Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is one of the varieties of ordinary osteochondrosis. It is manifested by degenerative destruction of discs and adjacent vertebrae. At the same time, arteries and nerve endings are drawn into the pathological process. Recently, cervical osteochondrosis has become much younger. If in the last century the disease was the lot of the elderly, today young people of 23–40 years old suffer from it, possibly older. Such dystrophy accounts for up to 40% of the total number of sick.
Reasons
Why is cervical osteochondrosis developing? It is proved that the most common cause of pathology is the lack of active movements. Sitting work with a neck extended forward or a bowed head - this is how the working day of office workers and representatives of many other specialties passes. Arriving home, the majority sits again for a computer or TV. A similar way of life leads to a deterioration in blood flow in the spinal artery, followed by dystrophy of disks and the destruction of the vertebrae. The considered factor is far from the only culprit of the disease. There are other causes of cervical osteochondrosis. For example, many experts attach great importance to hypothermia and hereditary weakness of the intervertebral joints, ligaments and muscles. The following factors become the starting mechanism for the development of osteochondrosis of the neck:
- disorders in the work of the endocrine system;
- flat feet;
- spine injuries;
- violation of posture;
- unbalanced diet;
- high load on the cervical segment;
- autoimmune diseases;
- Viruses and infections.
In women of the postmenopausal period, the cause of progressive dystrophy of the cervical spine is a decrease in estrogen production with concomitant development of osteoporosis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteochondrosis can appear both at the very beginning of the disease and later, in the chronic stage. It all depends on the degree of dystrophy, the presence of concomitant pathologies and a combination of adverse conditions. The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Benching hell;
- migraines, dizziness;
- neurotic disorders;
- pain and crunch in the neck;
- The weakness of the upper limbs:
- impaired sensitivity;
- worsening hearing and vision, disorder of coordination of movements;
- Loss of performance.
Pain for cervical osteochondrosis can give anywhere - in the shoulder, elbow, ear, under the shoulder blade. A distinctive feature of unpleasant sensations is surprise. In an acute attack, discomfort disappears as unexpectedly as it occurs. Dizziness for osteochondrosis of the neck is often accompanied by disorientation, a ringing in the ears, loss of consciousness, nausea, migraines. Pressure surges occur several times a day and are poorly lended to medical correction. Symptoms of damage to the cervical vertebrae that occur in the brain are based on the deterioration of blood flow and tissue trophism. As a result of compression of the spinal artery and oxygen starvation in patients, the following disorders are manifested:
- a sense of fear and panic;
- irritability;
- aggression;
- frequent mood change;
- tearfulness;
- insomnia;
- worsening memory and attention;
- Unreasonable outbreaks of anger.
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women appear somewhat earlier than in men and proceed more pronounced. The first symptoms of diseases, as a rule, are brain disorders, often which are written off on a PMS or hormonal failure. Then there are dizziness, migraines, loss of consciousness. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in men do not occur so intensively and often resemble an attack of angina pectoris with concomitant shortness of breath, nausea, discomfort behind the sternum. Only a specialist can determine the true cause of such manifestations, he will be able to provide primary assistance, so he should not be delayed with his visit.
Degree
Considering and analyzing the procedure for the development of changes in the tissues of the vertebra, doctors designated several stages of osteochondrosis of the cervical region:
- Clinical phase. Cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is expressed by the displacement of the pulpoose nucleus to the side and the beginning of the destruction of the fibrous ring. Pain in this period may be absent, a small lordosis and difficulty in turning or tilting of the head is possible.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 2nd degree is characterized by an increase in pathological destruction, the instability of the entire segment with subluxis, and a pain appears, sometimes giving out in the shoulder belt or arm. The patient complains of distraction, a deterioration in memory and attention.
- Osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree develops with a complete rupture of the fibrous ring. Neurological symptoms appear, sensitivity is disturbed. The pain in the third stage becomes constant and greatly bothers the patient. The mobility of the cervical segment worsens.
- Osteochondrosis of the neck 4 degrees. The final stage of the degenerative process. The intervertebral disc is completely replaced by connective tissue, all the symptoms become more pronounced, a deterioration in the coordination of movements, ataxia is noted.
Depending on the localization of pain, the following type of disease is distinguished: and cervical. According to the method of course, the disease is customary to divide into acute intervertebral osteochondrosis of the neck, which appears for the first time and chronic, stretching for years with constant remissions and exacerbations.
Which doctor treats cervical osteochondrosis?
The variety of symptoms, often hiding under the mask of another ailment, causes patients a logical question - which doctor to contact? When any pain in the neck, shoulders and hands or the occurrence of neurotic disorders, it is urgent to approach the neurologist. And to whom to contact if there are no such specialists in the local clinic? In this case, the ticket should be postponed to the therapist. The doctor will prescribe treatment or send a narrow specialization to the doctor.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis begins with a visual examination and survey of the patient. The neuropathologist is interested in the conditions of life and labor of the patient, the presence of chronic ailments, nutrition and motor activity. A preliminary diagnosis is confirmed by the conduct of instrumental research:
- X -ray in two projections;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Duplex scanning.
Analysis of hormones is required for the fairer sex. Without it, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women does not begin. To exclude pathologies with such symptoms, a differential diagnosis is carried out with the appointment of additional consultations with a surgeon, gynecologist, cardiologist, ophthalmologist and lore.
Treatment
First aid for sharp pains in the cervical segment includes taking anesthetics and ensuring the rest of the affected area. Distracting therapy - pepper patch, applying warming ointments helps well. However, such measures are unable to cope with the disease. They only temporarily facilitate the condition of the patient. Treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is comprehensive. Its main goal is to eliminate pain and slow down the destruction of discs and vertebrae. For this, various types of therapy are prescribed: medicines, exercise therapy, massage, wearing an orthopedic collar. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women has a number of features and is aimed primarily at eliminating symptoms that occur in the brain. Another effective remedy for neck pain is physiotherapy. Treatment is prescribed both during exacerbation and during remission. The following procedures cope with symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- laser;
- magnetotherapy;
- ultrasound;
- Electrophoresis with novocaine or eufillin.
Markly facilitates the condition of patients with therapeutic massage. Perform it only in the stage of remission. To achieve a persistent result, therapy is carried out by a course consisting of 9-10 procedures. Healing gymnastics is very effective for osteochondrosis of the cervical region. Strictly dosed load quickly eliminates discomfort, improves vertebral mobility, strengthens the muscles and enhances blood flow. Often patients with osteochondrosis turn to recipes for traditional medicine, hoping for a cure. It should be remembered that all non -traditional agents are permissible only as an addition to the main therapy prescribed by the doctor. Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis completely? Unfortunately no. Medication and other conservative methods can only suspend the dystrophic process and eliminate symptoms. Even after satisfactory therapy, the affected discs are still replaced by connective tissue and lose their functionality.
Complications
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is dangerous with its complications. With the adverse development of the disease, squeezing the spinal artery can result in a stroke of the brain, persistent worsening of hearing and vision. Often, a hernia, severe hypertension and numbness or cooling of the fingers join osteochondrosis. In women, complications of a neurological nature often develop - constant fatigue, lethargy, loss of performance, excessive resentment.
Prevention
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes affordable physical activity, a balanced diet with a sufficient amount of calcium and phosphorus, control over weight and maintaining proper posture. All of the above should become a habit and strictly fulfilled, better from early childhood. Office workers and those who spend many hours behind the monitor screen to prevent the neck osteochondrosis should adhere to simple recommendations:
- every hour arrange 10-minute breaks during which perform simple exercises;
- At lunchtime, do not sit at the workplace, but go for a walk in the fresh air;
- choose convenient production furniture that excludes an uncomfortable pose;
- Organize good table light.
After a work day, it is recommended to lie down on a flat surface without a pillow for 15–20 minutes or ask the household to do a light massage. This will help relieve the tension of the cervical muscles and relax. Excellent prevention of degenerative changes will not be traumatic sports and swimming. Timely identified and cured osteochondrosis of the cervical region may not manifest itself for many years, allowing the patient to lead a completely comfortable life. And with a regular preventive administration used for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis of drugs, the disease will cease to bother even in old age.