Osteochondrosis is a distribution depth disease, during which there is a violation of the structure and function of intervertebral discs.Neck osteochondrosis is damage to the cervical column.
During the pathological process with osteochondrosis of the pulp neck of the intervertebral disc (its central and soft part) osifies, losing its depreciation properties.The cervical column loses flexibility, mobility, blood vessels and nerve endings are violated in the channels between the vertebrae.The peculiarity of this pathology is that its symptoms may resemble the signs of other diseases, as a result of which the diagnosis of the disease is difficult and the proper treatment is prescribed too late when irreversible changes have already begun in the cartilage tissue.
Cervical osteochondrosis, whose symptoms and treatment will be described below, as well as cervical osteochondrosis, are developed in middle and advanced age, earlier in men, and something later in women, and in recent years a significant "significant rejuvenation of the neck osteochondrosis has been observed.Of course, over the years, even in a healthy column, the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs is replaced by fibrous fibers over time, it is compact and harden.This process is natural, leads to a decrease in the mobility of the spine, but by pain, as a rule, it is not accompanied, since fibrosis processes do not affect nerve endings and do not cause infraction.Unlike natural physiological changes, pathological changes in intervertebral discs, characteristic of osteochondrosis, spread out of cartilage, which causes the compression of blood vessels and nerve endings, pain and vascular syndrome.
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis
In part in the development of the "guilty" neck osteochondrosis, the discomfort of the modern person and the corresponding distribution of loads along the spine, as well as the natural processes of aging of the body's tissues, in addition, there is a series of development and progression of this pathology:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- long stay in the same position during work;
- excess body weight;
- ongoing column lesions in the neck;
- chronic stress, constant nerve tension;
- Regular hypothermia of the muscles of the collar zone (for example, when it is near the air flow from the air conditioning);
- Congenital vertebral anomalies and intervertebral discs.
What is the dangerous osteochondrosis of the neck?
First, neck osteochondrosis complicates a series of movements, makes them painful, putting their contribution in the patient's hypodinine, who in itself is harmful.A vicious circle arises: the small physical activity causes osteochondrosis, which makes the patient even less physically active, which in turn contributes to the progression of the disease.
In addition, in the channels along the vertebrae of the cervical region, the most important nerve plexuses and blood vessels, irritation and infraction whose cause pain pains, chronic dizziness, destabilization of blood pressure, which can make the patient is inconsistent, significantly reduces the quality of his life.
The special danger of neck osteochondrosis is in its difficult diagnosis and a high probability of inappropriate and inappropriate treatment.
Cervical osteochondrosis symptoms
The manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are worn, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.As a result, the patient, as a rule, addresses the doctor even when the processes in the intervertebral joints were an irreversible character.The most important symptoms of neck osteochondrosis include:
- dizziness;
- headache;
- Acute changes in blood pressure.
All listed signs are not specific, they can be indicated not only for cervical or cervical osteochondrosis, but also for many other diseases.Therefore, it is very important for any of these symptoms to consult a doctor and undergo a complete medical exam to find out the true cause of the condition.
In addition, cervicalgia is characteristic of neck osteochondrosis or neck pain.It can be located on the back, "in the depths" of the neck and give it to the shoulder, hand.The sudden beginning of an attack of pain is characteristic, immediately after awakening, after sneezing or coughing, laughter, acute movement.The pain, as a rule, is moderate, is combined with a crunch in the cervical vertebrae when trying to turn the head, and if the process has not yet accepted an irreversible current, after a while it reduces by itself.
Separately, it should be said about fluctuations in blood pressure in cervical osteochondrosis.This is an nonspecific symptom, but there are some signs according to which the connection of blood pressure jumps with osteochondrosis can be established.Such connection is characterized by fluctuations in blood pressure throughout the day.Long -term hypertension, on the contrary, is atypical for osteochondrosis.The cause of pressure fluctuations is in the reflex reaction of nerve endings on the walls of blood vessels in response to their irritation and compression.As a general rule, blood pressure jumps for osteochondrosis are accompanied by headache, extremities pain, sensitivity to muscle and skin deteriorated in the collar zone.
In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by several syndromes (combinations of several symptoms):
- Vertebral - Several symptoms associated with the damage to the bone tissue of the vertebrae (the pain in the neck when trying to turn the head, the violation of the mobility of the cervical column, the morphological changes in the backbone bodies and the intervertebral discs);
- Vail artery syndrome - Several symptoms that indicate the connection of the pathological process with the vertebral arteries.With insufficient blood flow in the artery, when compressed, noise in the ears, dizziness, blood pressure skills, nausea to vomiting, a feeling of impressive.The irritation of nerve endings on the walls of the arteries is manifested by migraines, the flickering of "flies in the eyes" and a temporary decrease in visual acuity.The oxygen hunger of brain tissue, which feeds the vertebral arteries, is manifested by fainting, chronic drowsiness, a slight constant headache, a feeling of weakness, a decrease in the concentration of attention and performance.The syndrome is characteristic not only for osteochondrosis, but also for atherosclerosis and other pathologies of circulatory disorders in the vertebral arteries;
- Koreshka - It occurs due to the compression of spinal nerve roots, a defeat with one side is characteristic.Typical symptoms: pain, deteriorated sensitivity, paresis and hands, face and neck paralysis;
- Cardiac - Several symptoms that occur as a result of reflex disorders of the heart (pain, burning behind the sternum, lack of breath, tachycardia).
The degree of neck osteochondrosis
The first grade - Characterizes the initial stage of the disease, clinically manifested by the pain in the neck after sudden movements, sneezing.The pain is acute, it resembles the discharge of electric current.At the same time, the damage to the intervertebral disc capsule is morphologically, which causes irritation of nerve endings.The neck pain can be accompanied by pain in the back of the head, noise in the ears, flickering flies in front of their eyes.
The second grade - The period of progression of the disease.At this stage, the pain in the neck becomes constant, there is a narrowing of the intervertebral holes and in this sense: the regular infraction of the roots of the spinal nerves and the vessels that take place in them.The intervertebral joint capsule is thinner, the pathological mobility of the column in this area occurs.Muscle atrophy.The fluctuation of blood pressure is characteristic.In a severe course of the disease, a "symptom of a head that falls" can appear: the need to support the head with one hand to relieve pain and fix it in a certain position.
The third grade It is characterized by the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, as a result of which the complications of osteochondrosis are possible: dyslocations of vertebrae, intervertebral hernias, curvature of the spine.The pain is intense, he shakes his hand, in addition to the pain in the neck is disturbed by headaches, dizziness, sharp jumps in blood pressure, the patient loses work capacity.
Cervical osteochondrosis diagnosis
The diagnosis of "neck osteochondrosis" is performed on the basis of the patient exam and survey, the degree of morphological changes in the intervertebral discs helps to establish an X -ray exam and magnetic resonance images.In addition, it is important to exclude other diseases with similar symptoms: heart attack, hypertension, organic brain damage, migraine, which requires consultations of related specialists.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical column
The volume of therapeutic measures for neck osteochondrosis depends directly on the degree of the pathological process.The treatment will be more effective than before starting, therefore, it is especially important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, with the first episodes of pain in the neck, dizziness, without expecting the painful symptoms to pass on their own.
In the initial stage of the disease, the treatment of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column is reduced to eliminating pain syndrome using NSAIDs and analgesics from the local ointment (ointment, creams) or systemic (tablets, injections) of action.In addition, the restoration of normal metabolic processes in the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discCondroprotectors stimulate the production processes in the cartilage tissue of the proteoglycans that form the cartilage structure.At the same time, inflammation and destructive processes in cartilaginous tissue are suppressed.
With the progression of the pathological process, an addition to the therapy described can serve as antispasmodic and muscle relaxants to eliminate muscle spasm.The doctor may recommend the novocaine blocking to relieve pain, however, this method can be attributed exclusively to palliative, allowing the elimination of painful symptoms, but does not affect the course of neck osteochondrosis.With advanced osteochondrosis, surgical treatment can be the only effective remedy, since conservative treatment possibilities at this stage are exhausted.
Physiotherapeutic methods to treat osteochondrosis have been well demonstrated: electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, ultrasonic therapy, mud.The traditionally important parts of the complex treatment of osteochondrosis are massage and manual therapy.
It should be remembered that all physiotherapy methods should be used only if neck osteochondrosis is in the remission stage, otherwise it can only activate the pathological process.Any manipulation during massage should be as soft as possible.
Medical Physical Education (exercise therapy) with cervical osteochondrosis
An important role in the treatment of osteochondrosis is acquired through exercise therapy.The methods of physiotherapy exercises are different, however, their general essence does not change: an orderly restoration of healthy mobility of the affected area of the spine and, associated with this stimulation of the blood supply and the nutrition of the cartilage tissue.With the diagnosis of "cervical osteochondrosis", the exercises must be as saving as possible, the load in the column is minimal.Sudden turns, rotational movements, deep inclinations are unacceptable, which can contribute to the damage to the intervertebral joint capsule and aggravate the pathological process.
Cervical Osteochondrosis Prevention
The cartilage is not restored and, therefore, it is advisable to avoid its progression that then try to deal with the consequences.The basis of cervical osteochondrosis prevention is a healthy lifestyle, reasonable mobility, rational nutrition, body weight control, small breaks in gymnastics with sedentary professional activity.In addition, to the first signs of cervical column dysfunction, you must consult a doctor and if there are indications of starting to take condoprotectors that help normalize metabolism in the cartilage and significantly reduce the progression of the disease.