Osteochondrosis in medicine is commonly called dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs. Such a problem can appear in a person at absolutely any age. Dysfunction of the intervertebral discs can provoke the development of many unpleasant concomitant health problems. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately pay attention to the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and then proceed to immediate treatment.
General Description of the Disease
The cervical spine includes 8 paired nerve nodes, as well as 7 vertebrae. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as a rule, develops due to the fact that the intervertebral pulp degenerates into glazed tissue. In parallel with this, pathological changes adversely affect the end of nerve fibers, as well as important vessels. Basically, this pathology affects the 8th and 7th vertebrae.
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are very easy to confuse with other pathologies. During the disease, headache attacks are observed, as well as discomfort in the neck. Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are also accompanied by dizziness, nausea, and pressure problems. In most cases, this disease is confused with vascular and heart diseases.
It is important to note that often against the background of pathology with the vertebrae, the patient begins to sharply lose consciousness, feels a lack of air, and sometimes even the tongue can become numb. Therefore, the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is necessary, as they say, "know in person."
This unpleasant disease is diagnosed mainly in people whose age is more than 30 years. This is due to the peculiarities of the location of the human skeleton, as well as constant dynamic and statistical loads. But it is worth paying attention to the fact that the disease has been rapidly growing younger recently, as a result of which signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men are observed even in adolescence.
Causes of the disease
The development of this unpleasant disease is affected by pathological and physiological processes. All of them are closely related to each other, and in medical practice, specialists constantly consider them together.
As for physiological changes, they are caused by irreversible age-related processes that occur in the cartilage of the spine. These changes are localized in the central region of the intervertebral disc. The physiological signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men are manifested as pinched pulp by some fibrous tissues. With irritation of the nerve endings, the patient begins to experience discomfort.
Pathological changes are such a process when the area of inflammation extends beyond the zone of cartilage. Pathological signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men can cause severe irritation in the area of nerve endings, as well as pinching of blood vessels. Such changes can occur against the background of malnutrition, due to a sedentary lifestyle. In addition, pathological changes are often observed in adolescents and people belonging to the middle age category.
It is important to note that the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men in some cases disappear on their own or appear as short-term episodes. The human body has many protective and compensatory functions, which for some time have been able to level these pathological changes in the cartilage.
Provocative factors
The following factors can provoke the development of this unpleasant disease:
- Excess weight.
- Lack of constant physical activity, as well as sedentary work.
- Stressful conditions and nervous loads.
- The patient's body is often in an uncomfortable position.
- Injuries to the neck and neck.
- Hypothermia.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women can occur due to a congenital anomaly, as well as due to autoimmune diseases.
Key features
It should be noted that cervical osteochondrosis is sometimes not accompanied by pain in a specific part of the spine. Quite often, this disease has a vague clinical picture. The main signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women should include dizziness, sudden changes in blood pressure, migraine. However, symptoms should be highlighted in which urgent hospitalization of the patient is required:
- An increasing headache, accompanied by a deterioration in overall health.
- Loss of mobility of the muscles of the shoulder girdle or face, numbness.
- Lack of coordination of movements.
- Loss of consciousness.
Considering the signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you should pay attention to the fact that painful sensations are often given to the upper limbs and shoulder girdle. A distinctive feature in this case is pain, which is paroxysmal in nature. Basically, this soreness occurs after waking up, during laughter, sudden movements, sneezing and coughing.
When answering the question about what signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical region concern the patient, one should pay attention to the fact that at the initial stage of this disease, the pain quickly subsides, often there is a crunch in the neck, muscles become weaker, and the skin loses its sensitivity.
If there are pathological changes in the sixth vertebra, then soreness can be felt in the thumb. And if the changes affected the seventh vertebra, then the pain manifests itself on the middle finger.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine in women, as a rule, appear later than in the strong half of humanity.
Relationship with other diseases
The manifestation of signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women may be associated with other diseases. For example, specialists have long been established a relationship between blood pressure and cervical osteochondrosis. This unpleasant disease is characterized by sharp changes in blood pressure throughout the day, and persistent hypertension is irrelevant for this disease.
An increase in pressure during osteochondrosis may be accompanied by pain in the arms, chest, legs, and noise in the head. Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine at the same time include a decrease in the sensitivity of the skin in the collar zone. Constant stress and prolonged being in an uncomfortable position can trigger a jump in blood pressure.
Dizziness and cervical osteochondrosis occur due to severe pain , impaired cerebral circulation, as well as due to the transmission of nerve signals. It can also occur due to problems with the vestibular apparatus. The initial signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine include unsystematic dizziness. In this case, the patient does not feel rotating objects, but there is severe nausea. It is very difficult for the patient to be in a standing position.
It is important to note that during dizziness it is necessary not only to visit a neurologist, but also to visit an ENT specialist so that this specialist excludes the presence of a pathological change in the nasopharynx.
In most cases, osteochondrosis is accompanied by a headache. It occurs due to vascular spasms, increased intracranial pressure, pinched nerve endings. Pain can manifest itself in different ways, be it dull or throbbing.
During osteochondrosis, headache attacks are similar to sensations that occur with increased blood pressure, heart attack, angina pectoris and stroke.
Panic attacks can occur during osteochondrosis against the background of existing disorders in the cerebral circulation. The patient at the same time experiences physical discomfort and unreasonable fear. The duration of such an attack can be from several minutes to 1 hour. Attacks can be repeated several times a day. In addition, panic attacks are accompanied by incessant tears, a feeling of a heavy head, lethargy and apathy. If the patient has severe attacks, then you need to regularly go to a psychiatrist and take tranquilizers.
Depression and fears arise with this disease against the background of constant pain, as well as a forced change in the usual way of life.
Diagnostic method
Most patients with osteochondrosis experience pain in the neck, in the hands and in the chest. Such a blurry picture of the disease greatly complicates the initial diagnosis. In addition, the uncontrolled intake of pain medication drugs inhibits the timely diagnosis. A patient who does not experience pain feels completely healthy. As a result of this, people seek medical help too late when irreversible processes begin to develop in the tissues on the cervical joints.
Diagnosis involves an x-ray, after which it will be possible to see the r-signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. After radiography, the patient is prescribed a course of treatment. With the instability of the r-signs of cervical osteochondrosis, the following symptoms will be observed:
- Angular deformation of the affected segments.
- Displacement of the vertebrae to the side, back or forward.
- If within 2 vertebrae there are deviations on the vertical axis by more than 2 mm, then this indicates pathology.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that radiography is an ineffective diagnostic method, especially at the last stage of osteochondrosis.
Also, during the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging can be assigned to the patient. MR signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine help to establish a diagnosis for the patient. During tomography, a specialist can see bone structures, a hernia on the intervertebral discs, as well as their development direction and size. If MR signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are detected in time, then the disease can be quickly overcome.
No less effective solution than MRI is computed tomography. This procedure allows you to identify CT signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the fact that computed tomography much better reveals the presence and size of a hernia.
Drug treatment
After the diagnosis, the specialist diagnoses the patient and prescribes the appropriate treatment. Drug treatment is aimed at combating pain, inflammation. Medication can restore normal mobility and blood circulation. The main groups of drugs in the treatment of this disease are the following:
- Various analgesics in the form of injections and tablets to eliminate pain. Most often, Diclofenac or Piroxicam is prescribed for these purposes.
- Steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Dexamethasone or Prednisolone.
- Chondroprotectors, restoring cartilage. Basically, Chondroxide, Neurobeks, Teraflex are appointed for these purposes.
- Muscle relaxants are prescribed to relax muscles.
- Additionally, vitamin complexes are prescribed, which should contain all the vitamins of group B, C, D, as well as ascorbic acid and retinol.
- For external use, funds in the form of ointments, gels can be used. The most effective are Nurofen and Voltaren, which improve blood circulation, relieve pain and cramps, anesthetize and warm.
You should also pay attention to the fact that those vitamins contained in food will not be enough to treat this unpleasant disease. Therefore, you can use the complex preparation "Milgamma", which contains vitamins of group B, as well as "Lidocaine".
It is also recommended to take medications that can improve cerebral circulation with existing cervical osteochondrosis. Reception of such funds is an essential component of the treatment of this disease. Cavinton and Tanakan are able to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow. "Piracetam" and "Ceraxon" are nootropic drugs that improve metabolic processes in the brain. In addition, these remedies well restore thinking and memory.
Surgical intervention
Surgery to treat osteochondrosis is very rare. However, the patient can not do without surgery in cases where paralysis of the upper extremities is observed. Surgery is also required if the patient has cerebral edema.
Adjunctive therapy
As an additional therapeutic measure, massage is recommended. Also, specialists in the complex advise using manual therapy in the form of jerky translational movements. Very effective are: metered traction, relaxing techniques and acupuncture.
Home treatment
In combination with drug treatment, unconventional recipes can also be used. Home therapy involves performing special exercises and techniques on a regular basis, using certain orthopedic appliances. As a supportive treatment, traditional medicine recipes can be used.
To eliminate tension in the spine, reduce stress, strengthen neck muscles, you can use the Shants collar. The neck and head are fixed in a certain position. Thanks to this, you can overcome insomnia, and also prevent the development of pathological changes. This collar must be worn for several hours before bedtime. In no case can it be used all day.
With self-massage, pain and cramping can be eliminated. And during this procedure, it is recommended to rub an ointment in addition, which can improve blood flow. Massage is done in a sitting position, the posture should be comfortable and relaxed. During it, stroking, circular grinding. When carrying out such a procedure, not only the neck, but also the shoulder girdle is affected.
It is important to note that with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, it is forbidden to use any type of heating, with the exception of the sauna or bath.
Special Baths
You can get rid of soreness and inflammation with the help of therapeutic baths. Such procedures well help to relax the spine. Baths should be carried out every other day, and the course of treatment should include from 15 to 20 procedures. Bath Recipes:
- Mix 300 g of mint and chamomile. Herbs brew 10 liters of boiling water. Let it brew for 2 hours, then filter.
- Take 40 g of lemon balm, the same amount of birch and mint leaves. The resulting composition to brew 12 liters of boiling water, let it brew for 2 hours. After this, filter the broth, pour into the bath.
- To prepare an infusion based on sage, you need to take 300 g of this ingredient and 5 liters of boiling water. Let it brew for 2 hours, strain, after which it can be used.
For oral administration, you can use the infusion based on yarrow. Thanks to this, you can quickly get rid of inflammation, pain and cramping. To prepare the infusion, you need to take 230 ml of boiling water and 6 g of yarrow herb. Allow the broth to infuse for an hour in a closed container. The finished product is taken three times a day for 15 ml.
Very effective in the fight against osteochondrosis is a solution consisting of 1 liter of water and 15 g of sea salt. The saline solution must be brought to a boil, after which it must completely cool. In the resulting composition, natural fabric is wetted, after which it is applied to the back of the neck.
Possible complications
If the diagnosis was timely performed, the treatment was correct, then the disease should proceed without any complications. Otherwise, quite severe pathological processes may develop, which in the future can provoke disability. Cervical osteochondrosis can be dangerous to human health. The main hazards include the following:
- Vertebral artery syndrome, in which there are organic and functional changes caused by circulatory disorders in the brain.
- Arrhythmia and high blood pressure.
- Muscle atrophy in the upper limbs, weakness, numbness.
- The formation of hernia, protrusion.
- Neurological disorders.
- VSD.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures of osteochondrosis involve the simplest actions, with the regular implementation of which you can prevent the occurrence of serious problems with your health. It is especially important to observe prevention for the elderly, as well as those who spend too much time in a sitting position. To prevent the development of osteochondrosis, it is necessary:
- Take a hot shower every day for at least 10 minutes.
- Periodically go to the sauna, bathhouse to eliminate neck pinches and cramping.
- Sleep only on a special mattress and orthopedic pillow.
- With sedentary work, do at least 5 minutes of warm-up every hour.
Specialists also recommend swimming, yoga, aerobic exercises, as well as special gymnastics, which strengthens the neck muscles.
Patient Reviews
Reviews of people about the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine indicate that success is observed if medications and traditional medicine recipes are combined in a complex. Baths with sea salt are very effective. But in order to achieve success in treatment, it is necessary to turn to specialists in time for help, immediately after the first symptoms of this disease are detected.