The functioning of the central nervous system is ensured by the blood supply to the brain. Approximately 30% of the biological fluid comes from 2 vertebral arteries. They are responsible for blood circulation in the posterior parts of the brain, where important neurological centers are located.
Syndrome of the vertebral artery - causes
All factors leading to disruption of the described vessels are classified into 2 large groups. The first unites any vertebrogenic causes. The diagnosis of vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis is more common, but other diseases of the musculoskeletal system may provoke it:
- dysplasia;
- mechanical damage;
- herniated intervertebral discs;
- congenital malformations;
- displacement of bone structures;
- arthrosis;
- scoliosis;
- osteophytes;
- salt deposits;
- protrusion of discs;
- spondylosis;
- osteoporosis.
The second group includes non-abortogenic pathologies (not related to diseases of the spine and joints):
- tumors;
- abnormalities of the development of arteries;
- spasms of the vessels and muscles of the neck;
- atherosclerosis;
- embolism;
- arteritis;
- thromboses;
- scarring in the soft tissues of the neck.
Syndrome of the vertebral artery - symptoms
The main symptom of this disease are attacks of pain of varying intensity. Vascular and vertebrogenic syndrome of the vertebral artery is accompanied by other symptoms:
- loss of balance;
- hearing impairment;
- deterioration of visual acuity;
- noise in ears;
- dizziness;
- nausea, sometimes with vomiting;
- increased blood pressure;
- hypertension;
- angina pectoris;
- transient ischemic attacks;
- sensation of "sand", dryness of the mucous membranes of the eyes;
- shaky walk;
- numbness, tingling of the facial skin;
- loss of consciousness;
- short-term vegetative disorders - severe hunger, thirst, chills, fever;
- slurred speech.
Pain in vertebral artery syndrome
Because of insufficient blood supply of the brain in his tissues, oxygen starvation begins. On the background of hypoxia, there is an acute one-sided headache - the vertebral artery syndrome is sometimes accompanied by very strong attacks resembling a migraine. During such spasms a person feels discomfort even when combing or touching.
Often, the syndrome of the vertebral artery causes pain in other parts of the body:
- neck (cervicalgia);
- rib cage;
- half face;
- pharynx;
Syndrome of the vertebral artery - lack of breathing
Progression of pathology without adequate treatment leads to an increase in its clinical manifestations and the occurrence of complications. In such situations, the more severe symptoms accompany the vertebral artery syndrome - the signs include episodes similar to a heart attack:
- suffocation or shortness of breath;
- piercing pain in the chest;
- blurred consciousness.
Sometimes there is Bernard-Horner syndrome. It is characterized by a feeling of constant presence in the throat or throat of an alien object ("lump"), which prevents normal breathing, ingestion of food or liquid. In addition, there are paresthesia of one half of the face - numbness of cheeks, lips, tingling sensation or "crawling crawling."
Syndrome of the vertebral artery - diagnosis
The presented disease is similar in clinical manifestations to migraine attacks with aura. To differentiate the syndrome of the vertebral artery and other pathologies, a comprehensive medical examination is required. First, the doctor collects information about the symptoms present, their severity and duration. During the examination, the specialist fixes the existing complaints - pain in the back of the skull, tension of the occipital muscles, difficulty in turning the head. The final diagnosis of "vertebral artery syndrome" is established on the basis of the following studies:
- ultrasound dopplerography of vessels ;
- X-ray of the cervical spine;
- magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography.
Syndrome of the vertebral artery - treatment
The fight against this disease should be comprehensive and aimed at eliminating the cause of the impaired blood supply to the brain tissue. How to treat the syndrome of the vertebral artery:
- Take medications prescribed by a doctor - anti-inflammatory, antimigrenous drugs, venotonics, muscle relaxants and other means.
- Do a special massage of the back and the collar zone.
- Regularly wear an orthopedic device (the collar of Shantz) to compensate for the load on the cervical spine.
- Perform therapeutic gymnastics.
- Attend physiotherapy sessions.
Exercises in vertebral artery syndrome
For relief of soreness and other symptoms of the described pathology, therapeutic exercise is suitable, which provides the maximum relaxation of muscles without sudden movements of the neck. Syndrome of the vertebral artery is associated with inflammatory processes, so dynamic exercises can not be performed. Especially dangerous are the slopes and turns of the head with a large amplitude, they can worsen the condition.
Basic isometric gymnastics with vertebral artery syndrome consists of only 3 exercises:
- The starting position is sitting on a chair with a straightened back. Connect the palms and place them under the chin. They put pressure on their hands, trying to tilt their head forward. The palms should be resisted, so that the muscles of the neck tighten, but the spine does not move. Repeat 3 times for 3-5 seconds.
- Place the left hand on the opposite cheek with the outer side of the palm. Try to turn your head to the right. During exercise, the arm exerts a resistance to the head, which provides tension to the lateral muscles of the neck. Repeat the same action on the other side. Do the exercise 3 times for 4-5 seconds (for each hand).
- Put the palms in the lock, place them on the back of the head. Try to tilt your head back, resisting your hands. Repeat 5 times for 3 seconds.
Massage with vertebral artery syndrome
This kind of manual effect is allowed to apply only after the main course of therapy. First, it is important to stop inflammation and alleviate vertebral artery syndrome - treatment at home with massage in an acute period can end badly. Manual procedures in such situations will provoke even more infringement of blood vessels and strengthening of symptoms. It is important that the massage after exacerbation performed by a qualified specialist, you can not do it yourself.
Syndrome of the vertebral artery - treatment, drugs
Several groups of pharmacological agents are used in the therapy of this pathology. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
- Meloksikam ;
- Nimesulide;
- Aertal;
- Diclofenac;
- Celecoxib.
Muscle relaxants of the central action help alleviate the syndrome and eliminate the infringement of the vertebral artery:
- Baclofen;
- Midokalm;
- Tolperisone.
To improve the neuronal metabolism used:
- Cerebrolysin;
- Gliatilin;
- Actovegin;
- Citicoline;
- Mexidol.
It is often necessary to improve the flow of blood to stop the syndrome of the vertebral artery - the drugs that produce this effect:
- Cinnarizine ;
- Instenon;
- Agapurin;
- Nicergoline;
- Vinpocetine.
Restore metabolism in muscles and blood vessels allow:
- Trimetazidine;
- Mildronate ;
- Tiotriazolin.
To prevent the formation of thrombi and the progression of atherosclerosis will help angioprotectors and venotonics:
- Diosmin;
- Troxerutin;
- Heparin.
The normalization of nerve cell nutrition is responded by:
- Neurobion;
- Milgamma ;
- Neurovitan.
If migraine attacks occur, the doctor prescribes triptans:
- Zomig;
- Sumygamren;
- Rapimed.
Syndrome of the vertebral artery - operation
When all the listed methods of therapy are ineffective, the patient is recommended for surgical intervention. Surgery for vertebral artery syndrome ensures elimination of factors that lead to squeezing of the blood vessel and disruption of the supply of biological fluid to the brain. Variants of manipulation:
- periarterial sympathectomy;
- removal of osteophytes;
- decompression of the vertebral artery;
- excision of uncoververal growths;
- introduction of a cylinder with a stent.
Syndrome of the vertebral artery - prognosis
This disease is well treatable provided it is accurately determined the causes of its occurrence, timely diagnosis and correct therapy. Syndrome of the vertebral artery against the background of cervical osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is more difficult to manage than in the case of non-abortive disorders, but a comprehensive approach helps to completely get rid of the symptoms of the disease in both situations.