The pain in the neck is familiar to most people in the school bank.The emergence of new technologies in our life, such as computer, smartphone, tablet, game consoles, etc.forced us to change our anatomy in one way or another.We are sitting in front of the monitor for hours and, at night, we play games on our gadgets, lowering our heads on the screen.All of this led to the fact that a disease like cervical osteochondrosis was significantly "younger".
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical region?
Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-degenerative spinal disease that manifests itself in a specific cervical section.The disease is based on a violation of metabolism and nutrition in spine cells.Since cartilage and bones are not supplied with blood through the vessels, they receive useful substances in a different way - from nearby cells.It turns out that, for some reason, cells cease to properly feed the spine.Then the degeneration process is launched.
First of all, intervertebral discs suffer.By nature, they are elastic and flexible, have properties that absorb shocks, which allows them to effectively separate the vertebrae, distribute the load, soften traces or reduce tension when lifting weights.If the energy is not enough, the intervertebral disc begins to dry, lose moisture.As a result, in the fibrous ring surrounded by the disc, the cracks appear, the core of the dry disc and weakens.In the end, the disc no longer performs its function.In addition, the process throws him to the vertebrae: without a natural "separator", they begin to press on each other, as well as in the intervertebral discs themselves.As a result, at some point, the pressure can become critical: the fibrous ring of the disc explodes, the core falls and a hernia forms.
Cervical osteochondrosis consists of total imbalance in the spine.To compensate for the absence of discs, the brain can "give a command" to form the growing bone-osteophytes, in order to compensate for asymmetry.However, this does not help, but it only brings major problems.
Cervical spine osteochondrosis is the most dangerous variety of this disease.It is in the neck area that the largest number of nerve roots and blood vessels are located, in this place the vertebral arteries are the closest to the spine and 30% provide the brain with blood.Due to hernias, displacements, protrusions and osteophytes caused by osteochondrosis, nerves and blood vessels can be damaged, which implies serious systemic diseases in the body.
Reasons
The main cause of the occurrence of the disease is a sedentary lifestyle, because nutrients seem to "stagnate" and do not reach the destination of the spine.However, there are others:
- Lack of physical activity and sports, as a result, a poorly developed muscle corset
- Excessive physical activity
- Smoking and Alcohol Abuse
- abuse of very oily and salty foods, "fast" carbohydrates
- Overweight
- heredity
- generic or other injuries
- Posture initially curved
- Infectious diseases transferred with complications in the spine
- Natural aging of the body
Symptoms
There are more than 20 symptoms in the disease and only some of them.
- Neck pain, shoulders
- Paroxistic headaches, poorly relieved by analgesics
- Limited movements, inability to turn your head
- Pula of pressure
- Symptoms of supposedly heart disease: tingling in the heart, shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Nausea
- Decreased acuity and visual hearing, the effect of double eyes and noise on ears
- Difficulties when swallowing, swelling of the tongue
- Numbness, tingling or tremor in the limbs
- Numbness or pain in the jaw
- Lack of muscle tone or excessive tone
- Drying one of the members
- Drowsiness, aggression, irritability
Complications
Complications of cervical spine osteochondrosis and their symptoms are usually the cause of the patient seeking the doctor, but this means that the disease is already in the later stages.Cervical osteochondros itself can take a long time asymptomatic or expressed in light pain in the neck.
Cervical spine osteochondrosis causes a change in geometry and spine anatomy: disc release or even vertebrae outside the normal place of position or osteophyte formation.The "primary" complications of so called:
- Intervertebral hernia (disk ring rupture, its displacement)
- Disc protrusion ("output" of the intervertebral disc beyond its anatomical limits)
- The formation of osteophytes - spondylosis (with the help of such bone growths, the body tries to compensate for the imbalance in the spine)
In addition, degenerative processes in the spine, which has caused displacements or formation of bone growths, will probably cause nerve root, vessel or vertebral roots.
This is full of "secondary" complications:
- Vegetgo-vascular dystonia (violation of brain circulation work)
- The cord of the vertebral artery, vertebro-bazicular insufficiency (compression of the vertebral artery)
- Redicolor Syndrome - Radiculitis (Violation of Nerve Roots)
- Cervicobrachialgia (constant pain in the neck and head, poorly relieved by painkillers)
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis are very dangerous, can cause a violation of the circulatory system, blood vessels, change brain functions and even cause a stroke.
Diagnosis
The first method of diagnosis is inspection, conversation, anamnesis.An experienced vertebologist, by your complaints, can determine if you have cervical osteochondrosis.He will ask - about the nature, duration and location of the pain, will palpate painful areas, locate the lesion area approximately.To exclude other diseases, a blood and urine test will be prescribed for you.Then it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of an X -ray exam.
Basic diagnostic methods:
- Computer Tomography (CT)
- Magnetic Resonance Tomography (Magnetic Resonance)
- X -Ray
To tell which method it is preferable, your doctor should, depending on the characteristics of the body, the nature of the complaints, the against -indications.The most expensive and informative image is magnetic resonance imaging, soft tissues are visible in the image;Therefore, in case of damage to blood vessels, cartilage, nerves, the doctor may locate the sick area.However, a computer tomography provides a clear image of bone tissues, which will allow you to measure the distance between the vertebrae, determine the stage of the disease.The advantage of X -ray is the low price, the speed (the procedure will take a maximum of 20 minutes), as well as the ability to perform a study with functional tests (the image is taken at maximum flexion and maximum neck extension).
Treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis
The basic principle of effective treatment is an integrated approach, a combination of many methods, prolonged therapy, even after the removal of an acute state.
Medication
- The anti -inflammatory anesthetic and non -esteroids will help alleviate pain attacks, will allow you to move on to additional treatment stages.Injections or oral use are possible.
- Condropropopotors - Medicines that decrease the degradation of cartilage tissues.
- Muslaxantes - relax tense muscles.
- Vasodilative drugs.They are prescribed in case of violation of circulation.
- Nootropic drugs.They are prescribed if the brain system is damaged and is necessary to improve depressed brain activity due to nerve roots violated to osteochondrosis and lack of blood flow.
- Vitamins and antioxidants to generally improve brain functions.
- Diuretics - To control the level of potassium and sodium in the blood.
Physiotherapy
Effective electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and manual therapy are effective.The price of the session varies depending on the level of the clinic, specialists and equipment.In total, 10 to 15 sessions will need.
Lifestyle change: exercise, massage, swimming.
This treatment stage should start after removing acute pain.It is necessary to increase the muscle corset of the spine to redistribute the load in it.A massage course and exercise sessions are prescribed.It is more profitable to buy a signature that includes a visit to the pool, masseuse and exercise instructor.
Dream
The right dream on the orthopedic pillow and the orthopedic mattress.
Proper nutrition
Compliance with the diet and some rules: the exclusion of alcohol, tobacco, fatty and salty products, reduction of fast carbohydrates.