Pain in the neck is familiar to most people from the school bench.The emergence of new technologies in our life, such as a computer, smartphone, tablet, game consoles, etc.Forced us to change our anatomy in one way or another.We are sitting in front of the monitor for hours, and at night we play games on our gadgets, lowering our heads into the screen.All this led to the fact that such a disease as cervical osteochondrosis was significantly “younger”.
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical region?
Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic spinal disease, which manifests itself in a specific section-the cervical.The disease is based on a violation of metabolism and nutrition in the cells of the spine.Since the cartilage and bones are not supplied with blood through the vessels, they get useful substances in a different way - from nearby cells.It happens that for some reason, the cells cease to properly feed the spine.Then the process of degeneration is launched.
First of all, intervertebral discs suffer.By nature, they are elastic and bending, have shock -absorbing properties, which allows them to effectively separate the vertebrae, distribute the load, soften strokes or reduce tension when lifting weights.If the power is not enough, the intervertebral disc begins to dry, lose moisture.As a result, on the fibrous ring surrounded by the disk, cracks appear, the disk core dries and weakens.In the end, the disk ceases to fulfill its function.Further, the process throws it to the vertebrae: without a natural “separator”, they begin to put pressure on each other, as well as on the intervertebral discs themselves.As a result, at some point, the pressure can become critical: the fibrous ring of the disk bursts, the nucleus falls and a hernia forms.
Cervical osteochondrosis consists in complete unbalance in the spine.In order to compensate for the absence of discs, the brain can “give a command” to form bone growths-osteophytes in order to somehow compensate for asymmetry.However, this does not help, but only brings big problems.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the most dangerous variety of this disease.It is in the neck area that the largest number of nerve roots and blood vessels is located, in this place the vertebral arteries are the closest to Vertebral Spine, and 30% supply the brain with blood.Due to hernias, displacements, protrusions and osteophytes caused by osteochondrosis, nerves and blood vessels can be damaged, which entails serious systemic diseases in the body.
Reasons
The main cause of the occurrence of the disease is a sedentary lifestyle, due to which nutrients seem to “stagnate” and do not reach the destination-the spine.However, there are others:
- Lack of physical activity and sports, as a result, a poorly developed muscle corset
- Excessive physical activity
- Smoking and alcohol abuse
- abuse of too oily and salty foods, "quick" carbohydrates
- Excess weight
- heredity
- generic or other injuries
- Initially curved posture
- Transferred infectious diseases with complications on the spine
- Natural aging of the body
Symptoms
There are more than 20 symptoms in the disease, and only some of them.
- Pain in the neck, shoulders
- Paroxysmal headaches, poorly relieved by painkillers
- Limited movements, inability to turn your head
- Pressure surges
- Symptoms of supposedly heart disease: tingling in the heart, shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Nausea
- Decrease in visual acuity and hearing, the effect of double in the eyes and noise in the ears
- Difficulties when swallowing, swelling of the tongue
- Numbness, tingling or trembling in the limbs
- Numbness or pain in the jaw
- Lack of muscle tone or excessive tone
- Drying of one of the limbs
- Drowsiness, aggression, irritability
Complications
The complications of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and their symptoms are usually the cause of the patient’s seeking the doctor, but this means that the disease is already in the later stages.The cervical osteochondrosis itself can take a very long time asymptomatic or express in mild pain in the neck.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes a change in the geometry and anatomy of the spine: the release of discs or even the vertebrae outside the normal place of position or the formation of osteophytes.The so -called "primary" complications:
- intervertebral hernia (rupture of the fibrous ring of disk, its displacement)
- Disk protrusion (“output” of the intervertebral disc beyond its anatomical limits)
- The formation of osteophytes - spondylosis (with the help of such bone growths, the body tries to compensate for the imbalance to the spine)
In addition, degenerative processes to spine, which caused displacements or formation of bone growths, will most likely cause pinching of the nerve roots, vessel or vertebral artery.
This is fraught with "secondary" complications:
- Vegeto-vascular dystonia-VSD (violation of the work of cerebral circulation)
- The vertebral artery cord, vertebro-bazicular insufficiency (Compression of the vertebral artery)
- Radicolor syndrome - radiculite (infringement of nerve roots)
- Cervicobrachialgia (constant pain in the neck and head, poorly relieved by painkillers)
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis are very dangerous, they can cause a violation of the circulatory system, blood vessels, change cerebral functions, and even cause a stroke.
Diagnostics
The first diagnostic method is inspection, conversation, anamnesis.An experienced vertebrologist, by your complaints, will be able to determine if you have cervical osteochondrosis.He will ask - about the nature, duration and localization of pain, will carry out palpation of painful areas, approximately localizes the area of the lesion.To exclude other diseases, a blood and urine test will be prescribed to you.Next, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of an X -ray examination.
Basic diagnostic methods:
- Computer tomograph (CT)
- Magnetic resonance tomography (MRI)
- X -ray
To say which method is preferable, your doctor should, depending on the characteristics of the body, the nature of complaints, on contraindications.The most expensive and informative picture is MRI, soft tissues are visible on the image, so in case of damage to blood vessels, cartilage, nerves, the doctor will be able to localize the sick area.However, a computer tomograph gives a clear picture of bone tissues, which will allow you to measure the distance between the vertebrae, determine the stage of the disease.The advantage of the X -ray is cheapness, speed (the procedure will take a maximum of 20 minutes), as well as the ability to conduct a study with functional tests (the picture is taken in the maximum flexion and maximum extension of the neck).
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The basic principle of effective treatment is an integrated approach, a combination of many methods, prolonged therapy even after removing an acute state.
Medicines
- Anesthetic and non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs will help relieve pain attacks, will allow you to move on to further stages of treatment.Injections or oral use are possible.
- Chondroproprotectors - drugs that slow down the degradation of cartilage tissues.
- Musorelaxants - relax tense muscles.
- Vasodilative drugs.They are prescribed in case of violation of the circulation.
- Nootropic drugs.They are prescribed if the cerebral system is damaged and it is necessary to improve the brain activity depressed due to the nerve roots infringed with osteochondrosis and the lack of blood flow.
- Vitamins and antioxidants to generally improve brain functions.
- Diuretics - to control the level of potassium and sodium in the blood.
Physiotherapy
Effective electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture, manual therapy are effective.The price of the session varies depending on the level of the clinic, specialists and equipment.In total, 10-15 sessions will need.
Change in lifestyle: physical exercises, massage, swimming.
This stage of treatment must begin after removing acute pain.It is needed to increase the muscle corset of the spine in order to redistribute the load on it.A massage course and exercise therapy sessions are prescribed.It is more profitable to buy a subscription that includes a visit to the pool, masseur and exercise therapist instructor.
Dream
The correct dream on the orthopedic pillow and orthopedic mattress.
Proper nutrition
Compliance with the diet and some rules: the exclusion of alcohol, tobacco, fatty and salty products, reduction of quick carbohydrates.