Among all the violations of the musculoskeletal system, the second place in terms of prevalence is occupied by the osteochondrosis of the cervical column.The symptoms and treatment of the disease are determined by the stage of its development, so it is very important not to lose the signs of an imminent ailment.
Causes and symptoms of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column
Osteochondrosis is called distribution changes in the articular cartilage at the bottom of the intervertebral disc injury.
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the pathological destruction of cartilage tissue of the vertebrae that rests the head.
Most of the time, the disease is diagnosed in people from 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 column.At the same time, there is an insufficient amount of muscles around the neck that can compensate for loads in the spine.Therefore, most of the charges fall on the intervertebral discs that play the role of shock absorption.
As a result, the discs wear out, dry and flatten, the osteochondrosis develops.
The reasons that contribute to the appearance of pathology are not only in anatomy, but also in human behavior:
- Soweity and static and sedentary work: on the computer, driving a car, in the office;
- Overweight;
- Great physical effort;
- smoking;
- incorrect nutrition;
- weak physical form;
- Column injuries.
The additional provocative factors in the development of osteochondrosis are: flat feet, soft mattresses and pillows, the habit of using a bag on the shoulder, hypothermia and stress.
How the disease manifests
At the beginning of the disease on its development, only the flow of the neck, which generally does not pay attention.With the progress of the pathology, the number and intensity of the manifestations increase.
Characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are produced:
- pain on the back of the head, at the base of the neck, giving in the limbs;
- Crunch and pain by turning the head;
- numbness or tingling of the areas between the shoulder blades and at the base of the neck, burning, a feeling of discomfort and rigidity;
- Headaches, migraines, dizziness;
- Weakness, fatigue.
Secondary symptoms are considered a decrease in vision, audition, memory problems, sleep alteration, lack of attention, distraction, pressure.
Syndromes caused by the osteochondrosis of the cervical column
Doctors classify the signs of osteochondrial processes as syndromes associated with a certain type of spine.
Stenosis.It develops in the context 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 extremities.
Reflex and irritive syndrome- A consequence of the compression of the vertebral artery with curvature of the neck and deteriorated posture.It manifests itself in severe paroxysmal pains in the occipital part with a gradual propagation to areas around the forehead.
Rook syndrome.It is observed when flattering the spinal roots, the consequences of a hernia.At the same time, sensitivity in affected areas is reduced and motor activity is limited.It can be accompanied by the development of speech defects, snoring, deteriorated smell, a decrease in the sensitivity of the muscles of the language.
The degree of development of cervical osteochondrosis
The complexity of the process process is determined by the state of the octopo core that fills the vertebral space.
Degenerative lesions of the cervical region are conditionally divided into three stages:
- First.The intervertebral disc is compact.The vertebrae hooks of the vertebrae are increasing.The rigidity of the muscles appears, but their mobility does not change.Small edema and pain turning the head are possible;
- The second.It develops in the context of the progress of the first stage of the disease, if the treatment of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column was absent or carried out incorrectly.Intervertebral holes are reduced, the height of intervertebral discs becomes less due to its flattening.Pellizca nerve roots.The patient feels a painful pain;
- The third.The cracks in the fibrous ring surrounding the intervertebral disc lead to the rupture of its capsule and the deformation of muscle tissue.The stability of the pulp nucleus inside the intervertebral disc is violated.Intervertebral hernia develops.It is characterized by acute pain in the neck, numbness of the tongue, edema, mobility limitation, spine curvature.
The correct position of the vertebrae of the cervical region determines the functionality of the visual and auditory nerves, the nose, the lips, the mouth, the throat, the teeth, the facial nerve, the pituitary, the brain, the parasympathetic nervous system, the neck and the forearm muscles, the thyroid gland, the elbow and the shoulder joints.
Diagnostic methods
The exact determination of the cause of the development of osteochondrosis allows it to affect the disease on purpose.Preliminary diagnosis is indicated after the initial exam by the doctor.
The patient's complaints about the nature of the pain syndromes are taken into account, as well as the information obtained during the column exam in several positions.The study of the cervical compartment allows you to determine the presence of stamps and deformations.In addition, attention is paid to the tone of the patient's muscles and motor capabilities.
Doctors receive complete diagnostic information using studies such as:
- radiography.The procedure allows you to evaluate the condition of the vertebrae in two projections: straight and side.The result is the determination of damages, saline deposits and compacted formations;
- Magnetic resonance tomographyIt allows you to establish not only any pathology of the column, but also the degree of gravity.Through a magnetic resonance, a doctor can evaluate the state and the level of damage to nerve endings, blood vessels and intervertebral discs;
- Computed tomography- Digitization of the information obtained by the irradiation of X -ray.
In the presence of dizziness, an additional study of structural change in blood vessels may be necessary through dominography, angiography and duplex scan.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
After making a precise 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 the use of several methods.Protocols include drug effects, hardware procedures, exercise therapy and therapeutic massage.
Drug treatment
In each individual case, the choice of drugs occurs individually.It depends not only on the severity of the pathology, but also on the specific characteristics of the patient's body.
Fixed drug treatment drugs:
- Anti -inflammatory medications: tablets that relieve pain and inflammation;
- Condroprotectors: medications that activate the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- External use: ointments and gels that stop pain and inflammation;
- A vitamins complex to support the body and stimulate its restoration.
In the first stage of the therapeutic effect, it is possible to increase pain syndrome;This is the muscle system reaction.To reduce discomfort and improve the results of pharmacological 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 affected areas, relieves edema and pain, and at the same time increases the effectiveness of medical effects.
The minimum hardware treatment course is 10 sessions.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis at home
Manual therapy is a productive way to influence the areas affected in the home.With the help of massage, the pinch, muscle cramps and pain are eliminated, blood circulation improves and compression of nerve roots is reduced.
Thanks to massage, metabolism improves and column tissues are restored.
Physical Education of the media for osteochondrosis of the cervical column
The best method to restore the functionality of the organs of the musculoskeletal system and the prevention of relapse is the physical education of physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical region.The procedures are prescribed after the relief completely of pain and inflammatory processes.
The main types of exercise therapy:
- Medical Gymnastics;
- Dosed walk;
- classes about simulators;
- swim.
For cervical osteochondrosis exercises to bring the expected results, classes must be maintained under the supervision of competent specialists.
Popular remedies
The complete elimination of cervical osteochondrosis using traditional medicine methods is impossible.On the other hand, the use of popular 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?
Neck pathologies represent a serious threat to all human health.Since the neck connects the head with the body, in this section of the spine there are all important biological communications: arteries that feed the brain and nerve channels.
Any change in the functionality of the cervical region implies the consequences in the form:
- Blood circulation disorders and brain nutrition.As a result, the hypertension, the pathology of the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system, VSD, the deteriorated coordination, the problems with the hearing, the vision and speech develop;
- Vertebrate artery syndrome.The pathology develops in the context of tightening a container that feeds the cerebellum and an oblong brain.The development of cervical osteochondrosis can cause ischemia and stroke;
- Radiculopathy: Damage to nerve roots, the growth of bone tissue in the vertebrae, as a result of which a partial or complete loss of mobility occurs.
The most dangerous compression of the spinal cord, which is located inside the spine.Such pathology leads to a rupture of the spinal cord cover and causes paralysis.In particularly serious cases, cervical osteochondrosis ends fatal.
Prevention
Even after a complete recovery, the ailment can return again if the patient does not check 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 the elimination of muscle cramps;
- Daily hot shower is a good tool to improve blood circulation in the neck;
- Swim, walk on foot, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the muscles of the column;
- Proper nutrition is the rejection of products that slow down metabolism: fats, fried, sweets, smoked, flour and alcohol.Dishes are recommended with gelatin, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, white meat, shellfish.
In everyday life, great physical effort, acute head turns, prolonged sitting or static position should be avoided.In addition, it is desirable to use chairs that provide head and back support.
The position of active life, healthy foods and morning exercises are simple but effective ways to avoid most diseases and live a long life without pain and discomfort.