Cervical osteochondrosis - causes, symptoms and treatment methods

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

What is osteochondrosis

Pathology is associated with dystrophic changes in cartilage between vertebrae, in which soft tissue becomes hard and depreciation falls.

Osteochondrosis affects the thoracic region, the lower back, but more often the rest - the cervical.The reason is in high loads in 1-7 vertebrae, weak muscles, bad nutrition and choice of a wrong sleep pillow.

The mechanism of damage to the vertebrae of the cervical region

Osteochondrosis develops when the nutritional process of cartilage, mineral metabolism is disturbed.The strength of bones and joints falls, ligaments lose their elasticity.The shape and structure of the disc are changing, under the influence of loads that is destroyed.The vertebrae are gathered, their surfaces are erased.The pathology causes such complications:

1. The blood vessels of closing that pass through 1-7 vertebrae cause hypoxia (oxygen hunger) of the brain.
2. The development of problems in the work of the respiratory system, blood vessels, heart, drop in vision.
3. The violation of the blood circulation of the brain leads to neurocirculatory dystonia (vegetative-vascular).
4. Reducing neck mobility - by forming bone formations in the vertebrae.
5. The violation of cerebellum function, squeezing the spinal cord - leads to death with an advanced stage of the disease.

Cervical osteochondrosis stages

The pathology develops slowly.In the pre -clinical stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, they press a smooth disc.So it gets thinner, the fibrous ring is destroyed, its core is whipping.Protrusion is formed, then a hernia.The vertebrae of each other and each other change the shape, the growths appear on them.Nerves, the blood vessels are compressed.

The early stage of cervical osteochondrosis

Cracks appear in the fibrous ring, the capsule breaks, the jacket is damaged.Cervical osteochondrosis makes sense when the head spins, when nerve endings are compressed, the vessels narrow and the bloodstream suffers.There are pain in the back of the head, the back muscles quickly get tired.

2 Pathology stages

The degenerative process in the discs develops, the capsule ring is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae is reduced, they are unstable and tight in the nerve roots of the spinal cord.The flexibility and mobility of the neck falls.At this stage, the disease is still treated without surgery.

The last stages of neck osteochondrosis

In the third stage of the pathology, the disc protrusion develops, which leads to a hernia, the pulpae ring stands out and housed.Cervical vertebrae and their axis change, brain nutrition undergoes.In addition, the following processes start in the last (3 and 4) Steps of Pathology:

• Intervertebral discs are destroyed, which replaces connective tissue;
• The mobility of cervical joints and shoulders disappears;
• From friction on the surface of the vertebrae, growth is formed, nerve fibers are injured;
• Hand sensitivity falls due to problems with your innervation.

Symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis

The patient's condition depends on the stage of the disease.First, rare pain appears when spinning or lowering the head, tension of the muscles of the back.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 cervical spine osteochondrosis are divided into 3 groups:

• IRRIVIL REFLECTION SYNDROMES-Neurodistrodistrophic, muscle and vegetative manifestations.
• Compression brown- They are associated with compression of nerve endings, one of the main symptoms is acute pain when rotating the head.
• Vail Artery Syndrome- Occurs by strengthening the vessel that feeds the structure of the brain.

Neurotic disorders

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

• Increased perspiration;
• Emotional lability (mood instability);
• greater irritability;
• dizziness;
• depression;
• In violation of attention concentration;
• noise in the ears;
• "Flies" before the eyes;
• anxiety;
• tremor (tremor) of the members;
• Panic attacks;
• Vestibular device disorders: nausea, vomiting, marching instability, space disorientation, impaired coordination.

General clinical signs

Osteochondrosis of cervical vertebrae causes headaches, visual impairment.In 2 stages of pathology, patients complain of a touch of the ears, a knot in their throat, weakness of the muscles of the hands, numbness of the tongue.When turning his neck and tilting his head, a crisis is heard, black points appear in front of the eyes.With vertebral artery syndrome, other symptoms appear:

• Migraine that goes from the back of the head to the forehead;
• Darkening before the eyes;
• Scalp pain;
• hearing loss;
• Increased blood pressure;
• The tingling of the fingers.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women

The clinical picture does not depend on the floor, but women 45 to 65 years old usually experience dormancy of the limbs in a dream, tingling and pain in the hands.The attacks are repeated at night several times.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

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

At risk are people with posture disorders.Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis:

• nervous tension, frequent stressful situations;
• HypodyNamia - Lack of physical effort, low activity;
• weakness of the neck of the neck;
• Hereditary predisposition;
• spine lesions;
• rheumatism;
• Excessive physical activity, weight lifting;
• inadequate nutrition;
• metabolic disorders;

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

Diagnosis

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

• Magnetic Resonance Tomography- The most productive method shows detailed degenerative changes in bones, hernias, protrusion, fibrous ring ruptures.It can be prescribed instead of radiography, but the exam is expensive.
• Duplex digitization by ultrasound- Evaluate the disorders of blood flow in the arteries.
• Computed tomography- It does not reveal the size and zone of hernias, is prescribed in the early stages to determine the narrowing of the vertebral gap, displacement of segments of the cervical spine, the edge of bone growth.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The objectives of therapy are to restore blood flow, tissue nutrition, remove hypoxia symptoms, interrupt the destruction of vertebrae and discs.It is important to strengthen muscle corset that supports the neck, returning mobility to joints.Treatment tactics are chosen in the disease phase:

• Initial- Massage, gymnastics, physical therapy, taking chondroprotectors and medicines that improve blood circulation.
• Osteochondrosis 2-3 stages- Medical treatment, therapeutic exercises, massage.
• Irreversible degenerative changes with destruction, deformation of vertebrae- Surgical intervention and symptomatic therapy with medicines.
• Exacerbation of the chronic form of cervical osteochondrosis- Injections or pills of drugs that relieve pain, spasms.

Help in pronounced pain

Locally in the neck, they influence pepper patch or heating ointments.Active heating of a separate pain distracts from pain increases blood flow in tissues.The ointments are applied with a very thin layer using an applicator.Other ways to remove pain in osteochondrosis:

• Pallets analgesics- They have an average effectiveness, against -Indicated in problems with blood clotting.
• Anti -non -inflammatory drugs -esteroids- Tablets are taken in the absence of painkillers, as this group of medicines negatively affects the stomach and liver.
• Injections- They put with intense acute pain, the action manifests after 15 minutes.For intramuscular injections, NVPs, myotropic antispasmodic antispasmodic are used.In severe cases, they block.

Conservative methods of therapy for neck osteochondrosis

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

• Drug therapy- Oral administration of drugs and injections of exacerbation, ointments and creams the rest of the time.
• Physiotherapy-Cours of 7 to 10 procedures during remission.
• Popular remedies- as an additional method of osteochondrosis treatment.
• Therapy diet- Products rich in fatty acids, magnesium and calcium are introduced into the diet.Delete salt, smoked meats, canned foods and spicy, fast food.

Medicine

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

During the period of remission, medications are used that improve the quality of the cartilage and prevent the vertebrae of the collapses.Medicines are used in and locally.The main background groups are:

• Muselaxantes- Relieving muscle spasm, reducing pain, is used for a month.
• Anti -Inflammatory drugs non -esteroids (NSAIDs)- They are used locally and inside, relieve pain, swelling.The tablets are used no more than 10 days.
• Analgesics- Anesthesia, but does not remove inflammation and, in terms of effect, we are weaker than NSAIDs.
• Chondoprotectors- Protect and restore the cartilage.
• Sedatives- They are usually prescribed for women where cervical spine osteochondrosis is complicated by serious neurotic disorders.
• Nootropic- They act in brain circulation, help fight dizziness.
• Vitamin and Mineral Complexes- Improve metabolism in nervous tissue.

No -drug

During remission, the treatment of neck osteochondrosis is based on local procedures that improve blood flow, metabolism, alleviate pain and inflammation.The patient is involved in gymnastics every day, whose plan elaborates a doctor.The main treatment methods are as follows:

• Manual therapy- straighten the position of the vertebrae and their consolidation with massage.The 5 to 10 sessions course goes 2-4 times a year.At home, light massage is allowed to caress and rub the cervical zone and necklace from top to bottom for 7 to 10 minutes to relieve muscle spasm.
• Electrophoresis with medicines- Preparations for pain relief and improvement of blood circulation are used, which with the fastest fall at the desired point.
• Magnetotherapy- In order to remove edema.
• Acupuncture- Improves blood flow, relieves inflammation.It is held in courses in 8 to 10 sessions after 1-2 days.
• Shanza collar- The controversial method of eliminating the symptoms of osteochondrosis, since muscle load is removed, but they are not strengthened.The product fixes the neck and extends the spine, increasing the distance between its segments.They use a collar for 3 hours a day for a month.

Exercise Therapy for Cervical Vertebrae Osteochondrosis

Out of periods of exacerbation, the patient shows therapeutic exercises.Strong inclinations from head to front and backwards, rotation is prohibited.Each exercise is done no more than a minute, without sudden movements, idiots.If discomfort or pain occurs, the lesson will be interrupted.Proven exercises for the cervical spine:

• Turn your head slowly to the right and left, looking to the point in front of you: so you control the small breadth of the movement.Do 10-15 times in each direction, gradually bring to 30.
• Put the palm of your forehead and press it as it was trying to tilt your head forward.Read to 5 and relax.Repeat 10 times.
• Cover the left temple with the right palm, press to tilt your head on your shoulder.Read to 5, let go.Do each side 10 times.
• Lying face down, stretch your arms along the body.Increasing the head a little, rotate slowly to touch the floor with the ear.Make 10 movements on each side.

Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis in the cervical region

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

Symptoms of a serious condition: hands paralysis, muscle atrophy, stroke.The main treatment methods:

• FatSetectomy- Endoscopic removal of the joints with the subsequent fixation of the vertebrae, which will be immovable.
• Spondylodeza dissectomy- It is prescribed for serious deformation changes.During operation, a soft disc is removed, the vertebrae are spent to interrupt their destruction.Cons: The mobility of the cervical region is limited and long rehabilitation.
• Spinal fusia- Removal of fragments of a destroyed disc, bone processes, the introduction of an artificial transplant and the fixation of the vertebrae.The recovery period is one year, the patient is indicated by the use of a corset.
• Corplate- Remove the destroyed vertebra and the nearby discs is performed in the absence of the effect of other methods.

Folkloric remedies for cervical osteochondrosis

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

Other folkloric recipes, in addition to basic therapy:

1. Pour 500 g of knot with water (2 L), boil, insist.Pour the cold broth through the gauze in a prepared bath, take it for 15 to 20 minutes.The procedure is performed at night, it relaxes and calms down.The course is 7 to 10 sessions.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon.l.Birch sprouts, St. John's Herbs, Mint leaves.Moa, pour a glass of water, boil for 5 minutes.Strain, 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 top.Keep an hour.The procedures are performed every day for 2 weeks.
3. Pour 100 g of berries of vodka (600 ml).Insist a week in a cold place.Rub your neck with this tool 2 times a day for 10 to 15 days.

Prevention

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

• In case of work sitting, change the neck position more frequently, knead every hour;
• Choose a comfortable pillow;
• Swim, yoga;
• Avoid heavy athletics, jumping sports, running;
• Do not allow hypothermia.