Dizziness, pressure fluctuations, fainting, heart pain - all this often comes from problems with the spine.80% of the population suffers from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of varying degrees, and according to statistics, men experience it earlier than women: at the age of 45-50 years.If treatment is not started at an early stage, the pathology becomes irreversible.
What is osteochondrosis?
This pathology is associated with degenerative changes in the cartilage between the vertebrae, where the soft tissue becomes hard and the depreciation decreases.
Osteochondrosis affects the thoracic, lumbar, but most often the cervical region.The reason is a high load on vertebrae 1-7, weak muscles, poor nutrition and choosing the wrong pillow for sleeping.
Mechanisms of injury to the cervical vertebrae
Osteochondrosis develops when the nutrition process of cartilage tissue and mineral metabolism is disturbed.Bone and joint strength decreases, ligaments lose elasticity.The shape and structure of the disc changes, and under the influence of the load it collapses.The vertebrae are brought closer together, their surfaces are removed.Pathology causes the following complications:
- Compression of vessels passing through the 7th vertebra causes hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the brain.
- Development of problems in the functioning of the respiratory system, blood vessels, heart, loss of vision.
- Poor blood circulation in the brain leads to neurocirculatory (vegetative-vascular) dystonia.
- Decreased mobility of the neck - due to the formation of bone formation on the vertebrae.
- Impaired cerebellar function and compression of the spinal cord cause death in advanced stages of the disease.
Stages of cervical osteochondrosis
Pathology develops slowly.In the premature stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, they put pressure on the soft disc.Further it becomes thinner, the fibrous ring is destroyed, the core bulges.Form a protrusion, then a hernia.The vertebrae rub against each other, change shape, and growths appear on them.Nerves and blood vessels are pinched.
Early stages of cervical osteochondrosis
Cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus, the capsule ruptures, and the nucleus pulposus is damaged.Cervical osteochondrosis makes itself felt when turning the head, when nerve endings are pinched, blood vessels narrow and blood flow is affected.Pain appears in the back of the head, and the back muscles quickly tire.
Stage 2 pathology
The degenerative process in the disc develops, the capsular ring is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae decreases, they become unstable and pinch the nerve roots of the spinal cord.Neck flexibility and mobility are reduced.At this stage, the disease can still be treated without surgery.
The last stage of neck osteochondrosis
At stage 3 pathology, disc protrusion develops, which leads to a hernia;The pulpous ring protrudes and bulges.Cervical vertebrae and their axes are displaced, and brain nutrition suffers.In addition, in the last stages (3 and 4) of the pathology, the following processes begin:
- the intervertebral disc is destroyed, which is replaced by connective tissue;
- movement of the neck and shoulders is lost;
- From friction, the growth of growth on the surface of the vertebrae and nerve fibers are injured;
- The sensitivity of the hands decreases due to problems with their conservation.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The condition of the patient depends on the stage of the disease.First, rare pain appears when turning or lowering the head, and tension in the back muscles.After that people experience constant fatigue.The pain becomes stronger and more frequent.Then weakness, dizziness, ringing in the ears are added, and visual acuity decreases.All signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are divided into 3 groups:
- Reflex-reflex syndrome- Neurodystrophic, muscle-tonic and vegetative-vascular manifestations.
- Compression-radicular- associated with compression of nerve endings;One of the main symptoms is acute pain when turning the head.
- Vertebral artery syndrome- Occurs when the vessels that supply the brain structure narrow.
Neurotic Disorders
The brain is less supplied with blood, the function and state of the nervous system is disrupted.I often have headaches and suffer from insomnia, which leads to a state of fatigue and apathy.Then the following symptoms occur:
- increased sweating;
- emotional failure (mood instability);
- increased irritability;
- dizziness;
- depression;
- impaired concentration;
- Tinnitus;
- "Flies" in front of the eyes;
- anxiety;
- tremors (shivering) of the limbs;
- panic attacks;
- Disorders of the vestibular system: nausea, vomiting, gait instability, disorientation in space, loss of coordination.
General clinical signs
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae causes headaches and visual disturbances.At stage 2 pathology, patients complain of ringing in the ears, lumps in the throat, weakness of the arm muscles, and numbness of the tongue.When turning the neck and tilting the head, a crunching sound is heard, and black dots appear in front of the eyes.With vertebral artery syndrome, other symptoms appear:
- Migraines that go from the back of the head to the forehead;
- dark before the eyes;
- headache pain;
- hearing loss;
- increased blood pressure;
- tingling fingers.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women
The clinical picture does not depend on gender, but women aged 45-65 years are more likely to experience numbness of the limbs during sleep, tingling and pain in the hands.The attack was repeated several times during the night.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Pathology develops under the influence of a high load on the vertebrae, which causes muscle spasms.Sedentary work often leads to this - at the computer, in the vehicle.
People with poor posture are at risk.Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- nervous tension, frequent stressful situations;
- physical inactivity - lack of physical activity, low activity;
- neck muscle weakness;
- hereditary predisposition;
- spinal cord injury;
- Rheumatism;
- excessive physical activity, heavy lifting;
- poor nutrition;
- metabolic disorders;
- Frequent hypothermia from the neck;
- age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system, cartilage tissue;
- congenital anomalies of the cervical spine;
- Autoimmune pathology affecting cartilage tissue;
- overweight;
- Vertebral instability.
Diagnostics
The doctor examines the patient's complaints, assesses posture and muscle tension.The diagnosis is explained using a neck X-ray in 4 projections: the image shows the position of the vertebrae and displacement.The level of hidden diseases and pathologies is revealed by the following methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging- The most effective method, it shows in detail the degenerative changes in the bones, hernias, protrusions, rupture of the fibrous ring.It can be prescribed instead of X-ray, but the examination is expensive.
- Duplex ultrasound scanning- To assess blood flow disorders in the arteries.
- Computed tomography- does not reveal the size and zone of the hernia, set at the initial stage to determine the narrowing of the vertebral space, cervical segment displacement, and marginal growth of bone tissue.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The goal of therapy is to restore blood flow and tissue nutrition, remove symptoms of hypoxia, and stop the destruction of vertebrae and discs.It is important to strengthen the muscular corset that supports the neck and restore mobility to the joints.Treatment tactics are selected according to the stage of the disease:
- Early - massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation.
- Osteochondrosis stage 2-3-drug treatment, therapeutic exercises, massage.
- Irreversible degenerative changes with destruction and deformation of vertebrae - surgical intervention and symptomatic drug therapy.
- Exacerbation of the chronic form of cervical osteochondrosis - injections or medicinal tablets that relieve pain and spasms.
Help with severe pain
Locally apply a pepper patch or warming ointment to the neck.Active heating of separate areas relieves pain and increases blood flow in the tissues.The ointment is applied in a very thin layer using an applicator.Other ways to relieve pain from osteochondrosis:
- Analgesic in tablets - has average effectiveness, is contraindicated for problems with blood clotting.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-Tablets are taken if there is no result from analgesics, because this group of drugs has a negative effect on the stomach and liver.
- Injection - given for severe acute pain, the effect appears after 15 minutes.For intramuscular injections, NSAIDs and myotropic antispasmodics are used.In severe cases, restrictions are imposed.
Conservative Methods of Therapy for Osteochondrosis of the Neck
At stage 1-2 of the disease without symptoms of brain hypoxia, treatment is carried out at home.The basis of therapy is gymnastics and massage.They increase blood flow and strengthen muscles.Other methods:
- Drug Therapy - Oral and injectable drugs during exacerbations, ointments and creams at other times.
- Physiotherapy-Course 7-10 procedures during remission.
- Folk Remedies - As an additional method to treat osteochondrosis.
- Diet Therapy - Foods rich in fatty acids, magnesium, and calcium are introduced into the diet.Avoid salt, smoked food, pickled and spicy food, and fast food.
Medicines
Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation is aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms, stimulating blood flow and tissue nutrition.
During the remission period, drugs are used that improve the quality of the cartilage and prevent the vertebrae from collapsing.Medicines are used internally and locally.The main fund groups are:
- Muscle relaxants- Relieves muscle spasms, reduces pain, use for a month.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- Used locally and internally, relieves pain and swelling.Tablets are used for no more than 10 days.
- Analgesic- Relieves pain, but does not relieve inflammation and is weaker than NSAIDs.
- Chondroprotectors- protects and restores cartilage tissue.
- Sedative- Often prescribed to women in whom osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is complicated by severe neurotic disorders.
- Nootropics- Affects cerebral circulation, helps fight dizziness.
- Vitamin and mineral complex- Increase metabolism in nervous tissue.
Not drugs
During remission, the treatment of neck osteochondrosis is based on local procedures that improve blood flow, metabolism, relieve pain and inflammation.The patient does gymnastics every day, a plan prepared by the doctor.The main treatment methods are:
- Manual therapy- Straighten the position of the vertebrae and strengthen them with massage.Courses of 5-10 sessions are held 2-4 times a year.At home, a light massage by stroking and rubbing the neck and collar area from top to bottom for 7-10 minutes is allowed to relieve muscle spasms.
- Electrophoresis with drugs- Medicines are used to relieve pain and improve blood circulation, which with a rapid current reaches the desired point.
- Magnetotherapy- aims to relieve swelling.
- Acupuncture- Increases blood flow, relieves inflammation.Conducted in a course of 8-10 sessions every 1-2 days.
- Shants Collar- A controversial method to eliminate the symptoms of osteochondrosis, because the load is removed from the muscles, but they are not strengthened.This product corrects the neck and stretches the spine, increasing the distance between its segments.They wear the collar 3 hours a day for a month.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Outside the period of severity, the patient is advised to do therapeutic exercises.The strong head tilts forward and backward, and rotation is prohibited.Each exercise is performed for no more than one minute, without sudden movements or screams.If discomfort or pain occurs, stop the activity.Proven exercises for the cervical spine:
- Slowly turn your head to the right and left, always looking at the point in front of you: in this way you control the small amplitude of the movement.Do 10-15 times in each direction, gradually increasing to 30.
- Put your palm on your forehead and press it, while trying to tilt your head forward.Count to 5 and relax.Repeat 10 times.
- Place your right palm on your left temple and press down to tilt your head to your shoulder.Count to 5, release.Do 10 times on each side.
- Lie on your stomach, spread your arms over your body.Raise your head slightly, slowly turn it so that your ears touch the floor.Do 10 movements on each side.
Surgical methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis
If the nerve root is affected, there is a hernia with a broken ring, the vertebra is destroyed and there is no result from the main therapy, surgery is performed.
Symptoms of serious conditions: arm paralysis, muscle atrophy, stroke.
The main methods of treatment:
- Facetectomy- Endoscopic removal of the joint with subsequent vertebral fixation, which will be immobilized.
- Discectomy with spinal fusion- which is prescribed for serious deformation changes.During the operation, the soft disc is removed and the vertebrae are fused to stop their destruction.Disadvantages: Cervical spine mobility is limited, recovery is long.
- Spinal fusion- Removal of destroyed disc fragments, bony processes, introduction of artificial grafts and vertebral fixation with screws.The recovery period is one year, the patient is advised to wear a corset.
- Corpectomy- Removal of the destroyed vertebra and nearby disc is performed if other methods have no effect.
Folk remedies for cervical osteochondrosis
For severe pain, take 1 teaspoon.Alcohol and camphor, add 2 drops of iodine and rub the area to the left and right of the spine (do not touch the column itself) for 3-5 minutes.This is done 1-2 times a day.Other folk recipes in addition to basic therapy:
- Pour 500 g of knotweed with water (2 l), boil and leave.Pour the cooled broth through gauze into the prepared bath, take for 15-20 minutes.This procedure is carried out at night, it relaxes and calms.Course-7-10 Sessions.
- Mix 1 tbsp.L. Birch bud, St. wort.John, mint leaves.Heat, add a glass of water, boil for 5 minutes.Strain, mix with butter and vegetable oil (75 g each).Apply a thin layer of ointment to the neck, cover with polyethylene and a scarf.Keep for an hour.The procedure is carried out every day for 2 weeks.
- Pour 100 g of elderberries with vodka (600 ml).Leave for a week in a cool place.Rub your neck with this medicine 2 times a day for 10-15 days.
Prevention
Patients over 40 should take a course of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and magnesium supplements every six months - they improve the condition of bones, ligaments and cartilage.Diet includes fatty fish, shrimp, shellfish, nuts, legumes, spinach, cheese, and milk.Other preventive measures:
- When working sedentary, change the position of your neck more often, stretch every hour;
- Choose a comfortable pillow;
- Do swimming, yoga;
- Avoid heavy lifting, sports with jumping, walking;
- Avoid neck hypothermia.