Entrapment (impairment) of the nerve in the spine when there is compression of the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord. This happens most often in osteochondrosis - metabolic diseases in which there is destruction of cartilage and bone of the vertebrae.

Why is happening pinched nerve

From the spinal cord, which runs inside the spine, through the openings in each vertebra depart spinal nerve roots, which are further directed to or innervated tissues and organs. In this degenerative disease, as osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis - learn how to properly distribute the weight , Resulting in destruction of cartilage tissue is abnormal proliferation of bone nodules that can change the shape and function of a spine.

When osteochondrosis primarily affect intervertebral discs - shock-absorbing pads between the vertebrae. They can break down and go beyond the spine, squeezing roots extending from the spinal cord nerves, which is accompanied by severe pain and dysfunction of the organs, which are innervated by these nerves. Severe pain causes the back muscles to contract (spasm) - it reduces pain, but exacerbates the infringement of the nerve root. Pinched nerve inflammation may be associated with it.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve in the spine

Signs infringement spinal nerve roots appear, depending on where and at what level of the spine it happened. Furthermore, a value is present only a pinched nerve, or it is accompanied by the development of the inflammatory process. The cause and extent of infringement are also important.

Therefore pain infringement may occur on different parts of the body, the neck, back and chest, lumbosacral area, along the extremities, as well as (when the infringement vegetative branches nerves that innervate the internal organs) pain is or other body. All this is accompanied by muscle tension in the back and the restriction of movement until paresis and paralysis.

Infringement of spinal nerve roots in the cervical spine in the neck accompanied by pain and tension of the neck muscles. Often this is accompanied by compression of blood vessels that feed the brain, causing dizziness and sometimes fainting. Pinched nerve thoracic and lumbar spine leads to pain in the back and waist and back muscle strain that can cause misalignment of the body.

If the infringement of the sciatic nerve, which is a continuation of the fibers extending from the lumbar and sacral spine, pain in the buttocks, the back of the thigh, muscle weakness in the leg, limiting her mobility. Pinched nerve lumbosacral spine is the most common, as this part of the spine is the greatest load. The risk of prejudice increases with excessive body weight of the patient.

How to make a correct diagnosis

On whether the identified cause of nerve entrapment, depends on the success of treatment. The first examined the spine and identify signs of osteochondrosis, intervertebral disc herniation (connective cushioning pads Feminine pads - talk about wings   between the vertebrae) and the various effects of trauma. In some cases, the spine pathology is not evident, and nerve entrapment is, in this case exploring the surrounding tissue - the cause of prejudice can be, for example, a tumor compressing the nerve. X-ray studies are conducted, computer and magnetic resonance imaging study of the function of the affected organs.

Treatment for a pinched nerve in the spine

If not accompanied by a pinched nerve inflammation that can help quickly enough using the techniques of manipulation Chiropractic: the main thing - to choose the competent expert   and massage to relieve muscle tension, and hence the pain. Help relieve the pain as physiotherapy and acupuncture Acupuncture - the ancient traditions in the service of modern science .

With the development of inflammation prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce inflammation and pain. Treatment should be longer. When osteochondrosis necessarily prescribe, improves blood circulation in the affected area of ​​the spine - it prevents the further growth of abnormal bone vertebrae.

Sometimes appointed stretching the spine, which relieves the load from a particular portion thereof. When herniated disc in some cases the only solution is surgery.

In any case, if a patient signs of infringement of spinal nerve roots should immediately consult a doctor, who on the basis of established diagnosis prescribe complex treatment. Self-treatment of such diseases rarely ends well.

Galina Romanenko

Headache in temples - a common problem, which in most cases is not a signal of serious malfunctions in the body. However, persistent headache in temples can cause significant discomfort and they do not just put up.

Causes of headaches in the temples

Causes of headaches are very diverse, and it depends on them the way they are treating.

• Stress

On the physical level headaches in the temples begins when nerves located in the temples (or, sometimes, in other areas), the brain receives pain signals. However, the reasons for this are often psychological factors, such as stress and anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease? With which most people are constantly faced. Researchers have noted a disturbing trend: more and more people complain of frequent headaches at the temples or on the forehead, with many of them suffer from severe stress and know that they have to control it. Most of them even know what it needs to do - but they do nothing to reduce the impact of stress on their daily lives.

For such people, analgesics are just a way to temporarily relieve the headache, but it will appear again and again, if you do not take steps to reduce stress. To do this, first of all, get enough rest - if people do not regularly get enough sleep if he does not have enough free time to spend with the family, sports and hobbies, headache can be a constant companion of his life. In addition, yoga can help, auditory training Auditory training - you start to think positively? , Meditation and breathing exercises. If you deal with the stress alone does not work, you may need professional help.

• Weather

Throbbing headache in the temples are often a harbinger of changes in the weather. Some people are particularly sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure, in other headache is a response to fluctuations in temperature or humidity. Why do some people react to change in the weather, and on the health of others, it does not have any effect, it is unknown. To prevent the occurrence of headaches associated with the weather, it is impossible; People who suffer from this problem can only watch the weather forecast and keep handy analgesics. Fortunately, these headaches are usually mild or moderate, and to relieve them, only one or two tablets of aspirin or paracetamol.

• Change of time zones

Jet lag or transfer to summer / winter time is bad for the state of health of many people. The result of failure of circadian rhythms can be severe, throbbing headache and left temple (or only at the right), the intensity of which usually remain constant regardless of whether the patient is sitting or moving. To prevent the occurrence of such pain is also not possible, so people who are sensitive to the change of time zones or time conversion, usually have to take painkillers.

• Allergies

In some cases, headache in temples is associated with allergic reactions, such as pollen, household chemicals or animal hair. Other more common symptoms of allergies are runny and stuffy nose, red eyes, watery eyes, itchy skin. Often the headache passes shortly after taking antihistamines or decongestants.

• Altitude sickness

So is the state, which is caused by oxygen starvation, and occurs at a certain altitude climbers hang-gliders, and people traveling in a balloon. The height at which there are signs of altitude sickness depends on the fitness level of human, general health, but mainly - the climate. Thus, in the humid air disease can begin at about 1.5 km, and in regions with dry air human health can be normal until it rises to a height of 3.5 to 5 km.

Most people suffering from altitude sickness, complaining of a headache in the forehead, but about a third of them there is a pain in the temple. Thus, if the first time in a patient appeared headache in the right temple, then if it again in the future will develop altitude sickness, pain is most likely to be localized to the right again. The reasons for this are not yet known. Other common symptoms of altitude sickness - nausea, mild dizziness and fatigue.

• Cerebral aneurysms

Symptoms of this disorder can be very severe headache in temples or in forehead and a sharp deterioration of vision, pain around one eye, muscle spasms, stiffness of certain facial muscles (usually only one side of the face). If you suspect that the violation should immediately seek medical help.

• Brain Tumors

In rare cases, chronic, progressively worsening pain in the temples or in other areas of the head can be signs of tumors in the brain. Usually headaches in these cases are accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, blurred vision, weakness of the arms and / or legs, speech, behavior change.

• The Hangover

Some people have a hangover causes severe pain in the temples, although often after alcohol headache in the forehead Headache in the forehead - causes and methods of disposal . To get rid of the headache, it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids, eat foods containing fructose (eg, honey or fruit juice), and take analgesics. The use of small dose of alcohol may also ease the pain, but people who have problems with alcohol dependence Alcohol addiction - for no reason, no reason not arise Such treatment should be avoided.

• Eyestrain

A very common cause of pain in his temples. Pain may occur after prolonged reading, computer work, knitting in low light, and so on. To prevent the occurrence of such pain, you should regularly give your eyes rest and do special exercises for the eyes.