Osteochondrosis is a common disease that requires qualified comprehensive treatment. At the Yusupov Hospital, leading neurologists, vertebrologists, physiotherapists and other Russian doctors treat this pathology, quickly and efficiently solving the problem of each patient.
In the absence of treatment, the patient's blood pressure increases due to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. High blood pressure in this case is a very dangerous symptom, since most people deal with it incorrectly. Instead of treating the true cause of hypertension, people diagnosed with osteochondrosis try to eliminate its manifestation, that is, reduce high blood pressure, thereby further aggravating the situation and harming their body.
Osteochondrosis leads to deformation of the intervertebral discs, loss of elasticity and changes in the natural position of the vertebrae. In this case, there are clamps on the arteries that ensure normal blood circulation in the head. To saturate the brain with oxygen, the body increases blood pressure. Patients, as a rule, take all measures to lower this pressure. As a result, the brain does not receive the required amount of oxygen and nutrients.
It is important to understand that osteochondrosis and high blood pressure must be dealt with comprehensively. At the Yusupov Hospital, doctors develop an individual treatment program for each patient, taking into account the stages of development of osteochondrosis, the age factor, the presence of concomitant pathologies, the severity of the clinical picture, etc.
Cervical osteochondrosis and blood pressure
It has been scientifically proven that osteochondrosis has an adverse effect on blood pressure levels. It may remain elevated for several days. In this case, the patient experiences severe headaches, dizziness, numbness in the shoulders and arms.
With osteochondrosis, pressure may increase to provide the brain with the necessary amount of oxygen. The brain is the most important organ, so in no case should its cells be exposed to oxygen starvation.
An increase in pressure may also be observed with osteochondrosis in case of problems in the thoracic spine. There is an artery here, the clamping of which can affect the pressure.
Possible complications
High blood pressure in combination with osteochondrosis can lead to serious complications for the body. The consequences in the absence of funds and timely treatment are disastrous:
- Inability to lead a normal lifestyle due to concomitant symptoms of pathological changes and pain;
- increased risk of heart attack or bleeding;
- decreased mental performance, memory;
- deterioration and abnormal vision.
With a complex course of the disease, the patient can not only become disabled, but also significantly increase the risk of death.
Risk factors for increased blood pressure in osteochondrosis
Headache and other signs of hypertension can develop due to many pathologies, but how can you understand that they are caused by osteochondrosis? The same people are at risk for developing osteochondrosis and hypertension. Consultation with a vertebrologist, orthopedist and neurologist is necessary in the following cases:
- when leading a sedentary, sedentary lifestyle;
- after reaching the age of forty;
- if there have been bruises or injuries to the spine in the past, professional sports or excessive physical labor;
- when diagnosed with scoliosis;
- if you are overweight;
- for diseases associated with metabolic disorders.
If at least one of the above factors occurs, then surges in blood pressure may be a consequence of osteochondrosis. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor and undergo an examination. At the Yusupov Hospital, pathology is treated by highly qualified doctors, whose professionalism and extensive experience make it possible to “get the patient back on his feet” in a short time and relieve him of the symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the disease largely depend on the area in which the pathology is located and the severity of the changes that occur. A patient with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may experience the following symptoms:
- dizziness;
- buzzing and ringing in the ears;
- toadstool effects;
- decreased ability to see and hear;
- fainting;
- the appearance of snoring sounds at night.
Osteochondrosis of the chest is expressed as pain in the heart area, which can become pressing and painful. The patient experiences acute discomfort and can identify the pain point. You may feel numbness in your chest and abdomen. Pain usually accompanies raising the arms, and difficulty bending to the sides occurs.
The following symptoms are characteristic of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine:
- lower back pain, which may affect the legs, worsens with movement;
- the appearance of the effect of cold feet even at a comfortable ambient temperature;
- phlebeurysm;
- increased sweating;
- Menstrual irregularities in women and decreased libido in men.
There are 4 stages of changes in osteochondrosis. At the first stage, the severity of symptoms is minimal, and the person may not notice slight discomfort in the affected area. At the second stage, changes in the spine are observed in the form of subluxations of the vertebral bodies, pinched nerves and increased pain. It is at this moment that, along with the main symptoms, a person begins to worry about surges in blood pressure. At the third stage, serious curvature of the vertebrae occurs, often accompanied by herniated intervertebral discs. Pain during this period can lead to the inability to perform exercises due to severe pain.
At the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, a person may be declared disabled, the mobility of the spine is limited, and it is often difficult for the patient to move.
Hypertension in cervical osteochondrosis: treatment
Osteochondrosis as a cause of hypertension requires timely and adequate treatment. On the other hand, treatment of osteochondrosis involves physical therapy, physiotherapeutic and thermal procedures on the collar area, neck massage, which in turn are contraindicated for high blood pressure.
There is a way out of this vicious circle. At the beginning of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, accompanied by hypertension, the blood pressure level is first stabilized. This is achieved through the following activities:
- lifestyle corrections:
- a person should sleep at least 6 hours a day. This allows you to relieve the spine, which has been under tension all day.
- You should take leisurely walks in the fresh air every day for about one hour;
- the room in which a person is located must be regularly ventilated - at least five times a day;
- It is important to stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
- nutrition correction. First of all, nutrition should be balanced. With cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to avoid spicy, fatty, fried foods, as well as pickles and smoked foods. You should also reduce your salt intake;
- drug treatment. In order to reduce blood pressure with cervical osteochondrosis, the patient is shown:
- drugs that dilate blood vessels and also reduce pressure at the “chemical level”;
- diuretics;
- agents that improve microcirculation in brain tissue, as well as normalize metabolic processes;
- drugs that relieve vasospasm.
At the Yusupov Hospital, doctors prescribe a course of treatment for each patient individually, based on the results of examinations and tests obtained. Doctors conduct a comprehensive diagnosis to rule out the presence of other diseases and prescribe optimal treatment.
You can make an appointment with a specialist by calling the Yusupov Hospital.
Treatment
Before starting treatment, instrumental diagnostics are prescribed, since even the most experienced doctor is unable to make the correct diagnosis without this. And it is important to identify osteochondrosis as early as possible so that complications do not appear.
If the doctor suspects vertebral artery syndrome, then the following are prescribed:
- MRI of the head and neck;
- Ultrasound (Doppler type) of the vertebral arteries;
- X-ray of the cervical spine;
- consultation with a neurologist;
- cardiogram.
Only after this the doctor is able to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment. The main task of treating vertebral artery syndrome is to eliminate the factors that provoke vascular compression; it is necessary to restore normal blood circulation in the brain.
Treatment consists of several aspects:
- Neutralization of vascular syndromes.
- Elimination of neuromuscular symptoms.
- Restoring metabolic processes in the body.
- Prescribing drugs that improve sympathetic regulation.
Medicines
For osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with increased blood pressure, muscle relaxants, antihypertensive drugs and medications are prescribed to normalize blood circulation in the brain. Additional drugs are prescribed for symptomatic treatment individually, for example, for cerebral symptoms.
"Mydocalm." The active substance is tolperisone. It is the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxant. It is prescribed to change the tone of the neck muscles. At the beginning of therapy, it is prescribed in the form of injections, and then the person takes Mydocalm in the form of tablets.
Often a combination drug is prescribed for high blood pressure, which includes the active ingredients lisinopril and amlodipine. It's called "Equator". This drug not only lowers blood pressure, but also reduces the likelihood of various complications from the cardiovascular system.
It is also important to take drugs with vasodilating, antihypoxic and antiaggregation effects. Sometimes individual medications are prescribed, but there are also complex ones that have these effects together - this is Cavinton.
Sometimes diuretics are needed. They allow you to reduce blood volume, which also allows you to lower blood pressure, only they resort to this if you already have a history of hypertension.
These are "Furosemide", "Amiloride", "Triampel". Vasospasm is relieved by Papaverine and Dibazol.
In order to normalize metabolic processes and improve microcirculation, you need Piracetam, Berliton, and Xanthinol.
To treat osteochondrosis, chondroprotective drugs that restore cartilage tissue can be prescribed. Also, during an exacerbation, analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Among the analgesics used are “Dexalgin”, “Analgin”, “Baralgin”.
When osteochondrosis has worsened, the drugs are administered by injection, intramuscularly. But they cannot be taken for a long time, since they only relieve pain and do not treat the underlying disease. In especially severe cases, they can even prescribe drugs - Tramadol, Nalbuphine, but only if the pain is very intense. As a rule, 1 to 3 injections are prescribed, but no more. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include Diclofenac, Piroxicam, Ibuprofen, Aceclofenac.
Drugs that are additionally used for severe pain and extensive inflammation are glucocorticoids (Diprospan, Kenalog) and anesthetics (Lidocaine, Novocaine). These drugs are injected as blocks into the tissue near the spine.
First aid
If your health suddenly deteriorates due to low or high blood pressure, you must call an ambulance. Then you need to remove constrictive clothing or unfasten buttons, take a reclining position, and cover your legs with a warm blanket. As a rule, in such a state a person becomes restless, anxiety, fear appear, and panic attacks are possible. You should take 10-15 drops of motherwort or valerian tincture. Nifedipine, Captopril or Moxonidine can be used to lower blood pressure. Strong, sweet tea, tinctures of Eleutherococcus, and ginseng will help increase blood pressure.
And for this we have all the most progressive and effective methods:
- shock wave therapy
- dosed traction and massage using the Ormed device
- manual therapy
- kinesio taping
- carboxytherapy
- ozone therapy (intravenous administration of ozonized saline solution and subcutaneous local administration of ozone)
- mesoinjection therapy with vascular drugs
- chronomagnetic complex "Multimag"
- physiotherapeutic techniques (high-top, ultrasound, electrophoresis)
- medical therapeutic blockades
Prevention
Prevention of the development of osteochondrosis consists of maintaining a proper diet and ensuring the proper level of physical activity. If the patient is overweight, measures should be aimed at reducing weight through diet and sports training, taking into account pressure restrictions. Optimal types:
- swimming;
- walk;
- stretching;
- physiotherapy;
- yoga.
During an exacerbation, it is recommended to wear a collar with a rigid base to unload the cervical vertebrae and relieve muscle spasms. Self-massage in the form of rubbing and stroking will help improve blood circulation and speed up metabolism. To prevent the disease, doctors recommend periodically checking blood pressure and consulting a doctor at the first signs of osteochondrosis.
Checks should be carried out at least once a year, and in the case of problems with intervertebral discs - at least once every six months.
Pressure surges
If the artery is released from the clamp, and then again comes under mechanical influence, then the blood pressure from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine changes abruptly.
Signs of such pressure:
- headache and dizziness;
- pain appears in the neck and arms;
- tongue and fingers go numb.
“Vertebral artery syndrome” most often leads to surges in blood pressure.
