The spine is one of the most important parts of a person. Its most common ailment is cervical osteochondrosis. Medical treatment, unfortunately, does not always give the desired result, since this disease can be in various stages. For the first time, people face this problem between the ages of twenty-five and forty.
How does this happen
As you know, the neck is a rather mobile part of the body. She is responsible for performing head tilts to the sides, her turns and other movements. With degenerative-dystrophic changes in the vertebral-motor parts, cervical osteochondrosis also occurs. Drug treatment often must be supplemented by physical therapy.
If we are talking about the first stage of the disease, then dehydration and loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs are implied. If no measures are taken, damage to the joints, ligaments, and also the vertebra itself begins. Also during this period osteophytes begin to form. If the problem is ignored further, over time, protrusion (intervertebral hernias) will begin to develop in the cervical spine .
Symptoms
We will analyze the symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. The patient feels limited in head movements. During bends and turns, neck pain intensifies, it is also felt in the shoulders and occipital part of the head. Periodically, a person is disturbed by headaches, a darkening in the eyes is felt, which is often accompanied by dizziness.
Cervical osteochondrosis also affects blood pressure. Medication aimed at eliminating the problems of the vascular system does not bring results, since the cause of the disease remains. Often begins the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia. The patient feels a crunch in the cervical region when bending or turning the head. Along with this, as a rule, chronic fatigue syndrome is present. Occupation of the upper limbs sometimes occurs.
What causes the development of this condition? These include sedentary work (at a computer, driving a car, etc.), low mobility, ignoring physical exercises, overweight, curvature of the spinal column, excessive physical exertion, flat feet, as well as activities involving constant head movement.
Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is prescribed on the basis of diagnosis (which is based on examination of the patient, his complaints), medical history, x-ray examination and tomography. Conservative methods include physical therapy, the use of appropriate collars, electrophoresis, massage, etc.
Prevention
There are other ways to help eliminate cervical osteochondrosis. Medication almost always leads to symptom relief and partial recovery. But the main tool, as with any disease, is prevention. People leading an active and healthy lifestyle, engaged in physical education, not lifting weights, as well as restricting the use of high-calorie foods, are least at risk of acquiring cervical osteochondrosis.