Pervasive statistics claim that more than 80% of the population is diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at various stages. Meanwhile, doctors warn about 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
In itself, the disease of osteochondrosis is an irreversible degenerative-dystrophic destruction of spinal discs and vertebrae. It is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the intervertebral component, which causes intervertebral hernia and protrusion, as well as further destruction of the bones of the vertebrae. 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 placement of the vertebrae (there arehas 7 of them in a small space).
Attention! The slightest compression of the arteries, nerve fibers or blood vessels in the cervical spine will cause a number of symptoms, the severity of which will depend on which roots or vessels are being compressed.
The reasons
There are many reasons for this dangerous disease, although it is still not clear why osteochondrosis occurs in a particular area. Among the factors provoking cervical osteochondrosis will be:
Way of life
It is the most voluminous factor both in quantitative and qualitative terms. It should include:
- sedentary mode of work;
- prolonged stay in a tense or uncomfortable position for long periods of time;
- small physical loads on the spine (this contributes to the weakening of the muscle corset);
- too much stress on the spine.
Today, a huge number of people are subject to the listed factors for the occurrence of this disease due to the prevailing pattern of social life and social behavior.
injuries
Spinal lesions in 90% of cases are accompanied by cervical osteochondrosis. Often this does not happen immediately after the injury, but after some time. Here, the main component of the event will be the broken integrity of the ridge.
Hormonal disturbances
This factor can arise already in adolescence, during the restructuring of the child's body. This type of osteochondrosis can be successfully treated.
If osteochondrosis occurs against the background of menopause or diseases that change the hormonal background (diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis), the treatment will be symptomatic.
genetic predisposition
This reason almost always occurs in conjunction with others. Since in itself the genetic predisposition is not the basis of the disease, but it is of great importance in case of other factors.
Symptoms
Manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are very similar to many diseases, which makes its diagnosis difficult. Their manifestations depend on the compressed nerve roots. 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 degree of development of the disease. Here they are listed by frequency of occurrence.
Headache in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the most persistent and common early symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is a migraine-like headache. It will be well stopped by painkillers, but as the disease develops, its intensity becomes higher, and it becomes more and more difficult to stop it.
The pain can develop in a pulsation in the temples and the back of the head, can affect the parietal region, 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 may radiate to the back of the head, shoulder, arm (depending on pinched nerve endings). At the same time, it appears when turning or tilting the head, a sudden movement of the body, it is constant, has increasing intensity.
Limitation of range of motion, crunch
Another symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is the 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 thehead forward or backward. When turning, there is a characteristic creak.
hand weakness
If the nerve roots responsible for the innervation of the upper limbs are damaged, weakness appears in the arms, and in severe cases paralysis may occur.
Numbness of hands or body
When compressing the roots responsible for sensitivity, there is a loss of sensitivity in the hands, fingers or numbness of individual areas. With advanced forms of the disease, paralysis (complete or partial) of the hands and the whole body is possible. This again depends on the nerves affected.
Decreased hearing, vision
This disease is characterized by signs such as hearing loss and loss of vision, numbness of the lips and tongue. These organs are very close and are the first to suffer from insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
Dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis
With cervical osteochondrosis, one of the most unpleasant symptoms will be dizziness, sometimes it can be accompanied by loss of coordination, in some cases there is fainting, nausea. These symptoms are associated with impaired cerebral circulation due to compression of arteries and blood vessels.
About diagnostic methods
If one or more symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear, it is best to consult a doctor for a diagnosis. There are several methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis, the most informative of them will be:
- computed tomography;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- dopplerography of blood vessels;
- The most used is radiography.
For the diagnosis of osteochondrosis in the early stages, radiography will be of little information. Dopplerography of vessels is performed in difficult cases, when severe symptoms occur: loss of sensitivity in large areas, paralysis, fainting.
Successful treatment is possible only in the early stages of the disease and depends on the correct diagnosis.
Disease stages
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 you turn your head or neck. At the level of the spine, no damage is detected, only violations of the intervertebral space.
- II-I - this is the appearance of a throbbing pain, which can radiate to the arm, shoulder, and intensifies when turning the head. Migraine-like headaches. The pain is caused by minor destructive changes in the spinal discs.
- III-I - increased pain, which becomes constant, numbness appears, stiffness of head movements appears, weakness in the hands, attention and memory are disturbed. At this stage, there are violations of the integrity of the discs (cracks, protrusion of the articular bag), intervertebral hernia.
- IV-I - characterized by the destruction of discs and vertebrae, violation of the integrity of bones. At this stage, surgery is often necessary, as hernias 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 at stages 1-2, the 3rd stage requires medical treatment under the supervision of a doctor.
Home treatment
Before starting treatment at any stage, it is necessary to consult a vertebrologist who will establish the correct diagnosis and conduct the necessary examinations. Osteochondrosis can have symptoms similar to heart failure (high blood pressure, breathing difficulties, problems with attention and memory).
Attention! With incorrect or untimely treatment, cerebral ischemia, stroke, spinal cord compression, radiculopathy are possible, and these complications of the disease are often life-threatening to the patient.
With a correct and timely diagnosis, home treatment should include the following:
- medical treatment;
- massage;
- specific physical exercises.
All three components are very important, they must necessarily go through complex processing, which will ensure a good result for a long time.
Massage
A very good effect after relieving acute pain will be given by traditional massage. It is recommended to conduct their courses at least once every 6 months. Today, there is a large selection of techniques intended for 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 achieve a good result.
- A new direction is osteopathy, aimed at dealing with the hands, but considering the human body as a unit of the musculoskeletal, nervous and mental systems.
- A good solution would be a professional acupuncture course conducted by an experienced specialist.
- Successfully, the massage is replaced by hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), not without reason it is equated with acupuncture.
Exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the factors for the occurrence of this disease are small loads on the muscle corset. We lead a sedentary life, we spend a lot of time in the same, often uncomfortable position. Therefore, 10 simple exercises to strengthen the neck muscle corset should be included in your daily exercises for everyone. It is especially important to treat them for those who show the first signs of this disease.
Exercises should only be performed when acute pain is relieved. When they are exacerbated, it is undesirable to do them.
- Perform standing 5-7 times: spread your feet shoulder-width apart, your stomach is tucked in, your shoulders are straightened. Raise your arms out to the sides and up, then connect them at the top and bring them back, trying to connect the shoulder blades. Then straighten up again.
- It is good to play standing up, but you can also sit down 7-10 times. Wrap your arms around you (like hugging), try to do it as tight as you can (elbows forward), then bring your hands back and connect them, touching your elbows with your palms. Try to tuck in your belly.
- This is best done standing up, but if you feel very dizzy you can sit up, each movement 3-5 times. The neck is straight, the shoulders are straight. Turn your head to the left and try to touch your shoulder with your chin, don't lift your shoulder. Repeat this, turning your head to the right, perform alternate bends.
- Do the same exercise tilting your head as far back and forward as possible. Try to reach the chest with your chin. Do the inclines slowly.
- Then, very slowly and carefully, make a semi-circle from the left shoulder to the right, tilting the head forward. Do not make circular movements - only a semicircle. 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 this slowly and only in semicircles.
- It is also best to perform standing, but you can also sit for 5 seconds. 3-4 times. Clench your fists and rest your chin on them. Forcefully press the fists with the 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 7-10 seated rounds in each direction. Put your hands on your hips, tilt your head as far forward as possible, it's good if you can rest your chin on your chest. Now turn your head alternately to the left and to the right, keeping your chin on your chest.
- Perform sitting in a chair with a low back, try to do this at least 3-4 times. With your shoulders back, try looking at the wall behind you.
- Perform while sitting on a chair, putting your hands between your knees 5-7 times. As you inhale, lean to the side; when you exhale, sit up straight. Do it alternately left and right.
- Lie on your stomach, bend over. Try to do this 5-6 times. Climb as high as you can and stay as long as you can.
Tips! Do the exercise at a time that works for you, perhaps during a break or when your neck is tired from a strained pose. There shouldn't be too many here. The main thing is not to do a large number of times at once.
Treatment with folk remedies
Treatment of problems with the spine with folk remedies consists mainly in heating the affected area. When using recipes for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, you need to be careful, because the proximity of the brain can make too intense warming more harmful than beneficial.
You need to use recipes that have a mild effect, not producing strong irritation.
Grandma's ointment
For its preparation you will need:
- 10 ml of iodine;
- 10 ml of camphor oil;
- 10 tablets of analgin (500 mg);
- 300 ml of alcohol.
Tablets should be crushed into powder and mix all the ingredients. The resulting composition is applied in a thin layer on the neck.
Compress
- Potato. It is good to apply a compress of grated potatoes with honey in the evening.
- Horseradish. Fresh horseradish leaves should be held above water vapor, cooled and applied for 10-15 minutes. in the neck.
- Jump. Crush unsalted lard (1 tablespoon) and add ground fresh or dried hop cones (1 teaspoon), apply the resulting mixture to the back of the head as an overnight compress.
- Aloe. Take 1 part ground aloe leaves, 2 parts honey and 3 parts vodka. Mix everything and leave to infuse for 12 hours. Apply the compress for a maximum of 15 minutes.
Medical treatment
The traditional treatment must consist of anti-inflammatories needed periodically to relieve intense pain and drugs intended to mobilize the body to fight the disease: vitamins, neuroprotectors, chondroprotectors.
Also, depending on the problems that have arisen, drugs are prescribed to relieve the symptoms that have arisen when a certain part of the nerve roots is damaged, these can be drugs:
- reduce pressure;
- improve vision;
- to relieve numbness.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
In the early stages, severe pain can be stopped with painkillers.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed during an exacerbation to relieve inflammation. These drugs are available in the form of tablets, capsules or solutions for injection. Some are in the form of ointments for external use. The duration of treatment should be determined by the doctor.
Long-term drug use from a number of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead, even in a healthy person, to irritation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - treatment with painkillers provokes an exacerbation.
vitamins
Be sure to take B vitaminsa,To6,To12). They help 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 the general condition.
These vitamins can be taken in the form of intramuscular injections, according to the scheme or in combination, which will significantly enhance their effect. In the early stages of the disease, they come in the form of tablets (vitamin complexes) or dietary supplements (not recognized by official medicine).
Drugs that improve cerebral circulation
Neuroprotectants are drugs that affect brain function. These include a large group of drugs that affect various processes, among them nootropics that improve memory and concentration.
Medications are prescribed in case of insufficient blood supply to the brain as a result of compression of blood vessels.
Attention! Neuroprotectors must be prescribed by a neurologist.
Chondroprotectors
A special place is occupied by chondroprotectors - drugs that improve the nutrition of the cartilaginous tissue of the spine (glucosamine and chondroitin), which should slow down their destruction. Clinically, their positive effect has not yet been proven, but they are used as dietary supplements and are allowed by sanitary and medical examinations.
These drugs can be useful in stages I and II. In the future, they are unlikely to have the desired effect.
About diets and nutrition
With cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to eat foods and herbs containing B vitamins, this can be:
- poultry meat;
- porridge, chamomile;
- mint, coltsfoot;
- celery.
Showing fresh fruits and vegetables. It is undesirable to use salt, its amount should be reduced to a minimum. This is due to poor cerebral circulation. It is not necessary to increase the intake of calcium and potassium.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is an insidious disease that can lead to complex pathologies leading to disability. At the same time, correct behavior, moderate physical activity and systemic treatment can slow down its development, or even permanently stop it. Live happily and be healthy!