In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine means degenerative dystrophic pathology that affects the discs located between the vertebrae.The disease is diagnosed mainly in people from 30 to 50 years of age, but may occur at different ages.It is important that the pathology be identified in a timely manner and appropriate treatment.If this is not done, the disease will move on to a new stage of development, which can cause the need for surgery to replace the intervertebral discs with dentures.
The causes of the disease
Neck osteochondrosis occurs for the following reasons:
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- obesity;
- malnutrition;
- They suffered injuries to the spine earlier, especially if segments of the cervical region were damaged;
- excessive physical activity;
- Stay in the same posture with a tilted head for a long period - for this reason the pathology is often diagnosed in office employees working on the computer;
- genetic predisposition;
- unstable emotional origin;
- neck hypothermia;
- Autoimmune pathologies, as a result of the development of which is wounded cartilage tissue;
- Improper structure of the spine diagnosed by birth.
The development of osteochondrosis of the cervical region is also facilitated by genetic predisposition.
Degree and type of disease
Cervical osteochondrosis goes through several stages of development, each of which has certain symptoms:
- The disease in the first stage.This is the very beginning of the development of pathology.The patient has pain in the affected area, which intensifies during movement.This stage is also characterized by tension of the posterior muscles and rapid fatigue.The pathology at this stage does not need therapy.The disease can be eliminated with the help of the right force system, exercise and abandonment of harmful addictions.
- The second stage of the pathology.The disease progresses, affecting the intervertebral discs.Their height decreases, which leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and the tongs of the nerves.As a result, the pain syndrome becomes more pronounced.It intensifies when his head moves and gives it to his shoulders or hands.Similar symptoms also occur - inattention, fatigue, pain in the area of the head.Medicines are prescribed for the treatment of pathology.
- The third degree of the disease.The hernia of the intervertebral discs begin to form.Pain syndrome is enhanced.The pain is localized in the neck and head and gives the shoulders and arms.Dizziness occurs, the patient is weak.The neck loses mobility.Particularly sharp adherence is felt in the morning.
- The fourth stage of the disease.The intervertebral discs are completely destroyed.Their place is occupied by connective tissue.The pain intensifies and does not disappear even during sleep, the neck almost completely stops turning, the dizziness becomes more frequent, the patient loses the coordination of movements and there is noise in the ears.
Clinical picture
Schop osteochondrosis manifests itself in different ways, depending on the lesion of specific segments.However, there are common symptoms characteristic of the injury of any vertebrae of the department:
- Head pain syndrome, giving the chest, arms, shoulders;
- Vision for vision and hearing;
- crunching when moving the neck;
- numbness of the fingers of the upper limbs and the end of the tongue;
- weakness in the muscles of the arms, legs;
- Increase in blood pressure.
The pathology is also characterized by certain syndromes, each of which is discussed in detail below.
Radio syndromes
The cervical osteochondrosis is pressed, resulting in a flowing syndrome of pain.The pain gives the shoulders and hands.The following symptoms also appear:
- Small pimples at the base of the epidermis hair, which in ordinary people call goosebumps;
- Tingling of the skin;
- loss of elasticity and elasticity of the epidermis;
- soft tissue swelling;
- Pallor of the skin.
Vail Arttery Syndrome
Characterized by the following symptoms:
- Burning or throbbing, constant or paroxysmal pain that increases when the head moves or remains in one posture for a long time;
- dizziness and seizures;
- nausea;
- loss of movement coordination;
- tinnitus and hearing deterioration;
- eye pain;
- Seeing vision.
Cervical migraine syndrome
If osteochondrosis occurs in the spine of the cervix, this can lead to the appearance of cervical migraine syndrome.In this case, the nodes of the cute column are irritated.As a result, there are problems with the vessels of the brain and blood circulation.This leads to a regular increase in blood pressure characterized by the following symptoms:
- heart rate;
- noise and ringing in the ears;
- The hearing is getting worse.
Hypertension
If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes the appearance of hypertension syndrome, then the patient increases intracranial pressure.Such symptoms appear:
- cracked pain;
- vomiting nausea;
- Increasing body temperature.
The blood test will indicate an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation.
Diagnostics
In order to diagnose the pathology, instrumental tests and laboratory tests are prescribed.
Instrumental
If signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical region occur, it is recommended that you consult a doctor.Only a specialist can diagnose pathology.For this, a professional prescribes such instrumental studies:
- X -ray.Such a study is rarely prescribed because it does not give a complete idea of the development of pathology, especially for the fourth stage of the disease.
- Ct.It helps to identify the changes that have occurred in the vertebrae.However, this study cannot determine the presence of hernia between the segments, which means that it will say nothing about their shape and size.
- MRI.It helps to identify any spinal cord disorder, including intervertebral hernias.
- Duplex ultrasound.Such a study is prescribed if there is a suspicion of problems with the circulation of the spinal vessels of the neck.Duplex ultrasound will show the presence of blood flow disorders, as well as obstacles that prevent the normal course of the blood.
Laboratory
In cervical osteochondrosis, a general and biochemical blood test is also prescribed.Such studies do not help to diagnose the pathology, but the doctor may determine the patient's health, as well as obtain information about the inflammatory process.
Traditional treatment
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is prescribed by a doctor.Therapy is very difficult and takes a long period.Treatment is aimed at inhibiting the development of the disease and eliminating symptoms.This is prescribed medicines, physiotherapy, exercise and other procedures.If conservative therapy is not given the desired result, surgery is performed.
First aid to exacerbate
First aid should be provided to the patient if he or she experiences severe, unbearable pain and if his neck holds in one position.It is recommended that you call an ambulance team immediately and before the arrival of specialists you should act as follows:
- Rub an analgesic ointment in a sore spot.
- Give the patient an analgesic.
- To make a camphor compress, this will help restore joint mobility, improve blood microcirculation and relieve pain.
Before the doctors arrive, it is impossible:
- Try to massage the patient.A wrong movement will lead to a deterioration of the situation.
- Rub the warming ointment in the injured segment.If the pathology is accompanied by an inflammatory process, then the use of such an instrument will lead to a deterioration in the situation.
Special specialists arrive or solve the problem on the spot or take the patient to the hospital.The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will be prescribed after diagnostic measures.Usually, after the first aid, the patient is released at home to undergo an outpatient basis.
Medication
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is based on the use of such drugs:
- Non -steroidal agents with anti -inflammatory properties.Such drugs get rid of the symptoms of the disease.The agents also stop the inflammatory process and save the traumatic nerve from swelling.The tablets are consumed 2-3 times a day after meals.The duration of therapy is 2-3 weeks.
- Mussorelaxants.They get rid of muscle spasm and muscle tissue.
- Corticosteroids.These are hormonal drugs.The funds are prescribed only if other medicines have proven their ineffectiveness.Medicines have a large number of contraindications and side effects, so you can only use them for therapy as prescribed by a doctor.
- Diuretics.Relieve the body from excess fluid.Thanks to this, medicines contribute to the removal of soft tissue swelling at the site of the inflammatory process.
- Blocks.Usually, doctors prescribe medicines subcutaneously or intramuscularly.Medicines are administered at several points in the area of injured vertebrae.This allows you to stop the pain syndrome.
- Chondroprotectors.They stop the development of pathology and contribute to the recovery of early cartilage.
- In B vitamins, they improve metabolism and neuromuscular conductivity.
Surgical
Surgery is prescribed in the last stages of the development of the disease and only with the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy.The assessment of the result of the treatment is carried out after six months.In the absence of effect, surgery is performed.The surgery can be prescribed earlier if intolerable pain occurs or paralysis of the limbs occurs.
Neck gymnastics
The treatment of the pathology of the house is based not only on the use of medicines but also on the performance of special exercises.Exercise therapy is prescribed by a doctor.The classes are held only during the period of remission of the disease.To get rid of the intervertebral clips, it is recommended that you perform such exercises:
- Lying on the stomach with an emphasis on the floor, a head and body is lifted.The exercise is repeated 2-3 times with fixation at the top of 2-3 minutes.
- Lying on the stomach, they make repetitions in one and the other, touching the floor on the floor.The number of repetitions is 7 in each direction.
- Sitting on the floor, lean forward to the chin of the chest, then lean back, throwing your head back.The exercise is performed 10-15 times.
- Sitting, place your palms on the forehead and press.Then press their head into the palm of your hand.The number of repetitions is 2-3.
- Staying, they first rotate their heads in one, then in the other direction.The number of repetitions is 10.
Physiotherapy
To get rid of cervical osteochondrosis, physiotherapy procedures are also prescribed.Such treatment helps to get rid of the symptoms of the disease and helps to repair damaged cartilage.The following procedures are usually prescribed:
- Laser therapy.The essence of the method is the effect of the laser on the affected areas of the spine.This improves blood microcirculation and stops the inflammatory process.
- Electrophoresis.The procedure is performed with painkillers.The essence of the method is the effect on the wounded parts of the body with a small charge of electric current to pass ions together with medicines to the damaged area of the spine.
- Ultrasound.The procedure improves the metabolic processes that take place in the cells, stops pain syndrome and stops the inflammatory process.
- Magnetotherapy.It relieves soft tissue swelling and eliminates pain syndrome.
Alternative treatments can also be prescribed to increase the effectiveness of therapy:
- massage of the cervical brotherly zone;
- Manual therapy;
- Acupuncture and other procedures.
Meal
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will be ineffective if you do not follow certain nutritional rules.The diet will help:
- Avoid the appearance of a lack of nutrients as vitamins and minerals are involved in metabolic processes of cells of intervertebral discs;
- Normalization of body weight, which will reduce the load on the spine;
- To minimize the likelihood of sclerotic changes in the blood vessels, thus reducing the risk of impaired blood supply to the brain.
The basic principles of proper nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis:
- The diet should be balanced with the daily dose of kilocalories-1200-1500;
- The food is taken in small portions 5-6 times a day;
- Observe the drinking regimen to prevent dehydration of the tissues of the intervertebral discs - at least 1.5 liters of fluid are drunk per day;
- Limit the consumption of salt as it retains the fluid in the body, provoking the appearance of swelling of the tissues;
- Limit the consumption of starch and flour products;
- Turn off fat, fried, spicy, diet -smoked;
- Refuse to use alcoholic and sweet carbonated drinks as well as store juices in boxes;
- The menu introduces fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meat, slender varieties of fish, cereals, milk and yogurt with a minimum mass of the fat content.
Tibetan applicator
Even with cervical osteochondrosis, doctors recommend using a Tibetan applicator to improve the condition.
This is a spiked device made of plastic that affect the epidermis.The patient applies the applicator in the problem area and occupies a casual position.As a result, the epidermis receptors involved in the physiological processes of the body are irritated.
This procedure gives the following result:
- Sleeping is normalized, the quality and duration of the night break improves;
- Pain syndrome stops;
- Blood microcirculation improves;
- The mobility of the joints is restored;
- The presentation is increasing.
The Tibetan applicator has contraindications:
- Pathology of the epidermis;
- Diseases provoked by infections;
- vascular diseases;
- Oncological pathologies of malignant nature.
You can only use the device after consulting a specialist.
Folk treatment
The use of unconventional medicine is another way to treat cervical osteochondrosis.Such medicines are only used with the doctor's permission.Public medicine increases the effectiveness of drug therapy.It is impossible to use as independent medicines for the treatment of the disease.Below are recipes for the preparation of unconventional medicine for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Compress Compress
A sheet of fresh cabbage is lightly beaten with a hammer for softening.It is then fixed to the problem area and isolated.The compress is stored for several hours.The procedure is performed daily.Instead of a cabbage sheet, you can use horseradish leaves.
Hop -based ointment
The required components:
- Hop cones, diced - 1 large spoon;
- Oil - 1 large spoon.
The products are connected and mixed.The resulting composition is treated with the affected area and the insulation dressing is fixed.The compress is stored for a few minutes to several hours.The procedure is performed daily.The iron is stored in the refrigerator.
Compression of honey frame
Required ingredients:
- Care raw potatoes - 1 large spoon;
- Honey - 1 large spoon.
The components are mixed and placed in a piece of gauze.The compress is fixed to the problem area for 20 minutes.The procedure is performed once every 7 days.
Prevention
The following preventive measures will help to avoid the onset of pathology:
- Lead an active lifestyle - sports, best swimming;
- enriching the diet with products containing magnesium and calcium;
- Make warm -Up several times a day during sitting work;
- Use orthopedic bedding for night break;
- Take a hot shower every day for 10 minutes;
- abandon excessive exercise;
- See a doctor regularly and have timely treatment of pathologies, which can cause cervical osteochondrosis.
What is the dangerous osteochondrosis of the neck
The main danger of the disease is that the lack of timely and qualified therapy can provoke complete immobilization of the joints, leading to damage.In addition, pinching the cervical vertebrae has a negative effect on the blood supply to the brain.As a result, headache and other suitable diseases occur.For this reason, you cannot ignore the pathology.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology of the spine, which in the absence of timely qualified therapy leads to sad consequences.To prevent this, it is recommended that you consult a doctor after the first symptoms of the disease.