Cervical spine osteochondrosis is one of the varieties of common osteochondrosis. It is manifested by the degenerative destruction of adjacent discs and vertebrae. At the same time, the arteries and nerve endings are attracted to the pathological process. Recently, cervical osteochondrosis has become much younger. If, in the last century, the disease was the elderly, today young people aged 23 to 40 suffer from it, possibly older. This dystrophy is responsible for up to 40% of the total number of patients.
Reasons
Why is cervical osteochondrosis under development? It is proven that the most common cause of pathology is the lack of active movements. Sitting with an extended neck forward or a curved head - this is how the working day of office workers and representatives of many other specialties passes. Arriving home, most stay again for a computer or TV. A similar way of life leads to a deterioration of blood flow in the spinal artery, followed by the distrophy of the discs and the destruction of the vertebrae. The factor considered is far from being the sole culprit of the disease. There are other causes of cervical osteochondrosis. For example, many experts attribute great importance to hypothermia and hereditary weakness of intervertebral joints, ligaments and muscles. The following factors become the initial mechanism for the development of neck osteochondrosis:
- Endocrine system work disorders;
- Smooth feet;
- spine lesions;
- Violation of posture;
- unbalanced diet;
- High load in the cervical segment;
- Autoimmune diseases;
- Viruses and infections.
In women of the postmenopausal period, the cause of progressive dystrophy of the cervical spine is a decrease in estrogen production with concomitant development of osteoporosis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteochondrosis may appear at the beginning of the disease and later at 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 cervical spine osteochondrosis:
- Playing hell;
- migraine, dizziness;
- neurotic disorders;
- Pain and grinding in the neck;
- The weakness of the upper limbs:
- impaired sensitivity;
- worsening of hearing and vision, disturbance of the coordination of movement;
- Loss of performance.
Pain for cervical osteochondrosis can give anywhere - on the shoulder, elbow, ear, under the omlat. A distinct feature of unpleasant sensations is surprise. In an acute attack, discomfort disappears as unexpectedly as it happens. The dizziness of neck osteochondrosis is often accompanied by disorientation, a touch of ears, loss of consciousness, nausea, migraine. Pressure outbreaks occur several times a day and are poorly provided to medical correction. The symptoms of damage to the brain cervical vertebrae are based on the deterioration of blood flow and tissue trophism. As a result of spinal artery compression and oxygen hunger in patients, the following disorders manifest themselves:
- a sense of fear and panic;
- irritability;
- aggression;
- Change of frequent mood;
- teardrop;
- insomnia;
- worsening of memory and attention;
- Irrational outbreaks of anger.
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women appear a little earlier than in men and proceed more pronounced. The first symptoms of diseases, as a rule, are brain disorders, usually that they are discarded in a PMs or hormonal failure. Then there are dizziness, migraines, loss of consciousness. The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in men do not occur so intensely and often resemble an attack of an angina chest with lack of concomitant breathing, nausea and discomfort behind the sternum. Only one expert can determine the true cause of such demonstrations, he can provide primary assistance so that he is not late with his visit.
Degree
Considering and analyzing the procedure for the development of changes in vertebra tissues, doctors designated various stages of cervical region osteochondrosis:
- Clinical phase. The cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is expressed by the displacement of the nucleus of the pulpe on the side and the beginning of the destruction of the fibrous ring. The pain in this period may be absent, a small lordosis and difficulty in rotating or tilting the head is possible.
- The cervical region's osteochondrosis of the second degree is characterized by an increase in pathological destruction, the instability of the entire subluxis segment and a pain appears, sometimes giving in the belt or arm of the shoulder. The patient complains about distraction, a deterioration in memory and attention.
- Third degree osteochondrosis develops with a complete rupture of the fibrous ring. Neurological symptoms appear, sensitivity is disturbed. Pain in the third stage becomes constant and bothers the patient a lot. The mobility of the cervical segment worsens.
- Neck osteochondrosis 4 degrees. The final stage of the degenerative process. The intervertebral disc is completely replaced by connective tissue, all symptoms become more pronounced, a deterioration in the coordination of movement, observed ataxia.
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 habitual to divide itself into acute neck intervertebral osteochondrosis, which appears for the first time and chronic, extending for years with remissions and constant exacerbations.
Which doctor treats cervical osteochondrosis?
The variety of symptoms, often hidden under the mask of another disease, makes patients a logical issue - which doctor contact? When any pain in the neck, shoulders and hands or the occurrence of neurotic disorders, it is urgent to approach the neurologist. And for those who get in touch if there are no these specialists in the local clinic? In this case, the ticket should be postponed to the therapist. The doctor will prescribe treatment or send a narrow specialization to the doctor.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis begins with a visual examination and research of the patient. The neuropathologist is interested in the patient's living and work conditions, the presence of chronic diseases, nutrition and motor activity. A preliminary diagnosis is confirmed by conducting instrumental research:
- X -ray in two projections;
- Magnetic Resonance;
- CT;
- Duplex Type.
Hormone analysis is necessary for fairer sex. Without it, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women does not start. To exclude pathologies with these symptoms, a differential diagnosis is made with the appointment of additional consultations with a surgeon, gynecologist, cardiologist, ophthalmologist and tradition.
Treatment
First aid for sharp pain in the cervical segment include taking anesthetics and ensuring the rest of the affected area. Distraction therapy - Pepper patch, applying heating ointments helps well. However, these measures are unable to deal with the disease. They only temporarily facilitate the patient's condition. Treatment for cervical spine osteochondrosis is comprehensive. Its main objective is to eliminate pain and decrease the destruction of discs and vertebrae. For this, various types of therapy are prescribed: medications, exercise therapy, massage, using an orthopedic necklace. The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women has several characteristics and is mainly intended to eliminate the symptoms that occur in the brain. Another effective medicine for neck pain is physical therapy. 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 eifiline.
Facilitates the condition of patients with therapeutic massage. Run -only at the remission stage. To achieve a persistent result, therapy is performed by a course consisting of 9 to 10 procedures. Healing gymnastics is very effective for osteochondrosis of the cervical region. The strictly dosed load quickly eliminates discomfort, improves vertebral mobility, strengthens the muscles and increases blood flow. Often osteochondrosis patients resort to recipes for traditional medicine, expecting a cure. It should be remembered that all non -traditional agents are allowed only as an addition to the main therapy prescribed by the doctor. Is it possible to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis? Unfortunately not. Medication and other conservative methods may only suspend the dystrophic process and eliminate symptoms. Even after satisfactory therapy, affected discs are still replaced by connective tissue and lose their functionality.
Complications
Cervical spine osteochondrosis is dangerous with its complications. With the adverse development of the disease, squeezing the spinal artery can result in a brain blow, a persistent worsening of hearing and vision. Often, a hernia, hypertension and severe numbness or cooling of the fingers join osteochondrosis. In women, neurological complications usually develop - constant fatigue, lethargy, loss of performance, excessive resentment.
Prevention
Prevention of cervical spine osteochondrosis includes accessible physical activity, a balanced diet with sufficient calcium and phosphorus, control over weight and maintenance of proper posture. All of this must become a habit and strictly fulfilled, better from early childhood. Office workers and those who spend many hours behind the monitor screen to prevent neck osteochondrosis should adhere to simple recommendations:
- Every hour organizes 10 -minute breaks during which they perform simple exercises;
- At lunchtime, don't feel at work, but take a walk to the fresh air;
- Choose convenient production furniture that exclude an uncomfortable pose;
- Organize the good light of the table.
After a working day, it is recommended to lie on a flat surface without a pillow for 15 to 20 minutes or ask the family to have a light massage. This will help alleviate the tension of the cervical muscles and relax. Excellent prevention of degenerative changes will not be sports and traumatic swimming. Identified and cured osteochondrosis identified in the cervical region cannot manifest for many years, allowing the patient to lead a completely comfortable life. And with regular preventive administration used for the prevention and treatment of drug osteoarthritis, the disease will no longer worry about old age.