Unlike the other two types of osteochondrosis, such as lumbar or thoracic osteochondrosis, cervical osteochondrosis has a number of distinctive features. This is due to the fact that in this area the structure of the vertebrae is different, their structure is much smaller than the others. The neck must turn freely, it is the most mobile part, and moreover, it is the most subjected to the constraints. In this regard, painful sensations appear there most often.
<1_img_centerxx>Since a large number of nerve and vascular formations pass in the neck area, the patient is chased by a headache, ischemia of the spinal cord or brain may develop. At night, the fingers go numb, it is difficult to fully control the hand, the temperature drops, bruising and swelling may appear in the hand. This makes it difficult to supply blood to the brain, as the spinal artery is compressed, resulting in symptoms such as impaired coordination, loss of vision and hearing, and dizziness often occur.
Even a small load is enough for the vertebrae to move. You can stretch your neck muscles too much. The result is compression of blood vessels and nerve endings. Over time, osteophytes also form, which makes the situation worse, and the disease is difficult to cure.
Pain can affect not only the neck, but also the limbs, most often the arms. It is the result of compression of the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis can be cured, but it takes systemization and persistence. Often, when the first symptoms go away, the patient stops the treatment, while the disease will not slow down to come back again, since it will only start.
How to understand that the disease must be treated?
First of all, it should be noted that it is important to consult a specialist at the first symptoms of the disease, since this is the factor of effectiveness that can cure the patient and not get rid of the problem for a while. time. If the disease progresses and it is no longer possible to call the stage early, a cure is impossible. It is not worth treating osteochondrosis on your own, only a doctor can choose the right treatment regimen, accurately establish the diagnosis and determine how far the disease has gone.
Without qualified help, you can make the situation worse, and even harm your body, let alone cure it.
Such treatment proceeds in a complex manner, different methods are combined, factors that affect the course and progression of the disease are taken into account, only then can it be localized or cured.
Activities for osteochondrosis
- anesthesia;
- the use of antispasmodics;
- tissue repair stimulants using ointment;
- manual therapy;
- massage therapy;
- hirudotherapy;
- physiotherapy;
- surgical intervention.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 2nd degree, it is a disease at the time of exacerbation, and it can be treated with pain relievers with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. And only when the acute stage has passed, you can begin treatment using other methods, not forgetting that diet is also important.
It is an illusion to believe that this disease occurs more in middle-aged and older people, that they are not afraid of degrees 2 and 3 of the disease.
More and more young people suffer from osteochondrosis, so the disease is getting younger. And this is due to some factors:
- violation of posture;
- trauma;
- scoliosis;
- impaired metabolism;
- stress;
- large body weight;
- lack of physical form.
Young people spend many hours, even days in front of the computer, and it leaves a mark, the percentage of healthy young people is decreasing. But not only a lack of physical activity can affect the onset of the disease, but also excessive work, overload and an improperly chosen training regimen for athletes.
Polysegmental osteochondrosis
There is such a concept as polysegmental osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and this concept is not clear to everyone. In fact, this is a manifestation of the disease not in one place, but in several at once, it is more difficult to cure it. As you know, the spine is divided into several sections:
- cervical;
- chest;
- lumbar;
- sacred;
- coccygeal.
Problems, even in one place, cause a lot of trouble and pain, and if the disease has affected more than one department, then it is quite difficult to determine the disease based on the symptoms. There are too many painful manifestations, and they all mix together, making diagnosis difficult. This can only be done by contacting a qualified specialist, and there is no need to delay.
Cervical disease, for example, manifests itself as a severe headache, and pain in the lumbar region occurs on exertion. For a long time, the thoracic region may not manifest itself in any way, even if some problems have arisen, but then suddenly turns into intercostal neuralgia, and this syndrome greatly worries the patient.
Manifestation and symptoms
The general condition of the patient is irrelevant, since painful sensations can be felt almost throughout the body. Tingling, headache, pain in the heart area, dysfunction of internal organs, especially if there are chronic diseases. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the cause of all diseases, the degree of the disease, while it is easy to make a mistake and choose the wrong direction in treatment. It is not enough to take an x-ray of an area of the spine to diagnose the degree and the affected area. But do not be afraid, for a specialist this problem is quite solvable, because it is not so rare.
Treatment
First of all, the pain syndrome is relieved with the help of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and only then does rehabilitation begin. It is this period that is directly treated, since it will not be possible to completely cure osteochondrosis, it quickly turns into a chronic form.
Currently, there are many alternative treatments on offer, but they should be treated with caution, as manual therapy is only useful if performed by a competent specialist. Physiotherapy according to the Bubnovsky method, for example, is the subject of much controversy. And treatment with medicinal leeches can cause allergies.
Prevention
Remember that it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it for a long time and sometimes without success. Therefore, as a preventive measure, it is possible to recommend doing special exercises that develop the flexibility of the neck. It is also good to strengthen and stretch these muscles to prevent the development of the disease.