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Cervical osteochondrosis - causes, signs and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is a disease of the intervertebral disc, consisting of the occurrence of pathological metabolic disorders.When the pulp, which plays the role of shock absorption, begins to harden due to the active ossification processes, there is uncomfortable uncomfortable with the pinching of the nerve roots.

Without timely treatment, the osteochondosis of the cervical region, serious consequences arise that prevent normal life.You have to know in which symptoms to start playing the alarm.

Osteochondrosis of the neck - Classification

The problem of the disease is a premature detection.The patient has classic neurological manifestations: headache, dizziness, flies in the eyes, lack of breath, neck pain, chest.The patient can become insensitive of the limbs, due to which he will visit a cardiologist, neurologist, therapist or orthopedist, without realizing the real causes of malaise.

The disease has a physiological nature, since the human spine, in a vertical position, is forced to resist long static loads.With age, the bone tissue weakens, which negatively affects the state of health of the spine.Destructive and depth processes are developing, which leads to the appearance of osteochondrosis.Cervical osteochondrosis occurs more often, since the neck has good mobility, which makes this department subject to traumatic damage.

The disease is one of the most common among the diseases of the spine.Osteocondrosis also tends to reduce age.If 20 years ago, people aged 40 to 60 turn to complaints about pain in the back, now people aged between 30 and 40 are more likely to complain.Such an unfavorable change is associated with the deterioration of health indicators, which is due to a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and reduced quality of nutrition.

The pathology is associated not only with physiological adverse changes, but also in the pathological state of the body.The physiological processes are due to the occurrence of destructive processes against the background of the aging of the body and cartilage.Over time natural unfavorable changes that cannot be prevented: metabolic processes are disturbed, calcium reserves are exhausted.Pathological factors - The destruction of cartilage and wear of the intervertebral discs associated with the guidance of an unhealthy lifestyle.

In addition, the pathological course of the wear and tear of the intervertebral discs and the ossification of the elastic content can be complicated by the binding system, by the pathological wear of the vertebrae (spondylosis), pressing (development of the type of hernia) and from the formation of calcium salts.

Symptoms of osteochondosis of the cervical column

In the early stages, it is difficult to identify clear signs of the disease, since the symptoms are paroxysmal, sometimes passing completely.Diagnosis is more often difficult in those patients who use pain relievers periodically.With a decrease in pain sensitivity, the disease is masked and becomes more difficult to diagnose with external signs.Usually the patient does not believe he has problems until the disease reaches the terminal stage.In addition to the pain in the neck and head, dizziness and jumps to blood pressure occur.

The dizziness for osteochondrosis occur periodically, but does not always specifically indicate for this disorder.Usually this condition is observed with the development of inflammatory processes in the ears, with spasms of the brain vessels, as well as against the background of the change.Sometimes this state is associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system, altered coordination of movements or anemia.If the patient periodically has dizziness, accompanied by a sense of dirt, lack of air and weakness, you must rather look for medical assistance.

What signs that occur against the background of dizziness are the reason for the patient's emergency hospitalization:

  1. Intortidation of the upper shoulder belt on one side, accompanied by parallel parallel of the face muscles.
  2. Migraine attacks, a very serious headache against the background of general malaise.
  3. Problems with the coordination of movements.
  4. Violation of consciousness, its loss.

Headache is one of the most common and non -specific signs that occur against the background of cervical osteochondosis.Very often, a tension headache occurs in women.This condition is associated with a characteristic of the hormonal background (excess of extradiol in the body compared to men) and vascular weakness, which is also associated with the hormonal state (the increase in progesterone relaxes the vessels, making them less durable).

With osteochondrosis, the headache occurs due to frequent cramps of the brain vessels, against the background of the pinch of nerve roots and with growing intracranial pressure indicators.ATTONCONDRO pain attacks often resemble hypertension, an IBS or stroke attack (it is important to consider that the more an older person, the greater the risk of pathologies).

If the patient has other diseases associated with the compromised function of the heart muscle, then with attacks of osteochondrosis, pain in the heart are also observed.Typically, in people with cardiovascular diseases an attack by Angina Pectoris occurs, they begin blood pressure, increases, extrashole, arrhythmia and pain in the chest area.If, when using first aid drugs, the patient does not become better and the attack lasts for a long time, it is urgent to call an ambulance so that the patient is brought to the hospital to the cardiologist.

Pain syndrome for osteochondrosis

Separately, the characteristics of the pain syndrome of the disease should be described.The unpleasant sensations do not always present themselves in the occipital area or in the head.There are attacks, pain in which they are more often located in completely different places.Cervical pain often radiates into the hands or shoulders.Distinctive signs of unpleasant sensations are the aspect of the discomfort immediately after waking up or performing sudden movements.An example is to sneeze or laugh.Even with such slight physiological reactions, a pain syndrome attack can occur.

If the pathology is not too neglected, the unpleasant sensations will disappear soon and the discomfort is often accompanied by a crisis improved in the cervical vertebrae.Often the disease occurs in people with cervical lordosis - a pathophysiological condition associated with greater flexibility in the neck.If a person often raises the head, this condition can occur.More advanced is the pathological condition, the patient worse, because pain returns over time, intensifies, providing an increasingly powerful torment.

What sensations and signs in pain are more often described by patients:

  1. The pain proceeds from the "depth" of the neck.
  2. When you turn your head to the side, you observe a creaking or a strong sense of crackling.
  3. When observing unpleasant sensations, the patient has rigidity in the cervical region, accompanied by muscle weakness.

According to statistics, the disease often affects 6 and 7 cervical vertebrae.The disease also occurs in one of the vertebral parts of cervical location.

Development of arterial hypertension with cervical osteochondosis

There is a clear connection between a specific disease and the increase in pressure.The cervical vertebrae have also penetrated the nerve endings and the vascular channel.If calculating on the surface of the vertebrae increase, the pathological pressing of nerve endings and blood vessels occurs.Consequently, the microspipe occurs and the patient presents characteristic deteriorations in well -being.

Hypertension, which occurs in the background, has specific differences:

  1. The persistent and acute headache is the most characteristic feature of Shokh.
  2. Chest pain in inhalation, discomfort in the limbs.
  3. Reduce sensitivity in the collar area.
  4. The appearance of a strong pressure jumps after a nervous tension, muscle overvoltage or after a long stay in the antelgic laying.

Causes of osteochondosis of the neck

For the most part, this disease is associated with natural aging processes and the presence of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.It is worth noting that not all people in old age suffers from osteochondrosis.Usually this disease overtakes them with the obesity that leads a sedentary lifestyle.

The provocative factors that cause the pathology include:

  1. A sedentary lifestyle, including hypodynamia.
  2. The occupation of an uncomfortable posture associated with long and static stress.An example is a long seat on the desktop, without maintaining an adequate posture.
  3. Obesity or excess body weight.The great weight is not always associated with fat deposits.In bodybuilders or massive athletes, an increase in body weight index is often observed.The overcoming of the recommended weight is irritated not only with premature wear of the spine, but also to overload the cardiovascular system.
  4. Chronic stress associated with nervous overload.
  5. Previously it has undergone head injuries or neck dislocation.
  6. Local hypothermia - blowing the neck.
  7. The presence of a pathological autoimmune process in the body, which negatively affects the state of cartilage, bone tissue.Examples are rheumatoid arthritis, which leads to the development of these diseases, such as Shokh.
  8. The presence of congenital anomalies in the structure of the spine of the cartilage.

The presence of dosed physical effort, correct nutrition and refusal of bad habits is the best way to minimize the risks of exacerbations associated with osteochondrosis.

Disease development phase

There are several phases of development of the pathological state associated with the strength of the manifestation of the symptoms of osteochdrosis:

  1. The preclinical phase is the first.In the initial stages, it is difficult to note signs of the disease, because there are still no specific symptoms.The only thing that an expert specialist may note is the smoothness of cervical lordosis.As a result of such light change, the appearance of minimal discomfort is possible with sharp turns of the neck on the side.Over time, tensions, pain in the lumbar region and back muscles may occur, since the cervical area often pulls the lumbar area.If the patient was lucky and the osteochondosis was found in an initial phase, then you can make a change in the diet and the correction of the lifestyle so that the pathology does not continue to progress.Patients often ignore this phase, since discomfort rarely causes significant changes in the body.
  2. The second phase occurs if the preclinical degree has been successfully ignored.Usually at this stage there are signs of instability of the cervical region.At this stage, the patient is already worried about pain syndrome.Unpleasant sensations are often given to the hands of the upper shoulder belt.The pain with strong inclinations and turns of the head is felt more strongly.Since the pathological subsidence of the distance between the intervertebral discs is already in progress, the nerve terminations are pinched, which leads to the development of a neurological syndrome in the patient.Consequently, the patient has concomitant symptoms, including increase in firming, reduction of performance, distraction and headache.
  3. The third degree.At this stage, pain syndrome becomes even more pronounced than before.It becomes impossible to ignore this pain, so even the most persistent patients are already forced to consult a doctor to make an adequate diagnosis.Pain often radiates into the limbs and shoulders and in the morning there is weakness in the muscles of the hands.At this stage, a concomitant disease can occur: a hernia of the intervertebral disc.In the morning, the patient feels a strong rigidity, which also indicates a deterioration of the mobility of the cervical region.In patients, dizziness and serious weakness are observed.
  4. Terminal osteochondrosis, fourth phase.At this stage the destruction of the intervertebral discs is observed.The discs themselves are replaced at the time of the connective tissue.An enhanced pathological process can already affect other segments of the spine, including the thoracic and lumbar region.In such patients, the quality of life suffers considerably: the coordination of movements worsens, headache and dizziness become unbearable, the noise in the ears also appears, also other serious disorders: vascular disorders, problems with the respiratory system.

Syndromes that occur with cervical osteochondosis

The danger of untreated symptoms lies in further progression.If the patient continues to ignore the pathology, various types of syndromes occur - complex symptoms.There are such types:

  1. Vertebral or vertebral.
  2. Vertebral artery.
  3. Cardio or friendly.
  4. Rook syndrome.

The combination of these signs often develops in the general framework of the manifestation of the osteocondrosis.

Vertebral syndrome develops often.In the patient, over time, the mobility of the cervical column is interrupted.First of all, rigidity occurs after awakening.In the future, the pathology will be constantly present.Also, when trying to turn the neck on the side, the pain appears.In the X -ray, some deteriorations are also fixed.A characteristic characteristic of vertebral syndrome is the presence of all the above signs.If there is no sign, then this is an exception or a axiom.The complexity of the diagnosis is that vertebral syndrome is often confused with other inflammatory diseases of the cervical region: myosite, injuries and elongation.

The vertebral artery syndrome is associated with the pathological arterial process that occurs when compressed.If there is a lack of blood flow due to the partial overlap of the vertebral arteries in the cervical region, the following complications of the signs occur:

  1. The insufficiency of the venous blood flow is manifested by these signs: the appearance of noise in the ears, dizziness, pressure jumps, vomiting or nausea.
  2. The occurrence of irritation of nerve endings, which occurs by migraine or serious headaches.Often in a patient it can record a feeling of numbness or temporary vision of the vision from one eye.
  3. Oxygen storvation due to squeezed arteries.The patient has signs of hypoxia: lack of breath, heart pain, fainting, dizziness and weakness to minimum physical stress.

A similar condition is also characteristic of atherosclerosis and oncology.

In addition, the symptoms of osteochondosis of the cervical column are characterized by the development of cardiac type syndrome.The patient has signs that recalls a heart muscle disorder.Many signs can look like a heart attack or a coronary heart disease.During the aggravation period, the patient feels burning and a narrow in the heart muscle, weakness, lack of breath and an increase in the tachycardia attack.To exclude cardiac syndrome against the background of the osteocondrosis, an echo of the heart must be conducted, ECG.If there are no signs of heart disorders, then this is a heart syndrome that presented itself due to the fact that the osteochondosis of the cervical column continues to progress.

Rooser syndrome is associated with the main disorders: the bastards in the area of the spine and the limbs.The reason is the transfer of the nerve finals.During the aggravation period, the patient must observe the rest of the bed and use painkillers.The pathology is treated using neurotropic drugs.The prevention of convulsions aims to improve blood circulation, conduct physiotherapy and physiotherapy.Rotore syndrome is dangerous of complications.If even a small nerve is completely blocked, this is framed of the immobilization of the limbs and the reduced innervation between the fingers, the hands.

Diagnosis of osteochondosis of the neck

To determine the pathology, you need to contact the therapist.The doctor leads an initial exam, fill in the patient's hospital card and sends the patient to a small specialist: a traumatologist or a neurologist.So the doctor examines the patient, makes a primary diagnosis when examined, which must be confirmed using laboratory tests.

Which diagnosis methods are recommended for the suspicion of cervical osteochondosis:

  1. X -raggi.This is a quick and general option for the initial examination necessary to evaluate the patient's bone system conditions in the distant spine.If the patient has osteochondrosis, the distance in the annoyance area of the spine will be reduced.
  2. To discover a certain diagnosis, it is possible to conduct magnetic resonance imaging.Magnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate diagnostic method.The device will consider both bone structures and cartilage, soft tissues.You can see any disorders: pinched nerves, the intervertebral stadium and the degree of development of the osteocondrosis.
  3. Computerized tomography.The research method is suitable if there is no suspicion of the presence of intervertebral hernia.
  4. Ultrasonic duplex scan.If the patient is suspected of compromised venous blood, this type of study is conducted.If there are physical obstacles, this type of diagnosis will help to identify them.

Treatment of cervical osteochondosis

The treatment of cervical osteochondosis of the spine is intended to eliminate symptoms.There is no radical way that will bring back the development of the pathology.It must be understood that the nature of the disease lies not only in pathological development, but also in the natural physiological degenerative destruction.

Treatment of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column with medicines

Pharmacological therapy is the best way to reduce pain during a pain attack.Generally, medicines are prescribed for the treatment of osteocondrosis based on symptoms:

  1. Fans or analgesics.Non -steering anti -inflammatory drugs are suitable for stopping a headache attack, which is most often observed in women.The appointment of a particular drug depends on the causes of pain.An example, if a woman has a headache due to vascular spasm, therefore analgesic or antispasmodic are written.If the pain occurs in the neck and is accompanied by inflammation, fans are needed with a pronounced anti -inflammatory effect.It is better to clarify the specific commercial name for the attending physician.
  2. Musorelassanti.These medicines are effective in the treatment of similar diseases associated with the destruction or damage of bone tissue.These diseases include hernias, protrusion and rheumatoid pathologies.Recent studies indicate that muscle relaxants show not only a relaxing effect, but also effectively.A group of drugs is prescribed for excessive muscle spasticity associated with their overload, which occurred against the background of osteochondosis.These drugs practically do not affect the activity of the central nervous system, therefore they can be taken during the day.The course of therapy lasts about 4 weeks.
  3. Vitamins B B combed vitamins injecting agents B1, B6 and B12 in large dosages show an analgesic effect if pain syndrome is caused by a pinch of nerve roots.A long course is required in combination with analgesics.In case of exacerbation attacks, it is advisable to observe the rest in bed to download the area of pain as much as possible.Within 2-3 weeks, according to the instructions, injection medicines are used and for 1-2 months they drink tablets. 
  4. Condroprotectors.These drugs are necessary in the presence of degenerative processes in the cartilage.If enhanced destructive effects have already started, the chondroprotectors will not eliminate them.The long -term use of the forms of injection of drugs can slow down the regression of the destruction of the cartilage, no longer.The minimum use period is 3-4 months.
  5. Hypotinal agents.If the patient periodically has pressure increases towards the increase, use medicines that reduce systolic and diastolic pressure.Medicines are carefully used and only as prescribed by a doctor.Tyta blockers or football channel blockers are generally prescribed.
  6. Sedatives.Seding agents are needed if, against the background of autonomous disorders, neurological disorders occur.Examples are attacks of anxiety, insomnia or sleep disorder.In the initial stages, the sedatives of the plants are suitable.With more serious disorders, prescription drugs are prescribed.
  7. Anti -Manti.It is necessary if the patient suffers from a slight heart disorder associated with the lack of air.
  8. Calcium and vitamin D3 preparations.To support the bone fortress in the presence of active degenerative processes, it is necessary to take mineral complexes.Football is the necessary construction material, without it the bones become porous and break.D3 is a vitamin without which the normal assimilation of calcium is impossible.In combination, these substances strengthen the bone tissue well.It is also useful to periodically drink other minerals to support the health of the musculoskeletal-site system, sulfur, zinc, magnesium and boron.
  9. Vitamin-miniral complexes.In addition to specialized additives, it is necessary to take polyvitamins seasoned to maintain general health of the patient.Take complex 2-3 times a year for 1-2 months with breaks.
  10. External funds.To put the conditions of the neck in order when you feel rigidity, you can use hot or therapeutic ointments, gel that contribute to improving the flow of blood.It is precisely in some ointments to take care of a constant sense of rigidity, but to apply a small amount of external remedy before going to bed relieves the condition in the morning.

Conservative therapy methods

During the recovery period, when acute pain has attenuated, a person with osteochondrosis should support the body using conservative treatment methods:

  1. Therapeutic gymnastics.Special exercises with regular execution improve joint mobility, temporarily accelerate blood circulation.The patient feels improved over time.The main rule of operating therapy is the regularity and sequence of actions.If you perform physical education every day, the neck muscles are in tone, which significantly relieves the load from the spine.
  2. Massage.The procedure is performed after an acute period to improve blood flow and relax the muscles.The contact effect is well combined with the course of muscle relaxants, enhancing the effect of drugs.With the physical exposure of the fingers, the local temperature increases in the hot -up muscles, which improves blood flow.The massage leads to relax the blocked sections of the rear.
  3. Physiotherapy methods.Hardware treatment aims to improve blood flow in the damaged area.Using devices and exposure to the current or magnetic field of a low frequency, the drugs are administered through the skin.These funds are well absorbed without creating a systemic effect.Examples of procedures-manetherapy, electrophoresis, laser effect, shock wave therapy.

In a neglected case, when conservative therapy is ineffective, the patient is offered to conduct surgery.In particular, the radical method of therapy is effective in the presence of hernias or protrusions, when there are concomitant diseases of the spine that aggravate the situation.The indications for the operation are the loss of sensitivity to the limbs, unbearable pain.