Middle-aged women and men are most often diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (CS) because this area is more prone to stress. The first signs of the disease are often unspoken, so it is difficult to identify the problem at the initial stages of development. The manifestation of osteochondrosis is associated with the influence of many factors on the body. In order for the treatment regimen for neck osteochondrosis to be appropriate, it is important to find out the causes of its occurrence.
The main causes of the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology in which the tissues of the intervertebral discs in the neck area begin to collapse under the influence of negative factors. Over time, the disease affects other structures in the spine, which affects its function. The person is disturbed by unpleasant symptoms, the state of health gradually deteriorates.
The main cause of vertebral degeneration is a violation of metabolic functions in the body. The vertebrae and intervertebral structures do not receive the necessary nutrients and elements. Osteophyte bone growth appears on the bone tissue. The ossification spreads over time. The initiated osteochondrosis causes the cervical spine to become immobilized due to the fusion of the vertebrae.
The triggering mechanism for the development of such processes are negative factors that constantly affect the human body. The causes of osteochondrosis are as follows:
- congenital pathologies of the structure of the musculoskeletal system,
- hereditary predisposition,
- vigorous physical activity,
- passive lifestyle,
- Violation of posture,
- Back injuries
- Scoliosis,
- Stress, nervous overload,
- Complications after serious infectious diseases.
Degree of disease and manifestation
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develop gradually. As the pathology progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced. There are 4 stages of development of chondrosis:
- At 1 degree there are no obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis. Sometimes headaches and neck problems can be bothersome. The symptoms pass quickly after rest, but degenerative processes have already begun in the intervertebral discs, in which the integrity of the nucleus pulposus is disturbed.
- When the pathology reaches stage 2, the intervertebral cartilage is covered with cracks, through which the nucleus of the disc comes out. The intervertebral space decreases, the patient complains of acute pain syndrome of a chronic form.
- In the 3rd stage of progression, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by severe vertebrae and headache. Due to hypoxia, brain cells suffer, a person may experience temporary limb paralysis, hearing and vision problems. Hernias appear on the cervical spine, compressing the nerves, muscles, arteries, and veins.
- With the passage of the disease to the last (4 tbsp), the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in men and women become so pronounced that the patient can not relax and rest even for a minute. Osteophytes are formed on the vertebrae, as a result of which the mobility of the neck is impaired, a person becomes handicapped. If complex treatment is not instituted at this point, the situation can be fatal.
Typical symptoms
Osteochondrosis of 1-2 degrees is effectively treated conservatively. In advanced cases, it is difficult to completely restore the destroyed intervertebral structures. This means that it is important to diagnose the disease at its early stages. Therefore, it is imperative to see a doctor if a person has similar symptoms:
- acute pain localized in the neck, shoulders, back of the head,
- severe headache and dizziness due to compression of the nerves and vessels of the cervical spine by the vertebrae,
- Violation of visual and hearing functions,
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness, goose bumps running over the skin
- Failure of the function of the vestibular apparatus.
Cervical osteochondrosis at the level of the C4-C6 vertebrae is characterized by impaired sensitivity of the upper limbs, hands, and fingers. When the vertebral artery is compressed, dangerous disorders in the brain are bothersome. Hypoxia occurs due to inadequate blood supply and nutrition to the brain cells. If the patient is not treated in time, there will be memory problems, the swallowing function will be impaired and the squeezing in the throat, where the Adam's apple is located, will be disturbed.
Often, even a person's voice changes, and heart disease appears as cervicothoracic osteochondrosis progresses.
How is the diagnosis carried out?
If a person is suspected of developing osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, it is necessary to see a neurologist who will perform an initial examination and try to find out the main causes of the development of the disease. During palpation, it will be possible to roughly determine the stage of the pathology and its course - with or without displacement. To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must undergo a number of such instrumental diagnostic studies:
- Radiography. It will help determine the degree of osteophyte growth and the size of the joint space.
- MRI or CT. Allows you to assess the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs, as well as the condition of other soft structures.
- Doppler ultrasound. Helps identify abnormalities in the functioning of blood vessels that are causing impaired blood supply to the brain.
How do you deal with the problem?
If the diagnosis is confirmed during the diagnosis, the doctor will choose the optimal treatment regimen for cervical osteochondrosis based on the results obtained. If the disease did not begin, then you can get rid of it with medicines and with the help of auxiliary procedures. In 3-4 stages, drugs are often powerless, the best solution in this case is surgical intervention.
Effective medicine
Medical treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the acute phase is primarily aimed at relieving inflammation, swelling and pain. For these purposes, the following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Eliminate inflammation, reduce swelling, relieve pain. With an exacerbation of the pathology, it is recommended to use it in the form of injections. When the symptoms subside a little, you can drink pills.
- Painkiller.
- Muscle relaxants. Relieve muscle spasms, thereby releasing nerves and blood vessels.
- Chondroprotekoty. They restore damaged cartilage structures and prevent their further destruction. For a positive effect, it is recommended to take drugs of this group for a longer period of time.
- Vasodilators. They help improve blood circulation, which normalizes nutrition in the brain.
- Vitamins of group B. They normalize the metabolism in the body, stimulate the immune system, as a result of which soft and bone tissues regenerate faster.
Complex exercise therapy
With the help of therapeutic exercises, the affected structures of the cervical spine can be quickly restored. You can cure the disease by following the approaches below:
- Head turns in different directions,
- Rotary movements,
- Shoulder rotation,
- raise and lower your head.
Physiotherapy and massage
Cervical osteochondrosis is successfully treated with the help of physiotherapeutic procedures prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism. Most often it is recommended to take the following courses:
- Magnetic therapy,
- Laser heating,
- Ultrasonic,
- Electrophoresis,
- Applications with ozokerite,
- Hydrogen sulfide and radon baths,
- ultraviolet radiation.
With the defeat of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it makes sense to undergo therapeutic manual massage. The procedure should be performed by a trained doctor who is familiar with the diagnosis and x-rays. Thanks to point puncture, stroking, tapping and vibration, it will be possible to restore normal blood circulation and restore nutrition to the damaged areas.
Treatment with folk remedies
It is possible to treat cervical osteochondrosis using unconventional methods, but first you should see a doctor. A compress prepared according to this recipe will help relieve pain, inflammation and swelling:
- Wash the cabbage leaf, cut off the coarse fibers, knead well.
- Apply a mixture of honey and aloe juice (2: 1) to the leaf and distribute it evenly on the surface.
- Heat the compress over steam, then apply it to the neck and fix it with cling film and a woolen scarf.
- Wear a bandage for 3-4 hours.
It is recommended to do a compress every day - morning and evening.
Prevention and prognosis
With timely and adequate therapy, the disease can be cured and complications prevented. If the problem is left untreated and a doctor's advice is ignored, the prognosis for recovery is disappointing. For prophylaxis of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to lead an active lifestyle, monitor posture, exercise, eat properly, and see a doctor if you have any suspicious symptoms.