Vertebral artery syndrome is a whole 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 pathology
The vertebral artery is a paired blood vessel that passes into the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum. Thanks to it, a significant part of the brain tissues is nourished: the trunk, cerebellum, posterior parts of the organ.
If an artery is compressed, then 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.
Reason for development
According to the ICD, vertebral artery syndrome has the code M47.0. Compression of blood vessels is caused by the following reasons:
- Osteochondrosis, in which bone tissue begins to grow excessively.
- Cervical disc herniation.
- Abnormal vascular structure.
- Defects of the atlanto-occipital joint.
- Malignant or benign tumor.
- Spasm of blood 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 when the left side of the vessel is affected, 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 and a slight blackout 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.
- Decrease in visual acuity (it is not persistent).
- Spontaneous hearing loss on one side.
- Violation of speech and coordination of movements.
- Heart pains.
- Tinnitus.
- Excessive fatigue, general weakness.
- Nausea and indomitable vomiting, after which the person does not feel better.
- Angina.
- Jumps in blood pressure.
- Periodically occurring pre-syncopecondition.
- Distinct crunch of the vertebrae in the neck when moving.
In vertebral artery syndrome, pain may be present all the time or appear intermittently. Unpleasant sensations are more often localized in the occipital region.
Stages of development of pathology
The presented disease develops slowly. Along the way, it goes through several stages:
- Dystonic. It is characterized by the presence of a constant headache, which can become worse when the head moves. At this stage, a person experiences dizziness of varying intensity, impaired functionality of the auditory and visual analyzers. Vascular tone is reduced.
- Ischemic. At this stage, there is a disorder of cerebral circulation. The patient has speech and coordination disorders, 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 contact 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 as well. For this, an instrumental study is carried out, as well as neurological diagnostics. The doctor records the patient's complaints. During the examination, the specialist notes the hardening of the muscles of the back of the head. To confirm the diagnosis, the following research methods will be required:
- X-ray.
- Doppler ultrasound and contrast medium.
- MRI of the brain and spinal column.
- Biochemical blood test to determine the level of cholesterol in the blood.
Treatment can only be started after an accurate diagnosis.
Conservative Therapy
Verebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis almost always occurs if treatment has not been carried out. When a person's condition is satisfactory, he does not require hospitalization. In the presence of ischemia of the brain tissue, the patient is admitted to the hospital.
Treatment of vertebral artery syndrome must be comprehensive. It includes the following medications:
- Vitamin complexes: "Milgamma". B vitamins are considered especially important, as they positively affect the functionality of the nervous system.
- Drugs to improve the functionality of blood vessels.
- Miorelaxants: "Mydocalm". They are prescribed only by a doctor in the event that other drugs have been ineffective.
- Painkillers: Baralgin.
- NSAIDs: Movalis, Nimesil, Ketoprofen.
- Drugs to improve cerebral circulation: Cavinton, Cinnarizine.
- Chondroprotectors: "Chondroxide", "Glucosamine". They improve the metabolism in the joints, restore cartilage tissue. They are often prescribed for osteochondrosis. Howeverthey 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, have been eliminated.
Physiotherapy treatment
Treatment of vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis involves the use of orthopedic devices to reduce the load: the Shants collar. In addition, the following physiotherapy 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, so a consultation with a vertebrologist is required.
No less effective is the massage of the collar zone of the neck. It relieves pain and spasm. The patient is often prescribed acupuncture. Spinal traction is also applied.
The scheme of complex treatment includes physiotherapy exercises. It improves the mobility of the specified section of the spine, relieves symptoms. But you need to do the exercises regularly, correctly. Lack and excess of activity are fraught with complications, so the patient must strictly follow the instructions of the doctor. The complex includes turns and tilts of the head. Atthe presence of pain exercises need to be replaced.
Folk recipes
National treatment must be used in combination with drugs. Decoctions improve their effectiveness, but monotherapy with them will not give a lasting effect. To thin the blood, it is useful to use a mixture of garlic, honey and lemon juice. The vegetable should be pre-chopped, let it brew for three days and combined with the rest of the ingredients in equal proportions. It is necessary to use the medicine once a day for 1 tsp.
The fruits of Japanese Sophora and hawthorn give a good effect. Herbal medicines are a great addition to conventional therapy, however, any remedy prepared from them must be approved by a doctor.
Surgery
If the symptoms of vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis cannot be eliminated conservatively, then neurosurgical intervention is used. There are such indications for the procedure: severe pathology, 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 method of treatment in the presence of severe concomitant diseases of the internal organs that are in the stage of decompensation. Intervention is not prescribed for patients who have reached the age of 70.
Surgery is a very effective treatment. The following types of interventions can be distinguished:
- Replacing the damaged part of the artery with an artificial prosthesis.
- Removal of tissue, bone fragment or neoplasm that compresses blood vessels.
- Artery bypass to restore circulation.
- Expansion of the lumen of the vessel with an inert gas.
- Removal of a fragment of an artery on which an atherosclerotic plaque has formed.
After surgery, a person needs to undergo a course of recovery. Its duration depends on how the procedure was performed, what severity of the underlying disease was diagnosed.
Possible Complications
Now it is clear what symptoms, treatment of vertebral artery syndrome exist. If left untreated, the following complications may develop:
- Violation of the functionality of the brain. At the same time, almost all body systems stop working normally.
- Strong jumps in blood pressure, which negatively affects the heart muscle, blood vessels, eyes.
- Ischemic stroke. It requires the immediate intervention of doctors.
- Disability.
- Fat.
Complications of this pathology are very severe, but timely therapy will preserve the quality of life and get rid of the problem.
Forecast and prevention
Self-treatment for vertebral artery syndrome is unacceptable. With proper therapy, the prognosis of pathology is favorable. But it depends on how long the underlying disease has developed.
In order for a person not to have the disease presented, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of doctors:
- For sleep, use a firm orthopedic mattress and a small pillow.
- Regularly take preventive massage courses.
- Strengthen neck muscles with exercise.
- Fix the cervical region with the Shants collar (if necessary).
- Avoid traumatic injury to the specified area.
- Prophylactic medical examinations every 6 months.
Prevention will avoid many of the problems that arise as a result of the presented disease. But if the symptoms still appear, then it is necessary to immediately undergo a diagnosis and begin treatment.
