Symptoms and treatment of cervical migraine

1 Etiology of the disease

Cervical migraine or vertebral artery syndrome is a neurological disease accompanied by intense headaches. Vertebral arteries are located inside the channels, which are formed by the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. They protect the arteries from damage. But the deformation of these processes leads to a violation of protection and in some cases to the deposition of salts. This can happen, for example, due to inflammation, muscle spasm and other conditions in which there may be a violation of blood flow.

Causes of the disease: osteochondrosis, atherosclerosis, trauma or congenital anomalies of the cervical spine, spasm of the neck muscles.

These diseases disrupt the normal operation of blood vessels and blood vessels, "irritate" the nerve tractions, and, as a consequence, the neck hurts.

We all know that interruptions in the delivery of oxygen to the brain are fraught with terrible complications. In particular, if the brain does not receive it within 5 minutes, it dies. In such conditions of oxygen starvation, there is a cervical migraine.

2 Typical manifestations of the pathology of

Most often, cervical migraine can be recognized by the following features:

• an intense headache that occurs in the occipital part of the head, most often on one side, then spreads to the forehead and gives into the eye. It can last for a long time;
• impaired sensitivity;
• sensation of severe cold;
• burning sensation;
• tides;
• tinnitus;
• makes you dizzy;
• nausea;
• reduced vision for a short time;
• flies or fog before the eyes;
• increased sweating;
• sleep disorders and insomnia;
• memory degradation;
• fainting with sharp turns of the head;

A gesture is typical for this disease, when a person passes a hand to the forehead from the occipital part, as if "removing the helmet", showing where his head hurts.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

3 Diagnostic measures

To make a diagnosis, perform a mandatory visual "neurological" examination, and also conduct research using modern instrumentation. Most often the cervical migraine is accompanied by a peculiar inclination of the head, as well as pressing certain points of the nape and head causes characteristic pain. Also the disease is confirmed:

• x-ray of the neck region;
• MRI of the cervical department;
• full duplex scanning.

4 Treatment of vertebral artery syndrome

With severe seizures, strict bed rest. Lying on the back, put an orthopedic pillow under your head, and dry heat on the neck area.

To treat the syndrome of the vertebral artery, drugs of different action are used.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, the active ingredient of which is:

• indomethacin;
• diclofenac-sodium;
• piroxicam;
• meloxicam;
• ibuprofen:
• Naproxen;
• ketoprofen;
• nimesulide
• celecoxib.

They take off inflammation well, and anesthetize.

Neuroprotectors and nootropics improving the blood circulation and patency of the arteries of the spine, and protecting cells from hypoxia:

• pentoxifylline;
• cinnarizine;
• piracetam;
• instenon;
• actovegin;
• cerebrolysin;
• gliatilin;
• aminalon;
• thiocetam;
• cortexin;
• picamylon;
• Mildronate.

B vitamins, for the recovery and nourishment of the nervous system.

Spasmolytics and muscle relaxants, which relieve vasospasm and tension:

• no-shpa;
• papaverine;
• midol;
• carbamazepine;
• baclofen.

Antimigraine drugs:

• sumatriptan;
• amygrenin;
• zomig;
• Relpax;
• sumyagren.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with mild anti-inflammatory activity and an active substance such as:

• ketorolac;
• paracetamol;
• metamizole.

These drugs have a pronounced analgesic effect, they are prescribed for analgesia, with attacks of cervical migraine.

5 Homeopathic remedies and disease prevention

Also in the complex treatment of cervical migraine, therapeutic exercise, massage, physiotherapy procedures are prescribed. You can treat and non-traditional methods, such as acupuncture or use medicinal herbs.

Severe form of the disease, with the displacement of the vertebrae is treated surgically. This restores the normal structure of the cervical spine and improves blood circulation, which allows you to get rid of migraines.

In the phase of remission, sanitary treatment is prescribed. Positive action will have radon, hydrogen sulphide or pearl baths and therapeutic mud.

The emergence of this type of headache contributes to a sedentary lifestyle, for example, sedentary work at the computer. Often the patient works by looking at the monitor and does not turn his head for hours. Today, one-third of adolescents suffer from this disease, as parents do not see anything reprehensible in the child's many hours sitting behind a tablet or laptop.

Active lifestyle, minimum sitting at the computer, proper nutrition - these are the three whales that will guarantee the absence of cervical migraines in the next 30 years.