Osteochondrosis in medicine is usually called dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.This problem can appear in a person at any age.Dysfunction of the intervertebral discs can cause the development of many unpleasant associated health problems.Therefore, it is necessary to immediately pay attention to the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and then begin immediate treatment.
General description of the disease
The cervical spine includes 8 paired nerve nodes and 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 with this, pathological changes negatively affect the endings of nerve fibers, as well as important vessels.This pathology mainly affects the eighth and seventh vertebrae.
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are very easily confused with other pathologies.During the disease, attacks of headache 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 the pathology of the vertebrae, the patient begins to suddenly 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 position of the human skeleton, as well as constant dynamic and statistical loads.But it is worth paying attention to the fact that the disease has recently become rapidly 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 age-related irreversible processes occurring in the cartilage of the spine.These changes are localized in the central region of the intervertebral disc.Physiological signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men are manifested as pinching of the pulp by some fibrous tissues.When the nerve endings are irritated, the patient begins to feel discomfort.
Pathological changes are a process in which the area of inflammation extends beyond the areas of cartilaginous 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.Such changes can occur in the context of poor nutrition due to a sedentary lifestyle.In addition, pathological changes are often observed in adolescents and people of the middle age group.
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-term episodes.The human body has many protective and compensatory functions that, over time, are able to neutralize these pathological changes in the cartilage area.
Provocative factors
The following factors can provoke the development of this unpleasant disease:
- Excess weight.
- Lack of constant physical activity, as well as sedentary work.
- Stressful conditions and nervous stress.
- The patient's body is often in an uncomfortable position.
- Lesions on the back of the head 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 occur due to a congenital anomaly, as well as due to 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 migraines.However, it is necessary to highlight the symptoms that will require urgent hospitalization of the patient:
- Increasing 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, it is necessary to pay attention 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, such pain occurs after waking up, during laughter, sudden movements, sneezing and coughing.
When answering the question of what signs of cervical osteochondrosis bother the patient, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that in the initial stage of this disease the pain decreases rapidly, 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 may be felt in the thumb.And if the changes affected the seventh vertebra, pain appears on the middle finger.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine in women, as a rule, 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 connection between blood pressure and cervical osteochondrosis.This unpleasant disease is characterized by sharp changes in blood pressure during the day, and persistent hypertension has no importance for this disease.
Increased 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 a decrease in skin sensitivity in the collar 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 nonsystemic dizziness.In this case, the patient does not feel rotating objects, but feels severe nausea.It is very difficult for the patient to stand upright.
It is important to note that during dizziness you should not only visit a neurologist, but also visit an ENT specialist so that this specialist can exclude the presence of a pathological change in the nasopharynx.
In most cases, osteochondrosis is accompanied by headaches.It occurs due to vascular spasms, increased intracranial pressure and crushing of nerve endings.The pain can manifest itself in different ways, dull or throbbing.
During osteochondrosis, headache attacks are similar to sensations that occur with increased blood pressure, heart attack, angina pectoris and stroke.
Panic attacks can occur during osteochondrosis against the background of existing disorders in the cerebral circulation.The patient experiences physical discomfort and unreasonable fear.The duration of such an attack can vary from several minutes to 1 hour.Attacks can occur several times a day.Additionally, panic attacks are accompanied by incessant tears, heavy-headedness, lethargy, and apathy.If the patient experiences severe attacks, it is necessary to regularly 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 back of the head, arms and chest.Such a blurry picture of the disease significantly complicates the initial diagnosis.Furthermore, the uncontrolled use of painkillers inhibits timely diagnosis.A patient who does not feel pain feels completely healthy.As a result, people seek medical help too late, when irreversible processes are already starting to develop in the tissues of the neck joints.
The diagnosis involves an x-ray, after which it will be possible to see the R signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.After an x-ray, the patient is prescribed a course of treatment.If the R signs of cervical osteochondrosis are unstable, the following symptoms will be observed:
- Angular deformity of the affected segments.
- Movement of the vertebrae laterally, backwards or forwards.
- If within 2 vertebrae there are deviations on the vertical axis greater than 2 mm, this indicates pathology.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that x-ray is an ineffective diagnostic method, especially in the last stage of development of osteochondrosis.
Even during the diagnosis, the patient may be prescribed MRI.MRI signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine help to establish a diagnosis for the patient.During a tomography, the specialist can see bone structures, herniated discs, as well as their direction of development and size.If MRI signs of cervical osteochondrosis are detected in time, the disease can be quickly overcome.
A solution no less effective than magnetic resonance imaging is computed tomography.This procedure allows you to identify CT signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Also, it is worth paying attention to the fact that computed tomography is much better at identifying the presence and size of the hernia.
Pharmacological treatment
After the diagnosis, the specialist makes a diagnosis for the patient and also prescribes appropriate treatment.Treatment with medications is aimed at combating pain and inflammation.Drug treatment can restore normal mobility and circulation.The main groups of drugs in the treatment of this disease are as follows:
- Various analgesics in the form of injections and tablets to eliminate pain.
- Steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotectors that restore cartilaginous tissue.
- Muscle relaxants are prescribed to relax the muscles.
- Additionally, vitamin complexes are prescribed, which should 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.
You should also pay attention to the fact that the vitamins contained in food products will not be enough to cure this unpleasant disease.Therefore, complex preparations can be used.
It is also recommended to take drugs that can improve cerebral circulation in case of existing cervical osteochondrosis.Taking such drugs 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 surgical intervention 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 jerky translational movements.Very effective are: dosed tractions, relaxation techniques and acupuncture.
Treatment at home
In combination with drug treatment, non-traditional recipes can also be used.Home therapy involves regularly performing special exercises and techniques and using certain orthopedic devices.Traditional medicine recipes can be used as a maintenance treatment.
To eliminate tension in the spine, reduce stress and strengthen the neck muscles, you can use the Shants collar.The neck and head are fixed in a certain position.Thanks to this, you can overcome insomnia and prevent the development of pathological changes.This collar should be worn for several hours before going to bed.Under no circumstances should it be used all 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 carried out in a sitting position, the position must be comfortable and relaxed.During this, circular stroking and 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 forbidden to use any type of heating, except for the sauna or Turkish bath.
Take special baths
You can get rid of pain and inflammation with the help of medicinal baths.Such procedures are useful in 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.Leave to ferment for 2 hours, 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.Then filter the broth and pour it into the bathtub.
- 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 brew for 2 hours, filter it, after which you can use it.
For oral administration it is possible to use an infusion based on yarrow.Thanks to this, you can 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.Leave the broth to brew for an hour in a closed container.The finished product is taken three times a day, 15 ml.
A solution consisting of 1 liter of water and 15 g of sea salt is very effective in fighting osteochondrosis.The saline solution must be brought to a boil, after which it must cool completely.Natural fabric is soaked in the resulting composition and then applied to the back of the neck.
Possible complications
If the diagnosis was made in a timely manner and the treatment was correct, the disease should proceed without complications.Otherwise, rather serious pathological processes may develop, which may cause disabilities in the future.Cervical osteochondrosis can be dangerous to human health.Key risks include the following:
- Vertebral artery syndrome, in which organic and functional changes are observed caused by circulatory disorders in the brain.
- Arrhythmia and high blood pressure.
- Muscle atrophy of the upper extremities, weakness, numbness.
- Hernia formation, protrusion.
- Neurological disorders.
- VSD.
Carry out prevention
Preventive measures for osteochondrosis include 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 neck tension and spasms.
- Sleep only on a special mattress and an orthopedic pillow.
- When working sedentary, do at least 5 minutes of warm-up every hour.
Experts also recommend swimming, yoga, aerobic exercise and special gymnastics that strengthens the neck muscles.
Patient reviews
Reviews of people on the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine indicate that success is observed if you combine drugs and recipes of traditional medicine.Sea salt baths 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.