How are osteochondrosis and blood pressure related?

Table of contents:

How are osteochondrosis and blood pressure related?
How are osteochondrosis and blood pressure related?
Anonim

According to statistics, 75% of people over the age of 45 are diagnosed with degenerative diseases of the spine, the most common of which is osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis and pressure are closely related

It has been proven that with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, the pressure regularly increases. But at the same time, there are periods that are characterized by low blood pressure, which leads to difficulties in making the correct diagnosis.

Symptoms of high blood pressure in cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis can occur without any symptoms for many years. They usually appear as the disease progresses. In most cases, the first sign is a sudden spike in blood pressure.

If the nerve is not pressed by the affected disc, a person does not feel pain, but over time, the deformation of the disc progresses, the process of inflammation and swelling of the tissues leads to a narrowing of the lumen of the vertebral artery. This leads to arterial hypertension, which is expressed by the following symptoms:

• dull pain in the back of the head (appears intermittently)

• appearance of a feeling of nausea when suddenly standing up from a horizontal position

• frequent dizziness, appearance of "flies" and dark spots before the eyes

• painful sensations in the neck, radiating to the upper limbs

• numbness in upper limbs (usually before going to bed)

• the appearance of tinnitus and a feeling of their fading

• increased fatigue, general weakness

• significant memory impairment and reduced ability to work.

Mechanism of development: physiological relationship

In more than 80% of cases, pressure spikes indicate the development of osteochondrosis. The neck is the most vulnerable part of the spine.

In cervical osteochondrosis, the discs of the cervical vertebrae are displaced, due to which the artery is compressed (on which the blood supply to the brain completely depends). In order to ensure the flow of the necessary amount of blood to the brain, the blood pressure begins to rise significantly.

Diagnosis of Vertebral Artery Syndrome

If you find some of these characteristic symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner. Not every case of osteochondrosis is accompanied by vertebral artery syndrome. During the examination, the doctor will take a complete history, measure your blood pressure and perform a visual diagnosis. To clarify the diagnosis, a number of tests are additionally prescribed:

• ultrasound dopplerography of the vessels of the neck and brain

• nuclear magnetic resonance of the cervical vertebrae

• x-ray examination of the neck area.

Complications if left untreated

The main mistake of most people diagnosed with osteochondrosis is ignoring the disease. Increased blood pressure contributes to the development of atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the brain. As a result, deformation of the vessels occurs, which can acquire the character of functional stenosis. This leads to a significant increase in blood viscosity and a decrease in blood flow.

In addition, if left untreated, advanced cases of vertebral artery syndrome can develop into an acute cerebrovascular accident (ischemic stroke).

Features of therapy: drug treatment

In most cases of osteochondrosis, which causes high blood pressure, drugs are prescribed. In case of muscle spasm, muscle relaxants are prescribed, initially injected intramuscularly, and then switched to tablets.

In order to normalize blood circulation, metabolic processes in the brain and strengthening of vascular walls, drugs with vasodilating and antihypoxic effects are prescribed. It is mandatory to take drugs (ACE inhibitors) that prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.

In addition, courses with massage, manual therapy and physiotherapy exercises are prescribed, but these activities can cause pressure spikes, which is why they must be carried out by a specialist.

Sometimes an orthopedic collar is used to stimulate blood flow and gently stretch the spine.

Treatment with folk remedies

Non-traditional medicine is also effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis and high blood pressure. For example, if you experience neck pain, you can apply an ointment based on St. John's wort. Rub it gently without pressing or making sudden movements. To prepare it, mix 2 tbsp.l. in a bowl finely chopped St. John's wort and 4 tbsp. petroleum jelly. Melt all the ingredients in a steam bath and mix with 1 tbsp. tincture of cornflower. Apply the prepared ointment to the sore spot 3 times a day.

At home you can also prepare an ointment of camphor oil, iodine and analgin tablets. To do this, you need to take 15 ml of the indicated ingredients, mix them with 15 crushed tablets of analgin and pour 500 ml of alcohol. Everything is mixed well and placed in a dark place to insist for 20 days. From the resulting product, you can make compresses and apply to the painful area.

Important

To avoid negative consequences, do not self-medicate. Consult a doctor

Recommended: