The cervical spine is the narrowest part of it, but the daily load on the head support, providing its curves and the mobility of the shoulder joints is incomparably higher than the performance of other parts of it.Given the wrong lifestyle caused by eating habits, sedentary work and smoking, the chance of developing cervical osteochondrosis in middle-aged people is tripled.
Despite such a spread of the disease, it is very difficult to identify cervical osteochondrosis in the early stages, as its symptoms are so varied and at first glance are not related to the problem of the spine that a person may not go to the doctor for a long time. years, believing that the cause of his poor health is a completely different disease.
Causes of the disease
To ensure the mobility of the vertebrae, there are intervertebral discs between them, consisting of cartilage tissue. They provide cushioning during movement and give flexibility to the spine. The service life of intervertebral discs, determined by nature, is more than 120 years, but changes in the chemical composition of the blood lead to rapid dehydration of cartilage tissue, salt deposition, which in turn contributes to the rapid wear of the discs and leads to theirdegenerative-dystrophic changes.
The reason for the change in the composition of the blood is improper diet, sedentary lifestyle, in which body cells do not need so much salt and it is deposited in bone tissue, liver and kidneys.In a forced sedentary lifestyle, the largest amount of salt is deposited in the neck.
Osteochondrosis of the cervix can also occur as a result of microtrauma caused by vibrations, for example in drivers, as well as in forced involuntary head position or neck strain caused by working conditions and the specifics of the profession.
What is the danger of cervical osteochondrosis
In the area of the neck, namely next to the cervical vertebrae, there are nerve roots, as well as the spinal artery, whose task is to supply oxygen to the brain. Dehydration of the intervertebral discs of the neck causes their deformation and this narrows the gap between the vertebrae and leads to their injury during movement.In addition, salt deposition promotes the formation of bone spines - osteophytes that can disrupt nerve roots as well as arteries.
As it develops, the disease leads to a violation of the sensitivity of the neck, shoulder blade, limbs or, conversely, causes pain in these parts, depending on which nerve roots have been compressed.
Compression of the vertebral artery is fraught with insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain, which leads to the development of various disorders in its activity. Among the most dangerous consequences of cerebral hypoxia are hearing disorders, reduced vision, stroke, partial and complete paralysis, mental disorders.
Cervical osteochondrosis is the most dangerous form of the disease, as it has many irreversible consequences, while people in the late stages of the disease usually seek help.
Symptoms
The cervical spine consists of 6 segments through which different nerve roots pass, their violation is expressed by various symptoms. Depending on which vertebrae in the neck are susceptible to osteochondrosis, the disease can manifest itself in different symptoms. Thus, radicular syndrome is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Neck sensitivity, shoulder blade, fingertips, mostly unilateral. Acute neck pain radiating to the back or neck.
- Burning pain in the chest, the shoulder, and also one of the fingers, depending on which nerve is affected.
- Heart paincharacterized by its duration and intensification during sudden movements.
The result of compression of an artery, as well as small vessels, can be brain disorders, the symptoms of which can be listed as follows:
- Visual impairment, appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes, blurred images.
- Insufficient nutrition of the cerebellum can cause dizziness, nausea, disturbances of consciousness, the soil disappears from under the feet.
- If the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, there is a risk of hypoxia and the body's response is the increased pressure needed to increase blood flow.
- Oxygen deficiency also leads to strong, unreasonable fear, causing bouts of nausea.
- Possible impaired coordination and hearing.
- When the lymphatic circulation is disturbed, intracranial pressure occurs, which is expressed in headache of the parietal and occipital part, pressure on the eyeballs, tinnitus.
Such a variety of symptoms and various single manifestations of the disease often do not immediately suggest back problems, especially since in the early stages there may be no pain and stiffness of movement. And only a good specialist conducting a differential diagnosis, with the exception of other diseases that are characterized by the same symptoms, can detect cervical osteochondrosis.
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis is quite a long process and includes various methods of both traditional and traditional medicine. The main tasks set by the doctor when choosing therapy are pain relief, restoration of mobility of the vertebrae and metabolic processes, recharging of cartilage tissue, as well as elimination of swelling and inflammation in the soft tissues of the neck. The methods by which the above goals are achieved are various, including medication, friction with ointments, physiotherapy and special gymnastics. Prescriptions for hirudotherapy, acupuncture and traditional medicine are used as additional treatment.
The main component in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is the patient's initiative and strict adherence to the doctor's prescriptions.
Let's take a closer look at how to treat cervical osteochondrosis, as well as the characteristics of the techniques:
Medicine
Distinguish the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine during exacerbation and remission. So, in case of acute pain, the doctor may prescribe:
- Analgesicsin the form of tablets, injections, whose task is to relieve the symptoms of acute pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugsin the form of injections to relieve the inflammatory process. The side effects that accompany the use of NSAIDs do not allow their use for a long period.
- Muscle relaxantsrelieve muscle spasms and relieve constricted vessels, nerves and arteries.
- Novocaine blockade.This method is used for an acute attack accompanied by neck stiffness and pain. The treatment is performed under the supervision of a doctor.
During the period of remission the main treatment is the intake of chondroprotectors, produced in the form of powders and capsules, suspensions and ointments. Chondroprotectors based on glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfates have a number of positive effects on the cartilage tissue of the spine, namely the restoration of the nucleus pulposis of the intervertebral disc, eliminating the pain syndrome and stopping the development of the disease.
Ointments for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are prescribed at the discretion of the doctor and have various effects, including:
- painkiller;
- restoration of cartilage structure;
- anti-inflammatory;
- warming;
- complex.
In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by compression of nerve roots and arteries, leading to a number of symptoms, for the removal of which appropriate drugs are prescribed.
Physiotherapy
In addition to the basic treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed, the aim of which is to eliminate the pain, to improve the microcirculation in the soft tissues and to restore the metabolic processes. Some procedures, such as electrophoresis, are used in conjunction with medicated ointments, while maximizing the effect of the drug.
In addition to electrophoresis, shock wave therapy, laser treatment, ultraviolet radiation and magnetic therapy are used.
A similar effect is achieved with manual massage or acupuncture. Prerequisite for such treatment is high qualification and medical education by specialists in these fields.
Cervical osteochondrosis in remission can be treated with physiotherapy exercises. Properly selected exercises eliminate the symptoms of pain and contribute to the elimination of salt deposits.
Folk remedies
Among the methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, recognized by official medicine, there are many folk recipes based on the healing properties of plants that have anti-inflammatory, warming and restoring metabolic processes.
The most common active ingredients in different interpretations are horseradish, Adam's root, aloe, ginger, garlic, hops, pine nuts, honey and lemon. They are used for the preparation of rubs, ointments, tinctures, compresses, ingestion mixtures, as well as healing baths. Traditional methods perfectly relieve symptoms and also restore neck mobility.