Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

The osteochondrosis of the cervical column is a progressive dystrophy process, interverting intervertebral discs.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are characterized by a strong pain in the neck, head, shoulders and surprise everyone, regardless of their age.

Description of osteochondrosis

The neck osteochondrosis was much younger.Young people suffer from them, starting with adolescence.The neck is the weakest area of the column.Seven vertebrae adjacent to each other quite strongly, and the muscular framework develops worse than the rest of the departments.The neck is subject to serious loads, because it serves as support from the cranial box and is constantly moving.

What is cervical osteochondrosis?The food of the intervertebral discs is carried out by dissemination of neighboring fabrics.The deterioration of the blood supply to the tissues surrounding the vertebrae gives a nutrition deficiency, water.The starvation of the disc nucleus, the fibrous ring leads to degenerative processes.

The growing bone tissue near the vertebrae, the subject intervertebral discs, the transmitted nerves and ligaments are first manifested by signs of reduction of performance.High intensity pain at the beginning is concentrated on the neck, head, shoulders, heart, arms, the upper chest, changing to the lower extremities.Each of the seven vertebrae sends signals to other departments.The squeezed nerve roots are reflected in the state of other body systems.

Especially dangerous is osteochondrosis for the brain.The vertebral artery that passes here performs the function of guaranteeing blood supply on the back of the brain.His thrust leads to headaches, they often develop in migraines, not subject to analgesics.Neck osteochondrosis can be accompanied by dizziness, visual disability and hearing, nausea, vomiting.Later, pharyngeal symptoms, sudden fainting due to an oxygen deficiency in the brain manifest.The compression of the vertebral artery leads to the ischemia of the spinal cord and the brain.The exacerbation of the process causes a spinal stroke.

Basic processes for the disease

Neck osteochondrosis should be considered from the interaction of physiological and pathological factors:

• Physiological process:The aging of a cartilage column occurs due to irreversible natural causes.There are changes in the central part of the intervertebral disc.The age -related change process leads to the replacement of the pulp with a fibrous tissue;
• Pathological process:Degenerative changes occur in intervertebral structures, the destruction of the vessels and nodes that surround them.The changes occur outside the cartilage itself, there is a compression of blood vessels, irritation of nerve endings.A person feels records, painful symptoms of a local and reflected nature.

The osteochondrosis of the cervical column acquires a pathological form when physiological aging is replaced by a pathological process.At first, the compensatory and protective mechanisms of the body that eliminate the disease are triggered.Therefore, osteochondrosis can pass or emerge only episodically.But this function is not eternal.

The progress of the disease, expressed in the compression of vascular and nerve structures, accompanies the following processes:

• Spondylolistz, in which the spinal album is sliding.Even a slight displacement leads to the development of paralysis.Severe displacement ends in death;
• The octopus core is impregnated with calcium salts.This leads to a violation of the nutrition of the disc, causes the formation of a hernia;
• The intervertebral hernia was formed due to the bulge of the intervertebral disc between the vertebrae.Ignore therapeutic measures leads to slow paralysis;
• The appearance of microcracks in the fibrous ring, the development of protuberance.The intervertebral album is being removed by its limits;
• Spondylosis means wear of vertebrae.The osteophytes arises: the growth of bone tissue in the form of hooks and peaks, located on the sides of the vertebral bodies.Severe pain occurs and, as a result, rigidity of the movements.

The causes of cervical oschondrosis

An increase in load in the cervical region leads to an attempt of the body to compensate for the condition.Thus begins muscle cramps, deterioration of blood circulation, deformation.The structure of the vertebra itself changes.The cause can also be a progressive disc that occurs due to long -term physical effort.

The main factors that cause the beginning of cervical osteochondrosis:

• hypodinamia;
• weakening of immunity;
• overwhelming physical effort;
• the presence of spine injuries;
• receipt deficiency with nutrition of the necessary substances, obesity;
• Posture problems (scoliosis, flat feet, rheumatism);
• hereditary factor;
• autoimmune diseases that cause the degeneration of cartilage tissue;
• stress, prolonged nervous tension;
• climate factor, cold and moisture;
• Congenital abnormalities of the spinal column.

The main causes of osteochondrosis are the disproportionality of the load in the spine, a muscular corset too weak.People after thirty years are at risk, especially if their day has been sitting for a long time.

Stages of development

The progression of the osteochondrosis of the cervical region can be divided into several stages:

• The first, preclinical.It is characterized by small vertebral deformations, softness of cervical lordosis.Pain is felt with acute head movements, fatigue occurs.The development of the disease can be prevented without involving medications.It is required to balance their food, choose exercises, perform preventive measures;
• The second.An unstable state between the vertebrae is established.The vertebral changes of the vertebrae appear with each other, Thuria: the rotation around the spine.The pain intensifies when the neck moves from time to time on the shoulders, hands.The height of the intervertebral discs is reduced, which leads to the pinch of the nerves.Characterized by signs such as distraction, fatigue, head pain;
• The third stage.The height of the intervertebral disc is reduced by a room in relation to the previous disc.Deformations begin to appear in the intervertebral joints.There is a decrease in the light of the intervertebral holes, the spine channel.Strong pain is constantly felt.The muscles of the hands begin to grow due to the beginning of the formation of the hernia of the intervertebral discs.The cervical region loses flexibility.The patient feels dizziness, weakness.

The height of the intervertebral disc is significantly reduced.Intervertebral discs are destroyed, replacing with connective tissue.Large osteophytes are formed on the back of the cervical region.The vertebral channel is greatly reduced, causing the development of myelopathy.The patient's condition worsens, accompanied by deteriorated coordination, dizziness, severe pain, ears.

Symptoms

The symptomatic image of the neck differs from disorders in other departments.This is due to a dense provision of the vertebrae with each other.Due to the low height of the intervertebral discs, the clinic begins to appear even with light pathologies.The damage signs will vary depending on which of the eight nerve roots is damaged.Under each of the seven vertebrae, there is a nerve, its compression has its own symptoms.

The problems in the first two vertebrae interrupt the sensitivity of the back of the head.The pain is located in the occipital parietal region.The nervous end of the third vertebra is rare.Symptoms manifest in numbness of a fixed area, language, speech problems.The fourth column indicates about malfunction with pain and numbness in the clavicle, shoulder.You can create breathing difficulties, heart pain.Fifth segment disease causes shoulder pain, a decrease in extremities sensitivity.

The injuries of the sixth and seventh vertebrae are the most common among patients.The neck, the shoulder blades, the forearms, the lower back, the back suffer.There is numbness of the hands and fingers.Pathological changes in the eighth nervous root are characterized by the spread of pain in the lower extremities.There is a loss of skin sensitivity, small fingers are numb in the arms and legs.The interrupted blood circulation causes feet, hands.

The common signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• pain that extends to the upper body and is lower;
• weakness, decrease in the sensitivity of the hands;
• difficulty in movements, crispy;
• Deteriorated coordination, accompanied by a bell, noise in the ears, a feeling of disorientation, weakness, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• Numbness of the tongue, fingers and legs, worsening of hearing, vision.

Cervical ostecondrosis diagnosis

To determine damaged intervertebral discs and the degree of their disease, the doctor must perform a series of exams: radiography, magnetic resonance, TC (computerized tomography), duplex scan of ultrasound.The most precise way to study the health of the cervical region is magnetic resonance (MRI).The purpose of magnetic resonance is to identify pathological changes in the tissues of the spine, in particular, the spinal cord and the intervertebral hernias.After the patient exam and survey, performing an exam, the treating neurologist makes a preliminary diagnosis, prescribes the treatment.

TREATMENT

If osteochondrosis is suspected, you should consult a neuropathologist.The duration of the therapy's course depends on the age of the person, the severity of cervical osteochondrosis, such as therapy, and the patient performs all the doctor's recommendations.A complete cure of serious forms of osteochondrosis is impossible.The purpose of complex treatment is to slow down the pathological process in procedure, the elimination of symptoms.Therapy can be conservative, operational or combine both areas.If headaches increase, then it is necessary to start therapy as soon as possible.

To get rid of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column, there are two main types of treatment:

• medications performed taking medications;
• Physiotherapy includes UHF, electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy courses.They are stimulating the act on blood flow, metabolism, eliminate muscle spasm.

To weaken the compression of the peripheral areas of the central nervous system (central nervous system) and the leveling of pain at the time of exacerbation of the disease, pharmacological therapy is used.After eliminating the acute manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis, therapy does not stop.Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed.It is necessary to regularly massage the necklace area.Popular remedies are also used.

Pharmacological therapy of osteochondrosis

The treatment with medications will have a full effect only with other methods, for example, with physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy), massage.The medications are designed to relieve pain, restore cartilage regeneration, activate blood circulation in the affected tissues of the neck.

Many doctors recipe injections for a more effective effect on nerve endings.But the vitamins are taken better in the form of tablets, since the injections are very painful.To have an anti -inflammatory effect, the doctor introduces intramuscular injections.

The main types of drugs for therapy:

• Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They have an analgesic effect, eliminate the aseptic inflammatory process, swelling swelling.With obvious signs of the disease, injections are made twice a day with these medications.Use creams externally;
• Condroprotectors.Activate metabolism, regenerate cartilage fabrics.Eliminate damage to intervertebral discs.There are injection drugs for the administration of joints and muscles.The course of therapy takes place up to 4 months;
• B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), E, A, C, DContribute to the improvement of metabolism in tissues, catalyze its restoration;
• Musorelaxantes.For relaxation of spasmodic muscles.Tablets are used for a month.In a serious way of the disease, a variety of medication injection is used;
• drugs to activate blood flow in the brain,Rheological blood properties.

As additional medications are used to accelerate recovery:

• Angioprotectors- Drug injection forms are designed to activate blood flow in the veins, strengthen the tone of blood vessels;
• Glucocorticoesteroids- Reduce swelling and inflammation in the form of injections;
• Biogenic stimulants.Accelerate metabolic processes, help restore destroyed fabrics.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physiotherapeutic methods serve as an addition to pharmacological treatment, significantly activate the recovery speed, extend the remission stage and reduce the frequency of exacerbations.

Physiotherapy methods:

• Exercise therapy- This is one of the most effective methods to treat osteochondrosis.Regular classes activate blood circulation, contribute to the restoration of damage;
• massageImproves nerve conductivity, restores muscle tone;
• MagnetotherapyEliminates swelling of fabrics;
• Laser therapyIt acts with a concentrated beam of optical light.Triggers recovery processes in the body;
• Reflexology- Activation of certain points.Improves immunity, relieves spasms and neck pain;
• ultrasoundIt provides an analgesic, anti -inflammatory effect;
• Electrophoresis using medicinal herbs.Electric current helps penetrate drug ions in a given place.

To get rid of cervical osteochondrosis, manual therapy, thermotherapy and laying are also used.All these methods slow down the progress of the disease.

Osteochondrosis cannot be cured with herbs, but, accompanying the main therapy, they help relieve the condition.Mix 2 teaspoons of honey with two mom's tablets.The mixture is heated, applied to a warm scarf, which is tied with the neck at night.The bio -stimulating properties of honey perfectly complement treatment.To rub, the tincture prepared from radish, vodka and honey in a proportion of 1.5: 0.5: 1, measurements are used in glasses.It can twist three large lemon with a meat grinder with four garlic slices.Pour the mixture into a two -liter bottle with boiling water.Having mixed the content, drink with the empty stomach half a glass.The pain can also be removed with heating with mustard plates, peppers.

Therapeutic exercises

During the recovery period, you can perform a therapeutic load complex by the neck.LFK is based on several dynamic exercises.Gymnastics should not be carried out with exacerbation.When performing exercises, it is recommended to monitor the appearance of discomfort, it is unacceptable.

From the position of bedtime in the stomach, you must lift the upper part of the body, according to your hands.A 1-2 minutes delay.Enter the initial position and repeat 2-3 times.Then you need to stretch your hands through the body.The heads of the head are made to the right and to the left 6-7 times, trying to put the floor with the ear.Feel.Tilt the case forward by inspiration, the head leans towards the chest.In exhalation, bowing back, throwing his head back.10-15 The inclinations are enough.Now you need to put your palms on your forehead and put mutual pressure for 30 seconds.Repeat 2-3 times.To make head rotation 10 times in each direction.If the head begins to turn, the exercise must be interrupted.

Complications

The cervical region is rich in blood vessels, nerve endings that feed the brain.Its slightest compression is harmful to the whole body, interrupting blood circulation in the brain and causing neurological disorders: migraine, heart malfunction, respiratory system, vision, audition, hypertension.The complication in the form of the vertebral artery syndrome, the ischemia of the brain, the spinal stroke, which occurs in an advanced shape of the neck disease is especially dangerous.When radiculopathy occurs, mobility is lost.Grabbing the spinal cord leads to death.

To avoid surgical intervention in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it should not be taken with a doctor to the first signs.It is necessary to use all available therapy methods, as well as a change in lifestyle, nutrition.