Dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs are called osteochondrosis. This problem can occur in a person at any age; the dysfunction of the intervertebral discs leads to the development of many serious concomitant problems. How to prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis? What drugs and alternative therapies are used in the treatment?
Cervical osteochondrosis - what is it
The cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae and 8 paired nerve nodes. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops against the background of the degeneration of the intervertebral pulp into vitreous tissue. In this case, the pathological changes affect the endings of nerve fibers and important vessels. Most often, the pathology affects the 7th and 8th vertebrae.
The disease is carefully disguised as other pathologies, manifested by attacks of headaches and discomfort in the neck. Patients may complain of dizziness, nausea, and pressure problems. Most often the disease is confused with heart and vascular problems.
Important! Often against the background of problems with the vertebrae, a person begins to suddenly lose consciousness, feel a lack of air, and the tongue may become numb.
Cervical osteochondrosis is most often diagnosed in people after 30 years of age, which is caused by the peculiarities of the location of the human skeleton, constant statistical and dynamic loads. The disease is rapidly rejuvenating, recently osteochondrosis occurs even in adolescents.
Causes of the disease
The development of osteochondrosis is influenced by physiological and pathological processes. They are closely related to each other, in medical practice they are always considered together.
Physiological changes are caused by irreversible age-related processes in the cartilage of the spine. They are localized in the central part of the intervertebral disc, manifested by pinching of the pulp by fibrous tissues. Discomfort occurs with irritation of nerve endings.
Pathological changes - in this case, the area of inflammation extends beyond the cartilage tissue, causing severe irritation of nerve endings, pinching of blood vessels. They arise against the background of poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, appears in adolescents and people of the middle age category.
Important! In rare cases, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may go away on its own or manifest as short-term episodes. The human body has many compensatory and protective functions that can neutralize pathological changes in cartilage for a period of time.
Causing factors:
- sedentary work, lack of regular physical activity;
- frequent forced stay in an awkward position;
- overweight;
- nerve overload, stressful conditions;
- neck and occiput injuries;
- hypothermia.
The cause of osteochondrosis can be congenital anomalies, autoimmune diseases.
Main features
Cervical osteochondrosis does not always manifest as pain in a specific part of the spine, often the disease presents a clinical picture blurred.
The main symptoms are dizziness, migraines, sudden changes in blood pressure.
When urgent hospitalization is necessary:
- numbness, loss of mobility of the muscles of the face or the shoulder girdle;
- increased headache, which is accompanied by a deterioration in general well-being;
- lack of coordination;
- loss of consciousness.
Pain in the cervical spine often radiates to the shoulder girdle and upper limbs. A peculiarity is that the pain syndrome is paroxysmal in nature, most often after waking up, sudden movements, laughing, coughing and sneezing.
If osteochondrosis is in the initial stage, the pain disappears quickly, almost always accompanied by tightening of the neck, the muscles weaken, the skin loses sensitivity.
Important! With pathological changes in the 6th vertebra, a pain syndrome can be observed in the thumb, with damage to the 7th vertebra, it affects the middle finger.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women appear later than in men - the average age is 50 to 55 years.
How osteochondrosis is associated with other diseases
Cervical osteochondrosis and blood pressure - the link between these conditions has long been established. For osteochondrosis, it is precisely the sharp drops in pressure during the day that are characteristic, persistent hypertension is not inherent in this disease.
The increased pressure in osteochondrosis is accompanied by migraine, noise in the head, pain in the arms, legs, chest. At the same time, the sensitivity of the skin in the neck area is significantly reduced, stress can cause a pressure jump, a prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
Cervical osteochondrosis and dizziness - occurs against the background of severe pain syndrome, impaired cerebral circulation and transmission of nerve signals, problems with the vestibular apparatus.
With osteochondrosis, non-systemic dizziness occurs most often - there is no feeling of rotating objects, but the person is very sick, it is difficult for him to stand.
Important! With frequent attacks of dizziness, it is necessary to consult not only a neuropathologist, but also an ENT specialist, in order to exclude the presence of pathological changes in the nasopharynx.
Headaches accompany osteochondrosis in almost 90% of cases. This occurs against the background of vascular spasms, pinching of nerve endings, increased intracranial pressure. It manifests itself in different ways - throbbing, dull.
Headache attacks in osteochondrosis are similar to sensations of high blood pressure, angina, heart attack, stroke.
Panic attacks occur with osteochondrosis against the background of disturbances in cerebral circulation. At the same time, a person experiences unreasonable fear, physical discomfort. The duration of the attack is 2-3 minutes to an hour, they can be repeated several times a day. Panic attacks are accompanied by a heavy headache, incessant tears, listlessness, and lethargy. In severe attacks, it is necessary to take tranquilizers, regularly consult a psychiatrist.
Fears and depression arise with osteochondrosis against the background of constant pain, a forced change in the usual way of life.
Diagnostic methods
People with osteochondrosis may experience pain in the back of the head, chest, arms - such a blurry picture of the disease greatly complicates the initial diagnosis.
Prevents timely diagnosis and uncontrolled intake of pain relievers by people. A person feels healthy without pain. He seeks medical help late, when irreversible processes develop in the tissues of the cervical joints.
Important! Only a neurologist deals with the treatment of osteochondrosis.
The external examination is to identify mobility and pain in the neck. After that, the doctor prescribes X-rays in several projections and a CT scan. If a hernia is suspected, magnetic resonance imaging should be done. A Doppler ultrasound is done to assess the condition of the arteries and blood vessels.
Principles of drug therapy
Drug therapy is aimed at eliminating pain, inflammation, restoring normal mobility and blood circulation.
Main groups of medicines:
- Analgesics
- in the form of tablets and injections are intended to eliminate the pain syndrome;
- nonsteroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotectors help restore cartilage tissue;
- muscle relaxants relax muscles, are used as auxiliary agents for pain relief - they contain glycerin, benzimidazole, have a long list of contraindications; Vitamin complexes
- - must contain all vitamins of groups B, D, E, retinol, ascorbic acid;
- artificial analogues of histamine - help to eliminate problems with the vestibular apparatus;
- means for external use in the form of gels, ointments - helps improve blood circulation, relieves spasms and pain, warms, relieves pain.
Important! Vitamins in food are not enough to treat osteochondrosis.
Drugs that improve cerebral circulation in cervical osteochondrosis are an obligatory component of treatment, they dilate blood vessels, improve blood circulation. Nootropics that improve metabolic processes in the brain, restore memory and thinking.
Osteochondrosis surgery is rarely used. An operation is essential for signs of paralysis of the upper extremities, acute disturbance of the blood supply and cerebral edema.
Additional treatments include massage, manual push-and-forward therapy, metered traction, relaxation techniques, and acupuncture.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
Home treatment involves the regular implementation of special exercises, the use of special orthopedic devices. Traditional medicine recipes can be used as supportive therapy.
Shants Collar is designed to relieve tension in spine, reduce stress, strengthen neck muscles. The head and neck are fixed in the right position, which allows you to get rid of insomnia, prevent the progression of pathological changes. You need to wear a collar not all day, but 2-3 hours before bedtime.
Self-massage will help to eliminate pain and spasms, while rubbing ointments that improve blood circulation. The procedure should be performed in a sitting position, the posture is comfortable, relaxed. It is necessary to do caresses, circular rubbing, touch not only the neck, but also the shoulder girdle.
Important! With cervical osteochondrosis, any type of heating is prohibited, except for a bath and sauna.
Healing baths eliminate pain and inflammation well, they allow the spine to relax. Water procedures should be performed every other day, the course includes 15-20 procedures.
Bath recipes:
- Mix 150 g of chamomile and mint, the mixture infuses 5 liters of boiling water. Leave the infusion for 2 hours, filter.
- Take 20 g of mint, lemon balm and birch. The collection is brewed in 6 liters of boiling water, after 2 hours of filtration.
- To prepare a sage tea, you will need 300 g of herbs and 5 liters of boiling water. The healing solution will be ready in 2 hours.
For oral administration, you can prepare an infusion of yarrow - this will help quickly get rid of inflammation, cramps and pain. Infuse 230 ml of boiling water with 6 g of herb, leave in a closed container for an hour. Take 15 ml 3 times a day.
A solution of 15 g of sea salt and 1 liter of water helps to cope with osteochondrosis. Bring the mixture to a boil, cool completely. In the composition, moisten the natural fabric, apply to the nape.
Possible complications
With prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, cervical osteochondrosis proceeds without special complications. Otherwise, serious pathological changes develop and can lead to disability.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
- vertebral artery syndrome
- - functional and organic changes caused by impaired blood flow in the brain;
- high blood pressure, arrhythmia;
- numbness, weakness, muscle atrophy of the upper extremities;
- protrusion, hernia;
- VSD;
- neurological disorders.
Physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is able to restore nutrition to damaged tissue, restore blood circulation.
During the catch-up gymnastics, it is forbidden to turn the head strongly, to make sharp turns. Only imitation of such movements is allowed. You can do a series of exercises for up to 2 minutes - prolonged loads can lead to a complication of osteochondrosis.
An effective set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis has been developed by Shishonin. The principle is that all movements should be performed smoothly, each position should be fixed for 15-30 seconds. During gymnastics, there should be no painful sensations, each exercise should be repeated 5 times.
Description of the exercises:
- Sit up straight, tilt your head to the right. When muscle tension appears, fix the position. Make 5 slopes on each side.
- Bending your head forward and back is done by analogy with the previous exercise.
- Stretch the chin alternately over the left and right shoulder. The back is straight, you cannot round it.
- Rotate your head left and right, in each position to linger for 30 seconds.
- Keep doing side turns, but use extra arms. When turning to the right, the right hand should be on the left shoulder, and vice versa.
- Close your palms, raise your arms above your head, turn to the sides.
- Straighten your arms, bring them to the sides and slightly back, stretch your chin forward.
Preventive measures
Osteochondrosis prevention consists of simple steps, if done regularly, serious health problems can be avoided. Prevention is especially necessary for the elderly and those who spend a lot of time sitting.
How to prevent osteochondrosis:
- take a hot shower every day for at least 10 minutes;
- regularly visit the baths and sauna to eliminate spasms and tightness in the neck;
- sleep on an orthopedic pillow and a special mattress;
- do a small five-minute warm-up every hour while seated.
The best sports for the prevention of osteochondrosis are swimming, yoga, aerobic exercises, special gymnastics to strengthen the cervical muscles.
It is forbidden for people at risk to run, jump or do weight training. The critical weight is 10 kg, the weights must be carried with both hands. In addition, you can use a corset that protects the spine.
Sergei Bubnovsky well describes preventive measures for osteochondrosis. In his book, you can find out what back pain is dangerous, how to restore health without injections and corsets, and find a series of special exercises.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that can affect anyone. Timely diagnosis and prevention, a healthy active lifestyle will help to avoid the development of serious pathological changes in the spine, bring you good health and an excellent mood.