Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative process of progressive degenerative, which leads to exhaustion, deformation and destruction of intervertebral discs of the cervical region.The loss of shock absorbing cartilage causes pain due to the exposure of joint surfaces (spondylartrosis) and due to refinement of the nerve roots of the spinal cord.

In the absence of timely treatment, it is possible to ossify the spine with the loss of its natural flexibility, blood supply impaired to the brain, the deterioration of nerve conduction in the body parts that innervate the roots of the cervical spine.

The pathology can develop independently and as part of a general damage to the spine with the roof of the chest, lumbar and sacral parts.

general information

It is believed that cervical spine osteochondrosis is more common than in other departments.In fact, this is not so - dystrophic phenomena develop evenly at all points of the maximum load - in the area of the main curves of the spine column (the lower the department is located, the greater the load it carries).However, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are more pronounced, so they seem more frequent.This is due to the high mobility of the neck vertebrae, which at the same time hold their heads, as well as the peculiarity of the spinal cord swivel exits.

Observation!According to statistics, the disease affects more than 60% of average and older people.However, recently, a rejuvenation of the pathological process was observed - the pathology is found in young people and even in adolescents.This is due to the general computerization of study and work, as well as a decrease in physical activity and a deterioration in nutrition quality.

Given the age of age, 2 forms of cervical osteochondrosis can be distinguished - physiological and pathological.

Physiological processIt is associated with the natural aging of the body, when the symptoms of the disease are a consequence of gradual wear of intervertebral discs.The process occurs under the influence of the endocrine system and is a consequence of menopause.The destruction of the cartilage structures begins at the center of the intervertebral disc and is accompanied by a gradual replacement of fibrous cartilage tissue.The pathology is irreversible, however, can be compensated for special medicines.

Pathological processIt is associated with abnormal destructive changes in the body - immune, dystrophic, inflammatory, metabolic.First of all, subcutaneous tissues are involved-salts of salts in bone structures, nerve roots are inflamed, occurring atrophy or hypertonicity of the skeletal muscle, which leads to circulating disturbances in the head and abbreviation.With the timely diagnosis, the pathology is treated and ends with the complete restoration of the healthy function of organs and tissues.

Stages of cervical osteochondrosis and their symptoms

There are 4 main stages of the pathological process:

• 1st stage is expressed by slight discomfort and excessive muscle in the sick region, the cartilage discs lose their stability;
• The second local stage appears, especially with head movements.Intervertebral discs are deformed, the fibrous ring begins to collapse, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced;
• 3rd stage and pain intensifies and becomes constant, movement becomes limited.Head heads can cause dizziness crises, nausea, a violation of blood supply to the brain leads to general lethargy, rapid fatigue, impaired concentration, cartilage tissue is thinner, the vertebrae are closed;The fibrous ring is completely destroyed with the emergence of the risk of intervertela;
• The fourth stage-to the pain syndrome completely immobilizes the neck area, the blood circulation of the brain is disturbed and requires constant support to the medicine, the vertebrae begin to grow together.

Cervical osteochondrosis: signs, symptoms of pathology

In the early stages, osteochondrosis is asymptomatic.As the disease develops, a distinct feature is the presence of painful or uncomfortable sensations in the head, neck and chest, less often the upper limbs.

All possible symptoms can be conditionally attributed to 4 types of syndromes: heart, vertebral syndrome, roaring (nervous) and spinal artery (with circulatory disorders).

Vertebrate syndrome:

• crispy neck when turning/tilting the heads;
• With the progress of the disease, pain and difficulty occur;
• Morphological disorders of the structure in the body of the vertebra and the intervertebral space (visible at the X root).

Heart syndrome:

• Lack of breath, weakness;
• a feeling of incomplete breathing, shortness of breath;
• Spontaneous Phenomena of the Cardiovascular-Anagina Pectoris System, Cloth Pain, Burning;

Rook Syndrome:

• dormancy of the tongue, shoulders, fingers, occipital region;
• Difficulties with swallowing;
• Unpleasant sensations in the area between the shoulder blades;
• Headache on the neck and forehead.

Vail Artery Syndrome:

• irrational heels in blood pressure;
• dizziness, even loss of consciousness;
• noise in the ears, a cotton sensation on the head;
• Temporary blindness from one side by side, "flies" in the eye;
• Periodic attacks of nausea, especially when they go;
• Headaches - especially in the back of the neck, as well as migraines;
• drowsiness, decreased performance, memory, attention concentration, depression.

Attention!All of these syndromes must be combined with each other.The absence of symptoms of one of them may be a reason for differential diagnosis with other groups of diseases.

The causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Dostrophic phenomena in the cervical spine are associated with the vertical location of the skeleton and the specific distribution of static and dynamic loads, which depend widely on the predominant poses and the degree of development of skeletal muscles.

The main reasons:

• Lack of movement - which is not developed - degraded: muscles are weakening, tissues are destroyed;
• Incorrect static poses - muscle staples lead to circulatory disorders with subsequent tissue dystrophy;
• Lack of nutrition or unbalanced diet - the body should receive everything necessary for the construction and renewal of bone structures and skeleton cartilage, maintaining muscle tone;
• Obesity, overweight, using weights - the load in the skeleton structure increases;
• constant nerve tension and nervous stress;
• The hypothermia of the cervical region - "catches", "inflated" - causes hidden inflammatory processes;
• The presence of autoimmune diseases with the involvement of cartilaginous tissue leads to their premature destruction;
• Endocrine pathologies are confused with mineral metabolism, reduce the digestibility of calcium, silicon, phosphorus and other elements of bone chrice tissue;
• lesions of the cervical region;
• Congenital abnormalities of the spine and adjacent muscles.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of “cervical vertebra osteochondrosis” is compensated with the low specificity of symptoms and a wide variety of their manifestations.In the exam process, a consultation of a neurologist, surgeon, orthopedist, cardiologist will be required.

A physical examination is performed by a doctor with a survey of patients.The main diagnostic load has instrumental and laboratory research methods.

Instrumental diagnosis:

• X -Read of the Cervical Department;In the early stage of the process, the magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical department will be more informative - will ensure high quality visualization of solid and soft tissues - will show the condition of intervertebral discs, the presence of osteophytes, deformations, nerve roots and blood vessels;will evaluate the condition of ligaments, muscles, bone tissue;
• Ultrasound shows the dynamic state of soft tissues;
• Dopplerography of the neck vessels will help to evaluate hemodynamics and the degree of damage to blood vessels (in particular, the state of the spinal artery);
• Contrast myelography - will help in suspicion of violation of nerve processes;
• ECG and heart echocardiography are used for differential diagnosis of cardiac syndrome with cardiovascular disease.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis

The complex of medical measures is formed taking into account the stage of the disease (acute, chronic), the degree of damage and the causes of pathology development.Use conservative treatment, surgical intervention, mixed approach.

Conservative effect

It is a gradual restoration or compensation for damage against the background of symptomatic treatment.Includes drug therapy, physical therapy, exercise therapy and massage methods.

Drug treatment:

• painkillers - mainly gels and ointments of local influence;In severe cases - common painkillers in the form of tablets;
• Anti -inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs, as well as corticosteroids (short course, if necessary);
• Medicines to improve microcirculation and blood circulation in general;
• Condroprotectors - means to protect and restore cartilage tissue;
• MUSORELAXANTS - To eliminate muscle staples and spasms;
• Vitamin and microelene complexes are required for nutrition and tissue support for the construction of elements.

As acute symptoms are weakened, physiotherapy, exercise therapy and self -massage methods are connected.

Therapeutic gymnasticsImproves cartilage nutrition and bone tissues, restoring the blood supply in the damaged area.To avoid complications, it is recommended to use the isometric movements method, when, instead of turns and real head inclinations they can damage, they use their imitation.

Attention!All actions should be performed only after diagnosis and consultation with a doctor.

The technique allows you to develop and strengthen the atrophied muscles of the neck and stabilize the position of the cervical spine.The sequence of basic exercises:

1. The right palm is reduced to the side surface of the head, press the palm on the head in 10 seconds, while stretching the muscles of the head and neck to get resistance to the head should remain immobile.
2. Lower your hand, relax the muscles of the head and neck as much as possible for 20 seconds.
3. Repeat the exercise with the left hand.
4. Take both hands from your palms on your forehead press for 10 seconds, as if trying to reject your head back as you stretched your neck muscles to resist movement.The head must remain motionless.
5. Lower your hands, relaxing your muscles as similar to the previous exercise.
6. Place both palms in the area above the back of the head.By analogy, perform a pressing load on the neck muscles, trying to tilt your head forward - it must still be still.
7. Lower your hands, relax your neck and head muscles.Repeat the set of exercises 4-10 times.

After strengthening the short neck muscles, you can start to perform dynamic exercises.

Observation!As a methodology to restore the mobility of the cervical region, swimming and water gymnastics proved well.

Auto -MassageIt allows to reduce the intensity of local reactions and remove muscle staples during static work.Rules for execution:

• Exposure Area - The back of the head, back and side surfaces of the neck;
• Perform the procedure in sitting position;
• The movements must be performed in the direction of the spine;
• Use only the fingertips;
• Avoid pressure in inflamed areas;
• Perform movements gently - the sharp pressure can harm.

PhysiotherapyCharacteristic for hospital treatment and rehabilitation of sanatorium resort.Well proven:

• Electrophoresis - Hears the area, improves microcirculation, is used for deeper penetration of local medications;
• Magnetotherapy;
• amplipult;
• Uhf.

Surgical intervention is indicated with complicated extrusion, spinal cord violation and unconscious pain syndromes.

Than cervical osteochondrosis is dangerous

The neck area concentrates the dense intertwining of the main blood vessels, nerve processes and the dynamic structures of the bone skeleton.In the absence of treatment, serious pathological changes can be observed:

• The weakening of the fibrous ring causes dislocations and subluxation in the most mobile vertebrae;
• The presence of osteophytes and the spasm of the muscles lead to the violation of nerve roots and blood vessels with the formation of compression syndromes;
• The destruction of the cartilaginous discs and the approach of the vertebrae lead to intervertebral hernias with the violation of nervous tissue.

Each phenomenon follows a pronounced negative reaction of the whole body.

Possible complications and consequences

The list of the most common complications of cervical osteochondrosis can be included:

• Vegetable dystonia;
• hypertension;
• Oxygen hunger from the brain and its structures;
• Visually impaired eye retinal dystrophy;
• thyroid failure;
• Interruption of esophagus and trachea functions - difficulty swallowing and breathing cramps;
• Unconscious pain syndrome in the head, neck, chest, upper ends;
• convulsions and numbness of the face, hands;
• Hypothalamic hypophysis system disorders that pulls a failure of all hormonal activity of the body.

Preventive measures

The most effective treatment is the prevention of the disease.Prevention will help you with this.Just follow several basic recommendations:

• Adjust your posture
• Create a convenient workplace;
• During sedentary work, take breaks in "Physical Education";
• Include in your dietary foods rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon - fish, nuts, seeds, vegetables, dairy products, fresh vegetables, fruits;Limit the consumption of salt, candy, flour and sharp dishes;
• To sleep and rest, use orthopedic mattress and pillow;
• Take care of a sport no titles - it is better to give preference to swimming.

Even if you are unable to consider all the requirements, moderate physical exertion, proper nutrition and attitude attentive to your posture can significantly reduce the risk of pathology.