Diseases in the spine are getting younger every year. The most common is osteochondrosis, which was recently considered an age-related disease. When the cervical region is affected, due to the degenerative-dystrophic character of osteochondrosis, intervertebral tears are formed in the spine, severe pain occurs in the neck and head, which significantly lowers the quality of life and leads to surgical intervention.
The danger of cervical osteochondrosis
It is important to diagnose the diseases of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine at an early stage in order to start treatment immediately, until the bone tissue grows, irritating the muscles, salt deposits and growths are formed on the spines. shrinks them.
Osteophytes increase the pressure on the vertebrae, compress the arteries and compress the nerve endings during dizziness. Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious and dangerous disease. Cervical pain symptoms are not limited to head movement. If left untreated, the disease has complications that cause anxiety that can be a significant cause of dysfunction.
Disruption of blood vessels due to deformation when the vertebrae are close to each other causes vertebrobasilar syndrome. Insufficient blood flow to the brain is the main cause of dizziness, poor balance, blurred vision, loss of consciousness and tinnitus. The degree of compression of the cervical lumbar artery depends on the negative consequences that manifest themselves in varying degrees of severity in the body. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts the process of blood supply to brain regions and causes complications in the brain with oxygen starvation.
A pinched nerve at the back of the head is the cause of headaches that can radiate to the neck or temple. The most dangerous is the disruption of the nervous processes of the spinal cord, in which severe uncontrolled spastic coordination disorders in the lower limbs, dysfunctions with a decrease in the sensitivity of the bladder and intestines are observed.
If osteochondrosis is not treated, complications arise, for example, protrusions and tears of 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 accompanied by degenerative changes in the discs of the cervical spine, while the alternative medicine treatment system, osteopathy, considers it to be a manifestation of disorders deep in the body.
There are several reasons for the appearance of cervical osteochondrosis:
Posture disorder
Stoop, scoliosis, round back, kyphosis cause imbalance of the spine, so the load is unevenly distributed on the discs, causing deformation and increasing their wear. At the same time, the vertebrae come closer to each other, begin to squeeze the nerve processes, so osteochondrosis develops.
Muscle spasms
Spasmodic muscle reactions cause tension in parts of the body, change the natural position of the discs in the spine and cause deformation.
Violation of blood supply
The discs of the spine are not connected to the circulatory system, so they are saturated with blood from the tissues of the body. Disruption of the blood supply process in the neck causes insufficient fluid to absorb moisture and restore cartilage shape and renewal. As a result, wear of the vertebrae accelerates, the intervertebral distance decreases, which leads to osteochondrosis of the neck.
Violation of innervation
Due to the lack of pain due to the decrease in the sensitivity of the nerve roots during the displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region, the pathological changes remain unnoticed by the patient.
Diseases of internal organs
Displacement of internal organs, falling down due to deformations of the cervical vertebrae causes a disturbance in the position of the spine and balance in the body.
Improper nutrition
An unbalanced diet high in carbohydrates and fatty foods with a lack of proteins and micronutrients can cause unpleasant difficulties.
Cervical osteochondrosis develops due to external factors that adversely affect 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 of the back and neck muscle tissues, and hypothermia of the neck and collar zone.
It is also often caused by nervous tension, often stress and sleep disorders. Often, violations are not immediately noticeable, so cervical osteochondrosis sometimes persists for a long time and causes serious health consequences. Therefore, it is important to regularly visit a doctor and treat its symptoms in order to correct the main causes that cause osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra.
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 with a jelly-like substance. Over time, due to bad posture, a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle, computer work, neck injuries and injuries, and other factors, the discs can become dehydrated.
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 symptoms:
- neck pain;
- headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, due to disruption of the vessels passing through the vertebra;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- radicular syndrome, which is accompanied by numbness and tingling in some areas of the skin of the back of the head, shoulders, arms, and neck as a result of sensory disturbances and compression of the spinal roots. It is accompanied by pain in the shoulders and arms, even 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, reduced 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 located between the 5th and 7th vertebrae. To make a diagnosis and choose treatment, it is required to refer to a general practitioner or a neurologist, who will determine the necessary diagnostics and conduct an MRI magnetic resonance imaging.
Development rates
There are four stages of osteochondrosis:
- 1 degree - only pathological changes begin to appear on the disc, so the symptoms are mild and not always observed. The treatment will be fast and effective.
- 2 degrees - changes in the intervertebral discs are noticeable, which causes aching pain in the neck, 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.
- 4th degree - the fibrous disc is destroyed to such an extent that movements in the spine are practically excluded due to disruption 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 back.
Diagnostics
Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment. Usually this is a neurologist, but in some cases an additional meeting with the following specialists may be required: vertebrologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, orthopedist, traumatologist or neurosurgeon.
During the admission, the doctor collects an anamnesis - the main complaints and symptoms of disturbing patients, injuries, the presence of chronic diseases and additional information related to this. Then the doctor determines the patient's neck mobility, sensitivity and muscle tension. To obtain more accurate information, the patient is prescribed 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 age characteristics of the patient, as well as the degree of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs between the vertebrae. Therefore, the treatment is always prepared individually for the patient and is always aimed at solving the following problems:
- elimination of worsening symptoms;
- improvement of blood circulation;
- increase in metabolic processes;
- elimination of degenerative-dystrophic changes in 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 medication, manual therapy, the use of orthopedic devices.
It should be understood that a complete change in degenerative-dystrophic processes is impossible, especially with the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of 2 or more stages. In these situations, with the help of treatment, it is necessary to improve well-being and prevent the development of the disease. When developmental pathology is rarely diagnosed, it is sometimes possible to correct the first stage of cervical osteochondrosis. Because patients consider mild discomfort in the neck as too much work and do not consult a doctor.
In severe cases with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, treatment will be difficult and longer. To correct the treatment, periodic examinations are carried out under the supervision of a neurologist, which depends on ongoing changes in the patient's well-being.
Lifestyle correction
All patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical region should increase physical activity by taking breaks for sports exercises during sedentary work. If, on the contrary, the patient is actively involved in sports, then he should reduce the physical load on his neck, refuse running, wrestling, jumping, weightlifting.
People who are overweight are advised to take extra steps to lose weight by adjusting their diet to ensure that it is healthy and meets the body's needs. The menu should be made in such a way that the food consists of proteins, and half of it consists of vegetables and fruits.
Drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Drug therapy is mainly aimed at eliminating the symptoms of pain in the neck due to osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex nature of the therapy is prepared individually for the patient and consists of the use of various drug groups that solve their problems.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of drugs with anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties. They can be in tablets and capsules, in the form of creams, ointments and gels, and are also used intramuscularly for the administration of solutions for severe pain.
The disadvantage for the use of drugs is the irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum, which can disrupt the functioning of the organs due to gastritis and ulceration. To eliminate risks with NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed in combination.
Diclofenac sodium or piroxicam is used as an active ingredient to reduce pain and inflammation in osteochondrosis. They have a gentle effect on the digestive system. Now the drugs that are selected by the act of selection have been developed.
Corticosteroids and blockades
Corticosteroids are hormonal drugs prescribed in short courses for severe patients with complex inflammatory processes. With its long-term use, it can cause unwanted effects, so it is used in the form of injections for the absence of side effects and easier absorption.
Corticosteroids are often used together with anesthetics when performing blockades. To relieve severe pain syndromes, the mixture is injected into the points near the spinal nerves. The procedure is performed in clinics by medically trained staff. Doctors recommend doing the blockade four times a year.
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are drugs that relieve muscle spasms caused by severe inflammation and pain in the neck due to osteochondrosis.
vitamins
Osteochondrosis causes compression of the spinal roots, so taking B vitamins, which are involved in nerve impulses, is indicated.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotectors - drugs for the regeneration of cartilage tissue. In the early stages of cervical osteochondrosis, it really has a positive effect on the condition of the discs between the vertebrae, improving the patient's well-being. Later, they can slow down the degenerative-dystrophic process only in these discs.
Chondroprotectors are produced in capsules, powders, and also in the form of solutions for intramuscular administration.
Medicines for local use
Gels, creams or ointments used at the initial appearance of osteochondrosis in the neck to affect the painful area. They differ according to the principle of action, they can be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, warming, cooling. They often contain components such as NSAIDs, menthol, cayenne pepper, snake extract and bee venom.
Preparations to improve microcirculation
Medicines of this group improve the quality of blood circulation, which is especially necessary for vertebral artery syndrome. They promote vasodilatation, improve brain nutrition and relieve tinnitus, headaches, dizziness.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercise is the main method in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex of physical therapy exercises is selected individually by a specialist, taking into account the patient's age, the presence of radicular syndrome and vascular compression, as well as the development of existing diseases and degenerative-dystrophic changes. Goals of physical therapy:
- strengthen shoulder girdle and neck muscles;
- activation of blood circulation;
- normalization of muscle tone.
You should do this on a daily basis 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 training exercises slowly, without sudden head movements and in comfortable conditions. If neck pain occurs, exercise should be stopped immediately and then you should consult a doctor to correct the treatment program.
Swimming has a positive effect on the condition of the cervical spine, where classes are not associated with physical stress on the intervertebral discs, but the neck muscles are actively working. As a result, the corset of muscles supporting the spine is strengthened. Patients with osteochondrosis are advised to swim two to three times a week.
Manual therapy for cervical osteochondrosis
Manual therapy is an effective method for treating osteochondrosis because it affects the muscles and the spine. The specialist must be highly educated, have a medical license for manual therapy and have experience, understand the anatomy and characteristics of osteochondrosis.
Self-massage
To improve their own well-being, patients can self-massage their neck to relieve fatigue and pain.
Physiotherapy treatment
If there is no inflammatory process, physiotherapy is indicated. Set a course of 10-15 procedures selected individually.
- Electrophoresis - electric current is used to ensure deep penetration of drugs.
- Magnetotherapy - to activate blood circulation and stimulate metabolic processes. In addition, these sessions have an effect against pain and eliminate swelling.
- Laser therapy - acts against the inflammatory process and dilates blood vessels, which reduces pain.
- Ultrasound therapy is a method that reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings, has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
- Diadynamic currents - reduce pain, improve nutrition of tissues, eliminate inflammation.
Traction therapy
As a result of the flattening of the discs, the vertebrae are closer together, so traction therapy with a Glisson loop is recommended.
Applicator
Iplicator is a convenient and simple tool for neck reflexology. Blockage of spikes causes skin irritation, active blood flow, increases neck efficiency and improves sleep.
Orthopedic devices
In order 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 and reduce the progression of osteochondrosis. Patients are recommended to wear an orthopedic removable device - Shants collar, which allows you to straighten the neck by reducing the load.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To prevent cervical osteochondrosis, you should do a regular warm-up, during which you change the position of your body, perform neck bends and head turns. Maintain proper posture from an early age. Do sports, strengthen the muscles of the neck and joints, reduce the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis. Take care of your health!