Osteochondrosis in medicine is usually called dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.This problem can appear in a person of any age.Dysfunction of the intervertebral discs can lead to the development of many unpleasant associated health problems.Therefore, it is necessary to immediately pay attention to the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and then begin immediate treatment.
General description of the disease
The cervical spine includes 8 paired nerve nodes, as well as 7 vertebrae.Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as a rule, develops due to the fact that the intervertebral pulp degenerates into vitrified tissue.In parallel with this, pathological changes negatively affect the endings of nerve fibers, as well as important vessels.This pathology mainly affects the 8th and 7th vertebrae.
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are easily confused with other pathologies.During the illness, attacks of headaches are observed, and discomfort is also felt in the neck area.Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are also accompanied by dizziness, nausea and blood pressure problems.In most cases, this disease is confused with diseases of the blood vessels and heart.
It is important to note that often, against the background of pathology of the vertebrae, the patient begins to suddenly lose consciousness, feels short of breath, and sometimes the tongue may even go numb.Therefore, the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should, as they say, “be known by sight”.
This unpleasant disease is mainly diagnosed in people over 30 years old.This is explained by the peculiarities of the location of the human skeleton, as well as constant dynamic and statistical loads.But it is worth paying attention to the fact that the disease has recently become increasingly younger, as a result of which signs of cervical osteochondrosis are observed in women and men even in their teens.
Causes of the disease
The development of this unpleasant disease is influenced by pathological and physiological processes.All of them are closely related to each other, and in medical practice, experts constantly consider them together.
As for physiological changes, they are caused by irreversible age-related processes occurring in the cartilage of the spine.These changes are located in the central region of the intervertebral disc.The physiological signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men are manifested as pinching of the pulp by certain fibrous tissues.When the nerve endings are irritated, the patient begins to feel discomfort.
Pathological changes are a process when the area of inflammation extends beyond the zones of cartilaginous tissue.Pathological signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men can cause severe irritation in the area of nerve endings, as well as compression of blood vessels.Such changes can occur in a context of poor nutrition due to a sedentary lifestyle.In addition, pathological changes are often observed in adolescents and middle-aged people.
It is important to note that signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men in some cases disappear on their own or appear as short-term episodes.The human body has several protective and compensatory functions, which over time are capable of neutralizing these pathological changes in the cartilage area.
Provoking factors
The following factors can provoke the development of this unpleasant disease:
- Overweight.
- Lack of constant physical activity, as well as sedentary work.
- Stressful conditions and nervous stress.
- The patient's body is often in an awkward position.
- Injuries to the back of the head and neck.
- Hypothermia.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women can arise due to congenital anomalies, as well as autoimmune diseases.
Main features
It should be noted that cervical osteochondrosis is sometimes not accompanied by pain in a specific part of the spine.This disease often presents an unclear clinical picture.The main signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women include dizziness, sudden changes in blood pressure and migraine.However, it is necessary to highlight the symptoms that will require urgent hospitalization of the patient:
- Increasing headache, accompanied by a deterioration in general health.
- Loss of mobility in the muscles of the shoulder girdle or face, numbness.
- Impaired coordination of movements.
- Loss of consciousness.
When considering the signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, one should pay attention to the fact that the pain often radiates to the upper limbs and shoulder girdle.A distinctive feature of this is the pain syndrome, which is paroxysmal in nature.Basically, this pain occurs when waking up, during laughter, sudden movements, sneezing and coughing.
When answering the question about what signs of cervical osteochondrosis bother the patient, one should pay attention to the fact that at the initial stage of the disease the pain quickly subsides, tightness in the neck is often observed, the muscles become weaker and the skin loses sensitivity.
If there are pathological changes in the sixth vertebra, pain in the thumb may be felt.And if the changes affected the seventh vertebra, the pain appears in the middle finger.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine in women, as a rule, appear later than in the stronger half of humanity.
Relationship with other diseases
The manifestation of signs of cervical osteochondrosis in men and women may be associated with other diseases.For example, experts have long established a link between blood pressure and cervical osteochondrosis.This unpleasant disease is characterized by sharp changes in blood pressure throughout the day, and persistent hypertension is irrelevant to this disease.
An increase in pressure in osteochondrosis can be accompanied by pain in the arms, chest, legs and noise in the head.Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine include decreased sensitivity of the skin in the collar area.Constant stress and prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position can cause an increase in blood pressure.
Dizziness and cervical osteochondrosis occur due to severe pain, impaired cerebral circulation, and also due to the transmission of nerve signals.This can also occur due to existing problems with the vestibular system.Initial signs of cervical osteochondrosis include non-systemic dizziness.In this case, the patient does not feel objects rotating, but feels intense nausea.It is very difficult for the patient to stand.
It is important to note that during dizziness you should not only consult a neurologist, but also an otorhinolaryngologist so that he can rule out the presence of pathological changes in the nasopharynx.
In most cases, osteochondrosis is accompanied by a headache.It occurs due to vascular spasms, increased intracranial pressure and compression of nerve endings.Pain can manifest itself in different ways, whether dull or throbbing.
During osteochondrosis, headache attacks are similar to the sensations that occur with increased blood pressure, heart attack, angina pectoris and stroke.
Panic attacks can occur with osteochondrosis against the background of existing disorders of cerebral circulation.The patient feels physical discomfort and irrational fear.The duration of this attack can vary from several minutes to 1 hour.Attacks can occur several times a day.Additionally, panic attacks are accompanied by incessant tears, a heavy head, lethargy and apathy.If the patient has severe attacks, it is necessary to regularly consult a psychiatrist and take tranquilizers.
Depression and fears occur with this disease against the background of constant pain, as well as a forced change in the usual lifestyle.
Diagnostic method
Most patients with osteochondrosis experience pain in the back of the neck, arms and chest.Such a blurred picture of the disease greatly complicates the initial diagnosis.Furthermore, uncontrolled use of analgesics inhibits timely diagnosis.A patient who does not feel pain feels completely healthy.As a result, people seek medical help too late, when irreversible processes have already begun to develop in the tissues of the neck joints.
Diagnosis involves an x-ray, after which it will be possible to observe R signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.After an x-ray, the patient receives treatment.If the R signs of cervical osteochondrosis are unstable, the following symptoms will be observed:
- Angular deformity of the affected segments.
- Displacement of the vertebrae to the side, backwards or forwards.
- If within 2 vertebrae there are deviations in the vertical axis of more than 2 mm, this indicates pathology.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that radiography is an ineffective diagnostic method, especially at the last stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
Also during diagnosis, the patient may be prescribed MRI.MRI signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine help to establish a diagnosis for the patient.During the tomography, the specialist can observe bone structures, herniated discs, as well as their direction of development and size.If MRI signs of cervical osteochondrosis are detected in time, the disease can be overcome quickly.
No less effective solution than magnetic resonance imaging is computed tomography.This procedure allows to identify tomographic signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Furthermore, it is worth paying attention to the fact that computed tomography is much better at identifying the presence and size of a hernia.
Drug treatment
After diagnosis, the specialist makes the diagnosis for the patient and also prescribes appropriate treatment.Drug treatment aims to combat pain and inflammation.Drug treatment can restore normal mobility and circulation.The main groups of drugs in the treatment of this disease are the following:
- Various pain relievers in the form of injections and tablets to eliminate pain.
- Steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotectors that restore cartilaginous tissue.
- To relax the muscles, muscle relaxants are prescribed.
- Additionally, vitamin complexes are prescribed, which must contain all vitamins B, C, D, as well as ascorbic acid and retinol.
- For external use, you can use products in the form of ointments and gels that improve blood circulation, relieve pain and spasms, relieve pain and warm up.
You should also pay attention to the fact that the vitamins contained in food products will not be enough to treat this unpleasant disease.Therefore, complex preparations can be used.
It is also recommended to take medications that can improve cerebral circulation in case of existing cervical osteochondrosis.Taking these medications is an obligatory component of the treatment of this disease.
Surgery
Surgical intervention for the treatment of osteochondrosis is used very rarely.However, the patient cannot do without surgery in cases where paralysis of the upper limbs is observed.Surgery will also be necessary if the patient has cerebral edema.
Complementary therapy
Massage is recommended as an additional therapeutic measure.Experts also advise using manual therapy in the form of sharp translational movements.Very effective are: dosed traction, relaxation techniques and acupuncture.
Home treatment
In combination with drug treatment, non-traditional recipes can also be used.Home therapy involves regularly performing special exercises and techniques and using certain orthopedic devices.Traditional medicine recipes can be used as maintenance treatment.
To eliminate tension in your spine, reduce stress, and strengthen your neck muscles, you can use the Shants collar.The neck and head are fixed in a certain position.Thanks to this, you can overcome insomnia, as well as prevent the development of pathological changes.This collar should be worn several hours before bedtime.Under no circumstances should it be used all day.
Self-massage can eliminate pain and spasms.And during this procedure, it is recommended to additionally rub in an ointment, which can improve blood flow.The massage is done in a sitting position, the position should be comfortable and relaxed.During this, circular stroking and rubbing are performed.When carrying out such a procedure, not only the neck is affected, but also the shoulder girdle.
It is important to note that in the case of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, the use of any type of heating, except for a sauna or Turkish bath, is prohibited.
Taking special baths
You can get rid of pain and inflammation with the help of medicinal baths.These procedures are good for helping to relax the spine.Baths should be carried out every other day, and the course of treatment should include 15-20 procedures.Bath recipes:
- Mix 300 g of mint and chamomile.Prepare the herbs with 10 liters of boiling water.Let it ferment for 2 hours and then filter.
- Take 40 g of lemon balm, the same amount of birch and mint leaves.Prepare the resulting composition with 12 liters of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours.After that, filter the broth and pour it into the bath.
- To prepare an infusion based on sage, you need 300 g of this ingredient and 5 liters of boiling water.Let the medicinal solution brew for 2 hours, strain, after which you can use it.
For oral administration, you can use an infusion based on yarrow.Thanks to this, you can quickly get rid of inflammation, pain and spasms.To prepare the infusion, you need to take 230 ml of boiling water and 6 g of yarrow.Let the broth ferment for an hour in a closed container.The finished product is taken three times a day, 15 ml.
A solution consisting of 1 liter of water and 15 g of sea salt is very effective in combating osteochondrosis.The saline solution must be boiled and then cooled completely.Natural fabric is soaked in the resulting composition and then applied to the back of the head.
Possible complications
If the diagnosis was made in a timely manner and the treatment was correct, the disease should proceed without complications.Otherwise, quite serious pathological processes may develop, which may cause disability in the future.Cervical osteochondrosis can be dangerous to human health.The main dangers include the following:
- Vertebral artery syndrome, in which organic and functional changes caused by circulatory disorders in the brain are observed.
- Arrhythmia and high blood pressure.
- Muscle atrophy in the upper extremities, weakness, numbness.
- Hernia formation, protrusion.
- Neurological disorders.
- VSD.
Preventing
Preventive measures for osteochondrosis involve the simplest actions, which, if carried out regularly, can prevent the occurrence of serious health problems.Prevention is especially important for the elderly and those who spend a lot of time sitting.To prevent the development of osteochondrosis, it is necessary:
- Take a hot bath every day for at least 10 minutes.
- Go to the sauna or bathhouse periodically to eliminate tension and spasms in your neck.
- Sleep only on a special mattress and orthopedic pillow.
- When working sedentary, do at least 5 minutes of warm-up every hour.
Experts also recommend swimming, yoga, aerobic exercise, as well as special gymnastics that strengthen the neck muscles.
Patient reviews
Reviews of people about the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine indicate that success is observed if medicines and traditional medicine recipes are combined.Sea salt baths are very effective.But for successful treatment, it is necessary to seek help from specialists in time, immediately after detecting the first symptoms of the disease.