Osteocondrosis is a disease lyingly in depth, during which there is a violation of the structure and function of the intervertebral discs.The osteochondrosis of the neck is damage to the cervical column.
During the pathological process with osteochondosis of the neck of the pulp of the intervertebral disc (its central and soft part) oxida, losing its amortization properties.The cervical column loses flexibility, mobility, blood vessels and nerve finals are violated in the canals between the vertebrae.The peculiarity of this pathology is that its symptoms can resemble signs of other diseases, due to which the diagnosis of the disease is difficult and the adequate treatment is too late when irreversible changes have already started in the cartilage tissue.
The cervical osteocondrosis, whose symptoms and whose treatment will be described below, as well as cervical osteochondrosis, develops in the average and advanced age, first in men and in some way later in women and in recent years a significant "rejuvenation" of osteochondosis of the neck has been noted.Of course, over the years, even in a healthy spine, the fabric of the cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by fibrous fibers over time, it is compact and hardened.This process is natural, leads to a decrease in the mobility of the spine, but by pain, as a rule, it is not accompanied, since the fibrosis processes do not affect the nerve endings and do not cause violation.Contrary to natural and pathological physiological changes in intervertebral discs, characteristic of osteochdrosis, spread outside the cartilage, which causes compression of the blood vessels and nerve endings, pain and vascular syndrome.
The causes of cervical osteochondosis
In part in the development of the osteochondosis of the "guilty" neck, the disturbance of the modern person and the corresponding distribution of loads along the spine, as well as the natural processes of aging of body tissues, moreover, there are a series of provocatives the development and progression of this pathology:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- long stay in the same position during work;
- Excess body weight;
- injuries in the course of the spine in the neck;
- chronic stress, constant nervous tension;
- Regular hypothermia of the muscles of the collar area (for example, when it is close to the air flow by the air conditioner);
- Congenital vertebral anomalies and intervertebral discs.
What is the dangerous osteochondosis of the neck?
First of all, the osteochondosis of the neck complicates a series of movements, makes them painful, making its contribution to the patient's hypodynamia, which in itself is harmful.A vicious circle rises: a small physical activity causes osteochondrosis, which makes the patient even less active physically, which in turn contributes to the progression of the disease.
Furthermore, in the canals along the vertebrae of the cervical region, the most important plexi and blood vessels are held, the irritation and the violation of which it causes headache, chronic dizziness, destabilization of blood pressure, which can make the patient inconsistent, significantly reduces the quality of his life.
The special danger of osteochondosis of the neck is in its difficult diagnosis and a high probability of improper and inadequate treatment.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondosis
The manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are consumed, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.Consequently, the patient, as a rule, faces the doctor even when the processes in the intervertebral joints were an irreversible character.The most important symptoms of osteochondosis of the neck include:
- dizziness;
- heachache;
- Acute changes in blood pressure.
All the signs listed are not specific, but can be indicated not only for cervical or cervical osteochondosis, but also for many other diseases.Therefore, it is very important for one of these symptoms to consult a doctor and undergo a complete medical examination to discover the real cause of the condition.
In addition, cervicalgia is characteristic of the osteochondrosis of the neck or pain in the neck.It can locate in the back, "in the depths" of the neck, and give it to the shoulder, hand.The sudden of an attack of pain is characteristic - immediately after awakening, after sneezing or tossite, laughter, acute movements.The pain, as a rule, is moderate, is combined with a crunch in the cervical vertebrae when trying to turn the head and if the process has not yet accepted an irreversible current, after a while he attenues himself on his own.
Separately, it must be said about the fluctuations of blood pressure in cervical osteoonscrosis.This is a non -specific symptom, but there are some signs on the basis of which it is possible to establish the connection of the jumps of blood pressure with osteochondrosis.This connection is characterized by fluctuations of blood pressure during the day.Long -term hypertension, on the contrary, is atypical for osteochondosis.The cause of pressure fluctuations lies in the reflected reaction of nerve endings in the walls of the blood vessels in response to their irritation and compression.As a rule, the jumps of blood pressure for osteochondrosis are accompanied by headaches, limb pain, muscle and skin sensitivity compromised in the collar area.
In addition, cervical osteochondosis is characterized by a series of syndromes (combinations of different symptoms):
- Vertebral - a series of symptoms associated with damage to the bone tissue of the vertebrae (the pain in the neck when trying to turn the head, violation of the mobility of the cervical column, morphological changes in the vertebral bodies and in the intervertebral discs);
- Vail artery syndrome - A series of symptoms that indicate the connection of the pathological process with the vertebral arteries.With insufficient blood flow in the artery, when compressed, the noise in the ears, the dizziness, the skills of blood pressure, the nausea to vomiting, a sense of stunning.The irritation of nerve endings in the walls of the arteries occurs from migraines, the flicker of the "flies in the eyes" and a temporary decrease in visual acuity.The lack of oxygen of the brain tissue, which feeds the vertebral arteries, manifests itself from fainting, chronic sleepiness, a slight constant headache, a sense of weakness, a decrease in the concentration of attention and performance.The syndrome is characteristic not only for osteochondrosis, but also for atherosclerosis and other pathologies of circulatory disorders in the vertebral arteries;
- Koreshka - It occurs due to the compression of the spinal nerves roots, the defeat alongside is characteristic.Typical symptoms: pain, compromised sensitivity, paresis and paralysis of the hands, face and neck;
- Cardiac - A series of symptoms that occur due to heart reflections (pain, burning behind the sternum, lack of breath, tachycardia).
The degree of osteochondosis of the neck
The first degree - It characterizes the initial stage of the disease, clinically manifested by neck pain after sudden movements, sneezing.The pain is acute, recalls the unloading of the electric current.At the same time, the damage to the capsule of the intervertebral disc is morphologically, which causes irritation of nerve endings.Neck pain can be accompanied by pain in the back of the head, noise in the ears, trembling steps before his eyes.
The second degree - the period of progression of the disease.At this stage, the pain in the neck becomes constant, there is a narrowing of the intervertebral holes and in this sense - the regular violation of the roots of the spinal nerves and the vases that take place in them.The intervertebral joint capsule is thinner, the pathological mobility of the spine in this area occurs.Atrophy of the muscles.The fluctuation of blood pressure is characteristic.In a serious course of the disease, a "symptom of a head that falls" may appear: the need to support the head with one hand to relieve pain and repair it in a certain position.
The third degree It is characterized by the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, due to which the complications of the osteocondrosis are possible: dislocations of vertebrae, intervertebral hernias, curvature of the column.The pain is intense, it gives the hand to the shoulder, in addition to the pain in the neck is disturbed by headaches, dizziness, acute jumps to blood pressure, the patient loses the work capacity.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondosis
The diagnosis of "osteochondosis of the neck" is carried out on the basis of the examination and investigation of the patient, the degree of morphological changes in the intervertebral discs helps to establish a X -ray examination and a magnetic resonance imaging.In addition, it is important to exclude other diseases with similar symptoms: heart attack, hypertension, organic brain damage, migraine, which requires consultations of related specialists.
Treatment of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column
The volume of therapeutic measures for osteochondosis of the neck depends directly on the degree of the pathological process.The treatment will be the most effective before it has started, so it is particularly important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, with the first episodes of pain in the neck, dizziness, without hoping that the painful symptoms will pass by themselves.
In the initial phase of the disease, the treatment of osteochondosis of the cervical column is reduced to the elimination of pain syndrome using fans and pain relievers of local action (ointment, creams) or systemic (tablets, injections).In addition, the restoration of normal metabolic processes in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc plays a huge role, for which the chondroprotectors are used - drugs that stimulate the metabolism in the cartilage and the normalization of its structure.Condroprotectors stimulate production processes in the cartilage tissue of the proteoglycans that form the structure of the cartilage.At the same time, inflammation and destructive processes in the cartilage tissue are suppressed.
With the progression of the pathological process, an addition to the therapy described can act as antispasmodic and relaxing muscle to eliminate muscle spasm.The doctor may recommend the blocking of Novocaine to relieve pain, however, this method can be attributed exclusively to the palliative, allowing the elimination of painful symptoms, but does not affect the course of osteochondosis of the neck.With advanced osteochondrosis, surgical treatment can be the only effective remedy, since the possibilities of conservative treatment in this phase are exhausted.
Physiotherapy methods for the treatment of osteochdrosis have proven well: electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, ultrasonic therapy, mud.Traditionally important parts of the Complex Treatment of osteochdrosis are massage and manual therapy.
It should be remembered that all physiotherapy methods must be used only if osteochondrosis of the neck is in the remission phase, otherwise it is possible to activate only the pathological process.Any manipulation during the massage should be as delicate as possible.
Medical physical education (exercise therapy) with cervical osteochondosis
An important role in the treatment of osteocondrosis is acquired by the exercise therapy.The methods of physiotherapy exercises are different, however, their general essence is unchanged: a clean restoration of the healthy mobility of the affected area of the spine and, associated with this stimulation of the blood supply and the nutrition of the cartilage tissue.With the diagnosis of "cervical osteochondrosis", the exercises should be as saved as possible, the load on the spine is minimal.Sudden turns are unacceptable, rotation movements, deep inclinations, which can contribute to damage to the capsule of the intervertebral joint and aggravate the pathological process.
Prevention of cervical osteochondosis
Cartilage is not restored, and therefore it is advisable to prevent its progression rather than trying to treat the consequences.The basis of the prevention of cervical osteocondrosis is a healthy lifestyle, reasonable mobility, rational nutrition, body weight control, small pauses in gymnastics with sedentary professional activity.In addition, in the first signs of dysfunction from the cervical column, it is necessary to consult a doctor and if there are indications to start taking the chondroprotectors who will help to normalize the metabolism in the cartilage and significantly slow down the progression of the disease.