Osteochondrosis of the cervix: symptoms, causes, treatment

Dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs are called osteochondrosis. This problem can occur in a person of any age; dysfunction of the intervertebral discs leads to the development of many serious side effects. How to prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis? What drugs and alternative therapies are used in the treatment?

Cervical osteochondrosis - what is it The cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae and 8 paired nerve nodes. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops in the context of degeneration of the intervertebral pulp into vitreous tissue. In this case, the pathological changes affect the ends of the nerve fibers and important vessels. Most often, the pathology affects the 7th and 8th vertebrae.

The disease is carefully disguised as other pathologies, manifested by attacks of headache and discomfort in the throat. Patients may complain of dizziness, nausea and pressure problems. Most often, the disease is confused with problems of the heart and blood vessels.

Important! Often, in the context of problems with the vertebrae, a person begins to suddenly lose consciousness, feel short of breath and the tongue may become numb.

Cervical osteochondrosis is most often diagnosed in people over 30 years of age, which is caused by the peculiarities of the position of the human skeleton, by constant statistics and dynamic loads. The disease develops faster younger, recently, osteochondrosis occurs even in adolescents.

Causes of the disease

The development of osteochondrosis is influenced by physiological and pathological processes. They are closely related to each other, in medical practice they are always considered together.

Physiological changes are caused by age-related irreversible processes in the cartilage of the spine. They are located in the central part of the intervertebral disc, they manifest as a sting of the pulp from fibrous tissues. Discomfort occurs during irritation of the nerve endings.

Abnormal changes - in this case, the area of ​​inflammation extends beyond the cartilage tissue, causing severe irritation of the nerve endings, pinching of blood vessels. They occur in the context of improper diet, a sedentary lifestyle, occur in adolescents and middle-aged people.

Important! Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in rare cases can disappear on its own or manifest itself in the form of short episodes. The human body has many compensatory and protective functions, which for some time can neutralize the pathological changes in the cartilage.

Causing factors:

• sedentary work, lack of regular physical activity.
• frequent forced stay in an uncomfortable position.
• overweight?
• nervous overload, stressful situations.
• injuries to the neck and occiput
• hypothermia.

The cause of osteochondrosis can be congenital abnormalities, autoimmune diseases.

Main features

Osteochondrosis of the cervix is ​​not always manifested by pain in a specific part of the spine, often the disease has a blurred clinical picture.

The main symptoms are dizziness, migraine, sudden changes in blood pressure.

When urgent hospitalization is required:

• numbness, loss of mobility of the muscles of the face or shoulder girdle.
• increasing headache, which is accompanied by deterioration of overall well-being.
• lack of coordination.
• loss of consciousness.

Cervical pain often radiates to the shoulder girdle and upper extremities. A special feature is that the pain syndrome is paroxysmal in nature, most often after waking up, sudden movements, during laughter, coughing and sneezing.

If osteochondrosis is in the early stages, the pain subsides quickly, almost always accompanied by a critical neck pain, the muscles weaken, the skin loses sensitivity.

Important! With pathological changes in the 6th vertebra, pain can be observed in the thumb of the hand, with the defeat of the 7th vertebra, it affects the middle finger.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear later in women than in men - the average age is 50-55 years.

How osteochondrosis is related to other diseases

Osteochondrosis of the cervix and blood pressure - the link between these pathologies has been established for a long time. For osteochondrosis, it is precisely the sudden drops in blood pressure during the day that are characteristic, persistent hypertension is not inherent in this disease.

Increased pressure in osteochondrosis is accompanied by migraine, noise in the head, pain in the arms, legs, chest. At the same time, the sensitivity of the skin in the area of ​​the collar decreases significantly, stress can cause a jump in pressure, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.

Osteochondrosis of the cervix and dizziness - occurs against a background of severe pain syndrome, reduced cerebral circulation and transmission of nerve signals, problems with the vestibular apparatus.

With osteochondrosis, non-systemic dizziness is more common - there is no sensation of rotating objects, but the person is very sick, it is difficult for him to stay upright.

Important! With frequent attacks of dizziness, it is necessary to visit not only a neurologist, but also an ENT, in order to rule out the presence of pathological changes in the nasopharynx.

Headache accompanies osteochondrosis in almost 90% of cases. It occurs in the context of vascular spasms, pinching of nerve endings, increased intracranial pressure. It manifests itself in different ways - pulsating, dull.

Headache attacks in osteochondrosis are similar to the sensations in high blood pressure, angina, heart attack, stroke.

Panic attacks occur with osteochondrosis in the background of circulatory disorders. At the same time, a person experiences irrational fear, physical discomfort. The duration of the attack is from 2-3 minutes to an hour, it can be repeated several times a day. Panic attacks are accompanied by a feeling of heavy head, incessant tears, apathy and lethargy. With severe attacks, you should take sedatives, visit a psychiatrist regularly.

Fears and depression appear with osteochondrosis in the context of constant pain, a forced change in the usual way of life.

Diagnostic methods

People with osteochondrosis may experience pain in the back of the head, chest, arms - such a blurred picture of the disease greatly complicates the initial diagnosis.

Prevents early diagnosis and uncontrolled use of painkillers by individuals. A person feels healthy without pain. Seek medical attention slowly when irreversible processes develop in the tissues of the cervical joints.

Important! Only a neurologist treats osteochondrosis.

External examination is the recognition of mobility and neck pain. After that, the doctor prescribes x-rays in various projections and computed tomography. If a hernia is suspected, a magnetic resonance imaging scan should be performed. Doppler ultrasound is performed to assess the condition of arteries and blood vessels.

Principles of drug treatment

Drug therapy aims to eliminate pain, inflammation, return to normal mobility and blood circulation.

Main groups of drugs:

• analgesics in the form of tablets and injections are intended to eliminate the pain syndrome.
• non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Chondroprotectors help to restore cartilage tissue.
Muscle relaxants relax the muscles, are used as auxiliary agents for pain relief - contain glycerin, benzimidazole, have a long list of contraindications.
• vitamin complexes - must contain all vitamins of groups B, D, E, retinol, ascorbic acid.
• artificial histamine analogues - help eliminate problems with vestibular equipment.
• means external use in the form of gels, ointments - helps to improve blood circulation, relieve convulsions and pain, warm, relieve pain.

Important! The vitamins contained in food are not enough to treat osteochondrosis.

Drugs that improve cerebral circulation in cervical osteochondrosis are a mandatory component of treatment, dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow. Nootropic drugs that improve metabolic processes in the brain, restore memory and thinking.

Surgery for osteochondrosis is rarely used. Surgery is necessary for signs of paralysis of the upper extremities, acute disturbance of blood supply and cerebral edema.

Additional treatment options include massage, manual push and push therapy, adhesion dose, relaxation techniques and acupuncture.

How to treat osteochondrosis at home

Home treatment includes the regular application of special exercises, the use of special orthopedic devices. As a supportive treatment, you can use traditional medicine recipes.

Shants collar is designed to eliminate tension in the spine, reduce stress, strengthen the neck muscles. The head and neck are fixed in the right position, which allows you to get rid of insomnia, to prevent the development of pathological changes. You should wear a collar not all day, but 2-3 hours before bedtime.

Self-massage will help eliminate pain and convulsions, while rubbing in ointments that improve blood flow. The procedure should be done while you are sitting, the posture is comfortable, relaxed. It is necessary to do caressing, circular rubbing, touching not only the neck but also the shoulder girdle.

Important! With cervical osteochondrosis, any heating is prohibited, except for the bath and sauna.

Therapeutic baths well relieve pain and inflammation, allow the spine to relax. Water procedures should be performed every other day, the course consists of 15-20 procedures.

Bath recipes:

1. Mix 150 grams of chamomile and mint, the mixture prepares 5 liters of boiling water. Leave the infusion for 2 hours, filter.
2. Take 20 grams each of mint, lemon balm and birch leaves. The collection is prepared in 6 liters of boiling water, after filtration for 2 hours.
3. To prepare the sage infusion, you need 300 grams of herbs and 5 liters of boiling water. The therapeutic solution will be ready in 2 hours.

For oral administration, you can prepare a yarrow infusion - this will quickly help eliminate inflammation, cramps and pain. Prepare 230 ml of boiling water 6 g of grass, leave in a closed container for one hour. Take 15 ml 3 times a day.

A solution of 15 g of sea salt and 1 liter of water helps in the good treatment of osteochondrosis. Bring the mixture to a boil, cool completely. In the composition, moisten the natural fabric, apply to the back of the neck.

Possible complications

With early diagnosis and proper treatment, cervical osteochondrosis progresses without any particular complications. Otherwise, serious pathological changes develop that can cause disability.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

• spinal artery syndrome - functional and organic changes caused by impaired blood circulation to the brain.
• high blood pressure, arrhythmia;
• numbness, weakness, muscle atrophy of the upper extremities.
• protrusion, hernia;
• VSD;
• neurological disorders.

Physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis

Exercise for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is able to restore nutrition to damaged tissues, restore blood circulation.

During therapeutic gymnastics, it is forbidden to rotate the head sharply, to make sharp turns. Only imitation of such movements is allowed. You can do a set of exercises for no more than 2 minutes - prolonged loads can lead to a complication of osteochondrosis.

An effective set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis was developed by Shishonin. The principle is that all movements should be smooth, each position should be stable for 15-30 seconds. There should be no painful sensation during exercise, each exercise should be repeated 5 times.

Exercise description:

1. Sit up straight, tilt your head to the right. When muscle tension occurs, correct the position. Make 5 slopes on each side.
2. Bending the head forward and backward is done in proportion to the previous exercise.
3. Stretch your chin alternately on your left and right shoulder. The back is straight, you can not round it.
4. Turn your head left and right, in each position to stay for 30 seconds.
5. Keep turning sideways, but use extra hands. When turning to the right, the right hand should be on the left shoulder and vice versa.
6. Close your palms, raise your arms above your head, turn the sides.
7. Straighten your arms, take them sideways and slightly back, stretch your chin forward.

Precautionary measures

Preventing osteochondrosis consists of simple steps, if done regularly, serious health problems can be avoided. Prevention is especially necessary for the elderly and those who spend a lot of time sitting.

How to prevent osteochondrosis:

• Take a hot shower every day for at least 10 minutes.
• visit the bath, sauna regularly to eliminate spasms and tightness in the neck.
• sleep on an orthopedic pillow and a special mattress.
• warm up a little for five minutes every hour while sitting.

The best sports to prevent osteochondrosis are swimming, yoga, aerobic exercise, special exercises to strengthen the neck muscles.

Prohibited for persons at risk of running, jumping or bodybuilding. The critical weight is 10 kg, the weights must be carried with both hands. In addition, you can use a corset that protects the spine.

Sergei Bubnovsky well describes the preventive measures for osteochondrosis. In his book, you can learn what back pain is dangerous, how to restore health without injections and corsets and find a set of special exercises.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that can affect anyone. Early diagnosis and prevention, a healthy and active lifestyle will help prevent the development of serious pathological changes in the spine, will give you good health and excellent mood.