Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is one of the varieties of ordinary osteochondrosis. It is manifested by degenerative destruction of discs and adjacent vertebrae. At the same time, the arteries and nerve endings are attracted to the pathological process. Recently, cervical osteochondrosis has become much younger. If the disease has been many of the elderly in the last century, today young people of 23-40 years are suffering from it, probably more adults. Such dystrophy represents up to 40% of the total number of patients.
Reasons
Why develop osteochondrosis of the cervical part? It has been proven that the most common cause of pathology is the lack of active movements. Sitting with neck, extended or bent down - this is how the office of the office workers and representatives of many other specialties passes. Arriving at home, the majority sits again for a computer or TV. A similar lifestyle leads to a deterioration of blood flow to the spinal artery, followed by dystrophy of the discs and the destruction of the vertebrae. The factor under consideration is far from the only culprit of the disease. There are other causes of cervical osteochondrosis. For example, many experts attach great importance to hypothermia and hereditary weakness of the intervertebral joints, ligaments and muscles. The following factors become an initial mechanism for the development of osteochondrosis of the neck:
- disorders of the endocrine system;
- flat legs;
- spinal injuries;
- Standing disorder;
- an unbalanced diet;
- high load of the cervical segment;
- autoimmune diseases;
- Viruses and infections.
In women after menopause, the cause of the progressive dystrophy of the cervical spine is a decrease in the production of estrogen with the concomitant development of osteoporosis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteochondrosis can occur both at the very beginning of the disease and later, in the chronic stage. It all depends on the degree of dystrophy, the presence of concomitant pathologies and a combination of adverse conditions. The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Hell of benches;
- Migraines, dizziness;
- neurotic disorders;
- pain and crunch in the neck;
- The weakness of the upper limbs:
- impaired sensitivity;
- hearing and vision deterioration, disorder of movement coordination;
- Loss of performance.
The pain for cervical osteochondrosis can give anywhere - in the shoulder, elbow, ear, under the shoulder. A distinctive feature of unpleasant sensations is a surprise. In acute attack, the discomfort disappears as unexpectedly as it happens. Dizziness for osteochondrosis of the neck is often accompanied by disorientation, ringing in the ears, loss of consciousness, nausea, migraine. Pressing pressure appears several times a day and are poorly busy to medical correction. Symptoms of damage to the cervical vertebrae that occur in the brain are based on the deterioration of blood flow and tissue trophism. As a result of spinal artery compression and oxygen starvation, the following disorders are manifested in patients:
- feeling of fear and panic;
- irritability;
- aggression;
- frequent mood change;
- tearfulness;
- insomnia;
- impairment of memory and attention;
- Unreasonable outbreaks of anger.
The signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women appear a little earlier than in men and continue more pronounced. The first symptoms of diseases, as a rule, are brain disorders, often dismissed in PMS or hormonal insufficiency. Then there is dizziness, migraines, loss of consciousness. The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in men do not occur as intensely and often look like an attack of angina with concomitant shortness of breath, nausea, discomfort behind the sternum. Only a specialist can determine the true cause of such manifestations, he will be able to provide primary help, so he should not slow down with his visit.
Degree
Given and analyze the procedure for developing changes in the tissues of the vertebrae, doctors have identified several stages of osteochondrosis of the cervical region:
- Clinical phase. First -degree cervical osteochondrosis is expressed by displacing the pulpulated nucleus on the side and the beginning of the destruction of the fibrous ring. The pain during this period may be absent, a small lordosis and difficulty in rotating or tilting the head is possible.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 2nd degree is characterized by an increase in pathological destruction, the instability of the entire segment with the subloxis and pain occurs, sometimes distributed in the shoulder belt or arm. The patient complains of dissipation, memory deterioration and attention.
- 3rd degree osteochondrosis develops with complete rupture of the fibrous ring. Neurological symptoms occur, sensitivity is impaired. The pain in the third stage becomes constant and greatly bothers the patient. The mobility of the cervical segment is deteriorating.
- Osteochondrosis of the neck 4 degrees. The last stage of the degenerative process. The intervertebral disc is completely replaced by connective tissue, all symptoms become more pronounced, and the deterioration in the coordination of movements is notxy.
Depending on the location of the pain, the following type of disease is distinguished: and cervical. According to the method, of course, the disease is customary to divide into acute intervertebral osteochondrosis of the neck, which occurs for the first time and chronic, extending for years with constant remissions and exacerbations.
Which doctor treats cervical osteochondrosis?
The variety of symptoms often hides under the mask of another disease, causing patients a logical question - which doctor to contact? When any neck pain, shoulders and arms, or the onset of neurotic disorders, it is urgent to approach the neurologist. And who to contact if there are no such specialists at the local clinic? In this case, the ticket must be postponed to the therapist. The doctor will prescribe treatment or send a close specialization to the doctor.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis begins with a visual examination and examination of the patient. The neuropathologist is interested in the patient's living and labor conditions, the presence of chronic diseases, nutrition and motor activity. Pre -diagnosis is confirmed by instrumental research:
- X in two projections;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Duplex scan.
Hormone analysis is required for the more righteous sex. Without it, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women does not begin. To exclude pathologies with similar symptoms, a differential diagnosis is performed with the appointment of additional consultations with a surgeon, gynecologist, cardiologist, ophthalmologist and erudition.
Treatment
The first aid for acute pain in the cervical segment involves taking anesthetics and providing the rest of the affected area. Distraction therapy - perper patch, applying warming ointments helps well. However, such measures are not able to cope with the disease. They only temporarily facilitate the patient's condition. The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is complete. Its main purpose is to eliminate the pain and slow down the destruction of discs and vertebrae. Different types of therapy are prescribed for this: medicines, exercises, massage, wearing an orthopedic collar. The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women has a number of characteristics and is aimed primarily at the elimination of the symptoms that occur in the brain. Another effective cure for neck pain is physiotherapy. Treatment is prescribed both during exacerbation and during remission. The following procedures deal with the symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- laser;
- magnetotherapy;
- ultrasound;
- Electrophoresis with novocaine or eufilin.
It emphasizes the condition of patients with therapeutic massage. Only perform it at the remission stage. In order to achieve a permanent result, therapy is performed by a course consisting of 9-10 procedures. Medicinal gymnastics is very effective for osteochondrosis of the cervical region. Strictly dosed loading quickly eliminates discomfort, improves vertebral mobility, strengthens muscles and enhances blood flow. Often, patients with osteochondrosis turn to recipes for traditional medicine, hoping for treatment. It should be remembered that all unconventional agents are only eligible in addition to the basic therapy prescribed by the doctor. Is it possible to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis? Unfortunately not. Medicines and other conservative methods can only stop the dystrophic process and eliminate symptoms. Even after satisfactory therapy, the affected discs are still replaced by connective tissue and lose their functionality.
Complications
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is dangerous with its complications. With the adverse development of the disease, squeezing the spinal artery can lead to a stroke of the brain, a steady deterioration of hearing and vision. Often hernia, severe hypertension and numbness or cooling of the fingers join osteochondrosis. In women, complications of neurological nature often develop - constant fatigue, lethargy, loss of efficiency, excessive resentment.
Prevention
Preventing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes affordable physical activity, a balanced diet with sufficient amount of calcium and phosphorus, weight control and maintaining the right posture. Everything should become a habit and a strictly fulfilled, better than early childhood. Office workers and those who spend many hours behind the monitor screen to prevent osteochondrosis of the neck should adhere to simple recommendations:
- Each hour organize 10-minute breaks during which they do simple exercises;
- During noon, do not sit in the workplace, but go for a walk in the fresh air;
- Choose comfortable manufacturing furniture that excludes uncomfortable posture;
- Organize good light on the table.
After a working day, it is recommended that you lie on a flat surface without a pillow for 15-20 minutes or ask the household to do a light massage. This will help relieve tension of the cervical muscles and relax. The excellent prevention of degenerative changes will not be traumatic sports and swimming. Timely identified and cured osteochondrosis of the cervical region may not occur for many years, allowing the patient to lead a completely comfortable life. And with regular preventive administration used for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis of drugs, the disease will stop worrying even in the elderly.