Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes and treatment
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a dystrophic disorder of intervertebral discs in the neck of a person.
The cervical region is very mobile due to the need for bends and inclinations of the head, but it is also quite vulnerable due to a weak muscular corset. Any negative impact that is on the back and neck, a negative effect on the cervical spine.
Anatomically cervical vertebrae are close together, so the probability of their displacement and destruction is significant even without external factors. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is dangerous not only for its unpleasant manifestations, but also for the possibility of pinching arteries that feed the brain.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical region lie primarily in changes in cartilage tissue due to accumulation of salts in the blood and lymph of a person.
With normal nutrition and regular physical activity, salts in the human body are consumed correctly. Otherwise, their excessive accumulation in the organs and cartilaginous tissue is possible. Thus, cartilaginous tissue loses mobility and flexibility, which explains the processes of displacement of the vertebrae, pinching of arteries and other dystrophic changes.
In addition, there are degenerative changes in which there are osteophytes - bone growths in the cervical vertebrae, which irritate muscles, causing their tension, which further worsens the human condition.
It used to be that osteochondrosis of any part of the spine is a disease that is inherent in people after 35 years, but at the present time the disease has become noticeably younger. Very many young people are beginning to feel the first symptoms of osteochondrosis at school or at the first courses of the university, which is also explained by a long sitting posture and, in addition, disorders in posture.
But it is worth noting that people whose work is related to physical labor can also face osteochondrosis of the cervical department. Large back loads combined with an uncomfortable position of the body or past back injuries have a negative impact on the person's neck, causing unnecessary stress. In addition, we can identify several more main causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical region, namely:
The main symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical region is pain of varying severity that can be localized in different parts of the human body.
So, the pain can spread to the eye area, to give in the teeth or ears because of which it is possible to make the wrong diagnosis. Sometimes pain from osteochondrosis can be given to the shoulders, arms, scapula and even the lumbar spine.
With cervical osteochondrosis, the localization of pain in the region of the heart, which the person is most likely mistaken for heartache, but it will not be removed by any drugs. As you can see, the symptoms and pain from the cervical osteochondrosis are multifaceted, and the degree of their expression is individual for each case.
In the event that arteries that feed the brain are trapped due to cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, headaches, decreased hearing and visual acuity, loss of orientation in space and other symptoms, associated with a lack of blood circulation of the brain.
In addition, with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, a person will feel a fairly pronounced tension in the neck, which increases with tilting the head, a long sitting position, and also in the morning after sleep.
Read more: lumbar osteochondrosis and thoracic osteochondrosis.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine begins with the collection of information about the lifestyle of a person and his work, as well as with the analysis of symptoms. In addition, the physician should determine whether there are or do not have similar symptoms in family members to identify a possible hereditary predisposition.
The next step in the diagnosis is an external examination of the back and neck in different positions of the person, which makes it possible to clearly see the changes in posture and various abnormalities that can lead to osteochondrosis. In addition, the feeling of painful zones is made, which will indicate the degree of soreness and tension of muscles and vertebrae.
Similar methods help to suspect the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, but the main role in the diagnosis is assigned to instrumental methods of research. So, actively using the method of radiography, which gives quite a lot of information about the condition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. In the event that information is insufficient to make a diagnosis, it is possible to perform magnetic resonance imaging( MRI).MRI will provide information not only about the vertebrae, but also about the condition of soft tissues.
In case of severe headaches, as well as tension in the neck, duplex vascular examination is very often used. It allows to evaluate the structure of blood vessels and the patency of blood flow in them, as well as to reveal many violations and anomalies in the development of the walls of blood vessels.
You may be interested in the treatment of osteochondrosis at home.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis usually has a complex approach, which involves both taking medications and physiotherapy.
Drug treatment includes taking medications that relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the tissues. With not very severe pain, it is possible to use only local preparations in the form of ointments or gels. But in the case of vivid painful sensations a person can use both medicines used orally, and local drugs.
In addition, when osteochondrosis is very often prescribed nootropics and complexes of B vitamins, which are designed to improve blood flow in the cervical region and contribute to better nutrition of the brain.
But the results of medical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will be reduced to zero if a person does not reconsider his way of life. For example, if the cause of the disease is in a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work, then a person must include regular physical activity in his life.
Very good results in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis have been shown by various methods of physiotherapy, such as electrophoresis, water procedures, massage and therapeutic gymnastics. In addition, a significant effect in the treatment is achieved with the help of manual therapy, hirudotherapy and osteopathy.
Read also, a hernia in the cervical spine is a consequence of untreated osteochondrosis.
Many diseases are easier to prevent than treat if they occur. Osteochondrosis refers to such diseases. To protect yourself from it, a person must adhere to certain preventive actions.
So, regular physical activity and gymnastics significantly reduces the likelihood of developing an osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and, moreover, does not allow a person to gain excess weight. In addition, with sedentary work a person should do an easy warm-up of the neck every hour or two, and also follow the correct posture( see exercises for osteochondrosis).
As a prophylaxis of osteochondrosis of the cervical department, a good result is shown by regular massage, which allows you to work through all problem areas and prevent the development of excessive muscle tension.
Avoiding stress, regular diet and healthy sleep are common recommendations that reduce the likelihood of not only osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but also many other unpleasant diseases. Also, one should remember that one should not lift the weight, especially if his physical training does not allow it to be done without consequences.
In addition to all of the above, for preventive purposes a person should visit a specialist once a year to timely identify problems with the back and neck.
Below is a set of exercises that are recommended for cervical osteochondrosis. They can be used for medicinal purposes, as well as for the prevention of the development of the disease.
The video clearly shows how to correctly perform therapeutic exercises in cervical osteochondrosis.
The cervical region is very mobile due to the need for bends and inclinations of the head, but it is also quite vulnerable due to a weak muscular corset. Any negative impact that is on the back and neck, a negative effect on the cervical spine.
Anatomically cervical vertebrae are close together, so the probability of their displacement and destruction is significant even without external factors. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is dangerous not only for its unpleasant manifestations, but also for the possibility of pinching arteries that feed the brain.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical region lie primarily in changes in cartilage tissue due to accumulation of salts in the blood and lymph of a person.
With normal nutrition and regular physical activity, salts in the human body are consumed correctly. Otherwise, their excessive accumulation in the organs and cartilaginous tissue is possible. Thus, cartilaginous tissue loses mobility and flexibility, which explains the processes of displacement of the vertebrae, pinching of arteries and other dystrophic changes.
In addition, there are degenerative changes in which there are osteophytes - bone growths in the cervical vertebrae, which irritate muscles, causing their tension, which further worsens the human condition.
In all changes and violations in the cervical spine, in most cases, a sedentary lifestyle is guilty. Usually cervical osteochondrosis affects office workers who are forced to sit for eight hours a day, especially if they do not bother with regular physical activity.
It used to be that osteochondrosis of any part of the spine is a disease that is inherent in people after 35 years, but at the present time the disease has become noticeably younger. Very many young people are beginning to feel the first symptoms of osteochondrosis at school or at the first courses of the university, which is also explained by a long sitting posture and, in addition, disorders in posture.
But it is worth noting that people whose work is related to physical labor can also face osteochondrosis of the cervical department. Large back loads combined with an uncomfortable position of the body or past back injuries have a negative impact on the person's neck, causing unnecessary stress. In addition, we can identify several more main causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical region, namely:
- overweight;
- hereditary predisposition;
- disorders in metabolic processes of the body;
- improper or poor nutrition;
- long-term stress;
- flat feet;
- supercooling;
- weight lifting with undeveloped muscular corset back;
- trauma to the spine or back in general.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical region is pain of varying severity that can be localized in different parts of the human body.
So, the pain can spread to the eye area, to give in the teeth or ears because of which it is possible to make the wrong diagnosis. Sometimes pain from osteochondrosis can be given to the shoulders, arms, scapula and even the lumbar spine.
With cervical osteochondrosis, the localization of pain in the region of the heart, which the person is most likely mistaken for heartache, but it will not be removed by any drugs. As you can see, the symptoms and pain from the cervical osteochondrosis are multifaceted, and the degree of their expression is individual for each case.
In the event that arteries that feed the brain are trapped due to cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, headaches, decreased hearing and visual acuity, loss of orientation in space and other symptoms, associated with a lack of blood circulation of the brain.
In addition, with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, a person will feel a fairly pronounced tension in the neck, which increases with tilting the head, a long sitting position, and also in the morning after sleep.
Read more: lumbar osteochondrosis and thoracic osteochondrosis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine begins with the collection of information about the lifestyle of a person and his work, as well as with the analysis of symptoms. In addition, the physician should determine whether there are or do not have similar symptoms in family members to identify a possible hereditary predisposition.
The next step in the diagnosis is an external examination of the back and neck in different positions of the person, which makes it possible to clearly see the changes in posture and various abnormalities that can lead to osteochondrosis. In addition, the feeling of painful zones is made, which will indicate the degree of soreness and tension of muscles and vertebrae.
Similar methods help to suspect the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, but the main role in the diagnosis is assigned to instrumental methods of research. So, actively using the method of radiography, which gives quite a lot of information about the condition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. In the event that information is insufficient to make a diagnosis, it is possible to perform magnetic resonance imaging( MRI).MRI will provide information not only about the vertebrae, but also about the condition of soft tissues.
In case of severe headaches, as well as tension in the neck, duplex vascular examination is very often used. It allows to evaluate the structure of blood vessels and the patency of blood flow in them, as well as to reveal many violations and anomalies in the development of the walls of blood vessels.
You may be interested in the treatment of osteochondrosis at home.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis usually has a complex approach, which involves both taking medications and physiotherapy.
Drug treatment includes taking medications that relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the tissues. With not very severe pain, it is possible to use only local preparations in the form of ointments or gels. But in the case of vivid painful sensations a person can use both medicines used orally, and local drugs.
In addition, when osteochondrosis is very often prescribed nootropics and complexes of B vitamins, which are designed to improve blood flow in the cervical region and contribute to better nutrition of the brain.
But the results of medical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will be reduced to zero if a person does not reconsider his way of life. For example, if the cause of the disease is in a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work, then a person must include regular physical activity in his life.
Very good results in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis have been shown by various methods of physiotherapy, such as electrophoresis, water procedures, massage and therapeutic gymnastics. In addition, a significant effect in the treatment is achieved with the help of manual therapy, hirudotherapy and osteopathy.
Read also, a hernia in the cervical spine is a consequence of untreated osteochondrosis.
Prevention of
Many diseases are easier to prevent than treat if they occur. Osteochondrosis refers to such diseases. To protect yourself from it, a person must adhere to certain preventive actions.
So, regular physical activity and gymnastics significantly reduces the likelihood of developing an osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and, moreover, does not allow a person to gain excess weight. In addition, with sedentary work a person should do an easy warm-up of the neck every hour or two, and also follow the correct posture( see exercises for osteochondrosis).
As a prophylaxis of osteochondrosis of the cervical department, a good result is shown by regular massage, which allows you to work through all problem areas and prevent the development of excessive muscle tension.
Avoiding stress, regular diet and healthy sleep are common recommendations that reduce the likelihood of not only osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, but also many other unpleasant diseases. Also, one should remember that one should not lift the weight, especially if his physical training does not allow it to be done without consequences.
In addition to all of the above, for preventive purposes a person should visit a specialist once a year to timely identify problems with the back and neck.
Exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Below is a set of exercises that are recommended for cervical osteochondrosis. They can be used for medicinal purposes, as well as for the prevention of the development of the disease.
The video clearly shows how to correctly perform therapeutic exercises in cervical osteochondrosis.