Among all violations of the musculoskeletal system, the second place in terms of prevalence is occupied by osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Symptoms and treatment of the disease are determined by the stage of its development, so it is so important not to miss the signs of an impending ailment.
Causes and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Osteochondrosis is called dystrophic changes in the joint cartilage against the background of the lesion of the intervertebral discs.
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pathological destruction of the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae that support the head.
Most often, the disease is diagnosed in people aged 30 to 40 years.In developed countries, this or another degree of cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed in 80% of the population.
The neck is considered the most mobile spine.At the same time, there is an insufficient amount of muscles around the neck that can compensate for loads on the spine.Therefore, the bulk of the loads falls on the intervertebral discs that play the role of shock absorbing.
As a result, the discs wear out, dry out and flatten, osteochondrosis develops.
The reasons contributing to the appearance of pathology lie not only in anatomy, but also in human behavior:
- Soweity and static, sedentary work - at the computer, driving a car, in the office;
- Excess weight;
- Large physical exertion;
- smoking;
- improper nutrition;
- weak physical form;
- spinal injuries.
Additional provocative factors in the development of osteochondrosis are: flat feet, soft mattresses and pillows, the habit of wearing a bag on the shoulder, hypothermia and stress.
How the disease manifests itself
At the beginning of the disease about its development, only the flow of the neck, which is usually not paid attention to.With the progress of pathology, the number and intensity of manifestations increase.
Characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur:
- pain in the back of the head, at the base of the neck, giving in the limbs;
- crunch and soreness when turning the head;
- numbness or tingling of the areas between the shoulder blades and at the base of the neck, burning, a sense of discomfort and stiffness;
- headaches, migraines, dizziness;
- Weakness, fatigue.
Secondary symptoms are considered a decrease in vision, hearing, memory problems, sleep disturbance, inattention, distraction, pressure.
Syndromes caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Doctors classify signs of osteochondrial processes as syndromes associated with a certain type of spine.
Stenosis.It develops against the background of the hernia of the intervertebral discs and is accompanied by a violation of blood circulation and the growth of bone tissue.It is manifested by numbness of the limbs.
Reflex and irritive syndrome- a consequence of the compression of the vertebral artery with curvature of the neck and impaired posture.It manifests itself in severe paroxysmal pains in the occipital part with gradual spread to areas around the forehead.
Rook syndrome.It is observed when flattening of spinal roots - the consequences of a hernia.At the same time, sensitivity in the affected areas is reduced, and motor activity becomes limited.It may be accompanied by the development of speech defects, snoring, impaired smell, a decrease in the sensitivity of the muscles of the tongue.
The degree of development of cervical osteochondrosis
The complexity of the process of processes is determined by the state of the pulpoose nucleus that fills the vertebral space.
Degenerative lesions of the cervical region are conditionally divided into three stages:
- First.The intervertebral disc is compacted.The hooks of the vertebrae of vertebrae are increasing.The stiffness of the muscles appears, but their mobility does not change.Small edema and pain when turning the head are possible;
- The second.It develops against the background of the progress of the first stage of the disease, if the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine was absent or carried out incorrectly.The intervertebral holes are narrowed, the height of the intervertebral discs becomes less due to their flattening.Pinches nerve roots.The patient feels a painful pain;
- The third.Cracks in the fibrous ring surrounding the intervertebral disc lead to the rupture of its capsule and deformation of muscle tissue.The stability of the fixation of the pulpos nucleus inside the intervertebral disk is violated.Intervertebral hernia develops.It is characterized by acute pain in the neck, numbness of the tongue, edema, limitation of mobility, curvature of the spine.
The correct position of the vertebrae of the cervical region determines the functionality of the visual and auditory nerves, nose, lips, mouth, throat, teeth, facial nerve, pituitary, brain, parasympathetic nervous system, neck muscles and forearm, thyroid gland, elbow and shoulder joints.
Diagnostic methods
The exact determination of the cause of the development of osteochondrosis allows you to affect the disease purposefully.The preliminary diagnosis is indicated after the initial examination by the doctor.
The patient's complaints about the nature of pain syndromes are taken into account, as well as the information obtained during the examination of the spine in various positions.The study of the cervical compartment allows you to determine the presence of seals and deformations.In addition, attention is paid to the tone of the muscles and motor capabilities of the patient.
Doctors receive complete diagnostic information using such studies as:
- radiography.The procedure allows you to evaluate the condition of the vertebrae in two projections - straight and lateral.The result is the determination of damage, saline deposits and compacted formations;
- Magnetic resonance tomographyAllows you to establish not only any pathologies of the spine, but also the degree of severity.By means of an MRI, a doctor can assess the state and level of damage to the nerve endings, blood vessels and intervertebral discs;
- Computed tomography- digitization of information obtained by x -ray irradiation.
In the presence of dizziness, an additional study of the structural change in blood vessels through domorography, angiography and duplex scanning may be needed.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
After making an accurate diagnosis and clarifying the causes of the development of the disease, the neurologist determines how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
The optimal results are brought by complex therapy, which provides for the use of several methods.Protocols include drug effects, hardware procedures, exercise therapy and therapeutic massage.
Treatment with medicines
In each individual case, the choice of drugs occurs individually.It depends not only on the severity of pathology, but also on the specific characteristics of the patient's body.
Fixed drugs of drug treatment:
- anti -inflammatory drugs - tablets that relieve pain and inflammation;
- chondroprotectors - drugs that activate the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- external use - ointments and gels that stop pain and inflammation;
- A complex of vitamins to support the body and stimulate its restoration.
At the first stage of therapeutic effect, it is possible to increase the pain syndrome - this is the reaction of the muscle system.To reduce discomfort and improve the results of drug treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures are used.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy means the effect on the cause of the disease using special equipment - electrophoresis, tissue electrical stimulation.The use of low -frequency currents improves blood circulation in the affected areas, relieves edema and pain, and at the same time increases the effectiveness of medical effects.
The minimum course of hardware treatment is 10 sessions.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis at home
Manual therapy is a productive way to influence the affected areas at home.With the help of massage, pinching, muscle cramps and pain are eliminated, blood circulation improves, and compression of the nerve roots is reduced.
Thanks to massage, metabolism improves, and spine tissues are restored.
Media physical education for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The best method of restoring the functionality of the organs of the musculoskeletal system and the prevention of relapse is the physiotherapy physical education for osteochondrosis of the cervical region.The procedures are prescribed after completely relief of pain and inflammatory processes.
The main types of exercise therapy:
- medical gymnastics;
- dosed walking;
- classes on simulators;
- swimming.
In order for the exercises for cervical osteochondrosis to bring the expected results, classes must be held under the supervision of competent specialists.
Folk remedies
The complete elimination of cervical osteochondrosis using traditional medicine methods is impossible.On the other hand, the use of folk remedies allows you to improve the patient's condition, relieve inflammation, reduce pain and strengthen immunity.
On average, the therapeutic period with cervical osteochondrosis takes up to three months.If conservative treatment has not brought the expected results, surgery is used.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Pathologies in the neck pose a serious threat to all human health.Since the neck connects the head to the body, in this section of the spine there are all important biological communications - arteries that feed the brain, nerve channels.
Any changes in the functionality of the cervical region entail the consequences in the form:
- Disorders of blood circulation and nutrition of the brain.As a result, hypertension, pathology of the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system, VSD, impaired coordination, problems with hearing, vision and speech develops;
- Vertebrate artery syndrome.Pathology develops against the background of squeezing a vessel that feeds the cerebellum and an oblong brain.The development of cervical osteochondrosis can cause ischemia and stroke;
- radiculopathy - damage to the nerve roots, the growth of bone tissue on the vertebrae, as a result of which partial or complete loss of mobility occurs.
The most dangerous compression of the spinal cord, which is located inside the spine.Such a pathology leads to a rupture of the shell of the spinal cord and causes paralysis.In particularly severe cases, cervical osteochondrosis ends fatal.
Prevention
Even after a complete recovery, the ailment may return again if the patient does not revise his lifestyle - the mode of work and rest, habits, food.
As preventive measures, neurologists recommend paying attention to the following points:
- The rigidity of the mattress.The ideal option is an orthopedic mattress and a low pillow;
- A visit to the sauna is necessary for complete relaxation and removal of muscle cramps;
- Daily hot shower is a good tool for improving blood circulation in the neck;
- Swimming, walking on foot, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the muscles of the spine;
- Proper nutrition is the rejection of products that slow down metabolism: fatty, fried, sweet, smoked, flour and alcohol.Dishes with gelatin, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, white meat, seafood are recommended.
In everyday life, large physical exertion should be avoided, sharp turns of the head, prolonged sitting or being in a static position.In addition, it is desirable to use chairs that provide support for the head and back.
Active life position, healthy food and morning exercises are simple but effective ways to avoid most diseases and live a long life without pain and discomfort.