Dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs are called osteochondrosis. This problem can occur in a person of any age; dysfunction of the intervertebral discs leads to the development of many serious concomitant problems. How is the development of cervical osteochondrosis prevented? What medications and alternative therapies are used for treatment?
Cervical Osteochondrosis - What Is It
The cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae and 8 paired nerve nodes. Osteochondrosis of the cervix develops on the background of degeneration of intervertebral pulp in vitreous tissue. In this case, pathological changes affect the ends of nerve fibers and important vessels. Most often, pathology affects the 7th and 8th vertebrae.
The disease is carefully disguised as other pathologies, manifested by attacks of headaches and discomfort in the neck. Patients may complain of dizziness, nausea and pressure problems. Most often, the disease is confused with problems in the heart and blood vessels.
Important! Often, due to problems with the vertebrae, a person suddenly begins to lose consciousness, feel a lack of air, and the tongue can become numb.
Cervical osteochondrosis is most commonly diagnosed in humans after the age of 30, due to special conditions in the location of the human skeleton, constant statistical and dynamic loads. The disease is growing rapidly younger, recently osteochondrosis occurs even in adolescents.
Causes of the disease
The development of osteochondrosis is influenced by physiological and pathological processes. They are closely related to each other, in medical practice they are always considered together.
Physiological changes are due to irreversible age-related processes in the cartilage of the spine. They are located in the central part of the intervertebral disc, manifested as squeezing of the pulp by fibrous tissue. Discomfort occurs during irritation of nerve endings.
Pathological changes - in this case, the area of inflammation extends beyond the cartilage tissue and causes severe irritation of nerve endings, squeezing of blood vessels. They occur on the background of malnutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, appear in young people and people in the medieval category.
Important! In rare cases, osteochondrosis of the cervix may disappear on its own or manifest itself in the form of short-lived episodes. The human body has many compensatory and protective functions, which for some time can neutralize pathological changes in cartilage.
Triggers:
- sedentary work, lack of regular physical activity
- frequent forced stay in an uncomfortable position
- overweight;
- nervous overload, stressful conditions
- neck and neck injuries
- hypothermia.
The cause of osteochondrosis can be congenital anomalies, autoimmune diseases.
Main Features
Cervical osteochondrosis is not always manifested by pain in a particular part of the spine, often the disease has a blurred clinical picture.
The main symptoms are dizziness, migraine, sudden changes in blood pressure.
When emergency hospitalization is required:
- numbness, loss of movement of the muscles of the face or shoulder girdle
- increasing headache accompanied by a deterioration in general well-being
- lack of coordination
- loss of consciousness.
Pain in the cervical spine often radiates to the shoulder girdle and upper legs. A distinctive feature is that the pain syndrome is of a paroxysmal nature, most often after waking up, sudden movements while laughing, coughing and sneezing.
If osteochondrosis is in the initial stage, the pain subsides quickly, almost always accompanied by a crunch in the neck, the muscles become weak, the skin loses sensitivity.
Important! In case of pathological changes in the 6th vertebra, pain syndrome can be observed in the thumb. In case of injury to the 7th vertebra, it affects the middle finger.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women occur later than in men - the average age is 50-55 years.
How osteochondrosis is associated with other diseases
Cervical osteochondrosis and blood pressure - the link between these pathologies has long been established. For osteochondrosis, it is precisely the sharp pressure drops during the day that are characteristic, persistent hypertension is not inherent in this disease.
Increased pressure in osteochondrosis is accompanied by migraine, noise in the head, pain in the arms, legs, chest. At the same time, the sensitivity of the skin in the collar region is significantly reduced, stress can provoke a jump in pressure, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
Cervical osteochondrosis and dizziness - occurs due to severe pain syndrome, decreased cerebral circulation and transmission of nerve signals, problems with the vestibular apparatus.
In osteochondrosis, non-systemic dizziness is often manifested - there is no feeling of rotating objects, but the person is very ill, it is difficult for him to stay upright.
Important! With frequent dizziness attacks, it is necessary to visit not only a neuropathologist but also an ENT to rule out the presence of pathological changes in the nasopharynx.
Headache accompanies osteochondrosis in almost 90% of cases. It occurs on the background of vascular spasms, pinched nerve endings, increased intracranial pressure. It manifests itself in different ways - pulsating, boring.
Headache attacks in osteochondrosis are similar to sensations of high blood pressure, angina pectoris, heart attack, stroke.
Panic attacks occur with osteochondrosis due to disorders of the cerebral circulation. At the same time, a person experiences unreasonable fear, physical discomfort. Duration of the attack is from 2-3 minutes to an hour, they can be repeated several times a day. Panic attacks are accompanied by a feeling of a heavy head, incessant tears, apathy and lethargy. In case of severe attacks, take sedatives, visit a psychiatrist regularly.
Fear and depression occur with osteochondrosis due to constant pain, a forced change in the usual lifestyle.
Diagnostic Methods
People with osteochondrosis may experience pain in the back of the head, chest, arms - such a blurred picture of the disease complicates the initial diagnosis.
Prevents timely diagnosis and uncontrolled use of human painkillers. A person feels healthy without pain. He seeks medical attention late when irreversible processes develop in the cervical joints.
Important! Only a neurologist deals with the treatment of osteochondrosis.
External examination is to identify mobility and tenderness in the neck. The doctor then prescribes x-rays in several projections and computed tomography. If a hernia is suspected, a magnetic resonance imaging scan should be performed. Doppler ultrasound is performed to assess the condition of the arteries and blood vessels.
Principles of drug treatment
Drug treatment aims to eliminate pain, inflammation, return to normal mobility and blood circulation.
Major drug groups:
- analgesics in the form of tablets and injections are intended to eliminate pain syndrome;
- non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotectors help restore cartilage tissue;
- muscle relaxants relax muscles, are used as excipients to relieve pain - they contain glycerin, benzimidazole, have a large list of contraindications;
- vitamin complexes - must contain all vitamins of group B, D, E, retinol, ascorbic acid;
- artificial analogues of histamine - helps eliminate problems with the vestibular apparatus;
- means for external use in the form of gels, ointments - helps to improve blood circulation, relieve spasms and pain, heat, relieve pain.
Important! Vitamins contained in food are not enough to treat osteochondrosis.
Drugs that improve cerebral circulation in cervical osteochondrosis are a mandatory part of the treatment, they dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow. Nootropic drugs that improve metabolic processes in the brain restore memory and thinking.
Osteochondrosis surgery is rarely used. Surgery is indispensable for signs of paralysis of the upper extremities, acute disruption of blood supply and cerebral edema.
Additional treatments include massage, push and pull manual therapy, dosed traction, relaxation techniques and acupuncture.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
Home treatment involves regular implementation of special exercises, use of special orthopedic devices. As a supportive therapy you can use traditional medicine recipes.
Shant's collar is designed to eliminate tension in the spine, reduce stress, strengthen the neck muscles. Head and neck are fixed in the correct position, allowing you to get rid of insomnia, prevent the progression of pathological changes. You should wear a collar not all day, but 2-3 hours before bedtime.
Self-massage helps relieve pain and cramping while rubbing in ointments that improve blood flow. The procedure should be performed while sitting, posture is comfortable, relaxed. It is necessary to do ironing, circular rubbing, to touch not only the neck but also the shoulder girdle.
Important! In cervical osteochondrosis, any heating is prohibited except a bath and a sauna.
Healing baths relieve pain and inflammation well, they let the spine relax. Water procedures must be performed every other day, the course consists of 15-20 procedures.
Bath Recipes:
- Mix 150 g of chamomile and mint, the mixture brews 5 liters of boiling water. Leave the infusion for 2 hours, filter.
- Take 20 g of each mint, lemon balm and birch leaves. The collection is brewed in 6 liters of boiling water after filtered 2 hours.
- To prepare an infusion of sage you need 300 g of herbs and 5 liters of boiling water. The healing solution will be ready in 2 hours.
For oral administration you can prepare an infusion of yarrow - this helps to quickly remove inflammation, spasms and pain. Brew 230 ml of boiling water 6 g of grass, leave it in a closed container for an hour. Take 15 ml 3 times a day.
A solution of 15 g of sea salt and 1 liter of water helps to cope with osteochondrosis. Boil the mixture, cool completely. Moisten natural fabric in the composition, apply on the back of the neck.
Possible complications
With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, cervical osteochondrosis continues without particular complications. Otherwise, serious pathological changes develop that can cause disability.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
- vertebral artery syndrome - functional and organic changes caused by decreased blood circulation in the brain;
- high blood pressure, arrhythmia
- numbness, weakness, upper limb muscle atrophy
- protrusion, hernia
- VSD;
- neurological disorders.
Physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervix is able to restore nutrition in damaged tissue, restore blood circulation.
During remedial gymnastics, it is forbidden to turn the head sharply, make sharp bends. Only imitation of such movements is allowed. You can perform a set of exercises for no more than 2 minutes - prolonged exertion can lead to a complication of osteochondrosis.
An effective set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis was developed by Shishonin. The principle is that all movements must be performed evenly, each position must be fixed for 15-30 seconds. During gymnastics there should be no painful sensations, each exercise should be repeated 5 times.
Description of Exercises:
- Sit straight, tilt your head to the right. When muscle tension appears, correct the position. Make 5 slopes on each side.
- Bending the head forward and backward is analogous to the previous exercise.
- Stretch the chin alternately towards the left and right shoulder. The back is straight, you can not round it.
- Rotate the head left and right in each position to linger for 30 seconds.
- Keep turning the sides, but use additional arms. When turning right, the right hand should be on the left shoulder and vice versa.
- Close your palms, lift your arms above your head, turn to the sides.
- Straighten your arms, take them to the sides and slightly back, stretch your chin forward.
Preventive measures
Prevention of osteochondrosis consists of simple steps whose serious health problems can be avoided if they are performed regularly. Especially prevention is necessary for the elderly and those who spend a lot of time sitting.
To prevent osteochondrosis:
- take a hot shower every day for at least 10 minutes;
- regularly visits the bathhouse, sauna to eliminate spasms and tightness in the neck;
- sleeping on an orthopedic pillow and a special mattress
- do a small warm-up of five minutes every hour while sitting.
The best sports for the prevention of osteochondrosis are swimming, yoga, aerobic exercise, special gymnastics to strengthen the cervix.
People at risk are prohibited from running, jumping or bodybuilding. The critical weight is 10 kg and the weight must be carried on two hands. In addition, you can use a corset that protects the spine.
Sergei Bubnovsky describes well the preventive measures for osteochondrosis. In his book, you can find out what back pain is dangerous, how to restore health without injections and corsets, and find a set of special exercises.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that can affect anyone. Timely diagnosis and prevention, a healthy and active lifestyle helps to avoid the development of serious pathological changes in the spine, gives you good health and excellent mood.