According to statistics, more than 80% of the world's 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 leading to the appearance. 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, the symptoms and treatment of the disease - these problems should be resolved by a qualified specialist. At the first sign of discomfort, contactneurologist. . . Timely chosen treatment will avoid serious and unpleasant consequences.
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
The first thing to mention is the age of the patients diagnosed with the disease. Until recently, the pathology was detected in the elderly, but now the younger generation faces a problem and turns to doctors. The disease corresponds to pathological changes in the intervertebral discs and to dystrophy of the spine in general, especially without treatment. The cervical region is the most mobile and consists of 7 vertebrae, each consisting of a fibrous ring and a nucleus pulposus. Vertebrae with osteochondrosis lose their usual mobility and flexibility. There is a redistribution of the load, as a result of which the fibrous rings can shift and crack. Without treatment, osteochondrosis of the neck will lead to the formation of intervertebral hernias and other consequences.
Stages of osteochondrosis (brief description)
Like any disease, cervical osteochondrosis has stages of development which are taken into account by the doctor when developing a treatment plan and which the patient should be aware of in order to seek help in time. There are 4 steps:
- The first is characterized by mild, mild pain that increases with the rotation of the head.
- The second stage is characterized by: an intense pain syndrome, in which the 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 the pain, feels weak, he 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 loss of feeling in the hands and reduced 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, he begins to navigate poorly in space.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women may differ due to physiology, which should be taken into account by the doctor when developing a treatment plan.
Causes
Cervical osteochondrosis occurs in a variety of, but very specific, circumstances. During treatment, the doctor should look for the cause of the pathology in order to begin to fight not only the symptoms, but also the factor that provoked the disease.
Heavy weights
Excess weight puts stress on the body. The larger it is, the stronger the load. Very often, excess weight provokes the development of osteochondrosis, since there is a strong injury to the spine due to overload, especially in diseased areas. When a disease is detected, one of the first steps in overweight patients is to get rid of it. With complex processing, of course.
Seated work, lack of mobility
Sedentary work, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of moderate physical activity are factors that lead to poor posture, poor load distribution on the neck and other parts. Very often office workers and those who just like to sit on the couch at home assume the wrong position, making the problem worse.
Previous spinal injuries
Injuries can happen for any reason, most often car crashes and accidents. The neck is also one of the vulnerable areas for divers and professional 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 the spinal roots. Any trauma suffered can both cause the appearance of osteochondrosis in the already "diseased" part of the cervical spine, and consequently lead to the appearance of osteochondrosis.
Mental disorders
An unstable mental state, stress and constant anxiety are the root causes of many health problems, in particular 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 both arise due to the presence of osteochondrosis and worsen the disease. Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that physically affects the condition of the surrounding vertebrae, discs, ligaments, and soft tissue. Due to the displacement of the vertebrae and the narrowing of the channels, less oxygen enters the brain, and blood flow is disturbed, which leads not only to the development of physical diseases, but also to mental disorders.
Poor physical shape
Every day, certain muscles and, as a rule, the same are involved in our movements, and those that remain immobile gradually lose elasticity and mobility, which, when exposed to external factors, can lead to injury, especially on 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 disturbances, 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 a problem arises, including osteochondrosis. Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms - now more on the basics:
- pain syndrome of varying intensity can be localized both in the neck and in the head, shoulders, arms, etc. ;
- weakness, numbness and weak tenderness of the hands due to pinched nerve roots;
- Difficulty in turning the head and the appearance of a creaking sound during rotation (this is due to structural changes in the intervertebral discs);
- malaise, weakness, general malaise due to impaired blood flow and insufficient oxygen saturation;
- the last stage is characterized by hearing and visual impairment.
If symptoms appear, you should see a doctor and start treatment.
Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
If the disease is left untreated, the whole body is at risk of 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 problems with vision and hearing.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
In order to start treatment, the doctor should take a history, find out the causes and time of onset of neck discomfort, and perform the necessary examinations to get a full clinical picture of your 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.
Medication
One of the first steps is the selection, prescription and administration of drugs: analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, in order to relieve the pain syndrome and the existing inflammations and infections. The type and number of drugs are selected individually.
Physiotherapy
All physiotherapy procedures are aimed at relieving pain syndrome, muscle spasms, and reducing inflammation. As physiotherapy, they are used: acupuncture, manual manipulation, hirudotherapy, shock wave therapy, etc.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic exercises are prescribed to patients after passing the stage of exacerbation. These measures are aimed at restoring the normal functioning of the cervical spine and preventing the deterioration of the condition.
Home Care
Home treatment methods can include self-massage and exercise therapy, which should be selected and prescribed by specialists. The procedures can only be performed after the technique has been presented by the attending physicians.
Massage
Neck massage is performed without strong pressure and without bends, movements should be smooth and performed along the lymphatic flow. Experts use a variety of techniques that include stroking, squeezing, rubbing, 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 eliminates the 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 place to sleep with good spinal support. It is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress and low pillows. A sauna, a steam bath and a 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 gymnastics.