As we age, we are more likely to experience pain and fatigue in the neck area. These symptoms can hide a diagnosis of osteochondrosis. Why is it being developed? What treatment methods exist? Is it possible to cope with the disease at home? We asked these questions to the doctors.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the spine. It is caused by natural aging processes, such as the appearance of gray hair.
In medicine, osteochondrosis refers to various diseases. In English-language literature, the concept of osteochondrosis is rare and refers to damage to the bones of children and adolescents during growth due to poor blood supply. In domestic literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. It is typical of older people and occurs in almost all people.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Neurologists identify several main reasons for the development of the disease:
- low physical activity,
- predisposition to disease,
- increased static and dynamic loads,
- altered metabolism,
- unhealthy diet
- hormonal disorders,
- poor posture,
- stress.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
The most common symptoms of osteochondrosis include reflex, miadaptive and compressive pain syndromes. Let's look at each of them in more detail:
reflex syndrome
It occurs due to excessive tension on the nerve endings of the intervertebral disc. Nerve impulses enter the deep and superficial muscles of the back, causing pain and a feeling of tension.
Reflex syndrome is characterized by pain in the neck, which intensifies with any movement of the head. It may not have a clear location and can be felt in the arms or legs.
myadaptive syndrome
It occurs due to muscle overexertion and manifests itself in the form of muscle spasms. It develops with regular and intense physical activity, as well as in cases where healthy muscles take over the function of the affected ones.
The pain in myadaptive syndrome is located in the trigger points: compactions in the spasm area. Symptoms include nausea, headaches and insomnia.
Compression syndrome
Due to osteochondrosis, the cartilage and bones of the spine shift, causing pressure on the nerve endings. Compression syndrome is characterized by the impact of a pathological structure on the spinal roots, spinal cord or any vessels.
Compression syndrome includes 3 vertebral artery syndromes:
- Radiculopathy - radicular syndrome;
- Myelopathy - spinal syndrome;
- Neurovascular syndrome.
Inradicular syndromeThe pain is pronounced and is accompanied by clear sensory disturbances in the affected spinal nerve root area. Neck pain is usually worse at night. Movement disturbances may occur, such as muscle weakness and absence of one or more reflexes.
Inspinal syndromethe spinal canal compresses the spinal cord; This occurs when the vertebrae are dislocated or fractured. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. Sensitivity in arms and legs decreases and stiffness appears.
Vertebral artery syndromeIt develops when its lumen narrows, particularly if it is compressed by bony structures. This syndrome is characterized by neck pain, headache, loss of coordination and balance, dizziness, hearing and visual impairment.
There is another syndrome of osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are often associated with heart diseases: this iscardiac syndrome.
It occurs due to damage to the cervical and upper thoracic spine, is characterized by pain in the heart area, mimics or aggravates existing changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. Unlike "heart" pain, it has no clear connection to food, physical or emotional stress. The pain appears or intensifies during movements, with forced inhalation, coughing, sneezing. Cardiac syndrome can affect blood pressure and heart rate.
The presence of symptoms of cardiac syndrome requires careful diagnosis of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
How does osteochondrosis develop?
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- Level 1- instability of the vertebrae appears, their displacement and alteration of cervical lordosis - curvature of the spine, oriented convexly forward.
Symptoms in stage 1 are mild. A person may notice that the neck begins to hurt more often and gets tired faster.
- Stages 2 and 3— the intervertebral space decreases and the vertebrae are compressed. In these stages, intervertebral protrusions and hernias appear, as well as previous bone growths - osteophytes.
The second and third stages differ in the severity of these changes. The third stage is characterized by rupture of the annulus fibrosus and the development of a herniated intervertebral disc.
- Stage 4- the appearance of posterior osteophytes that threaten the integrity of the spinal cord. The patient's coordination is affected and frequent dizziness occurs. At this stage irreversible consequences appear that lead to disability.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on X-ray diagnostics, MRI studies or computed tomography. All of the above syndromes, as well as many others, are complications of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home.
With the development of reflex syndrome, accompanied by local pain and limited mobility,Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home.. The patient needs rest, absence of physical and static load for 3-5 days, then the volume of load is increased individually. During the acute period, pain should be reduced by taking local anesthetic gels and patches, as well as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with B vitamins. Medications that improve microcirculation in the affected spinal motion segment are recommended.
After the pain syndrome has subsided and motor functions are normalized, restorative treatment methods can be used: physiotherapy, massage, physical and manual therapy.
Non-drug treatment methods may be more effective due to the direct impact on and working with certain affected muscles.
In case of numbness, tingling, impaired movement, dizziness, headaches and other symptoms that go beyond the reflex syndrome, it is necessary to consult a doctor to diagnose and determine the correct treatment tactics.
Surgery
The decision to undergo surgical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identify several criteria that may be a reason for surgery:
- The spinal cord is compressed by a hernia, displaced vertebra, osteophyte or other pathological formations.
- Severe pain syndrome persists for a long time.
- Pharmacological and physiotherapeutic treatment does not produce results for more than 3 months.
In case of hernia protrusion, decompression is carried out by removing the hernia; in case of displacement of the vertebra, fixation with a metal structure; If we talk about osteophytic complications, bone growths are eliminated.
Most spinal surgeries performed are traumatic and do not guarantee improvement. Deterioration of well-being and increased pain in adjacent spinal motion segments can often occur, so spinal surgery is a last resort when the disease is severe and there are no other treatment approaches.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and neck pain includes the normalization of living and working conditions. It is important to avoid keeping your neck bent for long periods of time. You should strengthen and stretch your neck muscles and increase their mobility through physical exercise.
Otheran effective way to prevent the progression of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionhigh in protein, healthy fats and collagen-rich foods. It is recommended to reduce the amount of "fast" carbohydrates consumed, as well as compensate for the lack of microelements and vitamins.
Adequate sleep, lack of stress and active physical activity are important: cardio, regular exercise therapy, Pilates, yoga, stretching.
The development of osteochondrosis is associated with the natural aging of our body; Almost all people are susceptible to the disease. Prevention of osteochondrosis, as well as observation by specialists, will help your spine stay healthy longer.