Cervical osteocondrosis - causes, symptoms and treatment methods

Dizziness, pressure fluctuations, fainting, pain in the heart - all this often goes from problems with the spine.80% of the population suffers from osteochondrosis of the cervical region of various severity and, according to statistics, men face it in front of women: at 45-50 years.If you do not start the treatment in an initial phase, the pathology becomes irreversible.

What is osteochondrosis

The pathology is associated with dystrophic changes in the cartilage between the vertebrae, in which the soft tissue becomes hard and the amortization falls.

Osteocondrosis affects the thoracic region, the lumbar, but more often the rest - the cervical.The reason is in high loads on 1-7 vertebrae, weak muscles, poor nutrition and choice of a cushion for the wrong sleep.

The mechanism of damage to the vertebrae of the cervical region

Osteocondrosis develops when the nutritional process of cartilage, the mineral metabolism is disturbed.The strength of the bones and joints falls, the ligaments lose their elasticity.The shape and structure of the disc are changing, under the influence of the loads that is destroyed.The vertebrae are gathered, their surfaces are deleted.The pathology causes these complications:

1. The closure of the blood vessels that crosses 1-7 vertebrae causes the oxygen hunger) of the brain.
2. The development of problems in the work of the respiratory system, blood vessels, heart, vision.
3. The violation of the blood circulation of the brain leads to neurocirculatory dystonia (vegetative-vascular).
4. Reduce neck mobility - when bone formations are formed on the vertebrae.
5. The violation of the function of the cerebellum, which holds the spinal cord - leads to death with an advanced phase of the disease.

Phase of cervical osteochondosis

The pathology develops slowly.In the preclinical phase, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, take on a soft disc.So it becomes thinner, the fibrous ring is destroyed, its nucleus is mounting.The protrusion is formed, then an hernia.The vertebrae of each other and each other, change the shape, the growths appear on them.Nerves, the blood vessels are pinched.

The initial stage of osteochondosis of the cervical region

The cracks appear in the fibrous ring, the capsule breaks, the jacket is damaged.The cervical osteocondrosis is felt when the head turns, when the nerve endings are pinched, the close vessels and the blood flow suffer.There are pains in the back of the head, the back muscles tire quickly.

2 phases of the pathology

The degenerative process develops in the discs, the capsule ring is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae is reduced, they become unstable and pinched the nerve roots of the spinal cord.The flexibility and neck of the neck fall.At this stage, the disease is still treated without surgery.

The latest phases of osteochondosis of the neck

In the third phase of the pathology, the protrusion of the disc develops, which leads to an hernia, the octopus ring protrudes and unleashes.The cervical vertebrae and their axis move, brain nutrition suffers.In addition, the following processes begin in the latest (3 and 4) phases of pathology:

• The intervertebral discs are destroyed, which replaces the connective tissue;
• The mobility of the cervical joints and shoulders disappears;
• From the friction on the surface of the vertebrae, growth are formed, the nerve fibers are injured;
• The sensitivity of the hands falls due to problems with their innervation.

Symptoms of osteochondosis of the cervical column

The patient's condition depends on the stage of the disease.First of all, rare pains appear when you turn or lower your head, tension of the back muscles.After a person he experiences constant tiredness.Pain becomes stronger and more often.In addition, weakness are added, dizziness, rings in the ears, falls of visual acuity.All signs of osteochondosis of the cervical column are divided into 3 groups:

• Ironive reflection syndromes-Neuroding, muscles-syculia and vegetative-vascular.
• Brown compression- They are associated with the compression of nerve endings, one of the key symptoms is acute pain when turning your head.
• Vail artery syndrome- It occurs when it narrows the ship that feeds the brain structure.

Neurotic disorders

The brain is poorly equipped with blood, its work and the state of the nervous system are disturbed.Often the head hurts, torments of insomnia, which cause a state of fatigue, apathy.After the symptoms arise:

• increase in sweating;
• Emotional lability (mood instability);
• increase in irritability;
• dizziness;
• depression;
• violation of the concentration of attention;
• noise in the ears;
• "Fly" in front of the eyes;
• anxiety;
• tremor (trembling) of the limbs;
• panic attacks;
• Vestibular apparatus disorders: nausea, vomiting, instability of the pace, disorientation in space, compromised coordination.

General clinical signs

The osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae causes headaches, visual impairment.In 2 phases of pathology, patients complain of a sound in the ears, a lump in the throat, weakness of the muscles of the hands, numbness of the language.When turning your neck and tilt your head, you feel a creak, the blackheads appear in front of the eyes.With the vertebral artery syndrome, other symptoms appear:

• migraine that goes from the back of the head to the forehead;
• dark in front of the eyes;
• Pain of the scalp;
• hearing loss;
• Increase in blood pressure;
• The tingling of the fingers.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondosis in women

The clinical image does not depend on the floor, but women aged between 45 and 65 experience the numbness of the limbs in a dream, tingling and pain in their hands.The attacks are repeated at night several times.

Causes of cervical osteochondosis

The pathology develops under the influence of a high load on the vertebrae, which causes muscle spasm.Often, sitting the job leads to this - to the computer, in the vehicle.

People with posture disorders are at risk.Other causes of cervical osteocondrosis:

• nervous tension, frequent stressful situations;
• Hypodynamia - lack of physical effort, low activity;
• weakness of the neck of the neck;
• hereditary predisposition;
• spine injuries;
• rheumatism;
• Excessive physical activity, weight lifting;
• improper nutrition;
• metabolic disorders;

• frequent hypothermia;
• Age -related changes in the musculoskeletal system, cartilage tissue;
• congenital anomalies in the development of the cervical region;
• Autoimmune pathologies that influence cartilage tissue;
• overweight;
• The instability of the vertebrae.

Diagnostics

The doctor studies the patient complaints, evaluates posture, muscle tension.Clarify the diagnosis using a neck radiography in 4 projections: the image shows the position of the vertebrae, movement.The stage of the disease and hidden pathologies are revealed by the following methods:

• Magnetic resonance imaging- The most productive method shows in detail degenerative changes in bones, hernias, protrusion, breakage of the fibrous ring.It can be prescribed instead of the X -ray, but the exam is expensive.
• Ultrasonic Duplex scan- to evaluate blood flow disorders in the arteries.
• Computerized tomography- It does not reveal the size and area of the hernias, it is prescribed in the early stages to determine the narrowing of the vertebral gap, the movement of the segments of the cervical column, the edge of bone growth.

Treatment of cervical osteochondosis

The objectives of the therapy are to restore the blood flow, the feeding of the tissues, remove the symptoms of the hypoxia, stop the destruction of the vertebrae and discs.It is important to strengthen the muscle corset that supports the neck, to return the mobility to the joints.The tactics of the treatment are chosen in the disease phase:

• Initial- Massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy, intake of chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation.
• Osteochondrosis 2-3 phases- medical care, therapeutic exercises, massage.
• Irreversible degenerative changes with destruction, deformation of the vertebrae- Surgery and symptomatic therapy with drugs.
• Exacerbation of the chronic form of cervical osteochondosis- Injections or tablets of drugs that relieve pain, spasms.

Help in pronounced pain

Locally in the neck they influence the pepper patch or heating ointments.The active heating of a separate site distracts from pain, improves blood flow in the tissues.Ointments are applied with a very thin layer using an applicator.Other ways to remove pain in osteocondrosis:

• Analgesics in tablets- They have an average effectiveness, contraindicated in problems with blood coagulation.
• Non -pounding anti -inflammatory drugs- The tablets are taken in the absence of a result from analgesics, since this group of drugs negatively affects the stomach and liver.
• Injections- They put with intense acute pain, the action occurs after 15 minutes.For intramuscular injections, NVP, myotropic antispasmodic antispasmodic are used.In serious cases, they make a block.

Conservative methods of osteochondous therapy of the neck

In the 1-2 stages of the disease without symptoms of cerebral hypoxia, the treatment is carried out at home.The base of therapy is gymnastics and massage.They improve blood flow, strengthen the muscles.Other methods:

• Drug therapy- Oral administration of drugs and injections for exacerbation, ointments and creams for the rest of the time.
• Physiotherapy-Corses of 7-10 procedures during remission.
• Popular remedies- as a further method of treatment of osteochondrosis.
• Diet therapy- The products rich in fatty acids, magnesium, calcium are introduced into the diet.Exclude salt, smoked meat, pickles and spicy foods, fast food.

Drug

The treatment for cervical osteochondosis during the exacerbation aims to relieve unpleasant symptoms, the stimulation of blood flow, the nutrition of tissues.

During the remission period, drugs are used that improve the quality of the cartilage and prevent the vertebrae of the collapses.Medicines are used inwards and locally.The main funds groups are:

• Musorelassant- relieve muscle spasm, reduce pain, are used for a month.
• Non -pounded anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- They are used locally and inside, they relieve pain, swelling.The tablets are not used no more than 10 days.
• Analgesics- Anesthesia, but we do not remove inflammation and in terms of effect we are more weak than fans.
• Condroprotectors- Protects and restore the cartilage.
• Sedative- They are often prescribed for women in which the osteochondosis of the cervical column is complicated by serious neurotic disorders.
• Nootropic- They act on brain circulation, help fight dizziness.
• Vitamin and mineral complexes- Improve the metabolism in the nervous tissue.

Non -drug

During remission, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck is based on local procedures that improve blood flow, metabolism, they relieve pain, inflammation.The patient is engaged in gymnastics every day, whose plan attracts a doctor.The main treatment methods are as follows:

• Manual therapy- straightening the position of the vertebrae and their consolidation with massage.The course of 5-10 sessions passes 2-4 times a year.At home, a light massage is allowed by stroking and rubbing the cervical area and the collar from top to bottom for 7-10 minutes to relieve muscle spasm.
• Electrophoresis with drugs- preparations for pain relief and the improvement of blood circulation are used, which with the current fall faster at the desired point.
• Magnetotherapy- aimed at removing the edema.
• Acupuncture- It improves blood flow, relieves inflammation.It is held in courses in 8-10 sessions after 1-2 days.
• Collar shanza- The controversial method to eliminate the symptoms of osteochondrosis, since the load on the muscles is removed, but are not strengthened.The product fixes the neck and extends the spine, increasing the distance between its segments.They wear a collar for 3 hours a day for a month.

Exercise therapy for osteochondosis of the cervical vertebrae

Outside the periods of exacerbation, the patient has shown to perform therapeutic exercises.Strong inclinations of the head forward and backwards are prohibited, the rotation.Each exercise is not done no more than a minute, without sudden movements, idiots.In case of discomfort or pain, the lesson is stopped.Proven exercises for the cervical column:

• Slowly turn your head to the right and left, looking at the point in front of you: then check the small breadth of the movement.Do 10-15 times in each direction, gradually leads to 30.
• Put the palm on the forehead and reward it, while trying to tilt your head forward.Read to 5 and relax.Repeat 10 times.
• Cover the left temple with the right palm, press to tilt your head on the shoulder.Read to 5, let go.Create every side 10 times.
• Lie on the stomach, stretch your arms along the body.Lighting your head slightly, turn it slowly in order to touch the floor with your ear.Create 10 movements on each side.

Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondosis of the cervical region

If the nerve roots are affected, there is an hernia with a breakdown, the vertebrae are destroyed and there is no result from the main therapy and the operation is performed.

Symptoms of a serious state: handmade paralysis, muscle atrophy, stroke.The main treatment methods:

• Facestectomy- Endoscopic removal of the joints with the subsequent fixing of the vertebrae, which will be immobile.
• Dissectomy with spondilodeza- It is prescribed for serious deformation changes.During the operation, a soft disc is removed, the vertebrae are spent to stop their destruction.Cons: the mobility of the cervical region is limited, long rehabilitation.
• Spinal fusia- Removal of the fragments of a destroyed disc, bone processes, introduction of an artificial transplant and fixing of the vertebrae.The recovery period is a year, the patient is indicated by the use of a corset.
• Corptomy- The removal of the destroyed vertebra and the neighboring discs is carried out in the absence of the effect of other methods.

Popular remedies for cervical osteochondosis

With severe pain, take 1 teaspoon.Alcohol and camphor, add 2 drops of iodine and rub the areas on the left and right of the spine (do not touch the pillar itself) for 3-5 minutes.This is done 1-2 times a day.

Other popular recipes in addition to basic therapy:

1. Pour 500 g of knot with water (2 l), boil, insist.Pour the cooled broth through the gauze in a prepared bathroom, take it for 15-20 minutes.The procedure is performed at night, relaxes and calms down.The course is 7-10 sessions.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon.the.Banch Buds, Must Herbs of San Giovanni, Mint leaves.Macina, pour a glass of water, boil for 5 minutes.Filter, mix with butter and vegetable oil (75 g each).Apply the ointment with a thin layer on the neck, cover with polyethylene and scarf on top.Keep an hour.The procedures are performed every day for 2 weeks.
3. Pour 100 g of elderberry berries with vodka (600 ml).They insist a week in a cold place.Rub the neck with this tool 2 times a day for 10-15 days.

Prevention

Patients over the age of 40 should take calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, magnesium courses every six months: they improve bone conditions, ligaments and cartilage.The diet includes fat fish, prawns, mussels, nuts, legumes, spinach, cheeses, milk.Other preventive measures:

• In case of seat, the position of the neck changes more often, knead it every hour;
• Choose a comfortable pillow;
• swim, yoga;
• Avoid athletics, sports with jumps, running;
• Do not allow hypothermia.