What is cervical osteochondrosis, how dangerous is it and how to treat it?

Have you ever experienced neck pain, dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath? These are all signs of osteochondrosis of the neck.

Osteochondrosis, a common problem, worries more and more people every year. Can cervical osteochondrosis be cured? First, let's look at the factors of occurrence and the signs of occurrence.

Stages of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is a disease whose effect weakens the discs between the vertebrae, causing changes in the texture of the discs themselves, the vertebrae and the joints of the neck.

In the first stage, the symptoms are almost invisible, as the changes in the cartilaginous vertebrae are just beginning. The following symptoms are observed:

• Headache.
• Unpleasant sensations in the neck, arms, shoulders.
• Slight limitation of neck motor activity.
• Short-term visual impairment.
• Reduces the sensitive area of ​​the neck.

During the second stage, a small spinal hernia may occur, the intervertebral clefts may narrow. Due to compression of the nerve trunks, point pain syndromes are felt during the execution of movements.

Manifestations of the disease:

• Neck hurts and cracks are heard during turns.
• Loss of skin sensation on the arms and shoulders.
• Vision is decreasing.
• I hear a ringing in my ears.
• The face and neck go numb;
• The upper limbs are weakening.
• Shooting pains radiating to the shoulder blade.
• Insomnia, trouble sleeping.

The third stage is difficult to deal with. A hernia forms, the spine is deformed, changes in position are observed, dislocations of the vertebrae are observed:

• Severe pain in neck, heart muscle, neck area.
• The skin on the head, shoulders and arms is no longer felt.
• Upper limbs are paralyzed.
• The tendon reflexes are no longer visible.
• A hernia of the cervical vertebrae begins.

The final fourth stage during which symptoms worsen.

Reasons

Factors influencing the appearance and development of cervical osteochondrosis:

• Heavyweight.
• Sitting work, lack of mobility.
• Previous spinal injuries.
• Mental disorders, nervous tension, stress.
• Bad physical condition.
• Curvature of the spine, scoliosis, incorrect posture.
• Incorrect body positions that have become a habit.
• Tension of the neck, back, through work.
• hereditary predisposition.
• Unusual physical stress on the body, increased activity.
• Violation of the rules of a healthy diet.

The cervical crest experiences increased tension, which the neck muscles try to balance, due to the influence of the factors mentioned above. A muscle spasm occurs, the body's blood circulation is disturbed. Anatomical lesions appear.

Symptoms of the disease

The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are different from the symptoms of this disease seen in other parts of the spine. The close location of the neck vertebrae leads to compression of the nerve roots and the spinal cord.

I experience the following symptoms:

• Location of pain: in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, arms and legs. During the connection of the nerve roots to the process, discomfort is felt in the shoulders, the back of the head, the restructuring of the upper limb begins. The spasm of the neck muscles at the back of the head leads to poor blood flow.
• Arm weakness, caused by root dysfunction, including motor nerves that rebuild the arm muscles.
• There is a restructuring of the hands, due to a decrease in sensitivity in the hands, damage to the root, which includes the sensory nerves.
• During head movements, pain is felt and a cracking noise is heard. It is caused by the defeat of the small joints of the neck, a reduction in the level of the intervertebral disc.
• Lack of strength, fatigue, dizziness, lack of coordination. Due to the displacement of the vertebrae, the spinal artery is compressed. It leads to impaired blood flow, weakening the blood supply to the occipital lobe, cerebellum.
• Vision complication, the tongue loses its sensitivity.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are similar to those in men. At the age of 46-60 years, the blondest sex turns to stone and your hands tingle during sleep.

Why osteochondrosis is dangerous

Disease damages the entire body. The cervical region includes a significant number of arteries, nerve endings, and blood vessels that feed the brain.

Tight, due to the slightest pathology, they are compressed, which causes a deterioration of blood circulation in the brain, gives rise to migraines, alters the heart rhythm, difficulties in breathing, vision, coordination and attention begin.

Pathologies that cause osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

• Brain disease;
• vertebral artery syndrome;
• Spinal stroke.

Death is the worst consequence that occurs when the spinal cord is compressed.

When all the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis have been considered, the factors of its development have been identified, we will consider the treatment used in this case.

Treatment

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women does not differ from treatment in men. Stages of treatment:

1. Pain relief.
2. Removal of edema.
3. Normalization of blood circulation.
4. Strengthening the muscles of the back, abdominals, chest.
5. Improved nutrition and tissue repair.

Any stage or symptom should seek medical attention. Specialists who choose complex treatments: surgeon, neurologist, physical therapist, masseur. Pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, massage in the neck area are used, therapeutic exercises are recommended, because it is effective in osteochondrosis.

Preparations

Drugs used for treatment:

• Medicines that relieve muscle spasms.
• Vitamins that improve metabolism in the nervous system.
• NSAIDs that reduce pain, relieve inflammation and swelling.
• Joint preparations, cartilage tissue restoration, intervertebral disc injuries.
• Drugs that improve the nutrition of nerve cells that have been damaged, regulate blood flow to the brain.

First aid for exacerbations

There are times when the pain becomes unbearable and the visit to the doctor must be postponed. It is recommended to take pain relievers. To relieve pain, you can apply a "pepper patch", but it is worth noting that you cannot expect a long-term effect. The cast warms the inflamed area and temporarily relieves pain. To relieve swelling, it is recommended to use herbal teas for 3-4 days. Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis with these methods? No, the above methods are short-term, for a full recovery it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Physiotherapy

• Electrophoresis: ions of the anesthetic drug penetrate the sore spot due to the action of an electric current. It is often done with pain relievers.
• Laser therapy: has anti-inflammatory properties, ensures better blood circulation through exposure to light.
• Magnetic therapy: relieves swelling of tissues, has an analgesic effect.
• Ultrasound: there is an improvement in metabolic processes, pain relief, inflammation relief of damaged areas.

Recovery gymnastics

When it comes to physical therapy, you need to know a few simple sets of exercises. Regular training will bring the expected results very quickly.

Attention!When you do the complex, you should not feel pain, discomfort.

• Lie face down, supporting your hands. Keep your back straight, while lifting your head and body. Hold the position for about 2 minutes, then take the starting position. Continue the exercise 2-3 times.
• Get on the ground, stretch your arms along your body, try to touch the ground with your ear and turn your head to the left. Perform 6-7 reps.
• Inhale while sitting on the floor, lean forward, trying to touch the chest with your head. After exhaling, lean back, throw your head back. Do 10 to 15 repetitions.
• Pressing the forehead, lower it to the palms, while sitting on the floor. Perform for about 30 seconds, 2-3 repetitions.
• Circular rotation of the head. Do it gently, slowly, so that your head begins to spin. If dizziness appears, finish the gymnastics. Do 10 rotations in each direction.

Home Treatment

This method of treatment should be used only in conjunction with the complex prescribed by the doctor. In such variants, the following are used: traditional medicine, therapeutic exercises, massage.

Recipes to relieve discomfort at home:

• A horseradish sheet taped to the neck and secured with a bandage or cloth will help. It is recommended to pour with boiling water, and then cool to room temperature. It is better to leave the bandage overnight.
• Cut potatoes, mix with honey (one by one). Use once a week as a compress.
• Warming up will help relieve pain. You can apply a mustard plaster, a sandbag, pepper plasters, etc.

We recommend that you do not seek help in forums, you should trust the diagnoses made by doctors.

Massage

Therapeutic massage can be done at home, it includes elements of the classic massage. It begins with a healthy part of the body, moving gently towards a sore spot. The complex is selected based on the individual characteristics of the patient, the stage of the disease. To perform the massage, it is necessary for the patient to lie horizontally on the floor, lowering the forehead towards the hands, pulling the chin towards the chest. Relax your neck muscles.

Treatment massage techniques:

1. Begin massaging with movements, starting from the neck area.
2. Push-ups, for the performance, the masseur puts his hand on the neck and moves along the spine. Alternatively, this technique can be performed towards the shoulder.
3. Rubbing is done to warm up the neck muscles, while the body relaxes, bleeding improves. Starting from the skull, the movements are directed, the movements are directed towards the spine.
4. The neck should be kneaded in a circular motion.
5. It is necessary to finish with vibration, performed by tapping and shaking.

Prevention

The following rules must be followed to prevent disease:

• Play sports (swimming is the most effective).
• Increase the consumption of foods that contain calcium, magnesium.
• Warm up several times a day, especially if you have a sedentary job.
• Choose the right pillow (it should be low) and the mattress (it should not be soft). Check the position of the neck while sleeping: the angle of the neck should be at least 15 degrees.
• Take a hot shower for at least 10 minutes a day.
• For people who don't like sports, experts recommend practicing yoga regularly.
• Better to quit the gym. Bodybuilding can make health conditions worse.

Osteochondrosis and pregnancy

How to treat osteochondrosis during pregnancy? Naturally, you must limit yourself in drug use. Ointments with a natural composition and folk methods will help.Remember!During pregnancy, all possible effects on the neck area (eg warming) are prohibited.

Does osteochondrosis occur in young people? No matter how adults convince themselves that it is too early for adolescents to acquire such diseases, they are being observed more and more frequently. It can develop as a result of a congenital or acquired cartilage failure.

During an exacerbation of the disease, it is forbidden to warm the neck, as it may lead to increased swelling.

This article considered not only the basics, but also effective methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis. They will help you cope with painful sensations, feel comfortable and safe, wherever you are.