Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment

Cervical osteochondosis is a very common disease in the modern world. Many people have it at the initial stadium, but don't even suspect it. The widespread osteochondosis of the neck was due to the fact that people began to sit more and move less. Let us take a closer look at the reasons for the development of this unpleasant disease and the methods of fighting it.inspection

What is cervical osteochondosis?Thus, cervical osteochondosis is a dystrophic degenerative disease of the tissues of the cartilage of the musculoskeletal system. The disease is characterized by pathological changes in the structure of cartilage, which leads to a violation of the anatomical structure of the elements of the spine, disturb the mobility of the skeleton and causes painful sensations. The disease can affect any part of the spine, but due to excessive mobility and miniature vertebral size, the cervical segment most often suffers from this pathology. The neck is experiencing impressive loads daily. The turns of the head and even the fact of his retention oblige the vertebrae and the intervertebral discs to work intensively. From regular exposure of the outside, the intervertebral discs are thinner, microfissances appear on them. Over time, their height decreases, they start to change thickness in the smallest way and stop fulfilling their main function - the damping of the vertebrae.

The causes of cervical osteochondosisThe causes of the development of the disease, first of all, are due to aging linked to the age of the body and to the destruction in development of bone and cartilage. The following causes of osteochondrosis can also be called:vertebraePosture violationReduction of motor activity following a sedentary lifestyleAn excess weight, which is the result of metabolic disorders, has a charge on the intervertebral discsHereditary factorLong -term physical activityAnomalies of the spine

Symptoms of cervical osteochondosisCervical osteochondosis has specific manifestations. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the cervical column. Most often, patients complain about pain from various intensities, from a long stay in a position. Other symptoms are often added to pain:weakness in upper limbsTry -off numbers and picotesstiffness when moving the headstunning (suggests that damaged elements affected the arteries)Numbness of the lipsFeeling of a coma in the throat

Signs of cervical osteochondosisIn medicine, it is usual to separate the signs of osteochondrosis based on the nature of the symptomatic manifestations combined in a single syndrome. 4 of these syndromes are distinguished:Koreshka - Indicates pinched nervous beams, which causes intense pain, as well as a set of autonomous symptoms (dizziness, weakness, piece in the throat);Vertebral artery - The damaged elements tighten the large vertebral artery, which is the cause of serious headaches, dizziness;Vertebral - causes pain in the neck itself;Cardial - is masked under an angina attack, manifested by severe chest pain, similar to a heart attack.

Stages of development of cervical osteochondosis1 degree of osteochondrosisSpeed ​​column diagramIt is characterized by the beginning of the destruction of intervertebral discs. The cracks are formed in the fibrous ring, the resistance and elasticity of the disc form, its height decreases, because of which the nerve roots are pressed. Characteristic painful pain appears. Sometimes, at 1 stage (preclinical), such pain can be absent, and osteochondrosis takes place with moderate discomfort in the neck.2 degree of osteochondrosisIf 1st degree osteochondrosis has not been treated or if the treatment was not effective, then 2nd degree osteochondrosis occurs - chronic. The pain becomes constant, the destruction and the seal of the continuous intervertebral disc and leads to small dislocations of the cervical vertebrae. With cervical osteochondosis, the head syndrome of the falls can develop at this stage. This syndrome is characterized by intense pain, and a person is forced to support their head in a fixed state to reduce pain.3 degree of osteochondrosisThe fibrous ring is already almost destroyed, which leads to complications from osteochondrosis - the projections of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia. At 3 stages of osteochondrosis, the intensity of the pain can decrease, because the cartilaginous tissue affected in the disc between the vertebrae is no longer there, which means that there is no source of pain, however, the pinch of the nerve roots remains, so the pain does not leave completely.

Diagnosis of cervical osteochondosisIf there is a suspicion of the presence of cervical osteochondosis, it is necessary to contact a medical institution in a timely manner. The full diagnosis will help identify the disease, assess its diploma and understand the causes of the development of pathology.pictureA preliminary diagnosis is made on the basis of inspection and palpation - with osteochondrosis, the tension of the cervical muscles is noted, in certain cases, the deformation of the spine is perceptible. After an objective diagnosis, the doctor sends the patient to additional studies. The following diagnostic methods are used to confirm the diagnosis:Magnetic resonance tomographyX -ray (lateral and right)Computed tomographyTo determine the cause of the development of pathology, an ultrasound examination of the neighboring organs, the ECG of the heart, the duplex scanning of the blood vessels, the blood tests and the urine can also be prescribed.

Treatment of cervical osteochondosisTreatment of osteochondrosis requires an integrated approach. For the temporary elimination of pain, pain relievers are used, but the basis of therapy is physiotherapy and massage. Massage helps relieve muscle hypertension, improving pain. The procedures also restore normal blood circulation, improving the supply of damaged tissues. Based on the results of the massage course, the tension is removed from the cervical region, the load on the spine is redistributed. Drug treatment. Drugs relieve pain and inflammation, restore blood circulation and eliminate cramps in neck muscles. For this, the following groups of drugs can be used: glucocorticosteroids, pain relievers, muscle relaxing, etc. Physiotherapeutic treatment. In addition to taking medication to relax near the cervical muscles, eliminate cramps and normalize blood circulation will help physiotherapeutic procedures: acupuncture, laser effect, magnetotherapy, UHF therapy, phonophoresis, etc.massageTherapeutic gymnastics. Special physical exercises will help the patient strengthen the muscle framework, align posture and improve blood supply to the upper part of the spine. In the case of advanced stages of osteochondrosis of the cervical column or with insufficient effectiveness of conservative methods, surgery is necessary.

Prevention of cervical osteochondrosisTo avoid the development of cervical osteochondosis, it is recommended: when you are seated, be sure to take five-minute breaks every hour, avoid loads on the neck; Do not make clear movements of the head, watch the posture; Avoid hypothermia; engage in physical education, swim; eat properly; The dream must be on a solid mattress and on a low pillow, the folding angle of the neck should not exceed 15 degrees; After 25 years, avoid the shock load on the spine (jump, race). In any case, when the symptoms of the disease appear - be sure to visit a doctor. Don't self-mediat!