Cervical osteochondrosis, in contrast to diseases of other parts of the spine, occurs almost equally often in young and old people. It's hard to imagine a person who has never experienced neck pain: it's a "payment" for a sedentary lifestyle that is constantly on a computer or work desk at an angle.
Other risk factors include bad habits and eating mistakes, being overweight, poor posture and flat feet, inadequate physical activity. Even the habit of carrying a bag on one shoulder can eventually lead to osteochondrosis, which is associated with improper load distribution and forced change in the normal position of the spine.
The spread of the disease can be the reason for the frivolous attitude towards it. But it is important to remember that the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a mandatory measure if you want to prevent unpleasant and dangerous complications.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Osteochondrosis STORE is a degenerative disease of the cartilage of the cervical spine, which is also characterized by a violation of the structure and function of the intervertebral discs. This disease tends to progress slowly, but as the condition of the tissues deteriorates, other pathologies can occur:
- hernia and bulge;
- inflammatory processes;
- instability of the cervical spine and associated risks;
- muscle diseases;
- paralysis, etc.
One of the common complications is spinal artery syndrome. It is an attack of pain accompanied by other signs: loss of balance, blurred vision and hearing, buzzing in the ears, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, loss of consciousness and even temporary speech disorders. Despite the fact that these are reversible consequences, such symptoms are dangerous and worsen the quality of life, which means that it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of the syndrome. This is possible with early treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and diagnosis
The localization of the pathological process in the cervical spine leads to the appearance of characteristic symptoms:
- crunching when turning the head;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- difficulty concentrating;
- seizure, seizure;
- pain in the hands, tingling, numbness of the fingers;
- neck pain;
- restriction of neck movement;
- muscle spasms of the neck;
- deterioration of cognitive processes.
If there is a combination of osteochondrosis of several departments (for example, cervical and thoracic), the disease can manifest itself in other signs: spasms of the back muscles, chest pain, etc.
In order to choose the right treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to assess the degree of development of the pathology, stage, to clarify the presence or absence of concomitant disorders. You should first consult a neurologist. Based on complaints, medical history, examination, and visual examination in different torso positions, movements and rest, the doctor will send for a comprehensive examination to confirm / clarify the preliminary diagnosis.
The disease is diagnosed by several methods:
- radiography SHOP;
- CT;
- myelography;
- NMR;
- ultrasound examination of the vessels of the neck, Doppler ultrasound of the arteries of the brain;
- laboratory tests (for inflammatory processes, etc. ).
In some cases, an accurate detailed diagnosis allows you to see the diseases that accompany osteochondrosis. This allows you to make the right decision when choosing treatment tactics.
The effectiveness of further measures depends on how timely and accurate the diagnosis is. Despite the presence of specific symptoms, the picture of cervical osteochondrosis is similar to the course of other diseases. That is why it is important to distinguish the pathology and make the right choice.
How is the treatment carried out?
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is performed surgically or by conservative methods. Surgery is resorted to only in the most extreme cases, strict indications for intervention are the complete ineffectiveness of conservative methods (for a long time), the impossibility of their use and the rapid progression of the disease.
The treatment regimen is chosen by a neurologist, taking into account the severity, general health, indications and contraindications for specific procedures. Both conservative treatment and the postoperative period require a careful and comprehensive approach. Combine the following methods:
- drug therapy - restores cartilage tissue, relieves pain and inflammation, improves metabolic processes, saturates tissues with oxygen and more. ;
- Exercise therapy - regular performance of the prescribed exercises corrects posture, strengthens the muscular corset, contributes to the normal tone of the neck muscles and reduces the compression of nerve tissues;
- massage - the massage of the cervical-collar area allows you to remove muscle cramps and spasms, to restore the normal position of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae and to normalize blood flow;
- water aerobics, swimming - visiting the pool helps to strengthen muscles, relieve spasms, natural unloading of the SHOP and stretching the spine;
- traction therapy - pulling the spine allows you to increase the space between the discs, to adjust the structure of the spine, is widely used in combining pathologies with different localization;
- physiotherapeutic methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis - enhance the effect of drugs designed to stop pain and inflammation of tissues, to contribute to their normal recovery, to accelerate metabolic processes;
- Dietary nutrition - the optimal water regime allows you to prevent water loss from cartilage tissues, as well as to ensure the supply of the necessary amount of vitamins and trace elements.
Active treatment of cervical osteochondrosis takes 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 last up to 1 year. Adherence to optimal physical activity, diet, and abandonment of bad habits is necessary throughout life, this is the basis for effective disease prevention.