A sedentary lifestyle characteristic of employees and those who love to relax in front of the TV or behind the monitor screen often cause osteochondosis. The first signs of this disease can manifest themselves at the age of 25 and, if it is not treated, complications can lead to serious consequences.
In the article we will consider what is the osteochondosis of the cervical column, the main causes of this disease, its symptoms and phases, the methods of treatment, as well as answer other questions that occur in patients with osteochondrosis.
The causes of osteochondosis
The main causes that can cause osteochondrosis:
- improper nutrition and excess weight;
- Posture violations, scoliosis, rheumatism, flat feet;
- Sedentary lifestyle: sedentary work (drivers, employees), lack of physical effort, etc. ;
- neck lesions, spinal lesions;
- Too much physical activity, unusual for the body;
- nervous tension, frequent stress;
- hereditary predisposition to the development of the disease;
- Wrong development of the cervical column.
Most of the above reasons cause a load on the cervical vertebrae, due to which muscle spasm occurs. For this reason, the blood circulation process is disturbed, the effectiveness of metabolic processes is reduced, which causes degenerative changes. The structure of the intervertebral discs changes, are diluted and deformed, speaking beyond the spine.
Often the cause of the osteochdrosis is a progressive disk, widespread in the vertebrae or the adjacent bone tissue. It occurs more often with prolonged physical effort in the lumbar and cervical, almost never touching the chest.
Development phase of osteochondosis
Development, osteochondrosis crosses several phases characterized by some signs and symptoms. We will consider these phases below.
Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree of the cervical region (preclinical stage)
Usually, in the initial phase of the development of the disease, only a slight sanding of the necky of the neck is observed, patients experience the intense of pain with the curves and the inclination of the head, the tension and the rapid fatigue of the muscles in the back and in the lower back of the back. At this stage, osteochondosis is treated without medicines, it is sufficient to change nutrition, perform exercises and other events.
Osteochondrosis 2 degrees
In the second stage between the vertebrae, instability is observed, the patient begins to disturb a more intense pain, which periodically gives him his hands or shoulders, the pain is also intensified with curves and tilting of the head. This occurs due to the violation of the nerves, since the height of the intervertebral discs decreases. Patients begin to notice rapid fatigue, absent mentality, reduction of the performance level and headache.
Osteochondrosis 3 degrees
At this stage, the pain begins to intensify, it occurs constantly not only in the neck, but also in the back, it gives it to its hands. The muscles of the hand become weaker, numbness is observed, since the hernias of the intervertebral records begin to form. In this case, the diagnosis reveals the small mobility of the cervical region. Patients are worried about dizziness and weakness.
Osteochondrosis 4 degrees
In the final phase, the intervertebral discs are destroyed, which are replaced by the connective tissue. The pathological process simultaneously affects several segments of the ridge, which can be in different phases of destruction. In patients there is a violation of coordination, dizziness and pain have improved, there is noise in the ears and other ailments.
Symptoms of osteochondosis of the cervical column
The initial phase of the disease can also be identified according to the following signs:
Headache for osteochondosis of the cervical region
- neck pain, on the neck, behind or to the arms;
- weakness of the hands;
- crunch and pain during the movements of the head;
- General weakness, fatigue, compromised coordination, dizziness;
- Reduce the acuteness of vision and hearing, numbness of the language.
One of the most common signs is the dizziness for the osteochondosis of the cervical column. At the same time, the symptoms of dizziness can be accompanied by noise and the ring in the ears (reduced hearing acuity), the sensations of disorientation, migraine, as well as nausea and vomiting. The treatment of dizziness for cervical osteochondrosis does not require special methods and drugs and occurs in parallel with general therapy. In addition, it is the doctor who determines how to treat these symptoms that should not be made to get rid of dizziness with popular methods.
Another unpleasant consequence is frequent headache, especially in women. Migraine can occur several times a day, causing unpleasant and painful sensations.
The signs of the disease of the cervical region manifest themselves slightly different from the osteocondrosis of the other spine in relation that the vertebrae in the neck are close to each other, the height of the intervertebral discs is small, which leads to complications even with small degenerative changes.
Diagnosis of the Cervical Column Condor
The following methods are used to diagnose the disease in medicine:
- X -ray. This method is ineffective, especially in the last stages of the development of osteochondosis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A method that allows you to see bone structures, hernias of the intervertebral records, size and development direction.
- Computerized tomography. A less effective solution than a magnetic resonance imaging, since the presence and size of the hernias are difficult.
- Ultrasonic duplex scan. This method is used in cases where a violation of the blood flow is suspected in the arteries. Using the scan, it is possible to determine the speed of the bloodstream and if there are obstacles.
Treatment of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column
For the treatment of a disease such as osteochondrosis, various methods are used: medicines, physiotherapy, massage of the cervical-coatral area for the flow of blood to the brain and therapeutic gymnastics and maintaining proper nutrition. It is the combination of all methods, how to treat the cervical chondro that will achieve a real result in the fight against the disease.
Despite the fact that women are more susceptible to the headache and numbness of the limbs in this disease, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is no different from its treatment in men: the same drugs and exercises are prescribed.
First aid for severe pain
With severe pain, it is possible to use painkillers. If the above drugs do not bring relief, fans can be taken.
Often, the means of "distraction" are used, for example, a pepper patch that does not heal, but only feels an inflamed area and distracts from pain. In the case of Edema in the inflammation area, the patient can drink herbal or diuretic infusion for 3-4 days. Is it possible to cure osteochondrosis with these methods? These measures are only temporary; For the treatment of the causes, you need to consult a doctor.
It should be noted which doctor deals with osteochondrosis. If the suspicion arises that the causes of pain in the cervical column are the occurrence of osteochondosis, you should contact a neuropathologist. It is this specialist who is engaged in diseases of this type. In some medical institutions there are restricted specialists involved in precisely spine diseases. If your clinic has a vertebrologist, you should face the question of how to cure this disease, immediately to it.
Treatment of osteocondrosis with drugs
| The name of the drug group | The action of the drug | |
| Non steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs | Reduce pain, relieve swelling and inflammation of the damaged nerve roof. | |
| Vitamins of Group B. | Contribute to improving metabolic processes in the nervous tissue. | |
| Condroprotectors | Restore cartilage tissue. | |
| Medicines aimed at improving the rheological properties of blood and blood flow | Improve the blood flow process to the brain and the nutrition of damaged nerve endings. | |
| Musorelassant | Drugs whose action is aimed at reducing muscle spasm. |
When accepting the tablets from the osteochondrosis, it should be remembered that the significant effect of the pharmacological treatment with tablets will be only if it is combined with other methods, including exercises. It should also be noted that the attending physician must prescribe rather than treating the disease based on his stadium and other signs.
Many doctors consider the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis injections effective, since this allows you to quickly influence the end of the nerves and causes a minimum of adverse reactions. At the same time, it is better to take vitamins in the form of tablets, since there is no difference for assimilation, but the introduction of injections can be painful.
Injections used for treatment:
- Intamuscular injections cause a general and anti -inflammatory strengthening effect;
- The blocks are introduced directly into the interested place, which leads to a quick effect.
Physical exercise therapy for osteochondosis
Therapeutic gymnastics brings maximum effect and is the safest during recovery. When performing physiotherapy exercises, the patient should not experience pain or discomfort.
The exercises for the cervical column aim to strengthen the muscles of the neck, which not only will overcome the disease, but will also act as a prevention for its presence.
For clarity and more accurate execution, we provide a video of exercises for osteochondosis of the cervical column:
Treatment of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column at home
Domestic treatment methods are only an addition to a complex prescribed by a doctor and will not help you completely get rid of the disease. Before treating osteochondrosis at home, be sure to consult a doctor to make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary medicines. It is the doctor who should determine how to treat osteochondosis of the cervical column at home
For treatment, the house is used: recipes for traditional medicine (designed to relieve muscle pain and tension, improve blood circulation), physiotherapy exercises and the mandatory massage of the cervical-formation area at home.
Folk recipes to remove pain in the neck area:
- Attack the combination of horseradish inside the neck, fix it with a bandage or any breathing fabric. Before use, it is necessary to burn it with boiling water and cool at room temperature. It is advisable to perform before bedtime and leave the bandage all night.
- Finely cut the potatoes and mix them with honey in the same proportion. The mixture will look like an ointment in line. Use how to compress at least 1 time a week.
- Remove the pain of heating. For this purpose, you can use mustard patches, a bag with heated sand, peppers or alcohol.
Often, patients start looking for ways to treat or relieve pain on various forums and similar sources. It should be noted that not a single forum and its visitors will be able to correctly diagnose the stage of the disease and the methods of its treatment. The question is if the osteochondrosis is treated in your case and how it is necessary to do it, a qualified doctor should decide on the basis of diagnostics.
Therapeutic massage for osteochondosis of the cervical column
The massage is necessary to strengthen muscle tone and relieve pain. Depending on the phase it is osteochondrosis, the massage technique is selected. However, when they make neck massage, experts use all the techniques of classic massage: rubbing, caressing, kneading, etc. In cases where the patient hurts only on the one hand, the massage begins in the healthy part of the neck, gradually moving to that part of the collar area where pain occurs.
The massage can be performed at home, but very carefully so as not to cause exacerbation and not damage the patient. The patient must take the position of lying down, put his forehead on his hands and stretch his chin on his chest. At the same time, the neck muscles should be completely relaxed. The prophylaxis of the occurrence of osteochondosis of the cervical vertebra
To prevent the occurrence and development of the disease, doctors recommend that you adhere to simple rules:
- Prague Sport (especially efficient swimming);
- Include in dietary products containing a large amount of magnesium and calcium (fish and other seafood, beans, peas, walnuts, seeds, dairy products -caseari and cheeses, spinach, etc.
- During the work seated several times during the day, a heat;
- Choose comfortable cushions and mattresses.
The implementation of these simple recommendations can protect you from the occurrence of osteochondrosis at any age.
The article examined the causes, symptoms and treatment of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column, ranging from medical intervention to domestic techniques. This disease can be treated, even without surgical interventions, but for these methods they should be used: take drugs, perform exercises and massage.