What are the common causes of back of head pain and dizziness. How can these symptoms be treated effectively. What are the warning signs that require immediate medical attention.

Understanding Cervical Headaches: A Common Cause of Back Head Pain

Cervical headaches, also known as cervicogenic headaches, are a frequent source of discomfort in the back of the head. These persistent or chronic headaches stem from structural issues within the cervical spine, which encompasses the neck region. Various factors can contribute to cervical spine damage, including:

• Injuries from accidents or surgical procedures
• Compression fractures
• Herniated discs
• Spinal cord inflammation
• Neck strain due to poor posture

Individuals experiencing cervical headaches may endure pain that lasts for several days or comes and goes intermittently. Additional symptoms often accompany this type of headache, such as neck stiffness and reduced range of motion.

Diagnosing and Treating Cervical Headaches

How are cervical headaches diagnosed? Medical professionals typically employ a combination of physical examinations and imaging techniques to assess the cervical spine. Once diagnosed, treatment options vary based on the underlying cause and may include:

• Pain relievers to alleviate neck pain and headaches
• Physiotherapy to improve neck function and mobility
• Surgical interventions to address cervical spine issues
• Nerve blocks to target specific pain areas

Migraines: A Throbbing Culprit Behind Head Pain and Dizziness

Migraines are characterized by moderate to severe throbbing headaches, often affecting one side of the head. These debilitating episodes can trigger a range of additional symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. While the exact cause of migraines remains elusive, experts believe several factors contribute to their occurrence:

• Alterations in brain chemistry
• Changes in neural and vascular structures within the brain
• Genetic predisposition

Many individuals report specific triggers that precede their migraine attacks. Common triggers include stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, and environmental factors such as bright lights or strong odors.

Effective Strategies for Managing Migraines

How can one effectively manage migraine symptoms? While there is no definitive cure for migraines, several treatments can help alleviate discomfort:

• Resting in a dark, quiet room during an episode
• Using over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Prescription medications such as triptans to counteract migraine-related brain changes
• Antiemetics to reduce nausea and vomiting

Viral Gastroenteritis: An Unexpected Cause of Head Pain and Dizziness

Viral gastroenteritis (VG), commonly known as stomach flu, is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by viral infections. While primarily affecting the digestive system, VG can indirectly lead to head pain and dizziness. The most prevalent virus responsible for VG is norovirus, which can trigger a variety of symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Fever
• Headache

Persistent diarrhea and vomiting associated with VG can result in dehydration, leading to additional symptoms such as dizziness upon standing, dry mouth, and reduced urination.

Managing Viral Gastroenteritis and Preventing Complications

How should one manage viral gastroenteritis and prevent related complications? In most cases, VG resolves on its own without medical intervention. However, individuals can take steps to manage symptoms and prevent dehydration:

• Taking over-the-counter medications like loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate to control diarrhea
• Drinking plenty of water and clear fluids
• Consuming low-sugar fruit juices or sports drinks to replenish lost electrolytes

If symptoms persist or worsen after a few days, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

Cerebral Aneurysms: A Serious Concern for Head Pain and Neurological Symptoms

A cerebral aneurysm is an enlarged blood vessel within the brain, resulting from a weakness in the vessel wall. While small aneurysms may not cause noticeable symptoms, larger ones can exert pressure on surrounding nerves and brain tissue, leading to various neurological manifestations:

• Pain above and behind the eye
• Visual disturbances
• Pupil dilation
• Facial paralysis
• Numbness or weakness

In severe cases, an aneurysm may leak or rupture, necessitating immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include sudden, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Treatment Approaches for Cerebral Aneurysms

What treatment options are available for cerebral aneurysms? The National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS) suggests that not all aneurysms require immediate treatment. In some instances, doctors may recommend monitoring for signs of growth. However, preventive measures can help reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture:

• Controlling high blood pressure
• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding cocaine and other stimulant drugs

In cases where intervention is necessary, surgical procedures may be performed to reduce or cut off blood supply to the aneurysm.

Stroke: A Life-Threatening Cause of Head Pain and Neurological Symptoms

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, potentially leading to brain cell death. While a sudden, severe headache is not always present during a stroke, it can be a warning sign in some cases. A 2015 study revealed that only 49 out of 263 stroke patients reported experiencing a simultaneous headache. Other common stroke symptoms include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness, particularly on one side of the body
• Vision problems
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Confusion
• Dizziness and loss of balance
• Coordination problems

Recognizing Stroke Symptoms and Seeking Immediate Care

How can one recognize stroke symptoms and respond appropriately? The acronym FAST is a useful tool for identifying potential strokes:

• Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• Time: If you observe any of these signs, call emergency services immediately.

Prompt medical attention is crucial in stroke cases, as timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Differential Diagnosis: Distinguishing Between Various Causes of Head Pain and Dizziness

Given the diverse range of conditions that can cause back of head pain and dizziness, accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Healthcare professionals employ various diagnostic tools and techniques to differentiate between potential causes:

• Detailed medical history and symptom assessment
• Physical examination, including neurological tests
• Imaging studies such as CT scans or MRI
• Blood tests to rule out systemic conditions
• Specialized tests like electronystagmography for balance disorders

By carefully evaluating symptoms and conducting appropriate tests, medical practitioners can identify the underlying cause of head pain and dizziness, enabling targeted treatment approaches.

Red Flags: When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While many causes of head pain and dizziness are benign, certain symptoms warrant urgent medical evaluation. These red flags include:

• Sudden, severe headache described as the “worst headache of your life”
• Head pain accompanied by fever, stiff neck, or rash
• Headache following a head injury
• Persistent or worsening symptoms despite over-the-counter treatments
• New onset of headaches in individuals over 50 years old
• Headaches associated with vision changes or neurological deficits

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention to rule out potentially serious conditions.

Lifestyle Modifications and Preventive Measures for Head Pain and Dizziness

While not all cases of head pain and dizziness can be prevented, certain lifestyle modifications and preventive measures can help reduce their frequency and severity:

• Maintaining good posture to prevent cervical strain
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
• Ensuring adequate sleep and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
• Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
• Exercising regularly to improve overall health and circulation
• Avoiding known triggers for migraines or other headache types

Implementing these strategies can contribute to better overall health and potentially reduce the incidence of head pain and dizziness.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

In addition to conventional treatments, some individuals find relief from head pain and dizziness through complementary and alternative therapies. These may include:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Herbal supplements (under medical supervision)
• Biofeedback techniques

It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any alternative treatments to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your specific condition.

The Role of Technology in Diagnosing and Managing Head Pain and Dizziness

Advancements in medical technology have significantly improved the diagnosis and management of conditions causing head pain and dizziness. Some notable technological innovations include:

• Advanced neuroimaging techniques for detailed brain and spinal cord visualization
• Wearable devices for tracking symptoms and identifying triggers
• Telemedicine platforms for remote consultations and follow-ups
• Virtual reality systems for balance rehabilitation
• Smartphone apps for headache and migraine tracking

These technologies not only aid in more accurate diagnoses but also empower patients to actively participate in their treatment and symptom management.

Emerging Research and Future Directions

Ongoing research continues to shed light on the complex mechanisms underlying head pain and dizziness. Some promising areas of investigation include:

• Genetic factors influencing migraine susceptibility
• Novel drug targets for more effective pain management
• The role of the gut-brain axis in headache disorders
• Neuromodulation techniques for chronic pain conditions
• Personalized medicine approaches for tailored treatment strategies

As our understanding of these conditions evolves, we can anticipate more targeted and effective treatments in the future, potentially improving outcomes for individuals suffering from head pain and dizziness.

Headache, dizziness, fatigue, and neck pain: Causes and treatment

There can be several reasons for a headache with neck pain, dizziness, and fatigue.

Cervical headache

A cervical headache, or cervicogenic headache, is a type of long-term or chronic headache due to structural issues with parts of the cervical spine, including the vertebrae, disc, muscle, or spinal cord. The cervical spine is the section of the spine that includes the neck.

Cervical spine damage can occur due to:

• injury resulting from accidents or surgery
• compression fractures
• a herniated disk
• inflammation of the spinal cord
• general neck strain due to posture issues

A cervical headache may cause pain that persists for several days, or the discomfort can come and go. Other possible symptoms include:

Treatment

A doctor can usually diagnose cervical headaches by examining the neck and assessing the spine using medical imaging techniques.

The treatment will depend on the underlying cause, with options that include:

• pain relievers to ease neck pain and headaches
• physiotherapy to restore function and improve neck movement
• surgery to correct issues with the cervical spine
• nerve blocks to treat specific areas of pain

Migraine

A migraine is a moderate or severe throbbing headache that occurs on one side of the head. They may also cause additional symptoms, such as:

• increased sensitivity to light or sounds
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting

The exact cause of migraines remains unknown. However, experts believe that the following factors may play a role:

• changes in brain chemicals
• changes to the nerves and blood vessels inside the brain
• genetic factors

Some people report that certain factors can trigger their migraines, which commonly include:

Treatment

Although there is no cure for migraines, certain treatments can help reduce the symptoms, including:

• sleeping or lying in a dark room during a migraine
• taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• taking triptans, which help reverse brain-changes that can trigger migraines
• taking antiemetics to help reduce nausea and vomiting

Viral gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is the medical term for inflammation and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Viral gastroenteritis (VG) is gastroenteritis that occurs as a result of a viral infection.

Many viruses can trigger VG. The most common is norovirus, which can cause a range of symptoms, including:

Persistent diarrhea and vomiting can also lead to dehydration. This may lead to additional symptoms, such as:

• dizziness when standing up
• dry mouth and throat
• reduced urine

Treatment

Viral gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own without medical treatment. Until then, people can take medications to control their diarrhea. Examples include loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).

People can help prevent dehydration by:

• drinking plenty of water and other clear fluids
• drinking low-sugar fruit juices or sports drinks to help replace lost electrolytes

Contact a doctor if symptoms do not improve within a few days.

Cerebral aneurysm

An aneurysm refers to an enlarged blood vessel. This occurs due to a weakness in the blood vessel wall. An aneurysm that occurs within a blood vessel in the brain is known as a cerebral aneurysm.

A small cerebral aneurysm that does not increase in size might not come with any symptoms. However, larger aneurysms may put pressure on the surrounding nerves or brain tissue, which can trigger the following symptoms:

• pain above and behind the eye
• changes in vision
• a dilated pupil in the eye
• paralysis on one side of the face
• numbness
• weakness

In some cases, an aneurysm may leak or rupture, which requires emergency medical attention. Symptoms to look out for include:

Treatment

According to the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), not all aneurysms require treatment. In some cases, a doctor may recommend monitoring them for signs of growth.

NINDS recommend people take the following steps to help reduce the risk of a ruptured aneurysm:

Some people may require surgery to reduce or cut off blood supply to the aneurysm.

Stroke

A stroke is a potentially life threatening condition where the blood supply to part of the brain becomes cut off, which can result in brain cell death. A stroke can occur for the following reasons:

• an artery that supplies blood to the brain becomes blocked
• blood vessel within the brain ruptures

A sudden and severe headache can sometimes be a warning sign of stroke, though it is not a common symptom. In a 2015 study, only 49 out of 263 people who experienced a stroke reported a simultaneous headache.

Besides a headache, other possible stroke symptoms include:

• sudden numbness or weakness in a limb, or on one side of the face
• vision problems in one or both eyes
• difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• confusion
• dizziness
• loss of balance
• lack of coordination
• difficulty walking

Treatment

A stroke is a medical emergency. Without rapid treatment, it may result in severe brain damage or death. A person who shows signs of a stroke should phone for an ambulance immediately if possible. People should also look out for these symptoms in others and seek emergency medical care if they suspect a stroke.

Stroke treatments depend on the underlying cause. Some possible options include:

• Thrombolytics: Medications can help break up blood clots.
• Endovascular procedure: A procedure where a surgeon guides surgical instruments through a tube inserted into a limb to repair a broken blood vessel.
• Surgical treatment: Involves placing a metal clip around a ruptured blood vessel to reduce further bleeding.

Brain tumor

A brain tumor is when a collection of cells within the brain multiply abnormally and uncontrollably.

Doctors classify brain tumors into grades, depending on how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment.

Grade 1 and 2 brain tumors are non-cancerous or benign, and slow-growing. Grade 3 and 4 brain tumors are cancerous or malignant. These tumors may originate in the brain or may spread from elsewhere in the body. They are fast-growing and more likely to re-occur following treatment.

Brain tumor symptoms depend partly on the area of the brain that they affect. Some common symptoms include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• seizures
• persistent nausea
• vomiting
• drowsiness and fatigue
• progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• problems with speech, vision, or memory
• changes in personality or behavior

Treatment

Brain tumor treatments depend on the following factors:

• type, grade, and location of the tumor
• how abnormal the cells are
• how big the tumor is and how far it has spread
• the person’s overall health and fitness

Some possible treatment options include:

• steroids to reduce swelling around the tumor
• antiepileptic medications to control seizures
• pain medications to ease pain
• surgery to remove the tumor
• radiation therapy or chemotherapy to help destroy any abnormal cells

Headache, dizziness, fatigue, and neck pain: Causes and treatment

There can be several reasons for a headache with neck pain, dizziness, and fatigue.

Cervical headache

A cervical headache, or cervicogenic headache, is a type of long-term or chronic headache due to structural issues with parts of the cervical spine, including the vertebrae, disc, muscle, or spinal cord. The cervical spine is the section of the spine that includes the neck.

Cervical spine damage can occur due to:

• injury resulting from accidents or surgery
• compression fractures
• a herniated disk
• inflammation of the spinal cord
• general neck strain due to posture issues

A cervical headache may cause pain that persists for several days, or the discomfort can come and go. Other possible symptoms include:

Treatment

A doctor can usually diagnose cervical headaches by examining the neck and assessing the spine using medical imaging techniques.

The treatment will depend on the underlying cause, with options that include:

• pain relievers to ease neck pain and headaches
• physiotherapy to restore function and improve neck movement
• surgery to correct issues with the cervical spine
• nerve blocks to treat specific areas of pain

Migraine

A migraine is a moderate or severe throbbing headache that occurs on one side of the head. They may also cause additional symptoms, such as:

• increased sensitivity to light or sounds
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting

The exact cause of migraines remains unknown. However, experts believe that the following factors may play a role:

• changes in brain chemicals
• changes to the nerves and blood vessels inside the brain
• genetic factors

Some people report that certain factors can trigger their migraines, which commonly include:

Treatment

Although there is no cure for migraines, certain treatments can help reduce the symptoms, including:

• sleeping or lying in a dark room during a migraine
• taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• taking triptans, which help reverse brain-changes that can trigger migraines
• taking antiemetics to help reduce nausea and vomiting

Viral gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is the medical term for inflammation and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Viral gastroenteritis (VG) is gastroenteritis that occurs as a result of a viral infection.

Many viruses can trigger VG. The most common is norovirus, which can cause a range of symptoms, including:

Persistent diarrhea and vomiting can also lead to dehydration. This may lead to additional symptoms, such as:

• dizziness when standing up
• dry mouth and throat
• reduced urine

Treatment

Viral gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own without medical treatment. Until then, people can take medications to control their diarrhea. Examples include loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).

People can help prevent dehydration by:

• drinking plenty of water and other clear fluids
• drinking low-sugar fruit juices or sports drinks to help replace lost electrolytes

Contact a doctor if symptoms do not improve within a few days.

Cerebral aneurysm

An aneurysm refers to an enlarged blood vessel. This occurs due to a weakness in the blood vessel wall. An aneurysm that occurs within a blood vessel in the brain is known as a cerebral aneurysm.

A small cerebral aneurysm that does not increase in size might not come with any symptoms. However, larger aneurysms may put pressure on the surrounding nerves or brain tissue, which can trigger the following symptoms:

• pain above and behind the eye
• changes in vision
• a dilated pupil in the eye
• paralysis on one side of the face
• numbness
• weakness

In some cases, an aneurysm may leak or rupture, which requires emergency medical attention. Symptoms to look out for include:

Treatment

According to the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), not all aneurysms require treatment. In some cases, a doctor may recommend monitoring them for signs of growth.

NINDS recommend people take the following steps to help reduce the risk of a ruptured aneurysm:

Some people may require surgery to reduce or cut off blood supply to the aneurysm.

Stroke

A stroke is a potentially life threatening condition where the blood supply to part of the brain becomes cut off, which can result in brain cell death. A stroke can occur for the following reasons:

• an artery that supplies blood to the brain becomes blocked
• blood vessel within the brain ruptures

A sudden and severe headache can sometimes be a warning sign of stroke, though it is not a common symptom. In a 2015 study, only 49 out of 263 people who experienced a stroke reported a simultaneous headache.

Besides a headache, other possible stroke symptoms include:

• sudden numbness or weakness in a limb, or on one side of the face
• vision problems in one or both eyes
• difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• confusion
• dizziness
• loss of balance
• lack of coordination
• difficulty walking

Treatment

A stroke is a medical emergency. Without rapid treatment, it may result in severe brain damage or death. A person who shows signs of a stroke should phone for an ambulance immediately if possible. People should also look out for these symptoms in others and seek emergency medical care if they suspect a stroke.

Stroke treatments depend on the underlying cause. Some possible options include:

• Thrombolytics: Medications can help break up blood clots.
• Endovascular procedure: A procedure where a surgeon guides surgical instruments through a tube inserted into a limb to repair a broken blood vessel.
• Surgical treatment: Involves placing a metal clip around a ruptured blood vessel to reduce further bleeding.

Brain tumor

A brain tumor is when a collection of cells within the brain multiply abnormally and uncontrollably.

Doctors classify brain tumors into grades, depending on how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment.

Grade 1 and 2 brain tumors are non-cancerous or benign, and slow-growing. Grade 3 and 4 brain tumors are cancerous or malignant. These tumors may originate in the brain or may spread from elsewhere in the body. They are fast-growing and more likely to re-occur following treatment.

Brain tumor symptoms depend partly on the area of the brain that they affect. Some common symptoms include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• seizures
• persistent nausea
• vomiting
• drowsiness and fatigue
• progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• problems with speech, vision, or memory
• changes in personality or behavior

Treatment

Brain tumor treatments depend on the following factors:

• type, grade, and location of the tumor
• how abnormal the cells are
• how big the tumor is and how far it has spread
• the person’s overall health and fitness

Some possible treatment options include:

• steroids to reduce swelling around the tumor
• antiepileptic medications to control seizures
• pain medications to ease pain
• surgery to remove the tumor
• radiation therapy or chemotherapy to help destroy any abnormal cells

Headache, dizziness, fatigue, and neck pain: Causes and treatment

There can be several reasons for a headache with neck pain, dizziness, and fatigue.

Cervical headache

A cervical headache, or cervicogenic headache, is a type of long-term or chronic headache due to structural issues with parts of the cervical spine, including the vertebrae, disc, muscle, or spinal cord. The cervical spine is the section of the spine that includes the neck.

Cervical spine damage can occur due to:

• injury resulting from accidents or surgery
• compression fractures
• a herniated disk
• inflammation of the spinal cord
• general neck strain due to posture issues

A cervical headache may cause pain that persists for several days, or the discomfort can come and go. Other possible symptoms include:

Treatment

A doctor can usually diagnose cervical headaches by examining the neck and assessing the spine using medical imaging techniques.

The treatment will depend on the underlying cause, with options that include:

• pain relievers to ease neck pain and headaches
• physiotherapy to restore function and improve neck movement
• surgery to correct issues with the cervical spine
• nerve blocks to treat specific areas of pain

Migraine

A migraine is a moderate or severe throbbing headache that occurs on one side of the head. They may also cause additional symptoms, such as:

• increased sensitivity to light or sounds
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting

The exact cause of migraines remains unknown. However, experts believe that the following factors may play a role:

• changes in brain chemicals
• changes to the nerves and blood vessels inside the brain
• genetic factors

Some people report that certain factors can trigger their migraines, which commonly include:

Treatment

Although there is no cure for migraines, certain treatments can help reduce the symptoms, including:

• sleeping or lying in a dark room during a migraine
• taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• taking triptans, which help reverse brain-changes that can trigger migraines
• taking antiemetics to help reduce nausea and vomiting

Viral gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is the medical term for inflammation and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Viral gastroenteritis (VG) is gastroenteritis that occurs as a result of a viral infection.

Many viruses can trigger VG. The most common is norovirus, which can cause a range of symptoms, including:

Persistent diarrhea and vomiting can also lead to dehydration. This may lead to additional symptoms, such as:

• dizziness when standing up
• dry mouth and throat
• reduced urine

Treatment

Viral gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own without medical treatment. Until then, people can take medications to control their diarrhea. Examples include loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).

People can help prevent dehydration by:

• drinking plenty of water and other clear fluids
• drinking low-sugar fruit juices or sports drinks to help replace lost electrolytes

Contact a doctor if symptoms do not improve within a few days.

Cerebral aneurysm

An aneurysm refers to an enlarged blood vessel. This occurs due to a weakness in the blood vessel wall. An aneurysm that occurs within a blood vessel in the brain is known as a cerebral aneurysm.

A small cerebral aneurysm that does not increase in size might not come with any symptoms. However, larger aneurysms may put pressure on the surrounding nerves or brain tissue, which can trigger the following symptoms:

• pain above and behind the eye
• changes in vision
• a dilated pupil in the eye
• paralysis on one side of the face
• numbness
• weakness

In some cases, an aneurysm may leak or rupture, which requires emergency medical attention. Symptoms to look out for include:

Treatment

According to the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), not all aneurysms require treatment. In some cases, a doctor may recommend monitoring them for signs of growth.

NINDS recommend people take the following steps to help reduce the risk of a ruptured aneurysm:

Some people may require surgery to reduce or cut off blood supply to the aneurysm.

Stroke

A stroke is a potentially life threatening condition where the blood supply to part of the brain becomes cut off, which can result in brain cell death. A stroke can occur for the following reasons:

• an artery that supplies blood to the brain becomes blocked
• blood vessel within the brain ruptures

A sudden and severe headache can sometimes be a warning sign of stroke, though it is not a common symptom. In a 2015 study, only 49 out of 263 people who experienced a stroke reported a simultaneous headache.

Besides a headache, other possible stroke symptoms include:

• sudden numbness or weakness in a limb, or on one side of the face
• vision problems in one or both eyes
• difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• confusion
• dizziness
• loss of balance
• lack of coordination
• difficulty walking

Treatment

A stroke is a medical emergency. Without rapid treatment, it may result in severe brain damage or death. A person who shows signs of a stroke should phone for an ambulance immediately if possible. People should also look out for these symptoms in others and seek emergency medical care if they suspect a stroke.

Stroke treatments depend on the underlying cause. Some possible options include:

• Thrombolytics: Medications can help break up blood clots.
• Endovascular procedure: A procedure where a surgeon guides surgical instruments through a tube inserted into a limb to repair a broken blood vessel.
• Surgical treatment: Involves placing a metal clip around a ruptured blood vessel to reduce further bleeding.

Brain tumor

A brain tumor is when a collection of cells within the brain multiply abnormally and uncontrollably.

Doctors classify brain tumors into grades, depending on how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment.

Grade 1 and 2 brain tumors are non-cancerous or benign, and slow-growing. Grade 3 and 4 brain tumors are cancerous or malignant. These tumors may originate in the brain or may spread from elsewhere in the body. They are fast-growing and more likely to re-occur following treatment.

Brain tumor symptoms depend partly on the area of the brain that they affect. Some common symptoms include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• seizures
• persistent nausea
• vomiting
• drowsiness and fatigue
• progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• problems with speech, vision, or memory
• changes in personality or behavior

Treatment

Brain tumor treatments depend on the following factors:

• type, grade, and location of the tumor
• how abnormal the cells are
• how big the tumor is and how far it has spread
• the person’s overall health and fitness

Some possible treatment options include:

• steroids to reduce swelling around the tumor
• antiepileptic medications to control seizures
• pain medications to ease pain
• surgery to remove the tumor
• radiation therapy or chemotherapy to help destroy any abnormal cells

When is a Headache a Sign of a Brain Tumor?

A common question about severe or persistent headaches is whether they can be caused by a serious underlying health problem, such as a brain tumor.

The fact of the matter is that headaches are more likely a component of primary headache disorders, such as migraine or tension headaches, rather than due to brain tumors. However, certain factors may indicate that a headache could be symptomatic of a larger issue.

Primary vs. Secondary Headaches

There are two major kinds of headaches: primary headaches, which include migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches; and secondary headaches, which are caused by underlying factors such as medical conditions. Both kinds of headaches are common in cancer patients; certain kinds of treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, can cause headaches.

A red flag that a headache could be indicative of a medical issue is if it is a new or unusual headache — for example, one that causes someone to wake up at night, or one that is associated with changes in position. Another red flag is if the headache is accompanied by other symptoms, such as weight loss. Some headaches can be relieved through over-the-counter pain medication, or by having a cup of coffee, for coffee drinkers – but if the headache is persistent and doesn’t improve like it normally would with typical measures, there could be cause for concern and enough reason to see a primary care physician.

When to See Your Physician

If the headache goes on for a couple of weeks without improvement, or is associated with another neurological symptom, such as weakness on one side of the body, it is recommended to discuss your symptoms with a physician.

Headaches that are new or worsening, especially in a person who doesn’t normally have headaches, may warrant a medical follow-up, as do headaches that are worse in the morning or when the person is laying down. These headaches could also potentially wake someone from their sleep, or be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

Other red flag symptoms

• Change in quality or severity of headaches, in addition to double or blurred vision or vision loss
• Headaches that occur in someone who has an active cancer
• Increasing pressure in the back of the head

The most common brain tumor symptoms

• Persistent room spinning, dizziness, or loss of balance.
• A seizure or loss of ability to speak
• Hearing problems
• Gradually worsening weakness or loss of sensation in an arm or leg
• Personality changes such as emotional withdrawal or anger, or becoming easily confused

Consult your doctor if you have any overall concerns about your health.

Woman With Headache Pain, Dizziness, and Nausea

CASE REPORT

A 33-year-old woman has been experiencing recurrent episodes of nausea, headaches, and dizziness for the past 8 months. She has come to the emergency department because she is concerned about her current episode, which is slightly different from her previous ones.

Her symptoms began in the early morning, waking her from sleep at around 5 AM. She had head pain, dizziness, and nausea-similar to the previous episodes-yet she has noticed flashing lights in front of her eyes. She also complains of tingling in both arms and hands, which had occurred with a few of her earlier bouts. She has been taking over-the-counter ibuprofen and acetaminophen all day long without improvement. She went to work as usual and has been trying to sleep since returning home from her job. However, she has been unable to sleep due to the pain.

She has been previously healthy. She has been taking oral contraceptives for birth control for the past 7 years. She has not recently had any changes to her oral contraceptive prescription. She has a normal menstrual cycle and has experienced monthly menstrual migraines for the past 5 years. They always improve with one or two doses of sumatriptan.

The recurrent headaches began about 8 months ago. They have been occurring about once a week and lasting between 24 to 48 hours. She has taken sumatriptan for her headaches, and, like her menstrual migraines, they improve with one or two doses.

She has a family history of inflammatory bowel disease, and when she began to experience intermittent abdominal discomfort a few years ago, she decided to become a vegetarian. She explains that she has been getting enough calories and protein intake since the switch in diet about a year ago.

Physical examination

The patient was afebrile, well-nourished, and healthy appearing. She had both a severe headache and nausea. She complained of dizziness, but the dizziness does not interfere with her ability to walk. She felt the urge to vomit several times during the evaluation, but instead of vomiting large amounts, she gags.

The skin appeared normal, with no bruises or rashes. Throat examination was normal, as was thyroid examination. The chest examination was normal, with clear breath sounds. Her cardiac examination reveals a regular heart rate and rhythm.  Pulse were palpable and normal in bilateral upper and lower extremities. Her carotid arteries were normal with no bruits. Abdominal exam was normal, with no pain, tenderness or masses.

Neurological examination

The patient was alert and oriented x3. Her speech was normal. Extra ocular movements were intact with no nystagmus, and her vision was normal. Pupils were equal, round ,and reactive to light. She did not have ptosis or facial asymmetry. She had photophobia. Facial sensation and movements were normal bilaterally.

She had normal strength in the bilateral upper lower extremities. Reflexes were slightly brisk in bilateral upper and lower extremities, with no asymmetry. Sensation was normal in bilateral upper and lower extremities to touch, pinprick, vibration, and position sense. She had no ataxia or dysmetria in bilateral upper and lower extremities. Gait was normal and she could perform a Romberg test and heel to toe walking without any difficulty.

Diagnostic tests and diagnosis >

Diagnostic tests

Lab tests: CBC with differential, electrolyte levels, a B12 level, and thyroid tests, all of which were normal.

Imaging: Brain MRI and MRA were completely normal.

Nutrition: On further questioning, she insisted that she was not deficient in vitamins, minerals, or protein and that she eats tofu, edamame, or soy-based imitation meat products once per week when her office colleagues order lunch from a nearby vegan restaurant. Weekly migraines typically occur in the evening following these lunches, or wake her from sleep around 3 the next morning. She reported that she had never tried these products prior to becoming a vegetarian.

Diagnosis: Soy-induced migraine headaches and allergies

This patient has a classic description of migraine headaches, but the frequency of her headaches has suddenly changed, which is concerning. Given that she recently became a vegetarian, it would make sense to test for nutritional deficiencies.

Soy products can cause headaches or allergies in susceptible individuals, particularly among women who are prone to hormonal headaches.¹ Soy metabolism is associated with estrogen, which has been proposed as a possible explanation for why it is an uncommon headache trigger.

Soy can also cause allergies, and recent modifications in soybean production have been focused on reducing allergens. However, some individuals may be allergic to soybeans, even after the modifications have reduced allergic responses in the overall population.²

Treatment

Given this patient’s history, the best treatment plan was to focus on eliminating her probable headache trigger, and observing her clinical response. If she continues to have headaches after the probable trigger is removed, then other possible factors for increased headaches could be considered, such as health risk factors or emotional stress or anxiety. Often, there is no identified cause for an increase in migraine frequency. Given her weekly headache pattern, she may benefit from prophylactic therapy.

Take home points

• Nutritional deficits should be evaluated in patients who have had dietary changes.

• In addition to considering nutritional deficits, patients who have had dietary changes may also have new exposure to food or supplements that could cause allergic reactions or other symptoms.

• Women who have menstrual or hormonally induced migraine headaches are especially prone to soy-induced headaches.

• Because soy metabolism has been associated with estrogen, it was previously recommended that any women who have a risk of or a history of breast cancer avoid soy products. However, more recent research disproves a link between soy and breast cancer.³

References:

1. Engel PA. New onset migraine associated with use of soy isoflavone supplements. Neurology. 2002;59:1289-1290.

2. Wilson S, Blaschek K, de Mejia E. Allergenic proteins in soybean: processing and reduction of P34 allergenicity. Nutr Rev. 2005;63:47-58.

3. Hilakivi-Clarke L, Andrade JE, Helferich W. Is soy consumption good or bad for the breast?J Nutr. 2010;140:2326S-2334S.

Understanding Neck Pain and Dizziness

Feeling dizzy or unsteady is an uncomfortable feeling most people have experienced. In cases where dizziness is accompanied by neck pain, it can be especially problematic, with the potential to cause problems with balance, concentration, and head movements.

See All About Neck Pain

What Does Neck Pain with Dizziness Feel Like?

While dizziness typically has a rapid onset, neck pain may develop either gradually or quickly. Many people with neck pain accompanied by dizziness experience one or more of the following:

• Dull ache or general soreness in the neck, which may also go into the shoulder(s) or up into the head
• Sharp or electric-like pain or tingling that may come and go, possibly radiating down into the arm and/or hand
• Unsteadiness or imbalance when trying to walk, stand, and/or go up or down steps
• Light-headedness or a feeling of the head floating or disconnected from the body
• Feeling faint or suddenly sleepy, such as about to lose consciousness
• Visual disturbances or blurry vision in one or both eyes
• Pressure or fullness felt in one or both ears
• Tenderness in the neck, shoulders, and/or head, which may worsen when pressed
• Decreased range of motion in the neck, such as from a sore or stiff neck

See Stiff Neck Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Some cases of neck pain and dizziness may be made worse during certain movements, such as:

• Rotating the head to the side
• Standing up, especially quickly
• Performing a vigorous activity, such as lifting weights
• Running or any activity that involves sudden movements

See Home Remedies for Neck Pain and Dizziness

Some people with severe or recurring dizziness may not even notice the associated neck pain unless asked about it. Other people may be more bothered by the neck pain—which could be sharp and/or include electric-like pain radiating down into the arm—and only occasionally experience dizziness.

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Head and Neck Anatomy for Balance

For the body to maintain balance, it relies on 3 sensory subsystems:

• The vestibular system, located primarily within the inner ear, detects motion and acceleration. It also constantly interacts with the brain and spinal cord to adjust the body accordingly to maintain balance and posture.
• The visual system gathers information from the eyes regarding the body’s relation to its surroundings.
• The proprioceptive system is comprised of proprioceptors (tiny sensory receptors) in the muscles and joints throughout the body, which send information to the brain via the spinal cord about their relative positioning. The cervical spine is densely populated with proprioceptors. In particular, the upper cervical spine’s proprioceptors are thought to play a key role in helping the head and eyes stay balanced.^1,2

The brain is constantly comparing information from all three of these subsystems to maintain balance. In theory, if any of these subsystems sense a problem or relays faulty information, it could lead to dizziness.^1,2

In addition to the spinal cord, many critical nerves and blood vessels travel through the neck—connecting the head with the rest of the body and playing an important role in balance.

See Cervical Spinal Nerves

In This Article:

Development of Neck Pain and Dizziness

While neck pain or a problem within the neck has not been scientifically verified as a cause of dizziness, it is commonly reported by patients and clinicians.³ Some potential ways that dizziness may occur as a result of a painful problem in the neck include:

• Neural problem, such as damage to a proprioceptor in the neck
• Vascular compression or narrowing, such as to the vertebral artery that supplies blood to the brain

Other causes of neck pain and dizziness occurring together are also possible, but more research and/or better diagnostic tests are needed to determine if dizziness can truly stem from an issue in the neck. ^1–3

See Stretches and Exercises for Neck Pain and Dizziness

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When to See the Doctor for Neck Pain and Dizziness

While most cases of dizziness are mild and quickly go away on their own, sometimes the problem requires medical attention. If dizziness persists and interferes with routine activities or quality of life, it should be examined by a doctor.

See Diagnosing Neck Pain

In addition, any type of pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that radiates down into the arm or hand should be evaluated by a doctor. If neck pain and/or dizziness are accompanied by severe headache, nausea, feeling faint, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and/or trouble with coordination or walking, medical attention is needed immediately.

References

• 1.Devaraja K. Approach to cervicogenic dizziness: a comprehensive review of its aetiopathology and management. Eur Arch Otorhinolarynogol. 2018; 275(1):2421-2433. doi: 10.1007/s00405-018-5088-z.
• 2.Kristiansson E, Treleaven J. Sensorimotor function and dizziness in neck pain: implications of assessment and management. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2009; 39(5): 364–77 doi:10.2519/jospt.2009.2834.
• 3.Magnusson M, Malmström, EM. The conundrum of cervicogenic dizziness. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016; 137:365-9. doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-63437-5.00026-1.

Dizziness and Headaches… The Imbalance of Pain

Dizziness, imbalance, and disorientation in headache and neck pain patients

One of the most frequent questions posted to facebook on migraine headaches and tension headaches forums involves some aspect of dizziness, imbalance, and disorientation.  While headache patients may be used to pain, waking up dizzy or having balance issues with or without pain can be alarming to those who suffer from migraines or tension headaches.  To those of us who care for these patients, we have been relieved to finally find some scientific reasoning that may explain these issues.

First let’s get through some terms:

– Vertigo is a sudden onset of a sensation of spinning.
– Dizziness refers to an abnormality of stability or balance.
– Imbalance is a difficulty keeping one’s balance particularly when upright.

Vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance can all be associated with headache and can be from different causes, but the data is accumulating correlating to a direct relationship between the occipital nerves (of the back of the neck and head) and this disorienting problem.  Patients who have irritation and/or inflammation of these nerves may have a reason to be dizzy.  And this dizziness can come with or without accompanying pain.

Second, let’s have a look at the anatomy of balance and dizziness.  Many may know that the sense of orientation that we normally experience begins in the ear, and the inner ear to be specific.  There are two aspects of the inner ear that are involved in balance, and they are cumulatively referred to as the vestibular system.   The anatomy of this part of the inner ear involves tubules or canals oriented in 3 different directions corresponding with the 3 dimensions that you can move in.  These canals are filled with fluid, and as you move the flow of these fluids create signals that go to the brain to indicate your position in your space.  Additionally, there are crystals made of calcium carbonate that are found in a spot called the utricle of the ear, and the motion/pressure from these crystals on the tissue of the utricle signals your muscles to help stabilize you with respect to acceleration and deceleration in motion, such as when you are moving or when you are in a car.

There are several things that can go badly in the ear itself, such as benign positional vertigo or Meniere’s Disease.  These conditions involve problems in the flow of the fluid of the inner ear or the position of the crystals that are supposed to be settled in the utricle.  It is important to remember that just as you have two ears, you have two vestibular systems that work together to orient your position and your response to motion.   An issue on one side of your head, in one ear can create a confusion in your brain, when the opposite normal ear’s signals don’t mesh correctly with what is expected from the problematic ear.

Now let’s move on to the next part of the management of balance, which involves the nerves that travel from the inner ear to the brain.  The eighth cranial nerve, called the vestibulocochlear nerve, brings signals from the ear to the brain.  This nerve sends fibers to several portions of the brain, including the vestibular nucleus of the brain stem as well as the cerebellum.  Sorry again for the technical anatomy terms, but this will be important later.  The important part to understand here is that the cerebellum is the portion of the brain that coordinates movement, and movement, balance, and orientation all need to be coordinated in order to maintain an equilibrium and avoid imbalance and dizziness.

The next anatomical term that we need to understand is called the dura.  The dura of the brain is the coating of the brain, a tissue lining that surrounds the brain and has sensory (feeling) fibers that are part of the pain of headaches of many types.   Similar to how skin surrounds and contains the body, the dura surrounds and contains the brain, and just as painful sensations on your skin cause discomfort, painful sensations at the dura cause headache pain.

If I haven’t lost you with technical jargon yet, the next part of the understanding between migraine, tension headache, occipital neuralgia, and dizziness involves the occipital nerves.  These nerves as many readers know have been linked to the cause of many of these headache syndromes.These nerves as many readers know have been linked to the cause of many of these headache syndromes.  Inflammation and irritation of these nerves have been shown to provide the distress signals to the brain that cause the headaches of many migraines, tension headaches, and of course occipital neuralgia.  These occipital nerves are sensory nerves, detecting sensation, stretching, and pain.

Now here is where it gets interesting…. Recent studies have shown that there are fibers of the occipital nerves that surprisingly travel from the back of the head and neck to the dura of the brain, and additionally to the dura of the cerebellum which you will remember from the paragraphs above are responsible for coordination of motion and balance. [1]  Now that we know that there is an intermingling of nerve fibers from the occipital nerves and the dura, we can easily understand how irritation of the occipital nerves is perceived as headache pain.  It is easy then to take the next step in understanding that as these fibers intermingle with the dura or lining of the cerebellum, the irritation of the occipital nerves can create distress in this part of the brain which we know coordinates motion and balance.  We can see how irritation of these peripheral occipital nerves found in the muscles of the neck and in the back of the head may be causing not only headache pain, but dizziness, and balance issues as well.

So what can we do about this?  How can we prevent both the pain as well as the dizziness found in migraine headaches, chronic daily headaches, tension headaches, and the like?  By preventing the occipital nerves from experiencing irritation, we can prevent the distress signals that in these nerves that cause both pain and dizziness and imbalance.   Nerve decompression surgery, also called migraine surgery, is an outpatient procedure in which the tissues that compress and irritate the occipital nerves are released such that the nerves lie comfortably in a non-irritated fashion, and the distress signals mentioned above are prevented from happening in the first place. 

While I apologize for the rather technical explanation here, it is important for patients who experience different symptoms to understand where and how their complaints may be arising.  The complexity of the human body, particularly the nerves and brain, is an amazing thing when functioning properly.  In patients with tension in their neck, or tight muscles, or patients who have blood vessels, connective tissue, or scar tissue putting pressure on their occipital nerves, this miraculous complexity can cause pain and dizziness as well as other symptoms that can be problematic and debilitating.  We are fortunate that advanced studies are now showing how migraine surgery or nerve decompression surgery can improve the lives of these patients. [2]

To see an example of how a patient with balance issues benefitted from migraine surgery, look for Christine’s discussion of her surgery toward the bottom this page here.  

To find out more about migraine surgery (nerve decompression surgery) click here, and find information about the work up and expectations for this highly successful outpatient procedure throughout our website.  To see if we can help you or your loved one, please contact us at 805-969-9004.

Learn More About Migraine Surgery from Dr. Lowenstein

REFERENCES

1)Noseda R, Melo-Carmillo A, Nir R-R, Strassman A, Burstein R (2019) Non-trigeminal nociceptive innervation of the posterior dura: implication to occipital headache. J Neuroscience

2)Blake, Pamela, and Rami Burstein. “Emerging Evidence of Occipital Nerve Compression in Unremitting Head and Neck Pain.” The Journal of Headache and Pain, vol. 20, no. 1, 2019, pp. 76–83., doi:10.1186/s10194-019-1023-y.

90,000 why my back hurts and my head is spinning

Your questions are answered by a neurologist, doctor of the highest category, deputy chief physician for the medical department of the Spine Clinic of Dr. Razumovsky Sergey Igorevich Burovik.

Even thirty – forty years ago, back problems and frequent headaches were one of the indicators of advanced age. Now, strong-looking guys and very young girls often complain of such ailments.

Blame for everything – a modern way of life and bad habits.Sedentary work, unwillingness to “come off” from the car, improper diet, excessive enthusiasm for gadgets and even fashionable fitness – all this can cause problems with the musculoskeletal system. For example, did you know that sedentary work at a computer, laptop or phone increases the load on the lower back significantly? It is not as bad for the back to unload the boxes as it is to be in a static position all day. And problems with the spine quickly “spread” to the entire body, because everything in our body is interconnected.

But what if you can’t change your lifestyle? Some people drown out pain by taking painkillers, others make their own diagnoses and look for ways of treatment on the Internet. However, this is not a way out, but on the contrary, an aggravation of the situation.

We suggest that you do not self-medicate, but consult a doctor and ask any questions about spinal diseases to an expert of the Spine Clinic of Dr. Razumovsky.

Why does our back ache so often? How to understand the causes of headaches and dizziness? What treatments for the spine and joints are there? And what to do to prevent the disease, if any, from progressing?

Everything that is useful and important for you to learn about spine health, treatment of headaches and dizziness, you can ask Sergei Igorevich Burovik, neurologist, doctor of the highest category, deputy chief physician for the medical department of the Spine Clinic, Dr. Razumovsky.

Answers will be published on the same page.

Yusupova Zamira

Hello, I have such a question for what reason is the back pain from the bottom of the shovel on the right side and a constant feeling of nausea?

Sergey Igorevich Driller

Dear Zamira. Back pain can be the result of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias and other diseases of the spine. In some cases, back pain can be reflected from the internal organs.Nausea can be caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, impaired cerebral circulation, high or low blood pressure, and other diseases and conditions. You should start by consulting a neurologist. He will determine the further tactics of your examination and treatment.

Arman

Hello, I don’t understand that I don’t understand that the crunch of my back, neck is constantly nervous, my eyes hurt when moving or pressure, my head seems to be in a fog and this state of mind is constant, I can’t even think normally

Sergey Igorevich Driller

Dear Arman. To clarify the cause of your complaints, it is necessary to conduct an examination of the spine, vessels of the neck and brain, blood tests. A brain examination may also be required. To determine the final volume of research, you need to consult a neurologist. At the appointment, the doctor will study in detail the circumstances of the appearance of these complaints, the medical history, concomitant diseases (if any), establish a diagnosis and give all the necessary recommendations for further examination and treatment.

irina ivanova

hello. I would like to ask you. I worked two by two and switched to a week I was 26. the first day one work the second day another. I worked hard even from 10 to 11 at night the cook runs … zapara. and left work I rested for two days and went to look for something new. but on the way I felt bad on the bus numb from the stomach to the upper jaw and panic. I came and told my mother and it started again. The doctor came and said Tihacardia panic. And of course, osteochondrosis of the neck.slept on the floor did not make friends with the sofa. well smeared with cream. and valerian. then I walked like a zombie as if it weren’t me. I somehow resigned myself. but the fear remained. I do not go by buses. 2 years have passed. I am pregnant on the bus again had this attack. I chewed lollipops and somehow it passed and changed the position of my back. It hurts in the vertebra. Now again. My husband and I have worked a lot and even need to get up faster in the morning. We got up for a walk. I say that everything hurts .. I could hardly go. At night my legs went numb and my back neck began to hurt terribly. The husband left for three months on a business trip.I am with a child. He needs to be taken to the kindergarten and I can hardly go. Everything hurts. I think I’ll fall and the child. He will go anywhere he’s small .. I will cream. Tell me which doctor to go to.

Sergey Igorevich Driller

Dear Irina. In your case, first of all, you need to seek advice from a neurologist. At the appointment, the doctor will conduct an examination, determine the amount of necessary research, and also give recommendations for treatment.

Victoria

Good evening. I have a sore between the shoulder blades and neck, nausea and weakness, poor appetite.Often there are cramps in the abdomen and heart, pressure and tachycardia increase, trembling and panic begins. After tincture of valerian it becomes easier

Sergey Igorevich Burovik

Dear Victoria. These conditions can be associated with dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, hormonal disorders, diseases of internal organs, stress. To find out the cause of your condition, it is necessary to study in detail the history of the appearance of these complaints, their development and connection with external factors, as well as conduct a complex of examinations.First of all, you need a consultation with a neurologist. It is possible that you will additionally need an appointment with an endocrinologist, cardiologist and psychotherapist.

Nikolay

Good afternoon. Such a problem. Sometimes once every six months there are bouts of pain in the head, accompanied by all the noise in the ears (as if by waves). It gets easier after the injections. Now, after work, I go home, my lower back starts to hurt, and my head starts to squeeze, the same tinnitus appears. Feels hot.Mri of the head showed that everything was normal. What to do? Thank you !

Sergey Igorevich Driller

Dear Nikolay. To establish the reason for the appearance of these complaints, it is necessary to conduct an additional examination. In your case, you may need to conduct an MRI of the lumbosacral spine, duplex scanning of the vessels of the neck and brain, blood tests and ultrasound of internal organs. A doctor will be able to more accurately determine the amount of necessary research at a consultation after a detailed examination and special tests.With these symptoms, you should start by consulting a neurologist.

Raya

Hello, the neck hurts, presses on the lungs, the lower back hurts: other symptoms of nausea the condition happens as if I faint swelling on the face

Sergey Igorevich Driller

Dear Raya. You have a wide variety of complaints that may be associated with different diseases and conditions: diseases of the spine, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic and hormonal disorders, and others.To establish a final diagnosis, you need a consultation with a neurologist and a therapist, as well as an additional examination according to their recommendations.

Diana

And so, lately my head is often dizzy (sometimes I even fall as soon as I get up, my legs don’t hold) and it darkens in my eyes, at any time of the day there is strong drowsiness, I can sleep twice as much as the norm, as well as pain in the lower back and no appetite at all, I can eat nothing for 2-3 days. The parents say that I may just have low hemoglobin. Should I see a doctor? Thank you in advance

Sergey Igorevich Burovik

Dear Diana. A decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood can cause similar symptoms, but it also happens in other diseases and conditions. You should definitely consult a doctor to conduct an examination and establish the reason for these complaints. First of all, it will be necessary to conduct blood tests (clinical, biochemical and possibly a study for thyroid hormones), electroencephalography, duplex scanning of the vessels of the neck and brain, electrocardiography.In your case, you need a consultation with a general practitioner and a neurologist. According to the results of the examination, consultations with other specialists may be required.

Anna

Good afternoon. Tell me, what could it be. Five days ago, the lower back on the left began to hurt, dizziness. And last night I woke up from an acute pain in the stomach.

Sergey Igorevich Driller

Dear Anna. In case of acute pain in the stomach, an urgent consultation with a doctor (surgeon or gastroenterologist) is needed, if necessary, call an ambulance team to exclude acute surgical pathology.Lower back pain can be in diseases of the spine, but sometimes reflected pain in pathology from the internal organs (abdominal cavity, kidneys, pelvic organs). Dizziness can be caused by diseases of the spine and brain, vascular, hormonal and metabolic disorders. To establish the final reason for the appearance of these complaints, you need to consult a specialist and assign a set of examinations. For back pain and dizziness, you should see a neurologist.

Julia

Hello, I have been a fitness trainer for the last 6 years, but I have been in the gym myself since I was 18. Now I’m 39. Recently, after training, my lower back has started to hurt and, at the same time, weakness and dizziness, I already feel nauseous in the mornings. And regardless of whether the training was of an aerobic nature or I was engaged with a barbell. Now I do not pull large weights, if I used to squat with 60 kg .. now the maximum is 40 .. Tell me what it can be and which doctor should I contact, what tests to wait or procedures to do.Thank you.

Sergey Igorevich Driller

Dear Julia. Back pain can be associated with degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, spondyloarthrosis, etc.), and weakness and dizziness, in addition to diseases of the cervical spine, can be caused by pathology of the cardiovascular system, hormonal and metabolic disorders, and others reasons. You should start by consulting a neurologist. At the reception, the doctor will conduct a full examination, examine in detail the complaints, medical history and prescribe the necessary examinations to establish the final diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Elena

Good evening! Can you please tell me for 9 months I have been suffering with dizziness, did an MRI of the brain and the entire vertebra, pathology only in the spinal region of protrusion in the l5, s1 discs and the manifestation of bilateral sequestration, which was not treated, and vasodilators and antidepressants, at the moment I drink fezam and paxil, when I start to move my pelvis, dizziness begins, knowing such a feeling as if it pushes in my legs when I walk and everything goes to my head and dizziness begins, and it can also be difficult to rearrange the legs, such a feeling as if they are being held or, on the contrary, it seems like it pushes faster, there are such things that when I go as if I’m falling through. Help pzhl I have already drunk so many pills I have no strength, I am 33 years old

Sergey Igorevich Burovik

Dear Elena. Without consulting a doctor with a full examination and a detailed study of the medical history and examination results, it is very difficult to say something specific about your condition. Dizziness can be caused by impaired blood circulation, hormonal changes, pathology of the cervical spine and nervous system, the consequence of stress, metabolic disorders and other reasons.Most likely, additional examinations will be needed to clarify the cause of your symptoms: blood tests, electrocardiography, duplex scanning of blood vessels, electroencephalography, etc. In addition to consulting a neurologist, you may also need to see an endocrinologist and a psychotherapist.

Vlad

Hello, such a problem of lower back pain when bending the body forward or backward, nothing hurts in a calm state. Also accompanied by constant fatigue and irritability, especially in the daytime, sometimes it darkens in the eyes when lifting the torso up, did an X-ray of the spine, it seems like a slight scoliosis, but there should not be such problems as they said, passed the tests passed the cardiogram MRI of the head, everything is normal, tell me what could be

Sergey Igorevich Driller

Dear Vlad. Without consultation and a full examination, it is very difficult to establish the cause of your symptoms. It is possible that lower back pain is associated with intervertebral hernias or with kidney pathology, then magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral region and ultrasound of the kidneys cannot be dispensed with. Darkening in the eyes may be associated with a deterioration in cerebral circulation against the background of a disease of the cervical spine or pathology of the vessels of the neck and brain. In this case, a duplex scan and examination of the cervical spine will be required.The final volume of research will be determined by a neurologist at a consultation. You can sign up for a consultation with a neurologist at our Clinic by phone or on the official website.

Why does the back of the head hurt and what to do about it?

The pain in the head can have different causes: from brain diseases to banal fatigue. Without appropriate examinations, it is difficult to quickly determine why the patient’s neck hurts: the cause may be vasospasm, high blood pressure, diseases of the spine, swelling, trauma, or simply fatigue and overwork of the neck muscles.

Temporary causes of headache

Pain in the back of the head and temples is often caused not by diseases, but by overexertion. The reason is muscle fatigue and increased intracranial pressure. Pain occurs against a background of high mental stress, stress, anxiety and depression. The patient often feels nausea and dizziness.

A negative state of mind not only affects the blood vessels of the brain, but also forces us to take positions that are uncomfortable for the body: slouching our back, lowering our shoulders, pressing our neck to our chest.All this leads to muscle strain, which increases pain in the back of the head. And in the case of a diseased spine, it additionally strains the nerves. As a result, the discomfort only intensifies.

There are many ways to deal with this type of headache. If you are overworked or have been in an uncomfortable position for a long time, light exercises, a warm bath, and a head and neck massage will help. If the pain is severe, you can first take an analgesic. If you have a serious illness (such as depression or anxiety disorder), see your doctor to help you start treatment and relieve your symptoms.

Why does the back of the head hurt with diseases of the spine?

There are two main reasons: pain can simply spread from a sore back, or it can appear due to pinched nerve endings. Back diseases often come together: due to curvature and osteochondrosis, neuralgia begins and a hernia develops.

• Osteochondrosis is a common cause of pain in the back of the head. With it, the discs of the cervical vertebrae are destroyed. The pain is felt in the neck, temples, and back of the head.The patient may complain of tinnitus, loss of coordination, and nausea.
• Neuralgia of the occipital nerve manifests itself against the background of other diseases of the spine or occurs after prolonged hypothermia and draft. It has a severe shooting pain, usually with movement of the head and neck. At rest, the pain is very weak, and there are no other unpleasant sensations.
• Cervical spondylosis is an increase in the volume of bone tissue. It compresses blood vessels and impairs neck mobility.As a result, the patient begins to have a constant dull pain in the back of the head, which increases with any physical exertion.

For any of these conditions, see a neurologist. A simple visual examination will help to determine the picture of the disease, but it will not be superfluous to show the doctor a pre-made X-ray or MRI of the cervical spine. With a scan of the bones of the spine and surrounding tissue, it will be easier to make the correct diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment.

Diseases of the brain and blood vessels

If back diseases have been ruled out, it is worth looking for the cause in the heart, blood vessels and brain.Unfortunately, diseases of the nervous and circulatory system are very common, and almost all of them cause dizziness and pain. Among vascular diseases, the following are especially common:

• Hypertension , or high blood pressure. It is accompanied by headache, double vision and dizziness. Unpleasant sensations begin throughout the body, especially with a sharp jump in pressure;
• Vascular spasms cause throbbing pain in the occiput that extends to the temporal and occipital lobes.With movement, the pain intensifies;
• Intracranial hypertension is an increase in pressure within the skull. In addition to severe pressing pain, the patient experiences weakness, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations and convulsions begin;
• Stroke – blockage or rupture of cerebral vessels. An attack of acute pain occurs, the patient may be partially paralyzed, unable to distinguish the surrounding space, and indistinctly speaks. This is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention to save life!

If the cause of the pain is in the brain, the following conditions are possible:

• Concussion – from injury or fall. Causes bruising and increased blood pressure, resulting in pain, nausea, and loss of coordination.
• Tumors , both benign and malignant, cause dull, persistent pain at the site of formation. As they grow, they press on the structures of the brain, causing them to break down. Intracranial pressure rises and blood flow may be impaired.

If you suspect these diseases, you should see a highly qualified neurologist or neurosurgeon. Depending on the symptoms, you may be prescribed computed tomography and MRI of the brain, its individual structures and angiography of the vessels.At the appointment, the doctor will definitely measure the pressure. You may be sent to an ophthalmologist to check your fundus, and if a tumor is suspected, you will have to undergo blood tests for antibodies.

Other causes of pain

The back of the head can hurt due to ailments not related to the nervous and circulatory system. The back of the head can give pain from:

• ENT diseases : tonsillitis, pharyngitis, inflammation of the nasopharynx and auditory canals;
• dental diseases : deep caries, abnormal growth of wisdom teeth, periodontal disease;
• eye diseases : cataracts, scleritis, conjunctivitis and many others.

If you find out that the pain in the back of the head is not associated with problems in the brain, spine and blood vessels, see an otolaryngologist, dentist and ophthalmologist. Well, if these doctors do not find any deviations, we advise you to review your daily routine, warm up regularly and monitor your posture. Chances are good that the pain caused by muscle fatigue and overwork will stop. But, if you have a regular headache, it is better to consult a doctor for a medical examination and exclusion of pathologies.

90,000 symptoms, causes and treatment – how and how it appears

Each part of the spine has its own specific symptoms:

• Cervical spine: headaches, dizziness, pain and numbness of the shoulders, arms. In some cases, vertebral artery syndrome develops: the artery that feeds the brain and spinal cord is compressed, which causes an excruciating throbbing headache in the temple or occiput. Unpleasant symptoms also appear: tinnitus, imbalance, darkening in the eyes, and with significant clamping – sharp attacks of dizziness with nausea and vomiting.All of these symptoms usually occur with sharp turns of the head.
• Thoracic region: “stuck in the chest,” pain that patients often consider to be related to the heart or internal organs.
• Lumbosacral region: pain and numbness in the lower back and legs, there may be discomfort in the pelvic area.

Causes of osteochondrosis

The main cause of osteochondrosis is degenerative changes in the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral disc, as a result of which they lose their firmness and elasticity.The vertebral disc decreases in volume, becomes dense and ceases to fully amortize. Even during normal walking, hard vertebrae, consisting of bone tissue, do not spring too resiliently on the cartilaginous layers between them, but practically touch each other, squeezing the nerve fibers. Because of this, the mobility of the spine is limited, there are constant pains that spread to the back and limbs, provoked by compressed nerve roots.

The reasons for dystrophic changes can be different.The main predisposing factor is dietary habits. From birth, the cartilage tissue receives the necessary substances in two ways: from the blood vessels and from the intervertebral fluid. By the age of 23-25, the vessels are completely overgrown, there is only one way of nutrition. Nutrition of the cartilaginous tissue through the intervertebral fluid is possible during the movement of the spine, when fluid is circulating: during the compression and expansion of the discs, the fluid breaks down into nutrients. Therefore, after 30 years, the risk of dystrophy of the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs increases sharply, especially with insufficient physical activity.

Dystrophic processes of destruction of discs are aggravated by intense training (especially without warm-up), trauma, any pathology of the skeleton (including flat feet and poor posture), since it changes the distribution of the load on the spine. Being overweight has the same effect. There is also a genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis – loose cartilage tissue, prone to degenerative processes.

Stages of osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a progressive disease, but the transition to each next stage occurs gradually.One of the stages in the development of osteochondrosis is the so-called disc herniation. Discs are made up of a hard shell called the annulus fibrosus and a semi-fluid core. Herniated discs occur when the fibrous ring of the disc becomes thinner and torn, the nucleus protrudes through the rupture, the nerve roots are compressed, which is accompanied by increased pain and an even greater decrease in the shock-absorbing properties of the disc. The rate of development of symptoms depends on the lifestyle, treatment and individual characteristics of the organism.

Stage 1

Characteristic complaints, persistent or recurrent, appear. Often they are provoked by physical activity or forced body position. On the roentgenogram – the minimum narrowing of the intervertebral clefts or the norm.

Stage 2

Symptoms intensify as there is a loss of disc stability (cartilaginous tissue bulges into the surrounding annulus fibrosus), which compress the nerve roots. On the roentgenogram – a noticeable reduction in the intervertebral distance or displacement of the vertebrae, growth of bone tissue may appear.

Stage 3

Herniated intervertebral discs, also called protrusion or prolapse of discs, appear, the disc more and more extends into the surrounding tissues, which leads to damage to blood vessels and nerves, so the pain intensifies, limiting movement in the limbs and causing them to numb.

Stage 4

Stage of disc fibrosis. The disc hardens, it is replaced by scar tissue, bone protrusions grow along the edge, the intervertebral distance is noticeably reduced. The mobility of the spine is significantly reduced – it literally stiffens.

Diagnosis of the disease

The doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis on the basis of characteristic complaints and examination data. Soreness at certain points, muscle tone, sensitivity, range of motion, posture are assessed. Instrumental research methods help to clarify the stage of osteochondrosis and confirm the diagnosis. Most often, at the initial stage, an X-ray of the spine of interest is prescribed. The pictures clearly demonstrate whether there is a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, that is, whether there is thinning of the cartilage, and how far the process has gone.If, according to the results of X-ray, the doctor suspects the presence of intervertebral hernias, he will prescribe a more informative research method – magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Layer-by-layer scanning and good visualization of soft tissues allow with absolute accuracy to confirm or deny the diagnosis of a herniated disc.

How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine?

Treatment of osteochondrosis is always complex and long-term. Its task is not only to stop pain, relieve muscle tension, but also to stop the further development of the disease, that is, to influence its cause.The doctor decides what to treat in each specific case. Medications are usually supplemented with physiotherapy exercises, massage, manual, physiotherapy and reflexology. If conservative therapy does not give the desired effect, surgical treatment is indicated.

Medicines

The main goal in exacerbating osteochondrosis is to stop inflammation and accompanying pain, muscle spasm. To do this, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed in combination with muscle relaxants, which lower the tone of skeletal muscles, reduce muscle spasms and nerve root compression.Preparations of vitamins of group B help to improve the condition of the nerve roots. Usually, the course of treatment lasts 7-10 days. Taking medications inside is complemented by local treatment: ointments or gels containing NSAIDs or simply warming up are applied to the affected area in order to increase blood supply, metabolism and quickly stop inflammation. External agents quickly relieve pain, since the active substance penetrates into the focus of inflammation, bypassing the digestive system and general blood flow, but they are not enough for full treatment.

Osteochondrosis and its prevention

Pogorelova Lyubov Nikolaevna
Head of the Department of General Neurology,
Neurologist of the highest qualification category

Osteochondrosis and its prevention

Taking care of your own health is the immediate responsibility of everyone; he has no right to pass it on to others. Indeed, it often happens that a person, by the wrong way of life, bad habits, physical inactivity, overeating, brings himself to a catastrophic state by the age of 20-30.
No matter how perfect medicine is, it cannot rid everyone of all diseases. Man is the creator of his own health, which must be fought for. From an early age, it is necessary to lead an active lifestyle, temper, engage in physical education and sports, observe the rules of personal hygiene – in a word, to achieve in reasonable ways a genuine harmony of health.

Osteochondrosis and its causes

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the cartilaginous surfaces of the bones of the musculoskeletal system, mainly the spine (as well as the hip and knee joints).Osteochondrosis has four stages of development.

To understand the essence of this disease, it is necessary at least in general terms to understand the structure of the spine. The vertebrae are connected to each other by ligaments and intervertebral discs. The holes in the vertebrae form the canal in which the spinal cord is located; its roots, containing sensory nerve fibers, extend between each pair of vertebrae. When the spine is flexed, the intervertebral discs are somewhat compacted on the side of the slope, and their nuclei are displaced in the opposite direction.Simply put, the intervertebral discs are shock absorbers that soften the pressure on the spine under stress. Mass morbidity is associated primarily with the vertical position of a person, in which the load on the spine and intervertebral discs is much higher than in animals. If you do not learn how to sit, stand, lie down, then the disc will lose the ability to perform its function (amortization) and after a while the outer shell of the disc will crack, and hernial protrusions are formed. They compress blood vessels (which leads to impaired spinal circulation) or the roots of the spinal cord, and in rare cases, the spinal cord itself.These changes are accompanied by painful sensations and reflex tension of the back muscles.

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF BACK PAIN IS OSTEOCHONDROSIS OF THE SPINE WITH INTERVERTICAL DISCS

According to statistics, almost every second person aged 25 to 55 suffers from osteochondrosis.But mostly people begin to feel the manifestations of osteochondrosis after 35 years. The development and exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine is facilitated by static and dynamic overload, as well as vibration.
This may be caused by:

• work associated with frequent changes in the position of the trunk – flexion and extension, turns, jerking movements,
• lifting heavy loads,
• Incorrect posture when standing, sitting, lying down and when carrying weights,
• physical education and sports without taking into account the influence of large physical exertion,
• unfavorable weather conditions – low temperature with high air humidity.

But it cannot be said that if you follow all the instructions exactly, then you will not face osteochondrosis. After all, the cause of this disease can be traumatic injuries.

TYPES OF OSTEOCHONDROSIS

By localization, there are cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and widespread osteochondrosis. Most often, lumbar osteochondrosis is diagnosed (over 50% of cases), cervical (more than 25%) and widespread (about 12%).

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Parents often say a common phrase addressed to kids: “Don’t turn your head!”.Doctors call for the opposite: “be sure to turn your head.” Any age. This is the only way you can avoid a dangerous disease – osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

The neck is designed by nature not only to hold the head and turn it in different directions, which, by the way, becomes quite difficult for untrained people who do not take care of their health over the years. The spinal cord, arteries that feed the brain, nerve roots and trunks, which carry out a nerve connection with the hands, heart, and lungs, pass through the neck region.

Complaints with this type of osteochondrosis are very diverse: pain in the heart, headaches, dizziness with short-term loss of consciousness (due to disturbances in the blood supply to the brain), pain in the shoulder joint or throughout the arm.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The pain that occurs from time to time in the thoracic spine is familiar to everyone who is engaged in heavy physical labor. As a rule, these painful, unpleasant sensations serve as the first sign that a rather unpleasant disease begins to develop in the body – osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.Often this ailment affects persons of the so-called sedentary professions: designers, computer operators, car drivers.

But it is not at all necessary that you, even if you drag heavy objects every day or have to sit at your desk for long hours, will have osteochondrosis.

Correct posture is a reliable barrier to illness. When walking, try to keep your back straight, shoulders straight. To form posture, as you yourself understand, it is necessary from an early age. But you can do this at 30 or 40 years old.Indeed, better late than never!

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

At first, there are dull pains in the lumbar region and in the legs, then numbness of the extremities is usually noted, a significant increase in pain with sudden movements of the body, with shaking.

PREVENTION

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Exercise for a long time is a reliable prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Here are a number of exercises for the prevention of this type of osteochondrosis:

• Press your forehead into your palm and tense your neck muscles. Do the exercise 3 times for 7 seconds. Then press the back of your head on the palm of your hand also 3 times for 7 seconds.
• While straining the muscles of the neck, press with the left temple on the left palm (3 times for 7 seconds), and then press on the right palm with the right temple (3 times for 7 seconds).
• Tilt your head back slightly. Overcoming the resistance of the tense neck muscles, press your chin against the jugular fossa.Do the exercise at least 5 times.
• Keep your head and shoulders straight. Slowly turn your head as far as possible to the right (5 times). Perform the movement to the left the same number of times.
• Lower your chin to your neck. Turn your head first 5 times to the right and then 5 times to the left.
• Tilt your head back. Try to touch your right ear to your right shoulder (5 times). Perform the same movement, trying to touch the left shoulder with the left ear (5 times).

It is recommended to include these exercises in the morning hygienic exercises, as well as to perform them during the working day.You can do them while sitting and standing. However, in no case should you make circular rotational movements with your head. This could result in injury.

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

If you also regularly perform the exercises (listed below) developing and maintaining the tone of the muscles of the back and abdomen, ensuring the normal mobility of all segments of the thoracic spine, then you will not be overcome by osteochondrosis.

• I.p. – standing; while inhaling, stand up straight, hands down, feet together. Stretch your arms up – exhale. Bend back and take a deep breath. Then lower your arms, bend forward, slightly rounding your back, lower your shoulders and head – exhale. Repeat 8-10 times.
• I. p. – sitting on a chair. Put your hands behind your head – inhale, bend back as much as possible 3 – 5 times, resting your shoulder blades on the back of the chair – exhale.
• I. p. – Get on all fours. Bend your back as much as possible and hold for 2 – 3 seconds in this position.Keep your head straight. Return to i.p. and repeat the same exercise 5 to 7 times.
• I. p. – Lie on your stomach and put your hands on the floor. Force back as much as possible, trying to tear the body off the floor.
• I. p. – lying on your stomach, hands along the body. Bend in the thoracic spine, trying to raise your head and legs as much as possible.

These thoracic spine relief exercises are recommended throughout the day during short breaks from work.In exercises 3 to 5, breathing is arbitrary. Do the 4th and 5th exercises 5 – 8 times. These exercises can be incorporated into morning exercises. It is very helpful to perform a few movements after work. The main thing is that you do the preventive complex every day, then you will reliably insure yourself against osteochondrosis.

ORTHOPEDIC MODE

How to sit correctly

• Avoid furniture that is too soft – it is not for you. So that the body weight does not put excessive pressure on the spine, the body must be supported by the ischial tubercles, and this is possible only on hard seats.
• for the furniture on which you have to sit for a long time, the following requirements are imposed: the height of the chair, the chair must correspond to the length of the lower leg – it is necessary that the leg rests on the floor; for people of small stature, it is recommended to substitute a bench under their feet; the maximum seat depth is approximately 2/3 of the hip length.
• There should be enough legroom under the table so that they do not have to bend too much.
• If you have to sit for a long time, try about every 15 to 20 minutes.warm up a little, change the position of the legs.
• Make sure your back is close to the back of the chair.
• Sit up straight without tilting your head or bending your torso so as not to strain your muscles.
• If, due to the nature of your activity, you have to read for a long time every day, make a device on the table (music stand) that supports the book at a sufficient height and inclined towards the table so that you do not have to tilt your upper body forward.
• When driving a car, try to sit relaxed.It is important that the back is well supported. To do this, place a thin cushion between the lower back and the back of the chair, which will preserve the lumbar bend. Keep your head straight. After several hours of driving, get out of the car and do basic gymnastic exercises: turns, bends, squats – 8-10 times each.
• in front of the TV screen, do not sit or lie in one position for a long time. Change it periodically, get up to stretch. We sat for 1-1.5 hours, sit back in a chair or chair, relax your muscles, take a few deep breaths.

How to stand correctly

When a person stands for a long time, the spine experiences significant stress, especially its lumbar region.

• change your position every 10-15 minutes, while leaning on one or the other leg, this will reduce the load on the spine.
• if possible, walk on the spot, move.
• From time to time, bend back, stretching your arms up, take a deep breath. This can somewhat relieve fatigue from the muscles of the shoulder girdle, neck, nape, back.
• if you wash dishes, iron linen, alternately put one or the other leg on a small bench or box. For those suffering from osteochondrosis, it is better to iron while sitting or placing the ironing board so that you do not have to bend low.
• while cleaning the apartment, working with a vacuum cleaner, also try not to bend low, it is better to extend the hose with additional tubes. When cleaning under the bed, kneel down on one knee under the table.
• To pick up an object from the floor, squat down or bend over with your knees bent and resting your hand on a chair or table.This way you don’t overload the lumbar spine.

How to lie correctly

It is better to sleep not on a soft bed, but not on boards either. The bed should be semi-rigid so that the body, when a person lies on his back, maintains physiological curves (cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis). For this:

• on the entire width of the bed or sofa, put a shield, and on top of foam rubber 5-8 cm thick. Cover it with a woolen blanket and lay a sheet.
• When pain is given to the leg, you can put a blanket roller under the knee joint – this reduces the stretching of the sciatic nerve and relieves pain in the leg.
• When back hurts, many patients prefer to sleep on their stomachs. Place a small pillow under your lower abdomen to prevent your lower back from flexing too much, which causes even more pain.
• People who sleep on their side can sleep with one leg on the other and their hand under their head.

Getting out of bed in the morning for patients with acute manifestations of osteochondrosis can be very difficult.Do this:

1. Do some simple arm and leg exercises first;
2. then if you are sleeping on your back, roll onto your stomach;
3. lower one leg to the floor;
4. leaning on this leg and arms, transfer your body weight to your knee and gradually get up without making any sudden movements.

And one more tip. For those who like a bath, dry steam (sauna) is preferable, and during an exacerbation, the sauna will have to be abandoned.

How to properly lift and move weights

One of the main reasons for the exacerbation of osteochondrosis and the formation of hernias of the intervertebral disc, especially in the lumbosacral region, is lifting and carrying heavy loads.Acute, unexpectedly, there is pain in the lower back in cases when weights are lifted abruptly, jerkily, and then a heavy object is moved to the side, while turning the body.

How to properly carry weights

• Do not carry a heavy load in one hand, especially over a long distance, so as not to overload the spine, separate the load and carry it in both hands. It is unacceptable to hold a weight, sharply bend and unbend (bend back).
• In general, it is undesirable for a patient with osteochondrosis to lift and carry weights of more than 15 kg.We advise you to purchase a trolley or bag on wheels.
• A backpack with wide straps is very convenient for carrying heavy loads over long distances. The weight of a full backpack is distributed over the weight of the spine, and the hands remain free.

How to properly lift weights

• Put on, if you have, a weightlifter belt or any wide belt;
• squat down with your back straight and your neck straight;
• grabbing a weight with both hands, rise without bending your back.

And finally, the most important advice. If there is acute pain in any part of the spine, you should not self-medicate with pills and ointments. Seek help from a qualified neurologist – you should establish an accurate diagnosis, relieve pain and develop a plan for further treatment.

90,000 If you often have a headache, you need to treat osteochondrosis!

For some reason, it is believed that back and joint pain is the lot of old and fat people.And such misfortunes have nothing to do with young people, slender and “healthy”. This is fundamentally wrong. Today, not only young people, but even children suffer from pain in the spine. Medical statistics show that every fifth person at the age of 30 already has persistent back pain, which is striving to go into the chronic stage.
In fact, doctors have established that any person has a natural predisposition to diseases of the spine, due to his upright posture.The bipedality of “homo sapiens” led to the fact that the main weight of the body fell on the spinal column. It turns out that for us the most physiological posture is “on all fours”, but hardly anyone will move along the street in this way!

So why does the back hurt and feel numb? Today the head of the department of rehabilitation therapy and rehabilitation of the Medical Center in Yakutsk Boris Georgievich Cheremitsyn will give a detailed answer to this question.

“There can be many reasons – this is an uncomfortable chair with a low back, improper organization of the workplace due to muscle spasm, hypothermia, drafts, air conditioners, and banal overload (almost everyone knows what a“ torn back ”is).However, the most common cause of serious pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is cartilage wear. As a result of harmful factors acting on the delicate cartilage of the intervertebral discs, their degeneration occurs – flattening, thinning and cracking. They cease to perform their amortization functions, as a result, deformities of the vertebrae, hernias of intervertebral discs develop, pinching of the nerve roots is noted, and as a result, acute pains in the back and extremities occur, ”says the doctor.Orthopedic doctors diagnose osteochondrosis in such patients during the examination. The nuisance of osteochondrosis lies in the fact that this disease often proceeds under the guise of other pathologies, ranging from angina pectoris to kidney pathologies.

The cause of headaches can be osteochondrosis
“That is why you need to undergo a comprehensive examination for pain in the back, behind the breastbone, in the lower back and abdomen. It should be noted that headaches, dizziness and even hearing impairment, vision are also often associated with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Only a doctor can find out the true cause of the ailment, so you shouldn’t self-medicate or walk around, ”explains Boris Georgievich.

How to carry out a self-test?
The spine consists of three large sections: cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral. Usually, the pathological process in osteochondrosis is localized only in one area, and multiple injuries rarely occur. So, what are the symptoms typical for this or that type of osteochondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pain in the neck, especially worse when trying to turn or tilt the head back.Often there are headaches, dizziness, hearing and vision impairments, especially during pain attacks. With cervical osteochondrosis, pain can be given to the shoulder and arm, chest. The first “bells” signaling problems with the neck – a crunch in the joints when turning the head, morning stiffness, rapid fatigability. If you have these symptoms, you should definitely consult with an orthopedic doctor, take an X-ray of this area or undergo other diagnostic procedures, with the help of which the doctor will determine the stage of the degenerative process and prescribe treatment.If, as a result of a medical examination, osteochondrosis is found in the initial stage, then you can do without drug therapy, it is quite enough to perform simple exercises for the muscles of the neck and shoulders (which will be given below).

Thoracic osteochondrosis patients take for a heart attack
Often, attacks of thoracic osteochondrosis are taken by patients for angina pectoris. However, the sharp pain behind the sternum, unlike cardialgia, cannot be stopped by taking nitroglycerin, in addition, the pain in osteochondrosis increases when you turn the body, try to breathe deeply.Whereas for heart pains, such symptoms are not typical. Only a doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis, often osteochondrosis is hidden under the guise of intercostal neuralgia. Only instrumental and manual research methods will show the true picture of the disease.

Does your back get tired and numb? This is also osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis – worries most people with back pain. The lumbosacral region is very sensitive to stress and hypothermia, therefore it suffers as often as the neck.Lumbar osteochondrosis begins gradually, unnoticed by the patient. The first symptoms are sometimes ignored. It is worthwhile to be wary if there is stiffness and pain in the lumbar region in the morning. A sure sign of back trouble is difficulty bending (forward and sideways). If, after a short sitting, your back gets tired and numb, you also need to see a doctor. Sharp pains in the lumbar region, which are also popularly called “lumbago”, already indicate that osteochondrosis has long come into its own. In severe stages of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, patients cannot stand for a long time, sit, bending becomes impossible.The pain goes not only to the lumbar region, but also spreads to the legs. Better, of course, to prevent the development of the disease, because it is practically impossible to cure neglected osteochondrosis.

Can osteochondrosis be prevented?
Osteochondrosis is a preventable disease. Boris Georgievich gives some tips for preventing back pain:
1. Control your weight. It is necessary to purchase a scale and weigh yourself regularly once a week.If you have extra pounds, you should switch to a moderately hypocaloric diet: exclude fatty, fried, sweets, alcohol, limit salt intake, and, on the contrary, drink more liquids (up to 2 liters per day). Once a week, arrange fasting days (buckwheat, kefir, vegetable, fruit). With a large overweight, sharp and heavy physical activity is contraindicated: running, jumping, step aerobics. Better to choose sports such as swimming, water aerobics, walking, Pilates, yoga.
2. Lead an active lifestyle. As you know, the fundamental factor leading to osteochondrosis is sedentary work, inactivity. For back health, morning exercises (at least for 10-15 minutes), walking, cycling, and horseback riding are useful. If there is no time to complete the exercise, then just walk a few stops to work on foot, go up and down the stairs to the desired floor, and not by elevator. While working, take small breaks every hour (for 5-10 minutes): get up from the table, stretch, swing your arms, perform several turns with your head and body.Spend your lunch breaks actively too – take a walk around the office or go to the gym, if it is in the same building.
3. Watch your posture. While walking, try to keep your head straight, and slightly spread your shoulders to the sides, do not slouch. When working at a desk, adjust the height of the chair for height, the computer should be at eye level, keep your back straight, do not cross your legs. If you already have minor postural problems, try wearing a corrective brace to help you maintain correct back position.
4. Sleep on orthopedic mattresses, also make sure that the car seat is comfortable. Purchase special bedding. Too soft or hard mattresses and pillows harm the spine. Sleeping without a pillow is also not worth it, but sometimes such a measure is prescribed by your doctor.
5. Lift weights correctly. It is advisable to carry a heavy package and bags in both hands, evenly distributing the weight of the luggage. If you need to lift something bulky or heavy (a bucket of water, a child), then first sit down, bend your knees, while keeping your back straight, then take the load and straighten your legs.
5. Do not overcool. The back and neck should be kept warm at all times, but this area should not be overheated either. Wear layered clothing made from natural fabrics. Outerwear should cover the buttocks and have a high collar.

Unfortunately, over the years not only wrinkles appear on the face, the oval of the face is lost, but the entire body wears out, the spine “grows old” as well. This process is irreversible, but with the help of modern methods of treatment, which are carried out in the Department of Rehabilitation Therapy and Rehabilitation of the Medical Center in St.Yakutsk in the 202nd microdistrict, it is possible to relieve tension from the back, reduce painful sensations, and slow down the course of osteochondrosis. To restore cartilage, doctors recommend including calcium-rich foods in the diet: fish, cottage cheese, as well as jellied meat, which contains collagen, which is necessary for lubrication and better cushioning of joints. But excessive enthusiasm for jellied meat is fraught with an increase in blood cholesterol and blood thickening, in addition, it is contraindicated for people with gallstones.

Take care of yourself and be healthy!

ICL Press Service

90,000 Meteosensitivity: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Meteosensitivity: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Meteosensitivity (meteorological dependence) is the reaction of your body to the influence of weather (meteorological) factors.It can be snow, rain or just cloudy weather, magnetic storms, flares in the sun, etc.

A person is too susceptible to weather fluctuations due to weakened immunity or chronic diseases. Most often, the problem with the cardiovascular system is accompanied by meteosensitivity. Studies have shown that the body does not react to the weather itself, but to its sudden change. And the malaise can last for 4 days. Everything depends on the human body, his age, equipment and the presence of chronic diseases, even character plays a role in this situation.

Disease symptoms

There are many symptoms. Everything is quite individual. And in each person, the disease can manifest itself in different ways. It depends on your immunity. Most common symptoms of weather sensitivity:

Feels a slight discomfort;

• Loss of appetite;
• Fatigue;
• Joint pain
• Migraine;
• Dizziness;
• Tinnitus and eye pain;
• Pressure surges;
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• Palpitations.

Sometimes there may be pain in the heart due to sudden changes in the weather, there is a possibility that the disease will lead to a heart attack. During solar flares and magnetic storms, many people go to the emergency room. They noted that on such days there are more accidents on the roads and aggravated neuroses and other mental disorders.

Types of meteosensitivity in humans

It should be said that there are several types of meteosensitivity, which are accompanied by different symptoms and consequences.The first degree of the disease is meteosensitivity. It is characterized by a deterioration in the general condition of the body. The person may feel mildly unwell. The deterioration of the condition is not confirmed in any way by general analyzes. So it is simply not possible to determine what is with a person. The next degree of the disease is meteorological dependence. In this case, a person can observe a violation of the rhythm of the heart, even painful sensations are possible. Blood pressure will change. It can either go down or rise sharply.The person is in a state of anxiety. The last degree and the most severe is meteopathy. It, in turn, is divided into five more types of meteosensitivity.

Brain type. A person can describe such a state with meteosensitivity as follows: there is a noise in the head and ears, dizziness, headaches. This prevents them from working or studying normally. The state is simply unsettling.

Asthenoneurotic type. A change in blood pressure is noted in a person.Sleep disturbances and persistent irritability can be observed. He has increased excitability, which can lead to various disorders.

Undefined type. With this type, a person cannot accurately describe his condition. He feels bad, feels pain in the joints, malaise, absent-mindedness, a kind of weakness, muscle pain. His whole body can ache.

Reasons for meteosensitivity

Everyone is eager to know why some people are so sensitive to the weather.Man is a part of nature, we are closely connected with the external environment. Weather is not only clear or cloudy weather. We sense pressure, humidity, magnetic and electric fields. And all this affects our condition. What changes in nature at a given time affects our body. We feel it with every cell of the body. Meteosensitivity depends on the initial state of the organism. The disease is noted most often in people who rarely visit the fresh air, lead a sedentary lifestyle and engage in mental work.Their microclimatic comfort zones are too narrow. With a sharp change in the weather, a person may feel scattered, and he is more inclined to various viruses (flu, tonsillitis, etc.)

Strong winds can overstimulate the nervous system, while irritating skin receptors. In recent years, the study of weather conditions on the human body has received the name – syndromic metepatology. For some people, bad rainy weather leaves an imprint on their appearance.The face becomes pale and looks very tired.

Treatment and prevention of meteosensitivity

If a person has chronic diseases, then first of all, drug prophylaxis is required during adverse weather conditions.

It is recommended to take sun and air baths. Spend more time outdoors. This will help your body deal with the problem. It is worth doing physical therapy.

It is worth noting that a healthy lifestyle will help get rid of meteosensitivity. It is necessary to strengthen your immunity and the protective functions of the body. Proper nutrition and exercise will play a big role in this situation. It helps with meteosensitivity walking, jogging, contrast shower, breathing exercises, cold wraps.

If you feel low blood pressure, then it is worth drinking multivitamins and preparing herbal infusions (lemongrass, eleutherococcus, etc.)or strong tea.

During bad weather, try to eat foods that contain iron, potassium, calcium, and ascorbic acid. Limit your salt intake.

It should be noted that meteosensitivity cannot be completely eliminated, but its course can be facilitated.

Manual therapy – a method of treatment for pain in the head, neck, back

Manual therapy is the use of hands for the purpose of a therapeutic effect on the patient’s body using special techniques and techniques.

The goal of treatment is to adapt the body to stress, increase the adaptive capabilities of the body and, as a result, reduce pain, increase mobility in the spine and joints. All techniques are performed by a doctor of manual therapy with special education and work experience. The complex of techniques of a chiropractor is based on the methods of manual influence on the body for the correction of biomechanical disorders. Manual influence is based on the principles of neurology, orthopedics, neurophysiology.The difference from conventional massage lies in the effect not only, and not so much on soft tissues, but also on joints, intervertebral discs, internal organs, and cranial rhythm.

Clinic “CHILDHOOD Plus” offers to make an appointment with a chiropractor. The specialist will conduct a diagnostic examination, examination, develop individual schemes for complex treatment and rehabilitation. We guarantee systematic monitoring of treatment results, mild impact and high benefits of treatment.

When should I see a doctor?

Disorders with which manual therapy and osteopathy works: pain in the head, back, neck, joints, abdomen. Pains, for example, in the heart area, leg, arm, shoulder can be caused by diseases of the spine. If you have any of the following symptoms, this is a reason to see a chiropractor:

• Discomfort and pain syndromes constraining movement in the lower back, shoulder, pelvic joints, elbows, knees
• Headaches
• vertigo on movement of the neck;
• visual impairment;
• trouble falling asleep;

Manual therapy will improve the mobility of functional blocks, relieve pain, solve joint problems, and reduce the manifestations of vertebral diseases associated with the spine, scoliosis, hernia.If you notice similar symptoms in yourself, we advise you to consult a doctor.

Types of manual therapy

Chiropractors from our clinic use classic + gentle treatment methods. The doctor will offer several methods for the treatment of the spine, joints, organs:

1. Myofascial – the specialist interacts with the skin, adipose tissue, ligaments, muscles. This technique reduces pain, improves body symmetry, and models posture.
2. Arthro-vertebral manual therapy — aimed at working with the spinal motion segment, with herniated intervertebral discs, improving the function of the joints. Reduces muscle spasms, limitation of movement in the joint, compression of nerve roots.
3. Cranial – acts on the bones of the skull. Work in the cranial direction is to treat the head, jaw, ENT organs, reduce dizziness, headaches, restore blood circulation, and normalize intracranial pressure.
4. Visceral – involves an effect on the abdomen and internal organs, is used for prolapse of organs, adhesions, neurological syndromes.

Which diseases are treated by manual therapy

Cranial, visceral, vertebral, and other methods of manual therapy can cope with a wide range of diseases, including both obvious, for example, a hernia of the spine or scoliosis, lordosis, kyphoscoliosis, and specific, in particular, hypertension, intercostal neuralgia, pulmonary diseases caused by changes in structures spinal column.

What diseases does a chiropractor treat:

• osteochondrosis
• arthrosis, arthritis
• humerus periarthritis;
• sciatic nerve neuralgia;
• vertebral artery syndrome;
• lumboischialgia, lumbodynia;
• cervicalgia;
• migraine;
• listeses, retrolistheses;
• sciatica.

Diagnostics

Comprehensive diagnostics is the cornerstone of any treatment.Only after the diagnosis of osteopathy, manual therapy brings real benefits without negative side effects. At the reception, the doctor conducts a conversation with the patient, learns about his complaints, chronic diseases in order to identify contraindications, collects an anamnesis. The specialist assesses the flexibility of the spine, the amount of movement in the joints, the presence of functional blocks, and examines the discomfort zone and associated zones.

Based on the result of the conversation, the doctor prescribes examinations and records the patient for the next appointment.As research is carried out:

• general blood / urine test;
• x-rays;
• computed tomography;
• MRI;
• ultrasound.

At the next appointment, the specialist will analyze the information received and select a treatment method. The selection of an individual recovery scheme will be based on the diagnosis + research data.

How is the session going?

At the appointment, the doctor assesses the patient’s condition, if he is repeated, he assesses the dynamics of changes, for example, the degree of scoliosis leveling.In the process of work, hard + soft techniques are used.

In the course of treatment, the doctor uses

Manual therapy techniques:

• myofascial release, impact on muscles, ligaments;
• abdominal therapy, effects on internal organs;
• traction techniques, for example, traction traction of the spine, impact on the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine separately;
• post-isometric muscle relaxation;
• methods of autorelaxation;

In the work of the therapist, there are a lot of techniques that he directs to certain parts of the patient’s body.Manipulation techniques involve the use of short jerky movements in the sacrum or spine. Mobilization techniques are aimed at lightly stretching the vertebrae and tilting the spine. Soft techniques are beneficial in relieving pain syndromes, improving muscle tone, relieving tension.

A few more techniques:

• stretching shortened ligaments, muscles – suitable for the rehabilitation of damaged tissues;
• pressure (pressure) or acupressure, used to influence the induration in the muscles;
• relaxation – muscle tension in a certain way for their subsequent complete relaxation.

The benefit of the procedure is to restore the mobility of the joints and the spine, reduce muscle spasms, correct organic disorders, and eliminate the blockade of the vascular and nerve plexuses.


In his work, the doctor uses Manual Muscle Testing (MMT)

MMT is a method of biological feedback with the body. MMT evaluates the activity of the stretch reflex (stretch reflex) under conditions of isometric contraction.

Contraindications

Like any other treatment, manual therapy has a number of contraindications. In the presence of fractures, fresh injuries, any intervention will be dangerous. The same applies to cases with fragments of sequestered disc hernia. Another contraindication is inflammation and infections in different parts of the body, for example, tuberculous spondylitis, osteomyelitis.

In addition to the listed contraindications for therapy are:

• disorders of cerebral, spinal, cardiac circulation;
• acute disorders in the chest, abdominal cavity;
• arterial hypertension;
• thrombosis
• mental illness;
• ankylosing spondylitis;
• oncological diseases
• arterial hypertension in the stage of decompensation
• febrile conditions.

The presence of the listed contraindications is established by the doctor during the diagnostic process. If contraindications are identified, they resort to using other techniques.

Benefits of treatment in our clinic

The DETSTVO Plus clinic offers services in the field of manual therapy. We organize an individual approach to each patient. He undergoes a thorough examination for the presence of contraindications, on the basis of diagnostic data, methods of recovery are selected.We use complex therapy to get the result faster. After each session, a person gets benefits, feels lightness, a surge of strength and an increase in tone.

Each patient receives:

• initial consultation;
• a full range of diagnostic procedures depending on the preliminary diagnosis;
• in the presence of chronic pain — manual therapy, elements of osteopathy and other procedures;
• regular monitoring, control of the condition and dynamics of treatment.

On the site you can see photos of the clinic, descriptions of services, prices. To clarify the cost of treatment and make an appointment, call us or fill out the form on the website.