Osteochondrosis in medicine is usually called dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.This problem can appear in a person at absolutely any age.Dysfunction of the intervertebral discs can provoke the development of many unpleasant health problems.Therefore, it is necessary to immediately pay attention to the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and then start immediate treatment.
General description of the disease
The cervical spine includes 8 paired nerve ganglia 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.At the same time, pathological changes negatively affect the endings of nerve fibers, as well as important vessels.This pathology mainly affects the 8th and 7th vertebra.
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are very easily confused with other pathologies.During the disease, attacks of headache are observed and discomfort is 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 the heart.
It is important to note that often against the background of spinal pathology, the patient begins to suddenly lose consciousness, feels short of breath, and sometimes even the tongue can become numb.That is why 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 by constant dynamic and statistical loads.But it is worth paying attention to the fact that recently the disease is rapidly becoming younger, as a result of which signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men are observed even in adolescence.
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 specialists 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 localized in the central area of the intervertebral disc.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 areas of cartilage 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 pinching of blood vessels.Such changes can occur against the background of poor nutrition due to a sedentary lifestyle.In addition, pathological changes are often observed in adolescents and people in the middle age category.
It is important to note that the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae in women and men in some cases disappear on their own or appear as short-term episodes.The human body has many protective and compensatory functions, which after some time are able to neutralize these pathological changes in the cartilage area.
Precipitating factors
The following factors can provoke the development of this unpleasant disease:
- Overweight.
- Lack of constant physical activity, as well as sedentary work.
- Stress conditions and nervous stress.
- The patient's body is often in an uncomfortable position.
- Injuries to the back of the head and neck.
- Hypothermia.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women can appear due to a congenital anomaly, as well as due to autoimmune diseases.
Main features
It should be noted that cervical osteochondrosis is sometimes not accompanied by pain in a specific part of the spine.Quite often, this disease has a vague clinical picture.The main signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae in men and women include dizziness, sudden changes in blood pressure and migraine.However, it is necessary to emphasize the symptoms that will require urgent hospitalization of the patient:
- Increasing headache, accompanied by deterioration of general health.
- Loss of mobility of 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, you 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 has a paroxysmal character.In general, such pain occurs after waking up, during laughter, sudden movements, sneezing and coughing.
When answering the question of what signs of cervical osteochondrosis bother the patient, you should pay attention to the fact that in the initial stage of this disease, the pain quickly subsides, a crunch is often observed in the neck, the muscles become weaker, and the skin loses its sensitivity.
If there are pathological changes in the sixth vertebra, then the pain can be felt in the thumb.And if the changes affected the seventh vertebra, then the pain appears on 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 to other diseases
The manifestation of signs of cervical osteochondrosis in men and women can be associated with other diseases.For example, experts have long established a connection between blood pressure and cervical osteochondrosis.This unpleasant disease is characterized by sharp changes in blood pressure throughout the day, and constant hypertension is not relevant for this disease.
An increase in pressure during 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 reduced skin sensitivity in the collar area.Constant stress and prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position can cause a spike in blood pressure.
Dizziness and cervical osteochondrosis occur due to severe pain, impaired cerebral circulation, and also due to the transmission of nerve signals.It can also occur due to existing problems with the vestibular apparatus.The initial signs of cervical osteochondrosis include non-systemic dizziness.In this case, the patient does not feel rotating objects, but has severe nausea.It is very difficult for the patient to be in an upright position.
It is important to note that during dizziness, you should visit not only a neurologist, but also an ENT specialist, so that this specialist can rule out the presence of a pathological change in the nasopharynx.
In most cases, osteochondrosis is accompanied by a headache.It occurs due to vascular spasms, increased intracranial pressure and pinched nerve endings.The pain can manifest itself in different ways, whether it is 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 during osteochondrosis against the background of existing disorders in cerebral circulation.The patient experiences physical discomfort and unreasonable fear.The duration of such an attack can vary from a few minutes to 1 hour.Attacks can occur several times a day.In addition, panic attacks are accompanied by continuous tears, a feeling of heavy head, lethargy and apathy.If the patient experiences severe attacks, then it is necessary to regularly visit a psychiatrist and take tranquilizers.
Depression and fears appear in this disease against the background of constant pain, as well as a forced change in the usual way of life.
Diagnostic method
Most patients with osteochondrosis experience pain in the back of the head, arms and chest.Such a blurred picture of the disease greatly complicates the initial diagnosis.In addition, uncontrolled use of painkillers hinders timely diagnosis.A patient who does not feel pain feels perfectly healthy.As a result, people seek medical help too late, when irreversible processes already begin to develop in the tissues of the neck joints.
The diagnosis includes an X-ray examination, after which you will be able to see r-signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.After an X-ray, the patient is prescribed a course of treatment.If the r-signs of cervical osteochondrosis are unstable, the following symptoms will be observed:
- Angular deformation of the affected segments.
- Displacement of the vertebrae to the side, back or forward.
- If within 2 vertebrae there are deviations along 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 in the last stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
Also, during the diagnosis of the patient, a nuclear magnetic resonance may be prescribed.MRI signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine help establish the patient's diagnosis.During tomography, the specialist can see bone structures, disc herniations, as well as their direction of development and size.If the MRI signs of cervical osteochondrosis are detected in time, the disease can be quickly overcome.
Computed tomography is no less effective solution than MRI.This procedure allows you to identify CT signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.In addition, 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 the diagnosis, the specialist diagnoses the patient and also prescribes appropriate treatment.Drug treatment is aimed at combating 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 analgesics in the form of injections and tablets to relieve pain.
- Steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotectors that restore cartilage tissue.
- Muscle relaxants are prescribed to relax the muscles.
- In addition, vitamin complexes are prescribed, which should 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.
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 drugs that can improve cerebral blood circulation in case of existing cervical osteochondrosis.Taking such drugs is a mandatory 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.In addition, surgery will be required if the patient has cerebral edema.
Complementary therapy
Massage is recommended as an additional therapeutic measure.Experts also advise the use of manual therapy in the form of sharp translational movements.Very effective are: dosed traction, relaxation techniques and acupuncture.
Treatment at home
Non-traditional recipes can be used in combination with medical treatment.Therapy at home involves regularly performing special exercises and techniques and using certain orthopedic devices.Recipes of traditional medicine can be used as a supportive treatment.
To remove tension in the spine, reduce stress and strengthen the 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 a few hours before going to bed.In no case should it be used throughout the day.
Self-massage can eliminate pain and spasms.And during this procedure, it is recommended to additionally rub an ointment that can improve blood flow.The massage is performed in a sitting position, and the position should be comfortable and relaxed.During it, stroking and circular rubbing are performed.When performing such a procedure, not only the neck is affected, but also the shoulder girdle.
It is important to note that with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, the use of any type of heating is prohibited, with the exception of a sauna or steam bath.
Taking special baths
You can get rid of pain and inflammation with the help of medicinal baths.Such procedures help to relax the spine.Baths should be done every other day, and the course of treatment should include 15-20 procedures.Bath Recipes:
- Mix 300 g each of mint and chamomile.Steam the herbs with 10 liters of boiling water.Leave to brew for 2 hours, then filter.
- Take 40 g of lemon balm, the same amount of birch leaves and mint.Boil the resulting composition with 12 liters of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours.Then filter the broth and pour it into the bath.
- To prepare an infusion based on sage, you need to take 300 g of this ingredient and 5 liters of boiling water.Let the healing solution brew for 2 hours, strain, then 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 the herb yarrow.Leave the broth to boil for one hour in a closed container.The finished product is taken three times a day for 15 ml.
A solution consisting of 1 liter of water and 15 g of sea salt is very effective in the fight against osteochondrosis.The brine should be brought to a boil, then cooled completely.The natural fabric is soaked in the resulting composition and then applied to the back of the neck.
Possible complications
If the diagnosis is made on time and the treatment is correct, then the disease should proceed without complications.Otherwise, quite severe pathological processes can develop, which can cause damage in the future.Cervical osteochondrosis can be dangerous to human health.The main dangers include the following:
- Vertebral artery syndrome, in which there are organic and functional changes caused by blood circulation disorders in the brain.
- Arrhythmia and high blood pressure.
- Muscle atrophy of the upper limbs, weakness, numbness.
- Hernia formation, protrusion.
- Neurological disorders.
- VSD.
Conducting prevention
Preventive measures for osteochondrosis include the simplest actions, which, if performed regularly, can prevent the occurrence of serious health problems.Prevention is especially important for older people and those who spend too much time sitting.To prevent the development of osteochondrosis, it is necessary:
- Take a hot shower every day for at least 10 minutes.
- Periodically visit the sauna or bath to remove neck tension and spasms.
- Sleep only on a special mattress and orthopedic pillow.
- When you're sedentary, do at least a 5-minute warm-up every hour.
Experts also recommend swimming, yoga, aerobic exercises, as well as special gymnastics that strengthens the neck muscles.
Patient reviews
Reviews of people about the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine show that success is observed if drugs and recipes from traditional medicine are combined.Sea salt baths are very effective.But in order to achieve success in treatment, it is necessary to seek help from specialists in time, immediately after the first symptoms of this disease are detected.