Every year diseases in the spine become younger. The most common is osteochondrosis, which has recently been considered an age-related disease. When the cervical region is affected, due to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias are formed in the spine and severe pains in the neck and head, which significantly reduce the quality of life and lead to surgery.
The risk of cervical osteochondrosis
It is important to diagnose the diseases of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine in the early stages, in order to immediately begin its treatment, until the bone tissue develops, salt deposits and growths do not form on the vertebrae, which irritate the muscles, leading tothem in contraction.
Osteophytes increase pressure on the vertebrae, compress the arteries and compress the nerve endings when the head is turned. Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious and dangerous disease. Cervical pain symptoms are not limited to head movement. If left untreated, the disease has complications that cause discomfort, which can become a significant cause of dysfunction.
Impingement of the blood vessels due to deformity when the vertebrae come close to each other leads to vertebral basilar syndrome. An insufficient amount of blood enters the brain, this becomes the main cause of dizziness, poor balance, impaired vision, loss of consciousness and tinnitus. The degree of compression of the cervical spine artery depends on the negative consequences manifested in the body with varying degrees of severity. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts the process of blood supply to areas of the brain and causes complications in the brain with oxygen starvation.
A pinched nerve at the back of the head is the cause of headaches that may radiate to the neck or temple. The most dangerous is the violation of the nerve processes of the spinal cord, in which dysfunctions are observed with severe uncontrolled spastic coordination disorders in the lower limbs, a decrease in the sensitivity of the bladder and intestines.
If osteochondrosis is not treated, then complications arise, for example, protrusions and herniated cervical discs. Sometimes it leads to the development of vascular diseases that cause brain damage even before the death of its individual parts.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Traditional medicine considers osteochondrosis to be a disease with degenerative changes in the discs of the cervical spine, and the alternative medicine treatment system of osteopathy considers this to be a manifestation of disorders deep within the body.
There are several reasons why cervical osteochondrosis occurs:
Postural disorder
Bending, scoliosis, rounded back, kyphosis cause an imbalance of the spine, so the load is unevenly distributed on the discs, leading to their deformation and increased wear. At the same time, the vertebrae come closer to each other, starting to pinch the nerve processes, because of this, osteochondrosis develops.
Muscle spasms
Jerky muscle reactions lead to tension in parts of the body, causing a change in the natural position and distortion of the discs in the spine.
Violation of blood supply
Spinal discs are not connected to the circulatory system, so they are saturated with blood from the body's tissues. Violation of the process of blood supply to the neck leads to the lack of sufficient liquid to absorb moisture and restore the shape and renewal of the cartilage. As a result, wear of the vertebrae accelerates, the intervertebral distance decreases, leading to osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
Violation of innervation
Due to the reduced sensitivity of the nerve roots during displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region, the pathological changes remain unnoticed by the patient due to the absence of pain.
Diseases of internal organs
Displacement of internal organs, their reduction due to deformations of the cervical vertebrae leads to a violation of the position of the spine and balance in the body.
Improper diet
An unbalanced diet with a high content of carbohydrates and fatty foods with a deficiency of proteins and microelements can lead to unpleasant difficulties.
Cervical osteochondrosis develops due to external factors that negatively affect the balance of the spine and the natural development of the body systems as a whole. In addition to the mentioned symptoms, the development of diseases and painful sensations is possible due to a long stay in an uncomfortable position, frequent tension of the muscle tissues of the back and neck, hypothermia of the neck zone and collar.
Nervous strain, frequent stress and sleep disturbance are also often the cause. Often, violations are not immediately noticed, so cervical osteochondrosis sometimes develops over a long period of time and leads to serious health consequences. Therefore, it is important to visit the doctor regularly to correct the underlying causes that caused the osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae and not to treat its symptoms.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that occurs in discs with degenerative-dystrophic changes. Initially, intervertebral discs are cartilage, containing a jelly-like substance. Over time, discs can become dehydrated due to poor posture, a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle, computer work, injuries and neck injuries, and other factors.
As a result, the strength of the collagen fibers of the fibrous disc gradually decreases, its thickness decreases, which causes the development of osteochondrosis with characteristic signs:
- sore throat;
- headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, due to damage to the arteries passing through the vertebrae.
- blood pressure fluctuations;
- root syndrome with a violation of sensitivity and the appearance of goosebumps and numbness of certain areas on the skin of the back of the head, shoulders, hands, neck, as a result of pinching of the roots of the spine. It is accompanied by pain in the shoulders and arms, even in the fingers.
- reduced ability to turn and tilt the neck and stiffness due to severe pain.
- increased fatigue, decreased performance.
- the appearance of ENT pathologies, tinnitus, reduced vision.
- with the development of complications, nausea, vomiting, migraine attacks may occur.
There are 7 vertebrae in the cervical spine, osteochondrosis often affects the discs, which are located between the 5th and 7th vertebrae. It is necessary to consult a general practitioner or a neurologist who will prescribe the necessary diagnostic tests and perform an MRI MRI for diagnosis and treatment selection.
Degrees of development
There are four stages of osteochondrosis:
- Grade 1 - only pathological changes begin to appear on the disk, so the symptoms are mild and not always noticed. The treatment will be quick and effective.
- Grade 2 - changes in the intervertebral discs become intense, this leads to pain in the cervical region, which is aggravated by head movements.
- Grade 3 - constant pain is complicated by the development of a protrusion and the formation of a hernia between the vertebrae.
- Grade 4 - the fibrous disc is so damaged that the movements in the spine are practically excluded due to the involvement of the intervertebral arteries, which leads to the development of radicular syndrome and severe pain not only in the neck, but also in the chest, arms, and lumbar.
Diagnostics
Only a qualified doctor can determine the diagnosis and prescribe treatment. This is usually a neurologist, but in some cases an additional appointment with the following specialists may be required: spondylologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, orthopedist, traumatologist or neurosurgeon.
At the appointment, the doctor collects a history - the main complaints and symptoms of troublesome patients, injuries, the presence of chronic diseases and relevant additional information. The doctor then determines the patient's neck mobility, sensitivity and muscle tension. To obtain more accurate information, the patient is assigned diagnostic tests using special equipment:
- x-ray (x-ray);
- computed tomography (CT);
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the age characteristics of the patient, as well as on the degree of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs between the vertebrae. Therefore, treatment is always developed for the patient individually and is always aimed at solving the following problems:
- elimination of worsening symptoms.
- improve blood circulation;
- increase in metabolic processes.
- elimination of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs.
- reduction of cervical osteochondrosis complications.
At each stage of the development of the disease, its own therapeutic measures are applied:
- 1st stage - it is enough to do physiotherapy exercises, adjust your lifestyle.
- 2nd stage - additional medication, manual therapy, use of orthopedic devices are required.
It should be understood that a complete change in the degenerative-dystrophic processes is impossible, especially with the diagnosis of osteochondrosis stage 2 or more. In these situations, it is necessary to improve well-being with the help of treatment and prevent the progression of the disease. It is possible to correct, sometimes, the first stage of cervical osteochondrosis, when the developmental pathology is rarely diagnosed. Because patients perceive slight discomfort in the neck as overwork and do not go to the doctor.
In severe cases with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, treatment will be difficult and longer. Periodic examinations are carried out under the supervision of a neurologist to correct the treatment, which depends on continuous changes in the patient's well-being.
Lifestyle correction
All patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical region should increase physical activity, taking breaks for sports training during sedentary work. If the patient, on the contrary, is actively involved in sports, then he must reduce the physical load on the neck, giving up running, wrestling, jumping, lifting weights.
Overweight people are advised to take additional measures to reduce it by adjusting their diet so that the diet is healthy and meets the body's needs. The menu should be designed so that the food is protein and half consists of vegetables and fruits.
Pharmacological treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Drug treatment is mainly aimed at eliminating the symptoms of neck pain due to osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex nature of the treatment is developed for the patient individually and consists in the use of different groups of drugs that solve their problems.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of drugs with anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties. They can be both in tablets and capsules, and in the form of creams, ointments and gels, as well as for severe pain, they are used intramuscularly for the administration of solutions.
The disadvantage to the use of drugs is the irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum, which can impair the functioning of the organs due to gastritis and ulceration. To alleviate the risks with NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed in combination.
To reduce pain and inflammation in osteochondrosis, diclofenac sodium or piroxicam is used as an active ingredient. They have a gentle effect on the digestive system. Now drugs have been developed that are distinguished by selective action.
Corticosteroids and blockades
Corticosteroids are hormonal drugs prescribed in short treatments for serious patients with complex inflammatory processes. They can cause side effects with long-term use, so they are used in the form of injections so that there are no side effects and they are more easily absorbed.
Corticosteroids are often used along with anesthetics when performing blocks. To relieve severe pain syndromes, the prepared mixture is injected into points near the spinal nerves. The procedure is performed in clinics by medically trained workers. Blocking doctors recommend doing it four times a year.
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are drugs to eliminate muscle spasms caused by severe inflammation and pain in the neck as a result of osteochondrosis.
vitamins
Osteochondrosis creates compression of the spinal roots, so it is advisable to take B vitamins, which are involved in nerve impulses.
Carboprotectors
Cartilage protectors - drugs to restore cartilage tissue. In the initial stages of cervical osteochondrosis, they have a really positive effect on the condition of the discs between the vertebrae, improving the patient's well-being. In the later ones, they can only slow down the degenerative-dystrophic process in these discs.
Chondroprotectants are produced in capsules, powders and also in the form of solutions when administered intramuscularly.
Medicines for local use
Gels, creams or ointments used at the initial appearance of osteochondrosis in the neck to affect the painful area. They are different at the beginning of the action can be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, heating, cooling. Often in their composition there are ingredients such as NSAIDs, menthol, hot pepper, snake extract and bee venom.
Preparations for improving microcirculation
Medicines of this group improve the quality of blood circulation, which is especially necessary for vertebral artery syndrome. They promote vasodilation, improve brain nutrition and eliminate tinnitus, headaches, dizziness.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercise is the main method in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex of physical therapy exercises is selected individually with a specialist, taking into account the age of the patient, the presence of root syndrome and compression of the arteries, as well as the development of existing diseases and degenerative-dystrophic changes. Physical therapy goals:
- strengthening the muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck.
- activation of blood circulation;
- normalization of muscle tone.
You need to do it every day with a specialist who will help you choose the load, develop an optimal program, taking into account the physical condition of the patient.
It is important to perform all physical education exercises slowly, without sudden head movements and in comfortable conditions. If neck pain occurs, exercise should be stopped immediately and then consult a doctor to correct the treatment plan.
Swimming has a positive effect on the condition of the cervical spine, in which the ranks are not connected by physical pressure on the intervertebral discs, but the neck muscles work actively. As a result, the corset of muscles supporting the spine is strengthened. Patients with osteochondrosis seem to swim two to three times a week.
Manual therapy for cervical osteochondrosis
Manual therapy is an effective way to treat osteochondrosis as it affects the muscles and spine. The specialist must have higher education, medical license for manual therapy and must have experience, understand the anatomy and characteristics of osteochondrosis.
Self-massage
To improve their well-being, patients can self-massage the neck to relieve fatigue and pain.
Physiotherapy treatment
Physiotherapy is indicated if there is no inflammatory process. Assign a course consisting of 10-15 procedures, which are selected individually.
- Electrophoresis - an electric current is used to ensure deep penetration of drugs.
- Magnetotherapy - to activate the process of blood circulation and stimulate metabolic processes. In addition, these sessions act against pain and eliminate swelling.
- Laser therapy - works against the inflammatory process and dilates blood vessels, which reduces pain.
- Ultrasound therapy is a method that reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings, and has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
- Transpotential currents - reduce pain, improve tissue nutrition, eliminate inflammation.
Traction therapy
As a result of the flattening of the discs, the vertebrae are brought closer together, so traction therapy with a Glisson loop is recommended.
plate
The Iplicator is an economical and simple tool for neck reflexology. The piercing of the spikes causes skin irritation, leads to active blood flow, increasing the efficiency of the neck and improving sleep.
Orthopedic devices
In order to reduce the load on the neck, it is recommended to replace the mattress and pillow with orthopedic ones that maintain the correct position of the spine, reducing the progression of osteochondrosis. Patients are advised to wear a removable orthopedic device - the Shants collar, which allows you to fix the neck, reducing the load.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid cervical osteochondrosis, you need to do a regular warm-up, during which you change the position of your body, performing neck tilts and head turns. Maintain proper posture from an early age. Go for sports, strengthening the muscles of the neck and joints, reducing the appearance of cervical osteochondrosis. Take care of your health!