Osteochondrosis in medicine is usually called dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.This problem can appear in a person at absolutely any age.Dysfunction of the intervertebral discs can lead to the development of many associated unpleasant health problems.Therefore, it is necessary to immediately pay attention to the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and then start immediate treatment.
General description of the disease.
The cervical spine includes 8 paired nerve ganglia, as well as 7 vertebrae.Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as a rule, develops due to the fact that the intervertebral pulp degenerates into vitrified tissue.In parallel, pathological changes negatively affect the endings of nerve fibers, as well as important vessels.This pathology mainly affects the 8th and 7th vertebra.
The signs of cervical osteochondrosis are very easily confused with other pathologies.During the illness, attacks of headaches are observed, and discomfort is also felt in the neck area.Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are also accompanied by dizziness, nausea and blood pressure problems.In most cases, this disease is confused with diseases of the blood vessels and heart.
It is important to note that often, against the background of pathology of the vertebrae, the patient suddenly begins to lose consciousness, feels short of breath, and sometimes the tongue may even become numb.Therefore, the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine must, as they say, "be known by sight."
This unpleasant disease is diagnosed mainly in people over 30 years of age.This is explained by the peculiarities of the location of the human skeleton, as well as constant dynamic and statistical loads.But it is worth paying attention to the fact that recently the disease has become increasingly younger, as a result of which signs of cervical osteochondrosis are observed in women and men even in adolescence.
Causes of the disease
The development of this unpleasant disease is influenced by pathological and physiological processes.All of them are closely related to each other and in medical practice, specialists constantly consider them together.
As for physiological changes, they are caused by irreversible age-related processes that occur in the cartilage of the spine.These changes are located in the central region of the intervertebral disc.Physiological signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men manifest themselves as pinching of the pulp by certain fibrous tissues.When the nerve endings become irritated, the patient begins to feel discomfort.
Pathological changes are a process when the area of inflammation extends beyond the areas of cartilage tissue.Pathological signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men can cause severe irritation in the area of nerve endings, as well as pinching of blood vessels.These changes can occur against the background of poor nutrition due to a sedentary lifestyle.In addition, pathological changes are often observed in adolescents and middle-aged people.
It is important to note that signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men in some cases disappear on their own or appear as short-lived episodes.The human body has many protective and compensatory functions that, over time, can neutralize these pathological changes in the cartilage area.
Provoking factors
The following factors can provoke the development of this unpleasant disease:
- Overweight.
- Lack of constant physical activity, as well as sedentary work.
- Stressful conditions and nervous stress.
- The patient's body is usually in an uncomfortable position.
- Injuries to the neck and neck.
- Hypothermia.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women can appear due to a congenital anomaly, as well as autoimmune diseases.
Main features
It should be noted that cervical osteochondrosis is sometimes not accompanied by pain in a specific part of the spine.Very often this disease has an unclear clinical picture.The main signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women include dizziness, sudden changes in blood pressure and migraine.However, it is necessary to highlight the symptoms that will require urgent hospitalization of the patient:
- Increased headache, accompanied by a deterioration in general health.
- Loss of mobility of the muscles of the shoulder girdle or face, numbness.
- Impaired coordination of movements.
- Loss of consciousness.
When considering the signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, attention should be paid to the fact that the pain often radiates to the upper extremities and shoulder girdle.A distinctive feature of this is pain syndrome, which is paroxysmal in nature.Basically, this pain occurs after waking up, during laughter, sudden movements, sneezing and coughing.
When answering the question about what signs of cervical osteochondrosis bother the patient, attention should be paid to the fact that at the initial stage of this disease, the pain quickly disappears, a crunch in the neck is often observed, the muscles weaken and the skin loses its sensitivity.
If there are pathological changes in the sixth vertebra, pain in the thumb may be felt.And if the changes affected the seventh vertebra, then the pain appears in the middle finger.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine in women usually appear later than in the stronger half of humanity.
Relationship with other diseases
The manifestation of signs of cervical osteochondrosis in men and women may be associated with other diseases.For example, experts have long established a relationship between blood pressure and cervical osteochondrosis.This unpleasant disease is characterized by sharp changes in blood pressure throughout the day and persistent hypertension is irrelevant for this disease.
An increase in pressure during osteochondrosis may be accompanied by pain in the arms, chest, legs, and noise in the head.Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine include decreased sensitivity of the skin in the neck area.Constant stress and prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position can cause an increase in blood pressure.
Dizziness and cervical osteochondrosis occur due to severe pain, impaired cerebral circulation, and also due to the transmission of nerve signals.This can also occur due to existing problems with the vestibular system.Initial signs of cervical osteochondrosis include non-systemic dizziness.In this case, the patient does not feel the rotating objects, but has intense nausea.The patient finds it very difficult to stand.
It is important to note that during dizziness you should visit not only a neurologist, but also an otorhinolaryngologist so that this specialist can rule out the presence of a pathological change in the nasopharynx.
In most cases, osteochondrosis is accompanied by headache.It occurs due to vascular spasms, increased intracranial pressure and pinched nerve endings.The pain can manifest itself in different ways, whether dull or throbbing.
During osteochondrosis, headache attacks are similar to the sensations that arise with increased blood pressure, heart attack, angina and stroke.
Panic attacks can occur during osteochondrosis against the background of existing disorders in cerebral circulation.The patient experiences physical discomfort and unreasonable fear.The duration of such an attack can range from several minutes to 1 hour.Attacks can occur several times a day.In addition, panic attacks are accompanied by incessant tears, a feeling of heaviness in the head, lethargy and apathy.If the patient experiences severe attacks, it is necessary to periodically visit a psychiatrist and take tranquilizers.
Depression and fears occur with this disease against the background of constant pain, as well as a forced change in the normal lifestyle.
Diagnostic method
Most patients with osteochondrosis experience pain in the neck, arms and chest.Such a blurred picture of the disease greatly complicates the initial diagnosis.Furthermore, uncontrolled use of analgesics inhibits timely diagnosis.A patient who feels no pain feels completely healthy.As a result, people seek medical help too late, when irreversible processes already begin to develop in the tissues of the neck joints.
Diagnosis involves an x-ray, after which it will be possible to see signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.After an x-ray, the patient is prescribed treatment.If the R signs of cervical osteochondrosis are unstable, the following symptoms will be observed:
- Angular deformity of the affected segments.
- Displacement of the vertebrae to one side, back or forward.
- If within 2 vertebrae there are deviations in the vertical axis of more than 2 mm, this indicates pathology.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that radiography is an ineffective diagnostic method, especially at the last stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
Also, during diagnosis, the patient may be prescribed an MRI.MRI signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine help establish a diagnosis for the patient.During a tomography, a specialist can see the bone structures, herniated discs, as well as their direction of development and size.If signs of cervical osteochondrosis are detected in time on MRI, the disease can be quickly overcome.
A solution no less effective than MRI is computed tomography.This procedure allows you to identify CT signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.In addition, it is worth paying attention to the fact that CT scan identifies the presence and size of a hernia much better.
Pharmacological treatment
After the diagnosis, the specialist makes a diagnosis to the patient and also prescribes the appropriate treatment.Drug treatment aims to combat pain and inflammation.Drug treatment can restore normal mobility and circulation.The main groups of drugs in the treatment of this disease are the following:
- Various pain relievers in the form of injections and tablets to eliminate pain.
- Steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotectors that restore cartilage tissue.
- To relax the muscles, muscle relaxants are prescribed.
- Additionally, vitamin complexes are prescribed, which must contain all vitamins B, C, D, as well as ascorbic acid and retinol.
- For external use, you can use products in the form of ointments and gels that improve blood circulation, relieve pain and spasms, relieve pain and warm.
Attention should also be paid to the fact that the vitamins contained in food products will not be enough to treat this unpleasant disease.Therefore, complex preparations can be used.
It is also recommended to take medications that can improve cerebral circulation in case of existing cervical osteochondrosis.Reception of such medications is a mandatory component of the treatment of this disease.
Surgery
Surgical intervention for the treatment of osteochondrosis is used very rarely.However, the patient cannot do without surgery in cases where paralysis of the upper extremities is observed.Surgery will also be necessary if the patient has cerebral edema.
Complementary therapy
Massage is recommended as an additional therapeutic measure.Experts also recommend the use of manual therapy in the form of sharp translational movements.Very effective are: dosed traction, relaxation techniques and acupuncture.
Home treatment
In combination with drug treatment, non-traditional recipes can also be used.Home therapy involves performing special exercises and techniques on a regular basis and using certain orthopedic devices.Traditional medicine recipes can be used as maintenance treatment.
To eliminate tension in the spine, reduce stress and strengthen the neck muscles, you can use the Shants necklace.The neck and head are fixed in a certain position.Thanks to this, it is possible to overcome insomnia, as well as prevent the development of pathological changes.This collar should be worn for several hours before bedtime.Under no circumstances should it be used throughout the day.
Self-massage can eliminate pain and spasms.And during this procedure, it is recommended to additionally rub an ointment, which can improve blood flow.The massage is performed in a sitting position, the position should be comfortable and relaxed.During it, caresses and circular rubbing are performed.When performing such a procedure, not only the neck is affected, but also the shoulder girdle.
It is important to note that in case of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, it is prohibited to use any type of heating, except for a sauna or steam bath.
Take special baths
You can get rid of pain and inflammation with the help of medicinal baths.These procedures are good for helping to relax the spine.Baths should be done every other day, and the course of treatment should include 15 to 20 procedures.Bath recipes:
- Mix 300 g of mint and chamomile.Prepare the herbs with 10 liters of boiling water.Let it sit for 2 hours and then filter.
- Take 40 g of lemon balm, the same amount of birch leaves and mint.Prepare the resulting composition with 12 liters of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours.After this, strain the broth and pour it into the bath.
- To prepare an infusion based on sage it is necessary to take 300 g of this ingredient and 5 liters of boiling water.Let the medicinal solution sit for 2 hours, strain, and then you can use it.
For oral administration, an infusion based on yarrow can be used.Thanks to this, you will be able to quickly get rid of inflammation, pain and spasms.To prepare the infusion, you need to take 230 ml of boiling water and 6 g of yarrow herb.Let the broth sit for one hour in a closed container.The finished product is taken three times a day, 15 ml.
A solution composed of 1 liter of water and 15 g of sea salt is very effective in the fight against osteochondrosis.The saline solution should be brought to a boil and then cooled completely.The natural fabric is soaked in the resulting composition and then applied to the nape of the neck.
Possible complications
If the diagnosis was made in a timely manner and the treatment was correct, then the disease should proceed without complications.Otherwise, quite serious pathological processes may develop that can lead to disability in the future.Cervical osteochondrosis can be dangerous for human health.The main dangers include the following:
- Vertebral artery syndrome, in which organic and functional changes caused by circulatory disorders in the brain are observed.
- Arrhythmia and high blood pressure.
- Muscle atrophy in the upper extremities, weakness, numbness.
- Hernia formation, protrusion.
- Neurological disorders.
- VSD.
Carrying out prevention.
Preventive measures for osteochondrosis involve the simplest actions that, if performed regularly, can prevent the occurrence of serious health problems.Prevention is especially important for older people and those who spend too much time sitting.To prevent the development of osteochondrosis, it is necessary:
- Take a hot shower every day for at least 10 minutes.
- Periodically go to the sauna or bathhouse to eliminate tension and spasms in the neck.
- Sleep only on a special mattress and an orthopedic pillow.
- When working sedentarily, do at least 5 minutes of warm-up every hour.
Experts also recommend swimming, yoga, aerobic exercise and special gymnastics that strengthen the neck muscles.
Patient Feedback
Opinions of people about the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine indicate that success is observed if medications and recipes of traditional medicine are combined.Baths with sea salt are very effective.But to achieve success in treatment, it is necessary to seek help from specialists in time, immediately after detecting the first symptoms of this disease.