Osteochondrosis is a complete solution degenerative modification of the cartilage of the intervertebral discs. The development of the disease is very slow and often in the initial stages there was clearly symptoms, with the exception of minor pain, which are very often, people do not pay attention. In the modern world, the low back pain is extremely frequent to the disease, capable of covering the different age groups of people.
The disease may occur in any department of the vertebral column. On the main places of the location of his be divided into:
- osteochondrosis cervical
- the low back pain and thoracic
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar region
Osteochondrosis cervical occurs quite often and is perhaps the most dangerous, as in the advanced countries is able to bring the man to a disability. The fact that the cervical vertebrae are considerably smaller in comparison with the rest of the vertebra, but they are at this greater mobility. In the neck region is concentrated a large number of blood vessels and nerve fibers, also through the neck pass the artery, supplying blood to the brain. Therefore, the smaller offset cervical vertebrae promotes the tightening of the nerve roots and the blood vessels. Because the vertebral canal cervical has small dimensions, there is a risk of crushing the spinal cord. This is the main danger that can result from a disability.
The causes of the onset of the disease, degenerative disk
The causes of the onset of the degenerative disease of the disk are not yet fully studied by scientists, but there are, however, factors favouring the development of this disease. At the base of these factors include:
- The predisposition, legacy genetics.
- A poor diet, because of which there is an excess of weight and the lack of trace elements in the body.
- Poisoning or infection.
- Disorders of the metabolism.
- The presence of injuries of the spine.
- The record in the sedentary way of life, the implementation of gestures to a minimum.
- The presence of man, diseases such as scoliosis, flat feet, and the unstable segments of the spine.
- Physically a charge irregularly on the body.
- Frequent stress and psychological tension.
- A sudden change of the already well-established way of life.
The main stages of the degenerative disc disease
Osteochondrosis cervical spine is divided into four steps. The first phase can be visible only of the sensations in the back. For the second phase is characterized by: the destruction of the fibrotic ring and the emergence of the protrusion of an intervertebral disc, may also be a pinched nerve. With the development of the third phase of the formation of an intervertebral hernia. At the fourth, the last stage of the disease, degenerative disc people with very bad moves, and almost always in severe pain. This is due to deformations of the spine in the form of the appearance on them of osteophytes (bony growths).
The symptoms of cervical osteoarthritis
The presence of cervical osteoarthritis is accompanied by many syndromes, the role of the main symptoms of the disease:
- Irritative reflex syndromes. If you receive a low pain in the region of the neck and nape of the neck, which is reinforced by the movements.
- The syndrome of the vertebral artery. Accompanied by headache, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, it is also possible to a disorder of the visual system. You receive the likelihood of a stroke.
- The syndrome of muscle scalene. Characterized by pain whining of the nature in the region of the neck. The pain increases with the tilt or rotation of the head.
- Heart the syndrome. Accompanied by a pain in the neck, the heart, and in the neighborhood of the blades. The pain has the property of expanding during rotations of the head and sneezing. The symptoms in this case resemble angina pectoris.
- Radicular syndrome. When it occurs the compression of the nerve root. The area of pain extends over a large area of the body. In this area includes: the neck, shoulder blades, shoulders and the fingers of the hand.
- Root-vascular syndrome. Generally characterized by the mobility and sensitive of mental disorders.
- Syndromes. Appear when the pressure of the spinal cord, dazzled by osteochondrosis of the vertebrae. In this case, there is pain in the neck, loss of sensation, weakness of the limbs.
The treatment of cervical osteoarthritis
The first step on the path to treatment, the definition of a precise diagnosis. Only after this, you can make a complete treatment of the osteoarthritis of the cervical, which consists mainly in the reduction of pain, as well as removal of the inflammation. A review of the main methods of integrated treatment:
- The drug therapy. Carried out during exacerbation of the disease. With its help is removed from the ignition and stopped the pain syndrome.
- Of the physiotherapy. Are performed using currents of low frequency, ultrasound, magnetic fields, and laser. As a consequence, is removed from the sensation of the pain and muscle spasms, decreases inflammation.
- The manual therapy. This therapy choose for each patient individually. After its application relieves pain, increases mobility, and adjusted posture.
- Of the physiotherapy. Aims in the first place with the decompression of the nerve root. Special exercises help to reduce substantially the burden attributable to shareholders of the spine, by strengthening and developing muscles of the back. During an acute exacerbation of the disease on physical education do not normally use. The exercise must designate only by a qualified technician.
- The massage treatment. In the specialized clinics of Tibetan medicine apply to acupressure, as well as the methods of chinese medicine – acupuncture and moxibustion.
- Reflexology. Effectively eliminates the pain, improves the metabolic processes in the body.
It should be noted that the treatment of cervical osteoarthritis during pregnancy is almost impossible. While women need to pay attention to this disease up to the period of the pregnancy. There are also a number of recommendations for sleep, people who suffer from osteochondrosis. The mattress of the patient must be to the average hardness. You may not use very soft or very strong mattress. The pillow is not high, it is advisable to purchase prosthetic. To avoid the onset of this nasty illness, there must be a commitment to regular prevention. Methods of prevention apply good nutrition, mobility, as well as the change of lifestyle more active.