Dizziness, fluctuations in pressure, fainting, pain in the heart - all this often goes from problems with the spine.80% of the population suffers from osteochondrosis of the cervical region of varying severity and, according to statistics, men face it before women: at 45-50 years old.If you do not start treatment at an early stage, the pathology becomes irreversible.
What is osteochondrosis
The pathology is associated with dystrophic changes in the cartilage between the vertebrae, in which the soft tissue becomes hard and depreciation falls.
Osteochondrosis affects the thoracic region, the lumbar, but more often the rest - the cervical.The reason is in high loads on 1-7 vertebrae, weak muscles, poor nutrition and choosing a wrong sleep pillow.
The mechanism of damage to the vertebrae of the cervical region
Osteochondrosis develops when the nutrition process of cartilage, mineral metabolism is disturbed.The strength of bones and joints falls, ligaments lose their elasticity.The shape and structure of the disk are changing, under the influence of loads it is destroyed.The vertebrae are brought together, their surfaces are erased.Pathology causes such complications:
- Closing blood vessels passing through 1-7 vertebrae causes hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the brain.
- The development of problems in the work of the respiratory system, blood vessels, heart, drop in vision.
- Violation of blood circulation of the brain leads to neurocirculatory (vegetative-vascular) dystonia.
- Reducing the mobility of the neck - when forming bone formations on the vertebrae.
- Violation of the function of the cerebellum, squeezing the spinal cord - leads to death with an advanced stage of the disease.
Stages of cervical osteochondrosis
Pathology develops slowly.At the preclinical stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, they press on a soft disk.Then it becomes thinner, the fibrous ring is destroyed, its core is whipping.The protrusion is formed, then a hernia.The vertebrae of each other and each other, change the shape, growths appear on them.Nerves, blood vessels are pinched.
The initial stage of osteochondrosis of the cervical region
Cracks appear in the fibrous ring, the capsule breaks, the jacket is damaged.Cervical osteochondrosis makes itself felt when the head turns, when the nerve endings are pinched, the vessels narrow and the bloodstream suffers.There are pains in the back of the head, the back muscles quickly get tired.
2 stages of pathology
The degenerative process in the disks develops, the capsule ring is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae is reduced, they become unstable and pinched the nerve roots of the spinal cord.The flexibility and mobility of the neck falls.At this stage, the disease is still treated without surgery.
The last stages of osteochondrosis of the neck
At the 3rd stage of the pathology, the protrusion of the disk develops, which leads to a hernia, the pulpoose ring sticks out and burtles.The cervical vertebrae and their axis shift, the nutrition of the brain suffers.In addition, the following processes begin at the last (3 and 4) stages of pathology:
- intervertebral discs are destroyed, which replaces the connective tissue;
- The mobility of the cervical and shoulder joints disappears;
- From friction on the surface of the vertebrae, growths are formed, nerve fibers are injured;
- The sensitivity of the hands falls due to problems with their innervation.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The patient's condition depends on the stage of the disease.First, rare pains appear when turning or lowering the head, tension of the back muscles.After a person experiences constant fatigue.Pain becomes stronger and more often.Further, weakness, dizziness, rings in the ears are added, visual acuity falls.All signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are divided into 3 groups:
- Irritive-reflex syndromes-Neurodistrofic, muscle-tonic and vegetative-vascular manifestations.
- Compression-brown- are associated with compression of the nerve endings, one of the key symptoms is acute pain when turning the head.
- Vail artery syndrome- It occurs when narrowing the vessel that feeds the structure of the brain.
Neurotic disorders
The brain is poorly supplied with blood, its work and the state of the nervous system are disturbed.Often the head hurts, insomnia torments, which causes a state of fatigue, apathy.After the symptoms arise:
- increased sweating;
- emotional lability (mood instability);
- increased irritability;
- dizziness;
- depression;
- violation of concentration of attention;
- noise in the ears;
- "Flies" before the eyes;
- anxiety;
- tremor (trembling) of the limbs;
- panic attacks;
- Disorders of the vestibular apparatus: nausea, vomiting, gait instability, disorientation in space, impaired coordination.
General clinical signs
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae causes headaches, visual impairment.At 2 stages of pathology, patients complain of a ringing in the ears, a lump in the throat, weakness of the muscles of the hands, numbness of the tongue.When turning the neck and tilting of the head, a crunch is heard, black dots appear in front of the eyes.With the syndrome of the vertebral artery, other symptoms appear:
- migraine that goes from the back of the head to the forehead;
- darkening before the eyes;
- Soreness of the scalp;
- hearing loss;
- rise in blood pressure;
- The tingling of the fingers.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women
The clinical picture does not depend on the floor, but women age 45-65 years more often experience numbness of the limbs in a dream, tingling and pain in their hands.Attacks are repeated at night several times.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Pathology develops under the influence of a high load on the vertebrae, which causes muscle spasm.Often, sitting work leads to this - at the computer, in the vehicle.
At risk are people with posture disorders.Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- nervous tension, frequent stressful situations;
- hypodynamia - lack of physical exertion, low activity;
- weakness of the neck of the neck;
- hereditary predisposition;
- spine injuries;
- rheumatism;
- Excessive physical activity, weight lifting;
- improper nutrition;
- metabolic disorders;
- frequent hypothermia;
- age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system, cartilage fabric;
- congenital anomalies in the development of the cervical region;
- autoimmune pathologies that affect cartilage tissue;
- overweight;
- The instability of the vertebrae.
Diagnostics
The doctor studies the patient’s complaints, evaluates posture, muscle tension.Clarify the diagnosis using a neck x-ray in 4 projections: the picture shows the position of the vertebrae, displacement.The stage of the disease and hidden pathologies are revealed by the following methods:
- Magnetic resonance tomography- The most productive method shows in detail degenerative changes in bones, hernias, protrusion, ruptures of the fibrous ring.It can be prescribed instead of radiography, but the examination is expensive.
- Ultrasound duplex scanning- to assess blood flow disorders in the arteries.
- Computed tomography- does not reveal the size and zone of hernias, is prescribed in the early stages to determine the narrowing of the vertebral gap, displacement of segments of the cervical spine, the edge of bone growth.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The goals of therapy are to restore blood flow, tissue nutrition, remove the symptoms of hypoxia, stop the destruction of the vertebrae and discs.It is important to strengthen the muscle corset that supports the neck, to return mobility to the joints.Tactics of treatment are chosen at the stage of the disease:
- Initial- massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation.
- Osteochondrosis 2-3 stages- medical treatment, therapeutic exercises, massage.
- Irreversible degenerative changes with the destruction, deformation of the vertebrae- Surgical intervention and symptomatic therapy with drugs.
- Exacerbation of the chronic form of cervical osteochondrosis- injections or tablets of drugs that relieve pain, spasms.
Help in pronounced pain
Locally in the neck they influence the pepper patch or warming ointments.Active heating of a separate site distracts from pain, enhances blood flow in the tissues.Ointments are applied with a very thin layer using an applicator.Other ways to remove pain in osteochondrosis:
- Analgesics in tablets- They have an average effectiveness, contraindicated in problems with blood coagulation.
- Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs- Tablets are taken in the absence of a result from analgesics, since this group of drugs negatively affects the stomach and liver.
- Injections- They put with intense acute pains, the action manifests itself after 15 minutes.For intramuscular injections, NVPS, myotropic antispasmodics are used.In severe cases, they make a blockade.
Conservative methods of therapy for osteochondrosis of the neck
At 1-2 stages of the disease without symptoms of brain hypoxia, treatment is carried out at home.The basis of therapy is gymnastics and massage.They improve blood flow, strengthen the muscles.Other methods:
- Drug therapy- oral administration of drugs and injections for exacerbation, ointments and creams the rest of the time.
- Physiotherapy-courses of 7-10 procedures during remission.
- Folk remedies- as an additional method of treatment of osteochondrosis.
- Diet therapy- Products that are rich in fatty acids, magnesium, calcium are introduced into the diet.Exclude salt, smoked meats, pickled and spicy foods, fast food.
Medication
Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation is aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms, stimulation of blood flow, tissue nutrition.
During the period of remission, drugs are used that improve the quality of the cartilage, and prevent the vertebrae of collapses.Medicines are used inward and locally.The main groups of funds are:
- Musorelaxants- Relieve muscle spasm, reduce pain, are used for a month.
- Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- They are used locally and inside, relieve pain, swelling.Tablets are used no longer than 10 days.
- Analgesics- Anesthesia, but do not remove inflammation and in terms of effect we are weaker than NSAIDs.
- Chondroprotectors- Protect and restore cartilage.
- Sedatives- Often are prescribed for women in whom osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is complicated by severe neurotic disorders.
- Nootropics- They act on cerebral circulation, help fight dizziness.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes- improve metabolism in nervous tissue.
Non -drug
During remission, treatment of neck osteochondrosis is based on local procedures that improve blood flow, metabolism, relieve pain, inflammation.The patient is engaged in gymnastics every day, the plan of which draws up a doctor.The main methods of treatment are the following:
- Manual therapy- straightening the position of the vertebrae and their consolidation with massage.The course of 5-10 sessions pass 2-4 times a year.At home, light massage is allowed with stroking and rubbing the cervical zone and collar from top to bottom for 7-10 minutes to relieve muscle spasm.
- Electrophoresis with drugs- Preparations for pain relief and improvement of blood circulation are used, which with the current fall faster at the desired point.
- Magnetotherapy- Aimed at removing edema.
- Acupuncture- Improves blood flow, relieves inflammation.It is held in courses in 8-10 sessions after 1-2 days.
- Shanza collar- The controversial method of eliminating symptoms of osteochondrosis, since the load on the muscles is removed, but they are not strengthened.The product fixes the neck and extends the spine, increasing the distance between its segments.They wear a collar for 3 hours a day for a month.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Outside of the periods of exacerbation, the patient is shown to perform therapeutic exercises.Strong tilts of the head forward and backward, rotation are prohibited.Each exercise is done no longer than a minute, without sudden movements, jerks.If discomfort or pain occurs, the lesson is stopped.Proven exercises for the cervical spine:
- Slowly turn your head to the right and left, looking at the point in front of you: so you control the small amplitude of the movement.Do 10-15 times in each direction, gradually bring to 30.
- Put your palm on your forehead and press it, while trying to tilt your head forward.Read to 5 and relax.Repeat 10 times.
- Cover the left temple with your right palm, press to tilt your head to the shoulder.Read to 5, let go.Make each side 10 times.
- Lying on your stomach, stretch your arms along the body.Raising your head slightly, slowly turn it so as to touch the floor with your ear.Make 10 movements on each side.
Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region
If the nerve roots are affected, there is a hernia with a rupture of the ring, the vertebrae are destroyed and there is no result from the main therapy, and the operation is done.
Symptoms of a serious state: hands paralysis, muscle atrophy, stroke.The main methods of treatment:
- Fassetectomy- endoscopic removal of the joints with the subsequent fastening of the vertebrae, which will be motionless.
- Dissectomy with spondylodeza- It is prescribed for serious deforming changes.During the operation, a soft disk is removed, the vertebrae are spent to stop their destruction.Cons: the mobility of the cervical region is limited, long rehabilitation.
- Spinal fusia- removal of fragments of a destroyed disk, bone processes, the introduction of an artificial transplant and the fastening of the vertebrae.The recovery period is a year, the patient is indicated by the wearing of a corset.
- Corpectomy- Removing the destroyed vertebra and nearby disks is carried out in the absence of the effect of other methods.
Folk remedies for cervical osteochondrosis
With severe pain, take 1 tsp.alcohol and camphor, add 2 drops of iodine and rub the areas on the left and to the right of the spine (do not touch the pillar itself) for 3-5 minutes.This is done 1-2 times a day.
Other folk recipes in addition to basic therapy:
- Pour 500 g of knotweed with water (2 l), boil, insist.Pour the cooled broth through gauze into a prepared bath, take it for 15-20 minutes.The procedure is carried out at night, it relaxes and calms.The course is 7-10 sessions.
- Mix 1 tbsp.l.Birch buds, St. John's wort herbs, mint leaves.Grind, pour a glass of water, boil for 5 minutes.Strain, mix with butter and vegetable oil (75 g each).Apply the ointment with a thin layer on the neck, cover with polyethylene and scarf on top.Keep an hour.The procedures are carried out every day for 2 weeks.
- Pour 100 g of elderberry berries with vodka (600 ml).Insist a week in a cold place.Rub the neck with this tool 2 times a day for 10-15 days.
Prevention
Patients over 40 years of age should take calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, magnesium courses every six months - they improve the condition of bones, ligaments and cartilage.The diet includes fatty fish, shrimp, mussels, nuts, legumes, spinach, cheeses, milk.Other preventive measures:
- In case of sitting work, change the position of the neck more often, knead it every hour;
- choose a comfortable pillow;
- do swimming, yoga;
- avoid heavy athletics, sports with jumps, running;
- Do not allow hypothermia.