Osteochondrosis of the cervical column: how does the disease flow?

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region

The diseases of the spine are unpleasant in themselves, but represent the greatest danger if they affect the cervical region.

Also such a seemingly harmless pathology asOsteochondrosis of the cervical region, can cause the appearance of headaches, difficulty in blood circulation, compromised internal organ works.

In the absence of treatment, osteochondrosis can lead to the development of other more serious diseases.

To avoid this result, it is necessary to carefully monitor health and see a doctor when the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.

Fortunately, modern medicine has methods that allow this disease to quickly and effectively treat this disease.

What is it

Cervical osteochondosis is a pathology in whichThe soft intervertebral pulp turns into an oxusted fabric.In addition, the blood vessels and the roots of the nerves are involved in pathogenesis.The osteochondrosis of the cervical region has the ability to mask themselves for various disorders.

Clinical image

A distinctive feature of cervical osteochondosis is the pain in the neck, in the upper part of the back.Patients can complain of dizziness, lack of air, jumping in blood pressure, nausea, numbness of the language, loss of consciousness.They often suspect angina pectoris and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Classification

The classification of cervical osteochondosis can be related to the degree of development of the disease:

  • 1 degree - degenerative changes -Dystrofi in intervertebral discs;
  • 2 degrees: the vertebrae themselves are subject to changes;
  • 3 degrees - Intervertebral hernias appear.

Prevalence and meaning

The osteochondrosis of the cervical column "becomes younger" literally before our eyes.An examination of patients of a different age who have a tendency to osteocondrosis has shown that in current youth problems with the spine arise much earlier (sometimes the first symptoms of the disease appear in adolescence) compared to representatives of the oldest generation of the family.

People who were born 60-70 years ago contact clinics on the osteochondrosis in mature and old.This trend is proof of a significant deterioration of the health of the younger generations caused by a decrease in the quality of nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.

The clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis are found in about 60 percent of adults who live in European countries.Note that women get cervical osteochondosis in 50-55 years and men at 45-50 years.

Risk factors

The chances of obtaining osteochondrosis increase if available:

  • spine development anomalies;
  • excess weight;
  • long physical effort;
  • bad habits (smoke);
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • work, which implies the regular impact of vibrations on the spine (for example, with vehicles drivers);
  • long stress, excessive nervous tension;
  • Local hypothermia;
  • previous injuries in the neck and neck;
  • Autoimmune pathologies that involve the degeneration of the cartilage.

Reasons

The main reasons for the development of osteocondrosis include:

  • genetic predisposition;
  • disturbed metabolic process;
  • Weak physical development.

It is difficult to establish the exact cause of the appearance and development of cervical osteochdrosis, because this disease occurs in the young and elderly involved in sport and in the guidance of a sedentary lifestyle.

Psychosomatic

The development of cervical osteochondosis indicates the inability to resist competence.Sometimes people become so strong and safe in their abilities that their stability before adversity turns into rigidity and lack of flexibility.In this case, attempts to turn the head are accompanied by rigidity, convulsions and other unpleasant sensations.

In addition, osteochondrosis can develop in people who are afraid of problems and do not know how to deal with them.In this case, the protective reflection of the mammal is activated and the head is literally designed in the shoulders.This provision is considered unnatural, therefore, after some time, the muscles of the cervical region begin to hurt and deform.

Consequences

Decrease in muscle elasticity and flexibility in the joints- Signs of natural aging of the body.However, in patients with osteochondrosis, they appear long before in healthy people.Osteocondrosis can cause the development of migraines, hypertension, diseases of the respiratory system, ischemia of the spinal cord and brain, stroke, etc.

The improper treatment of osteochondosis is no less dangerousas a lack of treatment.The inept actions of a doctor can lead to a persistent deterioration of well -being or sudden disability.

Symptoms and diagnostic methods

The main signs of osteochondosis of the cervical region include:

  • Pain in the back of the head, neck, arm and shoulder, which intensify when sneezing, cough and minimum load on the arm;
  • Burn between the shoulder blades, tingling in legs or arms, numbness;
  • pain and creak in the neck that occur during the inclination and the curves of the head;
  • fatigue, weakness;
  • fainting and dizziness deriving from acute turns of the head;
  • The headaches, which usually begin in the back of the head, spread to temples and crown.

Other signs of cervical osteochondrosis include noise in the ears, the impairment of hearing and a decrease in visual acuity.Sometimes the disease makes itself felt the pain in the heart area.

In the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will carry out a complete examination, will diagnose.In this case, diagnostic methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, laboratory studies, ultrasound, ECG can be used.

Treatment

The treatment of cervical osteochondosis depends on the stage of the disease.If in the first phase there is a sufficiently conservative wandering treatment, therefore in the second and third phase the task of the doctor is, first of all, to stop the pain syndrome.The enhanced cases may require surgical treatment intended for the decompression and stabilization of the vertebrae.

Drugs

People with osteochondrosis of the cervical region can be prescribed:

Group Description
NSAIDs (Non -Steric Anti -inflammatory drugs) It helps to remove swelling and pain.
Vasodilative drugs Contribute to improving blood circulation.
Sedatives, relaxing muscle They are also prescribed to facilitate the patient's general conditions and reduce the doses of the fan.At the same time it relieves nervous excessive and muscle cramps, help to obtain a better therapeutic effect.

At the end of the course of therapy, fans should be purchased for a kit first at home, because neck pain can be periodically returned (with stress, overestimation, meteorological gearbox).Before taking any drugs, consult your doctor.

Surgical treatment

If a positive effect is not observed after a conservative treatment of a conservative treatment, the doctor may recommend the patient in spinal fussia.This procedure allows to immobilize the interested vertebral segment.Its essence is to remove the intervertebral disc, the decompression of the nervous root, the installation of the system or the creation of the physiological height of the disk space.

The operation has many side effects and contraindications.Therefore, it can cause vertebrogenic disability.That's why surgery is carried out in extreme cases.

Exercises, exercise therapy, massage

The massage with cervical osteochondosis allows to obtain significant improvements.It is important that the procedure is performed by a professional: the inept movements in the area of the cervical column can aggravate the situation.Movements should influence the collar area, the cervical region and part of the back.

Osmigondrosis neck exercises

The osteochondrosis massage implies the alternation of the following actions.

  • Caress.The masseur affects the surface layers of the skin, moving from the head to the upper third of the center of the rear.At the same time, the palms or fingers work.
  • Squeeze.Deep layers of the skin located at the top of the rear are exposed.In this case, the index and thumb of the hands on the neck are performed to take the skin.The fabrics adjacent to the vertebrae are not involved in this process.
  • Shredding.It is performed to heat the skin, increase the blood flow in the collar area.The procedure must be performed extremely carefully.It is forbidden to influence the thorny processes of the vertebrae.Sometimes rubbing is replaced with circular traits or movements that recall the signal.
  • Kneading.It affects deeply liar fabrics, therefore it has a limited value.Can aggravate the pathology.

During the massage, the patient should lie on the stomach, in extreme cases, sit.

Even useful for cervical osteochondosis can be LFK.Regular lessons contribute to the strengthening of the muscle corset, reducing the load on the cervical column.You can practice operating therapy at any phase of the pathology, as well as for prevention.During the exacerbations, the complex is performed with particular attention.

The standard exercises for the treatment of cervical osteochondosis are:

  • turns of the head from one side to the other;
  • Inclinations of the head back and forward;
  • Lift your back with fixed or relaxed hands with their grip in this position from 15 to 20 seconds;
  • Following the extensors and neck flexors, when the head is in a fixed position.

Each exercise is repeated from five to seven times.The lesson continues for 15-20 minutes.The set of exercises should be selected by the LFK specialist, taking into account the stadium of the disease and patient conditions.

Domestic treatment

The treatment of osteocondrosis at home is rarely practiced, for example, in the first phase of the disease.

In this case, the patient is recommended:

  • adjust the posture;
  • Correctly equip a job;
  • Do simple physical exercises, even in the workplace.

A positive impact on the musculoskeletal system will have the use of vitamins and minerals, an increase in motor activity and swimming.

Prevention

Orthopedic cushion

For the prevention of the disease, it is recommended:

  • sleep on a orthopedic pillow and a mattress;
  • Take a hot shower every day for 10 minutes;
  • Visit a bathing establishment or a sauna (relieves the cramps of the neck muscles);
  • Avoid inclinations and sharp turns of the head;
  • Walk more on foot, do yoga and swimming;
  • With the "seated" work, take breaks for five minutes every hour (you have to walk during the breaks, incline yourself with a body and head in different directions);
  • Avoid an increase in the load on the spine: classes with weights, jumps, running;
  • Choose chairs and chairs in support of the spine;
  • abandon dependencies, such as smoke, alcohol abuse;
  • Drink at least one and a half liters of water a day.

Eating with cervical osteochondrosis is often recommended (at least five times a day) and in small portions.Preference should be given to cooked or cooked dishes.Salads must be seasoned with olive oil.

Forecast of recovery

The forecast for a qualified and timely treatment is favorable, however, much depends on the age of the patient, the severity of the manifestations and the stage of the disease.It is also important in which the person performs medical recommendations regarding nutrition, lifestyle and eliminates bad habits.

Conclusion

So, in most casesOsteochondrosis of the cervical regionIt is possible to cure.However, it is worth remembering that the disease can return at any time.To avoid this, it is necessary to observe prevention measures and a healthy lifestyle.

Also, it is worth remembering:

  • The cause of osteochondrosis is difficult to establish.
  • The symptom of the disease is pain in the back of the head and neck.
  • Cervical osteocondrosis is treated completely: drugs (mainly fans), massages, operating therapy.