Every year diseases in the spine become younger. The most common is osteochondrosis, which was recently considered an age-related disease. When the cervical region is affected, due to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias form in the spine and severe pains in the neck and head occur, which significantly reduce the quality of life and lead to surgical intervention.
The danger of cervical osteochondrosis
It is important to diagnose diseases of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine in the early stages in order to immediately begin its treatment, until the bone tissue has grown, salt deposits and growths have not formed on the vertebrae, which irritate the muscles, leading them to contraction.
Osteophytes increase pressure on the vertebrae, pinch arteries and squeeze nerve endings when turning the head. Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious and dangerous disease. Symptoms of pain in the cervical region are not limited only to movement of the head. If untreated, the disease has complications that cause discomfort, which can become a significant cause of dysfunction.
Infringement of the blood arteries due to deformation when the vertebrae approach each other leads to vertebrobasilar syndrome. An insufficient amount of blood enters the brain, this becomes the main cause of dizziness, poor balance, visual impairment, loss of consciousness and tinnitus. The degree of compression of the artery of the cervical spine depends on the negative consequences that manifest themselves in the body with varying degrees of severity. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts the process of blood supply to brain regions and provokes complications in the brain with oxygen starvation.
A pinched nerve in the back of the head is the cause of headaches that can radiate to the neck or temple. The most dangerous is the infringement of the nerve processes of the spinal cord, in which dysfunctions are observed with serious uncontrolled spastic disorders of coordination in the lower extremities, a decrease in the sensitivity of the bladder and intestines.
If osteochondrosis is not treated, then complications arise, for example, protrusions and hernias of cervical discs. Sometimes it leads to the development of vascular diseases that cause brain damage even before the death of its individual sections.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Traditional medicine considers osteochondrosis a disease with degenerative changes in the discs of the cervical spine, and the alternative medicine treatment system osteopathy considers that this is a manifestation of disorders deep within the body.
There are several reasons due to which osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appears:
Posture disorder
Stoop, scoliosis, rounded back, kyphosis cause an imbalance of the spine, so the load is unevenly distributed on the discs, leading to deformation and increasing their wear. At the same time, the vertebrae approach each other, starting to pinch the nerve processes, because of this, osteochondrosis develops.
Muscle spasms
Spasmodic muscle reactions lead to tension in parts of the body, causing a change in the natural position and deformation of the discs in the spinal column.
Violation of the blood supply
The discs of the spine are not connected with the circulatory system, therefore they are saturated with blood from the tissues of the body. Violation of the process of blood supply in the neck leads to the lack of sufficient fluid to absorb moisture and restore cartilage shape and renewal. As a result, the wear of the vertebrae accelerates, the intervertebral distance decreases, leading to osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
Violation of innervation
Due to the reduced sensitivity of the nerve roots during displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region, pathological changes remain unnoticed by the patient due to the absence of pain.
Diseases of the internal organs
Displacement of the internal organs, their lowering due to deformities of the cervical vertebrae leads to a violation of the position of the spine and balance in the body.
Improper nutrition
An unbalanced diet high in carbohydrate and fatty foods with a deficiency of proteins and microelements can lead to unpleasant difficulties.
Cervical osteochondrosis develops due to external factors that adversely affect the balance of the spine and the natural development of the body systems as a whole. In addition to the listed symptoms, the development of diseases and painful sensations is possible due to a long stay in an uncomfortable position, frequent tension of the muscle tissues of the back and neck, hypothermia of the neck and collar zone.
Also often the cause is nervous strain, frequent stress and sleep disturbance. Often, violations are not immediately noticeable, so cervical osteochondrosis sometimes progresses for a long time and leads to serious health consequences. Therefore, it is important to visit the doctor regularly to correct the underlying causes that caused osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, and not to treat its symptoms.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that occurs in discs with degenerative-dystrophic changes. Initially, the intervertebral discs are cartilage, which contains a jelly-like substance. Over time, discs can become dehydrated due to poor posture, sedentary and sedentary lifestyles, computer work, neck injuries and injuries, and other factors.
As a result, the strength of the collagen fibers of the fibrous disc gradually decreases, its thickness decreases, which causes the development of osteochondrosis with characteristic signs:
- neck pain;
- pain in the head, dizziness, loss of consciousness, due to infringement of the arteries that pass through the vertebrae;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- radicular syndrome with a violation of sensitivity and the appearance of goosebumps and numbness of some areas in the skin of the back of the head, shoulders, arms, neck, as a result of pinching of the spinal roots. Accompanied by pain in the shoulders and arms, even in the fingers;
- decreased ability to turn and tilt the neck and stiffness due to severe pain;
- increased fatigue, decreased performance;
- the appearance of ENT pathologies, tinnitus, decreased vision;
- with the development of complications, nausea, vomiting, migraine attacks may occur.
There are 7 vertebrae in the cervical spine, osteochondrosis often affects the discs, which are located between the 5th and 7th vertebrae. It is required to consult a general practitioner or a neurologist who will prescribe the necessary diagnostics and conduct an MRI magnetic resonance imaging to establish a diagnosis and select a treatment.
Degrees of development
There are four stages of osteochondrosis:
- Grade 1 - only pathological changes begin to appear in the disc, so the symptoms are mild and not always observed. Treatment will be fast and effective.
- Grade 2 - changes in the intervertebral discs become pronounced, this leads to aching pain in the cervical region, which is aggravated by head movements.
- Grade 3 - constant pain is complicated by the development of protrusion and the formation of a hernia between the vertebrae.
- Grade 4 - the fibrous disc is so destroyed that movements in the spine are practically excluded due to infringement of the intervertebral arteries, which leads to the development of radicular syndrome and severe pain not only in the neck, but also in the chest, hands, and lumbar.
Diagnostics
Only a qualified doctor can establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Usually this is a neurologist, but in some cases, an additional appointment with the following specialists may be required: vertebrologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, orthopedist, traumatologist or neurosurgeon.
At the appointment, the doctor collects an anamnesis - the main complaints and symptoms of disturbing patients, injuries, the presence of chronic diseases and related additional information. Next, the doctor determines the patient's neck mobility, sensitivity and muscle tension. To obtain more accurate information, the patient is assigned diagnostic tests using special equipment:
- radiography (X-ray);
- computed tomography (CT);
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the age characteristics of the patient, as well as the degree of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs between the vertebrae. Therefore, treatment is always developed for the patient individually and is always aimed at solving the following problems:
- elimination of worsening symptoms;
- improvement of blood circulation;
- increase in metabolic processes;
- elimination of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs;
- reduction of complications of cervical osteochondrosis.
At each stage of the development of the disease, its own treatment measures are applied:
- 1st stage - it is enough to do physiotherapy exercises, adjust your lifestyle;
- 2nd stage - it is required to additionally include the intake of medications, manual therapy, the use of orthopedic devices.
It must be understood that a complete change in degenerative-dystrophic processes is impossible, especially with a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of stage 2 or more. In these situations, it is necessary to improve well-being with the help of treatment and prevent the disease from progressing. It is possible to correct, sometimes, the first stage of cervical osteochondrosis, when developmental pathology is rarely diagnosed. Because patients perceive slight neck discomfort as overwork and do not go to the doctor.
In severe cases with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, treatment will be difficult and longer. Periodic examinations are carried out under the supervision of a neurologist to correct the treatment, which depends on the ongoing changes in the patient's well-being.
Lifestyle Correction
All patients with a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical region should increase physical activity, taking breaks for a sports workout during sedentary work. If the patient, on the contrary, is actively involved in sports, then he needs to reduce the physical load on the neck, giving up running, wrestling, jumping, weightlifting.
Overweight people are advised to take additional measures to reduce it by adjusting their diet so that the diet is healthy and meets the needs of the body. The menu should be designed so that the food is protein and half consists of vegetables and fruits.
Drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Therapy with drugs is mainly aimed at eliminating pain symptoms in the neck due to osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex nature of therapy is developed for the patient individually and consists in the use of different drug groups that solve their problems.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of drugs with properties against inflammation and pain. They can be both in tablets and capsules, and in the form of creams, ointments and gels, as well as for severe pain, they are used intramuscularly for the administration of solutions.
The disadvantage for the use of drugs is irritation of the stomach and duodenal mucosa, which can impair the functioning of organs due to gastritis and ulceration. For the relief of risks with NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed in combination.
To reduce pain and inflammation in osteochondrosis, diclofenac sodium or piroxicam is used as an active ingredient. They have a gentle effect on the digestive tract. Now drugs have been developed that are distinguished by selective action.
Corticosteroids and blockades
Corticosteroids are hormonal drugs that are prescribed in short courses for severe patients with complex inflammation processes. They can cause undesirable effects with long-term use, therefore they are used in the form of injections so that there are no side effects and can be more easily absorbed.
Corticosteroids are often used along with anesthetics when performing blockades. To relieve severe pain syndromes, the prepared mixture is injected into points near the spinal nerves. The procedure is performed in clinics by medically trained workers. Doctors recommend blockades four times a year.
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are drugs to eliminate muscle spasms that are caused by severe inflammation and pain in the neck as a result of osteochondrosis.
vitamins
Osteochondrosis creates compression of the spinal roots, therefore it is indicated to take B vitamins, which are involved in nerve impulses.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotectors - drugs for the restoration of cartilage tissue. In the early stages of cervical osteochondrosis, they really have a positive effect on the condition of the discs between the vertebrae, improving the patient's well-being. In the later ones, they can only slow down the degenerative-dystrophic process in these discs.
Chondroprotectors are produced in capsules, powders, and also in the form of solutions when administered intramuscularly.
Medicines for topical use
Gels, creams or ointments that are used at the initial appearance of osteochondrosis in the neck to affect the painful area. They are different in principle of action can be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, warming, cooling. Often in their composition there are components such as NSAIDs, menthol, hot pepper, extract of snake and bee venom.
Preparations to improve microcirculation
Medicines of this group improve the quality of blood circulation, which is especially necessary for vertebral artery syndrome. They promote vasodilation, improve brain nutrition and eliminate tinnitus, headaches, dizziness.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercise is the main method in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex of physical therapy exercises is selected individually with a specialist, taking into account the age of the patient, the presence of radicular syndrome and compression of the arteries, as well as the development of existing diseases and degenerative-dystrophic changes. Goals of physical therapy:
- strengthening the muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck;
- activation of blood circulation;
- normalization of muscle tone.
You need to do it daily with a specialist who will help you choose the load, develop an optimal program, taking into account the physical condition of the patient.
It is important to perform all physical education exercises slowly, without sudden head movements and in comfortable conditions. If pain occurs in the neck, the exercise should be stopped immediately and then consult a doctor to correct the treatment program.
Swimming has a positive effect on the state of the cervical spine, in which classes are not associated with physical stress on the intervertebral discs, but the neck muscles actively work. As a result, the corset of muscles that supports the spine is strengthened. Patients with osteochondrosis are shown to swim two to three times a week.
Manual therapy for cervical osteochondrosis
Manual therapy is an effective way to treat osteochondrosis, as it affects the muscles and the spine. The specialist must have a higher education, a medical license for manual therapy and must have experience, understand the anatomy and features of osteochondrosis.
Self massage
To improve their well-being, patients can perform neck massage on their own, to relieve fatigue and pain.
Physiotherapy treatment
Physiotherapy is indicated if there is no inflammation process. Assign a course consisting of 10-15 procedures, which are selected individually.
- Electrophoresis - an electric current is used to ensure deep penetration of drugs.
- Magnetotherapy - to activate the process of blood circulation and stimulate metabolic processes. Additionally, these sessions act against pain and eliminate swelling.
- Laser therapy - acts against the process of inflammation and dilates blood vessels, which reduces pain.
- Ultrasound therapy is a method that reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings, and has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
- Diadynamic currents - reduce pain, improve tissue nutrition, eliminate inflammation.
Traction therapy
As a result of the flattening of the discs, the vertebrae move closer together, so traction therapy with Glisson's loop is recommended.
Iplicator
Iplicator is an affordable and simple tool for neck reflexology. The prickling of the spikes causes skin irritation, leads to an active blood flow, increasing the efficiency of the neck, and improving sleep.
Orthopedic appliances
In order to reduce the load on the neck, it is recommended to replace the mattress and pillow with orthopedic ones that maintain the correct position of the spine, reducing the progression of osteochondrosis. It is recommended that patients wear an orthopedic removable device - the Shants collar, which allows you to fix the neck, reducing the load.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid cervical osteochondrosis, you need to do a regular warm-up, during which you change the position of your body, performing neck tilts and head turns. Maintain correct posture from an early age. Go in for sports, strengthening the muscles of the neck and joints, reducing the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis. Take care of your health!