Cervical osteocondrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Osteocondrosis of cervical spine is a progressive process of dystrophy, disruption of the intervertebral disks.

Symptoms of cervical osteocondrosis are characterized by severe pain in the neck, head, shoulders and amaze everyone, regardless of age.

Description of osteochondrosis

Osteocondrosis in the neck was much younger.Young people suffer from them, starting from youth.The neck is the weakest area of the spine.Seven vertebrae are adjacent to each other quite tightly and the muscle frame is developed worse than the rest of the departments.The neck is exposed to severe loads because it acts as support from the cranial box and is constantly moving.

What is cervical osteocondrosis?Foods for the intervertebral discs are performed by diffusion from nearby tissues.The deterioration of blood supply to the tissues around the vertebrae provides a lack of nutrition, water.Hungry by discen, the fibrous ring leads to degenerative processes.

The growing bone tissue near the vertebrae, the squeezed intervertebral disks, the transmitted nerves and ligaments are first manifested by signs of impaired performance.Very intensity pain at first concentrates in the neck, head, shoulders, heart, arms, upper chest, switches to the lower extremity.Each of the seven vertebrae sends signals to other departments.Pressed nerve roots are reflected in the state of other body systems.

Especially dangerous is osteocondrosis for the brain.The rumored rumor of the artery that performs here performs the function of ensuring blood supply on the back of the brain.Its push leads to headaches that often develop into migraines, not subject to painkillers.Osteochondrosis in the neck can be accompanied by dizziness, visual impairment and hearing, nausea, vomiting.Later, pharyngeal symptoms manifest, sudden fainting due to a lack of oxygen in the brain.Compression of the spine leads to ischemia of the spinal cord and brain.Aggravation of the process causes a spinal cord.

Basic processes of the disease

Osteocondrosis of the neck must be considered based on the interaction between physiological and pathological factors:

• Physiological process:Aging a cartilage spine occurs due to natural irreversible causes.There are changes in the central part of the intervertebral disk.The process of age -related changes in the body leads to the replacement of the mass with a fibrous tissue;
• Pathological process:Degenerative changes in intervertebral structures occur, the destruction of vessels and nodes surrounding them.Changes occur outside the cartilage itself, there is a compression of blood vessels, irritation of the nerve endings.A person feels disks, painful symptoms of a local and reflected character.

Osteocondrosis of cervical spine gets a pathological form when physiological aging is replaced by a pathological process.First, the compensatory and protective mechanisms are triggered for the body that eliminate the disease.Therefore, osteochondrosis is capable of passing or occurring episodically.But this feature is not eternal.

The progress of the disease, expressed in the compression of vascular and nervous structures, accompanies the following processes:

• Spondylolistz, where the spinal cord disk slides.Even a slight shift leads to the development of paralysis.Serious displacement ends in death;
• The Pulpose core is impregnated with calcium salts.This leads to a violation of disk need, provosing the formation of a hernia;
• Intervertebral hernia formed due to swelling of the intervertebral slice between the vertebrae.Ignoring therapeutic measures leads to slow paralysis;
• The appearance of microcracies on the fibrous ring, the development of projections.The intervertebral disk issued by its limits;
• Spondylosis meaning wear of the vertebrae.Ostepping cabins occur - the growth of bone tissue in the form of hooks and spikes, located on the sides of the spines.Severe pain occurs and as a result is the stiffness of movements.

The causes of cervical ostechondrosis

An increase in the load on the cervical region leads to an experiment from the body to compensate for the condition.Thus, begin muscle cramps, deterioration of blood circulation, deformation.The structure of the vertebrae itself changes.The reason can also be a progressive diskz that occurs due to long physical exertion.

The most important factors providing the beginning of cervical osteocondrosis:

• Hypodynamia;
• Impairment of immunity;
• Overwhelming physical exertion;
• The presence of injuries in the spine;
• Lack of reception with nutrition of the necessary substances, obesity;
• problems with posture (scoliosis, flat feet, arthritis);
• hereditary factor;
• Autoimmune diseases that cause degeneration of cartilage tissue;
• stress, prolonged nervous tension;
• climatic factor, cold and humidity;
• Congenital abnormalities of the spine.

The main causes of osteocondrosis are disproportionate of the load on the spine, for the weak muscle cross.People after thirty years are in danger, especially if their day has been in a sitting position for a long time.

Development stages

The progression of osteocondrosis in the cervical region can be divided into several phases:

• The first, preclinical.It is characterized by small vertebrae formations, smoothness of cervical lordosis.Pain is felt with sharp movements of the head, fatigue occurs.The development of the disease can be prevented without involving medication.It is required to balance your food, choose exercises, perform preventative measures;
• The other.An unstable condition is established between the vertebrae.Vertebral displacements of the vertebrae occur in relation to each other, thuria - the rotation around the spine.The pain that intensifies when the neck moves from time to time in the shoulders, the hands.The height of the intervertebral disks is reduced, leading to the squeeze of the nerves.Characterized by such signs as distraction, fatigue, head pain;
• The third phase.The height of the intervertebral slice is reduced by a neighborhood compared to the above disk.Deformations begin to appear in the intervertebral joints.There is a decrease in lumens in the intervertebral holes, the duct of the spine.Strong pain is constantly felt.The muscles of the hands begin to become numb due to the beginning of the formation of the hernia of the intervertebral disks.The cervical region loses flexibility.The patient feels dizziness, weakness.

The height of the intervertebral disc is significantly reduced.Intervertebral discs are destroyed and replaced with connective tissue.Large osteophytes are formed on the back of the cervical region.The vertebral canal is much narrowed and provides the development of myelopathy.The patient's condition becomes worse, accompanied by reduced coordination, dizziness, severe pain, ears.

Symptoms

The symptomatic image of the injury to the neck differs from suffering in other departments.This is due to a closer arrangement of the vertebrae relative to each other.Due to the low altitude of the intervertebral disks, the clinic begins to appear even with light pathologies.Signs of damage will vary depending on which of the eight nerve roots is damaged.During each of the seven vertebrae there is a nerve, its compression has its own symptoms.

Problems in the first two vertebrae disturb the sensitivity of the back of the head.The pain is located in the parietal, occipital region.The lesion in the nerve ending of the third vertebra is rare.The symptoms are manifested in numbness in a fastened area, language, speech problems.The fourth spine signals about malfunctioning with pain and numbness in the bone, shoulder.It can create difficulties in breathing, heart pain.The disease of the fifth segment causes pain in the shoulders, a decrease in the sensitivity of the limbs.

The lesions of the sixth and seventh vertebrae are the most common among patients.The neck, shoulder blades, forearms, the crucifix, the back suffers.There is numbness in the hands and fingers.Pathological changes in the eighth nerve root are characterized by the spread of pain in the lower extremities.There is a loss of sensitivity on the skin, the little fingers become numb on the arms and legs.Disturbed blood circulation causes the feet, hands.

The common signs of cervical osteocondrosis are:

• Pain spreads to the upper body and down;
• Weakness, decrease in the sensitivity of the hands;
• Difficulty in movements, crunch;
• reduced coordination, accompanied by a ringing, noise in the ears, a feeling of disorientation, weakness, dizziness;
• Nausea, vomit;
• Numbness in the tongue, fingers and legs, worsening of hearing, vision.

Diagnosis of cervical ostechondrosis

To determine the damaged intervertebral discs and the degree of their illness, the doctor must carry out a number of examinations: radiography, MRI, CT (computed tomography), ultrasonic -dupex scan.The most accurate way to study the health region's health is magnetic resonance image (MRI).The purpose of MRI is to identify pathological changes in the tissues of the spine, especially the spinal cord and intervertebral hernias.After examining and examining the patient, a study conducted, prescribes the participating neurologist a preliminary diagnosis, prescribes treatment.

TREATMENT

If osteocondrosis is suspected, consult a neuropathologist.The duration of the course of treatment depends on the person's age, the severity of cervical osteocondrosis, such as therapy, and the patient performs all the doctor's recommendations.A complete healing of severe forms of osteochondrosis is impossible.The purpose of complex treatment is to slow down the procedure pathological process, elimination of symptoms.Therapy can be conservative, operational or combining both of these areas.If headaches rise, it is necessary to start therapy as early as possible.

To get rid of osteocondrosis in the cervical spine, there are two main types of treatment:

• Medications performed by taking medication;
• Physiotherapy includes UHF, Electrophoresis, Ultrasound, Magnetot Therapy, Laser Therapy Courses.They stimulate action on blood flow, metabolism, remove muscle spasm.

To weaken the compression of the peripheral zones of the central nervous system (central nervous system) and smoothing pain at the time of aggravation of the disease, drug therapy is used.After elimination of acute manifestations of cervical osteocondrosis, therapy is not stopped.Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed.It is necessary to regularly massage the collar area.Folk resources are also used.

Drug therapy of osteocondrosis

Treatment with medicine will only have a full effect with other methods, for example with physical therapy exercises (exercise therapy), massage.The drugs are designed to relieve pain, restore the regeneration of cartilage, activate blood circulation in the affected tissues of the neck.

Many doctors prescribe injections for a more effective effect on the nerve endings.But vitamins are best taken in the form of tablets as the injections are very painful.To have an anti -inflammatory effect, the doctor introduces intramuscular injections.

The main types of medicine for therapy:

• Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They have a pain -relieving effect, removing the aseptic inflammatory process, swelling of the spine.With obvious signs of the disease, injections are made twice a day with these drugs.Use outward creams;
• Chondroprotectors.Enable metabolism, regenerate cartilages.Remove damage to the intervertebral disks.There is a injection medicine for the filing of joints and muscles.The therapy art is performed up to 4 months;
• B -Vitamins (B1, B2, B6), E, A, C, Dcontribute to improving metabolism in tissues, catalyzing their restoration;
• Musorelaxants.For relaxing spasmodic muscles.Tablets are used for a month.In a severe form of the disease, an injection of drugs is used;
• Medicines for activating blood flow in the brain,Rheological properties of blood.

When additional drugs are used to speed up improvement:

• Angioprotectors- Injection forms of drugs are designed to activate the blood flow in the veins, strengthening the tone of blood vessels;
• Glucocorticosteroids- To reduce swelling and inflammation in the form of injections;
• Biogenic stimulants.Accelerate metabolic processes, help recover broken substances.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic methods serve as an addition to drug treatment, activate the recycling rate significantly, expand the remission step and reduce the frequency of worsening.

Physiotherapy methods:

• Exercise therapy- This is one of the most effective methods for treating osteocondrosis.Regular classes activate blood circulation, contributes to restoration of damage;
• massageImproves nerves conductivity, restores the muscle tone;
• MagnetotherapyRemoves swelling from fabrics;
• Laser therapyActions with a concentrated beam of optical light.Triggers recovery processes in the body;
• Reflectionology- Activation of certain points.Improves immunity, relieves spasms and pain in the neck;
• UltrasoundProvides a painkiller, anti -inflammatory effect;
• Electrophoresis using medicinal herbs.Electric current helps to penetrate the drug at a particular location.

To get rid of cervical osteocondrosis, manual therapy, thermotherapy and mudding are also used.All of these methods slow down the progress of the disease.

Osteochondrosis cannot be cured with herbs, but accompany the main therapy they help relieve the condition.Mix 2 teaspoons of sibling with two tablets of mummy.The mixture is heated, apply a warm scarf that is tied with the neck at night.The biostimulating properties of honey perfectly complement the treatment.For rubbing, tincture is used from radish, vodka and honey in a proportion of 1.5: 0.5: 1, measurements in glasses.You can turn three large lemon with a meat grinding machine with four garlic slices.Pour the mixture into a two -liter jar with boiling water.After mixing the contents, drink on an empty stomach half a glass.The pain can also be removed with heating with mustard patch, peppers.

Therapeutic exercises

During the recovery period, you can perform a complex of therapeutic charging for the neck.LFK is based on several dynamic exercises.Gymnastics should not be done with worsening.When performing exercises, it is recommended to monitor the appearance of discomfort, it is unacceptable.

From the location of lying on your stomach, raise your upper body based on your hands.A delay of 1-2 minutes.Get into the starting position and repeat 2-3 times.Then you have to stretch your hands along your body.The heads on the head are made right and left 6-7 times and try to get the floor with the ear.Sit down.VIP the case forward with inspiration, the head leans against the chest.On exhalation, leaning back and throwing his head back.10-15 inclinations are enough.Now put your palms on your forehead and put mutual pressure for 30 seconds.Repeat 2-3 times.To make rotation of the head 10 times in each direction.If the head starts to turn, the exercise should be interrupted.

Complications

The cervical region is rich in blood vessels, nerve endings that feed the brain.Their minimum compression is harmful to the entire body, which interferes with blood circulation in the brain and causes neurological disorders: migraine, malfunction of the heart, respiratory system, vision, hearing, hypertension.The complication in the form of the syndrome of the rumored rumor -bracelet artery, ischemia of the brain, spinal cords that occur with an advanced form of neck disease, is especially dangerous.When radiculopathy occurs, mobility is lost.Coupling the spinal cord leads to death.

To avoid surgical intervention in the treatment of cervical osteocondrosis, do not be pulled with a doctor at the first signs.It is necessary to use all available methods for therapy as well as a change in lifestyle, nutrition.