The osteochondrosis of the cervical column is a fairly common disease, against which distribution changes occur in the cartilaginous tissue, on the discs between the vertebrae and the base of the bone in them. This pathology takes place in many people who have reached the age of 30. The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are diverse, so it is quite difficult to diagnose the disease and choose the proper treatment.
Factors that cause the appearance of the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis can develop under the influence of the following factors:
- excessive weight;
- sedentary work, inactivity;
- previous spine lesions;
- Mental disorders, nervous overload, stress;
- Bad physical training;
- Curvature of the column, scoliosis, inappropriate posture;
- The incorrect position of the body, which has become a habit;
- Neck tension, back during operation;
- Genetic inclination;
- unusual for the body of physical stress, greater activity;
- Inal meals.
The cervical region of the column undergoes an increase in loads, which cervical muscles are trying to lead to balance during the influence of previous sources. This causes the appearance of muscle spasm, because there is a violation of blood transport throughout the body. As a result, anatomical damage formation is observed.
Degree of osteochondrosis
In the process of developing cervical osteochondrosis, the discs between the vertebrae are weakened, because the structure changes in the discs, the vertebrae, the articular fabric of the cervical region. The first degree disease proceeds almost asymptomatic, since the changes in the cartilage are started. In this case, a person complains about the appearance:
- headache;
- Discomfort in the neck, arms, shoulders;
- minor restrictions in the motor activity;
- short -term decrease in visual function;
- Reduction of sensitivity in the necklace zone.
The second stage is sometimes accompanied by the appearance of a small vertebral hernia, as well as the narrowing of cracks between the vertebrae. Due to the infraction of nerve receptors, there is a feeling of punctual pain in the movements process. In the context of a second degree disease, the patient points out the appearance:
- Pain syndrome in the neck, creaking with head movements;
- loss of skin sensitivity in the area of arms and shoulders;
- Reduction of visual function;
- playing in the ears;
- numbness in the face and neck;
- weakness in the hands;
- shooting pain that yield to the shoulder blade;
- Disorders in sleep functions.
It is very difficult to treat the osteochondrosis of the third degree cervical region. At this time, a hernia is developed, the spinal column is deformed, changes in position are observed, dislocations in the elements of the crest. This stage of the disease is accompanied by:
- Pronounced pain in the neck, myocardium, necklace area;
- Lack of skin sensitivity in the head, arms and shoulders;
- Hand paralysis;
- Lack of tendon reflexes;
- The formation of a hernia in the cervical vertebrae.
In the process of the fourth stage (final), there is an exacerbation of signs.
Symptoms
The signs of the disease in the neck are significantly different from the symptoms of osteochondrosis in another area of the spine.Since the cervical vertebrae are close, the nerve roots and the spinal cord is pinched.This leads to the appearance of such signs:
- Pain syndrome is located in the neck, neck, shoulders, arms and legs. At the time of joining nerve receptors, the appearance of uncomfortable sensations in the shoulder area, the back of the head, the hands begin to be rebuilt. Due to spasm in cervical muscles, blood circulation is altered.
- The appearance of weakness in the upper extremities is observed, associated with the damage to the functionality of the roots, which contributes to the inclusion of motor nerves that reconstruct the muscle tissue in the hands.
- The upper limbs are rebuilt due to a decrease in sensitivity in them, violations of the roots in which the sensitive nerve endings are found.
- When turning your head, painful sensations appear, you can also hear a crunch. This is explained by the damage to the small joints of the cervical region, a decrease in the level of intervertebral discs.
- The patient complains of insufficient resistance, the appearance of fatigue, dizziness, coordination disorders. Due to the displacement of the elements of the column, the vertebral artery is squeezed. Because of this, the blood circulation worsens, which leads to a weakening of the blood supply to the occipital and cerebellum.
- The appearance of vision problems, loss of sensitivity in language is observed.
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are not different from signs in men. Women who have reached 45 years of age and older, who are diagnosed with such illness, write down numbness and tingling in the upper extremities in a dream.
What is the danger of the osteochondrosis of the cervical region?
The disease can damage the body as a whole. In the neck they are in a significant volume of arteries, nerve receptors, blood vessels through which the brain is supplied. If a slight disease occurs, it squeezes.This causes the appearance of problems in the supply of blood to the brain.As a result, the formation of migraines, heart rhythm disorders, the appearance of problems with respiratory and visual function is observed, coordination and attention are also affected.
In the context of neck osteochondrosis, the formation of such diseases is possible:
- Pathologies in the brain;
- Arterial vessel syndrome in the column;
- stroke line.
The most severe complication is the death of the patient, which can occur when squeezing the spinal channel. The symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are due to the disease stage.
Therapeutic actions for cervical osteochondrosis
Therapy for the osteochondrosis of the cervical column is prescribed, regardless of the patient's sexual gender. The treatment takes place in several stages:
- Eliminate painful manifestations.
- Remove of swelling.
- Blood circulation to the norm.
- Set the muscles on the back, abdominal press, chest.
- Improvement of the quality of nutrition and regeneration of the spine.
If there are even insignificant signs of the disease, you must consult a specialist. With such a pathology, an integrated approach is used, an inspection of a surgeon, neuropathologist, physiotherapist and manual therapist is required.
For therapeutic purposes, in the context of cervical osteochondrosis, medications, physiotherapeutic treatment, a massage of the collar zone and physiotherapy exercises, since it is quite effective in this condition.
Medications
When detecting the neck osteochondrosis, they are prescribed:
- preparations to eliminate muscle spasms;
- Vitamin tools to improve metabolic processes in the central nervous system;
- Medications of the NSAine group to reduce pain, eliminate the inflammatory process and swelling;
- The joints for the joints, which contribute to the restoration of the cartilage, eliminate disorders in the discs between the vertebrae.
- Medications that are favorable to improve the nutrition of the affected nerve tissue, the regulation of transport of blood flow to the brain.
First aid for the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis
Sometimes, if pain syndrome becomes unbearable, but it is not possible to visit a doctor, experts advise to take an analgesic. To facilitate pain, it can resort to the help of a "pepper patch", but this tool provides relief just for a short time.The patch will help heat the affected area and relieve pain for a while.To get rid of swelling, the use of herbal infusions is recommended for 3-4 days.
But it is worth considering that it will not work to recover from cervical osteochondrosis using such methods. These methods help deal with the signs of the disease just for a short time. To prescribe a complete therapy, you must contact the help of a specialist.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
As part of a complex treatment, to improve the effect, use:
- Electrophoresis: The ions of an analgesic medicine penetrate the affected area due to the effect of the electric current. During the procedure, novocaine or lidocaine is generally used.
- Laser therapy: It has an anti -inflammatory effect, improves blood circulation through the influence of light.
- Magnetic therapy: It helps to get rid of tissue edema, has an analgesic effect.
- Ultrasound: It helps improve metabolism, anesthesia, eliminates the inflammatory process in the affected area.
Medical Physical Education
In addition, with cervical osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercises will help improve good. It is worth noting that the performance of the exercises should not be accompanied by pain or discomfort. Exercise complex:
- We lay down on the stomach and rest on the floor. The back must be uniform, and the head and body rise. We stay in this position for approximately 2 minutes, then we return to the initial position. We perform 2-3 repetitions.
- We sink into the floor, we harass ourselves on our backs, out of the arms along the body. First we turn our heads to the right, trying to touch the floor with the ear. We do the exercise 6-7 times in each direction.
- We sat on the floor. We breathe and bow our heads forward in an attempt to touch the chest with it. In exhalation, we throw our heads back. The exercise must be repeated 10-15 times.
- We sat on the floor, press our hands on the forehead and at the same time we lower our heads. The exercise must be done for about 30 seconds, repeated 2-3 times.
- Since, slowly, we turn with our heads so as not to cause dizziness. In the event that the head began to get dizzy, the exercise must stop. It is necessary to make rotations 10 times to the left and then to the right.
Home treatment
This therapy can only be used as part of an integral treatment prescribed by a doctor.At home, you can resort to the help of popular remedies, physiotherapy and massages.
With cervical osteochondrosis, you can use the following recipes:
- Place the spicy radish sheet in a mud and fix with a bandage or cloth. The sheet should be seen with hot water and then cool to room temperature. Such bandage is placed before bedtime and leaves until morning.
- Grate the potatoes and mix with honey in equal proportions. Apply to configure a compress every 7 days.
- To weaken pain, heating will help through mustard, a sandbag, pepper patch, etc.
Before using all funds, it is recommended to find a doctor's office.
Massage
The healing massage can be carried out at home. A healthy area of the body must begin in mass, gradually moving to the affected area. The massage complex should be selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient, the degree of negligence of the disease. The patient should carry out the massage, placing it horizontally on the floor. You must put your palms on your forehead, and my chin stands for your chest. The neck muscles must be relaxed.
The massage is carried out as follows:
- First massage the neck area with caressing movements.
- Then go squeeze. To do this, put your hands on your neck and move along the spine. In addition, this technique can be used when massaging in shoulders.
- To heat the neck muscles, we rub it. This will help the body relax, improve blood circulation. It must move from the skull along the spine using circular movements.
- The last movement is a vibration that is performed thanks to the balance and brain shock.
Preventive actions
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended:
- Sports (the ideal option is to visit the pool).
- Enter products enriched with calcium and magnesium in the diet.
- Wash several times during the day, especially when you are busy in a sitting job.
- According to the requirements, to replace the pillow (buy a bass) and the mattress (it needs quite hard). Follow the neck of the neck in a dream: the neck must be folded at least 15 degrees.
- Take a hot shower for at least 10 minutes throughout the day.
- People who do not welcome sports, doctors recommend periodically attending the Yoga section.
- Do not participate in simulators, as this can lead to deterioration in the well.