Spinal diseases are unpleasant in themselves, but are the most dangerous danger if they are affected by the cervical region.
Even such a seemingly harmless pathology asOsteochondrosis of the cervical region, can provoke the appearance of headache, difficulty in blood circulation, impaired function of the internal organs.
In the absence of treatment, osteochondrosis can lead to the development of other, more serious diseases.
To avoid this result, you should carefully monitor your health and see a doctor when the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
Fortunately, modern medicine has methods that allow this disease to quickly and effectively cure the disease.
What is it
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology in whichThe soft intervertebral pulp is converted into the dotted matterSIn addition, the pathogenesis involves blood vessels and nerve roots.Osteochondrosis of the cervical region has the ability to conceal for various disorders.
Clinical picture
A distinctive feature of cervical osteochondrosis is the pain in the neck, head, upper backSPatients may complain of dizziness, lack of air, blood pressure jumps, nausea, tongue numbness, loss of consciousness.Often, they suspect angina and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Classification
The classification of cervical osteochondrosis may be relative to the degree of development of the disease:
- 1 degrees - degenerative - dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs appear;
- 2 degrees - the vertebrae themselves are subject to changes;
- 3 degrees - intervertebral hernias appear.
Distribution and importance
The osteochondrosis of the cervical spine "becomes greater" literally in front of our eyes.A study of patients of different ages who have a tendency to osteochondrosis showed that in current youth spine problems occur much earlier (sometimes the first symptoms of the disease occur in adolescence) than representatives of the older generation of the family.
People who were born 60-70 years ago, contact osteochondrosis clinics of mature and old age, although people born 20-40 years ago become ill with osteochondrosis even at a young ageSThis tendency is evidence of a significant deterioration of the health of the younger generation caused by a decrease in the quality of nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.
The clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis have been detected in about 60 percent of adults living in European countries.It is noted that women receive cervical osteochondrosis aged 50-55 years and men aged 45-50 years.
Risk factors
The chances of increasing osteochondrosis, if any:
- Abnormalities of spinal development;
- excess weight;
- Long exercise;
- bad habits (smoking);
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- a work that implies the regular impact of vibration on the spine (for example with vehicle drivers);
- long stress, excessive nervous tension;
- local hypothermia;
- Previous neck and back injuries;
- Autoimmune pathologies involving the degeneration of cartilage.
Reasons
The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis include:
- genetic predisposition;
- impaired metabolic process;
- Low physical development.
It is difficult to determine the exact cause of the appearance and development of cervical osteochondrosis, as this disease occurs in young and elderly people involved in sports and leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Psychosomatics
The development of cervical osteochondrosis indicates the inability to competently withstand problems.Sometimes people become so strong and confident in their abilities that their stability before discomfort is transformed into firmness and lack of flexibility.In this case, attempts to turn their heads are accompanied by stiffness, convulsions and other unpleasant sensations.
Also, osteochondrosis can develop in people who are afraid of problems and do not know how to deal with themSIn this case, the protective reflex of the mammal is triggered and the head is literally drawn into the shoulders.Therefore, this provision is considered unnatural, after a while the muscles of the cervical region begin to ache and deform.
Consequences
Reduce muscle elasticity and flexibility in joints- Signs of natural aging of the body.However, in patients with osteochondrosis, they appear much earlier than in healthy people.Osteochondrosis can cause the development of migraines, hypertension, respiratory diseases, spinal and brain ischemia, stroke and more.
Improper treatment of osteochondrosis is no less dangerousAs a lack of treatment.A doctor's unpleasant action can lead to a constant deterioration of good behavior or sudden damage.
Symptoms and Diagnostic Methods
The main signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical region include:
- Pain in the back of the head, neck, arm and shoulder, which are enhanced by sneezing, coughing and minimal load on the arm;
- burning between shoulder blades, numbness in the legs or arms, numbness;
- Pain and crunch in the neck that appear during tilting and turns of the head;
- fatigue, weakness;
- seizures and dizziness resulting from sharp turns of the head;
- The headache, which usually begins at the back of the head, spreads to the temples and the crown.
Other signs of cervical osteochondrosis include tinnitus, hearing impairment and reduction of visual acuity.Sometimes the disease is felt by pulling pain in the heart.
At the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis, you should consult a doctor who will have a comprehensive examination will be diagnosed.In this case, such diagnostic methods as MRI, laboratory tests, ultrasound, ECG can be used.
Treatment
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the stage of the disease.If there is a sufficient conservative, wandering treatment in the first stage, then in the second and third stage the doctor's task is to stop the pain syndrome first.Improved cases may require surgical treatment intended for decompression and stabilization of vertebrae.
Medication
People with osteochondrosis of the cervical region can be prescribed:
| Group | Description |
| NSAIDs (non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs) | Help eliminate swelling and pain. |
| Vasodilative drugs | Contribute to improving blood circulation. |
| Soothing, muscle relaxants | They are further prescribed to facilitate the general condition of the patient and reduce the doses of NSAIDs.Relieve at the same time nervous surge and muscle cramps, help to achieve a better therapeutic effect. |
At the end of the therapy, NSAIDs should be purchased for a home kit for the first time, as neck pain can periodically return (with stress, overvoltage, change of time).Consult your doctor before taking medication.
Surgical treatment
If no positive effect is observed after conservative treatment for conservative treatment, the doctor may recommend the patient's spinal fusia.This procedure allows you to immobilize the affected vertebrae segmentSIts essence is to remove the intervertebral disc, decompression of the nerve root, install the implant or create the physiological height of the disk space.
The operation has many side effects and contraindications.So this can cause vertebrogenic damage.Therefore, the operation is performed in extreme cases.
Exercise, exercise, massage
Cervical osteochondrosis massage allows you to achieve noticeable improvements.It is important that the procedure be performed by a professional: the inadvertent movements in the cervical spine will worsen the situation.Movements should affect the area of the collar, cervical region and part of the back.
Massage for osteochondrosis implies the alternation of the following actionsS
- GallSThe massif affects the surface layers of the skin, passing from the head to the upper third of the middle of the back.At the same time, the palms or tip of the top work.
- SqueezingSThere are deep layers of skin, located in the upper third of the back.In this case, the index and thumb of the hands are performed through the neck to take the skin.Platoons adjacent to the vertebrae do not participate in this process.
- TribulationSIt is performed to warm the skin, increase blood flow to the collar.The procedure should be performed extremely carefully.It is forbidden to influence the spinous processes of the vertebrae.Sometimes rubbing is replaced with circular shocks or saws.
- KneadingSIt affects deeply lying tissues, therefore it has limited value.It can worsen the pathology.
During the massage, the patient should lie on his stomach, in extreme cases, sit.
Also useful for cervical osteochondrosis can be LFKSRegular classes contribute to strengthening the muscle corset, reducing the load of the cervical spine.You can practice exercise therapy at any stage of pathology as well as prevention.During the exacerbations, the complex is made with special care.
Standard exercises for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- turns of the head on the side;
- Tilts of the head back and forth;
- Lifting the shoulders with fixed or calm hands with hold in this position for 15 to 20 seconds;
- Following the extensors and flexors of the neck when the head is in a fixed position.
Each exercise is repeated five to seven times.The lesson lasts 15-20 minutesSThe set of exercises should be selected by the LFK specialist, taking into account the stage of the disease and the condition of the patient.
Home treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is rarely practiced, for example, at the first stage of the disease.
In this case, the patient is recommended:
- Adjust the stand;
- Equip the workplace properly;
- Do simple exercise, including at work.
The positive effect on the musculoskeletal system will use vitamins and minerals, increase motor activity, and swimming.
Prevention
It is recommended to prevent the disease:
- sleep on an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
- Take a hot shower every day for 10 minutes;
- Visit a bath or sauna (relieve cramps of the neck muscles);
- Avoid sharp slopes and turns of the head;
- walk more on foot, do yoga and swimming;
- With "sitting" work, take five minutes of breaks every hour (you should walk during breaks, tilting with your body and head in different directions);
- Avoid increased spinal loading: classes with weights, jumps, running;
- Choose chairs and chairs that support the spine;
- abandonment of addictions such as smoking, alcohol abuse;
- Drink at least one and a half liters of water a day.
Nutrition with cervical osteochondrosis is often recommended (at least five times a day) and in small portions.Preference should be given to stewed or cooked meals.The salads should be seasoned with olive oil.
Recovery forecast
The prognosis for qualified and timely treatment is favorableHowever, a lot depends on the age of the patient, the severity of the manifestations and the stage of the disease.It is also important that the person performs medical recommendations on nutrition, lifestyle and elimination of bad habits.
Conclusion
So in most casesOsteochondrosis of the cervical regionIt is possible to cure.However, it is worth remembering that the disease can return at any time.In order to prevent this, it is necessary to monitor prevention and healthy lifestyle measures.
In addition, it's worth remembering:
- The cause of osteochondrosis is difficult to establish.
- The symptom of the disease is pain in the back of the head and neck.
- Cervical osteochondrosis is treated comprehensively: medicines (mainly NSAIDs), massages, exercise therapy.