A sitting lifestyle, which is characteristic of office workers and those who would like to relax in front of the television or behind the monitor screen, often cause osteochondrosis. The first signs of this disease can manifest themselves at the age of 25, and if it is not treated, complications can lead to serious consequences.
In the article we will consider what osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is, the main causes of this disease, their symptoms and stages, treatment methods and other questions that arise in patients with osteochondrosis.
The causes of osteochondrosis
The main causes that can cause osteochondrosis:
- improper nutrition and overweight;
- Violations of attitude, scoliosis, rheumatism, flat feet;
- Settling lifestyle: sitting work (driver, office worker), lack of physical exertion, etc. ;
- Injuries in the neck, spine injuries;
- Too much physical activity, unusual for the body;
- Nervous tension, frequent loads;
- hereditary disposition for the development of the disease;
- Wrong development of the cervical spine.
Most of the above reasons cause a strain on the cervical vertebrae, with the muscle cramp occurring. For this reason, the blood circulation process is disturbed, the effectiveness of metabolic processes is reduced, which causes degenerative changes. The structure of the intervertebral discs changes, they are diluted and deformed and speak beyond the spine.
The cause of osteochondrosis is often a progressive pane that spreads to neighboring vertebrae or bone tissue. It occurs most often with longer physical exertion in lumbar and cervix and almost never touches the chest.
Development stages of osteochondrosis
The development of osteochondrosis goes through several stages that are characterized by certain signs and symptoms. We will look at these phases below.
Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree of the cervix region (preclinical stage)
Usually only a slight smoothing of the neck lord can is observed in the early stages of the development of the disease. Patients have pain that mix with the curves and tilting the head, tension and a quick tiredness of the muscles in the back and lower back. At this stage, osteochondrosis is healed without medication, it is sufficient to change the diet, carry out exercises and other events.
Osteochondrosis 2 degrees
In the second phase between the vertebrae, instability is observed, the patient begins to disturb a more intensive pain that regularly gives it to his hands or shoulders, the pain is also reinforced with curves and heads of the head. This is done by the violation of the nerves because the height of the intervertebral discs decreases. The patients notice a quick fatigue, lack of lack, reduction in performance levels and headaches.
Osteochondrosis 3 degrees
The pain begins to reinforce at this stage, it occurs not only on the neck, but also in his shoulders, there are hands. The hand muscles become weaker, deafness is observed because hernia begins to form of intervertebral discs. In this case, the diagnosis shows the low mobility of the cervix region. The patients are concerned about dizziness and weakness.
Osteochondrosis 4 degrees
In the last stage, the intermediate disks are destroyed by connective tissue. The pathological process affects several segments of the comb at the same time, which can be in different stages of destruction. In patients, violation of coordination, dizziness and pain is reinforced, there is noise in the ears and other disorders.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Even the initial stage of the disease can be identified according to the following signs:
Headache for osteochondrosis of the cervix region
- Pain in the neck, neck, shoulders or arms;
- Hand weakness;
- Crunch and pain during the head movements;
- General weakness, fatigue, impairment of coordination, dizziness;
- Reduction of the sharpness of seeing and hearing, deafness of the language.
One of the most common signs is dizziness for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. At the same time, the symptoms of dizziness from the noise and ringing in the ears (reduced hearing light), the sensations of disorientation, migraines as well as nausea and vomiting can be accompanied. The treatment of dizziness for cervical osteochondrosis does not require any special methods and medicines and occurs in parallel to general therapy. In addition, it is the doctor who realizes how to treat these symptoms that you should not try to get rid of dizziness with folk methods.
Another unpleasant consequence is common headaches, especially in women. Migraines can occur several times a day and cause unpleasant and painful sensations.
Signs of the disease of the cervix region manifest themselves in a slightly different way than the osteochondrosis of the other spine, since the vertebrae in the throat are close together. The height of the intervertebral discs is low, which leads to complications even with minor degenerative changes.
Diagnosis of chondrosis of the cervical spine
The following methods are used to diagnose the disease in medicine:
- Radiography. This method is particularly ineffective in the last stages of developing osteochondrosis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A method with which you can see bone structures, hernias of intervertebral discs, their size and development direction.
- Computer tomography. A less effective solution than an MRI because the presence and size of hernia is difficult.
- Ultrasound -Duplex scanning. This method is used in cases in which a violation of blood flow is suspected in the arteries. With scanning you can determine the speed of blood flow and whether there are obstacles.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Various methods are used for the treatment of such disease such as osteochondrosis: medicines, physiotherapy, massage of the cervical brotherly zone for the blood supply to the brain and the therapeutic gymnastics and the maintenance of proper diet. It is the combination of all methods that deal with cervical chaudrosis that achieve a real result in the fight against the disease.
Despite the fact that women are more susceptible to headache and deafness of the limbs in this disease, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women does not differ from their treatment in men: the same medication and exercises are prescribed.
First aid with severe pain
Pain relievers can be used for severe pain. If the drugs mentioned above do not make relief, the NSAIDs can be taken.
"Distracting" means are often used, for example a pepper stain that does not heal, but only hears an inflamed area and distracts from pain. In edema in the inflammatory zone, the patient can drink infusion of herbs or diuretic for 3-4 days. Is it possible to heal osteochondrosis with such methods? These measures are only temporary; You need to consult a doctor to treat causes.
It should be noted which doctor treats osteochondrosis. If the suspicion arises that the causes of pain in the cervical spine are the occurrence of osteochondrosis, you should contact a neuropathologist. It is this specialist who deals with diseases of this kind. In some medical facilities there are closely related specialists who are involved in exactly the spine diseases. If your clinic has a vertebrologist, you should deal with the question of how this disease heals immediately.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with medication
| The name of the drug group | The effect of the drug | |
| Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medication | Reduce pain, relieve swelling and inflammation of the damaged roof of the nerve. | |
| B vitamins | Contribute to improving the metabolic processes in the nerve tissue. | |
| Chondroprotectors | Write back the cartilage. | |
| Medicines that aim to improve the rheological properties of blood and blood flow | Improve the blood flow process to the brain and the diet of damaged nerve endings. | |
| Musorelaxants | Medicines whose effect aims to reduce muscle cramp. |
When accepting the tablets from osteochondrosis, it should be remembered that the significant effect of drug treatment with tablets is only carried out if it is combined with other methods, including exercises. It should also be noted that the appealing doctor must prescribe than to treat the disease based on its stage and other signs.
Many doctors look at the treatment of neck osteochondrosis injections effectively, as they enable this to quickly influence the end of the nerves and cause a minimum of unwanted reactions. At the same time, it is better to take vitamins in the form of tablets because there is no difference for assimilation, but the introduction of injections can be painful.
Injections used for treatment:
- Injections cause general strengthening and anti -inflammatory effect;
- Blocks are introduced directly into the affected place, which leads to a quick effect.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics has the maximum effect and is the safest during recovery. When performing physiotherapy exercises, the patient should not have any pain or do not feel uncomfortable.
Exercises for the cervical spine aim to strengthen the muscles of the neck, which not only overcomes the disease, but also serves as prevention for its occurrence.
For clarity and more precise execution, we give a video of exercises on the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home
Home treatment methods are just a supplement to a complex that is prescribed by a doctor, and they do not help to get rid of the disease completely. Before treating osteochondrosis at home, be sure to consult a doctor to make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary medication. It is the doctor who should determine how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home
The house is used for treatment: recipes for traditional medicine (developed to alleviate muscle pain and voltages, improve blood circulation), physiotherapy exercises and the mandatory massage of the Zervix-Chese zone at home.
People's recipes for removing pain in the neck zone:
- Attach the horseradish sheet inside the neck and repair it with a bandage or a breath. Before use, it is necessary to scatter it with boiling water and cool it to room temperature. It is advisable to appear before going to bed and leave the association all night.
- Cut the potatoes finely and mix them with honey in the same ratio. The mixture looks like an ointment in consistency. Use at least once a week as a compress.
- Remove the fountain's pain. For this purpose you can use mustard plasters, a bag with heated sand, peppers or alcohol.
Patients often look for ways to treat or relieve pain in various forums and similar sources. It should be noted that no single forum and its visitors will be able to correctly diagnose the stage of the disease and the methods of its treatment. The question is whether osteochondrosis is treated in your case and how this is necessary if a qualified doctor should decide on the basis of diagnostics.
Therapeutic massage for the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Massage is necessary to strengthen the muscle tone and relieve pain. Depending on which stage is osteochondrosis, the massage technology is selected. However, experts use all the techniques of classic massage: rubbing, stroking, kneading, etc. In cases where the patient hurts only on one side, the massage begins in the healthy part of the neck and gradually moves to the part of the collar zone in which pain occurs.
The massage can be carried out at home, but very carefully so as not to cause deterioration and not to damage the patient. The patient must take the position of lying down, put his forehead on his hands and stretch the chin to the chest. At the same time, the neck muscles should be completely relaxed. The prophylaxis of the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
In order to prevent the occurrence and development of the disease, doctors recommend that you adhere to simple rules:
- Play sport (particularly efficient swimming);
- Include in the diet products that contain a large amount of magnesium and calcium and other seafood, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, dairy products and cheese, spinach etc. , do not use spicy pepper, salty, grapes, sugar, flour products, smoked products).
- During the day during the day a warm up;
- Choose comfortable pillows and mattress.
The implementation of these simple recommendations can protect you from the occurrence of osteochondrosis at any age.
The article examined the causes, symptoms and the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which range from medical intervention to building services. This disease can be healed, including without surgery, but all the methods should be used: take medication, carry out exercises and do it massage.