Useful information about osteochondrosis of the cervical region: causes, symptoms, methods of treatment

Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common disease.His symptoms were probably at least once every person.The disease can provoke dangerous complications, so it is important to identify as soon as possible and start treatment.

What is it?

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease, Affecting the structures of the spine with the primary and secondary mechanism.Initially, degenerative dystrophic processes occur only in intervertebral discs, but in the future both muscle and bone tissue are affected.

In the early stages, the disease may not manifest itself in any way, but then characteristic symptoms occur that seriously impair the quality of a person.Early osteochondrosis is considered to be age -related disease.However, young people have recently been increasingly suffering from it.

The reasons for its occurrence

The main factors that provoke osteochondrosis of the spine in the cervical region are as follows:

1. An inactive lifestyle.In the absence of loading, the muscles that fix the spine are weakened.The metabolic processes and blood circulation in the intervertebral spaces slow down.
2. Congenital pathologies of the spine, such as the anomaly of the Kimerle or the Arnold-Kiari anomaly.
3. Acquired spinal deformities:
   • scoliosis;
   • Kyphosis.
4. Seamless age.Age changes can be accompanied by deformation of vertebrae and osteophyte growth.
5. Stand disturbance, stop, long -term uncomfortable stay.
6. Injuries to the cervical region.
7. Asymmetrical shoulder load.Can lead to this:
   • constantly carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder;
   • Sleep application soft large pillow, which is why the neck bends.

There are other factors that increase the risks of cervical osteochondrosis:

• intensive physical activity;
• genetic predisposition;
• hypothermia;
• overweight;
• Common voltages.

Many of these factors can provoke osteochondrosis and other spine.

What is dangerous?

Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most dangerous spinal lesions. This is explained by the fact that there are a large number of vital arteries, blood vessels and capillaries on the neck.The disease can provoke:

1. hypertension;
2. vegetative-vascular dystonia;
3. oxygen starvation;
4. And so on.

Common symptoms and signs

It is easy to recognize the disease.It manifests itself as a number of characteristic symptoms that cause a person serious discomfort.

Pain in the back of the head, neck and collar

Pain syndrome - a major symptom of cervical osteochondrosis. Pain appears:

1. head;
2. in the neck;
3. In the area of the collar.

They can radiate in the hand, especially against the background of sudden movements and after waking up.Unpleasant sensations are usually located in deep tissues of the neck.When the head is rotated, pain and crunch may occur.

Noise, ringing, feeling of congestion in the ears

Often patients experience congestion in the ears. Sounds with different intensities that are not associated with an external source arise.They can manifest themselves in one and two hearing organs.The reason for this phenomenon is a violation of the blood supply.

Dizziness

Dizziness is also associated with blood disorders.Nystagms are often added to them - random fluctuations in the pupils on the side. 

Air

A feeling of lack of air occurs due to irritation of the edges of the diaphragmatic nerve.Patients often complain about the inability to absorb completely.

The symptom can lead to severe shortness of breath and suffocation.For a similar reason it is possible:

• Stop breathable at night;
• snoring.

Lack of oxygen due to respiratory disorders reasons:

1. increased fatigue;
2. memory disorders;
3. Concentration disorders.

Nausea

Nausea is manifested with the radiation.It is also associated with blood disorders in some areas of the brain and inner ear.Adverse vomiting with the movements of the head and body is possible.As a result of this person:

• loses appetite;
• loses weight;
• Alimentary damage occurs.

Vision problems

The deterioration of visual acuity, "flies" and fog in the eyes are the result of ischemia of the brain. responsible for the vision.Therapeutic gymnastics and glasses are usually ineffective.Vision is normalized only after the treatment of the disease.

Blood pressure advice

Unstable pressure is explained by a violation of blood flow to the elongated brain responsible for the functioning of the vascular motor center.

Sudden fainting or syncopal states

It occurs due to the spasm of the arteries of the brain due to the short -term termination of blood flow along the spinal arteries.The patient can quickly be returned to the mind, placing it in such a way that the legs are slightly higher than the head. After a seizure attack, reversible speech and movements may be observed.

Glowing signs

Sometimes they are the only sign of pathology.Is manifested:

1. dryness and feeling of lump in the throat;
2. sweating;
3. Swallowing problems.

Fever

Increasing temperature is not the most typical sign of the disease. It is rare and locally found - in the area of the cervix or collar and is accompanied by a slight redness of the skin.

Symptoms that appear in the brain

The disease leads to impaired blood supply to the brain alignment through the arteries, which is compressed by the protruding edges of the vertebrae.In view of this, the blood circulation of the brain is impaired.Patients exhibit neurotic disorders:

• concern;
• irritability;
• insomnia;
• frequent mood change;
• Worsening of concentration.

Sometimes it is possible:

1. fear;
2. longing;
3. outbreaks of anger.

Vascular spasms provoke:

• headache;
• seizures;
• tinnitus;
• Points in front of my eyes.

Perhaps the lesion of the vestibular apparatus that is felt:

1. dizziness;
2. loss of balance;
3. nausea;
4. vomiting.

Classification

Cervical osteochondrosis is classified according to the stage of development. There are four of them in total:

• The first degree. This is a gap or shift of the intervertebral discs.Acute movements and increased loads cause pain in firing.
• The second degree. There is a driving.The pain is constant, intensified with prolonged inaction.Dizziness may occur.
• The third degree. The symptoms of this stage are similar to the spinal hernia.All side effects occur, including hearing and vision deterioration.
• Fourth degree. At this stage, the symptoms cease to be expressed.It is accompanied by spinal instability.The spinal nerves are transmitted, the spinal cord ischemia occurs.

Diagnostics

First, the specialist listens to the patient's complaints, evaluates soreness and mobility in the neck, sensitivity and other disorders.It will be necessary to undergo the radiography of the cervical region in several projections.

Magnetic resonance and computed tomography may be displayed.In the case of blood disorders, rheoencephalography is performed as well as a function of the Fundus.

Which doctor to contact?

First, when the symptoms of osteochondrosis are manifested, you should contact the therapist. In the future, he will refer to a more specialist.Once you have diagnosed, you will need to visit an radiologist.Also, the treatment of the disease deals with:

1. Manual therapist;
2. vertebologist;
3. osteopath;
4. Neuropathologist.

Such a specialist as a physiotherapist, with cervical osteochondrosis, prescribes a complex of physiotherapy exercises.

Syndromes caused by the disease in this spine

Osteochondrosis can cause changes in the nerve plexuses and fibers, vascular disorders.There are general syndromes because of this disease:

1. Rook syndrome. Rooser syndrome does not occur frequently.Affect the roots of the spinal nerve endings, leading to:
   • reduction of muscle tone;
   • Partial violation of mobility;
   • The pallor of the skin.
2. Vail Arttery Syndrome. With this syndrome, headache is already found in the early stages.They are diffuse.The pain is manifested mainly in the area of the cervix and withdrawal.

   The pain in this case is constant, periodic exacerbations are observed, especially in the morning.Maybe dizziness, sometimes - vision and auditory disorders.Such syndromes are associated with compression of the spinal arteries of bone-fibrous growths.When the head is rotated, the symptoms may worsen.

3. Cervical migraine syndrome. This syndrome is not associated with the usual migraine.Its name is due to the fact that the pain affects only half the head and part of the neck.

   It manifests itself in a headache in the area of the cervix and withdrawal and spreads in the area of temples and crown, as well as in the eyes on the one hand.The pain can be paroxysmal and accompanied by vomiting.

4. Hypertension Syndrome. The early symptom of the syndrome is a headache, increased with the turns of apples of the eyes and heads.Possible vomiting and nausea.

   The attack lasts 2-5 hours.The syndrome of squeezing veins and arteries is explained, which disrupts the venous hue and provokes an increase in intracranial pressure.

Effective treatment

The treatment of the disease should be complicated. It is important not only to eliminate the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, but also to affect its cause.

First aid

In some cases, the pain becomes unbearable and a specialist visit should be delayed.

• In order to relieve pain syndrome, it is recommended to take an analgesic medicine.
• You can also apply a pepper patch, but keep in mind that it only gives temporary relief.
• To remove edema, it is recommended to drink herbal decoction for several days.

Medication

The following drug groups are used for treatment:

1. Remedies to remove muscle spasm (muscle relaxants).
2. No -gossip anti -inflammatory drugs that relieve pain, inflammation, swelling.
3. Vitamins to improve metabolic processes in the nervous system.
4. Medicines to repair cartilage tissues and eliminate damage to intervertebral discs.
5. Means to improve nerve cell nutrition and normalize the blood circulation of the brain.

Physiotherapy

The following methods of physiotherapy can supplement the treatment:

1. Electrophoresis. Due to the action of the electric current, the analgesic remedy ion penetrates into the affected area due to the action of the electrical current.
2. Laser therapy:
   • relieves inflammation;
   • Improves blood circulation.
3. Magnetic therapy:
   • eliminates pain;
   • Helps relieve tissue swelling.
4. Ultrasound:
   • relieves pain and inflammation;
   • Improves metabolic processes.

Learn about other methods that are used in conjunction with traditional therapy.Special devices have a positive effect on the body, and the combination of treatment with medicines with kinnopy and therapeutic exercise methods produces good results and numerous positive examinations.The use of orthopedic devices such as cervical collars, acupuncture and shaft dressing eliminate unpleasant symptoms, relieve pain and improve the overall emotional state.

Exercise therapy

Exercises for therapeutic exercise should be prescribed by a doctor.There should be no pain and discomfort in the course of its administration. Here are some examples of exercise:

1. You need to go to bed with your stomach leaning on your hands.The back should be flat.Head and body growth.In this position you should be held for two minutes and then return to the original.2-3 reps are done.
2. In the position of lying on the floor with your hands stretched on your body, you should touch the floor with your ear, turning your head to the left.Do 6-7 reps for each country.
3. In a position sitting on the floor, a slope is made forward.In this case, you should try to touch your chest with your head.When you exhale, the slope goes back and your head throws back.10-15 reps need to be performed.
4. Pressing on the forehead, you should lower it to the palms, sit on the floor.Exercise is performed at 2-3 approaches half a minute.
5. Smooth circular turns are done with the head, 10 in each direction.

Massage

The massage includes classic elements.It can be performed at home.They start with a healthy place with a gradual transition to an inflamed area.The complex must be selected individually.

The patient should lie horizontally during the massage process, stretching the chin to the chest and relaxing the cervical muscles.Therapeutic massage may include the following techniques:

• Movements of the course starting with a collar area.
• Squeezing from neck to spine.
• Rubbing the neck in the direction of the spine.
• Leaving the neck in circular motions.
• Vibration movements with striking.

Surgery

If conservative treatment does not produce results and there are risks in the development of complications, surgery can be shown.Surgical intervention is performed from the rear or the front access to the affected discs.Usually the operation demonstrates efficiency, but the rehabilitation period after it is quite long.

Home treatment

At home, you should use a set of measures prescribed by a doctor. Treatment includes:

• administration of medicines;
• performing special exercises;
• Therapeutic gymnastics.

Folk remedies

The following can be used from folk recipes:

1. A horseradish leaf can be applied to the horseradish area, fixing it with a bandage or fabric.Before that, it is recommended to pour it with boiling water and cool.It is better to leave the dressing at night.
2. You need to cut the potatoes and mix it with honey in equal proportions.Apply once a week as a compress.
3. Warming can be used to relieve pain.Mustard, peppers and more are used.

This disease is treated very successfully today.The main thing is to accurately comply with all the doctor's recommendations and prescription.Along with conservative treatment, methods and methods are used such as self -massage, including an electric massager, fir oil, kinesiology, leech and acupuncture.

Possible consequences and complications

In the absence of treatment, the degenerative processes of the intervertebral discs will lead to a loss of their functionality and a decrease in density.Over time, excessive mobility of the spine develops, muscles, ligaments, joints are influenced.

The general complications of cervical osteochondrosis are as follows:

• frequent migraines;
• muscle cramps;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• Hearing impairment and vision;
• hypertension or hypotension;
• Hernia.

Contraindications

It should be borne in mind that the methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis have contraindications.Contraindications to medicines can be found in the instructions.

Massage, physiotherapy and physical activity may be contraindicated in such cases:

1. bleeding and disease of the circulatory system;
2. Diseases of the respiratory system;
3. traced pathologies;
4. Mental disorders characterized by excessive excitement.

Exercise therapy can only be prescribed at the remission stage. In the course of its implementation, the appearance of pain is not allowed.

Prevention

The methods of preventing osteochondrosis of the neck are reduced to such measures:

• moderate physical activity;
• proper nutrition;
• Regular warm -ups in stuck work;
• the right choice of mattress and sleep pillows;
• Elimination of overweight.

Diet and eating

The development of osteochondrosis is associated, including the lack of cartilage of the necessary elements.The connective tissue must be saturated:

1. proteins;
2. calcium;
3. Magnesium.

The diet should have enough:

• meat;
• fish;
• legumes.

We also need fiber whose sources are vegetables and cereals.It is important to drink enough water and consume yogurt products.The diet is limited:

1. sweet;
2. flour;
3. fat;
4. Fried.

Also not recommended:

• strong coffee;
• alcohol;
• Shipbuilding.

Doctors' advice

In addition, patients should take into account the following recommendations:

1. It is worth considering that medicines mainly relieve the symptoms of the disease, but do not fight its causes.Therefore, other methods cannot be ignored.
2. Using folk recipes, take into account the possibility of allergic reactions.
3. Patients with osteochondrosis cannot be lifted by severity.It is worth avoiding sudden movements.
4. Exercise is contraindicated in exacerbation of the disease.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause many dangerous consequences.To warn them, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible and start treatment in a timely manner.You need to adhere to all medical recommendations and lead the right lifestyle.