Among all diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the second most common is cervical osteochondrosis. The symptoms and treatment of the disease depend on its stage of development, so it is very important not to miss the signs of an impending disease.
Osteochondrosis is called a dystrophic change of articular cartilage on the background of intervertebral disc injury. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pathological destruction of the vertebral cartilage tissue supporting the head.
In most cases, the disease is diagnosed in people between 30 and 40 years old. In developed countries, 80% of the population has been diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis of one degree or another.
The neck is considered the most flexible part of the spine. At the same time, there are not enough muscles around the neck to compensate for the load on the spine. Therefore, most of the load falls on the intervertebral discs, which act as shock cushions.
As a result, the intervertebral discs wear out, dry out, and flatten, forming osteochondrosis.
The cause of pathology is not only anatomy, but also human behavior:
- Sedentary, sedentary work-in front of the computer, driving, in the office;
- Excess weight;
- A lot of physical activity;
- smokes;
- Improper nutrition;
- Weak body
- Spinal injury.
Other predisposing factors for the development of osteochondrosis include: flat feet, soft mattresses and pillows, the habit of carrying bags, hypothermia, and stress.
How the disease manifests
At the beginning of the onset, only the numbness of the neck can prove its development, and this is usually not taken seriously. As the pathology progresses, the number and intensity of manifestations increase.
Cervical osteochondrosis has the following characteristic symptoms:
- Pain at the back of the head, pain at the bottom of the neck, radiating to the limbs;
- Feel tightness and soreness when turning the head;
- Numbness or tingling, burning, discomfort and stiffness in the area between the shoulder blades and the bottom of the neck;
- Headache, migraine, dizziness;
- Weakness and fatigue.
Secondary symptoms include decreased vision, hearing loss, memory problems, sleep disorders, inattention, absent-mindedness, and increased stress.
Doctors classify signs of osteochondral processes as syndromes related to certain types of spinal disorders.
narrow. It develops in the context of a herniated disc, accompanied by impaired blood circulation and excessive growth of bone tissue. Manifested as numbness of the limbs.
Reflex stimulation syndrome is the result of compression of the vertebral artery in the case of neck curvature and poor posture. It manifests as severe paroxysmal pain at the back of the head and gradually spread to the area around the forehead.
Apical syndrome. Observed when the spinal cord flattens-the consequences of a hernia. At the same time, the sensitivity of the affected area decreases and sports activities become restricted. It may be accompanied by the development of language deficits, snoring, impaired sense of smell, and decreased tongue muscle sensitivity.
The complexity of the process is determined by the state of the nucleus pulposus filling the intervertebral space.
The degenerative lesions of the cervical area are usually divided into three stages:
- First. The intervertebral disc is compacted. The hook-like protrusions of the vertebrae are enlarged. Muscle stiffness appears, but their mobility has not changed. There may be slight swelling and pain when turning the head;
- second. It is developed in the context of the first stage of the disease progression, if the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis does not exist or is performed incorrectly. The intervertebral foramina narrows, the intervertebral disc becomes flat, and the height becomes smaller. Squeezing of the nerve root occurs. The patient feels a little pain;
- third. The fibrous annulus around the intervertebral disc causes its capsule to rupture and muscle tissue to deform. The stability of the nucleus pulposus fixation in the intervertebral disc is impaired. Development of intervertebral hernia. It is characterized by acute pain in the neck, numbness of the tongue, edema, restricted movement, and curvature of the spine.
The correct position of the cervical spine determines the optic and auditory nerves, nose, lips, mouth, throat ligaments, teeth, facial nerve, pituitary gland, brain, parasympathetic nervous system, neck and forearm muscles, thyroid, elbow and shoulder joints.
diagnosis method
Accurately determining the cause of the development of osteochondrosis allows you to target the disease in a targeted manner. The initial diagnosis is indicated after the doctor's initial examination.
Take into account the patient’s complaints about the nature of the pain syndrome and the information obtained when examining the spine in different locations. Cervical examination allows you to determine whether there are seals and deformities. In addition, pay attention to the patient's muscle tone and athletic ability.
Doctors obtain complete diagnostic information through the following research:
- Radiography. This program allows you to assess the condition of the vertebrae through two projections-front and side. Results-identification of damage, salt deposits and compacted formations;
- Magnetic resonance imaging not only allows you to determine any pathology of the spine, but also its severity. Using MRI, doctors can assess the condition and degree of damage to nerve endings, blood vessels and intervertebral discs;
- Computed tomography-the digitization of information obtained through X-ray irradiation.
If dizziness occurs, Doppler, angiography, and duplex scanning may be required to further check the structural changes of the blood vessels.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
After making an accurate diagnosis and finding out the reasons for the development of the disease, the neurologist decides how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
The best results are obtained through complex treatments that involve the use of multiple methods. The programs adopted by the World Health Organization include drugs, device procedures, exercise therapy, and therapeutic massage.
medical treatement
In each case, the choice of drugs is based on individual circumstances. This depends not only on the severity of the pathology, but also on the specific characteristics of the patient's body.
Drug therapy fixed assets:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs-pills to relieve pain and inflammation;
- Chondroprotectants-drugs that activate the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- Topical-ointments and gels to relieve pain and inflammation;
- A multivitamin that supports the body and promotes its recovery.
In the first stage of the therapeutic effect, pain syndrome may increase-this is a response of the muscular system. In order to reduce discomfort and improve the effectiveness of medications, physical therapy procedures are used.
physiotherapy
Physiotherapy refers to the influence of special equipment-electrophoresis and electrical tissue stimulation on the cause of disease. Using low-frequency current can improve blood circulation in the affected area, reduce swelling and pain, and increase the effectiveness of the drug.
The minimum course of hardware treatment is 10 courses.
Massage at home to treat cervical osteochondrosis
Manual therapy is an effective way to affect the affected area at home. With the help of massage pinches, it eliminates muscle spasms and pain, improves blood circulation, and reduces nerve root compression.
Thanks to massage, metabolism is improved and spinal tissue is restored.
Physiotherapy of cervical osteochondrosis
The best way to restore the function of the musculoskeletal system organs and prevent recurrence is physical therapy exercises for cervical osteochondrosis. These procedures are prescribed after complete relief of pain and inflammation.
The main types of exercise therapy:
- physiotherapy;
- Quantitative walking
- Simulator training;
- swim.
In order to achieve the expected results of cervical osteochondrosis exercises, the courses should be supervised by qualified experts.
Folk remedies
It is impossible to completely eliminate cervical osteochondrosis using traditional medical methods. On the other hand, the use of folk remedies can improve the patient's condition, relieve inflammation, relieve pain, and strengthen the immune system.
On average, the treatment period for cervical osteochondrosis is as long as three months. If conservative treatment does not bring the expected results, surgical intervention is used.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Neck lesions pose a serious threat to all human health. Since the neck connects the head to the body, all important biological communication is located in this part of the spine-the arteries that supply blood to the brain and nerve channels.
Any changes in the function of the cervical spine will lead to the following consequences:
- Circulatory and nutritional disorders of the brain. The result is high blood pressure, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, VSD, coordination disorders, hearing, vision and speech problems;
- Vertebral artery syndrome. Pathology develops against the background of compression of the blood vessels supplying the cerebellum and medulla oblongata. The development of cervical osteochondrosis can lead to ischemia and stroke;
- Nerve radiculopathy-nerve roots are damaged, bone tissue on the vertebrae grows, so partial or complete loss of mobility.
Compression of the spinal cord, which is located inside the spine, is the most dangerous. This pathology can cause the lining of the spinal cord to rupture and lead to paralysis. In particularly severe cases, cervical osteochondrosis is fatal.
prevention
Even after a full recovery, if the patient does not reconsider his lifestyle-work and rest, habits, nutrition, the disease may relapse again.
As a preventive measure, neurologists recommend the following points:
- The hardness of the mattress. Orthopedic mattresses and low pillows are ideal choices;
- In order to completely relax and relieve muscle cramps, you must go to the sauna;
- Taking a hot bath every day is a good way to improve blood circulation in the neck;
- Swimming, walking, stimulate blood circulation, strengthen spinal muscles;
- Proper nutrition-refuse to slow down the metabolism of food: fat, fried, sweets, smoke, flour and alcohol. It is recommended to use dishes containing gelatin, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, white meat, and seafood.
In daily life, avoid strenuous exercise, sharp head rotation, sitting for a long time or being still. In addition, it is recommended to use a chair that provides head and back support.
An active lifestyle, healthy diet and morning exercises are simple and effective ways to avoid most diseases and longevity without pain and discomfort.