Among middle-aged women and men, cervical osteochondrosis (CS) is most often diagnosed because this part is more susceptible to stress. The first signs of disease are often not shown, so it is difficult to identify the problem in the early stages of development. The manifestation of osteochondrosis is related to the influence of many factors on the body. In order for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis to be adequate, it is important to find the root cause.
The main cause of the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology of degenerative dystrophy. Under the influence of unfavorable factors, the intervertebral disc tissue in the neck area begins to collapse. Over time, the disease affects other structures of the spine, causing its function to be impaired. People begin to be troubled by unpleasant symptoms, and their health gradually deteriorates.
The main cause of vertebral body degeneration is impaired body metabolism. The vertebrae and intervertebral structures do not receive the necessary nutrients and elements. The growth of osteophytes appears on the bone tissue. Ossification spreads over time. The onset of osteochondrosis causes the cervical spine to become fixed due to the fusion of the vertebrae.
The trigger mechanism for the development of this process is a negative factor that continuously affects the human body. The causes of osteochondrosis are as follows:
- Congenital diseases of the musculoskeletal system structure,
- Genetic predisposition,
- Heavy physical activity,
- Passive lifestyle,
- Violation of posture,
- Back injury
- Scoliosis,
- Stress, nerve overload,
- Complications after severe infectious diseases.
Disease severity and performance
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis gradually developed. As the pathology progresses, symptoms become more pronounced. The development of rickets has 4 stages:
- At 1 degree, there are no obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis. Sometimes headaches and neck discomfort can be disturbing. The symptoms will pass soon after rest, but the degeneration process of the intervertebral disc has begun, in which the integrity of the nucleus pulposus is destroyed.
- When the pathology enters the second stage, the intervertebral cartilage is full of cracks, and the nucleus of the intervertebral disc appears through the cracks. The intervertebral space is reduced and the patient complains of a chronic form of acute pain syndrome.
- In the third stage of progression, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by severe vertebrae and headache. Due to lack of oxygen, brain cells are damaged, and a person may experience temporary paralysis of limbs, hearing and vision problems. Hernias appear in the neck area, compressing nerves, muscles, arteries and veins.
- As the disease transitions to the end (4 tablespoons), the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in men and women become very obvious, and the patients cannot even relax and rest for one minute. Osteophytes form on the vertebrae, so the mobility of the neck is impaired and a person becomes disabled. If complex treatment is not started at this stage, the situation may end in death.
Typical symptoms
Conservatively, 1-2 degrees of osteochondrosis can be effectively treated. In advanced cases, it is difficult to completely restore the damaged intervertebral structure. This means that it is important to diagnose the disease at the initial stage. Therefore, if a person has similar symptoms, he must seek medical attention urgently:
- Acute pain and discomfort, located in the neck, shoulders, and back of the head,
- Severe headache and dizziness caused by vertebrae compressing nerves and blood vessels of the cervical spine,
- Violation of visual and auditory functions,
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness, feels like goose bumps running off the skin
- Vestibular organ dysfunction.
Cervical osteochondrosis at the level of the C4-C6 vertebrae is characterized by impaired sensitivity of the upper limbs, hands, and fingers. If the vertebral artery is compressed, dangerous diseases in the brain can be disturbing. Hypoxia occurs due to insufficient blood supply to brain cells and insufficient nutrition. If the patient is not treated in time, the patient will have memory problems, impaired swallowing function, and interference with the throat being squeezed to the throat.
Usually, even a person’s voice changes, and as cervical thoracic spine osteochondrosis progresses, heart disease also occurs.
How to make a diagnosis?
If you suspect that you have cervical osteochondrosis, you must see a neurologist. He will conduct a preliminary examination and try to find out the main reason for the development of the disease. During palpation, it is possible to roughly determine the stage of the pathology, how it proceeds-with or without displacement. In order to confirm the diagnosis, the patient needs to conduct a number of such instrumental diagnostic studies:
- Radiography. It will help determine the degree of growth of osteophytes and the size of the joint space.
- MRI or CT. Allows you to assess the degree of destruction of the intervertebral disc and the state of other soft structures.
- Doppler ultrasound. Helps identify abnormal blood vessel function, which leads to impaired blood supply to the brain.
How to deal with the problem?
If the diagnosis is confirmed during the diagnosis process, the doctor will choose the best treatment plan for cervical osteochondrosis based on the results obtained. If the disease does not start, you can get rid of it with the help of medications and auxiliary procedures. At 3-4 stages, drugs are often powerless. In this case, the best solution is surgery.
Effective drugs
The drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in the acute stage is mainly to reduce inflammation, reduce swelling and relieve pain. For these purposes, the following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Reduce inflammation, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. When the condition worsens, it is recommended to use it in the form of injections. When the symptoms are slightly relieved, the medicine can be taken.
- Relieve the painful.
- Muscle relaxants. Relieve muscle spasms, thereby releasing nerves and blood vessels.
- Cartilage protection. They repair the damaged cartilage structure and prevent its further destruction. In order to obtain a positive effect, it is recommended to take this group of drugs for a long time.
- Vasodilators. They help to improve blood flow, thereby normalizing the nutrition of the brain.
- Group B vitamins. They normalize the metabolism in the body and stimulate the immune system, thereby regenerating soft tissue and bone tissue faster.
Comprehensive exercise therapy
With the help of therapeutic exercises, the affected cervical spine structure can be quickly restored. You can cure the disease by:
- Head turned in different directions,
- Rotational movement,
- Shoulder rotation,
- Raise and lower your head.
Physiotherapy and massage
Cervical osteochondrosis is successfully treated with the help of physical therapy procedures, which are prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body. In most cases, the following courses are recommended:
- Magnetic therapy,
- Laser heating,
- Ultrasound,
- Electrophoresis,
- And the application of ozokerite,
- Hydrogen sulfide and radon baths,
- UV exposure.
With the failure of cervical osteochondrosis, it is useful to perform a therapeutic manual massage procedure. This procedure should be performed by a well-trained doctor who is familiar with diagnosis and radiography. By tapping, touching, tapping, vibrating, etc. , normal blood circulation can be restored and nourishment can be established for the damaged part.
Treat with folk remedies
Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated by unconventional methods, but first you should consult a doctor. Compresses prepared according to this formula will help relieve pain, inflammation and swelling:
- Wash the cabbage leaves, cut off the crude fiber, and knead well.
- Spread a mixture of honey and aloe vera juice (2: 1) on the leaves and distribute them evenly on the surface.
- Use steam to heat the compress, then apply it to your neck, and secure it with plastic wrap and wool scarf.
- Bandage for 3-4 hours.
It is recommended to apply compresses every day-in the morning and evening.
Prevention and prognosis
With timely and adequate treatment, diseases can be cured and complications can be prevented. If the problem is not treated and the doctor’s advice is ignored, the prognosis for recovery is disappointing. As a preventive measure for cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to live an active lifestyle, monitor posture, exercise, eat correctly, and consult a doctor when suspicious symptoms appear.