokes intestinal, biliary and renal colic. Occurs with biliary dyskinesia, after surgery to remove the gallbladder and with chronic colitis. The antispasmodic drug SPAZMALIN® is effective for relieving spasms. Directions for use and doses
The drug is taken orally after meals, 1-2 tablets 2-3 times a day. The maximum daily dose is 6 tablets. The break between doses of the drug should be at least 4 hours. To reduce the irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract, the drug should be taken after meals with water, milk, or alkaline mineral water. Before using the drug SPAZMALIN®, read the instructions.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with a therapeutic plaster NANOPLAST forte
When treating cervical osteochondrosis, the NANOPLAST forte therapeutic plaster allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, and relieve muscle spasms. Depending on the condition and severity of degenerative changes in the spine, the drug can be used both in monotherapy and in complex treatment of osteochondrosis. The use of the NANOPLAST patch in complex treatment allows you to reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, enhance their effect, and speed up recovery processes.
The patch combines two types of physiotherapeutic effects - deep soft heating and magnetotherapeutic properties. Long-term exposure - for 12 hours - provides a high therapeutic effect of the drug.
When treating cervical osteochondrosis, the therapeutic plaster NANOPLAST forte is applied to the disturbing area of the neck, avoiding the anterior surface, especially the area of the carotid arteries and lymph nodes. A course of treatment of 9 days or more is recommended. It is usually recommended to use the patch in the morning for 12 hours, but it can also be used at night.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-term (up to 12 hours!) therapeutic effects, ease of use and affordable price make NANOPLAST forte the drug of choice in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Read more about NANOPLAST forte
Comparison of side effects of Spazgani and Spazmalgon
Side effects or adverse events are any adverse medical event that occurs in a subject after administration of a drug.
Spazmalgon has more adverse effects than Spazgani. This implies that the frequency of their occurrence is low in Spazmalgon and low in Spazgani. Frequency of manifestation is an indicator of how many cases of an undesirable effect from treatment are possible and registered. The undesirable effect on the body, the strength of influence and the toxic effect of drugs are different: how quickly the body recovers after taking it and whether it recovers at all. When using Spazmalgon, the body’s ability to recover faster is higher than that of Spazgani.
