Diseases of the spine are getting younger every year. The most common is osteochondrosis, which has recently been considered an age-related disease. If the cervical region is affected, then due to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias are formed in the spine and severe neck pain and headaches appear, which significantly reduces the quality of life and leads to surgical intervention.
The danger of cervical osteochondrosis
It is important to diagnose diseases of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine in the early stages, to immediately begin treatment until the bone tissue has grown, salt deposits and growths have not formed on the vertebrae, which irritate the muscles, lead them to contract.
Osteophytes increase pressure on the vertebrae, pinch arteries, and crush nerve endings when you turn your head. Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious and dangerous disease. Pain symptoms in the neck area are not limited to head movements. Left untreated, the disease has complications that cause discomfort that can become a significant cause of dysfunction.
Injury to the blood arteries by deforming them as the vertebrae approach each other leads to vertebrobasilar syndrome. An insufficient amount of blood enters the brain, this becomes the main cause of dizziness, impaired balance, blurred vision, loss of consciousness and tinnitus. The degree of compression of the artery of the cervical spine depends on the negative consequences that manifest themselves in the body with varying degrees of severity. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts the process of blood supply to brain regions and provokes complications in the brain with oxygen starvation.
A pinched nerve in the back of the head is the cause of a headache that can radiate to the neck or temple. The most dangerous is the violation of the nerve processes of the spinal cord, in which functional disorders are observed with severe uncontrolled spastic disturbances of coordination in the lower extremities, a decrease in the sensitivity of the bladder and intestines.
If osteochondrosis is not treated, complications arise, e. g. B. protrusions and herniated discs. Sometimes it leads to the development of vascular diseases, which cause brain damage even before the death of their individual sections.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Traditional medicine regards osteochondrosis as a disease involving degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, and the alternative medical treatment system osteopathy regards it as a manifestation of disorders deep within the body.
There are several reasons why cervical osteochondrosis occurs:
postural disorder
Bending, scoliosis, round back, kyphosis cause imbalance in the spine, so the load is unevenly distributed on the intervertebral discs, which leads to deformation and increased wear. At the same time, the vertebrae approach each other and begin to pinch the nerve processes, as a result of which osteochondrosis develops.
muscle cramps
Spastic muscle reactions lead to tension in parts of the body, resulting in a change in the natural position and deformation of the intervertebral discs in the spine.
violation of blood supply
The spinal discs are not connected to the circulatory system, so they are saturated with blood from body tissues. Violation of the blood supply process in the neck leads to a lack of sufficient fluid to absorb moisture and restore cartilage shape and renewal. As a result, the wear and tear of the vertebrae accelerates, the intervertebral distance decreases, which leads to osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
violation of the innervation
Due to the reduced sensitivity of the nerve roots when moving and deforming the intervertebral discs in the cervical region, pathological changes remain unnoticed by the patient due to the freedom from pain.
Diseases of the internal organs
The displacement of internal organs, their lowering due to deformities of the cervical vertebrae leads to a violation of the position of the spine and balance in the body.
Wrong diet
An unbalanced diet with a lot of carbohydrates and fatty foods with a lack of proteins and microelements can lead to unpleasant difficulties.
Cervical osteochondrosis develops due to external factors affecting the balance of the spine and the natural development of body systems as a whole. In addition to the listed symptoms, the development of diseases and painful sensations is possible due to a long stay in an uncomfortable position, frequent tension in the muscle tissue of the back and neck, hypothermia of the neck and collar zone.
Nervous strain, frequent stress and sleep disorders are also often the cause. Often injuries are not immediately noticeable, so cervical osteochondrosis sometimes progresses for a long time, leading to serious health consequences. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor regularly to address the underlying causes that caused osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, not to treat its symptoms.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that occurs in intervertebral discs with degenerative-dystrophic changes. Initially, the discs are cartilage containing a gelatinous substance. Over time, spinal discs can become dehydrated due to poor posture, sedentary and sedentary lifestyles, computer work, neck injuries and injuries, and other factors.
As a result, the strength of the collagen fibers of the fibrous disc gradually decreases, their thickness decreases, which leads to the development of osteochondrosis with characteristic signs:
- neck pain;
- headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness due to injury to the arteries that run through the vertebrae;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- radicular syndrome with a violation of sensitivity and the appearance of goosebumps and numbness of some areas in the skin of the occiput, shoulders, arms, neck as a result of pinching the roots of the spine. Accompanied by pains in the shoulders and arms, even in the fingers;
- decreased ability to rotate and tilt your 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 intervertebral discs located between the 5th and 7th vertebrae. It is necessary to consult a general practitioner or a neurologist who will prescribe the necessary diagnostics and conduct MRI magnetic resonance imaging to make a diagnosis and select treatment.
degrees of development
There are four stages of osteochondrosis:
- Degree 1 - only pathological changes begin to appear in the intervertebral disc, so the symptoms are mild and are not always observed. Treatment will be quick and effective.
- Degree 2 - changes in the intervertebral discs become pronounced, this leads to aching pain in the neck area, which is aggravated by head movements.
- Grade 3 - constant pain is complicated by the development of a protrusion and the formation of a hernia between the vertebrae.
- Degree 4 - the fibrous disc is so destroyed that movements in the spine due to injury of the intervertebral arteries are practically excluded, which leads to the development of radicular syndrome and severe pain not only in the neck, but also in the chest, hands, and lumbar.
diagnosis
Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment. Usually this is a neurologist, but in some cases an additional appointment with the following specialists may be required: vertebrologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, orthopedist, traumatologist or neurosurgeon.
At the appointment, the doctor collects an anamnesis - the main ailments and symptoms of troublesome patients, injuries, the presence of chronic diseases and additional information related to them. Next, the doctor determines the patient's neck mobility, sensitivity, and muscle tension. To obtain more accurate information, the patient is assigned diagnostic tests using special equipment:
- radiography (X-ray);
- computed tomography (CT);
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the patient's age characteristics, as well as the degree of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs. Therefore, treatment is always developed individually for the patient and is always aimed at solving the following problems:
- elimination of worsening symptoms;
- improve blood circulation;
- increase in metabolic processes;
- elimination of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs;
- Reducing the complications of cervical osteochondrosis.
At each stage of the development of the disease, its own treatment measures are used:
- 1st stage - it is enough to do physiotherapy exercises, adjust your lifestyle;
- 2nd stage - it is necessary to additionally include taking medication, manual therapy and the use of orthopedic devices.
It must be understood that a complete change in the degenerative-dystrophic processes is impossible, especially when diagnosing stage 2 or higher osteochondrosis. In these situations, it is necessary to improve well-being with the help of treatment and prevent the disease from progressing. It is sometimes possible to correct the first stage of cervical osteochondrosis, when developmental pathology is rarely diagnosed. Because patients perceive slight neck pain as overwork and do not go to the doctor.
In severe cases with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, treatment is difficult and longer. Regular examinations are carried out under the supervision of a neurologist in order to correct the treatment, which depends on the ongoing changes in the patient's well-being.
lifestyle correction
All patients with a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical region should increase physical activity and take breaks for physical training during sedentary work. On the other hand, if the patient is actively involved in sports, then he must reduce physical stress on the neck and abandon running, wrestling, jumping and weightlifting.
Overweight individuals are advised to take additional measures to reduce it by adjusting their diet so that the diet is healthy and meets the body's needs. The menu should be designed in such a way that the food contains protein and consists of half vegetables and half fruit.
Drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Therapy with drugs is mainly aimed at eliminating pain symptoms in the neck due to osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex type of therapy is developed for the patient individually and consists in the use of various groups of drugs that solve their problems.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of drugs with properties that reduce inflammation and pain. They can be used both in tablets and capsules, and in the form of creams, ointments and gels, as well as intramuscularly for administration of solutions for severe pain.
The disadvantage of using drugs is irritation of the gastric and duodenal mucosa, which can impair the function of organs due to gastritis and ulcerations. To reduce risks associated with NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed in combination.
To relieve pain and inflammation in osteochondrosis, diclofenac sodium or piroxicam is used as an active ingredient. They have a gentle effect on the digestive tract. Now drugs have been developed that are characterized by selective action.
corticosteroids and blockades
Corticosteroids are hormonal drugs that are prescribed in short cycles to severe patients with complex inflammatory processes. They can cause undesirable effects with prolonged use, so they are used in the form of injections so that there are no side effects and they are easier to absorb.
Corticosteroids are often used with anesthetics when performing blocks. To relieve severe pain syndromes, the prepared mixture is injected into points near the spinal nerves. The procedure is performed in clinics by medically trained staff. Blockage doctors recommend doing this four times a year.
muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are drugs designed to eliminate muscle spasms caused by severe inflammation and neck pain as a result of osteochondrosis.
vitamins
Osteochondrosis creates compression of the roots of the spine, so it is indicated to take B vitamins involved in nerve impulses.
chondroprotectors
Chondroprotectors - drugs designed to restore cartilage tissue. In the early stages of cervical osteochondrosis, they have a very positive effect on the condition of the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae and improve the patient's well-being. In the later ones, they can only slow down the degenerative-dystrophic process in these intervertebral discs.
Chondroprotectors are produced in capsules, powders, and in the case of intramuscular administration, also in the form of solutions.
Medicines for topical use
Gels, creams or ointments used at the first appearance of osteochondrosis in the neck to act on the painful area. They differ in the principle of action can be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, warming, cooling. Often in their composition there are components such as NSAIDs, menthol, hot peppers, snake and bee venom extract.
Preparations to improve microcirculation
Medicines of this group improve the quality of blood circulation, which is especially necessary in vertebral artery syndrome. They promote vasodilation, improve brain nutrition and eliminate tinnitus, headaches and dizziness.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercises are the main method in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex of physiotherapeutic 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. Goals of physiotherapy:
- strengthening the muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck;
- activation of blood circulation;
- Normalization of muscle tone.
You need to do this daily with a specialist who will help you choose the load and develop an optimal program, taking into account the patient's physical condition.
It is important to do all sports exercises slowly, without sudden head movements and in comfortable conditions. If pain in the neck occurs, exercise should be stopped immediately, and then consult a doctor to correct the treatment program.
Swimming has a positive effect on the condition of the cervical spine, since classes are not associated with physical stress on the intervertebral discs, but the neck muscles are actively working. This strengthens the muscular corset that supports the spine. Patients with osteochondrosis swim two to three times a week.
Manual therapy of cervical osteochondrosis
Manual therapy is an effective method of treating osteochondrosis, since it affects the muscles and spine. The specialist must have higher education, medical license for manual therapy and experience, understand the anatomy and features of osteochondrosis.
self massage
To improve their well-being, patients can perform neck massage themselves to relieve fatigue and pain.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Physiotherapy is indicated if there is no inflammatory process. Assign a course consisting of 10-15 procedures, selected individually.
- Electrophoresis - an electric current is used to ensure deep penetration of drugs.
- Magnetotherapy - to activate blood circulation and stimulate metabolic processes. In addition, these sessions counteract pain and eliminate swelling.
- Laser therapy - counteracts the inflammatory 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 - relieve pain, improve tissue nutrition, eliminate inflammation.
traction therapy
Due to the flattening of the intervertebral discs, the vertebrae move closer together, so traction therapy with the Glisson loop is recommended.
iplicator
The iplicator is an affordable and simple tool for neck reflexology. The tingling of the spikes causes skin irritation, leads to active blood circulation, increases the performance of the neck and improves sleep.
orthopedic devices
To reduce the load on the neck, it is recommended to replace the mattress and pillow with orthopedic mattresses, which will maintain the correct position of the spine and reduce the progression of osteochondrosis. It is recommended that patients wear an orthopedic detachable device - the shants collar, which allows you to fix the neck and reduce the load.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid cervical osteochondrosis, you need to regularly warm up while changing the position of your body and performing neck tilts and head turns. Maintain correct posture from an early age. Do sports, strengthen the muscles of the neck and joints, and reduce the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis. Watch your health!