Spinal diseases get younger every year. The most common is osteochondrosis, which has recently been considered an age-related disease. When the cervical region is affected, due to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias are formed 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 to immediately begin its treatment, until the bone tissue has grown, salt deposits and growths have formed on the vertebrae, which irritate the muscles, bringing them to contraction.
Osteophytes increase pressure on the vertebrae, pinch arteries and compress nerve endings when the head is turned. Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious and dangerous disease. Symptoms of pain in the cervical region are not limited only to the movement of the head. If left untreated, the disease presents complications that cause discomfort, which can become a significant cause of dysfunction.
Violation 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 occur in the body with varying degrees of severity. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts the process of blood supply to the brain regions and causes complications in the brain with oxygen starvation.
A pinched nerve in the back of the head is the cause of the headache that can radiate to the neck or temple. The most dangerous is the violation of the nervous processes of the spinal cord, in which dysfunctions are observed with severe uncontrolled spastic disorders of coordination in the lower extremities, a decrease in the sensitivity of the bladder and intestines.
If osteochondrosis is not treated, complications arise, for example, protrusions and hernias of the 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 to be a disease with degenerative changes in the discs of the cervical spine and osteopathy of the alternative medicine treatment system believes that this is a manifestation of deep disorders within the body.
There are several reasons why cervical osteochondrosis appears:
Posture disorder
Curvature, scoliosis, rounded back, kyphosis cause an imbalance of the spine, so the load is unevenly distributed on the discs, leading to deformations and increasing their wear. At the same time, the vertebrae move closer together, starting to pinch the nerve processes, for this osteochondrosis develops.
Muscle spasms
Spasmodic muscle reactions lead to tension in certain parts of the body, causing a change in the natural position and deformation of the discs in the spine.
Violation of blood supply
The discs of the spine are not connected to the circulatory system, so they are saturated with blood from the tissues of the body. Violation of the process of blood supply in the neck leads to a lack of sufficient fluids to absorb moisture and restore the shape and renewal of cartilage. 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 the displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region, the pathological changes remain unnoticed by the patient due to the absence of pain.
Diseases of the internal organs
The displacement of 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.
Incorrect feeding
An unbalanced diet rich in carbohydrates 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 neck area.
Also often the cause is nervous fatigue, frequent stress and sleep disturbances. 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 your doctor regularly to correct the underlying causes that caused osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae and not to treat the symptoms.
Cervical osteochondrosis symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that occurs in the discs with degenerative-dystrophic changes. Initially, the intervertebral discs are cartilage, which contains a gel-like substance. Over time, discs can dehydrate 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, causing the development of osteochondrosis with characteristic signs:
- neck pain;
- pain in the head, dizziness, loss of consciousness, due to the violation of the arteries crossing the vertebrae;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- radicular syndrome with violation of sensitivity and the appearance of goosebumps and numbness of certain areas of the skin of the back of the head, shoulders, arms, neck, due to pinching of the spinal roots. Accompanied by pain in the shoulders and arms, including in the fingers;
- reduced 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 necessary to consult a general practitioner or neurologist who will prescribe the necessary diagnostics and conduct an MRI scan 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. The treatment will be quick 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 the violation 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. This is usually 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 disturbance to the patients, injuries, 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-rays);
- 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, the treatment is always developed individually for the patient and is always aimed at solving the following problems:
- elimination of worsening symptoms;
- improvement of blood circulation;
- increased 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, their own treatment measures are applied:
- 1st stage: it is enough to do physiotherapy exercises, adapt your lifestyle;
- 2nd phase: it is necessary to also include the intake of drugs, 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 stage 2 or higher osteochondrosis. In these situations, it is necessary to improve well-being with the help of treatment and prevent the progression of the disease. It is sometimes possible to correct 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 performed 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 diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical region should increase physical activity, taking breaks for sports training during sedentary work. If the patient, on the contrary, is actively involved in sports, then he must reduce the physical load on the neck, giving up running, wrestling, jumping, lifting weights.
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 of it is fruit and vegetables.
Drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Drug therapy is mainly aimed at eliminating the symptoms of neck pain due to osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex nature of the therapy is developed for the patient individually and consists in the use of several groups of drugs that solve her 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. To alleviate the risks with NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed in combination.
To reduce pain and inflammation in osteochondrosis, diclofenac sodium or piroxicam is used as the active ingredient. They have a mild effect on the digestive tract. Now drugs have been developed that are distinguished by selective action.
Corticosteroids and blocks
Corticosteroids are hormonal drugs that are prescribed in short courses for severe patients with complex inflammatory processes. They can cause side effects with long-term use, so they are used in the form of injections so that there are no side effects and they can be absorbed more easily.
Corticosteroids are often used in conjunction with anesthetics when performing blocks. To relieve severe pain syndromes, the prepared mixture is injected into the points near the spinal nerves. The procedure is performed in clinics by qualified medical personnel. The block doctors recommend doing this four times a year.
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are drugs to eliminate muscle spasms caused by severe inflammation and pain in the neck due to osteochondrosis.
vitamins
Osteochondrosis creates compression of the spinal roots, so the intake of B vitamins, which are involved in nerve impulses, is indicated.
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 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.
Topical Medicines
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, refreshing. Often in their composition there are components such as NSAIDs, menthol, red pepper, snake extract and bee venom.
Prepare to improve microcirculation
Drugs 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.
physical therapy
Therapeutic exercise is the main method in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex of physiotherapy exercises is selected individually with a specialist, taking into account the patient's age, the presence of radicular syndrome and compression of the arteries, as well as the development of existing diseases and degenerative-dystrophic changes. Physical therapy goals:
- strengthen the muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck;
- activation of blood circulation;
- normalization of muscle tone.
You need to do this daily with a specialist who will help you choose the load, develop an optimal program, taking into account the patient's physical condition.
It is important to perform all physical education exercises slowly, without sudden head movements and in comfortable conditions. If neck pain occurs, 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 are actively working. As a result, the corset of the muscles that supports the spine is strengthened. Patients with osteochondrosis have been 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 spine. The specialist must have a higher education, a medical license for manual therapy and must have experience, understand the anatomy and characteristics of osteochondrosis.
Self-massage
To improve their well-being, patients can perform neck massage themselves, to relieve fatigue and pain.
Physiotherapy treatment
Physiotherapy is indicated if there is no inflammatory 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 blood circulation process and stimulate metabolic processes. In addition, these sessions work against pain and eliminate swelling.
- Laser therapy: acts against the inflammation process and dilates blood vessels, reducing pain.
- Ultrasound 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.
Iplier
Iplicator is a simple and affordable tool for neck reflexology. The tingling of the toes causes skin irritation, leads to 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 other orthopedists who maintain the correct position of the spine, reducing the progression of osteochondrosis. Patients are advised to wear a removable orthopedic device - the Shants collar, which allows you to fix the neck, reducing the load.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to perform regular warming, during which you change the position of the body, performing tilts of the neck and turns of the head. Maintain proper posture from an early age. Play sports, it strengthens the muscles of the neck and joints, reducing the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis. Take care of your health!