The organs and tissues of the body wear out and age over time, therefore, at the age of 50-60, one begins to experience periodic pain throughout the body.However, there are diseases in which the aging of individual parts becomes much faster.The first symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical region occur up to 40 years, and the disease itself brings a lot of inconvenience.
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical region?
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is a disease associated with the wear of the cervical vertebrae.The cervical spine itself consists of 7 moving vertebrae and connective tissue in the form of intervertebral discs.Since the upper spine is not enhanced by the muscular corset, the neck is the most mobile segment.This is also facilitated by elastic connective tissue.All this contributes to the turn and inclinations of the head.There is a complex circulatory system and nerve endings inside the vertebrae and discs.
With excessive strain on the neck, the intervertebral discs are abrasion made less elastic.As a result, the vertebrae themselves begin to "leave".Improperly located vertebrae lead to the pinching of the nerves, worsening of blood circulation and metabolism in the spine.
Symptoms
The symptoms in the osteochondrosis of the cervical region are very varied as they are associated with nerve clips and worsening blood flow.There are cases where instead of reasons, the investigation is treated but does not achieve results, therefore it is extremely important to properly diagnose the disease.
There are a number of common symptoms that occur in most sufferers of this disease:
- Burning pain in the neck, which is exacerbated by the change in posture, sneezing, deep breath, rotation of the head.With a sharp rotation of the neck, the pain can cause seizures;
- Small coordination problems that most often lead to unstable gait;
- Deterioration of Veasure, which is not always accompanied by myopia or excessive fatigue of the eyeball.Rice pulsations and flickering black spots are also characteristic.
- Auditory deterioration, which is accompanied by constant noise and ringing in the ears;
- Headache of different nature, as I burn in the back of the head, which spreads to the time, as well as dull pain in the complexion and the parietal area, periodic dizziness;
- Constant fatigue;
- Problems with concentration of attention and memory, as well as a significant impairment of mental capacity, are characteristic mainly for people of the elderly.
In addition, depending on how the nerve is pinched, additional symptoms appear that no longer affect the head, but below:
- Tingling and tingling of the shoulder, arms and fingers.The country is tingling, depending on where the neck is turned, and not all fingers are colored, but 1-2, with what fingers, you can determine the problem of what kind of vertebrae.The pain is rarely transmitted to the legs;
- The pain is applied to the shoulder and left side of the chest, including periodic spasms in the heart;
- Burning from the neck to the area between the shoulder blades;
Sometimes osteochondrosis also manifests itself on the appearance of a person: tooth pain, relaxed and dry skin of the face, snoring at night, hoarse or weak voice
Causes for cervical osteochondrosis
The most common cause of osteochondrosis is a sedentary lifestyle, so "white collars" are the subject of this disease.Office workers have long been in an uncomfortable position, which is forced to maintain the spine, including the cervical department.The lack of the ability to do gymnastics periodically, developing the neck, leads to the breakdown of the intervertebral discs.However, too active sports can also lead to osteochondrosis, especially for lifting exercises, as the main load falls on the spine.With constant heavy loads, the connective tissue begins to wash, this leads to osteochondrosis of various segments of the spine.
In addition to an active lifestyle or its absence, the cause of osteochondrosis may be:
- poor nutrition, lack of vitamins and minerals, in particular calcium and phosphorus;
- Genetic predisposition.Osteochondrosis is not a hereditary disease, but with the development of the fetus in the womb, there may be sufficient substances to form bone bone, which will affect the elasticity of the discs in adulthood.Or hereditary diseases of the bone tissue can become a factor;
- back or neck injury;
- hypothermia;
- The problem of metabolism or hormones.
Degree of osteochondrosis.Why is this disease dangerous?
There are 3 degrees for the development of osteochondrosis of the neck, although in some sources 4 there is also a recovery after the removal of hernia.However, a similar development of the disease is considered quite positive, since there are no constant disorders in the vital system.
The first degree of disease causes the least inconvenience, but that is why it is difficult to diagnose in the early stages.This degree is characterized by a minor loss of elasticity and cracks in the intervertebral discs.This is expressed in the form of neck pain during inclinations, the nature of the pain can be described as an electrical discharge that passes along the cervical segment.Also at this point the students are expanding, which makes it possible to determine the disease in the first stage.
The second degree of osteochondrosis is characterized by constant neck pain, which intensifies when the position of the head is changed, but it does not completely pass.At this stage, swelling of the neck is possible, as the intervertebral disc is narrowed under the vertebrae.The places of already existing tears expand and excess moisture begins to leak from the disc itself, leading to swelling.As the distance between the vertebrae decreases to this extent, the first signs of nerves affect.Often suffering from osteochondrosis of the neck, people try to reduce pain by keeping their heads with their hands.However, the pain also extends to the head.
The third degree of disease development begins with the hernia of the disk.This condition was also called acute osteochondrosis when, due to neck pain, one often loses consciousness.The pain is applied in the limbs and the thoracic region, the gait becomes uncertain.In particularly difficult cases, there may be partial loss of control of control.Also, neglected osteochondrosis can lead to nerve and spinal cord damage, which causes complete or partial paralysis.
Diagnostic methods
You can diagnose osteochondrosis of the neck only in clinical conditions.The diagnosis itself is carried out in several stages:
- Analysis of the patient's complaints.At this stage, it is mainly about the nature of the pain and where it is most often manifested;
- External inspection.During an external examination, the doctor cannot determine the disease with confidence, but palpation of the neck helps to understand the condition of the neck muscles and to detect the points of pain;
- Hardware studies.Only with the help of hardware studies can you determine the cause of neck pain.Usually x -ray is used for this.They take some pictures to have a complete picture, as the bones of the skull can close some of the cervical vertebrae.Also, a picture with an open mouth will surely see the degree of compression of the discs.In addition to X -ray, more modern equipment is used -computed tomography and MRI apparatus.The latter gives the most full picture, as you can immediately see hernia.
An independent diagnosis based on pain and a sense of sections of the neck is impossible.You need a photo inside to find out the condition of the cervical segment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Complete cure of osteochondrosis is only possible in the initial stages of the disease.In other cases, treatment only facilitates the symptoms so that the patient does not experience discomfort in ordinary life.In general, treatment does not require surgery, it is only used to remove hernia for osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree.The treatment of the disease itself is done in various ways that can depend on the clinic policy and the presence of special equipment.The most effective treatment gives:
- deep vibrations with a special device;
- mountain wax applications;
- electrophoresis;
- Laser therapy.
These techniques can relieve pain for only a few sessions, but it is not possible to put them in practice everywhere, therefore, massage is most often prescribed as an affordable and effective treatment method.
Treatment with drugs is also used for injections, ointments, painkillers.Some clinics offer alternative types of drugs as a way of recovery from the disease.In such cases, acupuncture, moxotherapy (warming the required points of the body) are used, place leeches.
Only a specialist can recommend a specific method of treatment after diagnosis and determines the degree of disease.
Common questions
People facing osteochondrosis of the cervical region have approximately the same questions that are given below.
Is it possible to cure it at all?
This disease can be completely cured, but only at the initial stage.With a 2 -degree degree of osteochondrosis, treatment will be directed mainly to stopping pain.Possible remission.
Can I warm your neck?
It is impossible to warm the neck with compresses, special lamps and other means.Although in the first minutes a person is relieved and the pain is inferior, in an hour she will return with revenge, accelerating the process of development of the disease.There is also a likelihood of severe swelling.
At the same time, it is necessary to prevent hypothermia of the neck, so it is recommended to wear hot scarves and clothing with high collars.
Can the head circle osteochondrosis?
Yes, because during the disease blood flow to the brain decreases, which causes dizziness, as well as some other symptoms.Dizziness may manifest itself differently, depending on which area is susceptible to oxygen starvation.One can either observe how the walls and floor move, or hear the noise of blood in the ears and feel the pressure on the temporary share.
May I have a headache from that?
Headache is one of the most common symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck.Several varieties of pain are distinguished: migraines burning in the parietal area, which extends to the supernatural arcs, acute pain that rises from the spine to the crown and temporary pain.They can occur for various reasons, but they are all characteristic of osteochondrosis.
Prevention
Any disease is easier to prevent than treatment.The same rule applies to osteochondrosis of the neck.In order to prevent the disease, you need to adhere to several rules:
- Physical activity.The most effective ways to avoid yoga and physiotherapy exercises will be to avoid neck, but it is better to refuse two hours or two hours in the gym in the gym.With a sedentary lifestyle, you need to periodically arrange a short break during the work day, during which you have to get out of the chair and walk, knead your shoulders and neck.It is advisable to avoid a sharp turn of the head.
- Organization in the workplace.Properly selected working chair and table will help you avoid neck pain.The chairs should be selected with a high back so as to maintain the spine, the mass should be proportional to your growth.Proper lighting and the distance to the computer will also help reduce the risk of the disease.
- Organization on the spot.A healthy sleep takes as much time as the normalized work day, which means that you need to deal with its convenience.The orthopedic not too hard mattress and low pillow will be an excellent solution.
- Massage.You do not need to go to massage 3 times a week to keep your neck and back in normal, you can learn how to do your own massage.This will avoid the accumulation of salts in the cervical region and maintain the muscles in the tone.
- Visit to Banya and Sauna.Although osteochondrosis is not allowed to warm the neck, the baths are shown in the form of prophylaxis, as this is a way to remove muscle spasm as well as to remove harmful toxins from the body that come out later.
- Proper nutrition.Very often the lack of nutrients becomes a problem for the whole body.Beans, spinach, fish, dairy products will help to avoid pain in the cervical region.Everything that is saturated with calcium and phosphorus to strengthen the bones.
- Try not to remove your neck.Take the rule not to carry heavy bags on your shoulder.
- Wear clothes by season, hypothermia or draft can be a trigger for osteochondrosis.Do not forget about scarves and vests with a collar, do not stay in the cold wind for a long time, turning your back to it, find the shelter.
All these tips will not only help avoid osteochondrosis, but will also have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body.