Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common disease in the modern world. Many people have it at the initial stage, but they don't even suspect it. The widespread osteochondrosis of the neck is due to the fact that people started sitting more and moving less. Let's take a closer look at the reasons for the development of this unpleasant disease and methods to combat it.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
So, cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of cartilage tissues of the musculoskeletal system. The disease is characterized by pathological changes in the structure of cartilage, which lead to disruption of the anatomical structure of the elements of the spine, disrupt the skeleton motility and cause painful sensations. The disease can affect any part of the spine, but due to the excessive mobility and miniature size of the vertebrae, the cervical segment most often suffers from this pathology. The neck is experiencing impressive loads every day. The turns of the head and even the fact of his detention force the vertebrae and intervertebral discs to work intensively. From the regular exposure from the outside, the intervertebral discs are thinner, and micro -cracks appear on them. Over time, their height decreases, they begin to change the thickness in the less and cease to perform their basic function - the depreciation of the vertebrae.
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The reasons for the development of the disease, first of all, are due to the age associated with the aging of the body and the developing destruction of the bones and cartilage. The following causes of osteochondrosis can also be called:
- stand -up
- Reduce motor activity as a result of sedentary lifestyles
- Excess weight that is the result of metabolic disorders, has a load on the intervertebral discs
- Hereditary factor
- Long -term physical activity
- spine abnormalities
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis has specific manifestations. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the cervical spine. Most often, patients complain of pain of varying intensity, increasing from a long stay in one position. Other symptoms are often added to pain:
- Weakness in the upper limbs
- tingling and tingling
- Head movement
- dizziness (suggests that the damaged elements have influenced the arteries)
- Tingling of the lips
- Sore throat
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis
In medicine, it is customary to separate signs of osteochondrosis based on the nature of the symptomatic manifestations combined in one syndrome. 4 of these syndromes differ:
- Koreshka - shows pressed nerve rays that cause severe pain, as well as a set of autonomous symptoms (dizziness, weakness, lump in the throat);
- Top artery - the damaged elements dazzle the large spinal artery, which is the cause of severe headache, dizziness;
- Vertebra - provokes pain in the neck itself;
- Cardial - masked under the attack of angina pectoris, manifested by severe chest pain, similar to a heart attack.
Stages of development of cervical osteochondrosis
1 degree of osteochondrosis
It is characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs. Quaders are formed in the fibrous ring, strength and elasticity of the disc are formed, its height decreases, which is why the nerve roots are pressed. Characteristic diseased pain occurs. Sometimes in stage 1 (preclinical) such pain can be absent and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate neck discomfort.
2 degree of osteochondrosis
If osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is not treated or treatment is not effective, then osteochondrosis of the second degree occurs - chronic. The pain becomes constant, the destruction and seal of the intervertebral disc is continuing and leads to small dislocations of the cervical vertebrae. With cervical osteochondrosis at this stage can develop a falling head syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by severe pain and a person is forced to keep his head in a fixed state to reduce pain.
3 degree of osteochondrosis
The fibrous ring is already almost destroyed, leading to complications of osteochondrosis - a convexity of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia. At 3 stages of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease as the affected cartilage tissue in the disc between the vertebrae is no longer there, which means that there is no source of pain, but the pinching of the nerve roots remains so that the pain does not leave completely.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
If there is a suspicion of the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to contact a medical institution in a timely manner. A comprehensive diagnosis will help identify the disease, evaluate its degree and understand the causes of the pathology.
A preliminary diagnosis is made on the basis of checking and palpation - with osteochondrosis marks the tension of the cervical muscles, in some cases deformity of the spine is noticeable. After an objective diagnosis, the doctor sends the patient to additional studies. The following diagnostic methods are used to confirm the diagnosis:
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Radiography (lateral and rights)
- Computed tomography
To determine the cause of the development of the pathology, ultrasound examination of the nearby organs, ECG of the heart, duplex scanning of blood vessels, blood tests and urine can be prescribed further.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment for osteochondrosis requires an integrated approach. Pain eliminates are used to eliminate pain, but the basis of therapy is physical therapy and massage. Massage helps relieve muscle hypertension, enhancing pain. The procedures also restore normal blood circulation, improving the supply of damaged tissues. Based on the results of the massage course, the tension is removed from the cervical region, the load on the spine is redistributed. Treatment with medicines. Medicines relieve pain and inflammation, restore blood circulation and eliminate spasms in the muscles of the neck. The following drug groups can be used for this: glucocorticosteroids, analgesics, muscle relaxants, etc. Physiotherapy treatment. In addition to taking medicines for relaxation near the cervical muscles, eliminating cramps and normalizing blood circulation will help with physiotherapy procedures: acupuncture, laser effect, magnetotherapy, UHF therapy, phonophoresis, etc. 
Therapeutic gymnastics. Special exercise will help the patient strengthen the muscle frame, align the posture and improve blood supply to the upper spine. In the case of advanced stages of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or with insufficient efficiency of conservative methods, surgery is required.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended: When sitting, be sure to take five minute breaks every hour, avoid your neck loads; Do not make sharp movements of the head, observe the stand; Avoid hypothermia; Participate in physical education, swimming; Eat properly; Sleep should be on a hard mattress and a low pillow, the bending angle should not be more than 15 degrees; After 25 years, avoid impact loading on the spine (jumping, running). In any case, when the symptoms of the disease occur, be sure to see a doctor. Do not self -self!