Under osteochondrosis of the cervical spine means a degenerative-dystrophic pathology that affects the discs located between the vertebrae.The disease is diagnosed mainly in people from 30 to 50 years, but can occur at a different age.It is important to timely identify the pathology and conduct appropriate treatment.If this is not done, the disease will switch to a new stage of development, which may cause the need for surgical intervention in order to replace the intervertebral discs with prostheses.
Causes of the disease
Osteochondrosis of the neck occurs for the following reasons:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- obesity;
- improper nutrition;
- previously suffered spinal injuries, especially if segments of the cervical region were damaged;
- excessive physical activity;
- Stay in the same pose with an inclined head for a long period - for this reason, pathology is often diagnosed in office employees working at the computer;
- genetic predisposition;
- unstable emotional background;
- hypothermia of the neck;
- autoimmune pathologies, as a result of the development of which cartilage tissue is injured;
- Incorrect structure of the spine diagnosed from birth.
The development of osteochondrosis of the cervical region is also facilitated by a genetic predisposition.
Degree and type of disease
Cervical osteochondrosis goes through several stages of development, each of which has a certain symptoms:
- The first stage disease.This is the very beginning of the development of pathology.The patient has pain in the affected area, which intensify during movement.This stage is also characterized by tension of the back muscles and rapid fatigue.Pathology at this stage does not need therapy.The disease can be eliminated using the correct power system, exercise therapy and abandoning harmful dependencies.
- The second stage of pathology.The disease progresses, affecting the intervertebral discs.Their height decreases, which leads to a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae and pinches of the nerves.As a result, the pain syndrome becomes more pronounced.He intensifies when his head moves and gives him to the shoulders or hands.Such symptoms also appear - inattention, fatigue, pain in the head area.For the treatment of pathology, medication is prescribed.
- The third degree of the disease.The hernias of intervertebral discs begin to form.The pain syndrome is enhanced.The pain is localized in the neck and head and gives to the shoulders and hands.Dizziness appears, the patient is weak.The neck loses mobility.Especially acute adherence is felt in the morning.
- The fourth stage of the disease.Intervertebral discs are completely destroyed.Their place is occupied by connective tissue.The pain intensifies and does not disappear even during sleep, the neck almost completely stops turning, dizziness becomes more frequent, the patient loses the coordination of movements, and there is noise in the ears.
Clinical picture
Schop osteochondrosis is manifested in different ways, depending on the lesion of specific segments.However, there is a general symptoms characteristic of the injury of any vertebrae of the department:
- pain syndrome in the head, giving to the chest, arms, shoulders;
- vision of vision and hearing;
- crunch when moving the neck;
- numbness of the fingers of the upper extremities and the end of the tongue;
- weakness in the muscles of the arms, legs;
- Increase in blood pressure.
Pathology is also characterized by certain syndromes, each of which is discussed in detail below.
Radio syndromes
With cervical osteochondrosis, nerves are pinched, as a result of which a flowing pain syndrome occurs.The pain gives to the shoulders and hands.The following symptoms also appear:
- Small pimples at the base of the hair on the epidermis, which in common people call goosebumps;
- tingling of the skin;
- loss of elasticity and elasticity of the epidermis;
- swelling of the soft tissues;
- Pallor of the skin.
Vail artery syndrome
Characterized by the following symptoms:
- burning or pulsating, constant or paroxysmal pain, which intensifies when the head moves or stay in one pose for a long time;
- dizziness and fainting;
- nausea;
- loss of coordination of movement;
- noise in the ears and hearing deterioration;
- pain in the eyes;
- vision of vision.
Cervical migraine syndrome
If osteochondrosis of the cervical spinal column occurs, this can lead to the appearance of cervical migraine syndrome.In this case, the nodes of the sympathetic column are irritated.As a result, there are problems with the vessels of the brain and blood circulation.This leads to a regular increase in blood pressure characterized by the following symptoms:
- heart rate;
- noise and ringing in the ears;
- Hearing worsens.
Hypertension syndrome
If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine provoked the occurrence of hypertension syndrome, then the patient increases intracranial pressure.Such symptoms appear:
- bursting pain;
- nausea with vomiting;
- increase in body temperature.
When examining the blood, an increase in the rate of erythrocyte settlement will be indicated.
Diagnostics
To diagnose pathology, instrumental research and laboratory tests are prescribed.
Instrumental
If signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical region occur, it is recommended to consult a doctor.Only a specialist can diagnose a pathology.For this, a professional prescribes such instrumental research:
- X -ray.Such a study is rarely prescribed, since it does not give a complete idea of the development of pathology, especially about the 4th stage of the disease.
- Ct.It helps to identify the changes that have occurred in the vertebrae.However, this study cannot determine the presence of hernias between segments, which means that he will not say anything about their form and size.
- MRI.It helps to identify any violation of the spine, including intervertebral hernias.
- Duplex ultrasound.Such a study is prescribed if there is a suspicion of problems with blood circulation on the vessels of the neck spine.Duplex ultrasound will show the presence of blood flow disorders, as well as obstacles that interfere with the normal course of blood.
Laboratory
With cervical osteochondrosis, a general and biochemical blood test is also prescribed.Such studies do not help diagnose the pathology, but the doctor can determine the patient's health status, as well as get information about the inflammatory process.
Traditional treatment
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is prescribed by a doctor.Therapy is very difficult and takes a long period.Treatment is aimed at inhibiting the development of the disease and eliminating symptoms.For this, medicines, physiotherapy, exercise therapy and other procedures are prescribed.If conservative therapy has not given the desired result, surgery is performed.
First aid for exacerbations
First aid should be provided to the patient if he experiences severe, unbearable pain and if his neck jammed in one position.It is recommended to immediately call an ambulance team, and before the arrival of specialists, you need to act as follows:
- Rub an analgesic ointment into a sore spot.
- Give the patient an analgesic.
- To make a compress with camphor - this will help restore joint mobility, improve blood microcirculation and relieve pain.
Before the arrival of doctors is impossible:
- Try to do a massage to the patient.One wrong movement will lead to an aggravation of the situation.
- Rub the warming ointment into the injured segment.If the pathology is accompanied by an inflammatory process, then the use of such a tool will lead to a deterioration in the situation.
Emergency specialists to arrive either solve the problem on the spot or take the patient to the hospital.Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will be prescribed after diagnostic measures.Usually, after the first aid, the patient is discharged home in order to undergo therapy on an outpatient basis.
Medication
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is based on the use of such drugs:
- Non -steroidal agents with anti -inflammatory properties.Such drugs get rid of the symptoms of the disease.The funds also stop the inflammatory process and save the traumatic nerve from the swelling.Tablets are consumed 2-3 times a day after eating.The duration of therapy is 2-3 weeks.
- Musorelaxants.They get rid of muscle spasm and tone muscle tissue.
- Corticosteroids.These are hormonal drugs.Means are prescribed only if other drugs have proven their inefficiency.Medicines have a large number of contraindications and side effects, so you can use them for therapy only as prescribed by a doctor.
- Diuretics.Relieve the body from excess fluid.Thanks to this, the drugs contribute to the removal of soft tissue swelling at the site of the inflammatory process.
- Blocks.Usually doctors prescribe drugs subcutaneously or intramuscularly.The drugs are administered into several points in the area of injured vertebrae.This allows you to stop the pain syndrome.
- Chondroprotectors.They stop the development of pathology and contribute to the restoration of injured cartilage.
- B vitamins of B. improve metabolism and neuromuscular conductivity.
Surgical
Surgical intervention is prescribed at the last stages of the development of the disease and only with the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy.Assessment of the result of treatment is carried out in six months.In the absence of effect, surgical intervention is performed.The operation can be prescribed earlier if unbearable pains occur or paralysis of the limbs occurred.
Gymnastics for the neck
Treatment of the pathology of the house is based not only on the use of drugs, but also on the performance of special exercises.Exercise therapy is prescribed by a doctor.Classes are carried out only during the period of remission of the disease.To get rid of intervertebral pinches, it is recommended to perform such exercises:
- Lying on the stomach with emphasis on the floor, the lifting of the head and body is performed.The exercise is repeated 2-3 times with fixation at the top of 2-3 minutes.
- Lying on the stomach, they perform repetitions in one and the other, touching the floor of the floor.The number of repetitions is 7 in each direction.
- Sitting on the floor, lean forward to the chin of the chest, after which they lean back back, throwing his head back.The exercise is performed 10-15 times.
- Sitting put their palms on the forehead and press.Then press their heads in the palm of your hand.The number of repetitions is 2-3.
- Staying, they rotate the head first in one, then in the other direction.The number of repetitions is 10.
Physiotherapy
To get rid of cervical osteochondrosis, physiotherapeutic procedures are also prescribed.Such treatment helps to get rid of the symptoms of the disease and helps to restore injured cartilage.Usually the following procedures are prescribed:
- Laser therapy.The essence of the method is the effect of the laser on the affected areas of the spinal column.This improves blood microcirculation and stops the inflammatory process.
- Electrophoresis.The procedure is carried out with painkillers.The essence of the method is the effect on the injured parts of the body with a small charge of electric current for passing ions together with drugs to the damaged area of the spine.
- Ultrasound.The procedure improves the metabolic processes occurring in the cells, stops the pain syndrome and stops the inflammatory process.
- Magnetotherapy.Relieves swelling of the soft tissues and eliminates the pain syndrome.
In order to increase the effectiveness of therapy, alternative treatment methods can also be prescribed:
- massage of the cervical-brotheral zone;
- manual therapy;
- acupuncture and other procedures.
Nutrition
Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis will be ineffective if you do not comply with certain nutritional rules.The diet will help:
- avoid the occurrence of a lack of beneficial substances, since vitamins and minerals are involved in metabolic processes of cells of intervertebral discs;
- normalize body weight, which will reduce the load on the spinal column;
- To minimize the probability of sclerotic changes in blood vessels, thereby reducing the risk of impaired blood supply to the brain.
The basic principles of proper nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis:
- The diet should be balanced with the daily dosage of kilocalories-1200-1500;
- food is taken in small portions 5-6 times a day;
- observe the drinking regime to prevent dehydration of the fabrics of the intervertebral discs - at least 1.5 liters of liquid are drunk per day;
- limit salt consumption, since it retains fluid in the body, provoking the appearance of tissue swelling;
- limit the consumption of starch and flour products;
- Exclude fat, fried, spicy, smoked from the diet;
- Refuse to use alcohol and sweet carbonated drinks, as well as store juices in boxes;
- Fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meat, lean varieties of fish, cereals, milk and sour milk products with a minimum mass fraction of fat content are introduced into the menu.
Tibetan applicator
Even with cervical osteochondrosis, doctors recommend using a Tibetan applicator to improve the condition.
This is a device with spikes made of plastic, which affect the epidermis.The patient applies the applicator to the problem area and occupies a lying position.As a result, the epidermis receptors taking part in the physiological processes of the body are annoyed.
This procedure gives the following result:
- Directing to sleep is normalized, the quality and duration of night rest improves;
- the pain syndrome stops;
- blood microcirculation improves;
- the mobility of the joints is restored;
- The performance is increased.
The Tibetan applicator has contraindications:
- Pathology of the epidermis;
- diseases provoked by infections;
- vascular diseases;
- Oncological pathologies of a malignant nature.
You can use the device only after consulting with a specialist.
Folk treatment
The use of non -traditional medicine is another way to treat cervical osteochondrosis.Such drugs are used only with the permission of the doctor.Public medicine increases the effectiveness of drug therapy.For the treatment of the disease, it is impossible to use as independent drugs.Below are recipes for the preparation of non -traditional medicine for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Cabbage compress
A leaf of fresh cabbage is slightly beaten with a hammer for softening.After that, it is fixed on the problem area and insulated.The compress is kept for several hours.The procedure is performed daily.Instead of cabbage sheet, you can use horseradish leaves.
Hop -based ointment
The necessary components:
- Hop cones chopped into powder - 1 large spoon;
- butter - 1 large spoon.
Products are connected and mixed.The resulting composition is treated with the affected area and fixed the insulation bandage.The compress is kept from a few minutes to several hours.The procedure is performed daily.The ointment is stored in the refrigerator.
Honey-cartel compress
Necessary ingredients:
- grated raw potatoes - 1 large spoon;
- honey - 1 large spoon.
The components are mixed and placed in a piece of gauze.The compress is fixed on the problem area for 20 minutes.The procedure is carried out once every 7 days.
Prevention of the disease
The following preventive measures will help to avoid the occurrence of pathology:
- lead an active lifestyle - playing sports, best swimming;
- enrich the diet with products containing magnesium and calcium;
- several times a day do a warm -up during sitting work;
- use orthopedic bedding for night rest;
- take a hot shower daily for 10 minutes;
- abandon excessive physical exertion;
- Regularly visit a doctor and carry out the treatment of pathologies in a timely manner, which can provoke the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis.
What is the dangerous osteochondrosis of the neck
The main danger of the disease is that the lack of timely and qualified therapy can provoke complete immobilization of the joints, which leads to disability.In addition, pinching of the cervical vertebrae negatively affects the blood supply to the brain.As a result, headaches and other appropriate diseases occur.For this reason, you cannot ignore the pathology.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology of the spine, which in the absence of timely qualified therapy leads to sad consequences.To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to consult a doctor after the first symptoms of the disease.