Spine pathologies often cause completely unexpected symptoms.
At first glance, they have nothing to do with the disease. But - a person has cervical osteochondrosis and dizziness, fears and depression can also easily become part of their life.
For successful treatment, it is important to correctly identify the root cause of these problems.
Dizziness in osteochondrosis: causes of the occurrence
Cervical osteochondrosis is especially dangerous because it disrupts the blood supply to the brain. Deformation of the discs and vertebrae can compress the vertebral artery, which supplies up to a quarter of the volume of blood that the brain needs.
Dizziness is a direct consequence of a lack of oxygen in the brain. In the milder stages of the disease, it usually occurs intermittently and for a short period of time. The head may feel dizzy after sleeping or when there is a sudden change in body position. If the disease progresses, this condition can last for hours. It is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting and visual impairment.
It is very important to correctly identify the cause of the problem. The head may become dizzy not only because of osteochondrosis. The same symptom can be caused by disorders of the heart and blood vessels, anemia and other diseases. In that case, treatment approaches must be completely different. Often, incorrect diagnosis leads people to be treated for years for hypertension or other similar illnesses, rather than treating the spine.
Blood pressure and cervical osteochondrosis
In this case, cervical osteochondrosis can also cause manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia. The reasons also lie in the clamping of the vertebral artery, as well as in muscle spasms. Intracranial pressure reacts in a particularly painful way to osteochondrosis.
This phenomenon can manifest itself as headaches, heaviness, tinnitus and visual impairment. The use of conventional drugs for the treatment of hypertension does not give results (or are short-lived). Again, correct diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.
Increased pressure can also cause pain, so the manifestations of VSD in osteochondrosis can be very strong.
If, in addition to the neck, the thoracic region is also affected, interruptions in the functioning of the heart, arrhythmia and tightness in the chest may be observed. Again, heart medications don't work.
Osteochondrosis is very dangerous because it gives symptoms similar to the manifestations of other serious diseases. Much can be attributed to it, and you can miss the moment when urgent help is needed for the heart and blood vessels.
What to do if you feel dizzy with cervical osteochondrosis
If the diagnosis has not yet been made, it is possible to suspect dizziness from osteochondrosis, if it occurs during the change of posture. In addition, the neck usually splits.
Vertigo can be eliminated by maintaining normal blood circulation in the neck. You can try self-massage as a quick-acting remedy. To prevent the attacks from recurring, you will need to undergo treatment. What to do in a specific situation, the doctor will advise.
Different drugs and therapies may be needed at different stages of the disease:
- A muscle relaxant course to relax muscle spasms.
- Vitamins B - also have a beneficial effect on blood circulation.
- Several massage sessions with a specialist and then regular self-massage on the neck.
- Physiotherapy is essential - the movements help to release the compressed vessels and stimulate blood flow.
Prolonged exposure to fresh air works well. You should stop smoking and limit your alcohol intake, as these bad habits adversely affect blood circulation. And the main thing is to diagnose cervical osteochondrosis in time, and dizziness, fears and depression will not have time to develop.
Reasonable and unfounded fears in osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis gives manifestations not only in the physical, but also in the psychological sphere. This disease is often accompanied by panic attacks and obsessive fears.
Your appearance has objective and subjective reasons. Irrational panic can be the result of a stroke.
But even more often, fears are a consequence of other painful manifestations of osteochondrosis:
- The patient is constantly waiting for attacks of pain and is afraid of them.
- There is a fear of the possibility of becoming a disabled person.
- The duration of treatment is frightening with the prospect of no results.
- Some symptoms cause the expectation of other illnesses (heart attack, stroke, stomach pain).
These psychological reactions can be avoided only with the appropriate attitude. The patient must constantly remember that osteochondrosis is not a phrase. Do not neglect painkillers so that there is no fear of pain. The patient's relatives and acquaintances must constantly demonstrate confidence in their speedy recovery and maintain a constructive attitude.
Depression as a possible result of osteochondrosis
If this "psychotherapy" is not carried out, there is a risk of developing depression.
This condition can have a number of unpleasant consequences:
- Loss of performance, chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Insomnia.
- Mental disability.
- Serious violations of self-esteem.
- Menstrual irregularities in women.
- Digestive disorders.
- Numbness of certain parts of the body.
Running fast can even lead to suicide attempts, so ignoring its manifestations is dangerous.
Depression occurs as a reaction to prolonged pain and discomfort. Its appearance is also promoted by social problems that inevitably accompany patients with osteochondrosis.
- Feeling a missed opportunity to lead a full life.
- Prolonged "withdrawal" from the labor process.
- Awareness that the disease causes disorders to loved ones.
- Feeling of helplessness, in vain efforts - the disease does not pass despite the measures taken.
It is important to keep in mind that some pain relievers also have a depressive effect on the central nervous system and can lead to a depressive state. Therefore, one should not abuse powerful analgesics, using them only for exacerbations. If there is no severe pain, it is best to use ointments, massages and physiotherapy procedures. The patient's relatives must take into account that depression often prevents the patient from realizing his problem, so they will almost certainly have to "push" him for treatment.
Treatment of psychological problems in osteochondrosis
In the case of severe depression with many dangerous manifestations, the use of strong antidepressants is often necessary. But you need to know that all of these drugs have an addictive effect and you cannot use them for long. As soon as the most serious manifestations are removed, these drugs must be abandoned.
To get rid of fears and depression, first of all, it is necessary to treat osteochondrosis itself. A set of standard measures is suitable for this: elimination of muscle spasms, chondroprotectors to strengthen cartilage tissue, physical education, physical therapy. But at the same time, it is necessary to improve the patient's mental state.
- Regular walking and moderate physical activity are required. Light physical activity stimulates pleasure.
- To normalize sleep, you need an orthopedic pillow or just a low, hard pillow. The room should always be well ventilated.
- Others should motivate the patient to recover.
- It is necessary, as much as possible, to involve the patient in public life, family matters and official duties. In most cases, you can find activities that will not hurt your spine. But the person will feel useful and necessary.
- In severe cases, the help of a psychologist and even a psychiatrist may be necessary. You don't have to be afraid - going to the psychiatrist does not mean losing your mind.
The main thing is to "ask for order" cervical osteochondrosis and dizziness, fears and depression will no longer be threatening. In the context of a decrease in painful manifestations, psychological rehabilitation will be much better.
But the best thing to do is simply avoid these symptoms. It is worthwhile to start treating cervical osteochondrosis at the right time, and dizziness, fears and depression will never appear again.