Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can occur at any age. Most often this disease occurs in the elderly, and not only neck lesions can be observed. However, at present there is an aggravation of the dystrophic processes of the neck in young people who work mainly mentally. It is understood that it is very difficult to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis, but you can stop its progression and significantly improve a person's well-being.
Reasons and mechanism of formation
Cervical dystrophic processes begin slowly. The main causes of the disease are a sedentary lifestyle and violations of some types of mineral metabolism.
If you eliminate the causes that triggered osteochondrosis of the neck, it will be possible to cure some of its manifestations quite successfully. Otherwise, the person's condition will only worsen if the effect of the cause continues.
Under the influence of the root cause that caused the neck osteochondrosis, the following changes occur:
- the starting point is a blockage in the lymphatic and circulatory system;
- then there are degenerative-destructive changes in the intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock absorber between the vertebrae; its height and plasticity decrease;
- a little later there is growth of bone tissue of the vertebrae;
- all of this leads to a restriction in the mobility of the spine, an increase in pressure on the vessels and nerves that run through the bone apparatus of the spine.
The earlier the appropriate treatment is started, the greater the chances of slowing the progression of the disease and even healing the person completely.
A worsening of the disease can be caused by external or internal influences. It could be a viral infection, a cold temperature, significant physical activity, or even an increase in air pressure. The stronger the cause of the exacerbation, the more pronounced the signs of the disease.
Features of cervical osteochondrosis
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis gradually increase, and at the onset of the disease they practically do not bother the patient. Dizziness can only be noticed occasionally. However, cervical osteochondrosis cannot be ignored: symptoms in the later stages of the disease are difficult to get rid of.
Since the cervical spine is directly connected to the brain, numerous complaints of the central nervous system are found in this particular zone when there are degenerative changes. This is due to a gradual and increasing deterioration in blood circulation and metabolic disorders in the brain.
The main symptoms that can be observed in many patients are those that indicate brain damage:
- sudden changes in blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- Burning sensation in the temples and diffuse headache;
- the temperature rarely rises to low values.
In combination with the above symptoms, there are signs of damage to the neck itself:
- Pain that eventually radiates backwards, into the arms, and into the back of the head;
- Limitation of mobility when tilting and / or turning the head, cracking, crunching, numbness or burning sensation in the neck;
- body temperature is normal.
As the osteochondrosis progresses, the person's condition worsens, the exacerbation occurs more frequently and more severely, it will be very difficult to completely cure a person over time, and it will only be possible to alleviate their suffering a little.
In contrast to inflammatory processes, the temperature rarely changes. In the later stages of osteochondrosis of the neck, the exacerbation practically does not go away, there is a combined severe damage to the brain and spine:
- jumps in blood pressure or persistently high blood pressure;
- constant dizziness and headache, worse with light exertion;
- pain, burning sensation and restricted neck mobility;
- Body temperature can rise slightly, but more often it remains normal.
The so-called vertebral artery lesion syndrome occurs quite often when the degenerative-dystrophic process covers the middle part of the neck. Such a person almost constantly feels a throbbing headache, pressure and burning in the temples, congestion and tinnitus when turning his head - dizziness and even loss of consciousness. It is almost impossible to cure vertebral artery compression syndrome.
In some people, on the contrary, you can observe signs of damage to the upper limbs (with predominant changes in the cervical and brachial plexus):
- Burning or numbness in all parts of the upper limbs;
- Dizziness is rare;
- lowered the skin temperature.
The consequences of osteochondrosis can be very serious: persistent headaches and dizziness, memory and attention disorders, constant numbness of the entire neck.
Treatment methods
An almost complete restoration of the initial state of the osteoarticular apparatus can only be achieved in the early stages of osteochondrosis and after its cause has been eliminated. Worsening of the disease requires even more intensive treatment. In the later stages, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, dizziness, and inflammatory changes. You can cure cervical osteochondrosis with:
- Chondroprotectors to restore the original structure of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to relieve pain and inflammation;
- multivitamin complexes with a high content of B vitamins to improve the trophism of nervous tissue;
- nootropics to correct severe disorders in brain tissue;
- A complex of physical therapy exercises and massages (if there is no severe dizziness and no high blood pressure);
- Physiotherapy (water, iontophoresis, magnetotherapy), while the temperature and pressure of the factor should be high enough and burning is considered a positive effect.
Much in the treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the patient himself. The earlier the necessary therapy is started, the more carefully the person complies with medical regulations, the greater the chances of success and the patient's quality of life.