Compared with diseases in other parts of the spine, the incidence of cervical spine osteochondrosis is almost the same in young people and old people. It's hard to imagine a person who has never experienced neck pain: this is a "pay" for a sedentary lifestyle, often staying at a computer or a desk in a tilted state.
Other risk factors include bad habits and nutritional errors, overweight, poor posture and flat feet, and insufficient physical activity. Even if you are used to carrying a bag on one shoulder, it will eventually lead to osteochondrosis, which is related to improper load distribution and forced changes in the normal position of the spine.
The prevalence of this disease may be the reason for the rash attitude towards it. But it is important to remember that if you want to prevent unpleasant and dangerous complications, treating cervical osteochondrosis is a mandatory measure.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Osteochondrosis SHOP is a degenerative disease of cervical cartilage, which is also characterized by violation of the structure and function of the intervertebral disc. This disease tends to progress slowly, but as the tissue condition deteriorates, other pathologies may appear:
- Hernias and protrusions;
- Inflammatory process;
- Cervical spine instability and related risks;
- Muscle diseases;
- Paralysis etc.
One of the common complications is vertebral artery syndrome. This is a painful episode, accompanied by other symptoms: loss of balance, blurred vision and hearing, tinnitus, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, loss of consciousness, and even temporary speech disorders. Although these are reversible consequences, these symptoms are dangerous and worsen the quality of life, which means that it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of the syndrome. This can be achieved by early treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and diagnosis
The location of the pathological process of the cervical spine leads to the appearance of characteristic symptoms:
- Crunching when turning the head;
- headache;
- Dizziness;
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fainting, semi-fainting;
- Hand pain, numbness, finger tingling;
- Neck pain;
- Restrict neck movement;
- Neck muscle spasms;
- The deterioration of the cognitive process.
If osteochondrosis of multiple departments (for example, cervical and thoracic spine) is combined, the disease can manifest as other symptoms: back muscle spasm, chest pain, etc.
In order to choose the correct treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to evaluate the degree and stage of the pathology to determine whether there are concomitant diseases. First, you should consult a neurologist. Based on the main complaint, medical history, investigation, and visual inspection of the trunk, exercise, and rest positions, the doctor will send someone to conduct a comprehensive examination to confirm/clarify the initial diagnosis.
Use a variety of methods to diagnose the disease:
- Radiography shop
- Computer tomography
- Myelography
- Nuclear magnetic resonance
- Ultrasound examination of cervical blood vessels, Doppler ultrasound examination of cerebral arteries;
- Laboratory tests (for inflammatory processes, etc. ).
In some cases, accurate detailed diagnosis can allow you to see the diseases that accompany osteochondrosis. This allows you to make the right decision when choosing a treatment strategy.
The effectiveness of further measures depends on the timeliness and accuracy of the diagnosis. Despite the specific symptoms, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are similar to the course of other diseases. Therefore, it is important to distinguish the pathology and make the right choice.
How is the treatment performed?
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is performed by surgery or conservative methods. Surgery is only performed in the most extreme cases. The strict indications for intervention are that conservative methods (for a long time) are completely ineffective, unable to use them, and the rapid progression of the disease.
The treatment plan is selected by the neurologist, taking into account the severity of the specific procedure, general health, indications and contraindications. Both conservative treatment and the postoperative period require a careful and comprehensive approach. Combine the following methods:
- Drug therapy-restore cartilage tissue, relieve pain and inflammation, improve metabolic process, fill tissue with oxygen, etc. ;
- Exercise therapy-regular exercise can correct the posture, strengthen the muscle waist, promote the normal tension of the neck muscles, and reduce the compression of nerve tissue;
- Massage-Massage in the neck brace area can eliminate muscle clamps and spasms, restore the normal position of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae, and normalize blood flow;
- Water aerobic exercise, swimming-going to the swimming pool helps to strengthen muscles, relieve cramps, unload naturally and stretch the spine;
- Traction therapy-spinal traction can increase the space between the intervertebral discs and correct the structure of the spine. It is widely used when combining pathologies of different locations;
- The physiotherapy method for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis-to enhance the effect of taking drugs, aiming to prevent the pain and inflammation of the tissue, promote its normal recovery, and accelerate the metabolic process;
- Diet and nutrition-The best way to drink water can prevent the cartilage tissue from losing water and ensure that the required amount of vitamins and trace elements are provided.
Active treatment of cervical osteochondrosis can take up to 3 months, depending on the severity of the condition. However, even after that, it is impossible to forget the health of the spine: restorative, supportive measures can last up to a year. Observing the best physical activity, diet, and abstaining from bad habits are indispensable throughout the life cycle, which is the basis for effective disease prevention.