Incorrect posture, prolonged work at the computer, not enough or too soft bed, the habit of maintaining the phone shoulder when the hands are busy - any of these factors can cause osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra.
Usually this disease affects people over 40, but recently it has markedly spread among young people.
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis
- The chondrosis of the cervical vertebra is usually accompanied by aching pains in the nape, as well as in the side parts of the neck (if this is not a neglected stage of the disease).In this regard, patients have problems with the movement of the head: turn, inclination and any other movements provoke an increase in pain.In this case, it already goes beyond the cervical region and spreads along the hand, creating the effect of the shock.
- In addition to pain, cervical osteochondrosis is manifested in vision of vision, weakening of the hearing apparatus and impaired work of small (refusal of taste receptors) and large (numbness of the tongue and face) of parts of the body.
Symptoms of the initial stage of the disease
In the body, the process of separating water molecules from the pulpoose nucleus begins, that is, the dehydration reaction proceeds.As a result of this, the cervical vertebrae are planted, and after them the elasticity of the ligament and muscle tissue are lost, turning into a “hanging position”.This is the result of a decrease in the level of the spinal disk in the neck: the muscles come closer to the ligaments of the neighboring disk, which violates the integrity of the design of the cervical vertebra.Such defects entail a malfunction of the motor apparatus of the cervical vertebrae: they lose their fixation, shift and become mobile.
Discomfort in the neck
The most obvious sign of the disease is aching or sharp periodic pains in the neck.From the occipital part, they are transmitted to the collarbone, shoulder, and sometimes to the chest, which can cause a patient with suspicion of angina pectoris.Pain intensifies when tilting and turning the head, as well as with a deep breath, most often at night.
Violation of sensitivity
As a result of a violation of the vegetative-vascular system, the level of skin sensitivity in certain areas of shoulder blades, shoulders, hands decreases.This symptom is accompanied by tingling, weakness, chilliness.
It's a dull pain
The third in the list of signs of the initial stage of osteochondrosis is a aching ongoing pain, which only occasionally calms down.It usually intensifies at night and when tilted the body below 45 °.The site captured by this pain: the neck itself, the shoulder and the forearm.
Acute period of the disease
In the last, neglected stage, cardinal changes are observed in the intervertebral discs: their protrusions and prolapses are formed.The vertebral-motor segment begins to work unequilled, unstable: its functions cease to be performed.UNKO-Vertebral and intervertebral joints are subjected to defects such as arthrosis and subluxation.
All these changes arouse the body's protective reaction: in order to normalize the increased mobility of the vertebrae and restore the supporting and protective functions of the spine, the defenders begin to “paste” the vertebral-motor segment, limiting its further movements.
Sharp, penetrating neck pain
Acute pain in the neck, more often in the occipital part, as a result of muscle overvoltage, hypothermia, great physical activity or uncomfortable position during sleep.That is, all the causes of the disease itself are directly related to defects in the cervical region.It can go on its own every other day, and can linger longer if osteochondrosis develops at an accelerated pace.
Headache
Headaches spread from the occipital part of the neck to the crown, forcing the patient to feel bursting and squeezing.The pain is accompanied by many other symptoms: paresthesia, disorders of visual and auditory organs, constant discomfort in various parts of the body - all these signs, including painful pulsations of the head, are associated with the vertebral artery.When thrown back, a sharp turn to the side or inclination, these signs begin to put pressure on the patient with a new, more force.
Dizziness
Dizziness can be constant, but weak, and can continue for several hours and be so strong that the balance is completely lost and a person falls, while the probability of an additional injury that is not associated with the cervical vertebra is high.
If the head is damaged in the fall, then the disease will reach the extreme degree of danger and the chances of recovery will quickly roll to zero.To prevent a fatal outcome, it is necessary to periodically massage the damaged area at the initial stage of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, improving blood circulation and getting rid of stupid and/or acute pains.
Noise in the ears
Chronic “background” noise, ringing and sometimes pulsating pain in the ears provoke a failure of the nervous system: the brain ceases to adequately perceive the surrounding environment and circumstances.
The patient with cervical chondrosis becomes an irritable, aggressive, inoperative person, loses the ability to think sensibly and get rid of obsessive thoughts.That is, rest becomes almost impossible, and this drives a person into depression.
Only after some time, consciousness is lost, thereby providing the patient at least some rest.But this does not affect the work of the body.
Again, in order to prevent such deviations from the norm, you should massage the collar region, neck and head.Exercises should be complex to cover all zones to be restored.The goal of the massage is to resume the correct operation of the cervical vertebra, strengthening and stretching of the cervical and shoulder muscles.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
The first stage of the disease
At the initial stage, osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra is not dangerous.It does not require drugs or intensive treatment.Only prevention is necessary, namely:
- active and healthy lifestyle; useful products containing the necessary muscle and bone mass elements and a moderate number of calories;
- regular morning exercises, and better - active or at least a feasible sports;
- rejection of alcohol, tobacco and excess caffeine;
- avoiding the rise of heavy objects (many times more mass of the patient with osteochondrosis);
- constant monitoring of posture (it should be direct in standing and in a sitting position);
- The correct comfortable bed that repeats the bends of the body;
- Special exercises for the neck.
The progressive stage of the disease
When osteochondrosis begins to flow into serious forms, the therapeutic process is the wearing of special collars, exercise therapy, physiotherapy and massage.
If the disease has already managed to develop into a complicated form, it is time to resort to medicines.Effective means: antispasmodics, analgesics and NSAIDs.Physiotherapeutic procedures using paraffin, drug electrophoresis and other drugs can also have a positive effect.
Chronic character
The last stage of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra is chronic.In this case, chondroprotectors and vitamins B6, B12 are used.As auxiliary drugs - external drugs: ointments, gels, creams with the content of non -steroidal anti -inflammatory components and drugs for tissue regeneration.
Clinics with the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, offer various therapeutic procedures:
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- laser therapy;
- manual therapy (postisometric relaxation);
- dry traction;
- pharmacopuncture;
- electrical stimulation;
- magnetopuncture.
These methods are effective in any stage of the development of the disease, including the latter.The procedures themselves are carried out on an outpatient basis, they are based on comprehensive programs aimed at delivering both the symptoms of the disease and its causes.
The course of complete treatment includes from 10 to 15 sessions, and the elimination of only a specific syndrome delivering discomfort lasts 1-3 sessions.
Like most diseases, osteochondrosis requires a preventive approach.Already at the beginning of the disease, a person should “score anxiety” and engage in treatment.After all, there are no guarantees from the progression of the disease, so you need to remember that victory over any disease is healthy lifestyle and treatment even before pain symptoms.