Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms that threaten, consequences

Osteocondrosis is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

A few decades ago, it was believed that this was a problem mainly of aged people, but at the moment the cervical osteochondrosis was "younger".This means that youth can infuriate, which disturbs not only patients, but also doctors.

Medicine is actively looking for ways to effectively combat this condition.What is this disease, how does it manifest itself, because of what is developing and how to get rid of it?

Description of the disease

It is a degenerative dystrophic change in intervertebral discs.The cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by their damage, a decrease in their height, as well as damage to the joints, the vertebrae of this area.

In the human life process, vertebrates are consumed, the amount of humidity in them is significantly reduced, which is necessary for their normal functioning.In addition, in the joints, in the bones, the processes of mineral metabolism are violated.All this leads to the fact that they lose strength, the cervical region becomes unstable, its fabrics acquire Britches.This, in turn, can be transformed into the fact that the vertebrae are displaced, intervertebral hernias are often formed, the disease of this area of the spine is progressing.

Osteocondrosis of the cervical region develops in different stages:

• In the first phase, the nucleus of the pulp is dehydrated: the interior of the intervertebral disc, which consists of a gelatinous substance (amnesty) and a half -mass -liquida (fibers that form the connective tissue).Already during this period the mechanism of destruction of the bone-cheesis tissues is launched;
• The second stage is characterized by the omission of the vertebrae, due to which there is a calm of the muscles and ligaments;
• In the third phase, the protrusion of the content of the discs is pronounced, hernias are formed.At this stage, there are often damage to the muscles and cervical vessels;
• The increase in the mobility of the vertebrae causes the body to an answer that generates the functionality of this department of the musculoskeletal system.The result is the occurrence of bone growths on the surface of the vertebrae - osteophytes.Together with these processes, the fibrous tissue also grows.These formations envelop this area of the spine, clogging it.

With the development of the disease, this part of the spine is becoming increasingly difficult to perform its functions and a person experiences a tangible discomfort.

Syndromes and symptoms of osteocondrosis

The main signs of the disease:

• Neck pain, chest, upper back, behind.They can appear in other parts of the body.The occurrence of pain is explained by pizzichi of muscles and nerve endings.If there is pain in the thoracic region, perhaps the cervical osteochondosis develops.In this case, it can be hard and short, but regularly and not pronounced, but prolonged (do not retire (do not retire for several weeks);
• Often the symptom of the disease is headache;
• Dizziness.They, like the previous symptom, manifest themselves due to the fact that the artery is crushed, providing the brain with nutrients, oxygen.For the same reason, the patient often feels general weakness, quickly tires even with a small physical and mental stress;
• The feeling of weakness in the hands.This symptom of cervical osteochdrosis is felt due to the pinch of nerve endings that are involved in the adjustment of motor activity;
• Decrease (or increase) the sensitivity of the upper limbs.In the advanced phases, the patient can completely stop moved them;
• The rigidity of the upper back, the thoracic region, the presence of traction sensations;
• Discomfort when performing the head.Many patients are unable to make movements completely.Usually they are accompanied by a creaking that appears following structural changes in intervertebral discs;
• Vision of vision, heard.The osteochondrosis of cervical glasses occurs due to an insufficient blood supply to the cerebellum.They usually feel in the last stages of the development of the disease.

The pathology is accompanied by a series of syndromes:

• Koreshka.It is accompanied by pain in the shoulder blades, in the back, and occurs due to pinches of nerves in the neck;
• Vertebrate.Its main characteristics are headache, which apply mainly to the occipital temporal regions;
• Reflex.This syndrome is accompanied by severe pain, discomfort in the neck.In many patients, these symptoms become more tangible in the execution of the movements of the head.Often they give the chest, shoulders;
• Cardinal.Conducted by the discomfort in the heart.Its manifestations are similar to the signs of Angina Pectoris and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate these conditions.

The main causes of the development of the disease

The changes related to age in the body do not go unnoticed by the musculoskeletal system.The more an older person becomes, the more the mineral imbalance becomes, the loss of humidity tissues.All this acts by reasons for the development of the pathology.

But cervical osteochondosis can manifest their symptoms in young people, in this case, the occurrence of the disease is associated with other provocative, including the most common: they are:

• Improper posture;
• Excessive weight, due to which the spine experiences enormous loads.Furthermore, it is usually the cause of a violation of metabolic processes, due to which bone tissues -assumi are consumed faster;
• Long physical effort, weight lifting;
• A sedentary lifestyle, due to which a person moves small stagnant processes are developing;
• Violation of the structure of the spine - congenital or acquired;
• Genetic conditionality;
• The presence of injuries of the musculoskeletal system;
• Autoimmune diseases that cause the degeneration of the bone cheat tissues;
• Frequent stress, nervous shocks, other negative states of the nervous system.

Diagnostics

If the symptoms of the disease appear, it is necessary to contact an orthopedist or traumatologist.The complaints of a patient can immediately suspect which illness are associated with.

But to make an accurate diagnosis, these diagnostic measures are generally prescribed:

• X -ray.As part of this technique, images of some areas are taken to study them in detail.The study allows us to detect formations that form during the disease, deformation of tissues, shoulder straps;
• Magnetic resonance imaging tomography.Thanks to this diagnostic method, it is possible to analyze the conditions of the fabrics, identify the hernias and even establish their size, which is important to determine the stage of the development of the pathology;
• Computerized tomography.This diagnostic method provides the same information as the magnetic resonance imaging therapy, but it is very difficult to determine with its help;
• Electromyography.This technique allows to establish the consequences of the course of the disease.Thanks to it, the conductivity of the nerves is determined.In the case of osteochondosis of the cervical column, it is significantly reduced, which acts from one of the signs of the pathology.

If there is a violation of blood circulation, you can use an ultrasound examination, which allows you to determine its speed and detect barriers that make it difficult if they are.

The method of treatment for osteochondosis of the cervical column

First of all, therapy aims to reduce pain, relief of the patient's condition.The second important objective of the treatment is to prevent the disease from progresses.To solve these problems, an integrated approach is used to involve all the measures available for medicine that can be used for a particular patient.

The main therapy methods are:

• Physiotherapy;
• Conservative treatment;
• Surgery (if necessary).

Effective additional measures are massage, properly organized charges for cervical osteochondrosis, correct diet, excluding food that leads to weight gain.In this case, the food should saturate the body with useful substances, minerals.It is not necessary to follow the post for life, you just have to correctly compose your diet, adjust the amount of food consumed.

Physiotherapy

This method of treatment of cervical osteocondrosis is more often used as an additional therapeutic measure combined with other methods.His advantage is not only high efficiency, but also security for the entire human organism.It is unable to cause an exacerbation of other pathologies in the patient.

Physiotherapy procedures are more often used:

• Laser therapy.On the part of the spine, which the defeat has influenced, exposure to the flow of light is exposed.It has a healing and anti -inflammatory effect, it helps to eliminate pain;
• Electrotherapy.The essence of the methodology is the effect on the body with electric fields.Thanks to him, the process of treatment of the disease is accelerated, the unpleasant pain and sensations that accompany it are weakened;
• Magnetotherapy.This method provides for the formation of a bioelectric field that triggers the recovery process at the level of the body itself;
• Shock wave therapy.If cervical osteochondrosis is detected, the treatment with this method provides for the supply of an acoustic wave.It contributes to the normalization of metabolic processes, blood flow and recovery processes.This method allows you to eliminate pain;
• Ultraviolet radiation.The body is informed of high frequency sounds that have anesthetic and anti -inflammatory effects, contribute to the restoration of the tissues;
• Mudley, Balnetherapy(treatment with mineral water).Both methods involve the saturation of the fabrics concerned with mineral and useful elements by making a shower, swimming pools, bathrooms, applying therapeutic agents on the skin.Thanks to these methods, it is possible to eliminate pain, accelerate the patient's recovery.

Conservative treatment

It mainly implies the use of medicines.

In the framework of how cervical osteochondosis is treated with conservative methods, various groups of drugs are used that have different effects.

Very often it is:

• Fans(Non -pounded anti -anti -inflammatory drugs).Thanks to them, they manage to cope with pain, inflammatory processes that can develop in the tissues, aggravating the course of the disease.Generally, these drugs are prescribed in the form of gel, ointments;
• Condroprotectors.These are fairly effective drugs designed to prevent further development of the disease.In addition, they contribute to the launch of fabric regeneration processes;
• Analgesics.The medicines of this category are used as antimammator and painkillers;
• Vasodilatory medicines.Thanks to them, it is possible to improve blood flow, due to which the severity of pain is reduced and the patient recovery time is reduced;
• Antispasmodic.These drugs contribute to the removal of spasm, significantly reduce the sensitivity of the nerves.Therefore, they have an analgesic effect.

How to treat the disease should be determined only by the doctor.It can combine drugs of different groups to improve their therapeutic effect and its intensity.In some cases, the use of a category of drugs is sufficient.It depends on the specific case.

Surgical treatment

He has to recurrence it has always been far.Surgery can be requested in case of threat of inflicted central nervous system, spinal brain, large pots, nerve packages.All this can lead to very negative consequences.The need for the operation is determined only by the doctor.Also select the form of surgery, but they are like this:

• Micro -prowex.This surgical method is one of the most commonly used.It provides for the removal of the Ernian protrusion, which presses on the vessels, nervous finals, muscle tissue located nearby;
• Laminectomy.This is an operation to be removed (complete or partial) of vertebral arches, ligaments, joints of facets;
• Nucleoplastic laser.The technique provides for the removal of part of the core of the pulp in the area concerned by means of a laser;
• Endoscopic surgery.This technique is performed using an endoscope and is assigned to remove hernias;
• Artodesi.This type of surgery is used to combine different (often two) vertebrae, if they are unstable;
• Transplant.An operation for the bone tissue of the plants, through which the area between the vertebrae is filled if the intervertebral disc has been completely removed.

Complications

It is impossible to leave the disease without attention.The growth of fabrics is full of serious consequences, including:

• Paresis, paralysis of the hands (one or both);
• Hit;
• Defeat of the central nervous system;
• Spinal cord injury;
• Loss vision (partial or complete), hearing.

In a serious course of the disease and the lack of treatment, the patient can even remain disabled.Other organs can also suffer from the disease: the heart, the digestive system, the lungs.

When to go to the doctor?

It is not worth delaying a visit to the doctor, because without treatment the pathology progresses with confidence.

It is necessary to contact a doctor when they show up and for several days these symptoms do not retire:

• Malaise;
• Pain in the cervical region;
• Increase in fatigue;
• Dizziness, headache.

To begin with, you can visit the therapist who, with complaints, the initial inspection will determine which specialist should be contacted further.

Unique treatment methods

In the fight against this disease, not only the methods listed above are used.In search of a solution to the problem, patients turn to unusual methods, the most popular of which they are:

• Manual therapy- A technique that provides for the effect on the signing area with your hands.It differs from the massage as, in addition to muscles, joints, bones, vertebrae, discs are processed;
• Hirudotherapy- The fight against the disease with leeches, which, with a bite, release biologically active substances in the human body, whose main is Giririna.It helps to clean the blood vessels, improve their conditions.Thanks to this, the blood flow normalizes and, consequently, the well -being of the patient improves;
• Reflexology.People are better known as acupuncture.With its help, there is an effect on the biologically active points in order to launch the body healing processes on a cellular level.

If you decide to resort to these therapy methods, you must find an expert and competent specialist.Otherwise, these manipulations may result in a deterioration of the patient's condition if they are performed incorrectly.

Can I contact a masseur?

If the patient has no contraindications for him, it will be very useful correctly.Do not resort to it if there is a pinch of nerve endings.If you pass the cervical osteochondrosis, you have decided to perform the treatment of the house with the help of the massage, only a professional with high qualifications and excellent experience should perform it.

The procedures will help to normalize the blood flow, start the tissue regeneration process, improve general well -being, eliminate muscle cramps.But it must be taken into account that as the only way to treat it it is not used.

Why is a orthopedic pillow need?

During sleep, it is important that the head, the shoulders, the neck are in a correct and comfortable position.The soft cushions formulated ordinary are not always able to provide this, while the orthopedic options are designed only so that the body takes the right position.

The materials, the shape in which they are made, allow you to simultaneously relax the cervical vertebrae and guarantee their equal position.They are not put under the shoulders (because it leads to the curvature of the spine), but directly under the head.Because of their properties, orthopedic cushions serve not only to the prevention of various diseases of the cervical region.Their use is a further measure in their treatment.

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondosis at home

One of the conditions to improve the condition is to maintain the muscle mass of the sick region.But the physical exercises for cervical osteochondrosis must be correctly compiled so as not to damage the treatment of the disease.They must have a nature that promotes active.This means that they should help strengthen the muscles, but at the same time help to improve blood flow, eliminate stagnant processes and relieve pain.

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondosis can include the following exercises:

• Standing in a position where the feet are parallel to each other and are positioned on the width of the shoulders, stretch the head.At the same time, it is advisable to hear that you, as if someone was pulling up.In this position, describe 5 rims for each hour and 5 rims, forgive the sense clockwise.The breadth of the rotation should not be great in order not to hurt the cervical vertebrae;
• The legs are in the same position in which they were in the previous year.with cervical osteochondosis.Put your hands on the stomach so that a palm covers the second.He stretches his head forward, as if he draws his nose on the wall.The shoulders should remain in place.In this position, he lowers his head up and down without throwing it back.During the performance of this exercise with the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is not necessary to experience discomfort, pain, shooting fans.Repeat the movements in both directions at least 10 times;
• Perform the same manipulations of the previous paragraph, take back only your head and not forward;
• Sit on a chair, holding the body in a uniform way and simply perform the head of the head (5-6 in every direction).Do it without hitches, slowly, trying to hear every mm of the cervical region;
• Rest your forehead on the palm.The second should resist and try to overcome it.It shouldn't be difficult to be zealous: the pressure should be tangible, but not to bring to pain.Give manipulations 8-10 times, then take a break within 15-20 seconds.After a break, perform the exercise again, but changing the hand;
• Lift your back as high as possible, exhaling.Keep in this position for about 10 seconds.When inhalation, relax your shoulders and then repeat these actions 8-10 times;
• In a sitting or lying position, massage the neck, performing movements ordered with the tip of the fingers.

These exercises for cervical osteochondrosis are recommended to be performed by patients who develop cervical osteochondrosis.

It is necessary to prevent the disease: to eat correctly, to show physical (but not traumatic) activity, to monitor weight.As a prevention, special gymnastics should be performed.A series of exercises indicated in this article can be used.