Pathologies of the spine often cause completely unexpected symptoms.
At first glance, they have nothing to do with the disease. But - a person suffers from cervical osteochondrosis, and dizziness, fears, and depression can easily be a part of their life as well.
For successful treatment, it is important to correctly identify the root cause of these problems.
Dizziness in osteochondrosis: causes of appearance
Cervical osteochondrosis is particularly dangerous because it interferes with the blood supply to the brain. Deformation of the discs and vertebrae can cause compression of the vertebral artery, which supplies up to a quarter of the blood volume the brain needs.
Dizziness is a direct result of oxygen deprivation in the brain. In the milder stages of the disease, it usually occurs intermittently and for a short time. The head may feel dizzy after sleep or when the body position suddenly changes. If the disease progresses, this condition can last for hours. Often it is also accompanied by nausea, vomiting, visual impairment.
It is very important to correctly identify the cause of the problem. The head can be dizzy not only with osteochondrosis. The same symptom can be given by disorders of the heart and blood vessels, anemia and other diseases. In this case, the treatment approaches must be completely different. Often times, a misdiagnosis has resulted in people being treated for years for high blood pressure or other similar illnesses instead of treating the spine.
Blood pressure and cervical osteochondrosis
In this case, cervical osteochondrosis can also provoke 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 particularly painfully to osteochondrosis.
This phenomenon can be manifested by headaches, a feeling of heaviness, tinnitus, visual impairment. Using conventional drugs for the treatment of hypertension does not work (or they are short-lived). Again, the 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 work of the heart, arrhythmia and a feeling of tightness in the chest may be observed. Again, heart medication does not work.
Osteochondrosis is very dangerous because it gives symptoms similar to manifestations of other serious diseases. A lot can be attributed to it and you may miss the time 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, dizziness due to osteochondrosis may be suspected if it occurs during a change in posture. Also, the neck usually cracks.
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 treatment of muscle relaxants to relax muscle spasms. B vitamins
- - these also have a beneficial effect on the blood circulation.
- Several massage sessions with a specialist, then regular self-massage of the neck.
- Physiotherapy is a must - movements will help free pinched vessels and stimulate blood circulation.
Prolonged exposure to fresh air works well. You need to stop smoking and limit your alcohol intake, as these bad habits negatively 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 of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis gives manifestations not only in the physical sphere, but also in the psychological sphere. Often this disease is accompanied by panic attacks and obsessive fears.
Their appearance has objective and subjective reasons. Unreasonable panic can be the result of a stroke.
But even more often fears are the consequence of other painful manifestations of osteochondrosis:
- The patient is constantly waiting for and afraid of pain attacks.
- We fear the possibility of becoming disabled.
- The length of treatment is frightening with the prospect of no results.
- Some symptoms make you anticipate other illnesses (heart attack, stroke, upset stomach).
Such psychological reactions can only be avoided with the right attitude. The patient must constantly remember that osteochondrosis is not a phrase. Do not neglect pain relievers so as not to be afraid of pain. Relatives and acquaintances of the patient must constantly show confidence in his speedy recovery and maintain a constructive attitude.
Depression as a possible consequence of osteochondrosis
If such "psychotherapy" is not performed, there is a risk of developing depression.
This condition can have a whole series of unpleasant consequences:
- Loss of performance, chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Insomnia.
- Mental disability.
- Serious violations of self-esteem.
- Menstrual irregularities in women.
- Digestive disorders.
- Numbness in parts of the body.
Running into depression can even lead to suicide attempts, so ignoring its manifestations is dangerous.
Depression occurs as a reaction to prolonged pain and discomfort. Its occurrence is also favored by social problems that inevitably accompany patients with osteochondrosis.
- Feeling a lost opportunity to lead a fulfilling life.
- Extended "quitting" of the worker process.
- Realizing that illness causes inconvenience to loved ones.
- Feeling of helplessness, in vain efforts - the disease does not go away 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 may lead to depression. Therefore, you can not abuse strong painkillers, using them only for exacerbation. If there is no severe pain, it is better to use ointments, massage and physiotherapy procedures. Relatives of the patient should be aware that depression often prevents the patient from realizing his problem, so they will almost certainly have to "push" him towards treatment.
Treatment of psychological problems related to osteochondrosis
In severe depression with many dangerous manifestations, it is often necessary to use strong antidepressants. But you should know that all these drugs have addictive effect, and you cannot use them for a long time. As soon as the most serious manifestations are eliminated, these drugs should be abandoned.
To get rid of fears and depression, it is first of all necessary to treat the osteochondrosis itself. A set of standard measures is suitable for this: elimination of muscle spasms, chondroprotectors to strengthen cartilage tissue, exercise, physiotherapy. But at the same time it is necessary to improve the mental state of the patient.
- Regular walks and moderate physical activity are necessary. Light physical activity stimulates pleasure.
- To normalize sleep, you need an orthopedic pillow or just a stiff low pillow. The room should always be well ventilated.
- Others should motivate the patient to recover.
- It is necessary, as far as possible, to involve the patient in public life, family affairs and official functions. In most cases, you can find activities that won't hurt your spine. But the person will feel useful and needed.
- In severe cases the help of a psychologist and even a psychiatrist may be necessary. No need to be afraid - going to a psychiatrist doesn't mean losing your mind.
The main thing is to “call to order” cervical osteochondrosis, and dizziness, fears and depression will cease to be threatening. Against the background of a decrease in painful manifestations, psychological rehabilitation will go much better.
But the best thing you can do is just to avoid these symptoms. It is worthwhile to start treating cervical osteochondrosis in time, and dizziness, fears, and depression will never appear.