Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is one of the most dangerous types of neurological diseases. What is this disease, how does it manifest itself? What measures can help prevent this? How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spineYou can find answers to these questions in this article.
Features of the disease
Osteochondrosis is generally a degenerative modification of the intervertebral discs that subsequently affects the bone tissue and the nervous system. What is happening to this disease? In the cartilage disc, which has a shock-absorbing function in the structure of the spine, dehydration begins, or simply dehydration due to metabolic failure. The nucleus begins to press on the ring around it, and the disc extends beyond the vertebrae. This phenomenon is called protrusion. When the membrane ruptures, an intervertebral rupture occurs, which is even more dangerous.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that brings a lot of pain and discomfort to a person's life. In contrast to the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, the cervical vertebrae are more flexible, they are the smallest and are constantly under the influence of stress. The disease most commonly affects these specific segments of the spine. A large number of nerve and blood branches are concentrated in the cervical spine. This is where an important large vertebral artery runs that carries nutrients to the brain. The narrowed state of this vessel is dangerous due to the development of ischemia of the spinal cord or brain, as well as a stroke. When these arterial and nerve fibers running in the cervical spine are affected, the person loses coordination of movements, their hearing and eyesight are weakened, dizziness is common, and various neurological disorders are observed, which are discussed below.
reasons
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs at a young age. What causes the development of the diseaseWhat causes contribute to the onset of the disease, even in people under 30? Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the treatment of which requires a lot of time and patience, is due to two main factors:
- hypodynamics or sedentary lifestyle;
- Malnutrition.
As a result, there is a violation of the metabolism (metabolism) in the entire body, especially in bone and cartilage tissues, the salt content in the blood increases and they cannot find a way out of the bloodstream "refuge" in the tissues of the kidneys, the liverand the cervical spine. An unbalanced diet leads to a lack of nutrients in the cartilage, as a result of which pathological changes in the intervertebral discs begin. Osteochondrosis is particularly vulnerable to those at risk.
Let's name the factors, the presence of which increases the likelihood of developing the disease:
- inheritance;
- age after 40 years;
- overweight;
- frequent hypothermia (not for nothing do they say "Don't be cold in the neck! ");
- malfunctions of the endocrine system that disrupt metabolism;
- spinal injuries;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- rheumatism;
- Type of activity - drivers, office workers, cashiers, athletes, people who do hard physical work.
Symptoms
How is cervical osteochondrosis manifested? The symptoms of the disease and the type of pain you experience depend on which segments have been damaged. In this regard, the following states can develop:
- vertebral artery syndrome;
- hypertensive syndrome;
- radicular syndrome;
- cervical migraine syndrome.
Let's look at each one. In the vertebral artery syndrome, severe headaches occur even in the early stages. Often times, a person is dizzy, the gait becomes shaky, and visual acuity decreases. Sudden movements of the head can lead to loss of consciousness. Radicular syndrome is characterized by a wide variety of manifestations. These include:
- cervicalgia or severe neck pain;
- grinds when turning the head;
- weakness and tinnitus;
- numbness and pain in the arm;
- disruption of auditory and visual functions;
- tinnitus;
- cervicobrachialgia, or pain that spreads from the neck to the arms;
- Sensation of swelling and numbness of the tongue.
The cervical migraine syndrome is primarily characterized by impaired blood flow to the brain tissue, which leads to high blood pressure and the development of symptoms such as noise and ringing in the ears, their constipation, dizziness and rapid pulse. The danger of this condition is the possibility of developing a spinal stroke. Hypertensive syndrome is accompanied by headaches that are aggravated by head movements, nausea and vomiting (especially in the morning), nervousness, sudden changes in pressure, the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, and drowsiness.
Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) of the brain develops. Cervical osteochondrosis often manifests itself in cardiac arrhythmias in which a steady heart rhythm is lost. Entrapment of the lateral vertebral arteries results in vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis is to examine the patient. A neuropathologist visually examines the condition of the spine, back muscles, and posture and determines the presence of protruding spinous processes through probing. Palpation allows the doctor to understand which parts are affected by the pain based on the patient's reaction. Diagnostic methods are used by the hardware:
- radiography;
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- Dopplerography.
The first method often involves the introduction of a contrast agent into a specific tissue (discography, angiography, etc. ). This is necessary to get more accurate information about the features of the course of the disease.
Treatment
Your doctor will tell you how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and how not to harm the body. Below are the basic rules and recommendations for dealing with this nasty disease. However, the beginning of any successful treatment is a visit to a neurologist. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine uses a number of methods. Among them:
- drug therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- traditional medicine;
- exercises.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the most dangerous because it is at this point that important arteries that carry blood to the brain tissue go through the processes of the vertebrae. Therefore, taking medication and fulfilling medical prescriptions must be approached with all responsibility.
Drug therapy
How do you treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with medication? Drug therapy for the disease includes the following means:
- painkillers;
- anti-inflammatory;
- vitamins;
- chondroprotectors.
Analgesics relieve the manifestations of pain during exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis and are used for a short time. The attending physician can prescribe the drugs tramadol, tolperisone hydrochloride and etorikoxib as anesthetics. Lidocaine injections can be used for very severe pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are said to reduce inflammation, including the drugs diclofenac, ibuprofen, piroxicam. Such funds are also used externally. These are various ointments and gels: "Diclofenac", etc. Of the vitamins, the most valuable vitamins for maintenance therapy in osteochondrosis, B vitamins, which can reduce the sensitivity of tissues and weaken the neurological manifestations of the disease.
Chondroprotectors
They are formulated by pharmacologists to restore cartilage tissue. There are two active ingredients that make up such drugs - glucosamine and chondroitin. Both compounds can be contained in one preparation or each can be used individually. Examples of chondroprotectors: glucosamine patches, chondroitin sulfate ointment, etc. These funds should be used for a long time, at least 3-6 months, otherwise you may not get the desired result.
Blockade
If the pain is severe, injections of drugs directly into the lesion site will help alleviate the patient's condition. This injection is called a blockade. A mixture of drugs is usually used as medicine. One of them has an analgesic effect, the other is said to reduce inflammation. The blockade can only be carried out by a highly qualified doctor, under no circumstances yourself! Not only can this harm the patient's health, but it can also pose a threat to his or her life. This injection is done in two ways:
- injection of drugs into the ligaments and tissues surrounding the joint;
- Injection directly into the intervertebral disc.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures are very effective in cervical osteochondrosis. They accelerate recovery, have a positive effect on the whole body. Before we talk about it, let's list the contraindications to physical therapy:
- tumors, oncological diseases;
- blood diseases;
- acute dermatological diseases;
- Taking medication that can increase the effects of physical therapy.
How do you treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with physiotherapy? In this regard, using many methods has a good effect. For example, shock wave therapy is the application of sound waves to a lesion. It reduces inflammation, swelling, pain, stimulates collagen synthesis and improves tissue metabolism. Laser therapy, magnetotherapy, ultrasound treatment, vibration therapy are also used. Impact on the sore spot with low voltage impulse currents or diadynamic therapy will reduce the severity of the pain. Electrophoresis with the drug "Procaine" causes an analgesic effect during an exacerbation. Additional physiotherapeutic methods are UV irradiation of the affected area and traction of the spine or detector therapy.
Physiotherapy exercises
You can achieve tangible results through gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. It is important that it is used only in the final stages of treatment, since active movements in the neck area are strictly forbidden in the first and middle stages. The gymnastics is carried out with a cotton gauze collar that is worn in the cervical area. Resistance exercises are performed with the help of a doctor, who tries to tilt the patient's head with the palm of his hand, and who, in turn, tries to overcome the doctor's actions. This strengthens the muscular corset of the neck. A head hold exercise is also helpful. It's like this. Lying on the couch, the patient lifts his head and holds it in this position for 5 seconds. This time increases to 40-60 seconds when the pain and neurological syndrome are already overcome. Therapeutic gymnastics provides that each exercise is performed no more than five times in one approach.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is designed for:
- improves blood supply to the affected area;
- to strengthen the back and neck muscles;
- reduces the stress on the vertebrae;
- normalizes the mobility of the joints;
- accelerates the glucose metabolism for the active nutrition of intervertebral discs.
If you have a disease like cervical osteochondrosis, a massage is necessary. It refers to the methods of manual therapy and is aimed at relaxing the muscles, improving blood flow and lymph movement at the site of the lesion.
Traditional medicine
Treatment of such a disease as osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, folk remedies, is considered an auxiliary measure, and in no case the main therapy. The number of recipes with different herbs and products is very large. They often use products like lemon, garlic, burdock or horseradish leaves (as a compress), dandelion root, St. John's wort, yarrow, lavender and many others. The patient himself is responsible for his or her health when using traditional medicine.
Nutritional features
How can you cure cervical osteochondrosis? Many people ask this question. But how to eat with this disease, what foods will be useful? Let's list them:
- dairy products;
- lean meat and fish;
- jellied meat;
- jam;
- jelly;
- fresh fruits and vegetables;
- Vitamin B Sources - Liver, Walnuts, Brown Rice, Broccoli, Buckwheat, Brewer's Yeast, Green Vegetables, Kidneys;
- complex carbohydrates - whole grain bread, cereals, vegetables;
- vegetable fats - olive, sunflower and linseed oil.
Don't forget about products that can be harmful in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Avoid using sweets, baked goods, alcohol, smoked meats and salty foods, spicy foods, animal fats, coffee, and strong tea too often. Remove sugar, potatoes and white bread from the menu.
prevention
Don't neglect your morning exercises and stretch your neck during your work day. It helps to improve blood circulation, which ensures the supply of nutrients to the cartilage tissue and relaxes the muscles. Exercise more - regular jogging, fitness classes are considered an important measure in the prevention of osteochondrosis. Obesity often leads to the development of the disease. So try to follow the arrow on the scales. Don't overeat, don't use too much high-calorie, fatty and sugary foods. Eliminate all chronic infections in your body. Particular attention should be paid to the correct position of the body during sleep and rest - the muscles of the neck should not be squeezed.
For example, every patient should have an orthopedic pillow for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and its use is also useful for the prevention of the disease. When you rest on it, the muscles of the neck relax and the blood vessels are not under excessive pressure.
Health and nutrition of the cartilage
Separately, I would like to mention the tendency of girls and women to experience different diets, which are sometimes so cruel and low in calories that the body begins to use the substances in its own tissues as a source of energy. Remember that any diet should be balanced, contain the necessary minimum of nutrients, mainly protein, and be accompanied by the intake of vitamins and minerals. Otherwise, you risk not only becoming the owner of worn out cartilage, which will be very difficult and expensive to restore in the future, but also a number of unpleasant diseases. And remember that the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine will be successful only if the patient follows all the recommendations and prescriptions of the attending physician.