Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, types, symptoms and treatment methods

If you list the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis - almost all adults will say they felt them.This disease really has a significant prevalence: in developed countries, osteochondrosis occurs in 60 to 80% of the population.To distinguish whether a person actually has cervical osteochondrosis or manifestations of a different state, it is necessary to have information about this pathology.The article describes the causes of the disease, its characteristics and manifestations, diagnostic methods and treatment.Having information about the pathology, patients will be able to recognize it at home and seek help in a timely manner.

What is cervical osteochondrosis?

The disease is degenerative of nature and damages the structure of the spine with the primary and secondary mechanism.The pathogenetic mechanism of the pathology is that the structure of the vertebral connection is damaged.

Usually, between these areas, there is a layer - pulse tissue.It depreciates the column and optimizes the motor process.With cervical osteochondrosis, this soft substance is calcified and turns into a hard ochyan tissue.This damages nerve endings and blood vessels, violating their function.

Depending on the level of damage, osteochondrosis may be manifested by pain or high pressure, impaired consciousness or language numbness.It may be chest or back symptoms.This greatly complicates the diagnostic process.Patients can pass on several diagnostic consultations before they arrive at a profile specialist.The diagnostic process uses various methods that allow us to exclude pathology from other organs and systems.

Gradually, cervical osteochondrosis “getting younger” and is increasingly found in young patients.Modern young people begin to have problems with their neck much earlier than their parents.

Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of the cervical region, which is customary to consider two positions:

• Physiological changes.In fact, cartilage degeneration is a natural part of development, which is regulated by neuro -the -endocrine mechanisms and is irreversible.The process begins with the center of the pulpic layer and gradually passes to the periphery.Soft tissue is replaced by fibrous fibrous elements.Such a process hardly bothers the patient and manifests only when it affects nerve endings.
• Pathological changes.Vertebra destruction as a result of the effect of a set of factors.This process is ahead of physiological changes and leads to a violation of the function of the spine.Symptoms accompany this condition almost always, because they spread out of the cartilage structure and damage the nerve endings, the blood vessels.

The course of the disease can be different in nature: sometimes the pathology is compensated independently or vice versa - there are periods of exacerbations.Simultaneously with the pathological process, compensation mechanisms are included, which temporarily extend the function of vertebrae and eliminate symptoms.

However, the additional course of the disease leads to the destruction of the fibrous ring, the appearance of microcracy.The vertebrae lose their stability and fixation, which manifests itself by a clinical image of the disease.

In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is the impregnation of intervertebral space pulp with calcium.This forms a kind of hernia, because the damaged vertebra is pressured in the neighbor's body.These structures wear out and, as a result, there is a massive ossification of neighboring structures.

The course of cervical osteochondrosis has several stages:

• Stage 1 is the instability of vertebral structures and disc violation;
• 2 stages - reduced spine fixation and disc protrusion;
• Stage 3 - rupture of a fibrous ring, serious symptoms and pain;
• The fourth stage is accompanied by difficulties in motion, acute pain and spread widespread bone.

Characteristics of the anatomical arrangement of the muscles and blood vessels - make the neck a vulnerable area of the body.A long course of osteochondrosis leads to numerous complications, including vascular nature.Many of them can cause significant damage to the patient's health and compensate for a pronounced risk.

Symptoms

The danger of cervical osteochondrosis is that it does not manifest itself by symptoms for a long time.This is facilitated by masking signs of disease to another pathology, as well as an independent administration of analgesic medications.This makes the diagnosis of long and difficult cervical osteochondrosis.It is important not to delay the diagnosis until the vertebrae structure has been replaced by bone tissue.

Consider the main groups of symptoms found in cervical region osteochondrosis and its characteristics.

Dizziness

As mentioned above, most symptoms of osteochondrosis may be characteristic of other conditions.Therefore, the dizziness is accompanied by the vascular pathologies of the central nervous system, damage to the auditory apparatus, malfunction of the vestibular apparatus and cardiovascular disease.The dizziness is accompanied by intoxication, inflammatory processes.It is important to take into consideration a holistic clinical picture, not individual symptoms.In addition, one should learn to distinguish between the main types of dizziness for reasons for their occurrence.

With cervical spine osteochondrosis, a systematic type of dizziness occurs.It seems to the patient that surrounding objects begin to be moving.This disorder can be observed after a head and neck injury, as well as against the background of the vestibular device.

Headache

Again, it is extremely difficult to call this specific symptom.Head pain can accompany overwork, increased pressure and severe acute conditions.With osteochondrosis, headache occurs as a result of compression of nerve endings.This leads to the spasm of the arteries that disappear the brain as well as to increase the pressure in the central nervous system system.The result is a pronounced sensation of headache.

The characteristics of the headache in this case are a boring character and a pulse sensation.Sometimes pain can manifest with attacks and sometimes has a constant character.Pain parameters for osteochondrosis resemble the characteristics of this with hypertension, angina pectoris.The differences in headache in cardiological pathology are that it is accompanied by chest pain, heart rate, changes in the ECG.Therefore, only a doctor can finally determine the cause of pain.

Pain syndrome of various location

In addition to the headache, the patient usually cares about neck pain.This is called cervical and a complication of osteochondrosis.Painful sensations can radiate to the upper limb.Patients observe that hand pain occurs after awakening at the bottom of sudden movements.The painful sensations go through their own after a short rest.

The characteristics characteristics of pain syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis are listed below:

• Unpleasant sensations are located in deep neck tissues;
• Head turns are often accompanied by pain and crisis;
• There is muscle weakness, numbness, hand cooling.

Most of the time, neck osteochondrosis affects two lower vertebrae - 6 and 7. For a small self -diagnosis, this method is recommended.It is necessary to pay attention to the combination of pain in the neck and fingers of the hand.Most of the time, if the 6th vertebra is affected, the pain will be felt in the thumb, and the changes in the seventh vertebra are accompanied by discomfort in the middle finger.

Changes in blood pressure

This symptom appears when nerve endings and blood vessels are affected by changes in vertebrae.How to distinguish this phenomenon from hypertension?First of all, hypertension to cervical osteochondrosis is not constant and has its own jumps within one day.

Osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes:

• Vertebral.It is also called vertebrae, which indicates that cartilage bones and tissues are involved in the pathological process.This leads to the formation of such symptoms: restriction of motor activity of the neck, pain in its shifts, radiological changes in the image of the cervical spine.It is the simultaneous appearance of these signs which is a vertebral syndrome.
• Vertebral Artery Syndrome.It appears when vascular beams are involved in the process, responsible for the blood supply to the central nervous system tissues.Symptoms suggest that brain tissue has no longer receive a proper amount of nutrients.How to recognize this syndrome?The first signs are dizziness, a sense of noise in the ears, the differences in blood pressure, the appearance of a "veil" before the eyes.This suggests that one of the vertebrates is in a strangled state.Each vessel has its own nervous endings.If you squeeze those who innervate the vertebral artery - migraine, numbness, short -term decrease, on the one hand, will appear.As a result, changes in the vase lead to the fact that the brain needs oxygen.At this point, a person feels drowsiness, short -term violations of consciousness, loses attention and control, work worse and remember information.With a clinical image, it is necessary to differentiate cervical osteochondrosis with atherosclerosis of the vertebral arteries and tighten the tumor or inflammation.
• Cardial syndrome.It is manifested by the burning in the chest area, the appearance of shortness of breath.One person feels his frequent heartbeat, becomes tired and annoyed.This image is also characteristic of cardiological pathology, for example, for angina pectoris, coronary syndrome, heart attack.The exact conclusion about the causes of such symptoms can be done after the patient passes through the ECG.
• Rook Syndrome.The cervical department innerizes 8 pairs of nerves, each of which has roots - the nerve that comes out of the vertebra.When they are involved in osteochondrosis, the patient feels a decrease in sensitivity or vice versa - intense pain.There may be numbness to know if your pain, a decrease in tongue sensitivity, in the freezing area, pain in the supraculant region can be observed.Sometimes there are swallowing disorders, upper limb strap movements, fingertips.

The causes of cervical osteochondrosis

The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is the inadequate distribution of the load in the spine column.The reasons may be different - a person can use a bag or weight in one hand, takes an incorrect pose when sits or sleeps on an irregular surface.Increases the load and a tall pillow and shoes that do not correspond to the anatomical characteristics of the foot.Such reasons may seem insignificant, but they act for a long time and, as a result, lead to a logical consequence in the form of osteochondrosis.

Among the risk factors that increase the possibility of occurrence of the disease:

• Low level of physical activity;
• Increased body weight;
• transmitted spine lesions;
• Violation of posture or pathology of the foot;
• Reduced blood supply to the cervical spine.

All of this leads to the fact that the wrong position of the vertebrae is formed.Weight is not distributed to all sections in the cervical region uniformly and some of its departments carry heavy loads.The answer is a change in tissues.

In one degree or another, the situation can be aggravated:

1. Suffered serious diseases or injuries that led to an exhausted state of health;
2. Frequent tensions;
3. Violation of metabolism in the body, reduced consumption of vestigial elements, increased consumption or lack of absorption in the gut;
4. Occupational diseases (in particular, vibrational disease);
5. Hereditary tendency to osteochondrosis;
6. Scoliosis and other musculoskeletal system disorders;
7. Violation of the drink regime;
8. Low quality nutrition and bad habits;
9. Pregnancy.

As you can see, there is not only cause of osteochondrosis.There are only one set of factors that can provoke it.Again, the same reason affects different people in different ways.The state of health, duration, intensity and number of risk factors, background pathologies and way of life plays a role.

Modern treatment methods

Even before therapy prescription, the patient should modify the way of life.For this, it is necessary to change the level of loads that the cervical department experiences.It is necessary to monitor the quality of nutrition to allocate the time needed to sleep and rest, to be careful with stress.If the body has a background pathology that exacerbates the course of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to undergo a treatment course and eliminate it.The choice of treatment method depends on the stage of osteochondrosis and well -being of the patient.

The treatment can be:

• No -Drug;
• medicine;
• Surgical.

Separately, also consider folkloric methods and rehabilitation measures.

Non -Drug treatment methods consist of the use of therapeutic exercises, simulators or special devices, manual therapy and physiotherapy methods.The proper goal is facilitated by improving the blood supply in the vertebrae or slowing the ossification process.

As for manual therapy or massage, consult a doctor about your convenience.Do not be attributed to yourself these methods.In some stages of osteochondrosis, massage can only harm and lead to long immobilization.If manual therapy is performed according to indications, it is able to relieve symptoms and improve the patient's well.

From physiotherapeutic techniques, with cervical osteochondrosis, the following are used:

1. Magnetotherapy;
2. Therapeutic baths;
3. Therapeutic shower;
4. mud;
5. Electrophoresis.

The use of medicines is indicated in case of exacerbation of the situation.Many of them eliminate inflammation and acute pain, improve blood supply to tissues, restore cartilage structures, and ensure joint mobility.This is a comprehensive approach to causes and symptoms, not a unilateral solution to the problem.After taking medications properly selected, the patient again has the opportunity to move the neck, stops experimenting irritation, worsened mood, returns to normal work and sleep.

Consider groups of drugs used for cervical osteochondrosis:

Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs

They are used to reduce inflammatory phenomena in tissues, eliminate pain, relieve tightening the roots and blood vessels.With lower symptoms, ointments and gels are used, the most intense pain syndrome is interrupted by pill forms.Injection administration is prescribed with severe pain intensity and its accentuated occurrence.

They may have other trade names, but the active substance remains unchanged.The patient should take medications with the course, only after the approval of the assistant doctor.Note that these funds should be received after eating as they can irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.

Vasodilators

Its function is the expansion of the vessels that are narrowed against the bottom of the osteochondrosis course.Drugs - Pentoxifiline, Actovegin, Berlition.These drugs will relieve vertebral artery syndrome, improve blood flow to the vertebrae and the patient's well.It is necessary to monitor the lack of contrasts of these substances in the patient, as well as their compatibility with other medications that a person takes.

Muscle relaxants

The purpose of this group is a decrease in the spasm of the neck muscles.This accelerates and optimizes the treatment process, as muscle tension acts in vessels and nerve endings.Regular intake normalizes the tone of blood vessels, reduces the feeling of pain.

Chondoprotectors

Take to improve the condition of the spine cartilage elements and protect their structure from destruction.A long reception of these substances is required, otherwise they will not have the right action.Patients may not like the effect to occur only after 6 months of use.However, if this effect is achieved, it will be persistent and will significantly improve the clinical picture.

Sedatives

They are used as auxiliary substance to eliminate depressive manifestations and stress.In light cases, valerian, mother -in -law, mint and lemon are used.If depression progresses, more serious substances are required.They will improve sleep and mood, will help the patient tune into effective treatment.

Vitamins

The reception of group B vitamins. They can be recommended from food - this path of vitamin introduction is more physiological and does not have a special load in the liver.If vitamin deficiency is observed, complexes and vitamin medications can be used.This will improve sensitivity and innervation, accelerate the process of tissue restoration.

As the treatment process is prolonged and has the effect gradually, all stages of taking medications are important.Make sure the medicines are stored in the right place as shown in the packaging.If it is written in the box you need to store medications in a dark or cold place - do it, otherwise the medicine will lose its properties.Note the duration of the course and the frequency of application - some substances tend to accumulate in the body and only then have the right effect.

If the introduction path is injectable, the procedure should be performed by medical personnel or a trained person, because the correct introduction increases efficiency.Tablet forms should be taken after meals washed with water.Pay attention to this moment, as other liquids are not suitable for this.The combination of grapefruit and drug juice is especially dangerous - enzymes contained in this fruit decrease liver function and reduce drug delivery to the fabric.

Surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

This method is used when cervical osteochondrosis led to a narrowing of the lumen from the spine spine.This can happen as a result of a hernia or disc protrusion.Channel narrowing is accompanied by significant stenosis of vessels and compression of nerve beams.If an isolated hernia of the intervertebral discs is observed, this is also an indication for surgical intervention.The operation is required for spondylolistz - a displacement of the axis vertebrae.In addition to these indications, the doctor pays attention to the patient's quality of life, his condition, the severity of symptoms.

Types of surgical interventions:

• Supported Spondylodeza.The essence is to eliminate the damaged disc and replace it with a mobile connection, a prosthesis that performs the function of a remote structure;
• Dynamic stabilization of the spine.A silicone implant is introduced between wiring processes along the column, which properly distributes the load and stabilizes the vertebrae;
• Vaporization of the core of the disc with a laser beam.This is a modern technique that shows good results.The laser affects the core of the disc, reducing its size and eliminating hernia.The intervention is attractive, can be performed under local anesthesia.However, a set of indications for this manipulation is limited, can only be done at this stage.When a hernia size is not greater than 6 mm.This is once again focused on why the early search of a doctor and a timely diagnosis are useful.

Surgical interventions are performed in a hospital.Depending on the degree of complexity of treatment, the duration of the postoperative period and rehabilitation differ.Surgical intervention implies an additional complex of medicines - medicines for patient preparation, painkillers, antibacterial therapy for the prevention of septic complications.

Diagnosis

The beginning of the diagnosis is the beginning of the patient's address to the doctor and the list of symptoms.The doctor listens to the patient's complaints, details them, forms from symptoms of syndromes.In addition, the expert needs details on clinical manifestations: the time of occurrence, if the treatment methods were used and what influence, the nature of pain, the periods of pressure increase and more were used.In important information, there is information about an uncomfortable position during sleep, work, bad habits, background disease.All this is clear during the conversation.

X -ray is performed in direct and side projections.A functional radiological study is performed simultaneously with neck rotation.The contrast of the spinal canal is used to better visualize the affected areas.The contrast can be introduced to the vase or the disc itself, depending on which the method is called angiography or discography.In the image you can see fabric seals, calcification deposits, displacement of spine structures.

As for resonance tomography magnetically, this is the most informative method, which is also painless and fast.The doctor can see damage and establish the severity of the process.Tomography scanning will help the surgeon prepare for the operation, determine hernia, changes in nerve endings and blood vessels.

Magnetic resonance imaging is performed in the absence of against -indications that are metal objects in the body, claustrophobia.pregnancy.

Computed tomography also provides an accurate diagnostic image.The study does not take much time - about 10 minutes and does not require special preparation.The radiation load in this study is small, which makes tomography safe for health.Against -indications - pregnancy and lactation, children's age.

In addition to methods that allow you to view the pathological process, it is necessary to use additional diagnostic manipulations.

This includes an ultrasound study of the head and neck vessels.The indications for the diagnosis are dizziness, headache and pressure falls.The expert will determine the forgness of blood vessels and the state of blood flow.The most informative method in this case is a duplex scan of blood vessels.

Prevention

As you can see, cervical osteochondrosis has a diverse clinic, many syndromes and requires a serious approach, both in diagnosis and treatment.If you pay attention to your sensations, listen to your body and respond to your signs, an early diagnosis is possible.In the early stages of the disease - treatment has a high effect.

To do this, contact a profile expert and analyze the necessary research methods.High quality and timely treatment will avoid complications, will improve the good -to be quality of life, eliminate depression and normalize sleep.Tune in a positive way and you can again feel freedom of movement.