Cervical osteochondrosis is a progressive disease of a degenerative-dystrophic nature. The disease is one of the most common problems of modern civilization. Based on world statistics, about 55% of the adult population of the planet faces a diagnosis. With cervical osteochondrosis, dizziness, pain and a feeling of stiffness in the muscles are quite natural symptoms of a vertebral neurological disorder.
Cause for concern
A century ago, cervical osteochondrosis did not remind of itself up to old age, now the peak incidence occurs in 30-35 years. From time to time, we all experience discomfort in the cervical-occipital zone, we hear a crunch when you turn your head, but sometimes subtle signs of osteochondrosis go beyond the usual. A person cannot understand why vision is falling, ringing in the ears, shortness of breath appears, fingers tingling, etc. Such sensations indicate pinching of the nerve roots and blood vessels by the cervical vertebrae. Without proper therapy, lymph and blood flow worsen, brain cells begin to "suffocate", the interaction of the vestibular apparatus with the central nervous system is disrupted.
Clinical signs
Cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is characterized by an asymptomatic course, only occasionally long loads on the parietal-occipital region or awkward movement remind of the problem. With the further development of the pathophysiological process, the disease declares itself in different ways.
So, the known symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis - dizziness and headache may be the first and only "bells" of the emergence of destructive changes in cartilage. Typically, patients experience vertigo when changing their position, after waking up, or at night.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is manifested:
- Pain in the occipital and collar area.
- Noise, ringing and a feeling of stuffiness in the ears.
- Lack of air, dizziness.
- Lack of appetite and nausea.
- Anxiety-phobic disorders.
- Decreased visual acuity, double vision.
In addition, due to cervical osteochondrosis and dizziness, fears and depression, patients experience difficulties of a communicative nature. Patients experience instability of blood pressure indicators, oxygen starvation of the brain leads to chronic fatigue, irritability.
Drug treatment
The appointment of tablets and anesthetic blockades lies in the competence of narrowly targeted specialists - a neurologist or vertebro-neurologist. The therapeutic regimen for cervical osteochondrosis is not limited to painkillers alone.
To improve the well-being of the patient, the following groups of drugs are used:
- Muscle relaxants. Reduce the tone of skeletal muscle by blocking neuromuscular impulses. āMidokalmā, āBaklosanā, āTizanidineā and āCyclobenzaprineā (āMioriksā), locally eliminate painful muscle cramps in cervical osteochondrosis
- Vasodilators. As a result of their use, the tone of the smooth muscles of blood vessels decreases, the work of the vestibular apparatus is restored. This pharmacological class is represented by Actovegin, Trental, Eufillin, Vinpocetin, Cinnarizine.
- Analgesics and NSAIDs. The drugs inactivate the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins, thereby reducing the sensitivity of nerve endings. āIbupromā, āDiclofenacā, āAnalginā, āKetonalā and other non-steroidal drugs are prescribed in cases where dizziness occurs against the background of severe pain in the parieto-occipital region.
- Blockades. In case of cervical osteochondrosis, novocaine or lidocaine blockades are used, sometimes the steroid preparation Diprospan is used. Blockades based on lidocaine or procaine (the active substance of novocaine) last 1-2 hours, the therapeutic effect occurs instantly.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes. Restore nervous, cartilage and bone tissue, increase the stamina of the body, help cope with weakness and dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis. āComplivitā, āVitrumā, āNeuromultivitā, effervescent tablets āSupradinā are in great demand. Multivitamins have a common contraindication - hypersensitivity to individual components of the drug.
If osteochondrosis is associated with the presence of chronic foci of infection in the patientās body, antibiotic therapy is performed. A correctly selected complex of medicines allows you to quickly get rid of cervical osteochondrosis and dizziness, fears and depression, and returns the patient to his previous activity and optimism. Dosage and duration of treatment is established individually.
Outdoor facilities
The local use of anti-inflammatory gels, ointments, plasters is the shortest way to anesthetize the muscles of the occipital and cervical region during remission. Dolgit-gel, indomethacin ointment, Apizartron, Fastum and similar drugs slow down the destruction of cartilage in cervical osteochondrosis, and have a local regenerating and antiexudative effect. Medicines stimulate peripheral nerve endings in the area of āāapplication, thereby improving blood flow and preventing dizziness.
Surgical intervention
In the case of ineffective conservative therapy, in the presence of massive hernias of the cervical spine and an increase in symptoms of compression of the spinal canal, the surgeon canāt do without it. With myelopathy, cervical segments require decompression-stabilizing surgery. The recovery period takes at least 6 months. At this time, the patient undergoes comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, including physiotherapy, exercise therapy and massage.
Physiotherapy
Not the last role in the treatment of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is played by physiotherapy methods. With their help, they ācureā cervical osteochondrosis, improve the digestibility of prescribed medications, and accelerate the patientās healing process.
Consider the physiotherapy procedures widely used in vertebral neurological practice:
- Laser Therapy The laser beam stimulates reparative processes, relieves swelling of the soft tissues around the spinal column. Typically, a session lasts about 15 minutes.
- Electrophoresis Provides a deep and painless drug delivery to the affected cervical vertebrae, activates the immune and metabolic processes in the cartilage tissue.
- Balneotherapy. Therapeutic baths saturate the cells with minerals, in particular potassium, calcium and magnesium, and also regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands.
- Shock wave therapy. The pulsation of acoustic waves, the frequency of which ranges from 16-25 Hertz, softens the structure of osteophytes, removes slag compounds from cartilage and bone tissue.
Sometimes the neck area is heated with ultraviolet rays. The hardware therapy method enhances the synthesis of vitamin D, ultraviolet has anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, analgesic properties.
Massage
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, classical techniques are used (stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration), as well as elements of acupressure and segmental massage. The latter optimizes the work of the neuro-reflex zones of the autonomic system. Stimulation of biologically active points is able to stop the onset of dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis: massage the upper edges of the auricles, then the tragus of the ears from the outside and inside.
Strengthening the muscular skeleton of the neck, eliminating congestion and activating lymph and blood flow are among the few bonuses that quality massage gives. With pain and dizziness, nervousness goes away, sleep improves, labor productivity increases. In chronic diseases, neurologists strongly recommend repeating therapeutic and prophylactic massage courses twice a year.
Strengthen the neck muscles
The safest treatment for cervical osteochondrosis and dizziness is considered exercise therapy. Classes are aimed at strengthening the muscles and tendons of the cervical spine, back, shoulder girdle. The daily rehabilitation program is designed for 15-20 minutes.
Examples of exercises for dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis:
- Stand straight, feet shoulder width apart. For 15 seconds, press on the forehead with your hands clasped into the lock. In this case, tighten the neck muscles, hands should feel resistance. Then relax, place the palm of your right hand on the back of your head and throw your head back. After 10 seconds, return to the starting position.
- Place your lower jaw with your thumbs, and grasp the back of your head with the rest. In this position, pull your head up, look straight ahead. We do the exercise for about 20 seconds, monitor your well-being.
- Standing on the floor, spread your arms to the sides. Gently rotate the right and left shoulders, first alternately, then simultaneously. 1 minute is given to complete the exercise.
Regular training of the muscular corset of the back increases the height of the intervertebral space, therefore, the pressure of the cartilaginous discs on the nerve endings of the spine decreases, discomfort and dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis disappears. Therapeutic gymnastics allows you to achieve a stable remission without chemistry and operations.
Nutritionist Recommendations
A balanced diet slows down further skeletal deformation by reducing weight, saturating the body with vitamins, beneficial micro and macro elements. In combination with drug treatment of dizziness with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the diet gives excellent results.
Pay due attention to the drinking regimen: on average, you need to drink from 1.5 to 2 liters of fluid per day. It is advisable that each new day begins with a glass of freshly squeezed fruit or berry juice.
These products will help to quickly cope with dizziness with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Fresh fruits, vegetables.
- Boiled chicken and beef meat.
- Dairy products.
- Rye bread.
- Nuts, legumes.
- Vegetable and olive oil.
Limit your intake of salt, smoked meats, spicy and fatty foods, processed foods, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Instead of baking and other sweets, eat dried fruits. Especially popular with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the rice and salt-free diet. Remember: good nutrition fully replaces pharmacy multivitamin complexes.
Traditional Medicine Tips
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with alternative methods includes the use of locally irritating rubbing and warming compresses. Before the development of the pharmaceutical industry, steamed horseradish leaves were applied to the sore back , rubbed eucalyptus oil, cloves, and put medical compresses from grated potatoes and honey.
Some effective "grandmother" recipes:
- To prepare the grind, combine 300 ml of medical alcohol with 10 tablets of dipyrone, camphor alcohol and iodine (10 drops each). Apply a homogeneous mass to clean, undamaged skin. Relief comes quickly. Shoot off pain and dizziness with analgesic rubbing in case of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
- Compress based on honey and aloe. Stir well 150 ml of vodka with 100 ml of liquid honey and 50 ml of aloe juice. Dampen a cotton dressing in a healing solution and apply to the back of the neck. Keep the compress to dry completely.
- Mix 1 tbsp. a spoonful of ginger powder with an equal amount of melted butter and fry over low heat. Season the cooled mass with garlic gruel in a ratio of 1: 1, mix the components thoroughly. With osteochondrosis, lubricate the neck three times a day, it is advisable to insulate the place of grinding with a wool scarf.
Preventive actions
Many problems associated with cervical osteochondrosis can be eliminated even before the ossification of the skeleton. From childhood, form the skill of correct posture. Make sure that food is varied, observe the optimal sleep and wakefulness regime. If you regularly experience dizziness as a result of a sedentary lifestyle, get an ergonomic office chair with neck support, an orthopedic mattress should be included in the bedding set. It is strictly forbidden to engage in power and traumatic sports.
Recently, musculoskeletal pathologies began to acquire a mass character. The treatment strategy depends on the clinical picture of the disease and the current state of the patient; universal tablets for dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis do not exist. Strictly follow the instructions of the vertebrologist and instructor of exercise therapy, learn to live in accordance with the capabilities of your spine. Be healthy!