The cervical spine is the narrowest part of it, however, the daily burden of supporting the head, ensuring its rotation and mobility of the shoulder joints is incomparably greater than the performance of other parts of thethe same.Taking into account the wrong lifestyle caused by eating habits, sedentary work and smoking, the possibility of developing cervical osteochondrosis in middle-aged people is quadrupled.
Despite such prevalence of the disease, it is very difficult to identify cervical osteochondrosis in the early stages, since its symptoms are so varied and, at first glance, not related to the problem of the spine, that a personYou may not go to the doctor for years, considering the reason for your poor health completely different disease.
Causes of the disease
To ensure mobility of the vertebrae, there are intervertebral discs, which consist of cartilaginous tissue, between them. They provide cushioning during movement and give flexibility to the spine. The lifespan of intervertebral discs, established by nature, is more than 120 years, but changes in the chemical composition of the blood lead to rapid dehydration of cartilage tissue, deposition of salts, which, in turninstead, it contributes to the rapid wear of the discs and leads to their degenerative-dystrophic changes.
The reason for the change in the composition of the blood is inadequate nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle in which the cells of the body do not need such an amount of salt and it is deposited in the bone tissue, liver and kidneys.In a forced sedentary lifestyle, the greatest amount of salt is deposited on the neck.
Cervical osteochondrosis can also occur as a result of microtraumas caused by vibrations, for example in drivers, as well as in forced incorrect head position or neck strain caused by working conditions andparticularities of the profession.
What is the danger of cervical osteochondrosis
In the neck area, that is, in the immediate vicinity of the cervical spine, there are nerve roots, as well as the vertebral artery, the task of which is to supply oxygen to the brain. With dehydration of the intervertebral discs of the neck, their deformation occurs and this narrows the space between the vertebrae and leads to their injury during movement.Furthermore, salt deposition contributes to the formation of bone spines - osteophytes, which can affect nerve roots and an artery.
As it develops, the disease leads to a violation of the sensitivity of the neck, scapula, limbs, nape or, conversely, causes pain in these parts, depending on the nerve roots that were pinched.
Compression of the vertebral artery is fraught with insufficient oxygen supply to the brain, which leads to the development of various disorders of its activity. Among the most dangerous consequences of cerebral hypoxia are hearing disorders, decreased vision, stroke, partial and complete paralysis, mental disorders.
Cervical osteochondrosis is the most dangerous form of the disease, as it has many irreversible consequences, while people in the later stages of the disease often seek help.
Symptoms
The cervical spine consists of 6 segments, through which various nerve roots pass, their infringement is expressed by various symptoms. Depending on which of the neck vertebrae is susceptible to osteochondrosis, the disease can be expressed in various symptoms. So, radicular syndrome is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Sensory impairment of the neck, scapula, fingertips, mostly unilateral. Sharp pain in the neck, radiating to the back or nape.
- Burning pain in the chest, shoulder and also in one of the fingers of the hand, depending on the affected nerve.
- Pain in the heart regioncharacterized by its duration and intensification during sudden movements.
The result of compression of an artery, as well as small vessels, can be brain disorders, the symptoms of which can be listed as follows:
- Visual impairment, appearance of "flies" before the eyes, blurred images.
- In case of insufficient nutrition of the cerebellum, dizziness, nausea, disturbances of consciousness may appear, the soil disappears under the feet.
- If the blood supply to the brain is disturbed, there is a threat of hypoxia and the body's reaction is to increase the pressure necessary to increase blood flow.
- Oxygen deficiency also leads to strong, irrational fear that causes bouts of nausea.
- Possible impairment of coordination and hearing.
- When the lymphatic circulation is disturbed, intracranial pressure is produced, which is expressed in headache of the parietal and occipital parts, pressure in the eyeballs, tinnitus.
The widely varied symptoms and the various unique manifestations of the disease often do not immediately suggest back problems, especially since in the early stages pain and stiffness of movements may be absent. And only a good specialist, having made differential diagnoses, excluding other diseases that are characterized by the same symptoms, can identify cervical osteochondrosis.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis is quite a long process and includes various methods of traditional and traditional medicine. The main tasks set by the doctor when choosing a therapy are to relieve pain, restore the mobility of the vertebrae and metabolic processes, recharge the cartilage tissue, as well as eliminate swelling and inflammation in the soft tissues of the neck. The methods by which the goals described above are achieved are different, including taking medication, rubbing with ointments, physical therapy, and special gymnastics. As additional treatment recipes for hirudotherapy, acupuncture and traditional medicine are used.
The main component in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is the initiative of the patient and strict compliance with the doctor's prescriptions.
Let's take a closer look at how to treat cervical osteochondrosis, as well as the characteristics of the techniques:
Medications
Distinguish between the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine during exacerbation and remission. So, in case of acute pain, the doctor may prescribe:
- Analgesicsin the form of tablets, injections, the task of which is to relieve the symptoms of acute pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugsin the form of injections, which relieve the inflammatory process. However, the side effects that accompany the use of NSAIDs do not allow their use for a long period.
- Muscle relaxantsrelieve muscle spasms and release pinched vessels, nerves and arteries.
- Novocaine blockade.This method is used in an acute attack, accompanied by stiffness and pain in the neck. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
During the remission period, the main treatment is the intake of chondroprotectants produced in the form of powders and capsules, suspensions and ointments. Chondroprotectors based on glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfates have a number of positive effects on the cartilage tissue of the spine, namely, the restoration of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, eliminate the pain syndrome and stop the development of the disease.
Ointments for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are prescribed at the discretion of the doctor and have various effects, including:
- analgesic;
- restore cartilaginous structure;
- anti-inflammatory;
- warming;
- complex.
In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by compression of the nerve roots and arteries, which leads to a number of symptoms, to eliminate the appropriate medications that are prescribed.
Physiotherapy
As a complement to the main treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed, the purpose of which is to eliminate pain, improve microcirculation in soft tissues, and restore metabolic processes. Some procedures, for example, electrophoresis, are used in conjunction with medicinal ointments, while achieving the maximum effect of the drug.
In addition to electrophoresis, shock wave therapy, laser treatment, ultraviolet radiation, and magnetotherapy are also used.
A similar effect is achieved with manual massage or acupuncture. A prerequisite for such treatment is a high qualification and medical education of specialists in these areas.
Cervical osteochondrosis in remission can be treated with physical therapy exercises. Correctly selected exercises eliminate pain symptoms and contribute to the removal of salt deposits.
Folk remedies
Among the methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine recognized by official medicine, there are many popular recipes based on the healing properties of plants that have anti-inflammatory processes, which warm and restore metabolism.
The most common active ingredients in various interpretations are horseradish, Adam's root, aloe, ginger, garlic, hops, pine nuts, honey, and lemon. They are used for the preparation of rubs, ointments, tinctures, compresses, mixtures for ingestion, as well as medicinal baths. Traditional methods perfectly relieve symptoms and also restore neck mobility.