Cervical osteochondrosis

The life of a modern person is associated with constant overloads to which the spine is exposed. And while earlier diseases of this important organ were mainly found in people of mature and old age, today, according to medical statistics, representatives of the younger generation increasingly have such problems. The leader in this group of diseases iscervical osteochondrosis(SHOE). This pathology causes a lot of inconvenience to a person.

Therefore, it is worth studying the reasons for its appearance and methods of treatment.

What is cervical osteochondrosis?

For a long time, most people try not to notice unpleasant discomfort in the neck area, which is related to the usual overexertion and fatigue. However, over time, when moving the head, the discomfort becomes painful and other uncomfortable symptoms appear. And only when the situation becomes critical does a person seek medical help and learn that they have cervical osteochondrosis.

This disease affects both sexes equally often. As mentioned earlier, it is now commonly found in very young people under the age of 30. This phenomenon is largely due to the introduction of computer technologies into all areas of life. People just stop moving and spend most of their time in a state chained to the monitor. As a result, pathological changes appear in the cervical spine: the vertebrae are displaced, and the cartilage tissue between them, which is a kind of layer, becomes thinner. In other words, connective tissue overgrowth occurs when formations in the form of growths appear on the vertebral body.

The consequence of such pathological changes is a decrease in shock absorption between the vertebrae, the bone surfaces in contact with each other cause friction and squeeze the nearby nerves and blood vessels. All of these pathological changes lead to a deterioration in the blood supply to the back of the brain, which leads to a deterioration in general well-being and pain. If the problem is not addressed in a timely manner, the disease will progress and, in severe cases, can even lead to disability.

Causes of Cervical Osteochondrosis

Not so long ago, the main causes of SHOC have always been linked to age-related changes in the body. However, in the reality of modern life, factors have emerged that increase the risk of developing pathology at a younger age.

Some of these reasons are:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• forced remaining in one position (usually sitting);
• Obesity;
• Autoimmune diseases;
• Drafts;
• stressful situations;
• Injuries to the neck or occiput;
• congenital abnormalities of the spine;
• Violation of metabolic processes.

In some cases, the disease develops as a result of hormonal imbalances or unfavorable inheritance.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

In contrast to the pathological processes in other parts of the spine, SHOX manifests itself more strongly. This feature is explained by the fact that the vertebrae in the cervical spine are very close to each other, so the height of the intervertebral discs is low. This anatomical feature contributes to the compression of nerve tissue and blood vessels to a greater extent than in other parts of the spine. Therefore, the main symptoms of the disease are localized in the upper back, neck and head.

In this case, patients have the following symptoms:

• Restricting neck mobility, especially when trying to turn your head;
• severe pain, which often does not allow a person to perform an elementary act (bowing, turning the head);
• characteristic crunch when moving;
• decreased sensitivity in the hands;
• violation of coordination of movements;
• Dizziness;
• general weakness;
• decreased eyesight, hearing, sensitivity to touch or taste.

Since the cervical spine is made up of eight vertebrae, depending on the location of the dystrophic lesion, the disease has its own characteristic symptoms. Most of the time in these departments there is a sensitivity disorder or restricted movement due to compression of the spine roots. Therefore, cervical osteochondrosis is distinguished by radical symptoms, that is, it takes into account which vertebra is involved in the pathological process.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can be as follows:

1. the first vertebra - sensitivity decreases and numbness of the occipital region and neck is noted;
2. the second - pain in the back of the head and in the parietal region;
3. third - pain in the part of the neck where the root is clamped, also the perception of speech and taste are impaired;
4. fourth - pain radiating to the shoulder, breathing disorders can be observed under the shoulder blade;
5. fifth - pain in the neck radiating to the shoulder;
6. sixth - pain in the neck extends to the forearm and thumb on the hand;
7. seventh - pain radiating to the scapula region, back shoulder, forearm and fingers;
8. eighth - the pain spreads from the neck to the shoulder and further down the arm to the little fingers.

It should be noted that the diagnosis should pay particular attention to the extent of the lesion. Because this criterion determines the degree of cervical osteochondrosis. There are only four of them, and they determine the severity of the pathological process.

Diagnosis of the disease

It should be noted that at the initial examination, an experienced doctor can easily diagnose osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, focusing only on the characteristic clinical symptoms. However, in order to determine the degree of damage and the prevalence of the pathology, the patient is recommended to undergo a number of examinations.Basically, these are all hardware research methods. The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis includes:

• X-ray examination of the cervical spine. As part of the diagnosis, the degree of damage, localization, salt deposits and features of the location of the vertebrae are determined.
• Computed tomography - allows you to identify possible ruptures, determine the actual height of the intervertebral discs, points of compression of nerve tissue and spinal cord, if any.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - accurately shows pathological changes. Thanks to this type of examination, it is possible to accurately determine the condition of the nerve fibers, as well as the intensity of blood flow.

In most cases, one of the types of examination listed is sufficient for the diagnosis. In most cases, doctors use a technique that has been tried and tested for decades, namely x-rays.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

Any pathology of the spine is fraught with serious problems. After all, the spine is a kind of foundation on which the entire structure of the human body rests. Important bloodlines run through the neck area and provide the brain with oxygen and nutrients. There are many nerve endings here. Therefore, a violation of the innervation or blood supply to important organs threatens with serious consequences. And that is not an exaggeration of the danger, because osteochondrosis of the cervical spine has serious consequences.

In addition to the perceived discomfort, the resulting vertebral defect leads to hearing loss, visual impairment. The brain with SCH suffers from a lack of oxygen. Therefore, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is considered to be the most dangerous form of this disease.

To be convinced of this, it is enough to list only the most common complications of SHOX:

• persistent high blood pressure;
• chronic migraines;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia (VVD);
• Difficulty breathing;
• various perceptual disorders (taste, touch) that eventually take on an irreversible form;
• cardiovascular pathologies, of which strokes are the most dangerous.

In more advanced cases of the disease, patients develop vertebral artery syndrome, and prolonged compression of the nerve roots results in radiculopathy. Changes in the vertebral structure can subsequently lead to a complete loss of mobility in the neck. However, the most serious complication of cervical osteochondrosis is death, which leads to compression of the spinal cord.

Given the seriousness of the situation and the high likelihood of complications, you should go to hospital immediately if you experience alarming symptoms. Such unpleasant signs can include: systematic headache, dizziness, discomfort in the neck or the back of the head. After diagnostic measures, the doctor will select an adequate therapy.

Treatment of patients with SHS is usually complex. Therapy necessarily includes massage, therapeutic gymnastics, physiotherapeutic procedures. Without the use of medication, of course, it is impossible to improve the patient's condition.Therefore, the complex of drug treatment for osteochondrosis includes:

• Analgesics;
• anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs;
• Chondroprotectors;
• Muscle relaxants are agents that relieve muscle tension;
• a vitamin complex is necessarily prescribed.

All therapies are selected by a specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. Any form of self-medication for cervical osteochondrosis is unacceptable. All of these drugs are aimed at localizing the symptoms in the acute phase of the disease. Other techniques are relevant during remission. As a rule, the treatment is carried out at home, i. e. on an outpatient basis. However, in particularly severe cases, the patient is hospitalized.

Traditional methods of treatment

Doctors are always ready to supplement the drug complex of treatment with natural preparations prepared according to folk recipes. Various decoctions, infusions help stop inflammation and relieve pain.

Here are some recipes for an alternative treatment for osteochondrosis:

• Dill seeds (200 g) should be poured with vodka (250 ml) or alcohol halved with water. After two weeks of infusion, it is recommended to take one tablespoon of infusion three times a day on an empty stomach.
• Means for external use are easy to prepare in the following order: lilac leaves (fresh) must be crushed to a fine mass, add 300 ml of radish juice (black), then add 200 g of good honey to the mass. It is necessary to insist the composition in a dark place for the whole day. Then the problem area can be rubbed in with it. It is recommended to use this product after consulting a doctor. The composition is contraindicated for those who are allergic to its components.
• You can make an infusion for internal use from purple flowers. To do this, take a spoon (tablespoon) of fragrant inflorescences, pour a glass of boiling water, sift in an hour and take 1 liter three times. Arts.

Important! When taking all herbal supplements, the prescribed dosage should be strictly adhered to.

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis at home

It makes sense to talk about the complex of therapeutic gymnastics with SHH only after the end of the acute period. If the disease worsens, such activities can only worsen the situation.

All exercises in physiotherapy exercises aim to maintain normal mobility of the cervical spine. The lessons take place in a calm rhythm, there should be no sudden movements. If there are signs of tiredness or painful sensations, the class will be stopped immediately. The complex includes the following exercises that you can do regularly at home:

• When standing, you need to tilt your head as you inhale so that your chin touches your chest. As you exhale, gently pull your head backwards. The same exercise can be performed sitting freely in a chair.
• In any starting position, it is convenient to make rotating movements of the head. It is better to periodically change the direction of movement so that your head does not turn. It is recommended to do the exercise at a slow pace.
• Regularly performing this exercise will help strengthen the muscles of the neck perfectly: you need to put your hands in a "lock" and press your forehead against them as far as possible. To achieve a lasting effect, repeat this exercise three times for 30 seconds. You can take turns pressing your forehead with your palms and then pressing your forehead on your palms.

There are many other effective methods, but each option can only be used with the approval of the doctor.

To prevent anamnesis of diagnosis "cervical osteochondrosis"You need to lead an active life, exercise regularly in the mornings, take care of your neck, and properly equip your workplace.