It is hard to tell the difference between headache and migraine caused by cervical spondylosis. Neurosurgeon teaches you how to distinguish them

Cervical spondylosis is very common, with an incidence rate of 10% to 18% in the population. There are many causes and it is not easy to notice. It is often caused by cold, chronic strain, and trauma, which is very painful. Modern people often use their mobile phones with their heads down for a long time in their work and life, and sit for a long time to use computers, which causes cervical discomfort. This disease is more common in young and middle-aged people, and the symptoms are mostly soreness, pain, and dizziness. In severe cases, it may even be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and tinnitus. The headache caused by cervical spondylosis is called cervicogenic headache, which is very similar to migraine in symptoms.

Migraine is also very common. How common is it? Its incidence rate is 7%, but many people have never sought medical treatment. This is because many migraines are not serious and can be effectively relieved by sleeping, drinking coffee, and massage. Slightly more serious ones can be controlled by painkillers, or they may occur several times a year. For more serious patients, they will most likely choose to go to the hospital for treatment when the pain comes. Those who go to the hospital for the first time will choose various examinations to find out the cause of the disease. If cervical spondylosis is found, they will suspect that the headache is caused by cervical spondylosis. This is because the symptoms of cervicogenic headache and migraine are very similar.

In diagnosis, many doctors always confuse the two, but the actual situation is not so. Cervicogenic headache can be relieved by massage, and its pain is continuous and will not stop. Many people have no access to medical treatment because of cervical spondylosis. Today we will not talk about the problem of cervical spondylosis. Let's talk about the problem of headache.

Although cervicogenic headaches can also cause headaches, the location of pain is completely different from that of migraines. Cervicogenic headaches are caused by deformation of the cervical vertebrae and spine, which compress the nerves. The deformation of the bones of the cervical vertebrae can compress the nerves and cause headaches. The headaches are manifested as distending pain, accompanied by dizziness and a foggy feeling. There are many accompanying symptoms, such as radiating headaches, which can affect the shoulders, back, and arms. The pain is in the various branches of the cervical nerves. This condition is more common in patients with cervical spondylosis. Migraine, also known as occipital neuralgia, has symptoms of pain at the cervical-occipital junction, which is often called Fengchi acupoint pain. The distending pain is very obvious, and in severe cases it can radiate to the top of the head or even the forehead.

The main difference between them is that one radiates to the front of the head and the other radiates to the back. There are many other differences, which I will not elaborate on here. The examination of cervicogenic headache is mainly based on X-ray film, which is relatively inexpensive. CT or MRI examinations can be performed according to the condition.

As for treatment, cervicogenic headache is generally handled according to the severity of the disease. Analgesics such as ibuprofen, Zhengtian pills, Tongtian oral liquid, etc. are given for headache. Phenytoin sodium is used for cervical and shoulder muscle spasms. If it is caused by insufficient blood supply, Yangxueshengnao granules are used. In addition, neck circumference, physical therapy traction and local blockade can all achieve a certain degree of recovery.

Migraine, or occipital neuralgia, is also a difficult problem. The occipital nerve belongs to the cutaneous branch of the cervical nerve. Therefore, due to various reasons, the muscles and fascia of the occipital region swell or contract, causing microcirculation disorders in the occipital region, resulting in a severe aseptic reaction of the occipital nerve, causing irritation pain in the occipital nerve. The clinical situation is mostly manifested as pain caused by the stimulation of wind and cold water on the occipital region, mainly manifested as pain in the occipital region. The pain is like a thorn or a knife, and blood vessel pulsation can be seen. It often radiates to the top of the head, and a few patients can radiate to the forehead. The treatment methods mainly include non-coronavirus anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-epileptic drugs, vitamins, traditional Chinese medicine, etc.