Treatment of vertebral artery syndrome

Vertebral artery syndrome is not an independent disease, as many mistakenly believe. This is a pathological condition of the body, which begins due to a violation of free blood flow in the vertebral artery. This condition occurs in office workers, and indeed in people leading a sedentary lifestyle. And it has little to do with age. Unpleasant sensations can appear both in a pensioner and in a twenty-year-old youth.

For the most part, it is through the vertebral arteries that blood enters the brain. Due to compression of one, and sometimes both arteries, oxygen and nutrients do not reach the brain in sufficient quantities. As a result, health problems begin, which is expressed primarily in the deterioration of well-being. In severe cases, disability may even occur.

The causes leading to the development of vertebral artery syndrome can be divided into two categories:

Diseases of the spine

This may include:

• osteochondrosis;
• scoliosis;
• anomalies in the structure of bones;
• received injuries.

Very often the cause is arthrosis of the intervertebral joint, which connects the first cervical vertebra to the second. If a complex of certain symptoms is observed against the background of a disease of the spine, then this is a vertebrogenic syndrome of the vertebral artery.

Diseases not related to the spine

• inflammation of the walls of one or both arteries;
• thrombosis;
• abnormal sizes of arteries;
• atherosclerosis;
• spasms of the neck muscles;
• cases of irritation of the nerve receptors surrounding the vertebral artery.

Much more often, vertebral artery syndrome develops on the left side. This is explained by the fact that the vertebral artery, located on the left, is connected directly to the aortic arch, where pathological changes associated with atherosclerosis often occur. If a person suffers from any of the listed diseases, a sharp tilt or careless turn of the head can serve as a factor provoking the appearance of vertebral artery syndrome.

Stages and symptoms

The vertebral artery syndrome has two stages of development: initial - dystonic and organic, when serious disturbances in the blood circulation of the brain already begin.

Symptoms of the dystonic stage, which is also called the stage of functional disorders:

1. Persistent headache. Usually the pain affects the occipital and temporal regions, it can be aching or throbbing. It increases with a sharp change in the position of the head, as well as with fast walking and in transport.
2. Vertigo. At the initial stage of the development of the syndrome, they manifest themselves in the form of a slight instability, which passes rather quickly.
3. Noise and throbbing in the ears. There may be sudden hearing loss for a few seconds.
4. Vision problems - darkening in the eyes, a feeling of sand, flashes and sparks before the eyes, bifurcation of surrounding objects.

If you do not pay attention to the appearance of such symptoms, the disorders progress and pass into the organic stage.

Symptoms of the organic, or ischemic stage:

1. Severe dizziness, coordination of movements may be disturbed, loss of consciousness occurs.
2. Sharp attacks of nausea, vomiting.
3. Finger numbness, feeling of chills.
4. Speech disorders, panic, bouts of irritation.

Diagnostics

Physiotherapy techniques help relieve pain

If symptoms of vertebral artery syndrome appear, it is recommended to consult a doctor already at the initial stage in order to prevent unpleasant consequences, up to a stroke.

If, upon examination, the doctor detects pain when pressing on the cervical vertebrae and muscle tension in the back of the head, additional studies are prescribed:

• X-ray examination of the cervical spine.
• MRI of the brain - in order to correctly determine the location of the compression of the artery.
• UZDG - ultrasonic dopplerography.

It is very important to make a correct diagnosis, since similar symptoms are also found in migraine and some other diseases.

Treatment

To eliminate an unpleasant syndrome, it is necessary first of all to cure the disease against which this syndrome appeared.

If it is caused by any congenital pathology, for example, asymmetry of the vertebral arteries, you will have to change your lifestyle to a more active one. For sleep, it is desirable to choose orthopedic mattresses.

With regard to drug treatments for vertebral artery syndrome, these include:

• drugs - anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory;
• vasodilator drugs to restore normal blood flow;
• complexes of vitamins of group B;
• physiotherapy procedures;
• acupuncture;
• massage and physiotherapy.

With a timely complex treatment, the patient's condition, as a rule, does not cause any particular concern and he does not need hospitalization.

Physiotherapy

Regularly performing these exercises at home, you can not only eliminate unpleasant symptoms, but also strengthen your spine.

Head tilt exercises are performed only in the recovery period. With acute pain, they are contraindicated.

Repeat each exercise 8-10 times.

1. Slowly tilt your head forward, try to touch your chest with your chin. Count to five and return to starting position.
2. Tilt your head to the right, count to five, level off. Then tilt to the left also for 4-5 seconds. At the same time, do not raise your shoulders, keep your back straight.
3. Slowly rotate your head - first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
4. Raise your hands up, press your palms to each other and freeze in this position for a few seconds. Then lower your arms and relax.
5. Turn the whole body to the right, hold this position. Straighten up, then do the same turn to the left.
6. Stand alternately on the right, then on the left leg - for 20-30 seconds on each.
7. In a standing position, stretch your arms and rest your palms against the wall at shoulder level. Perform 10-15 push-ups.

Summing up

1. The vertebral artery syndrome develops as a result of compression of the walls of the artery. Because of this, less nutrients and oxygen enter the brain.
2. Its main symptoms are frequent pain in the head and dizziness. If you neglect to visit a doctor when these symptoms appear, the consequences can be sad - a brain stroke and disability.
3. Treatment includes taking medications prescribed by a doctor, as well as massage and physiotherapy.
4. Gymnastics at home helps to quickly restore good health.