Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common disease in the modern world. Many people have it at the initial stage, but they don't even doubt it. Extensive osteocartilage degeneration in the neck is due to the fact that people start to sit more and move less. Let us carefully study the development of this unpleasant disease and its causes of its methods of action.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
Therefore, cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of cartilage tissue in the musculoskeletal system. The disease is characterized by pathological changes in the cartilage structure, which leads to violation of the anatomy of the spinal elements, disrupting the bone mobility and causing a sensation of pain. The disease affects any part of the spine, but the cervical segments are most commonly found in this pathology due to excessive mobility and micro-vertebrae size. The neck is loaded with impressive daily burden. The turn of the head and even its retaining fact forces the vertebrae and vertebrae discs to work closely. From the regular exposure of the outside, the discs are thinner and microcracks appear on them. Over time, their height decreases, they begin to change in smaller ways and stop fulfilling their main function – depreciation of the vertebrae.
Causes of cervical bone and chondropathy
First, the cause of disease development is due to age-related aging in the human body and the destruction of bones and cartilage. The following causes of osteochondrosis can also be called:
- Violation of posture
- Reduced exercise due to a sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive weight is the result of metabolic disease, with load on the disc
- Genetic factors
- Long-term physical exercise
- Spine abnormalities
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis has specific manifestations. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the cervical spine. In most cases, patients complain of pain of various intensities and stay from one position for a long time. Other symptoms usually cause pain:
- Weaknesses in the upper limbs
- Numb and tingling hands
- Stiffness when moving the head
- Dizziness (hints that damaged elements affect the arteries)
- Numb lips
- The feeling of a coma in the throat
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis
In medicine, the signs of osteochondria are habitually separated according to the nature of the symptoms and combined with the nature of a single syndrome. Four of these syndromes are distinguished:
- Koreshka - Indicates that nerve bundles are clamped, causing severe pain, as well as a set of autonomous symptoms (dizziness, weakness, lumps in the throat);
- Vertebral artery - The damaged element clamps the large vertebral artery, which is the cause of severe headaches and dizziness;
- Vertebrae - provoking pain in the neck itself;
- Heart - is masked under the attack of angina and manifests as severe chest pain, similar to a heart attack.
The development stage of cervical osteochondrosis
1 degree osteochondral disease
It is characterized by the beginning of destruction of the intervertebral disc. The fibrils form in the annulus, forming the strength and elasticity of the intervertebral disc, which is reduced in height, so the nerve roots are squeezed. A characteristic pain appeared. Sometimes, this pain may be missing in stage 1 (preclinical) and osteochondrosis can be moderately uncomfortable in the neck.
2 degree osteochondral disease
If first-grade osteocartilage degeneration or treatment is not effective, osteocartilage becomes second-degree osteocartilage - occur - chronic. The pain becomes constant, the damage and seal of the intervertebral disc continues, and leads to a tiny volume of the cervical vertebrae. With cervical bone cartilage degeneration, a reduction in head syndrome may occur at this stage. The syndrome is characterized by severe pain, and a person is forced to support his head in a fixed state to relieve pain.
3 degree osteochondral disease
The annulus of fibrous fibrous have been almost destroyed, which can lead to complications of osteochondrosis - the herniation of the disc or disc hernia. During the 3 stages of osteochondrosis, the intensity of the pain may be reduced because the affected cartilage tissue in the disc between the vertebrae is no longer present, which means there is no source of pain, but the nerve roots are still present, so the pain does not leave completely.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondral disease
If cervical osteochondrosis is suspected, it is necessary to contact the medical institution in a timely manner. A comprehensive diagnosis will help determine the disease, assess its degree and understand the causes of pathological development.
A preliminary diagnosis was made based on examination and palpation - osteochondrosis, the tension of the cervical spine will be noticed, and in some cases, deformation of the spine is worth noting. After objective diagnosis, the doctor sent the patient to other studies. The following diagnostic methods are used to confirm the diagnosis:
- Magnetic resonance tomography
- X-ray (lateral and straight)
- Computed tomography
To determine the cause of pathological development, an additional prescription can be given to perform ultrasound examinations on nearby organs, electrocardiograms, double-strand scans of blood vessels, blood tests and urine.
Treatment of cervical bone and chondropathy
The treatment of osteochondrosis requires comprehensive methods. To temporarily eliminate pain, painkillers are used, but the basis of treatment is physical therapy and massage. Massage helps relieve muscle hypertension and increase pain. The process also restores normal blood circulation, thereby improving the supply of damaged tissue. According to the results of the massage route, remove the voltage from the cervical area and redistribute the load on the spine. Drug treatment. The medication reduces pain and inflammation, restores blood circulation and eliminates cramps in the neck muscles. To do this, the following drugs can be used: glucocorticoids, analgesics, muscle relaxants and other physical treatments. In addition to taking medication to relax near the cervical muscles, eliminating cramps and normalizing blood circulation, it also helps with physical therapy procedures: acupuncture, laser effect, magnetic therapy, UHF therapy, voice therapy, and more.
Treatment gymnastics. Special body movements will help patients strengthen the muscle frame, align posture and improve blood supply to the upper part of the spine. If the late stages of cervical osteochondrosis or the effectiveness of the conservative approach is insufficient, surgery is required.
Prevent cervical osteochondral disease
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended that you make sure to rest for five minutes per hour when sitting to avoid neck load; do not move the head sharply and monitor posture; avoid hypothermia; engage in sports, swim; eat correctly; dreams should be on a solid mattress, on a low pillow, and the bending angle should not exceed 15 degrees. After 25 years, avoid impact loads on the spine (jump, run). Anyway, when the symptoms of the disease appear - be sure to see a doctor. Don't intervene yourself!