Up to 30 years ago, osteochondrosis was exclusively associated with the elderly, whose joints became inactive and painful with every movement. However, times have changed. Today, more and more people change from hard physical labor to sedentary work at the computer, less and less monitor the quality of nutrition, and more and more often face osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. It is not for nothing that osteochondrosis is called "the disease of the century" and almost everyone over the age of 25 experiences symptoms of this disease.
This insidious disease, beginning with unpleasant pain in the neck area, very quickly leads to serious consequences in the form of hearing and visual impairment, as well as memory impairment until its complete loss. That is why each person should know the causes of osteochondrosis and timely consult a doctor in case of unpleasant symptoms of the disease. We will talk about it in this article.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Paradoxically, all of our cervical spine problems start in early childhood, or rather in elementary school, where the child's posture deteriorates and scoliosis develops. It is at this time that the support system of the head by the spine is disturbed, in particular, by its thinnest and most vulnerable part - the cervix. The second key factor in cervical osteochondrosis, which starts in early childhood, is insufficient physical fitness, in particular, weakness of the muscles of the spine and the so-called muscle corset intended to support the spine.
These are the two most important causes of the disease. Everything else is a heavy burden on the weakened spine, provoking the development of the disease in quite young and healthy people. First of all, it is a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical activity, especially work, which is associated with a long stay in a position. This is more common for drivers and office workers who are sitting at the computer during their shift. All this is complemented by excess body weight, which significantly increases the load on the spine.
Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- previous spinal injuries;
- metabolic disorders;
- hereditary predisposition;
- great physical activity;
- constant nervous tension and stress;
- cervical spine abnormalities;
- bad habits (holding the handset with your ear and shoulder).
The development of osteochondrosis
These unfavorable factors ultimately lead to increased load on the cervical spine. When trying to compensate for the excessive load on the muscles of the neck, their spasm occurs, which leads to impaired blood circulation in this area and a decrease in metabolic processes. All this turns into the development of degenerative processes in the spine. First, the vertebrae begin to thin and converge, compressing their contents (annulus fibrosus) outside the spine. This protrusion in the language of doctors is called a protrusion.
When protruding, the fibrosus ring still retains its integrity, but the protrusion is already squeezing the blood vessels and nerves that run along the spine and supply the brain. In addition, the converging and deformed vertebrae begin to squeeze the roots of the peripheral nerves, which leads to the development of the so-called "radicular syndrome", which is manifested by severe pain in the back and neck. If you don't identify a problem (which will eloquently signal unpleasant symptoms) and start treating osteochondrosis, the fibrous ring will rupture and a spinal hernia will appear. In this case, there will be serious problems with the nutrition of the brain.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
During its development, the disease goes through several stages, each with characteristic signs and symptoms. It should be noted here that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differs from degenerative changes in other parts of the spine. The distances between the vertebrae here are minimal, and therefore even small degenerative changes cause unpleasant symptoms and lead to various complications.
1. Osteochondrosis of degree I
This is the preclinical phase of the development of the disease, during which the patient experiences slight pain and discomfort during head turns, as well as rapid tension and fatigue in the neck and neck. back during prolonged stay in one position (more often in a sitting position). At this stage, osteochondrosis is perfectly treated with lifestyle changes, nutritional adjustments, and regular physical activity.
2. Osteochondrosis of degree II
At this point, instability appears between the neck vertebrae. A person in this case is faced with severe pain that radiates to the shoulder, neck or arm. When tilting or turning the head, the pain increases significantly, because due to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, the nerve endings begin to be impaired. The patient begins to tire quickly, his performance decreases, distraction, forgetfulness appears, and he suffers from headaches.
3. Osteochondrosis of degree III
With the onset of the third stage of the disease, the back and neck pain becomes even stronger, the mobility of the neck is noticeably reduced, and when the neck turns, the cracking of the vertebrae can be heard. At night, the patient's fingers start to go numb (mainly the little finger and ring finger), which is why the person wakes up several times a night. Throughout the day, these patients have an unpleasant heaviness in their hands. And even a short conversation on the phone, in which a person is forced to hold the mobile near the ear, turns into an unpleasant tingling sensation and numbness in the fingers. All this indicates an increase in the protrusion, and possibly the appearance of a hernia in the cervical spine.
4. Osteochondrosis of degree IV
In the last stage of the disease, the vertebral discs are destroyed, which cease to perform their functions and begin to be replaced by connective tissue. A patient in this condition may experience a lack of coordination of movements, noise and exasperating pulsations in the ears appear, the headaches intensify, visual acuity and hearing decrease. In some cases, numbness of the tongue may occur.
Here it must be said that due to the compression of the blood vessels, the blood flow to the brain is disturbed. Due to this, the patient develops neurotic disorders such as insomnia, nervousness, irritability and resentment, frequent mood swings and inability to concentrate. Periodically, there may be outbursts of anger or fear, melancholy and depression.
In the later stages of osteochondrosis development, severe vascular spasms can lead to the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes, a feeling of instability on a hard, flat surface, severe dizziness, migraines, frequent nausea, vomiting and fainting.
Diagnosis of diseases
To identify the cause of the pathology, the patient describes the unpleasant symptoms of his condition to the doctor. After listening to the patient, the specialist sends him to one of the following research methods.
1. Radiography. Currently, this diagnostic method is considered uninformative, especially in the later stages of the development of the disease.
2. Double-sided ultrasonic scanning. This method is used in cases when a specialist assumes a violation of blood flow in the arteries that provide nutrition to the brain. The study shows the speed of the blood flow and determines if there are any obstacles in its path.
3. CT (computed tomography). This method is more informative than an x-ray, because it not only reveals the problem, but also allows you to determine the presence and size of hernias, but with difficulty.
4. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The most informative method for diagnosing osteochondrosis today, which allows you to see bone structures, the presence of hernias and even the direction of their development.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Let's say right away that in order to deal with such a serious problem as cervical osteochondrosis, you need to contact a neurologist. True, if the clinic has a vertebrologist, it is better to contact him first.
Osteochondrosis can only be treated in a complex way. The complex of methods used includes drug therapy, massage of the neck and cervix area, exercise therapy, physiotherapy methods, as well as proper nutrition. Only a combination of all these methods will help to cope with the disease and normalize the well-being of the patient.
Help with severe pain
With severe pain, doctors recommend taking medicines such as Analgin, Baralgin or Tempalgin. When these drugs no longer provide relief, you can switch to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In a general sense, pharmacotherapy includes the following:
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These remedies eliminate pain, relieve swelling, and deal with inflammation of the nerve roots.
- Chondroprotectors. These drugs perfectly restore damaged cartilage tissue.
- Group B vitamins. They are needed to improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue.
- Muscle relaxants. These drugs work to reduce muscle spasms.
- Preparations which improve the rheological properties of blood. Thanks to such means, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve endings is improved.
It should be noted here that it is possible to achieve a tangible effect in the fight against osteochondrosis with the help of ointments and tablets only if drug therapy is combined with other methods of treatment. Otherwise, the drugs will only have a temporary effect.
Many specialists tend to treat osteochondrosis with injections in order to act quickly on the nerve endings and save the patient from possible side effects when taking pills. However, vitamins are best taken orally because vitamins are well absorbed by the body with any method of delivery, but injections with them can be painful.
Physiotherapy treatments
Drug therapy should be combined with physiotherapy methods. The most effective for this disease are:
- Electrophoresis (in combination with drugs). In this case, the drugs enter the damaged vertebrae under the influence of an electric current.
- Ultrasound. This method of exposure allows you to eliminate the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve metabolic processes in tissues.
- Magnetotherapy. This type of physiotherapy relieves puffiness and pain.
- Laser therapy. It is a great method of fighting inflammation and improves blood circulation.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Rebuilding the affected vertebrae also includes a special diet that normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents salt deposition, nourishes and restores cartilage tissue, and also strengthens the ligaments between the vertebral discs.
To achieve this, first of all, the following should be excluded from the patient's diet:
- alcoholic beverages;
- fatty and fried foods;
- spicy and too salty foods;
- strong broths;
- weaknesses and bakery products;
- strong tea and coffee;
- pickles and marinades;
- canned products.
The diet of a patient with osteochondrosis should consist of the following foods:
- lean meat and fish;
- low-fat milk, cottage cheese and kefir;
- butter (small amount);
- whole grain cereals and soups;
- meat in jelly, aspic of fish or meat;
- vegetables, fruits and berries;
- juices, fruit drinks, jelly and compotes.
When osteochondrosis is localized in the cervical spine, it is important to adhere to the regime of alcohol consumption, drinking at least 1. 5 liters of water per day. If you are overweight, you should think about how to get rid of those extra pounds, which put extra stress on the spine. It is advisable to go to meals 5 times a day in small portions.
At the same time, as the list of allowed foods shows, the basis of the food should be low-fat vegetarian soups, boiled lean meat, fish, seafood, vegetables and fruitsunsweetened.
An example menu for the day will look like this:
- breakfast: cottage cheese, some apples, tea without sugar;
- lunch: baked pear, some oatmeal cookies;
- lunch: vegetarian borscht, boiled chicken with vegetable salad;
- afternoon snack: dry biscuits and fruit juice;
- dinner: baked fish with vegetables and tea without sugar.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Physical education gives huge results in the treatment of osteochondrosis, although you can only do cervical spine gymnastics during the recovery period. It is important here that during massage or gymnastics the patient does not feel discomfort and pain.
Here are some of the most effective gymnastic exercises aimed at strengthening neck muscles and improving blood circulation in this area.
Exercise n ° 1
Lying on your stomach and resting your hands on the floor, slowly raise your head and torso so that your back remains straight. Hold this position for 1 minute, then return to the starting position. The element is repeated 2-3 times.
Exercise n ° 2
Lying on your stomach and stretching your arms out at your sides, lift your head slightly and start turning it to the right first, trying to touch the floor with your ear, then to the left. Make 6 turns in each direction.
Exercise n ° 3
Sitting on the floor, while inhaling, lean forward, trying to reach your chest with your chin, and as you exhale, return to the starting position and tilt your head back. Repeat the item 10 to 15 times.
Exercise n ° 4
Place your palms on your forehead and try to press hard on your head. At the same time, while straining the muscles in your neck, resist your arms, not allowing your head to tilt. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, then lower your arms and relax. Repeat the element 2-3 times, then repeat the exercise in the opposite direction, bringing the hands together at the back of the head.
Exercise n ° 5
Start slowly turning your head to the right and left, trying to look behind your back. Make 10 turns on each side.