Osteochondrosis is rightly considered the "disease of the century", because most of the time people are suffered by people whose work does not require greater motor activity.
In most cases, changes in cartilage and bone tissue are observed in people of working ages up to 40 years.
The disease can affect different parts of the spine and the second more prevalent is the osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
What is it?
Osteocondrosis is dystrophic disorders of joint cartilage and adjacent bone tissue.
Previously, the term extended to a large group of bone-artificial diseases, but now it is used only with a degenerative spinal disease.
Compared to other departments of the spine, the cervical region is the most mobile and has many nerve and vascular formations.The structure of the vertebrae is small in size, as well as the fact that they are surrounded by a fairly weak muscle corset.
This anatomical structure predisposes to the development of osteocondrosis, the gravity of whose clinical manifestations depends on the nature of the changes in intervertebral discs and the degree of destruction.
The causes of the development of the disease
The main and most common cause of osteochondosis of the cervical column is a sedentary lifestyle.
Due to the lack of physical effort with a sedentary and seated lifestyle:
- The metabolic processes are violated;
- The level of salts in the blood flow and the lymphatic fluid increases;
- In the cervical region, in the kidneys and liver of the spine, the salts are laid.
The damage to the cervical vertebrae is mainly determined by the lack of nutrients in the intervertebral discs.Therefore, the main reasons for the occurrence of the cervical osteochondrosis also include an improper and unbalanced diet.
Risk factors
There are many risk factors for cervical osteochondrosis.
The most common factors are:
- inheritance;
- age -related changes;
- lesions of the cervical column;
- hypothermia;
- hormonal disorders that lead to metabolic disorders;
- Some autoimmune diseases that lead to damage to the cartilage tissue (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism).
What is dangerous
Not only the roots of the spinal cord and nerves cross the cervical column, but also the vertebral artery, which is responsible for the supply of the blood of the back of the brain, an oblong brain and a brain.
Therefore, with cervical osteochondrosis, this artery is crushed and, consequently, a violation of brain circulation.
In particularly advanced cases, squeezing the artery and adjacent blood vessels and nerve complexes can lead to consequences such as:
- violation of coordination;
- decrease in hearing and vision;
- hit.
If the disease is not treated in the initial phase, this can lead to complications such as: protrusion of the intervertebral disc or of the intervertebral disc.
The degree of development of the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis, such as osteochondosis of other thorns, develops in the phases.There are 3 phases of the development of the disease.
1 degree
It is characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral records.
Cracks are formed in the fibrous ring, the strength and elasticity of the disc are formed, its height decreases, due to which the nerve roots are crushed.
A characteristic painful pain appears.Sometimes in 1 stadium (preclinical) this pain can be absent and osteochondosis proceeds with a moderate discomfort in the neck.
2 degrees
If osteochondrosis of the 1st degree has not been treated or the treatment was not effective, a chronic condition occurs, which is the 2nd degree of osteochondrosis.
The pain becomes constant, the destruction and seal of the intervertebral disc continue and leads to small dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.
With the cervical osteochondrosis, at this stage a head syndrome that can develop can develop.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain and a person is forced to support his head in a fixed state to reduce pain.
3 degrees
The cervical osteochondosis of the 3rd degree is accompanied by the following signs:
- heachache;
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- "Cervical Bastards";
- Violation of the sensitivity of the higher ends.
The fibrous ring is already almost destroyed, which leads to complications of the osteocondrosis - protrusion of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral.
In 3 phases of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain can decrease, since the cartilage tissue affected in the intervertebral disc simply does not exist, which means that there is no source of pain, but the pinch of nerve roots remains, therefore the pain is not completely left.
Characteristic characteristics and symptoms
There are many signs of a manifestation of this disease.And they depend on which vertebrae they are damaged by this disease.
The characteristic syndromes for cervical osteochondosis are:
- spine syndrome;
- vertebral artery syndrome;
- Cervical migraine syndrome;
- Hypertension syndrome.
All these syndromes are accompanied, first of all, by different types of pain.
If we consider the vertebral artery syndrome, the headache here is manifested in the initial phase of the development of the disease.
At the same time, pain attacks can be accompanied by:
- dizziness;
- shock of the pace;
- Visual symptoms (the appearance of the fog in front of the eyes, a decrease in visual acuity, etc.).fainting (with acute movements of the head).
With hypertension syndrome, increased intracranial pressure is determined.
A headache is more burst, it can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.With the exacerbation of the cervical osteocondrosis, an increase in temperature and an increase in the ESR can be observed.
When spinal roots ("Real Syndrome"), the following neurological symptoms may appear:
- Pain pronounced in the neck (cervicalgia);
- neck pain, which spreads in the forearm and in the shoulder bone (cervicobrachialgia);
- pain in hand;
- Cristolio or cod sensations in the neck when turning your head;
- The pain that "gives" the ear, which occurs only after a long living room in an uncomfortable position or acute movement;
- pain or feeling of a coma in the throat, respiratory disorders;
- numbness of the hands and language;
- a feeling of swelling of the language;
- pronounced weakness;
- violation of hearing and vision;
- noise in the ears;
- General deterioration in well -being.
With the "cervical migraine" syndrome, the sympathetic knots are irritated, which leads to a compromised reactivity of the brain vessels and circulatory disorders.
Consequently, hypertension can develop, often accompanied by:
- ears with congestion;
- tachycardia;
- noise in the head;
- Calling the ears.
When compressing the blood supply to the spinal cord of the arteries, a spinal race may occur.
The interruption of blood circulation in the brain with osteochondrosis can lead to:
- insufficiency of oxygen of brain cells;
- mental disorders (state of depression, panic attacks);
- The appearance of episode signs, as short -term losses of consciousness and tension of the whole body, are often confused with signs of epilepsy.
This sign of cervical osteochondrosis such as the changes and the rhythm of the heart, as extrasiste or arrhythmia, is very common.
These signs are very common among drivers and employees.
Due to the sedentary lifestyle in intervertebral dishes of the cervical and chest column, changes occur, which lead to disorders in the heart.
In most cases, until the osteochondrosis is treated, it will be practically impossible to get rid of disorders in the rhythm of the heart.
The swelling under the eyes can also indicate osteochondosis of the cervical region.
Very often they depend on the position of the head during night sleep, they pass throughout the day and are combined with headaches, dizziness, heaviness in the head, etc.
Vegeta -vascular dystonia is another of common diseases that occur in this disease.
It is a consequence of pinching the vascular arteries that pass on the sides of the spinal column.
Diagnostic methods
A preliminary diagnosis is established by a neurologist during the patient's initial examination.More recently, the doctor had to diagnose, having carried out only an external examination of the patient and sending him to the X -ray.
But unfortunately, in the X -ray, it is impossible to see a complete picture of the development of the disease.
Currently, exams such as computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are available, with which it is possible to completely evaluate what development phase is the disease.
After making the diagnosis, the patient goes to the doctor specialized in this area.
Which doctor treats?
A restricted orientation specialist is engaged in the treatment: a vertebrologist or a vertebroneurist.
Treatment of cervical osteochondosis
The basis for the treatment of cervical osteocondrosis is the severity of the main clinical symptoms.
In the cervical region, the symptoms are mainly associated with the squeezing of the blood vessels and the nerve endings, therefore during treatment, the edema is mainly relieved and the blood circulation is restored.
There are many treatment methods used in the treatment of osteochondosis of the cervical column.
The most effective treatment is a complex, which is a combination of different conservative treatment methods.
The complex treatment of cervical osteochondosis may include the following traditional and non -traditional methods: pharmacological treatment, massage, fasting, manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, popular remedies, etc.
The phases of the treatment for osteochondosis are the same for all the locations of this disease:
- First you need to remove pain syndrome.
- So the edema will be removed.
- At this stage, it is necessary to normalize blood circulation.
- Strengthen muscle corset.
- Improve the nutrition and regeneration of fabrics.
Only the team of good specialists, who includes a neurologist, a physiotherapist, a masseur, a surgeon, a vertebroneurologist, can choose the most suitable therapy.
Like any disease, it deals with osteochondosis of the cervical region in the very early phase of the occurrence.If the process does not start, at this stage you can obtain a complete cure of osteochondrosis.
Unfortunately, 2 and 3 phases of the cervical osteocondrosis are accompanied by the complete or partial destruction of the intervertebral discs, therefore these stadiums are characterized by a very long recovery process.
Emergency room
How to relieve pain with exacerbation?
With severe pain, it is necessary to take the anesthetic from a closet for medicine.You can also attack a pepper pingker with pain.
When edema appears, it is possible to take diuretics.The rubbing of the neck area with painkillers can help.
Physical medical education in exacerbations is contraindicated, as well as heating, since these influences can cause serious complications.
After removing acute pain, it is necessary to urgently consult your doctor for consultation.
Treatment with medicines
The drugs most often begin with injections (with exacerbation), then they move on to tablets and candles in combination with the local use of ointments and gels.
Anesthesia in pharmacological treatment is performed using anti -anti -steroid -inflammatory drugs.
Make sure to prescribe drugs that restore brain circulation.
With pathological muscle tension, muscle relaxing, such as the Middleocalma can be prescribed.For more effective treatment, vitamins are taken in the therapeutic dose and trace elements.
In case of intervertebral hernia, surgery is not rarely recommended and the attending physician can offer to do an operation.
Massage and cars -massaggi
This method is good with physiotherapy and physiotherapy.You can follow a massage course both in any medical institution and to turn to private practices.
The massage is necessary for cervical osteochondrosis to strengthen the muscles and relieve tension in the neck.
The task of the masseur is to remove the harmful products of the metabolism, as well as to relieve spasm from the pathology area by increasing the outflow and flow of blood in the painful area.
The main techniques used by specialists during neck massage are:
- caress;
- squeeze;
- shredding;
- vibration;
- kneading.
The car -masage technique can be performed using the following techniques:
- caress (the movements should be soft, without too much effort that forms the folds);
- Employ (deep effect on the muscles, to capture in the fold, pressure and push -up);
- Vibration (oscillating effects by shading, agitation, patting).
The car -masage must always be completed by stroking.During vibrations, you can use a masseur.
Supreme massage
The excess massage relieves headache with the exacerbation of the cervical osteochondrosis, helps with the overload of pressure, normalizing it.
Acupressure scheme:
- The impact on the Fen Fu point, which is located under the occipital hill, for 1 minute.
- The impact on the Feng-Chi point, located on the width of two fingers from the special processes of the skull.
- The 1-1.5 minutes exposure on the I-Men point (it is at a distance of three fingers from the width from the Fen-Fu point).
- The sedative exposure is 1-1.5 minutes on the dowel point (7th cervical vertebra).
After the fasting, it is necessary to lie down for several minutes, since a small vertigo can occur.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy helps to cope with acute and chronic pains, also increases the volume of movements and improves posture well.
The main manual therapy techniques for osteochondosis of the cervical column:
- Relaxing and segmentary massage.It is used to heat the muscles and relieve tension.
- Mobilization.Impacts aimed at restoring joint functions.The traction method.
- Handling.A strong impulse aimed at the patient's pathological areas.The procedure is accompanied by a characteristic creaking (the return of the joint in a normal position).
Manual therapy that specialized practice should have perfectly possess these techniques.Otherwise, any mistake can lead to injuries.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture contributes to the release of cortisol in the blood.This hormone has a pronounced anti -inflammatory effect.
The acupuncture is carried out by the points of exposure near the internal edge of the scapula.The needles are introduced at a depth of 1-2 cm and are left for exposure to 10-30 minutes.
Homeopathy
Pharmacological treatment brings many adverse consequences with it, therefore homeopathy can become a worthy substitute for treatment without unwanted consequences.
With cervical osteochondrosis with pronounced hypertension (expressed by pain in the back of the head), Strike carbonate is used.
Assigns 3, 6, 12 and 30 breeding.
Characteristics of nutrition
The food must be saturated with calcium and magnesium.
These trace elements are found in fish and seafood, walnuts, legumes and dairy products -caseari.
Often osteochondrosis of the neck can be accompanied by atherosclerosis.In this case, a hard diet is recommended.
The diet is prescribed for 3-4 months.It is necessary to limit the consumption of all products containing cholesterol.These include animal fats, fatty varieties of meat, dairy products -fatty -old fat, etc.In addition, the consumption of salt, sugar, flour products should be limited or excluded.
It is recommended to abandon bad habits (smoke, alcohol, etc.).
Cervical osteocondrosis and alcohol are interconnected.The fact is that when it falls into the blood, alcohol destroys cells, thus aggravating the blood circulation already disturbed for osteochondosis.
Therefore, it should be limited to a minimum and during the exacerbation period to completely abandon the use of alcohol.
Disease prevention
To prevent cervical osteochondosis, it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- The dream should be on a solid mattress and on a low pillow: the neck angle of the neck should not be more than 15 degrees;
- Take a hot shower every day for at least 10 minutes;
- Visit a sauna and a bathroom as often as possible: it warmly helps to remove the neck cramps;
- We make aerobic loads and regular walks at a low pace;
- engage in swimming;
- After 25 years, avoid the load of shock on the spine (jumping, running);
- During the work, be sure to take breaks for five minutes every hour;
- Regular yoga classes can prevent any manifestation of cervical osteochondosis;
- Refuses to visit the gym, since bodybuilding classes can cause the protecting the protrusion of the cervical disc;
- Exercise as a prevention for osteochondosis of the neck helps to strengthen cervical muscles, relieving tension.
Frequent questions
What to do during pregnancy and how to treat it?
It is often during pregnancy that the first symptoms of cervical osteochdrosis occur.
This is due to the change in the hormonal background and the demorrabidation of the vertebrae, as well as due to the movement of the center of gravity and excessive load on the spine.
The treatment of the osteocondrosis of pregnant women is rather complicated, since it is mainly limited by the pharmacological method aimed at stopping pain.
You can use natural ointments or resort to popular medicine.
Any effects on the neck area (heating, charge, etc.) are severely prohibited during pregnancy.
Do children and adolescents happen?
In children and adolescents, cervical osteochondosis develops due to the congenital or acquired functional deficiency of the cartilage.
It is expressed by head of headache, rapid fatigue, dizziness and fainting.
Is it possible to heat the neck area?
The warning of the neck with cervical osteochondrosis is severely prohibited, especially in the exacerbation phase of the disease, since heating can lead to an increase in edema and the expansion of the brain vessels.
How to sleep correctly?
You have to sleep on a hard and hard bed with a orthopedic mattress.
The recommended and cheaper position is lying on the side when the shoulder rests on the mattress and the head rests on a small pillow.
The use of an orthopedic cushion helps to relax the muscles in the cervical region, reduces the irritation of nerve endings, which prevents headache and insomnia.
Are physical and bathroom activity allowed?
In preventive measures and in 1 phases of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to engage in physiotherapy and swimming exercises.
It is strictly forbidden to raise weights, hard work, lessons in the gym.
Visiting a bathroom and a sauna is also recommended only for the prevention of cervical osteocondrosis and in the initial phase of the disease.