Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a fairly common disease, against which dystrophic changes occur in cartilage tissue, in discs between the vertebrae and bone base in it. This pathology develops in many people who have reached the age of 30. Symptoms for cervical osteochondrosis are diverse, so it is quite difficult to diagnose the disease and choose the right 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 injuries of the spine;
- mental disorders, nervous span, stress;
- bad physical training;
- curvature of the spine, scoliosis, incorrect attitude;
- The wrong position of the body that has become a habit;
- tension in the neck, back during the operation;
- slope at a genetic level;
- Unusual for the body of physical stress, increased activity;
- Inal meals.
The cervical area of the spine is subject to increased loads, which try to lead the cervical muscles to balance during the influence of the sources above. This causes the appearance of muscle spasms, which means there is a violation of the transport of blood throughout the body. As a result, the formation of anatomical damage is noticed.
Osteochondrosis
When developing cervical osteochondrosis, the discs between the vertebrae are weakened, which changes the structure into discs, vertebrae, joint material of the cervical region. The first degree disease is almost asymptomatic, because the changes in the cartilage are just starting. In this case, a person complains about the appearance:
- headache;
- discomfort in the neck, arms, shoulders;
- small limitations in the motor activity of the neck;
- short term decrease in the visual function;
- Reduction of sensitivity in the collar zone.
The second phase is sometimes accompanied by the appearance of a small spine hernia, as well as narrowing of the cracks between the vertebrae. Due to infringement of nerve receptors, there is a sense of point pain in the process of movements. Against the background of a second degree disease, the patient notes the appearance:
- Pain syndrome in the neck, cracking with head movements;
- Loss of skin sensitivity in the area of the poor and shoulders;
- reduction of visual function;
- ring in the ears;
- numbness in the face and neck;
- Weaknesses in the hands;
- shooting pains that give in the shoulder blade;
- Disorders in sleep functions.
It is very difficult to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical area of the third degree. At the moment a hernia, the spine has been distorted, changes in position, dislocations in the elements of the ridge are noticed. This phase of the disease is accompanied by:
- pronounced pain in the neck, myocardial, collar area;
- Lack of skin sensitivity in the head, arms and shoulders;
- paralysis of the hands;
- Lack of tendon reflexes;
- The formation of a hernia in the cervical vertebrae.
In the process of the fourth (last) phase, a worsening of signs is noticed.
Symptoms
Signs of the disease in the neck differ considerably from the symptoms of osteochondrosis in another area of the spine.Because the cervical vertebrae are close by, the nerve roots and the spinal cord are pinched.This leads to the rise of such signs:
- The pain syndrome is located in the neck, neck, shoulders, arms and legs. At the time of merging the process of nerve receptors, the appearance of uncomfortable sensations in the shoulder zone, the back of the head, hands are rebuilt. The blood circulation is disturbed due to spasms in the cervical muscles.
- The occurrence of weakness in the upper limbs is noted, associated with damage to the functionality of the roots, which contribute to the absorption of motor nerves that rebuild muscle tissue in the hands.
- The upper limbs are rebuilt by a decrease in sensitivity, violations of the roots in which sensitive nerve endings are located.
- When you turn the head, painful sensations appear, you can also hear a crunch. This is explained by damage in the small joints of the cervical area, a decrease in the level of intervertebral discs.
- The patient complains about insufficient strength, the appearance of fatigue, dizziness, coordination disorders. Due to the relocation of the spine elements, the vertebral artery is pressed. That is why blood circulation deteriorates, leading to a weakening of the blood supply to the occipital section and cerebellum.
- The appearance of vision problems, loss of sensitivity in language is noticed.
Symptoms for cervical osteochondrosis in women do not differ from drawing in men. Women who have reached 45 years and older, who are diagnosed of such a disease, pay attention to numbness and tingling in the upper limbs in a dream.
What is the danger of osteochondrosis of the cervical area
The disease can harm the body as a whole. In the neck are in a considerable volume of arteries, nervous receptors, blood vessels that deliver the brain. If a slight disease even occurs, they are pressed.This causes the appearance of problems in the blood supply to the brain.As a result, the formation of migraine, heart rhythm disorders, the appearance of problems with breathing and visual function is noticed, coordination and attention are also affected.
Against the background of osteochondrosis of the neck, the formation of such diseases is possible:
- Pathologies in the brain;
- Arterial vessel syndrome in the spine;
- Spinal stroke.
The most serious complication is the death of the patient, who can occur when pressing the spinal canal. Symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are due to the stage of the disease.
Therapeutic actions for cervical osteochondrosis
Therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is prescribed, regardless of the sexual gender of the patient. The treatment takes place in different phases:
- Removing painful manifestations.
- Elimination of swelling.
- Blood circulation to the norm.
- Attach the muscles on the back, abdominal press, chest.
- Improving the quality of food and regeneration of tissue spine.
If even insignificant signs of the disease are found, 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, against the background of cervical osteochondrosis, medicines, physiotherapy treatment, a massage of the collar zone and physiotherapy exercises are used because it is quite effective in this state.
Medicine
They are prescribed when detecting osteochondrosis of the neck:
- preparations for eliminating muscle spasms;
- Vitamin tools to improve metabolic processes in the central nervous system;
- Medicines of the NSAID group to reduce pain, eliminate the inflammatory process and swelling;
- Joints for the joints that contribute to the recovery of cartilage, eliminate disorders in the discs between the vertebrae.
- Medicines that are beneficial to improve the diet of affected nervous tissue, regulation of the transport of blood flow to the brain.
First aid for worsening cervical osteochondrosis
Sometimes, if pain syndrome becomes unbearable, but it is not possible to visit a doctor, experts advise on taking an analgesic. To facilitate pain, you can resort to the help of a "pepper match", but this tool only brings lighting for a short time.The patch helps to warm up the affected area and relieves pain for a while.To get rid of the 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 with the help of such methods. These methods help to tackle the signs of the disease for a short time. To prescribe full therapy, you must contact the help of a specialist.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
Use as part of a complex treatment to improve the effect:
- Electrophhoresis - The ions of an analgesic medicine are penetrated into the affected area because of the effect of electrical current. During the procedure, novocaine or lidocaine is usually used.
- Laser therapy - It has an anti -inflammatory effect, improves blood circulation due to the influence of light.
- Magnetic therapy - helps to get rid of edema in tissues, has an analgesic effect.
- Ultrasound - helps to improve metabolism, anesthesia, removes the inflammatory process in the affected area.
Medical education
With cervical osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercises will also help to improve properly. It is worth noting that the performance of exercises should not be accompanied by pain or discomfort. Complex of exercises:
- We lie down on the stomach and rest on the floor. The back must be the same and the head and body are raised. We stay in this position for about 2 minutes, and then we return to the starting position. We carry out 2-3 repetitions.
- We sink on the floor, lie on your back, out of your arms along the body. We first turn our heads to the right and try to touch the floor with the ear. We do the exercise 6-7 times in each direction.
- We are on the floor. We breathe and tilt your head forward in an attempt to touch the breast with it. We throw your head back on the exhalation. The exercise must be repeated 10-15 times.
- We are on the floor, press our hands on the forehead and at the same time we lower your head. The exercise must be done for about 30 seconds, repeated 2-3 times.
- Smooth, slowly, we rotate with our heads not to cause dizziness. In the event that the head started to dizzy, the exercise must be stopped. It is necessary to perform rotations 10 times than to the right.
Home treatment
Such therapy can only be used as part of an extensive treatment prescribed by a doctor.At home you can resort to the help of folk remedies, physiotherapy and massage.
With cervical osteochondrosis you can use the following recipes:
- Place the horseradish on a sludge and attached with a bandage or dust. The sheet must be cast with hot water and then cooled to room temperature. Such a connection is placed before bedtime and left until the morning.
- Grate the potatoes and mix with honey in equal proportions. Apply to set a compress every 7 days.
- To weaken pain, global warming will help through mustard, a bag of sand, pepper match, etc.
Before all funds are used, it is recommended to look for the consultation of a doctor.
Massage
Healing massage can be performed at home. You must start a massively healthy area of the body and gradually go to the affected area. The massage complex must be selected, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient, the degree of neglect of the disease. Massage must be performed by the patient and place it horizontally on the floor. You have to put your palms on your forehead and put my chin at your chest. The muscles of the neck must be relaxed.
Massage is performed as follows:
- First we massage the collar zone with caressing movements.
- Then go to squeeze. For this, put your hands on the neck and move along the spine. This technique can also be used when massaging in the direction of the shoulders.
- To warm up the neck muscles, we rub it. This will help the body relax, improve blood circulation. You have to go from the skull along the spine with the help of circular movements.
- The last movement is a vibration that is performed thanks to swing and concussion.
Preventive actions
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended:
- Sport (ideal option to visit the pool).
- Enter products that are enriched with calcium and magnesium in the diet.
- Was up to several times during the day, especially when it is busy with a sitting work.
- In accordance with the requirements, to replace the pillow (buy a layer) and mattress (it is quite difficult to need). Follow the neck of the neck in a dream: the neck must bend at least 15 degrees.
- Take a hot shower during the day for at least 10 minutes.
- People who do not welcome any sports, they recommend doctors to attend the Yoga section periodically.
- Do not take simulators because this can lead to a deterioration of the well.