According to statistics, more than 80% of the world population suffers from a disease such as osteochondrosis, which affects different parts of the spine. Each type of pathology has its own symptoms and factors that lead to its onset. And the pathology of the cervical spine is no exception. The factors that led to the fact that you have osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment of the disease - these problems should be solved by a qualified specialist. At the first sign of discomfort, contactneurologist. . . Timely and selected treatment will avoid serious and unpleasant consequences.
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
The first thing worth mentioning is the age of the patients diagnosed with the disease. Until recently, pathology was detected in older people, but now the younger generation faces a problem and comes to doctors. The disease are pathological changes of the intervertebral discs and spinal dystrophy in general, especially without treatment. The cervical region is the most mobile and consists of 7 vertebrae, each of which consists of a fibrous ring and a nucleus pulposus. The vertebrae affected by osteochondrosis lose their usual mobility and flexibility. There is a redistribution of the load, as a result of which the fibrous rings can move and break. Without treatment, osteochondrosis of the neck will lead to the formation of intervertebral hernias and other consequences.
Stages of osteochondrosis (short description)
Like any disease, cervical osteochondrosis has stages of development that are taken into account by the doctor when drawing up a treatment plan and that the patient must know in order to seek help in time. There are 4 stages:
- The first is characterized by mild and mild pain that increases with the rotation of the head.
- The second stage is characterized by: intense pain syndrome, in which discomfort can pass from the neck to the arms. At this stage, the nerve endings are pinched, as a result of which the person, in addition to pain, feels weak, develops a general feeling of poor health.
- At the third stage, the pain syndrome does not go away and radiates to the arms or shoulders, and an intervertebral hernia can also be diagnosed. In some cases, there is a loss of sensation in the hands and a decrease in the mobility of the neck.
- At the fourth stage, not only changes in the damaged vertebra are diagnosed, but its almost complete destruction. The patient is constantly tormented by severe pain, tinnitus appears, begins to badly navigate in space.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women may differ due to physiology, which must be taken into account by the doctor when drawing up a treatment plan.
causes
Cervical osteochondrosis occurs in different, but very specific circumstances. During treatment, the doctor must find out the cause of the pathology in order to begin to fight not only with the symptoms, but also with the factor that provoked the disease.
Heavy weight
Excess weight puts stress on the body. The bigger it is, the stronger the load. Most often, excess weight provokes the development of osteochondrosis, since there is a strong injury to the spine from overloads, especially in diseased areas. When a disease is detected, one of the first steps in overweight patients is to get rid of it. Along with a complex treatment, of course.
Seated work, lack of mobility
Sedentary work, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of moderate physical activity are factors that lead to poor posture, incorrect distribution of the load on the cervical and other parts. Quite often, office workers and those who simply like to sit on the sofa at home take the wrong position, thus exacerbating the problem.
Previous spinal injuries
Injuries can occur for any reason, most often traffic accidents and accidents. The neck is also one of the vulnerable areas for professional divers and swimmers. With a neck injury, many parts and areas of this spine are damaged: muscles, ligaments, sympathetic trunk, intervertebral discs and joints, as well as spinal roots. Any trauma suffered can both cause the emergence of osteochondrosis in the already "diseased" part of the cervical spine, and consequently lead to the appearance of osteochondrosis.
Mental disorders
An unstable state of mind, stress and constant anxiety are the causes of many health problems, among which they become provoking factors of cervical osteochondrosis. Many patients who complain of pain syndrome also report signs of depression, constant fatigue and emotional exhaustion. Mental disorders themselves can arise due to the presence of osteochondrosis and aggravate the disease. Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that physically affects the condition of the surrounding vertebrae, discs, ligaments and soft tissues. Due to the displacement of the vertebrae and narrowing of the channels, less oxygen enters the brain and the blood flow is disturbed, which leads not only to the appearance of physical ailments, but also to mental disorders.
Poor physical fitness
Every day, certain and, as a rule, the same muscles are involved in our movements, and those that remain motionless gradually lose elasticity and mobility, which, when exposed to external factors, can lead to injuries, including the neck. Moderate physical activity is essential for everyone to strengthen the muscle corset and reduce the risk of injury. Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis include metabolic disorders, excessive physical activity, heredity, and pathologies and diseases of the body.
Symptoms of the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis can be easily distinguished from pathology in other parts of the spine by its symptoms. This happens because the vertebrae in the neck are very close together and the symptoms are pronounced when any problem occurs, including osteochondrosis. Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms - now more about the main thing:
- pain syndrome of varying intensity can be localized both in the neck and in the head, shoulders, arms, etc. ;
- weakness, numbness and poor sensitivity of the hands due to pinched nerve roots;
- Difficulty turning the head and the appearance of a creak when rotating (this happens due to structural changes in the intervertebral discs);
- feeling unwell, weakness, general malaise due to impaired blood flow and insufficient oxygen saturation;
- the last stage is characterized by impaired hearing and vision.
If symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor and start treatment.
Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
If the disease is not treated, the entire body is at risk for serious complications. The small cervical region contains a large number of nerves and arteries that connect and supply the brain and the organs and systems below the neck. If the functioning of the cervical vertebrae is impaired, the nutrition of the whole organism will also be impaired. Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to impaired motor activity, stroke, cardiac ischemia and other diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as protrusion and impaired vision and hearing.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
To begin treatment, the doctor must take an anamnesis, find out the causes and the time of onset of discomfort in the neck and conduct the necessary examinations to obtain a complete clinical picture of one's health. How and how to treat cervical osteochondrosis and whether it can be cured, only the doctor will tell, so do not delay the visit and sign up for a consultation with a therapist or neurologist.
Drug
One of the first steps is the selection, prescription and administration of drugs: painkillers and anti-inflammatories, in order to relieve the pain syndrome and existing inflammations and infections. The type and number of drugs are selected individually.
Physiotherapy
Any physiotherapy procedure is aimed at relieving pain syndrome, muscle spasms, and reducing inflammation. As physiotherapy, acupuncture, manual manipulation, hirudotherapy, shock wave therapy, etc. are used.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic exercises are prescribed to patients after the exacerbation phase has passed. These measures are aimed at restoring the normal functioning of the cervical spine and avoiding deterioration of the condition.
Home treatments
Home treatment methods may include self-massage and physical therapy, which must be selected and prescribed by specialists. Procedures can be performed only after the technique has been shown by the attending physicians.
Massage
The neck massage is performed without strong pressure and rotations, the movements must be fluid and performed along the lymphatic flow. Experts use a variety of techniques which include stroking, squeezing, scrubbing and kneading. Professional massage should only be performed by specialists. Surgery is chosen only when conservative methods do not work. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is usually carried out at home and gives the necessary result and the elimination of symptoms only if the recommendations and course prescribed by the doctor are followed.
Prevention
Doctors recommend choosing furniture (chairs, armchairs, etc. ) as well as a sleeping place with good spinal support. It is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress and low pillows. A sauna, steam bath and hot shower will help relieve muscle spasms (if there are no contraindications). As a physical activity, swimming, yoga, walking are recommended, but it is necessary to exclude a strong load on the spine (running, jumping, lifting weights, etc. ). If you have a sedentary job, take breaks more often and do some exercise.