Cervical osteochondosis - Causes, symptoms and treatment methods

Dipping, pressure fluctuations, fainting, pain in the heart - all this often goes from the spine problems.80% of the population suffers from osteochondrosis in the cervical region of variable severity and, according to statistics, men face women: at 45 to 50 years.If you do not start treatment at an early stage, pathology becomes irreversible.

What is osteochondrosis

Pathology is associated with dystrophic changes in the cartilage between the vertebrae, in which the soft tissues become hard and the depreciation falls.

Osteochondrosis affects the thoracic region, the lumbar, but most often the rest - the cervical.The reason is in high loads on 1 to 7 vertebrae, weak muscles, poor nutrition and the choice of a bad sleep pillow.

The mechanism of damage to the vertebrae in the cervical region

Osteochondosis develops when the nutritional process of cartilage, mineral metabolism is disturbed.The strength of bones and joints fall, the ligaments lose their elasticity.The shape and structure of the disc change, under the influence of loads, it is destroyed.The vertebrae are brought together, their surfaces are deleted.Pathology causes such complications:

1. The closure of blood vessels crossing 1 to 7 vertebrae causes hypoxia (oxygen famine) of the brain.
2. The development of problems in the work of the respiratory system, blood vessels, the heart, the fall in vision.
3. The violation of the blood circulation of the brain leads to neurocirculatory (vegetative-vascular) dystonia.
4. Reduce the mobility of the neck - when the formation of bone formations on the vertebrae.
5. The violation of the function of the cerebellum, pressing the spinal cord - leads to death with an advanced stage of the disease.

Cervical osteochondosis stages

Pathology develops slowly.At the preclinical stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, they press a soft disc.Then it becomes thinner, the fibrous ring is destroyed, its nucleus is whipped.The protrusion is formed, then a hernia.The vertebrae of each other and the others change the form, the growth appears on them.The nerves, the blood vessels are pinched.

The initial stadium of osteochondrosis in the cervical region

The cracks appear in the fibrous ring, the capsule breaks, the jacket is damaged.Cervical osteochondosis is felt when the head turns, when the nerve endings are pinched, the vessels shrink and the blood circulation suffers.There are pain on the back of the head, the back muscles get tired quickly.

2 steps in pathology

The degenerative process of the discs develops, the capsule ring is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae is reduced, they become unstable and pinched the nerve roots of the spinal cord.The flexibility and mobility of the neck fall.At this stage, the disease is always treated without surgery.

The last stages of neck osteochondrosis

At the 3rd stage of pathology, the protrusion of the disc develops, which leads to a hernia, the pulpose ring exceeds and the thermal baths.The cervical vertebrae and their axis move, the nutrition of the brain suffers.In addition, the following processes start in the last stages (3 and 4) of the pathology:

• The intervertebral discs are destroyed, which replaces connective tissue;
• The mobility of the cervical joints and the shoulder disappears;
• From friction to the surface of the vertebrae, growths form, the nerve fibers are injured;
• Hand sensitivity falls due to problems with their innervation.

Symptoms of cervical column osteochondrosis

The patient's condition depends on the stage of the disease.First, rare pains appear during filming or falling the head, tension of the back muscles.After a person experiences constant fatigue.The pain becomes stronger and more often.In addition, weakness, dizziness, rings in the ears are added, visual acuity falls.All signs of osteochondrosis in the cervical column are divided into 3 groups:

• Iritive reflection syndromes-Inneurodistro, muscle and vegetative-vascular manifestations.
• Compression brown- are associated with the compression of nerve endings, one of the key symptoms is acute pain when filming the head.
• Vail artery syndrome- This occurs when the vessel is narrowed which supplies the structure of the brain.

Neurotic disorders

The brain is badly supplied with blood, its work and the state of the nervous system are disturbed.Often, the head hurts, the torments of insomnia, which causes a state of fatigue, apathy.Once the symptoms:

• Increase in perspiration;
• emotional lability (mood instability);
• increased irritability;
• dizziness;
• depression;
• violation of the concentration of attention;
• noise in the ears;
• "Flies" before the eyes;
• anxiety;
• membership (tremor) of the members;
• panic crises;
• Disorders of the vestibular apparatus: nausea, vomiting, instability of walking, disorientation in space, altered coordination.

General clinical signs

Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae causes headaches, a visual impairment.At 2 stages of pathology, patients complain of a ringing in the ears, a bump in their throat, a weakness of the muscles of the hands, a numbness of the tongue.By turning the neck and tilting the head, a crunch is heard, blackheads appear before the eyes.With vertebral artery syndrome, other symptoms appear:

• migraine that goes from the back of the head to the forehead;
• darken before the eyes;
• Scalp pain;
• hearing loss;
• Increase in blood pressure;
• Fingers' tingling.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women

The clinical image does not depend on the soil, but women aged 45 to 65 more often experience a numbness of the members in a dream, tingling and pain in their hands.The attacks are repeated at night several times.

Causes of cervical osteochondosis

Pathology develops under the influence of a high load on the vertebrae, which causes muscle spasm.Often, sitting work leads to this - on the computer, in the vehicle.

People with posture disorders are at risk.Other causes of cervical osteochondosis:

• nervous tension, frequent stressful situations;
• Hypodynamia - Lack of physical effort, low activity;
• weakness of the neck of the neck;
• hereditary predisposition;
• spine injuries;
• rheumatism;
• Excessive physical activity, weight lifting;
• bad nutrition;
• metabolic disorders;

• frequent hypothermia;
• Age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system, cartilage fabric;
• Congenital anomalies in the development of the cervical region;
• autoimmune pathologies that affect the cartilage fabric;
• overweight;
• The instability of the vertebrae.

Diagnosis

The doctor studies the patient's complaints, assesses posture, muscle tension.Clarify the diagnosis using a neck x -ray in 4 projections: the image shows the position of the vertebrae, displacement.The stage of the disease and hidden pathologies are revealed by the following methods:

• Magnetic resonance tomography- The most productive method shows in detail degenerative changes in bones, hernies, projections, ruptures of the fibrous ring.It can be prescribed instead of radiography, but the exam is expensive.
• Ultrasound of the duplex- Evaluate blood flow disorders in the arteries.
• Computed tomography- does not reveal the size and area of the Hernies, is prescribed in the first stages to determine the narrowing of the vertebral gap, the displacement of the segments of the cervical column, the edge of bone growth.

Treatment of cervical osteochondosis

The objectives of therapy are to restore blood circulation, tissue nutrition, to eliminate symptoms of hypoxia, to stop the destruction of vertebrae and discs.It is important to strengthen the muscular corset that supports the neck, to make the mobility of the joints.Treatment tactics are chosen at the stage of the disease:

• Initial- Massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation.
• Osteochondrosis 2-3 steps- Medical treatment, therapeutic exercises, massage.
• Irreversible degenerative changes with destruction, deformation of the vertebrae- Symptomatic surgery and therapy with drugs.
• Exacerbation of the chronic form of cervical osteochondosis- injections or drug tablets that relieve pain, spasms.

Help with pronounced pain

Locally, in the neck, they influence the patch with pepper or the warming of ointments.The active heating of a separate site distracted from the pain, improves blood flow in the tissues.The ointments are applied with a very fine layer using an applicator.Other ways to eliminate pain in osteochondrosis:

• Pain relievers in tablets- They have an average effectiveness, contraindicated in blood coagulation problems.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- The tablets are taken in the absence of the results of the pain relievers, because this group of drugs negatively affects the stomach and the liver.
• Injections- They put with intense acute pain, the action manifests itself after 15 minutes.For intramuscular injections, PNFs, myotropic antispasmodics are used.In serious cases, they blockade.

Conservative methods of therapy for neck osteochondrosis

At 1-2 stages of the disease without cerebral hypoxia symptoms, the treatment is carried out at home.The basis of therapy is gymnastics and massage.They improve blood circulation, strengthen the muscles.Other methods:

• Pharmacotherapy- Oral administration of drugs and injections for exacerbation, ointments and creams the rest of the time.
• Physiotherapy-Cours of 7 to 10 procedures during remission.
• Folk remedies- as an additional method of processing osteochondrosis.
• Diet- Products rich in fatty acids, magnesium, calcium are introduced into the diet.Exclude salt, smoked meats, marinated and spicy foods, fast food.

Medicine

Treatment of cervical osteochondosis during exacerbation aims to relieve unpleasant symptoms, stimulating blood flow, tissue nutrition.

During the period of remission, drugs are used which improve the quality of the cartilage and prevent the vertebrae from the collapses.Medicines are used inward and locally.The main groups of funds are:

• Musory- Rise muscle spasms, reduce the pain, are used for a month.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- They are used locally and inside, relieve pain, swelling.Tablets are not used for more than 10 days.
• Analgesic- Anesthesia, but do not eliminate inflammation and in terms of effect, we are weaker than NSAIDs.
• Chondroprotector- Protect and restore cartilage.
• Sedatives- are often prescribed for women in whom osteochondrosis of the cervical column is complicated by serious neurotic disorders.
• Nootropic- They act on brain traffic, help to fight against dizzy.
• Vitamin and mineral complexes- Improve metabolism in nervous tissues.

Non-drug

During the remission, the treatment of neck osteochondrosis is based on local procedures that improve blood circulation, metabolism, relieve pain, inflammation.The patient is engaged every day in gymnastics, the plan of which develops a doctor.The main treatment methods are as follows:

• Manual therapy- straightening the position of the vertebrae and their consolidation with massage.The course of 5 to 10 sessions spends 2 to 4 times a year.At home, light massage is allowed to caress and rub the cervical area and the collar from top to bottom for 7 to 10 minutes to relieve muscle spasms.
• Electrophoresis with drugs- Preparations for pain relief and improving blood circulation are used, which, with the current faster, falling, to the desired point.
• Magnetotherapy- aimed at removing the edema.
• Acupuncture- improves blood circulation, relieves inflammation.It is held in progress in 8 to 10 sessions after 1 to 2 days.
• Shanza necklace- The controversial method of eliminating the symptoms of osteochondrosis, as the load on the muscles is eliminated, but they are not reinforced.The product fixes the neck and extends the spine, increasing the distance between its segments.They wear a necklace for 3 hours a day for a month.

Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

Outside periods of exacerbation, the patient performs therapeutic exercises.Strong inclinations of the head to the front and backwards, the rotation is prohibited.Each exercise does not make more than a minute, without sudden movements, shocks.If discomfort or pain occurs, the lesson is stopped.Exercises proven for the cervical column:

• Slowly turn your head on the right and left, looking at the point in front of you: you therefore control the small amplitude of the movement.Make 10 to 15 times in each direction, bring gradually to 30.
• Put your palm on your forehead and press it, while trying to tilt your head forward.Read at 5 and relax.Repeat 10 times.
• Cover the left temple with your right palm, press to tilt the head towards the shoulder.Read at 5, let go.Make each side 10 times.
• Lying on the belly, stretch your arms along the body.Lifting your head slightly, turn it slowly to touch the floor with your ear.Make 10 movements on each side.

Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis in the cervical region

If the nerve roots are affected, there is a hernia with a rupture of the ring, the vertebrae are destroyed and there is no result of the main therapy and the operation is carried out.

Symptoms of a serious state: hands paralysis, muscular atrophy, stroke.The main treatment methods:

• Make- Endoscopic elimination of the joints with the subsequent fixation of the vertebrae, which will be motionless.
• Dissection with spondylodeza- It is prescribed for serious deformation changes.During the operation, a soft disc is removed, the vertebrae is spent to stop their destruction.Disadvantages: The mobility of the cervical region is limited, a long rehabilitation.
• Vertebral fusia- Elimination of fragments of a destroyed disc, bone process, introduction of an artificial transplant and fixing the vertebrae.The recovery period is one year, the patient is indicated by wearing a corset.
• Corporate- The withdrawal of the destroyed vertebra and nearby discs is carried out in the absence of the effect of other methods.

Folk remedies for cervical osteochondosis

With intense pain, take 1 teaspoon.Alcohol and camphor, add 2 drops of iodine and rub the areas on the left and right of the spine (do not touch the pillar itself) for 3 to 5 minutes.This is done 1 to 2 times a day.

Other popular recipes in addition to basic therapy:

1. Pour 500 g of renoured with water (2 l), boil, insist.Pour the broth cooled by the gauze in a prepared bath, take it for 15 to 20 minutes.The procedure is carried out at night, it relaxes and calm.The course is 7 to 10 sessions.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon.L.Birch balls, a thousand -of -St. John herbs, mint leaves.Growing, pouring a glass of water, boiling for 5 minutes.Filter, mix with butter and vegetable oil (75 g each).Apply the ointment with a thin layer on the neck, cover with polyethylene and scarf on the top.Keep an hour.The procedures are carried out every day for 2 weeks.
3. Pour 100 g of elderberries with vodka (600 ml).Insist a week in a cold place.Rub the neck with this tool twice a day for 10 to 15 days.

Prevention

Patients over 40 years old should take calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, magnesium lessons every six months - they improve the condition of bones, ligaments and cartilage.The diet includes fatty fish, shrimp, molds, nuts, legumes, spinach, cheeses, milk.Other preventive measures:

• In case of sitting work, change the position of the neck more often, knead it every hour;
• Choose a comfortable pillow;
• Swimming, yoga;
• Avoid heavy athletics, sports with jumps, race;
• Do not leave hypothermia.