Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

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

The symptoms of cervical osteocondrosis are characterized by severe pain in the neck, head, behind and will amaze everyone, regardless of age.

Description of the osteocondrosis

The osteochondrosis of the neck was much younger.The young people suffer from it, starting from adolescence.The neck is the weakest area of the spine.Seven vertebrae adjacent to each other quite strictly and the muscle frame is developed worse than the rest of the departments.The neck is subjected to serious loads, because it acts as a support of the cranial box and is in constant movement.

What is cervical osteochondosis?The food of the intervertebral discs is carried out by spreading from nearby fabrics.The deterioration of the flow of blood to the tissues surrounding the vertebrae gives a lack of nutrition, water.The hunger of the core of the disc, the fibrous ring leads to degenerative processes.

The growing bone tissue near the vertebrae, the blocked intervertebral discs, the nerves and the ligaments transmitted are first manifested by signs of performance reduction.The pain at highly intensity is initially concentrated in the neck, in the head, in the back, in the heart, in the arms, at the top of the chest, to the transition to the lower limbs.Each of the seven vertebrae sends signals to other departments.The squeezed nerve roots are reflected in the state of other body systems.

Osteochondrosis for the brain is particularly dangerous.The vertebral artery that passes here performs the function of guaranteeing the flow of blood on the back of the brain.Its push leads to headaches, often developed in migraine, not subject to painkillers.The osteochondrosis of the neck can be accompanied by dizziness, visual impairment and hearing, nausea, vomiting.Subsequently, pharyngeal symptoms are manifested, sudden fainting due to an oxygen deficiency in the brain.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 race.

Basic processes for the disease

Osteocondrosis of the neck should be considered by the interaction of physiological and pathological factors:

• Physiological process:The aging of a vertebral column of the cartilage occurs due to natural irreversible causes.There are changes in the central part of the intervertebral disc.The process of age -related changes in the body 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 the 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.Initially, the compensatory and protective mechanisms of the body are triggered that eliminate the disease.Therefore, osteochondrosis is able to pass or arise only episodically.But this function is not eternal.

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

• Spondilolistz, in which the spinal record is sliding.Even a slight shift leads to the development of paralysis.The serious displacement ends in death;
• The octopus nucleus is impregnated with football salts.This leads to a violation of the nutrition of the disc, causes the formation of an hernia;
• The intervertebral hernia was formed due to the swelling of the intervertebral disc between the vertebrae.Ignoring therapeutic measures leads to slow paralysis;
• The appearance of Microcack on the fibrous ring, the development of the protrusion.The intervertebral disc came out of its limits;
• Spondylosis which means the wear of the vertebrae.Osteophytes arise: the growth of bone tissue in the form of hooks and peaks, located on the sides of the vertebral bodies.A strong pain occurs and, consequently, rigidity of the movements.

The causes of the cervical ostens

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

The main factors that cause the beginning of cervical osteochondosis:

• Hypodynamia;
• weakening of immunity;
• overwhelming physical effort;
• the presence of spinal column injuries;
• lack of receipt with the nutrition of the necessary substances, obesity;
• problems with posture (scoliosis, plates, rheumatism);
• hereditary factor;
• autoimmune diseases that cause the degeneration of the cartilage tissue;
• stress, prolonged nervous tension;
• climatic factor, cold and humidity;
• Congenital anomalies of the spinal column.

The main causes of osteocondrosis are the disproportionality of the load on the spine, too weak muscle corset.The people after thirty years are at risk, especially if their day has been in a sitting position for a long time.

Development phase

The progression of osteochondosis of the cervical region can be divided into different stages:

• The first, preclinical.It is characterized by small vertebral deformations, softness of cervical lordosis.The pain is felt with acute head movements, it occurs fatigue.The development of the disease can be prevented without involving medicines.It is necessary to balance the food, choose exercises, conduct preventive measures;
• The second.An unstable state is established between the vertebrae.The vertebral changes of the vertebrae appear to each other, Thuria - the rotation around the spine.The pain intensifies when the neck moves from time to time between the shoulders, the hands.The height of the intervertebral discs is reduced, which leads to pinching the nerves.Characterized by signs such as distraction, fatigue, head pain;
• The third phase.The height of the intervertebral disc is reduced by a quarter compared to the disc on top.Deformations begin to appear in the intervertebral joints.There is a decrease in the lumen of the intervertebral holes, the vertebral column canal.The severe pain is constantly felt.The muscles of the hands begin to become insensitive due to the start of the formation of hernia of the intervertebral discs.The cervical region loses flexibility.The patient feels dizziness, weakness.

The height of the intervertebral disc is significantly reduced.The intervertebral discs are destroyed, replacing connective tissue.Large osteophytes are formed on the back of the cervical region.The vertebral canal is very narrow, causing the development of myelopathy.The patient's conditions worsen, accompanied by compromised coordination, dizziness, serious pain, ears.

Symptoms

The symptomatic picture of the damage to the neck differs from disorders in other departments.This is due to a thicker arrangement than the vertebrae compared to the other.Due to the low height of the intervertebral discs, the clinic also begins to appear with light diseases.The signs of damage will vary depending on which of the eight nerve roots are damaged.Under each of the seven vertebrae, there is a nerve, its compression has its symptoms.

The problems in the first two vertebrae interrupt the sensitivity of the back of the head.The pain is located in the parietal and occipital region.The injury of the nervous end of the third vertebra is rare.Symptoms occur in numbness of a pinned area, language, language problems.The fourth vertebral column signals on malfunctions with pain and numbness in the clavicle, the shoulder.It can create difficulties in breathing, in pain in the heart.The disease of the fifth segment causes pain behind them, a decrease in the sensitivity of the limbs.

The lesions of the sixth and seventh vertebra are the most common among patients.The neck, the shoulder blades, the forearms, the lower back of the back, the back suffer.There is numbness of the hands and fingers.The pathological changes in the eighth root of the nerve are characterized by the spread of pain in the lower limbs.There is a loss of sensitivity of the skin, small fingers become insensitive on arms and legs.The interrupted blood circulation causes feet, hands.

The common signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• pain that spreads in the upper body and lower;
• weakness, decrease in the sensitivity of the hands;
• Difficulty in movements, creaking;
• Compromise coordination, accompanied by a sound, noise in the ears, a sense of disorientation, weakness, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• Inrustment of the language, fingers and legs, worsening of hearing, vision.

Diagnosis of cervical obstecons

To determine the damaged intervertebral discs and the degree of their illness, the doctor must conduct a series of exams: radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, TC (computerized tomography), ultrasound duplex scan.The most accurate way of studying the health of the cervical region is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).The purpose of magnetic resonance imaging is to identify the pathological changes in the fabrics of the spine, in particular, the spinal cord and intervertebral hernias.After the examination and investigation of the patient, conducting an exam, the attendant neurologist does a preliminary diagnosis, prescribes the treatment.

TREATMENT

If osteochondrosis is suspected, it is necessary to consult a neuropathologist.The duration of the course of therapy depends on the age of the person, on the gravity of the 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 the complex treatment is to slow down the pathological process that proceeds, the elimination of symptoms.Therapy can be conservative, operational or by combining both of these areas.If the headache increases, it is necessary to start therapy as soon as possible.

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

• drugs carried out by taking drugs;
• Physiotherapy includes Uhf, electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy courses.Act stimulate blood flow, the metabolism, remove 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 the exacerbation of the disease, drug therapy is used.After eliminating the acute manifestations of the cervical osteocondrosis, the therapy is not stopped.Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed.You need to massage the collar area regularly.Popular remedies are also used.

Drug therapy of osteocondrosis

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

Many doctors prescribe injections for a more effective effect on the nerve finals.But vitamins are better taken 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 therapy drugs:

• Non steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They have an analgesic effect, remove the inflammatory aseptic process, swelling of the spine.With evident signs of illness, injections are made twice a day with these drugs.Use creams externally;
• Condroprotectors.Activate the metabolism, regenerate the cartilage tissues.Eliminates damage to intervertebral discs.There are drugs for injection for the administration of joints and muscles.The course of therapy is carried out up to 4 months;
• Vitamins B (B1, B2, B6), E, A, C, Dcontribute to the improvement of metabolism in the tissues, catalyzes their restoration;
• Musorelassanti.For relaxation of the spasmodic muscles.Tablets are used for a month.In a serious form of the disease, a variety of injection drugs is used;
• drugs to activate blood flow in the brain,Reological property of the blood.

How additional drugs are used to accelerate recovery:

• Angioprotectors- The forms of injection of drugs are designed to activate the blood flow in the veins, strengthen the tone of the blood vessels;
• Glucocorticosteroids- reduce swelling and inflammation in the form of injections;
• Biogenic stimulants.Accelerate metabolic processes, help to restore destroyed tissues.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

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

Physiotherapy methods:

• Operating therapy- This is one of the most effective methods for the treatment of osteochondosis.The regular classes activate blood circulation, contribute to the restoration of the damage;
• massageImproves the conductivity of the nerves, restore muscle tone;
• MagnetotherapyRemoves the swelling from the tissues;
• Laser therapyIt acts with a concentrated ray of optical light.Trigger the recovery processes in the body;
• reflexology- Activation of some points.Improves immunity, relieves spasms and neck pain;
• ultrasoundprovides an analgesic and anti -inflammatory effect;
• Electrophoresis with medicinal herbs.Electric current helps to penetrate the drug ions in a certain place.

To get rid of cervical osteochdrosis, manual therapy, thermotherapy and mud.All these methods slow down the progress of the disease.

Osteocondrosis cannot be treated with herbs, but, accompanying the main therapy, help to relieve the condition.Mix 2 teaspoons of bees honey with two mummy tablets.The mixture is heated, applied to a hot scarf, which is linked to the neck at night.The biostimulating properties of honey perfectly complete the treatment.For the rubbing, the dyeing prepared by radish, vodka and honey in a proportion of 1.5: 0.5: 1, measurements are used in the glasses.You can twist three large lemon with a meat grinder with four slices of garlic.Pour the mixture into a two -liter jar with boiling water.Having mixed the contents, drink on an empty stomach half a glass.The pain can also be removed with heating with mustard patches, peppers.

Therapeutic exercises

During the recovery period, a therapeutic charging complex for the neck can be performed.LFK is based on different dynamic exercises.Gymnastics should not be carried out with exacerbation.When performing exercises, it is recommended to monitor the appearance of the discomfort, it is unacceptable.

From the position of lying on the stomach, it is necessary to raise the upper part of the body, according to the hands.A delay of 1-2 minutes.Enter the starting position and repeat 2-3 times.So you have to stretch your hands along the body.The heads of the head are made to the right and left 6-7 times, trying to take the floor with the ear.Sit.Take the forward custody by inspiration, the head rests on the chest.At the epraction, leaning backwards, throwing your head backwards.10-15 inclinations are sufficient.Now you have to put the palms of the forehead and make mutual pressure for 30 seconds.Repeat 2-3 times.To rotate the head 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 finals that feed the brain.Their minimum compression is harmful to the whole body, interrupting blood circulation in the brain and causing neurological disorders: migraine, heart malfunctions, respiratory system, vision, hearing, hypertension.The complication in the form of the vertebral artery syndrome, brain ischemia, spinal stroke, which occur with an advanced form of neck disease is particularly dangerous.When radicolopathy occurs, mobility is lost.Clinging to the spinal cord leads to death.

To avoid surgery in the treatment of cervical osteocondrosis, it is not necessary to be pulled with a doctor in the first signs.All available therapy methods must be used, as well as a change in lifestyle, nutrition.