A sedentary lifestyle, office work, a lack of sufficient physical activity and the peculiarities of modern nutrition lead to the spread of a huge number of diseases that are inherent in our urbanized society.
The leadership among them is rightfully occupied by cervical osteochondrosis.
And all because of the weak muscular corset and the fact that these 7 discs have more mobility than any other part of the spine, they receive constant physical activity in the form of the need to constantly keep the head in the desired position, bend and twist.
Causes of the disease
Previously, osteochondrosis was considered a disease of adulthood and was suffered by people who lived more than 40 years. But every year, the age threshold of the disease falls and "it becomes younger", which led to a predisposition to the disease of 18-20-year-olds.
The main reasons for the appearance of such pathologies:
Violation of posture in adolescence.Young people now do not want to control their posture, which leads to their rape.
Over weight.The appearance of excess weight increases the load on the spine.
Curvature of the back.The risk of osteochondrosis with a curvature of the back increases.
Back injury.A back injury causes irreparable damage to any part of the spine.
metabolic disease.In case of metabolic disorders, there is also a high probability of developing osteochondrosis.
Hard physical work.Too hard physical work also leaves indelible marks on the health of the spine in general and the cervical region in particular.
Low fitness level.Fitness level also affects spinal condition, and the lower it is, the weaker the spine.
Errors when performing complex exercises.Athletes can have problems with osteochondrosis during training with serious mistakes at work.
Stress.The nervous tension of modern man and constant stress also cause disorders in the cervical vertebrae.
Sedentary lifestyle.Sedentary lifestyle or inactivity greatly affect the vertebrae.
Past illnesses.Osteochondrosis can develop after infections and hypothermia.
The disease is, in fact, the result of muscle spasm, which does not allow the cervical vertebrae to move easily, which worsens the blood supply to the tissues, while the posture is disturbed, as a result of which occur Dystrophic processes in the vertebrae themselves, as well as in the intervertebral discs, begin to activate, causing narrowing of the intervertebral foramina and pinching of the nerve roots.
main symptoms
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are somewhat different from those of other parts of the spine.
A tighter fit of the vertebrae leads to the fact that even the slightest change in one of them compresses or displaces any nerves or vessels, and also compresses the spinal cord.
It is because of this that a violation of the functions of the body can be recorded - a disorder in the sensitivity of the skin, dizziness.
Clinical manifestations:
- Pain in the neck and shoulders, which also extends to the back of the head, the region of the ears and the eyes, and does not subside even at night.
- Pain in the upper extremities, which increases with effort.
- Decreased sensitivity of the upper extremities, weakness in the muscles, movements become difficult.
- In the morning, the neck muscles are tense and the head becomes tense, it seems that the neck has been "rested".
- Turning or tilting the head, sensations of pain in the neck.
- From time to time, the extremities become numb, there is a burning or tingling sensation.
- Periodically unpleasant stabbing pain appears in the neck and nape.
- Violent head movements cause blurred vision, dizziness, or may cause fainting.
- The appearance of tinnitus.
- Decreased visual and hearing acuity.
- There is a numbness of the tongue.
- There are heart pains that do not respond to trinitroglycerin, but their intensity changes due to a change in body position.
- The headache occurs in the occiput, the crown of the head and the temples.
- In the region of the cervical region, the so-called "withers" arise, that is, connective tissues grow.
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervicalgia (pain and muscle tension in the neck)
Cervicalgia is a painful syndrome in which pain and tension of the neck muscles are characteristic, the cervical region loses its mobility, dizziness may occur, clarity of vision is disturbed, autonomic dysfunction may appear.
The pain can be tingling, throbbing, and can also "shoot. "
It is worth doing even the slightest movement, sneezing or coughing, as soon as the pain subsides muscle tension.
There are also problems turning the head or tilting it to one side, when the patient has to do it with the whole body.
In addition, patients experience dizziness, occipital pain, tinnitus, numbness in the back of the head, and numbness in the hands.
The reasons for its appearance can be:
- Hypothermia.
- Awkward position of the head during sleep.
- Sedentary work, which forces you to keep your head in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
- Physical activity that causes muscle strain in the neck area, including sports training in the gym.
- Cervical spine injuries.
- Tissue infections or tumors.
Pain in the back of the head, in the shoulders and arms, as well as pain when turning the head, indicate the presence of the initial stage of a chronic disease, such as osteochondrosis.
Cervicocranialgia or posterior cervical symptom (pain in the cervicoccipital region)
Cervicocranialgia is a pain in the cervical-occipital region, the appearance of which is closely associated with an injury to the cervical spine, a degenerative injury, or its inflammation.
Its distribution frequently reaches the frontotemporal lobe, the shoulder and the arm, and it can also be unilateral. In this case, the parts do not change.
The intensity of this pain is moderate, its intensification is observed with movements of the head, palpation of the cervico-occipital muscles, as well as with prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position for the head.
Usually the causes of these pains can be osteoarthritis or osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
In these cases, the pain may press, shoot, or throb. Slight movements of the head, coughing and muscle tension can cause episodes of exacerbation of pain.
The main complaints that patients complain about:
- Inability to turn and tilt the head, for which it is necessary to move the whole body.
- Numbness of the occipital region and hands.
- Noise in the ears.
- Dizziness.
- Pain in the occipital area, etc.
Cervicobrachialgia or shoulder-shoulder syndrome (brachyglia)
Cervicobrachialgia is detected with numbness in the hands, along with a deep and often stabbing pain in the hands or forearms, as well as a feeling of weakness in the upper extremities.
This usually happens at night.
The disease can develop reflexively, for the most part, those who do heavy physical labor, and 9 out of 10 are women, are affected by the disease.
In this case, vegetative-vascular, muscular-tonic and neurodystrophic manifestations can be observed.
For reflex syndromes, a very characteristic feature is the presence of tonic-muscular reactions, such as muscle spasm.
Treatment
Treatment must be comprehensive.
At the same time, it is necessary to apply both pharmacological and non-pharmacological principles of treatment, not forgetting the prevention of possible diseases.
By pharmacological treatment we understand the use of drugs that relieve pain and inflammation, as well as drugs that improve cerebral circulation.
If there is a pathology in the form of muscle tension, it is recommended to take relaxing drugs and vitamin-mineral complexes in therapeutic doses.
An important role in the treatment is given to physiotherapy methods:
- water procedures.
- paraffin applications.
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
The widespread use of alternative therapies also helps combat this disease. But, despite everything, therapeutic exercises remain the most effective means of treatment.
Prevention
In order for all problems related to osteochondrosis to bypass you, you need to remember all the reasons that drive the occurrence of the disease.
Since the main reason is a sedentary lifestyle, do not forget about morning exercises and a walk, and be sure to include exercises with the neck muscles in your daily gymnastics. And do not forget that circular movements of the head can lead to neck injuries, so you should not include them in the exercises.
And also do not forget that a preventive examination of school-age children by an orthopedist is mandatory.
Form a strong muscular corset, be athletic.
Eat those foods that can replenish the body with minerals such as calcium and magnesium, vitamins.