Every year diseases in the spine become younger. The most common is osteochondrosis, which was recently 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 pain in the neck and head occurs, which significantly reduces the quality of life and leads to death. surgical intervention.
The danger of cervical osteochondrosis.
It is important to diagnose diseases of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine at an early stage in order to immediately begin their treatment, until the bone tissue has grown, salt deposits and growths have not formed on the vertebrae, which irritate the muscles, which which leads them to shrinkage.
Osteophytes increase pressure on the vertebrae, pinch the arteries and squeeze the nerve endings when turning the head. Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious and dangerous disease. The symptoms of pain in the cervical region are not limited only to the movement of the head. If left untreated, the disease has complications that cause discomfort, which can become a major cause of dysfunction.
Infringement of the blood arteries due to deformation when the vertebrae approach each other leads to vertebrobasilar syndrome. An insufficient amount of blood enters the brain, this becomes the main cause of dizziness, lack of balance, visual impairment, loss of consciousness and tinnitus. The degree of compression of the cervical spine artery depends on the negative consequences that are manifested in the body with varying degrees of severity. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts the process of blood supply to the brain regions and leads to complications in the brain with a lack of oxygen.
A pinched nerve in the back of the head is the cause of headaches that can radiate to the neck or temple. The most dangerous is the infringement of the nerve processes of the spinal cord, in which dysfunctions with severe uncontrolled spastic disorders of coordination in the lower extremities, decreased sensitivity of the bladder and intestines are observed.
If osteochondrosis is not treated, complications arise, for example, bulges and herniations of the cervical discs. Sometimes it leads to the development of vascular diseases that cause brain damage even before the death of its individual sections.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Traditional medicine considers osteochondrosis to be a disease with degenerative changes in the discs of the cervical spine, and the osteopathy alternative medicine treatment system considers this to be a manifestation of deep disorders of the body.
There are several reasons why cervical osteochondrosis appears:
posture disorder
Slouching, scoliosis, rounded back, kyphosis lead to an imbalance of the spine, due to which the load is unevenly distributed on the discs, which leads to deformations and increases their wear. At the same time, the vertebrae move closer to each other, beginning to pinch the nerve processes, because of this, osteochondrosis develops.
Muscle spasms
Spasmodic muscle reactions cause tension in parts of the body, causing a change in the natural position and deformation of the spinal discs.
Violation of blood supply.
The spinal discs are not connected with the circulatory system, therefore they are saturated with blood from the body's tissues. Violation of the blood supply process in the neck leads to a lack of sufficient fluid to absorb moisture and restore the shape and renewal of cartilage. As a result, the wear of the vertebrae is accelerated, the intervertebral distance decreases, leading to osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
Violation of innervation.
Due to the reduced sensitivity of the nerve roots during the displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region, pathological changes go unnoticed by the patient due to the absence of pain.
Diseases of the internal organs.
The displacement of the internal organs, their descent due to deformities of the cervical vertebrae leads to a violation of the position of the spine and balance in the body.
inadequate nutrition
An unbalanced diet rich in carbohydrates and fatty foods with protein and microelement deficiency 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's systems as a whole. In addition to the listed symptoms, the development of diseases and painful sensations is possible due to prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, frequent tension of the back and neck muscles, hypothermia in the neck and neck area.
Also often the cause is nervous tension, frequent stress and sleep disorders. Violations are often not immediately noticeable, so cervical osteochondrosis sometimes progresses for a long time, leading to serious health consequences. Therefore, it is important to visit the doctor regularly in order to correct the underlying causes that caused 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, the intervertebral discs are cartilage, containing a jelly-like substance. Over time, the discs can become dehydrated due to poor posture, sedentary and sedentary lifestyles, computer work, injuries and neck injuries, and other factors.
As a result, the strength of the collagen fibers of the fibrous disc gradually decreases, their thickness decreases, which provokes the development of osteochondrosis with characteristic signs:
- Neck Pain;
- headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, due to infringement of the arteries passing through the vertebrae;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- radicular syndrome with a violation of sensitivity and the appearance of goose bumps and numbness of some areas on the skin of the back of the head, shoulders, arms, neck, as a result of pinching of the spinal roots. Accompanied by pain in the shoulders and arms, including in the fingers;
- decreased ability to turn and bend the neck and stiffness due to severe pain;
- increased fatigue, decreased performance;
- the appearance of ENT pathologies, tinnitus, decreased 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 required to consult a general practitioner or a neurologist who will prescribe the necessary diagnoses and perform an MRI to establish a diagnosis and select a treatment.
Degrees of development
There are four stages of osteochondrosis:
- Grade 1: Only pathologic changes begin to appear in the disc, so symptoms are mild and not always seen. The treatment will be quick and effective.
- Grade 2 - changes in the intervertebral discs become pronounced, leading to pain in the cervical region, which is aggravated by head movements.
- Grade 3 - Constant pain is complicated by the development of bulges and the formation of a hernia between the vertebrae.
- Grade 4 - the fibrous disc is so destroyed that movements in the spine are practically excluded due to infringement 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, hands, and lumbar.
Diagnostics
Only a qualified doctor can establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Normally it is a neurologist, but in some cases an additional appointment with the following specialists may be necessary: vertebrologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, orthopedist, traumatologist or neurosurgeon.
At the appointment, the doctor collects an anamnesis: the main complaints and symptoms of bothersome patients, injuries, the presence of chronic diseases and additional related information. The doctor then determines the patient's neck mobility, sensation, and muscle tension. To obtain more accurate information, the patient is assigned diagnostic tests using special equipment:
- radiography (x-rays);
- computed tomography (CT);
- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the age characteristics of the patient, as well as 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 aggravation of symptoms;
- Improved blood circulation;
- increased metabolic processes;
- elimination of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs;
- reduction of complications of cervical osteochondrosis.
At each stage of the development of the disease, its own treatment measures are applied:
- 1st stage - it is enough to do physiotherapy exercises, adjust your lifestyle;
- 2nd stage: it is required to additionally include the intake of medications, manual therapy, the use of orthopedic devices.
It should be understood that a complete change in degenerative-dystrophic processes is impossible, especially with a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of stage 2 or more. In these situations, it is necessary to improve well-being with the help of treatment and prevent the disease from progressing. It is possible to correct, sometimes, the first stage of cervical osteochondrosis, when developmental pathology is rarely diagnosed. Because patients perceive mild 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 exercise during sedentary work. If the patient, on the contrary, is actively involved in sports, then he needs to reduce the physical load on the neck, giving up running, wrestling, jumping, lifting weights.
Overweight people are advised to take additional steps to reduce their weight by adjusting their diet so that it is healthy and meets the needs of the body. The menu should be designed so that the food is protein and half consists of vegetables and fruits.
Pharmacological treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Drug therapy is primarily aimed at eliminating the symptoms of pain in the neck due to osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex nature of therapy is developed individually for the patient and consists in the use of different groups of drugs that solve his problems.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of drugs with properties against inflammation and pain. They can be both in tablets and in 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 of the use of drugs is irritation of the stomach and duodenal mucosa, which can affect the functioning of the organs due to gastritis and ulceration. For relief of 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 the active ingredient. They have a gentle effect on the digestive tract. Now drugs have been developed that are distinguished by their selective action.
Corticosteroids and blockades
Corticosteroids are hormonal drugs that are prescribed in short courses for severe patients with complex inflammatory processes. They can cause undesirable effects with long-term use, therefore 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 in conjunction with anesthetics when doing blocks. To relieve severe pain syndromes, the prepared mixture is injected into points close to the spinal nerves. The procedure is performed in clinics by medically trained workers. Blockade 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 indicated to take vitamins of group B, which are involved in nerve impulses.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotectors - drugs for the restoration of cartilage tissue. In the early stages of cervical osteochondrosis, they really have a 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 of these discs.
Chondroprotectors are produced in capsules, powders, and also in the form of solutions when administered intramuscularly.
Medications for topical use
Gels, creams or ointments that are used before the initial appearance of osteochondrosis in the neck to affect the painful area. They are different in principle of action can be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, warming, cooling. Often in its composition there are such components as NSAIDs, menthol, hot pepper, snake extract and bee venom.
Preparations to improve microcirculation
Drugs 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 physiotherapy exercises is selected individually with a specialist, taking into account the patient's age, the presence of radicular syndrome and compression of the arteries, as well as the development of existing diseases and degenerative-dystrophic changes. Physiotherapy goals:
- strengthen the muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck;
- activation of blood circulation;
- normalization of muscle tone.
You need to do it daily 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 schedule.
Swimming has a positive effect on the state of the cervical spine, in which classes are not associated with physical stress on the intervertebral discs, but the neck muscles actively work. As a result, the corset of muscles that supports the spine is strengthened. It is shown that patients with osteochondrosis swim two to three times a week.
Manual therapy for cervical osteochondrosis
Manual therapy is an effective way to treat osteochondrosis, since it affects the muscles and the spine. The specialist must have a higher education, a medical license for manual therapy and must have experience, understand the anatomy and features of osteochondrosis.
self massage
To improve their well-being, patients can perform neck massage on their own, 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 blood circulation process and stimulate metabolic processes. In addition, these sessions act against pain and eliminate swelling.
- Laser therapy - acts against the inflammation 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.
- Diadynamic currents - reduce pain, improve tissue nutrition, eliminate inflammation.
traction therapy
As a result of the flattening of the discs, the vertebrae move closer together, so traction therapy with the Glisson loop is recommended.
iplicator
Iplicator is an affordable and simple tool for neck reflexology. Itching from barbs causes skin irritation, leads to active blood flow, increases the efficiency of the neck and improves sleep.
braces
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, which reduces the progression of osteochondrosis. Patients are recommended to wear a removable orthopedic device - Shants collar, which allows you to fix the neck and reduce 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 bends and head turns. Maintain correct posture from an early age. Play sports, strengthening the muscles of the neck and joints, reducing the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis. Watch your health!