Ubiquitous statistics state that more than 80% of the population are diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at various stages. Meanwhile, doctors warn of the very dangerous consequences of neglected forms, which can become a threat not only to health, but also to the life of the patient.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region: what it is
By itself, the disease of osteochondrosis is an irreversible degenerative-dystrophic destruction of the vertebral discs and vertebrae. It is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the intervertebral component, which causes hernia and intervertebral protrusion and further destruction of the bones of the vertebrae. These changes lead to complex processes in the body and, in addition to causing severe pain, affect the functioning of the body as a whole.
The process is irreversible, it is impossible to restore damaged cartilage and discs, you can only slow down their destruction.
The danger of such a process in the cervical region multiplies due to the presence of a large number of nerve fibers and blood vessels connecting the brain and the human body, as well as due to the proximity of the placement of the vertebrae (there are 7 of in a small space).
Attention! The slightest compression of the arteries, nerve fibers or blood vessels in the cervical spine will result in a number of symptoms, the severity of which will depend on which roots or vessels are squeezed.
The reasons
There are many reasons for this dangerous disease, although it is not yet known exactly why osteochondrosis occurs in a particular area. Among the factors that provoke cervical osteochondrosis will be:
Lifestyle
This is the most voluminous factor both in quantitative and qualitative terms. It should include:
- sedentary work;
- prolonged stay in a tense or uncomfortable position for significant periods of time;
- small physical loads on the spine (this contributes to the weakening of the muscular corset);
- too much stress on the spine.
Today, a very large number of people are subject to the listed factors of the onset of this disease due to the prevailing pattern of social life and social behavior.
Injuries
Injuries of the spine in 90% of cases are accompanied by cervical osteochondrosis. Often it does not occur immediately after the injury, but after some time. Here, the main component of the event will be the broken integrity of the ridge.
Hormonal disturbances
This factor can manifest itself already in adolescence, during the restructuring of the child's body. This type of osteochondrosis can be successfully treated.
If osteochondrosis occurs against the background of menopause or diseases that change the hormonal background (diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis), the treatment will be symptomatic.
genetic predisposition
This reason almost always occurs in conjunction with others. Since genetic predisposition per se is not at the root of the disease, but it is of great importance in case of other factors.
Symptoms
Manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are very similar to many diseases, which makes diagnosis difficult. Their manifestations depend on which nerve roots are compressed, in addition, many symptoms are associated with impaired blood circulation in the brain. Despite the wide range of symptoms, some of the most common can be distinguished. Their appearance and strengthening will depend on the degree of development of the disease. Here they are listed by frequency of occurrence.
Headache in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the earliest, most persistent, and most frequent symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is a migraine-type headache. It will be well stopped by analgesics, but as the disease develops, its intensity increases and it becomes more and more difficult to stop it.
Pain can be distributed by a pulsation in the temples and back of the head, can affect the parietal region, give to the parietal bone.
Neck pain
Usually initially weak, neck pain appears only when touching the affected area, in the future the pain can radiate to the back of the head, shoulder, arm (this depends on which nerve endings are pinched). At the same time, it appears when turning or tilting the head, a sharp movement of the body, it is constant, has an increasing intensity.
Limitation of range of motion, crunch
Another symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is the limitation of the movement of the head and neck, it is difficult for the patient to turn his head, there is no way to do it completely, it is impossible to tilt the head forward or backward. When turning, there is a distinctive crunch.
weakness of the hand
If the nerve roots responsible for innervation of the upper limbs are damaged, weakness appears in the arms and, in severe cases, paralysis can occur.
Numbness of the hands or body
When the roots responsible for sensitivity are squeezed, there is a loss of sensation in the hands, fingers or numbness of individual areas. With advanced forms of the disease, paralysis (complete or partial) of the hands and the whole body is possible. This also depends on which nerves are affected.
Decreased hearing, vision
This disease is characterized by signs such as hearing loss and loss of vision, numbness of the lips and tongue. These organs are very close and are the first to suffer from insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
Vertigo with cervical osteochondrosis
With cervical osteochondrosis, one of the most unpleasant symptoms will be dizziness, sometimes it can be accompanied by a loss of coordination, in some cases there are fainting, nausea. These symptoms are associated with impaired cerebral circulation due to squeezing of the arteries and blood vessels.
Information on diagnostic methods
If one or more symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur, it is best to see a doctor for a diagnosis. There are several methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis, the most informative among them will be:
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance;
- dopplerography of blood vessels;
- The most used is radiography.
For the diagnosis of osteochondrosis in the early stages, radiography will have little information. Dopplerography of vessels is performed in difficult cases, when severe symptoms occur: loss of sensation in large areas, paralysis, fainting.
Successful treatment is possible only in the early stages of the disease and depends on the correct diagnosis.
Stages of the disease
The disease is characterized by an increase in symptoms and their severity, there are 4 stages.
- I-I - this is pain in the neck when touching the affected nerve endings. Pain occurs when turning the head or neck. At the level of the spine, no damage is detected, only violations of the intervertebral space.
- II-I - this is the aspect of stabbing pain, which can radiate to the arm, shoulder and intensifies when turning the head. Headache of the migraine type. The pain is caused by small, destructive changes in the vertebral discs.
- III-I - increased pain, which becomes constant, numbness occurs, stiffness of head movements appears, weakness in the hands, attention and memory are disturbed. At this stage, there are violations of the integrity of the discs (cracks, protrusion of the joint bag), intervertebral hernia.
- IV-I - characterized by the destruction of discs and vertebrae, violation of the integrity of the bones. Surgery is often required at this stage, as hernias can cause paralysis and immobilization of the upper limbs or the entire body.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck at home is possible and necessary in stages 1-2, the 3rd stage requires medical treatment under the supervision of a doctor.
Home treatment
Before starting treatment at any stage, it is necessary to consult a vertebrologist who will make the correct diagnosis and conduct the necessary examinations. Osteochondrosis can have symptoms similar to heart failure (hypertension, breathing difficulties, attention and memory problems).
Attention! With incorrect or untimely treatment, cerebral ischemia, spinal stroke, spinal cord compression, radiculopathy are possible, and these complications of the disease often threaten the patient's life.
With correct and timely diagnosis, home treatment should include the following components:
- Pharmacological treatment;
- massage;
- special physical exercises.
All three components are very important, they must necessarily undergo complex treatment, which will ensure a good result for a long time.
Massage
A great effect after relieving acute pain will be given by traditional massages. It is recommended to take their courses at least once every 6 months. Today, there is a large selection of techniques aimed at treating cervical osteochondrosis, which will allow you to choose the most suitable option.
- There are high-quality manual techniques that allow you to get a good result.
- A new direction is osteopathy, aimed at healing with the hands, but considering the human body as a unit of the musculoskeletal, nervous and mental systems.
- A good solution would be a professional acupuncture course conducted by an experienced specialist.
- With success, massage is replaced by hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), not surprisingly it is equated with acupuncture.
Exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
One of the factors in the onset of this disease is the small loads on the muscular corset. We lead a sedentary lifestyle, spend a lot of time in the same position, often uncomfortable. Therefore, 10 simple exercises to strengthen the neck muscle corset should be included in your daily exercises for everyone. It is especially important to address them for those who have the first signs of this disease.
Exercises should only be done when the acute pain is relieved. When it is exacerbated, it is undesirable to do them.
- Perform standing 5-7 times: put your feet shoulder-width apart, the stomach is pulled in, the shoulders are straightened. Raise your arms to the sides and up, then connect them at the top and bring them back, trying to connect the shoulder blades. So stand straight again.
- It is good to perform standing, but you can also sit 7-10 times. Wrap your arms around yourself (as if hugging yourself), try to do it as tightly as possible (elbows forward), then bring your hands back and bring them together, touching your elbows with your palms. Try pulling your stomach in.
- It is best to do it standing up, but if you feel very lightheaded, you can sit down, each movement 3-5 times. The neck is straight, the shoulders are straight. Turn your head to the left and try to touch your shoulder with your chin, do not lift your shoulder. Repeat this, turning the head to the right, perform the turns alternately.
- Do the same exercise, tilting your head as far back and forward as possible. Try to reach your chest with your chin. Drive down the slopes slowly.
- Then, very slowly and carefully, make a semicircle from the left shoulder to the right, tilting your head forward. Do not perform circular movements - only a semicircle. Repeat the movement in the opposite direction.
Do this exercise with your head as far back as possible. Remember that you have to do it slowly and only in semicircles.
- It is also best to perform standing, but you can also sit for 5 seconds. 3-4 times. Clench your fists and rest your chin on them. Press your fists hard with your chin for 5 seconds, then place them on the back of the occipital bone and press again. This exercise trains the neck muscles well.
- Sit 7-10 turns in each direction. Put your hands on your hips, tilt your head as far forward as possible, it's okay if you can rest your chin on your chest. Now turn your head left and right alternately, keeping your chin on your chest.
- Perform sitting in a low-backed chair, try doing it at least 3-4 times. With your shoulders back, try looking at the wall behind you.
- Perform sitting in a chair, placing your hands between your knees 5-7 times. As you inhale, lean to the side; as you exhale, sit up straight. Do this alternately left and right.
- Lie on your stomach, bend over. Try this 5-6 times. Rise as high as you can and stay as long as possible.
Advise! Do the exercise at an appropriate time, perhaps during a break or when your neck gets tired from a tense pose. They can't be too many here. The main thing is not to do a large number of times at once.
Treatment with folk remedies
Treating spinal problems with folk remedies primarily involves warming the affected area. When using recipes for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, care should be taken, as proximity to the brain can make too intense warming more harmful than beneficial.
It is necessary to use recipes that have a mild effect, not producing severe irritation.
Grandma's ointment
For its preparation you will need:
- 10 ml of iodine;
- 10 ml of camphor oil;
- 10 tablets of analgin (500 mg);
- 300 ml of alcohol.
The tablets need to be ground to a powder and mix all the ingredients. The resulting composition is applied in a thin layer on the neck.
Tablets
- Potato. It is good to apply a compress of grated potatoes with honey at night.
- Horseradish. Fresh horseradish leaves should be held over the water vapor, cooled and applied for 10-15 minutes. to the neck.
- Jump. Crush the unsalted lard (1 tbsp) and add fresh or dried ground hop cones (1 tsp), apply the resulting mixture on the back of the head as an overnight compress.
- Aloe. Take 1 part of ground aloe leaves, 2 parts of honey and 3 parts of vodka. Mix everything and let it brew for 12 hours. Apply the compress for no more than 15 minutes.
Medical treatment
Traditional treatment should consist of anti-inflammatory drugs that are periodically needed to relieve intense pain and drugs designed to mobilize the body to fight the disease: vitamins, neuroprotectors, chondroprotectors.
Also, depending on the problems that have occurred, drugs are prescribed that relieve the symptoms that have occurred when a certain part of the nerve roots is damaged, these can be drugs:
- pressure reduction;
- improve eyesight;
- to relieve numbness.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
In the initial stages, the intense pain can be stopped with the help of pain relievers.
During an exacerbation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve inflammation. These drugs are available in tablets, capsules, or injectable solutions. Some take the form of ointments for external use. The course of treatment must be determined by the doctor.
Long-term use of drugs from a number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead even in a healthy person to irritation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, treatment with analgesics provokes an exacerbation.
vitamins
Make sure you are getting the B vitaminsone,TO6,TO12). They help improve the functioning of the brain, have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system, improve the transmission of nerve impulses, which affects the improvement of the general condition.
These vitamins can be taken as injections intramuscularly, according to the scheme or in combination, which will significantly enhance their effect. In the early stages of the disease they manifest themselves in the form of tablets (vitamin complexes) or food supplements (not recognized by official medicine).
Drugs that improve cerebral circulation
Neuroprotectors are drugs that affect the functioning of the brain. These include a large group of drugs that affect various processes, including nootropics that improve memory and concentration.
Medicines are prescribed in case of impaired blood supply to the brain due to squeezing of blood vessels.
Attention! Neuroprotectors must be prescribed by a neurologist.
Chondroprotectors
A special place is occupied by chondroprotectors - drugs that improve the nutrition of the cartilage tissue of the spine (glucosamine and chondroitin), which should slow down its destruction. Clinically their positive effect has not yet been proven, but they are used as food supplements and are allowed by health and medical examinations.
These drugs can be useful in stages I and II. In the future, they are unlikely to have the desired effect.
About diets and nutrition
With cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to eat food and herbs containing B vitamins, this can be:
- poultry meat;
- porridge, chamomile;
- mint, coltsfoot;
- celery.
Showing fresh fruits and vegetables. It is undesirable to use salt, its amount should be minimized. This is due to impaired cerebral circulation. It is not necessary to increase the intake of calcium and potassium.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is an insidious disease that can lead to complex pathologies that lead to disability. At the same time, correct behavior, moderate physical activity and systemic treatment can slow down its development and even stop it for a long time. Live happily and be healthy!