Ubiquitous statistics claim that more than 80% of the population is diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at various stages. Meanwhile, doctors warn of the very dangerous consequences of neglected forms, which can become a threat not only to health but also to the life of the patient.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region - what is it
Osteochondrosis itself is an irreversible degenerative-dystrophic destruction of the spinal discs and vertebrae. It is characterized by disruption of the integrity of the intervertebral component, which causes intervertebral hernia and protrusion and further destruction of the vertebral bones. These changes lead to complex processes in the body and in addition to causing severe pain, affect the functioning of the body as a whole.
The process is irreversible, it is impossible to restore damaged cartilage and discs, you can only slow down their destruction.
The danger of such a process in the cervical region is multiplied due to the presence of a large number of nerve fibers and blood vessels connecting the brain and the human body, as well as the proximity of the vertebrae (there are 7 of them in a small space).
Attention! The slightest compression of the arteries, nerve fibers or blood vessels in the cervical spine will lead to a number of symptoms, the severity of which will depend on which roots or vessels are compressed.
The reasons
There are many causes for this dangerous disease, although it is not yet known exactly why osteochondrosis occurs in a particular area. Among the factors provoking cervical osteochondrosis will be:
Lifestyle
This is the most voluminous factor in both quantitative and qualitative terms. It should include:
- sedentary way of working;
- prolonged stay in a tense or uncomfortable position for significant periods of time;
- small physical loads on the spine (this contributes to the weakening of the muscular corset);
- too much strain on the spine.
Today, a large number of people are exposed to the listed factors for the occurrence of this disease due to the prevailing pattern of social life and social behavior.
Injuries
Injuries to the spine in 90% of cases are accompanied by cervical osteochondrosis. It often does not appear immediately after the injury, but after a certain time. Here the main component of the occurrence will be the damaged integrity of the ridge.
Hormonal disorders
This factor can occur in adolescence, during the restructuring of the child's body. This type of osteochondrosis can be treated successfully.
If osteochondrosis occurs against the background of menopause or diseases that change the hormonal background (diabetes, multiple sclerosis), treatment will be symptomatic.
genetic predisposition
This reason is almost always found to be concomitant with others. Because genetic predisposition in itself is not the basis of the disease, but is of great importance in the occurrence of other factors.
Symptoms
The manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are very similar to many diseases, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Their manifestations depend on which nerve roots are compressed, in addition, many symptoms are associated with impaired blood circulation in the brain. Despite the wide range of symptoms, a number of the most common can be distinguished. Their appearance and strengthening will depend on the stage of development of the disease. Here they are listed by frequency of occurrence.
Headache in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the first, most persistent, and most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is migraine headaches. It will be well stopped by analgesics, but with the development of the disease its intensity becomes higher and stopping becomes more difficult.
The pain can unfold from a pulsation in the temples and back of the head, can affect the parietal area, give the parietal bone.
Neck pain
Usually in the beginning the pain in the neck appears only when you touch the affected area, in the future the pain can radiate to the back of the head, shoulder, arm (it depends on which nerve endings are pressed). At the same time it appears when turning or tilting the head, abrupt movement of the body, is constantly adjusted, has an increasing intensity.
Limiting the range of motion, crunching
Another symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is the restriction of movement of the head and neck, the patient finds it difficult to turn his head, there is no way to do it completely, it is impossible to tilt his head forward or backward. There is a characteristic crunch when turning.
weakness of the hands
If the nerve roots responsible for innervating the upper limbs are damaged, weakness occurs in the hands, and in severe cases, paralysis can occur.
Numbness of the hands or body
When the roots responsible for sensitivity are pressed, there is a loss of sensitivity in the hands, fingers or tingling in certain areas. In advanced forms of the disease, paralysis (complete or partial) of the hands and the whole body is possible. This again depends on which nerves are affected.
Decreased hearing, vision
This disease is characterized by such signs as hearing and vision loss, numbness of the lips and tongue. These organs are in close proximity and are the first to suffer from a lack of oxygen supply to the brain.
Dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis
In cervical osteochondrosis one of the most unpleasant symptoms will be dizziness, sometimes it may be accompanied by loss of coordination, in some cases there is fainting, nausea. These symptoms are associated with impaired cerebral circulation as a result of compression of arteries and blood vessels.
Regarding diagnostic methods
If one or more symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur, it is better to consult a doctor for a diagnosis. There are several methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis, the most informative of which will be:
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance;
- dopplerography of blood vessels;
- The most commonly used is radiography.
To diagnose osteochondrosis in the early stages, radiography will be of little information. Vascular Doppler is performed in difficult cases when severe symptoms appear: loss of sensitivity in large areas, paralysis, seizures.
Successful treatment is possible only in the early stages of the disease and depends on the correct diagnosis.
Stages of the disease
The disease is characterized by an increase in symptoms and their severity, there are 4 stages.
- I-I - this is pain in the neck when touching the affected nerve endings. The pain occurs when turning the head or neck. No damage is found at the level of the spine, only disorders of the intervertebral space.
- II-I - this is the appearance of shooting pain, which can radiate to the arm, shoulder and which is intensified by turning the head. Migraine type headache. The pain is caused by minor destructive changes in the spinal discs.
- III-I - increased pain, which becomes permanent, numbness, stiffness of the head, weakness in the hands, impaired attention and memory. At this stage there are violations of the integrity of the discs (cracks, protrusion of the joint bag), intervertebral hernia.
- IV-I - characterized by destruction of discs and vertebrae, disruption of bone integrity. Surgery is often necessary at this stage, as the hernia can cause paralysis and immobilization of the upper limbs or the whole body.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck at home is possible and necessary in stages 1-2, stage 3 requires medical treatment under the supervision of a physician.
Treatment at home
Before starting treatment at each stage, it is necessary to consult a vertebrologist, who will make the correct diagnosis and conduct the necessary tests. Osteochondrosis can have symptoms similar to heart failure (hypertension, difficulty breathing, attention and memory problems).
Attention! Improper or untimely treatment can lead to cerebral ischemia, spinal stroke, spinal cord compression, radiculopathy, and these complications of the disease often endanger the patient's life.
With a correct and timely diagnosis, home treatment should include the following components:
- drug treatment;
- massage;
- special physical exercises.
All three components are very important, they must undergo a comprehensive treatment that will ensure a good result for a long time.
Massage
Traditional massages will give a very good effect after relieving the acute pain. It is recommended that their courses be held at least once every 6 months. Today there is a large selection of techniques aimed at the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, which will allow you to choose the most appropriate option.
- There are high quality manual techniques that allow you to get a good result.
- A new direction is osteopathy, aimed at treatment with hands, but considering the human body as a unity of musculoskeletal, nervous and mental systems.
- A good solution would be a course in professional acupuncture conducted by an experienced specialist.
- Massage has been successfully replaced by hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), not without reason equated with acupuncture.
Exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the factors for the occurrence of this disease is the small load on the muscular corset. We lead a sedentary lifestyle, we spend a lot of time in the same position, often uncomfortable. That's why 10 simple exercises to strengthen the muscular corset of the neck should be included in your daily exercises for everyone. It is especially important to deal with them for those who have the first signs of this disease.
Exercises should be performed only after the relief of acute pain. In exacerbations it is undesirable to do.
- Perform an upright position 5-7 times: place your feet shoulder-width apart, your abdomen extended inward, your shoulders straight. Raise your arms sideways and up, then connect them at the top and put them back, trying to connect the shoulder blades. Then stand up straight again.
- It is good to perform in an upright position, but you can sit 7-10 times. Wrap your arms around you (as if hugging), try to do this as hard as possible (elbows forward), then put your arms back and connect them by touching your elbows with your palms. Try to pull your stomach.
- It is better to do it in an upright position, but if you feel very dizzy, you can sit, each movement 3-5 times. The neck is straight, the shoulders are straight. Turn your head to the left and try to touch the shoulder with your chin, do not lift the shoulder. Repeat this, turning your head to the right, perform turns sequentially.
- Do the same exercise, tilting your head as far back and forward as possible. Try to reach your chest with your chin. Make the slopes slow.
- Then, very slowly and carefully, make a semicircle from the left shoulder to the right, tilting your head forward. Do not make circular movements - only a semicircle. Repeat the movement in the opposite direction.
Do this exercise with your head tilted back as much as possible. Remember that you should do it slowly and only in semicircles.
- It is also better to perform in an upright position, but you can sit for 5 seconds. 3-4 times. Squeeze your fists and rest your chin on them. Press the fists hard with your chin for 5 seconds, then place them on the back of the occipital bone and press again. This exercise trains the neck muscles well.
- Perform sitting 7-10 turns in each direction. Put your hands on your hips, tilt your head as forward as possible, it is good if you can put your chin on your chest. Now turn your head left and right alternately, holding your chin to your chest.
- Perform sitting on a chair with a low back, try to do this at least 3-4 times. With your shoulders relaxed, try to look at the wall behind you.
- Perform sitting on a chair, placing your hands between your knees 5-7 times. As you inhale, lean to the side; while exhaling, sit up straight. Do it left and right alternately.
- Lie on your stomach, bend over. Try to do this 5-6 times. Get up as high as possible and stay as long as you can.
Advice! Do the exercise at a convenient time, perhaps during rest or when your neck is tired from a tense posture. There can't be much here. The main thing is not to do a large number of times at once.
Treatment with folk remedies
Treatment of spinal problems with folk remedies involves basically heating the affected area. Care must be taken when using prescriptions to treat cervical osteochondrosis, as close proximity to the brain can make overheating more harmful than helpful.
You should use recipes that have a mild effect without causing severe irritation.
Babin ointment
To prepare it you will need:
- 10 ml iodine;
- 10 ml of camphor oil;
- 10 tablets of analgin (500 mg);
- 300 ml of alcohol.
The tablets should be crushed into a powder and all ingredients mixed. The resulting composition is applied in a thin layer on the neck.
Compresses
- potatoes. It is good to put a compress of grated potatoes with honey at night.
- horseradish. Fresh horseradish leaves should be kept over steam, cooled and soaked for 10-15 minutes. to the neck.
- hop. Crush unsalted lard (1 tablespoon) and add ground fresh or dried hop cones (1 teaspoon), apply the resulting mixture on the back of the head as a compress overnight.
- aloe. Take 1 part ground aloe leaves, 2 parts honey and 3 parts vodka. Stir everything and simmer for 12 hours. Apply the compress for no more than 15 minutes.
Medical treatment
Traditional treatment should consist of anti-inflammatory drugs that are needed periodically to relieve severe pain and drugs designed to mobilize the body to fight the disease: vitamins, neuroprotectors, chondroprotectors.
In addition, depending on the problems that arise, drugs are prescribed that relieve the symptoms caused by damage to a certain part of the nerve roots, these can be drugs:
- pressure reduction;
- to improve vision;
- to relieve tingling.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
In the initial stages, severe pain can be stopped with the help of painkillers.
During exacerbations, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve inflammation. These medicines are available in tablets, capsules or injectable solutions. Some have the form of ointments for external use. The course of treatment should be determined by the physician.
Long-term use of a number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa (GIT) even in a healthy person. In the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - treatment with analgesics causes exacerbation.
vitamins
Remember to take B vitaminsone,AT6,AT12). They help to improve the functioning of the brain, have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system, improve the transmission of nerve impulses, which affects the improvement of general condition.
These vitamins can be taken as injections intramuscularly, on a schedule or in combination, which will significantly improve their effect. In the early stages of the disease, they appear as tablets (vitamin complexes) or dietary supplements (not recognized by official medicine).
Drugs that improve cerebral circulation
Neuroprotectors are drugs that affect the functioning of the brain. These include a large group of drugs that affect various processes, including nootropics that improve memory and concentration.
The drugs are prescribed in cases of impaired blood supply to the brain as a result of compression of blood vessels.
Attention! Neuroprotectants should be prescribed by a neurologist.
Chondroprotectors
A special place is occupied by chondroprotectors - drugs that improve the nutrition of cartilage in the spine (glucosamine and chondroitin), which should slow down their destruction. Their clinically positive effect has not yet been proven, but they are used as dietary supplements and are permitted by sanitary and medical examinations.
These drugs may be useful in stages I and II. In the future, they are unlikely to have the desired effect.
About diet and nutrition
In cervical osteochondrosis it is important to eat foods and herbs containing B vitamins, it can be:
- chicken meat;
- porridge, chamomile;
- mint, coltsfoot;
- celery.
Display of fresh vegetables and fruits. It is not desirable to use salt, its amount should be reduced to a minimum. This is due to impaired cerebral circulation. It is not necessary to increase calcium and potassium intake.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is an insidious disease that can lead to complex pathologies that lead to disability. At the same time, proper behavior, moderate physical activity and systemic treatment can slow its development and even stop it for a long time. Live happily and be healthy!