Every year, diseases of the spine become younger and younger. The most common is osteochondrosis, which was recently considered an age-related disease. When the cervical area is affected, due to the degenerative-dystrophic nature of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias are formed in the spine and severe pains in the neck and head appear, which significantly reduce the quality of life and lead to surgical intervention.
The danger of cervical osteochondrosis
It is important to diagnose diseases of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine in the early stages in order to immediately begin its treatment, while the bone tissue has not grown, salt deposits and growths have not formed on the vertebrae that irritate the muscles leadingthem until shrinking.
Osteophytes increase the pressure on the vertebrae, compress the arteries and compress the nerve endings when the head is turned. Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious and dangerous disease. Cervical pain symptoms are not limited to head movement. If left untreated, the disease has complications that cause discomfort, which can become a significant cause of dysfunction.
Disruption of the blood vessels due to deformation when the vertebrae approach each other leads to vertebrobasilar syndrome. An insufficient amount of blood enters the brain, this becomes the main cause of dizziness, poor balance, visual impairment, loss of consciousness and tinnitus. The degree of compression of the artery of the cervical spine depends on the negative consequences that are manifested in the body with varying degrees of severity. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts the process of blood supply to areas of the brain and provokes complications in the brain with oxygen starvation.
A pinched nerve at the back of the head causes a headache that may radiate to the neck or temple. The most dangerous is the disturbance of the nervous processes of the spinal cord, in which dysfunctions are observed with serious uncontrolled spastic disorders of coordination in the lower limbs, a decrease in the sensitivity of the bladder and intestines.
If osteochondrosis is not treated, then complications arise, for example, protrusions and herniations of the cervical discs. Sometimes this leads to the development of vascular diseases that cause damage to the brain even before the death of its individual sections.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Traditional medicine considers osteochondrosis to be a disease with degenerative changes in the discs of the cervical spine, and the alternative medicine treatment system of osteopathy considers it to be a manifestation of disorders deep in the body.
There are several reasons for the appearance of cervical osteochondrosis:
Postural disorder
Hunching, scoliosis, rounded back, kyphosis cause an imbalance of the spine, due to which the load is unevenly distributed on the discs, which leads to deformation and increased wear of them. At the same time, the vertebrae come closer to each other, starting to press the nerve processes, which is why osteochondrosis develops.
Muscle spasms
Spasmodic muscle reactions lead to tension in parts of the body, which leads to a change in the natural position and deformation of the discs in the spine.
Violation of blood supply
The discs of the spine are not connected to the circulatory system, so they are saturated with blood from the tissues of the body. Disruption of the blood supply process in the neck leads to a lack of sufficient liquid to absorb moisture and restore the shape and renewal of the cartilage. As a result, the wear of the vertebrae is accelerated, the intervertebral distance decreases, which leads to osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
Innervation disturbance
Due to the reduced sensitivity of the nerve roots during displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region, pathological changes remain unnoticed by the patient due to the absence of pain.
Diseases of internal organs
The displacement of the internal organs, their lowering due to deformations of the cervical vertebrae leads to a violation of the position of the spine and balance in the body.
Improper nutrition
An unbalanced diet with a high content of carbohydrates and fatty foods with a deficiency of proteins and trace elements can lead to unpleasant difficulties.
Cervical osteochondrosis develops due to external factors that adversely affect the balance of the spine and the natural development of body systems as a whole. In addition to the listed symptoms, the development of diseases and painful sensations is possible due to a long stay in an uncomfortable position, frequent tension of the muscle tissues of the back and neck, hypothermia of the neck and collar.
Nervous tension, frequent stress and sleep disorders are also often the cause. Often, disorders are not noticed immediately, so cervical osteochondrosis sometimes progresses for a long time and leads to serious health consequences. Therefore, it is important to visit a doctor regularly to correct the underlying causes that led to osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, and not to treat its symptoms.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is a disease that manifests itself in the discs with degenerative-dystrophic changes. Initially, the intervertebral discs are cartilage that contains a jelly-like substance. Over time, discs can become dehydrated due to poor posture, a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle, computer work, trauma and neck injuries, and other factors.
As a result, the strength of the collagen fibers of the fibrous disc gradually decreases, its thickness decreases, which leads to the development of osteochondrosis with characteristic signs:
- neck pain;
- pain in the head, dizziness, loss of consciousness, due to a violation of the arteries that pass through the vertebrae;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- radicular syndrome with impaired sensitivity and the appearance of goose bumps and tingling in some areas of the skin on the back of the head, shoulders, arms, neck, as a result of pinching of the spinal roots. Accompanied by pain in the shoulders and arms, even in the fingers;
- reduced ability to rotate and tilt the neck and stiffness due to severe pain;
- increased fatigue, reduced productivity;
- the appearance of ENT pathologies, tinnitus, reduced vision;
- with the development of complications, nausea, vomiting, migraine attacks may appear.
There are 7 vertebrae in the cervical spine, osteochondrosis often affects the discs that are located between the 5th and 7th vertebrae. A consultation with a general practitioner or a neurologist is required, who will prescribe the necessary diagnostics and conduct an MRI to make a diagnosis and choose treatment.
Levels of development
There are four stages of osteochondrosis:
- Grade 1 - only pathological changes in the disc begin to appear, so the symptoms are mild and not always observed. Treatment will be quick and effective.
- Grade 2 - changes in the intervertebral discs become pronounced, which leads to pain in the cervical region, which increases with head movements.
- Grade 3 - constant pain is complicated by the development of a protrusion and the formation of a hernia between the vertebrae.
- Grade 4 - the fibrous disc is so destroyed that movements in the spine are practically excluded due to damage to the intervertebral arteries, which leads to the development of radicular syndrome and severe pain not only in the neck, but also in the chest, arms, and lumbar.
Diagnosis
Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment. Usually this is a neurologist, but in some cases an additional meeting with the following specialists may be necessary: vertebrologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, orthopedist, traumatologist or neurosurgeon.
During the appointment, the doctor collects an anamnesis - the main complaints and symptoms of disturbing patients, injuries, the presence of chronic diseases and additional information related to them. The doctor then determines the mobility of the patient's neck, sensitivity and muscle tension. In order to obtain more accurate information, the patient is prescribed diagnostic tests using special equipment:
- radiography (x-ray);
- computed tomography (CT);
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the age characteristics of the patient, as well as on the degree of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs between the vertebrae. Therefore, the treatment is always developed individually for the patient and is always aimed at solving the following problems:
- elimination of worsening symptoms;
- improving blood circulation;
- increase in metabolic processes;
- removal of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs;
- reduction of complications of cervical osteochondrosis.
At each stage of the development of the disease, its own treatment measures are applied:
- 1st stage - it is enough to do physiotherapy exercises, to adjust your lifestyle;
- 2nd stage - it is required to additionally include medication, manual therapy, use of orthopedic devices.
It should be understood that a complete change in degenerative-dystrophic processes is impossible, especially with a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of 2 or more stages. In these situations, it is necessary to improve well-being with the help of treatment and prevent the progression of the disease. Sometimes it is possible to correct the first stage of cervical osteochondrosis, when the developmental pathology is rarely diagnosed. Because patients perceive slight discomfort in the neck as overwork and do not go to the doctor.
In severe cases with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, treatment will be difficult and longer. Periodic examinations are carried out under the supervision of a neurologist to adjust the treatment, which depends on the current changes in the patient's well-being.
Lifestyle adjustment
All patients with a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical region should increase physical activity by taking breaks for sports training during sedentary work. If the patient, on the contrary, is actively involved in sports, then he should reduce the physical load on the neck by giving up running, wrestling, jumping, lifting weights.
People who are overweight are advised to take additional measures to reduce it by adjusting their diet so that nutrition is healthy and meets the needs of the body. The menu should be composed so that the food is protein and half consists of vegetables and fruits.
Drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Drug therapy is mainly aimed at eliminating the symptoms of pain in the neck due to osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex nature of the therapy is developed individually for the patient and consists in the use of different groups of drugs that solve his problems.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of drugs with anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties. They can be in tablets and capsules, as well as in the form of creams, ointments and gels, and in case of severe pain, they are used intramuscularly for application of solutions.
The disadvantage of using drugs is the irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum, which can disrupt the functioning of the organs due to gastritis and ulcers. To alleviate the risks with NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed in combination.
Diclofenac sodium or piroxicam is used as an active ingredient to reduce pain and inflammation in osteochondrosis. They have a gentle effect on the digestive tract. Medicines have now been developed that are distinguished by selective action.
Corticosteroids and blockades
Corticosteroids are hormonal drugs that are prescribed for short courses in severe patients with complex inflammatory processes. They can cause side effects with long-term use, so they are used in the form of injections so that there are no side effects and they are easier to absorb.
Corticosteroids are often used in conjunction with anesthetics when performing blocks. To relieve severe pain syndromes, the prepared mixture is injected into points near the spinal nerves. The procedure is performed in clinics by medically trained workers. Doctors recommend blocking four times a year.
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are drugs to eliminate muscle spasms caused by severe inflammation and pain in the neck area as a result of osteochondrosis.
vitamins
Osteochondrosis creates compression of the spinal roots, which is why taking B vitamins, which are involved in nerve impulses, is indicated.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotectors - drugs for the restoration of cartilage tissue. In the early stages of cervical osteochondrosis, they really have a positive effect on the condition of the discs between the vertebrae, improving the patient's well-being. In the later ones, they can only slow down the degenerative-dystrophic process in these discs.
Chondroprotectors are produced in capsules, powders, and also in the form of solutions when administered intramuscularly.
Medicines for local application
Gels, creams or ointments that are used at the initial appearance of osteochondrosis of the neck to affect the painful area. They are different in principle of action, they can be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, warming, cooling. They often contain components such as NSAIDs, menthol, hot pepper, snake and bee venom extract.
Preparations to improve microcirculation
Medicines from this group improve the quality of blood circulation, which is especially necessary in vertebral artery syndrome. They promote vasodilatation, improve brain nutrition and eliminate tinnitus, headache, dizziness.
exercise therapy
Physical therapy is the main method of treating cervical osteochondrosis of the spine. The complex of physiotherapy exercises is selected individually with a specialist, taking into account the age of the patient, the presence of radicular syndrome and arterial compression, as well as the development of existing diseases and degenerative-dystrophic changes. Goals of physical therapy:
- strengthening the muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck;
- activation of blood circulation;
- normalization of muscle tone.
You should do it daily with a specialist who will help you choose the load, develop an optimal program, taking into account the physical condition of the patient.
It is important that all physical exercises are performed slowly, without sudden movements of the head and in comfortable conditions. If neck pain occurs, the exercise should be stopped immediately and then consult a doctor to adjust the treatment program.
Swimming has a positive effect on the condition of the cervical spine, in which the classes are not associated with physical load on the intervertebral discs, but the neck muscles are actively working. As a result, the corset of muscles that supports the spine is strengthened. Patients with osteochondrosis are shown to swim two to three times a week.
Manual therapy for cervical osteochondrosis
Manual therapy is an effective way to treat osteochondrosis, as it affects the muscles and the spine. The specialist must have a higher education, a medical license for manual therapy and have experience, understand the anatomy and features of osteochondrosis.
Private massage
To improve their well-being, patients can perform neck massage on their own to relieve fatigue and pain.
Physiotherapy treatment
Physiotherapy is indicated if there is no inflammatory process. Assign a course consisting of 10-15 procedures, which are selected individually.
- Electrophoresis - an electric current is used to ensure deep penetration of drugs.
- Magnetotherapy - to activate the blood circulation process and stimulate metabolic processes. In addition, these sessions act against pain and remove swelling.
- Laser therapy - acts against the inflammatory process and dilates blood vessels, which reduces pain.
- Ultrasound therapy is a method that reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings, has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
- Diadynamic currents - reduce pain, improve tissue nutrition, eliminate inflammation.
Traction therapy
As a result of disc flattening, the vertebrae move closer together, so traction therapy with a Glisson loop is recommended.
Applicator
The Iplicator is an affordable and simple neck reflexology tool. The piercing of the spikes causes skin irritation, leads to active blood flow, increases the efficiency of the neck and improves sleep.
Orthopedic devices
To reduce the load on the neck, it is recommended to replace the mattress and pillow with orthopedic ones that maintain the correct position of the spine, reducing the progression of osteochondrosis. It is recommended that patients wear an orthopedic removable device - the Shants collar, which allows you to fix the neck, reducing the load.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To avoid cervical osteochondrosis, you should regularly do a warm-up, during which you change the position of your body, performing neck tilts and head turns. Maintain proper posture from an early age. Do sports, strengthen neck muscles and joints, reduce the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis. Take care of your health!