The osteochondrosis of the cervical column is one of the varieties of ordinary osteochondrosis. It is manifested by the degenerative destruction of the adjacent discs and vertebrae. At the same time, arteries and nerve endings are introduced into the pathological process. Recently, cervical osteochondrosis has become much younger. If in the last century the disease was the fate of the elderly, today young people from 23 to 40 years suffer, possibly older. This dystrophy represents up to 40% of the total number of diseases.
Reasons
Why is cervical osteochondrosis developing? It is demonstrated that the most common cause of pathology is the lack of active movements. The work sitting with an extended neck forward or an arched head: this is how the business day of office workers and representatives of many other specialties passes. Upon getting home, most feel again for a computer or television. A similar way of life leads to a deterioration in blood flow in the spinal artery, followed by the dystrophy of the discs and the destruction of the vertebrae. The factor considered is far from being the only guilty of the disease. There are other causes of cervical osteochondrosis. For example, many experts give great importance to hypothermia and hereditary weakness of intervertebral joints, ligaments and muscles. The following factors become the initial mechanism for the development of neck osteochondrosis:
- endocrine system work disorders;
- flat feet;
- column injuries;
- Posture violation;
- unbalanced diet;
- High load in the cervical segment;
- autoimmune diseases;
- Virus and infections.
In women of the postmenopausal period, the cause of the progressive dystrophy of the cervical column is a decrease in estrogen production with the concomitant development of osteoporosis.
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteochondrosis may appear both at the beginning of the disease and then, in the chronic stage. It all depends on the degree of dystrophy, the presence of concomitant pathologies and a combination of adverse conditions. The main symptoms of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column:
- Banking of Hell;
- migraines, dizziness;
- neurotic disorders;
- pain and crunch on the neck;
- The weakness of the upper extremities:
- altered sensitivity;
- worsening of audition and vision, coordination disorder of movements;
- Loss of performance.
The pain for cervical osteochondrosis can give any place: in the shoulder, the elbow, the ear, under the shoulder blade. A distinctive feature of unpleasant sensations is surprise. In an acute attack, discomfort disappears as unexpectedly as it happens. The dizziness by the neck osteochondrosis are often accompanied by disorientation, a sound in the ears, loss of consciousness, nausea, migraines. Pressure waves occur several times a day and are poorly provided to medical correction. The symptoms of damage to the cervical vertebrae that occur in the brain are based on the deterioration of blood flow and tissue trophism. As a result of the compression of the spinal artery and the hunger of oxygen in patients, the following disorders are manifested:
- a feeling of fear and panic;
- irritability;
- assault;
- Frequent change of mood;
- crying;
- insomnia;
- worsening memory and attention;
- Irazonable outbreaks of anger.
The signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women seem something before men and proceed more pronounced. The first symptoms of diseases, as a rule, are brain disorders, often discarded in a hormonal insufficiency. Then there are dizziness, migraines, loss of consciousness. The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in men do not occur so intensely and often resemble an angina pectoral attack with concomitant breathing difficulty, nausea, discomfort behind the sternum. Only a specialist can determine the true cause of such demonstrations, he can provide primary assistance, so he should not be delayed with his visit.
Degree
Taking into account and analysis of the procedure for the development of changes in the tissues of the vertebra, the doctors designated several stages of osteochondrosis of the cervical region:
- Clinical phase. Cervical osteochondrosis of the first degree is expressed by displacement of the octopo core next door and the beginning of the destruction of the fibrous ring. The pain in this period can be absent, a small lordosis and difficulty in turning or bowing your head is possible.
- The osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second grade is characterized by an increase in pathological destruction, the instability of the entire segment with subluxis, and a pain appears, sometimes giving in the belt or arm of the shoulder. The patient complains of distraction, a deterioration in memory and attention.
- Third grade osteochondrosis develops with a complete breakdown of the fibrous ring. Neurological symptoms appear, sensitivity is altered. The pain in the third stage becomes constant and bothers the patient a lot. The mobility of the cervical segment worsens.
- 4 degrees neck osteochondrosis. The final stage of the degenerative process. The intervertebral disc is completely replaced by the connective tissue, all the symptoms become more pronounced, a deterioration in the coordination of the movements, ataxia is observed.
Depending on pain location, the following type of disease is distinguished: and cervical. According to the method, of course, the disease is usual to divide into acute intervertebral osteochondrosis of the neck, which appears for the first time and chronicle, stretching for years with constant remissions and exacerbations.
What doctor is cervical osteochondrosis?
The variety of symptoms, often hidden under the mask of another ailment, causes patients a logical question: what doctor contact? When any pain in the neck, shoulders and hands or the appearance of neurotic disorders, it is urgent to approach the neurologist. And who to contact if there are no such specialists in the local clinic? In this case, the ticket must be postponed to the therapist. The doctor will prescribe treatment or send a limited specialization to the doctor.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis begins with a visual exam and a patient survey. The neuropathologist is interested in the patient's living and work conditions, the presence of chronic ailments, nutrition and motor activity. A preliminary diagnosis is confirmed by the conduct of instrumental research:
- X -Ray in two projections;
- Magnetic resonance;
- CONNECTICUT;
- Duplex scan.
Hormone analysis is required for more fair sex. Without it, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women does not begin. To exclude pathologies with such symptoms, a differential diagnosis is carried out with the appointment of additional consultations with a surgeon, gynecologist, cardiologist, ophthalmologist and tradition.
Treatment
First aid for acute pains in the cervical segment include taking anesthetics and guaranteeing the rest of the affected area. Distraction therapy: The pepper patch, the application of heating ointments helps well. However, such measures cannot deal with the disease. Only temporarily facilitate the patient's condition. The treatment for the osteochondrosis of the cervical column is integral. Its main objective is to eliminate pain and slow down the destruction of discs and vertebrae. For this, several types of therapy are prescribed: medications, exercise therapy, massage, use of an orthopedic collar. The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women has a series of characteristics and is mainly aimed at eliminating the symptoms that occur in the brain. Another effective remedy for neck pain is physiotherapy. The treatment is prescribed both during exacerbation and during remission. The following procedures face the symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- laser;
- Magnetotherapy;
- ultrasound;
- Electrophoresis with novocaine or euphilin.
He markedly facilitates the condition of patients with therapeutic massage. Do it only in the remission stage. To achieve a persistent result, the therapy is carried out through a course consisting of 9-10 procedures. The cure to gymnastics is very effective for osteochondrosis of the cervical region. The strictly dosed load quickly eliminates discomfort, improves vertebral mobility, strengthens muscles and improves blood flow. Often, patients with osteochondrosis resort to the recipes of traditional medicine, with the hope of a cure. It should be remembered that all non -traditional agents are allowed only as an addition to the main therapy prescribed by the doctor. Is it possible to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis? Unfortunately not. Medication and other conservative methods can only suspend the distribution process and eliminate symptoms. Even after satisfactory therapy, the affected discs are still replaced by connective tissue and lose their functionality.
Complications
The osteochondrosis of the cervical column is dangerous with its complications. With the adverse development of the disease, squeezing the spinal artery can cause a stroke of the brain, the persistent worsening of hearing and vision. Often, a hernia, severe hypertension and numbness or cooling of the fingers join the osteochondrosis. In women, complications of a neurological nature are often developed: constant fatigue, lethargy, loss of performance, excessive resentment.
Prevention
The prevention of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column includes affordable physical activity, a balanced diet with a sufficient amount of calcium and phosphorus, control over the weight and maintenance of the appropriate posture. All of the above should become a habit and strictly fulfilled, better from early childhood. Office workers and those who spend many hours behind the monitor screen to avoid neck osteochondrosis should meet simple recommendations:
- Every hour organizes 10 -minute breaks during which performs simple exercises;
- At lunchtime, it does not feel in the workplace, but go out to walk through fresh air;
- Choose convenient production furniture that excludes an awkward pose;
- Organize good table light.
After a work day, it is recommended to lie on a flat surface without a pillow for 15-20 minutes or ask the home to do a light massage. This will help relieve the tension of cervical muscles and relax. The excellent prevention of degenerative changes will not be sports and traumatic swimming. Osteochondrosis identified and timely cured of the cervical region may not manifest for many years, which allows the patient to lead a completely comfortable life. And with a regular preventive administration used for the prevention and treatment of the osteoarthritis of medicines, the disease will stop annoying even in old age.