Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis: all about nausea

I wrote about the enormous importance the condition of the neck plays for our health in a previous post. Those who read it carefully understood that sometimes it is cervical osteochondrosis that is the cause of VSD. Let me remind you once again that blood vessels pass through the vertebrae of the cervical spine, which feed our “command post” called the “brain,” but if, as a result of incorrect posture or due to microspasms of the neck muscles, the blood vessels are pinched, then this is fraught with: or increased or decreased intracranial pressure. Due to a lack of oxygen supply to the brain, a multiple bouquet of diseases, symptoms and discomfort appears.

Also, those who carefully read “VSD and osteochondrosis - part No. 1 neck” accepted the fact that:

“Any changes in the cervical spine invariably cause changes (curvatures) in both the thoracic and lumbar spine.”

The typical posture of a person with cervical osteochondrosis is symbolically similar to the letter S, with the head and neck protruding forward, and the shoulders are usually raised and constantly tense. Due to the fact that cervical osteochondrosis is closely related (and sometimes is the root cause of poor posture) with other parts of the spine, in order to align the position of the vertebrae in the cervical region, it is necessary to simultaneously align the vertebrae in the lumbar region.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia: features and relationship

Osteochondrosis is manifested by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spinal column. The main damage occurs to the intervertebral discs. Gradually they lose moisture and elasticity, which leads to loss of decompression function. The vertebrae shift as the space between them decreases.

When pathological changes are localized in the neck, blood vessels supplying the brain or nerves are compressed. In the second case, irritation of the nerve roots emerging from the spinal column causes muscle spasm, causing pinching of the arteries. As a result, cerebral circulation is disrupted. Cerebral ischemia leads to insufficient synthesis of hormones necessary for the nervous system, which causes autonomic failures.

The connection between VSD and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is direct, but sometimes a similar problem occurs due to compression of nerves and vessels in the chest area. In this situation, disruptions occur in the innervation of internal organs. Against the background of the resulting disorder, pain in the spine radiates to nearby tissues, including the heart. The patient perceives the manifested discomfort as a dangerous disease and begins to get nervous. Over time, panic attacks lead to the development of neuroses and vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Osteochondrosis develops in the neck, chest and other parts for the following reasons:

• staying in one position for many hours;
• age-related changes in intervertebral discs;
• congenital malformations of the spine and blood vessels;
• back injuries.

The development of degenerative-dystrophic changes can be accelerated by an unhealthy lifestyle, hard work, and participation in strength sports that require lifting large loads. The manifestation of vegetative failures is directly influenced by stress, metabolic disorders and endocrine disruptions.

Clinical picture

The characteristic and most pronounced sign of osteochondrosis is pain radiating to the shoulders, heart muscle, upper limb, collarbone and scapula. When the vessels are pinched, it is felt in the back of the head and temples. The nature of the pain is aching, sharp and pulsating. They intensify when turning the head and breathing, in the evening and due to hypothermia.

Compression of the nerves is manifested by neurological symptoms. The patient may feel a sensation of electric shock and numbness of the innervated tissues. Against the background of muscle spasm and pain, stiffness in movements occurs.

Due to disruptions in hemodynamics, pressure surges and symptoms characteristic of diseases of the cardiovascular system appear:

• general weakness;
• feeling of heartbeat;

• tinnitus;
• fast fatiguability;
• tachycardia or bradycardia;
• dizziness;
• decreased visual acuity and flashing “spots” before the eyes.

The patient experiences hypertension or hypotension. Sometimes blood pressure remains within acceptable limits, but intracranial indicators increase, which also manifests itself in neurological symptoms.

Gradually increasing hypoxia, which arose due to pinched blood vessels in the neck, has characteristic signs:

• faintness and loss of consciousness;
• sensation of pulsation in the temples;
• pain in the back of the head;
• general weakness;
• manifestation of apathy;
• attacks of dizziness;
• gagging.

If you do not treat the pathology in a timely manner, cognitive functions will be impaired:

• thinking;
• memory;
• attentiveness;
• psychomotor coordination.

The irradiation of pain to the heart area causes panic and pushes people to go to the clinic. Because of this clinical picture, patients turn to a cardiologist. The specialist will conduct an examination and interview, then refer you for a full examination in order to identify the causative factor of vegetative failures using the method of exclusion.

Preventive measures and treatment

To normalize the condition, it is necessary to get rid of panic and adrenaline crises. Doing this on your own is difficult. Therefore, the best solution would be the help of a psychotherapist.

At home, the condition can be improved with the help of physical exercises and breathing exercises. Sports help burn adrenaline, which is produced during stress and causes digestive upset. Breathing exercises normalize blood pressure, relieve muscle tension and help oxygen leave the stomach faster.

It is recommended to wash your face with cool water. This helps activate the parasympathetic part of the nervous system, which is responsible for digestion. The water should not be icy, otherwise it will only make the situation worse. Cold showers are also contraindicated. An acceptable option is water slightly below room temperature.

Acupuncture massage is effective. The anti-nausea point is on the wrist. It must be massaged during acute attacks for several minutes. For prevention or for chronic symptoms, this should not be done, as addiction may occur and subsequently this method will become less effective.

Particular attention should be paid to thoughts that cause anxiety, worry and panic. It is best to write them down on paper and give them a logical and reasoned refutation. This will help you analyze existing problems and cope with your own state of helplessness.

Features of the course of therapy

You can defeat VSD at home if you eliminate the causative factor. In this case, it is osteochondrosis. As treatment, you will have to combine medications with folk remedies, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises. It is equally important to eliminate irritating factors and lead a healthy lifestyle:

• to refuse from bad habits;
• adjust your diet;

• take breaks during work, especially sedentary work;
• get enough sleep;
• avoid stressful situations;
• walk more in the fresh air;
• play sports (after the exacerbation stage is completed).

Many videos have been made about VSD, panic attacks and cervical osteochondrosis. Doctors advise you to familiarize yourself with them in order to have a visual representation of the problem and to know everything about the combination of these pathological processes.

Drug therapy

Medicines for VSD against the background of osteochondrosis are prescribed to relieve inflammation and pain, stabilize blood pressure and pulse, improve blood circulation and restore damaged areas:

• Antihypertensive drugs (adrenaline, sodium and calcium receptor blockers, diuretics, drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system) stabilize pulse and blood pressure.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ketonal, Diclofenac) relieve inflammation and pain.
• Drugs for improving cerebral and peripheral blood circulation and restoring venous outflow help reduce brain hypoxia and relieve autonomic failures. Usually medications like Venarus and Bilobil Intensa are prescribed.
• B vitamins in combination with magnesium (“Magne B-6”, “Doppelhertz Magnesium Plus”) help restore damaged areas of the nerve pathways.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Physiotherapy is recommended for VSD and osteochondrosis to relieve symptoms and improve general condition:

• SUV irradiation.
• balneotherapy;
• electrophoresis with the introduction of "Kariapain";
• UHF therapy;
• Darsonval currents.

Massage of the collar area helps well with osteochondrosis. Relief occurs approximately after 3-4 sessions. The duration of the course is 2-3 weeks. It is not recommended to massage the affected area yourself, so as not to aggravate the inflammatory process.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies will help relieve symptoms, but they can only be used after consultation with your doctor. You can prepare the medicine according to the following recipes:

• A mixture of honey and mumiyo will help relieve muscle tension and improve blood supply. It is rubbed into the affected area or used as a compress.
• Cakes made from oatmeal and bran are applied to the neck area. They will relieve swelling and reduce the severity of pain.
• A combination of dandelion roots, St. John's wort and burdock leaves will help restore muscle tone. All ingredients are taken in equal quantities. Then the mixture is poured with boiling water. After cooling, the infusion is used for compresses applied to the area of ​​pinched vessels and nerves.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of VSD and cervical osteochondrosis begins with the patient telling the doctor about the disturbing symptoms. The doctor collects anamnesis and prescribes the following tests for the patient:

• X-ray of the spine;
• MRI or CT scan of the brain;
• Ultrasound and Dopplerography.

Diagnosing VSD is quite difficult, since the symptoms of the pathology are similar to many diseases; it is necessary to exclude all possible diseases accompanied by a similar clinical picture. The patient will have to visit a large number of highly specialized doctors, undergo the necessary tests and functional tests. Only after all possible pathologies have been excluded is a diagnosis of VSD made.

An ultrasound of the neck vessels should be performed for frequent headaches, dizziness and tinnitus.

Bubnovsky's technique: general recommendations

Sergei Mikhailovich Bubnovsky, a professional resuscitator, compiled several sets of exercises designed to strengthen the back muscles. They are connected by the peculiarity of their execution. You need to make movements with effort, but without overexerting, so as not to get damaged. Thanks to this rule, Bubnovsky’s gymnastic exercises can be used as a treatment for most spinal pathologies. A contraindication to their implementation is the period of exacerbation, when it is necessary to take medications and move less.

Exercises for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are done while sitting. The back should be straight and the upper limbs should lie on the knees. When performed correctly, tension in the muscles is felt. Each movement must be recorded, that is, remain at the end point for 10-15 seconds. Initially, you can start with 3-5 seconds. To avoid dizziness, the gaze follows the head.

Breathing exercises for VSD

Breathing exercises help provide oxygen to the organs and avoid attacks. The following rules must be observed:

• you should breathe using the chest, stomach, diaphragm;
• breathing should be even, without delays;
• during exercise therapy, inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth;
• breathing rhythm coincides with body movements.

Each exercise is performed 10 times:

1. Abdominal breathing. Inhale through the nose, the chest is motionless, the stomach rises strongly, exhale through the mouth.
2. Breast. Inhale through your nose, only your chest rises, exhale through your mouth.
3. Inhale one nostril at a time, the other closed. Exhale through your mouth.
4. Full breath. When you inhale, the chest and stomach move in turn, and we also exhale in turn.

Breathing training should not cause dizziness or shortness of breath.

Note: breathing exercises are performed in any position - sitting, lying, standing.

Set of exercises

Bubnovsky’s exercises are quite feasible even while sitting at your workplace. To prevent relapses of the disease, it is advisable to take breaks every couple of hours to do therapeutic exercises:

It is advisable to do therapeutic exercises 1-2 times a day. If severe discomfort occurs, you should stop exercising and consult a doctor.

The combination of symptoms of osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia may be similar to the development of pathology of the cardiovascular system. If such signs are detected, you should contact a cardiologist or therapist. The doctor will prescribe a series of examinations to make a diagnosis and, if necessary, refer you to a more specialized specialist. Medicines, physiotherapy, folk remedies and physical therapy are used as treatment.

Video on the topic of VSD and cervical osteochondrosis

VSD and cervical osteochondrosis are very painful and quite dangerous pathologies. But with the right and comprehensive approach to treatment, you can get rid of these ailments quite quickly. The main thing is to consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow all his recommendations exactly.

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