Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms that threaten, consequences

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

A few decades ago, it was believed that this is a problem mainly of aged people, but currently, cervical osteochondrosis was "younger."This means that young people can bother, which bothers not only patients, but also doctors.

Medicine actively seeks ways to effectively combat this condition.What is this disease, how it manifests, due to what is being developed and how to get rid of it?

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISEASE

It is a degenerative-divophical change on intervertebral discs.Cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by its damage, a decrease in its height, as well as the damage to the joints, the vertebrae of this area.

In the human life process, vertebrates wear out, the amount of humidity in them is significantly reduced, which is necessary for normal functioning.In addition, in the joints, 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 pants.This, in turn, can become the fact that the vertebrae are displaced, intervertebral hernias are often formed, the disease of this area of the column is progressing.

The osteochondrosis of the cervical region develops in several stages:

• In the first stage, the nucleus of the pulp becomes dehydrated, the interior of the intervertebral disc, which consists of a gelatinous substance (condrine) and a middle liquid mass (fibers that form the connective tissue).Already during this period, the mechanism of destruction of bone cheese fabrics is launched;
• The second stage is characterized by the omission of the vertebrae, as a result of which there is a fall of the muscles and ligaments;
• In the third stage, the protuberance of the content of the discs is pronounced, hernias are formed.At this stage, there is often damage to cervical muscles and vessels;
• The increase in the mobility of the vertebrae causes a body to a response that related the functionality of this department of the musculoskeletal system.The result is the appearance of bone growth on the surface of the vertebrae - osteophytes.Together with these processes, the fibrous tissue also grows.These formations wrap this area of the column, obstructing it.

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

Syndromes and symptoms of osteochondrosis

The main signs of the disease:

• Neck pain, chest, the upper back, shoulders.They can appear in other parts of the body.The appearance of pain is explained by pinches of muscles and nerve endings.If there is pain in the thoracic region, perhaps cervical osteochondrosis is developed.In this case, it can be hard and short, but it arises regularly, and it is not pronounced, but prolonged (not retiring for several weeks);
• Often, the symptom of the disease is headaches;
• Dizziness.They, like the previous symptom, manifest due to the fact that the artery is squeezed, supplying nutrients, oxygen.For the same reason, the patient often feels general weakness, gets tired even even with less physical and mental stress;
• The feeling of weakness in the hands.This cervical osteochondrosis symptom is felt due to the pinch of nerve endings that are involved in the regulation of motor activity;
• Decrease (or increase) the sensitivity of the upper extremities.In the advanced stages, the patient can stop moving them completely;
• The rigidity of the top of the back, the thoracic region, the presence of extraction sensations;
• Discomfort when making head turns.Many patients cannot make movements completely.In general, they are accompanied by a crunch that appears as a result of structural changes in intervertebral discs;
• Vision of vision, audition.The osteochondrosis of the cervical glasses is manifested due to the insufficient blood supply to the cerebellum.They are generally felt in the last stages of the development of the disease.

The pathology is accompanied by several syndromes:

• Koreshka.It is accompanied by pain in the shoulder blades, on the shoulders, and occurs due to pinches of nerves in the neck;
• Vertebrate.Its main characteristics are headaches, which are mainly applied to occipital temporal regions;
• Reflection.This syndrome is accompanied by severe pain, discomfort in the neck.In many patients, these symptoms become more tangible in the realization of head movements.They often give the chest, the shoulders;
• Cardinal.Conducted by discomfort in the heart.Its manifestations are similar to the signs of angina pectoris, and sometimes it is difficult to differentiate these conditions.

The main causes of disease development

Age -related changes in the body do not go unnoticed by the musculoskeletal system.The higher a person, the more pronounced the mineral imbalance becomes, the loss of moisture tissues.All this serves as reasons for the development of pathology.

But cervical osteochondrosis can manifest its symptoms in young people, in this case, the appearance of the disease is associated with other provocative, among which are the most common: they are:

• Incorrect posture;
• Excessive weight, due to which the column experiences huge loads.In addition, it is generally the cause of a violation of metabolic processes, due to which bone tissues are wearing faster;
• Long physical effort, weightlifting;
• A sedentary lifestyle, because a person moves little and stagnant processes;
• Violation of the structure of the congenital or acquired column;
• Genetic conditionality;
• The presence of musculoskeletal system injuries;
• Autoimmune diseases that cause the degeneration of bone veal tissues;
• Frequent three, nervous shocks, other negative states of the nervous system.

Diagnosis

If disease symptoms appear, you must communicate with an orthopedist or traumatologist.A patient's complaints can immediately suspect what disease is associated.

But to make a precise diagnosis, such diagnostic measures are generally prescribed:

• Radiography.Within the framework of this technique, images of certain areas are taken to study them in detail.The study allows us to detect formations that are formed during the course of the disease, the deformation of the tissues, the disks of the discs;
• Magnetic resonance tomography.Thanks to this diagnostic method, it is possible to analyze the condition of the tissues, identify hernias and even establish their size, which is important to determine the stage of development of the pathology;
• Computed tomography.This diagnostic method provides the same information as magnetic resonance therapy, but is very difficult to determine with your help;
• ElectromyographyThis technique allows you to establish the consequences of the course of the disease.Thanks to this, the conductivity of the nerves is determined.In the case of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column, it is significantly reduced, which serves as one of the signs of pathology.

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

The treatment methodology for the osteochondrosis of the cervical column

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

The main therapy methods are:

• Physiotherapy;
• Conservative treatment;
• Surgical intervention (if necessary).

Additional effective measures are massage charges, duly organized by cervical osteochondrosis, adequate nutrition, excluding foods that lead to weight gain.In this case, food must saturate the body with useful, mineral substances.It is not necessary to follow the publication for life, you just need to correctly compose your diet, regulate the amount of food consumed.

Physiotherapy

This method of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is used more frequently as an additional therapeutic measure that is combined with other methods.Its advantage is not only high efficiency, but also security for the entire human organism.It cannot cause an exacerbation of other pathologies in the patient.

Physiotherapeutic procedures are used more frequently:

• Laser therapy.On the part of the spine, which affected the defeat, exposure to the light of light is exposed.It has a healing, anti -inflammatory effect, helps eliminate pain;
• ElectrotherapyThe essence of the methodology is the effect on the body with electric fields.Thanks to him, the process of treating the disease is accelerated, pain, unpleasant sensations that accompany it are weakened;
• MagnetotherapyThis method provides the formation of a bioelectric field that triggers the recovery process at the body itself;
• Shock wave therapy.If cervical osteochondrosis is detected, treatment with this method provides 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, anti -inflammatory effects, contribute to tissue restoration;
• Mudley, Balneotherapy(Treatment with mineral waters).Both methods imply the saturation of affected tissues with mineral elements, useful elements when taking a shower, swimming pools, bathrooms, apply therapeutic agents to the skin.Thanks to these methods, it is possible to eliminate pain, accelerate patient recovery.

Conservative treatment

Mainly implies the use of medicines.

Within how cervical osteochondrosis is treated with conservative methods, several groups of medications that have different effects are used.

Most of the time it is:

• Aoño(Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs).Thanks to them, they manage to deal with pain, inflammatory processes that can develop in the tissues, aggravating the course of the disease.In general, these medications are prescribed in the form of gels, ointments;
• Condroprotectors.These are quite effective medications designed to prevent the additional development of the disease.In addition, they contribute to the launch of tissue regeneration processes;
• AnalgesicsMedications in this category are used as anti -inflammatory and analgesics;
• Vasodilatory medications.Thanks to them, it is possible to improve blood flow, because the severity of pain is reduced and the patient's recovery time is reduced;
• Antispasmodics.These drugs contribute to the elimination of spasm, significantly reduce nerve sensitivity.Therefore, they have an analgesic effect.

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

Surgical treatment

You have to resort to him always away.Surgical intervention may be required if there is a threat of infliction of the central nervous system, spinal brain, large vessels, nerve packages.All this can lead to very negative consequences.The need for the operation is determined only by the doctor.It also selects the form of surgical intervention, but they are like this:

• Microdisctomy.This surgical method is one of the most used.It provides the elimination of the hernial protuberance, which press the vessels, nerve endings, the muscle tissue located nearby;
• Laminectomy.This is an operation to eliminate (complete or partial) of vertebral arches, ligaments, facial joints;
• Nucleoplasty laser.The technique implies the elimination of part of the pulp nucleus in the affected area by means of a laser;
• Endoscopic surgery.This technique is done using an endoscope and is assigned to eliminate hernias;
• ArthrodesisThis type of surgical intervention is used to combine several (often two) vertebrae, if they are unstable;
• Transplant.An operation to plant bone tissue, through which the area between the vertebrae is filled if the intervertebral disc is completely eliminated.

Complications

It is impossible to leave the disease without attention.The growth of tissues is full of serious consequences, among which:

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

In a severe course of the disease and lack of treatment, the patient can even remain disabled.Other organs can also suffer 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 will progress with confidence.

It is necessary to contact a doctor when such symptoms were presented and they do not retire:

• Discomfort;
• Pain in the cervical region;
• Greater fatigue;
• Dizziness, headaches.

To start, you can visit the therapist who, because of complaints, the initial inspection will determine with which specialist should be contacted more thoroughly.

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 resort to unusual methods, the most popular are:

• Manual therapy- A technique that provides the effect in the painful area with your hands.It differs from the massage in which, in addition to the muscles, joints, bones, vertebrae, discs are made;
• Hirudotherapy- The fight against the disease with leeches, which, with a bite, release biologically active substances in the human body, the main one of which is the Girudina.It helps clean the blood vessels, improve your condition.Thanks to this, blood flow is normalized and, as a result, the patient's good improves;
• ReflexologyPeople are better known as acupuncture.With your help, there is an effect on biologically active points to launch body healing processes at the cellular level.

If you decide to resort to such therapy methods, you must find an experienced competent specialist.Otherwise, such manipulations can lead to deterioration in the patient's condition if they are performed incorrectly.

Can I contact a masseuse?

If the patient has no contraindications for him, then it will be very useful correctly.Do not turn to him if there is a pinch of nerve endings.If it exceeds cervical osteochondrosis, he decided to carry out the treatment of the house with the help of massages, only a professional with high grades and a great experience must do it.

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

Why is an orthopedic pillow needed?

During sleep, it is important that the head, shoulders, neck are in the right and comfortable position.Soft and soft normal pillows cannot always provide this, while orthopedic options are designed only for the body to take the correct position.

The materials, the way in which they are made, allow you to simultaneously relax the cervical vertebrae and guarantee their uniform location.They do not put under their shoulders (because it leads to the curvature of the column), but directly under the head.Due to their properties, orthopedic pillows serve not only to the prevention of various diseases in the cervical region.Its use is an additional measure in its treatment.

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis at home

One of the conditions to improve the condition is to maintain the muscle mass of the sick region.But physical exercises for cervical osteochondrosis should compile correctly so as not to damage the treatment of the disease.They must have an active promotion nature.This means that they should help strengthen the muscles, but at the same time contribute to improving blood flow, eliminating stagnant processes and relieving pain.

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis may include the following exercises:

• Standing in a position in which the feet are parallel to each other and are placed in the shoulder width, stretch the head up.At the same time, it is advisable to feel that you, as if someone were climbing up.In this position, describe 5 circles for every hour and 5 circles, forgive the sense of the clock.The breadth of the rotation should not be great not to injure cervical vertebrae;
• The legs are in the same position in which they were in the previous exercise.with cervical osteochondrosis.Place your hands on your stomach for a palm to cover the second.Stretch your head forward, as if you were drawing your nose towards the wall.The shoulders must remain in place.In this position, lower the head up and down without throwing it back.During the performance of this exercise with the development of cervical osteochondrosis, you should not experience discomfort, pain and extraction sensations.Repeat the movements in both directions at least 10 times;
• Perform the same manipulations as in the previous paragraph, only retreated and do not advance;
• Sit in a chair, holding the body uniformly and simply perform head heads (5-6 in each direction).Do this gently, slowly, trying to feel every mm of the cervical region;
• Rest your forehead on your palm.The second must resist and try to overcome it.It should not be difficult to be jealous: the pressure must be tangible, but not cause pain.Make handling 8-10 times, then take a break in 15-20 seconds.After a break, perform the exercise again, but changing the hand;
• Lift your shoulders as high as possible, exhaling.Keep in this position for about 10 seconds.Inhalation, relax the shoulders and then repeat these actions 8-10 times;
• In a sitting or liar position, massage the neck, making movements ordered with the fingertips.

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

It is necessary to prevent the disease, eat correctly, show physical activity (but not traumatic), to monitor your weight.As a prevention, special gymnastics must be performed.You can use a set of exercises given in this article.