Statistics everywhere claim that more than 80% of the population is diagnosed with multi-stage cervical spine osteochondrosis. Meanwhile, doctors warn of the very dangerous consequences of the neglected form, which can be a threat not only to health, but also to the lives of patients.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region - what is it
By itself, osteochondrosis disease is an irreversible degenerative-dystrophic destruction of the vertebral and vertebral discs. It is characterized by violation of the integrity of the intervertebral components, which leads to 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.
This process is irreversible, it is impossible to restore damaged cartilage and discs, you can only delay 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 that connect the brain and human body, as well as the proximity of placement of vertebrae (there are 7 of them in a small space).
Attention! Slight compression of arteries, nerve fibers or blood vessels in the cervical spine will involve a number of symptoms, the severity of which depends on which root or duct is being compressed.
The reasons
There are many reasons for this dangerous disease, although it is still not known exactly why osteochondrosis occurs in certain areas. Among the factors that provoke cervical osteochondrosis are:
Way of life
This is the most numerous factor in both quantitative and qualitative terms. It must include:
- inactive way of working;
- prolonged stay in a tense or uncomfortable position for a significant period of time;
- small physical load on the spine (this contributes to the weakness of the muscular corset);
- too much pressure on the spine.
Today, a large number of people are subject to the listed factors of incidence of this disease due to prevalent social life models and social behaviors.
injuries
Spinal cord injuries in 90% of cases are accompanied by cervical osteochondrosis. Often it does not occur immediately after an injury, but after a certain time. Here, the main component of the incident will be the integrity of the ridge fracture.
Hormonal disorders
This factor can arise during adolescence, during the restructuring of a child’s body. This type of osteochondrosis can be treated successfully.
If osteochondrosis occurs on the background of menopause or a disease that alters the hormonal background (diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis), treatment will be symptomatic.
genetic predisposition
The reason for this happens almost always as equivalent to others. Because by itself genetic predisposition is not the basis for the disease, but it is very important in the event of other factors.
symptoms
The manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are very similar to many diseases, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Their manifestation depends on which nerve root is compressed, in addition, many symptoms are associated with impaired blood circulation in the brain. Despite the variety of symptoms, some 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 according to the frequency of occurrence.
Headache in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the first, most persistent and most frequent symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is a migraine -type headache. It will be well stopped by analgesics, but as the disease progresses, its intensity becomes higher, and it becomes increasingly difficult to stop.
Pain can be applied by the throbbing in the temples and the back of the head, can affect the parietal area, give to the parietal bone.
Pain in the neck
Usually weak at first, 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, shoulders, arms (this depends on which nerve endings are pinched). At the same time, it appears when turning or tilting the head, sharp movements of the body, it is set fixed, has an increasing intensity.
Limit range of motion, crunchy
Another symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is restriction of movement of the head and neck, it is difficult for the patient to turn his head, there is no way to do it completely, it is impossible to tilt his head forward or backward. When turning, there is characteristic irritation.
weakness of the hand
If the nerve root responsible for the preservation of the upper limb is damaged, weakness appears in the arm, and in severe cases, paralysis may occur.
Numbness of the hands or body
When squeezing the root responsible for sensitivity, there is a loss of sensitivity in the hands, fingers, or numbness of the individual area. With advanced forms of the disease, paralysis (complete or partial) of the hands and the whole body is possible. This again depends on which nerve is affected.
Hearing, vision decreased
The disease is characterized by symptoms such as hearing loss and vision loss, numbness of the lips and tongue. These organs are at close range and are the first to experience an inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain.
Dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis
With 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 brain circulation as a result of squeezing of arteries and blood vessels.
On 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 them are:
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- blood vessel dopplerography;
- The most commonly used is radiography.
For the diagnosis of osteochondrosis at an early stage, radiography will be of little information. Vessel dopplerography is performed in difficult cases, when severe symptoms occur: loss of sensitivity in a large area, paralysis, fainting.
Successful treatment is possible only in the early stages of the disease and it depends on the correct diagnosis.
Disease stage
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. Pain occurs when turning the head or neck. At the level of the spine, no damage was detected, only a violation of the intervertebral space.
- II -I - this is the appearance of shooting pain, which can radiate to the arms, shoulders, and which is increasing when turning the head. Migraine type headache. The pain is caused by small destructive changes in the vertebral disc.
- III -I - increased pain, which becomes constant, numbness occurs, stiffness of head movements appears, weakness in the hands, impaired attention and memory. At this stage, there is a violation of the integrity of the disc (cracks, protrusion of the articular bag), intervertebral hernia.
- IV -I - is characterized by destruction of discs and vertebrae, violation of bone integrity. At this stage, surgery is often required, as hernias can cause paralysis and immobilization of the upper limb or the entire body.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck at home is possible and necessary in stage 1-2, stage 3 requires medical treatment under the supervision of a physician.
Treatment at home
Before starting treatment at any stage, it is necessary to consult a vertebrologist who will make a correct diagnosis and conduct the necessary examinations. Osteochondrosis can have symptoms similar to heart failure (hypertension, difficulty breathing, problems with attention and memory).
Attention! With improper or untimely treatment, cerebral ischemia, spinal stroke, spinal cord compression, radiculopathy are possible, and complications of the disease are often life -threatening for patients.
With a correct and timely diagnosis, home treatment should include the following components:
- drug treatment;
- massage;
- special physical training.
These three components are very important, they must necessarily go in a complex treatment, which will ensure good results for a long time.
massage
An excellent effect after acute pain relief will be given with traditional massage. Their courses are recommended to be conducted at least once every 6 months. Today there are many options of techniques aimed at the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, which will allow you to choose the most suitable option.
- There are high quality manual techniques that allow you to get good results.
- The new direction is osteopathy, aimed at treating by hand, but considering the human body as a union of musculoskeletal, nervous and mental systems.
- A good solution is a professional acupuncture course conducted by an experienced specialist.
- With success, massage was replaced with hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), not without reason it is equated with acupuncture.
Exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the factors in the occurrence of this disease is the small load on the muscular corset. We lead an inactive lifestyle, we spend a lot of time in the same position, often uncomfortable. Therefore, 10 simple exercises to strengthen the neck muscle corset should be included in your daily workout for everyone. It is especially important to address them for those who have the first signs of the disease.
Exercise should be performed only when the acute pain has been relieved. When exacerbated, it is undesirable to do so.
- Perform standing 5-7 times: open your legs shoulder-width apart, your abdomen pulled in, your shoulders straightened. Lift your hands to the sides and up, then connect them at the top and bring them back, trying to connect the shoulder blades. Then stand up straight again.
- It is good to do standing, but you can also sit 7-10 times. Wrap your hands around yourself (as if hugging), try to do this as hard as possible (elbows forward), then bring your hands back and connect them, touching your elbows with the palms of your hands. Try pulling your stomach up.
- It is best to do it while standing, but if you feel very dizzy, you can sit up, every movement 3-5 times. Straight neck, straight shoulders. Turn your head to the left and try to touch your shoulders with your chin, don’t lift your shoulders. Repeat this, turn your head to the right, do the rounds alternately.
- Do the same exercise, tilt your head as far back and forward as possible. Try to reach the chest with your chin. Do the slope slowly.
- Then make, slowly and carefully, a semi-circle from left shoulder to right, tilting the head forward. Do not make circular movements - only semi -circles. Repeat the movement in the opposite direction.
Do this exercise with your head thrown back as far as possible. Remember that you need to do it slowly and only in a semi -circle.
- It is also better to do while standing, but you can also sit for 5 seconds. 3-4 times. Clench your fists and place your chin on it. Press the fist firmly with the chin for 5 seconds, then place it behind the occipital bone and press again. This exercise trains the neck muscles well.
- Do sitting 7-10 laps in each direction. Put your hands on your hips, tilt your head as far forward as possible, it is good if you can put your chin on your chest. Now turn your head left and right alternately, keeping your chin on your chest.
- Do sitting in a low chair, try to do this at least 3-4 times. With your shoulders back, try to look at the wall behind you.
- Do sitting on a chair, place your hands between your knees 5-7 times. As you inhale, lean to the side; as you exhale, sit up straight. Do it alternately left and right.
- Lie on your back, bent over. Try doing this 5-6 times. Get as high as you can and stay as long as you can.
Advice! Do the exercises at appropriate times, perhaps during rest or when your neck is tired from a tense pose. Can't be too crowded here. The main thing is not to do it many times at once.
Treatment with folk remedies
Treatment of spinal problems with folk remedies mainly involves heating the affected area. When using recipes for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, you should be careful, because proximity to the brain can make too intense heating more harmful than beneficial.
You need to use recipes that have a mild effect, do not produce strong irritation.
Grandma's ointment
For its preparation, you need:
- 10 ml of iodine;
- 10 ml of camphor oil;
- 10 tablets of analgin (500 mg);
- 300 ml of alcohol.
The tablets need to be crushed into a powder and mix all the ingredients. The resulting composition is applied in a thin layer on the neck.
Compressing
- Potatoes. It is good to use a compress of grated potatoes with honey at night.
- horseradish. Fresh leaves of horseradish should be held on water vapor, cooled and used for 10-15 minutes. to the neck.
- Hop. Crush the unsalted lard (1 tablespoon) and add fresh or dried hop cones (1 teaspoon), apply the resulting mixture to the back of the head as a compress overnight.
- Aloe. Take 1 part aloe vera leaves, 2 parts honey and 3 parts vodka. Mix everything and let it brew for 12 hours. Apply the compress for no more than 15 minutes.
Medical treatment
Traditional treatment should consist of anti-inflammatory drugs needed periodically to relieve severe pain and drugs designed to mobilize the body to fight disease: vitamins, neuroprotectors, chondroprotectors.
In addition, depending on the problem that arises, medications are prescribed that relieve the symptoms that arise when certain parts of the nerve root are damaged, these can be medications:
- reduce stress;
- to improve vision;
- to relieve numbness.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
In the early stages, severe pain can be stopped with the help of painkillers.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed during exacerbations to relieve inflammation. The drug is available in tablets, capsules or injectable solutions. Some have an ointment form for external use. The course of treatment should be determined by the doctor.
Long-term use of medications from some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead even in healthy people to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) mucosa. With the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - treatment with analgesics causes exacerbation.
vitamin
Make sure you take vitamin Bone,AT6,AT12). They help improve brain function, have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system, increase the transmission of nerve impulses, which affects the improvement of the general condition.
This vitamin can be taken as an intramuscular injection, according to the scheme or in combination, which will significantly increase its effect. In the first stage of the disease, it is indicated as a tablet (vitamin complex) or supplement (not recognized by official medicine).
Drugs that increase brain circulation
Neuroprotectors are drugs that affect brain function. These include a large group of drugs that affect a variety of processes, among them nootropics that improve memory and concentration.
Medications are prescribed in case the blood supply is impaired to the brain as a result of squeezing the blood vessels.
Attention! Neuroprotectors must be prescribed by a neurologist.
Chondroprotectors
A special place is occupied by chondroprotectors - drugs that increase the nutrition of spinal cartilage tissue (glucosamine and chondroitin), which are supposed to slow its destruction. Clinically, its positive effects have not yet been proven, but it is used as a supplement and is justified by hygiene 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
With cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to eat foods and herbs that contain B vitamins, these can:
- chicken meat;
- porridge, chamomile;
- mint, coltsfoot;
- celery.
Shows fresh vegetables and fruits. It is undesirable to use salt, the amount should be reduced to a minimum. This is due to circulatory disorders of the brain. No need to increase calcium and potassium intake.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a dangerous disease that can lead to complex pathologies leading to disability. At the same time, proper behavior, moderate physical activity and systemic treatment can slow its progression, even stopping it for a long time. Live happy and healthy!