Spine diseases are unpleasant in themselves, but they represent the greatest danger if they affect the cervical region.
Even a seemingly harmless pathology asOsteochondrosis of the cervical region, can cause the appearance of headaches, difficulty in blood circulation, impaired work of internal organs.
In the absence of treatment, osteochondrosis can lead to the development of other more serious diseases.
To avoid this result, you need to carefully monitor your health and consult a doctor when the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
Fortunately, modern medicine has methods that allow this disease to treat this disease quickly and effectively.
What is it
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology in whichSoft intervertebral pulp turns into bone fabric.In addition, blood vessels and nerve roots are involved in pathogenesis.Osteochondrosis in the cervical region has the ability to disguise it for various disorders.
Clinical image
A distinct feature of cervical osteochondrosis is neck, head, upper back.Patients may complain about dizziness, shortness of breath, blood pressure, nausea, language numbness, loss of consciousness.They often suspect the angina chest and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Classification
The classification of cervical osteochondrosis may be related to the degree of development of the disease:
- 1 degree - degenerative changes - districts on intervertebral discs;
- 2 degree - The vertebrae themselves are subject to change;
- 3 degrees - intervertebral hernias appear.
Prevalence and Meaning
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine "gets younger" literally before our eyes.An examination of patients of different ages that tend to osteochondrosis showed that, in current youth problems, they arise long before (sometimes the first symptoms of the disease appear in adolescence) than representatives of the oldest generation of the family.
People who were born 60 to 70 years ago come in contact with clinics on mature osteochondrosis and old age, although people who were born 20 to 40 years tired of osteochondrosis, even at an early age.This trend is evidence of significant deterioration in the health of the young generation caused by a decrease in nutrition quality and a sedentary lifestyle.
Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis are found in about 60 % of adults living in European countries.Note that women receive cervical osteochondrosis in 50 to 55 years and men aged 45 to 50.
Risk factors
The chances of obtaining osteochondrosis increases if available:
- abnormalities of the development of the spine;
- overweight;
- Long physical effort;
- bad habits (smoking);
- sedentary lifestyle;
- work, which implies the regular impact of spine vibration (for example, with vehicle drivers);
- Long stress, excessive nerve tension;
- local hypothermia;
- Anterior lesions in the neck and NAPE;
- Autoimmune pathologies that implied the degeneration of the cartilage.
Reasons
The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis include:
- genetic predisposition;
- disturbed metabolic process;
- Weak physical development.
It is difficult to establish the exact cause of the appearance and development of cervical osteochondrosis, because this disease occurs in young and elderly people involved in the sport and leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Psychosomatic
The development of cervical osteochondrosis indicates the inability to support competence problems.Sometimes people become so strong and confident in their skills that their stability before adversity is transformed into stiffness and lack of flexibility.In this case, attempts to turn their heads are accompanied by rigidity, seizures and other unpleasant sensations.
In addition, osteochondrosis can develop in people who are afraid of problems and do not know how to deal with them.In this case, the protective reflex of the mammalian is triggered and the head is literally attracted to the shoulders.This provision is considered unnatural;Therefore, after some time, the muscles of the cervical region begin to harm and deform.
Consequences
Decreased muscle elasticity and joint flexibility- Signs of natural aging of the body.However, in osteochondrosis patients, they look much earlier than in healthy people.Osteochondrosis can cause the development of migraines, hypertension, respiratory system diseases, spinal cord and brain ischemia, stroke, etc.
Inadequate treatment of osteochondrosis is no less dangerousas a lack of treatment.The inept actions of a doctor can lead to persistent deterioration in well -being or sudden disability.
Diagnostic symptoms and methods
The main signs of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- Pain in the back of the head, neck, arm and shoulder, which intensify when sneezing, coughing and minimal load on the arm;
- Burning between the shoulder blades, tingling in legs or arms, numbness;
- pain and crisis in the neck that occur during the inclination and the curves of the head;
- fatigue, weakness;
- Fainting and dizziness arising from steep curves of the head;
- The headaches, which usually start at the back of the head, spread to the temples and the crown.
Other signs of cervical osteochondrosis include noise in the ears, hearing impairment and a decrease in visual acuity.Sometimes the disease is felt pulling pain in the heart area.
In the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis, you need to consult a doctor who will conduct a comprehensive examination, will diagnose.In this case, diagnostic methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, laboratory studies, ultrasound and ECG can be used.
Treatment
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the stage of the disease.If, at the first stage, there is a sufficiently conservative and wandering treatment, then, in the second and third stages, the doctor's task is first and foremost to interrupt pain syndrome.Enhanced cases may require surgical treatment for decompression and vertebrae stabilization.
Drug
People with osteochondrosis from the cervical region can be prescribed:
| Group | Description |
| NSAIDS (Anti -Inflammatories non -esteroids) | Help remove swelling and pain. |
| Vasodilate | Contribute to improving blood circulation. |
| Sedatives, muscle relaxants | They are prescribed additionally to facilitate the patient's overall condition and reduce NSA doses.At the same time a nerve overload and muscle cramps, help you get a better therapeutic effect. |
At the end of the therapy course, NSAIDs should be purchased for a first home recording kit because neck pain can be returned periodically (with stress, overload, climate change).Before taking drugs, consult your doctor.
Surgical treatment
If a positive effect is not observed after conservative treatment of conservative treatment, the doctor may recommend the patient's spinal fussia.This procedure allows to immobilize the affected vertebral segment.Its essence is to remove the intervertebral disc, nerve root decompression, implant installation or the creation of the physiological height of the disc space.
The operation has many side effects and against -indications.Therefore, it can cause vertebral disability.This is why surgery is performed in extreme cases.
Exercises, exercise therapy, massage
Cervical osteochondrosis massage allows for remarkable improvements.It is important that the procedure is performed by a professional: inept movements in the area of the cervical spine can aggravate the situation.The movements should affect the collar zone, the cervical region and part of the back.
Massage for osteochondrosis implies the alternation of the following actions.
- Caressing.The masseuse affects the layers of the surface of the skin, moving from the head to the upper third of the middle of the back.At the same time, the palms or fingertips work.
- Squeeze.The deep layers of the skin located in the upper third of the back are exposed.In this case, the index and thumb of the hands around the neck are performed to catch the skin.Tissues adjacent to vertebrae are not involved in this process.
- Grinding.It is performed to heat the skin, increase blood flow in the collar area.The procedure should be performed very carefully.It is prohibited to influence the spinous processes of the vertebrae.Sometimes scrubbing is replaced by traces or circular movements similar to sawing.
- Knead.It affects deeply lia tissues, therefore, has a limited value.It can aggravate the pathology.
During massage, the patient should be lying in a stomach, in extreme cases, sitting.
It is also useful for cervical osteochondrosis can be LFK.Regular classes contribute to strengthening muscle corset, reducing the load in the cervical spine.You can practice exercise therapy at any stage of the pathology as well as for prevention.During exacerbations, the complex is performed with particular caution.
Standard exercises for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- turns from the head from side to side;
- Inclinations from head and forward;
- Raising your shoulders with fixed or relaxed hands with the position in this position of 15 to 20 seconds;
- Following the neck extensors and flexors when the head is in a fixed position.
Each exercise is repeated five to seven times.The lesson continues for 15 to 20 minutes.The set of exercises should be selected by the LFK specialist, taking into account the stage of the disease and the patient's condition.
Household treatment
Treatment of home osteochondrosis is rarely practiced, for example, in the first stage of the disease.
In this case, the patient is recommended:
- adjust the posture;
- Properly equip a workplace;
- Do simple exercise, including the workplace.
A positive impact on the musculoskeletal system will have the use of vitamins and minerals, an increase in motor activity, as well as swimming.
Prevention
For disease prevention, it is recommended:
- Sleep on an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
- Take a hot shower daily for 10 minutes;
- Visit a bathroom or sauna (relieves neck muscles cramps);
- Avoid slope and sharp twists of the head;
- Walk more on foot, do yoga and swim;
- With the work "sitting", take a five -minute breaks every hour (you need to walk during breaks, inclinations with a body and head in different directions);
- Avoid increasing load in the spine: classes with weights, jumps, running;
- Choose chairs and chairs supporting the spine;
- abandon addictions such as smoking, alcohol abuse;
- Drink at least one and a half liters of water a day.
Eating with cervical osteochondrosis is frequently recommended (at least five times a day) and in small portions.Preference should be given to steam cooked or cooked dishes.Salads need to be seasoned with olive oil.
Recovery forecast
The forecast for qualified and timely treatment is favorableHowever, it depends greatly on the patient's age, the severity of the manifestations and the stage of the disease.It is also important in which the person performs medical recommendations on nutrition, lifestyle and eliminates bad habits.
Conclusion
Thus, in most casesOsteochondrosis of the cervical regionIt is possible to heal.However, it is worth remembering that the disease may return at any time.To avoid this, it is necessary to observe prevention measures and a healthy lifestyle.
Also, it is 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 (especially NSAIDs), massages, exercise therapy.