As we age, we are more likely to experience pain and fatigue in the neck area. These symptoms may hide a diagnosis of osteochondrosis. Why is it developing? What treatment methods are there? Is it possible to cope with the disease at home? We asked these questions to doctors.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the spine. It is caused by natural aging processes, such as the appearance of gray hair.
In medicine, osteochondrosis refers to various diseases. In the English-language literature, the concept of osteochondrosis is rare and refers to damage to the bones of children and adolescents during growth due to impaired blood supply. In the domestic literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. It is typical for older people and occurs in almost every person.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Neurologists identify several main reasons for the development of the disease:
- low physical activity,
- predisposition to the disease,
- increased static and dynamic loads,
- impaired metabolism,
- unhealthy diet
- hormonal disorders,
- poor posture,
- stress.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The most common symptoms of osteochondrosis include reflex, myoadaptive and compression pain syndromes. Let's look at each of them in more detail:
Reflex syndrome
It occurs due to excessive stress on the nerve endings in the intervertebral disc. Nerve impulses enter the deep and superficial muscles of the back, which leads to pain and a feeling of tension.
Reflex syndrome is characterized by pain in the neck, which intensifies with any movement of the head. It may not have a clear localization and can be felt in the arms or legs.
Myoadaptive syndrome
It occurs due to muscle overstrain and manifests itself in the form of muscle spasms. It develops with regular and intense physical activity, as well as in cases where healthy muscles take over the function of the affected ones.
Pain in myoadaptive syndrome is localized at trigger points - compactions in the spasm zone. Symptoms include nausea, headaches and insomnia.
Compression syndrome
Due to osteochondrosis, the cartilage and bones of the spine are displaced, which leads to pressure on the nerve endings. Compression syndrome is characterized by the impact of a pathological structure on the spinal roots, spinal cord or any vessel.
Compression syndrome includes 3 vertebral artery syndromes:
- Radiculopathy - radicular syndrome;
- Myelopathy - spinal syndrome;
- Neurovascular syndrome.
Atradicular syndromethe pain is pronounced and is accompanied by clear sensory disturbances in the area of the affected spinal nerve root. Neck pain often worsens at night. Movement disturbances may occur, such as muscle weakness and the absence of one or more reflexes.
Atspinal syndromethe spinal canal compresses the spinal cord - this occurs when the vertebrae are dislocated or fractured. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. Sensitivity in the arms and legs decreases, and stiffness appears.
Vertebral artery syndromedevelops when its lumen narrows, in particular if it is compressed by bone structures. This syndrome is characterized by neck pain, headache, loss of coordination and balance, dizziness, hearing and visual impairment.
There is another syndrome of osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are often associated with heart disease - this iscardiac syndrome.
It occurs due to damage to the cervical and upper thoracic spine, is characterized by pain in the heart area, imitates or aggravates existing changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. Unlike "heart" pain, it does not have a clear connection with meals, physical or emotional stress. Pain occurs or intensifies during movements, with forced inhalation, coughing, sneezing. Cardiac syndrome can affect blood pressure and heart rate.
The presence of symptoms of cardiac syndrome requires careful diagnosis of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
How does osteochondrosis develop?
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- Stage 1- instability of the vertebrae appears, their displacement and disruption of cervical lordosis - the curvature of the spine, convexly facing forward.
Symptoms at stage 1 are mild. A person may notice that the neck begins to hurt more often and gets tired faster.
- Stages 2 and 3— the intervertebral space decreases and the vertebrae become compressed. At these stages, protrusions and intervertebral hernias appear, as well as anterior bone growths - osteophytes.
The second and third stages differ in the severity of these changes. The third stage is characterized by rupture of the fibrous ring and the development of a herniated intervertebral disc.
- Stage 4- the appearance of posterior osteophytes that threaten the integrity of the spinal cord. The patient's coordination is impaired and frequent dizziness occurs. At this stage, irreversible consequences appear, leading to disability.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on X-ray diagnostics, MRI or CT studies. All of the above syndromes, as well as many others, are complications of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
With the development of reflex syndrome, accompanied by local pain and limited mobility,cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home. The patient needs rest, absence of physical and static load for 3-5 days, then the volume of load is increased individually. During the acute period, pain must be reduced by taking local anesthetic gels and patches, as well as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with B vitamins. Drugs that improve microcirculation in the affected spinal motion segment are recommended.
After the pain syndrome has decreased and motor functions are normalized, restorative treatment methods can be used: exercise therapy, massage, manual and physical therapy.
Non-drug treatment methods can be more effective due to the direct impact on certain affected muscles and working with them.
In case of numbness, tingling, impaired movement, dizziness, headaches and other symptoms that go beyond the reflex syndrome, you need to consult a doctor for diagnosis and determine the correct treatment tactics.
Surgery
The decision to undergo surgical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identify several criteria that may be a reason for surgery:
- The spinal cord is compressed by a hernia, displaced vertebra, osteophyte or other pathological formations.
- Intense pain syndrome persists for a long time.
- Drug and physiotherapeutic treatment does not bring results for more than 3 months.
In case of hernial protrusion, decompression is carried out by removing the hernia; in case of displacement of the vertebra - fixation with a metal structure; if we are talking about osteophytic complications - bone growths are removed.
Most spinal surgeries performed are traumatic and do not guarantee improvement. Often, a deterioration in well-being and increased pain in adjacent spinal motion segments may occur, so spinal surgery is a last resort when the disease is severe and there are no other treatment approaches.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and neck pain includes normalization of working and living conditions. It is important to avoid keeping the neck bent for long periods of time. You should strengthen and stretch your neck muscles and increase its mobility through physical exercise.
Anotheran effective way to prevent the progression of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionhigh in proteins, healthy fats, and collagen-rich foods. It is recommended to reduce the amount of "fast" carbohydrates consumed, as well as to compensate for the lack of microelements and vitamins.
Proper proper sleep, lack of stress and active physical activity are important: cardio, regular exercise therapy, Pilates, yoga, stretching.
The development of osteochondrosis is associated with the natural aging of our body - almost all people are susceptible to the disease. Prevention of osteochondrosis, as well as observation by specialists, will help your spine stay healthy longer.