Even about 30 years ago, osteochondrosis was exclusively associated with the elderly, whose joints became inactive and injured with every movement. Times have changed, however. Today, more and more people are switching from hard physical work to sedentary work at the computer, monitoring the quality of nutrition less and less and facing osteochondrosis in the cervix more and more often. It is not for nothing that osteochondrosis is called the "disease of the century", and almost every person over the age of 25 encounters the symptoms of this disease.
This insidious disease, which starts with unpleasant pain in the neck area, very quickly leads to serious consequences in the form of hearing and vision impairment as well as memory impairment up to its complete loss. Therefore, everyone should know the causes of osteochondrosis and consult a doctor in a timely manner in case of unpleasant symptoms of the disease. We will talk about them in this article.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Paradoxically, all of our cervical problems begin in early childhood or rather in primary school, where the baby's posture deteriorates and scoliosis develops. It is at this moment that the system for supporting the head at the spine is disturbed, especially by its thinnest and most vulnerable part - the cervix. The second key factor in cervical osteochondrosis, which originates from early childhood, is inadequate physical fitness, especially the weakness of the spinal muscles and the so-called muscular cross designed to support the spine.
These are the two main causes of the disease. The rest are heavy burdens on the weakened spine, which causes the development of the disease in quite young and healthy people. First and foremost, these include a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, especially work associated with a longer stay in a position. This is most typical of drivers and office workers sitting at the computer in shifts. All this is supplemented with overweight, which seriously increases the load on the spine.
Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- previous spinal cord injuries;
- metabolic disorders
- hereditary disposition;
- great physical activity;
- constant nervous tension and stress;
- anomalies of the cervical spine;
- bad habits (hold the handset with your ear and shoulder).
The development of osteochondrosis
These adverse factors ultimately lead to an increase in the load on the cervix. When trying to compensate for the excessive strain on the neck muscles, their cramping occurs, leading to decreased blood circulation in this area and a decrease in metabolic processes. All this becomes the development of degenerative processes in the spine. First of all, the vertebrae begin to thin out and converge and push their contents (annulus fibrosus) out of the spine. Such a protrusion in the language of doctors is called a protrusion.
In the case of protrusions, the annulus fibrosus still retains its integrity, but the protrusion already squeezes the blood vessels and nerves that run along the spine and feeds the brain. In addition, converging and deformed vertebrae begin to press the roots of peripheral nerves, leading to the development of the so-called "radicular syndrome", which manifests itself as severe pain in the back and neck. If you do not identify a problem (which eloquently signals unpleasant symptoms) and do not start treating osteochondrosis, the fibrous ring ruptures and a spinal hernia appears. In this case, there will be serious problems with brain nutrition.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In development, the disease undergoes several stages, each of which has characteristic signs and symptoms. It should be noted here that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differs from degenerative changes in other parts of the spine. The distances between the vertebrae are minimal here, and therefore even small degenerative changes cause unpleasant symptoms and lead to various complications.
Grade I osteochondrosis
This is the preclinical stage of disease development, in which the patient experiences mild pain and discomfort during head rotations as well as tension and fatigue in the neck and back during prolonged stay in a position (more often in a sitting position). At this stage, osteochondrosis is perfectly treated by lifestyle changes, nutritional adjustments and regular exercise.
Grade II osteochondrosis
At this stage, instability between the vertebrae of the neck appears. A person in this case faces intense pain that radiates to the shoulder, neck or arm. During slopes or twists in the head, the pain increases markedly as nerve endings begin to decrease due to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae. The patient begins to tire quickly, his performance decreases, distraction, forgetfulness appear, and he suffers from headaches.
Grade 3 osteochondrosis
With the third stage of the disease, pain in the back and neck becomes even stronger, the mobility of the neck is markedly reduced, and when the neck rotates, the vertebrae can be heard. At night, the patient's fingers begin to become numb (primarily the little finger and ring finger), which is why the person wakes up several times at night. During the day, such patients have an uncomfortable weight in their hands. And even a brief conversation on the phone, where a person is forced to hold the cell phone near the ear, turns into an unpleasant tingling sensation and numbness in the fingers. All this indicates an increase in protrusion and possibly the appearance of a hernia in the cervix.
Grade IV osteochondrosis
In the last stage of the disease, vertebral discs are destroyed, which cease to perform their functions and begin to be replaced by connective tissue. A patient in this condition may experience lack of coordination of movement, noise and insane pulsation in the ears, headaches intensifying, visual acuity and impaired hearing. In some cases, numbness in the tongue may occur.
Here it must be said that due to squeezing of blood vessels, the blood flow to the brain is disturbed. Because of this, the patient develops neurotic disorders such as insomnia, nervousness, irritability and anger, frequent mood swings and inability to concentrate. At regular intervals, outbursts of anger or fear may occur, melancholy and depression may attack.
In the later stages of osteochondrosis development, severe vascular spasms can lead to "flies" in front of the eyes, a feeling of instability on a hard flat surface, severe dizziness, migraine, nausea, vomiting and frequent fainting.
Disease Diagnosis
To identify the cause of the pathology, the patient describes the unpleasant symptoms of his condition to the doctor. After listening to the patient, the specialist sends him to one of the following research methods.
1. Radiography. At present, this diagnostic method is considered uninformative, especially in the last stages of the development of the disease.
2. Ultrasound duplex scanning. This method is used in cases where a specialist assumes a violation of the blood flow in the arteries that provides nutrition to the brain. The study shows the speed of blood flow and determines if there are obstacles in its path.
3. CT (computed tomography). This method is more informative compared to radiography as it not only reveals the problem but also allows you to determine the presence and size of the hernia, albeit with difficulty.
4. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The most informative method of diagnosing osteochondrosis today, which allows you to see bone structures, the presence of hernias and even the direction of their development.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Let's say right away that if you have to deal with a problem as serious as osteochondrosis of the cervix, consult a neurologist. True, if the clinic has a vertebrologist, it is better to contact him first.
Osteochondrosis can only be treated in a complex way. The complex of methods used includes drug therapy, massage of the cervical collar zone, exercise therapy, physiotherapy methods as well as proper nutrition. Only a combination of all these methods helps to cope with the disease and normalize the patient's well-being.
Help for Severe Pain
In case of severe pain, doctors recommend taking medicines such as Analgin, Baralgin or Tempalgin. When these drugs no longer provide relief, you can switch to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In a general sense, drug therapy includes the following agents:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These remedies eliminate pain, relieve swelling and tackle inflammation in the nerve roots.
- Chondro Protectors. Such substances restore perfectly damaged cartilage tissue.
- Vitamins from group B. They are needed to improve metabolic processes in nerve tissue.
- Muscle relaxants. These drugs work to reduce muscle spasms.
- Preparations that improve the rheological properties of the blood. Thanks to such agents, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve endings is improved.
It should be noted here that it is only possible to achieve a tangible effect in the fight against osteochondrosis with the help of ointments and tablets, if the treatment with drugs is combined with other treatment methods. Otherwise, the drugs will only have a temporary effect.
Many specialists tend to treat osteochondrosis with injections to quickly act on the nerve endings and save the patient from possible side effects when taking pills. But vitamins are best taken orally, fordivitamins are well absorbed by the body with any method of ingestion, but injections with them can be painful.
Physiotherapy treatments
Treatment with drugs should be combined with physiotherapy methods. The most effective for this disease are:
- Electrophoresis (in combination with drugs). In this case, medicine penetrates the damaged vertebrae under the influence of an electric current.
- Ultrasound. This method of exposure allows you to eliminate the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve metabolic processes in tissues.
- Magnetotherapy. This type of physiotherapy relieves swelling and pain.
- Laser therapy. It is an excellent method of fighting inflammation and improves blood circulation.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Reconstruction of the affected vertebrae also includes a special diet that normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents salt deposition, nourishes and restores cartilage tissue and strengthens the ligaments between the spine.
To achieve this, the following must first be excluded from the patient's diet:
- alcoholic beverages;
- fatty and fried foods
- spicy and too salty food
- strong broth;
- weaknesses and baked goods
- strong tea and coffee;
- pickles and marinades;
- can products.
The diet of a patient with osteochondrosis should consist of the following foods:
- lean meats and fish
- low-fat milk, cottage cheese and kefir;
- butter (small amount)
- wholemeal products and soups;
- gelled meat, fish or meat aspic
- vegetables, fruits and berries;
- juices, fruit drinks, jellies and compotes.
When osteochondrosis is localized in the cervical spine, it is important to adhere to the drinking regime and drink at least 1, 5 liters of water a day. If you are overweight, consider how you can get rid of the extra pounds that put extra stress on your spine. It is advisable to switch to meals 5 times a day in small portions.
At the same time as it can be seen in the list of permitted foods, food base should be low-fat vegetarian soups, cooked lean meats, fish, seafood, unsweetened vegetables and fruits.
A preview menu for the day will look like this:
- breakfast: cottage cheese, a few apples, tea without sugar;
- lunch: baked pear, some oatmeal;
- lunch: vegetarian borscht, boiled chicken with vegetable salad;
- lunch: dry biscuits and fruit juices;
- dinner: baked fish with vegetables and tea without sugar.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Physical education provides tremendous results in the treatment of osteochondrosis, although you can only train gymnastics for the cervix during the recovery period. It is important here that the patient does not experience discomfort and pain during massage or gymnastics.
Here are some of the most effective gymnastic exercises aimed at strengthening the neck muscles and improving blood circulation in this area.
Exercise # 1
Lying on your stomach and resting your hands on the floor, slowly lift your head and torso so that your back remains straight. Hold this position for 1 minute, then return to the starting position. The element is repeated 2-3 times.
Exercise # 2
When lying on your stomach and stretching your arms along your body, lift your head slightly and start by turning it first to the right and try to touch the floor with your ear and then to the left. Make 6 turns in each direction.
Exercise # 3
Sit on the floor while inhaling, bend forward, try to reach your chest with your chin, and as you breathe, return to the starting position and tilt your head back. Repeat the item 10-15 times.
Exercise # 4
Place your palms on your forehead and try to press hard on your head. While tensing the muscles of the neck, resist your hands and do not let your head bend. Hold the pressure for 20-30 seconds, then lower your arms and relax. Repeat the element 2-3 times, then repeat the exercise in the opposite direction, bringing the crushed hands behind the head.
Exercise # 5
Slowly start turning your head to the right and left, and try to look behind your back. Make 10 turns to each side.