Modern realities influence human health, not the best way.Unhealthy lifestyles, strict working conditions lead to a number of human health disorders.Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - a disease of the white collar, ranks 5th in the world in the number of suffering from this disease.
What is cervical osteochondrosis and why is it dangerous?
In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is necessary to understand the progressive dystrophically defined damage to the intervertebral discs (the area between 1 and 7 vertebrae).As a result of this disease, deformation occurs as well as exhaustion with subsequent damage to the vertebrae bodies.The course of the spinal disease can have several stages, so it is important to recognize the disease in the early stages.
Feeding the nerve roots of the spine and blood vessels can lead to a disruption of the blood supply to the brain.A neglected country can even lead to a stroke.At the same time, the heart and blood vessels suffer and you can fight pressure for years, and cervical osteochondrosis of the spine will be guilty.
The causes of the development of the disease
There are many factors that lead to the appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- Excess weight;
- transmitted spinal injuries;
- Deformation of the stand, constant back and neck tension;
- malnutrition;
- physical activity;
- stress and nervous disorders;
- heredity;
- infectious diseases;
- individual characteristics of the structure of the body;
- Change in the circulation of the cervical spine.
Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis
The danger of cervical osteochondrosis is associated with the lack of symptoms at the initial stage.When pain occurs, the patient often uses analgesics, which is very wrong, as the process of developing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is started and the correct diagnosis with subsequent treatment is made with a great delay for successful treatment.
First, you should pay attention to the presence of the main symptoms of the manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Dizziness.You should understand that this symptom may indicate the presence of other diseases.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, dizziness shows a systemic character, that is, the patient feels the constant movement of surrounding objects.
- Headache.It has a real character with pulsation, can be constant or paroxysmal.
- Localization of pain.Often in patients with cervical osteochondrosis there is a pain when rotating the head, in the neck, in the shoulders, in the limbs.
- Blood pressure.It is combined with other symptoms (headache, tension and hands of the hands, stress and prolonged stay in one position).
- Noise in the ears and vision of vision.
- Weakness and rapid body fatigue.
- Interruption of sleep and pain during sleep in the neck, in the limbs, numbness.
Diagnosis
With the presence of the above symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, the self -measurement is strictly forbidden.Only a doctor can evaluate the condition, direct the patient to the diagnosis and choose a course of treatment.To determine the disease, it is recommended:
- spinal cord x -ray (cervical department);
- ECG;
- Spine NMR (cervical compartment);
- ReoEncephalography.
Computed tomography
One of the exact methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is CT (computed tomography).The procedure is performed as intended, there are no contraindications (weight limit only - up to 160 kilograms).CT accurately shows the condition of the spine, intervertebral discs, determines fractures, tumors, hernias and other inflammatory processes.The method is absolutely safe.
MRI
Magnetic resonance recognizes cervical osteochondrosis of the spine at a very early stage.The photos clearly show nerve roots, their integrity and places of disorder, hernia and other pathologies.The contraindication to MRI may be the presence of a pacemaker.It is undesirable in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.Through the photo, the doctor may prescribe treatment.
Radiography
The cervical spine X is performed in two projections and shows at what distance the vertebrae, the condition of the vertebrae processes, osteoporosis and the site of bone tissue, tumor processes, dystrophic conditions and other pathologies of the spine.
Contraindications: pregnancy, body weight over 180 kg, mental disorders.
Stages of osteochondrosis development
There are 4 main stages of development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Stage 1 - soreness, crunching when rotating the neck, decreased mobility, headache, sleep disturbance;
- 2 stages - thinning of the intervertebral disk capsule, disturbance of nerve endings and blood vessels;
- 3 stages - the appearance of protrusions, hernia, vertebrae, which leads to dizziness, pain, movement movement movement, impaired brain supply;
- Stage 4 - constant pain, neurological complications, loss of consciousness, visual impairment and even paralysis are possible.
Possible complications and consequences
Failure to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical part, this can lead to very serious disorders of both the spine and the whole body:
- work of the heart and blood vessels;
- vision and hearing;
- Cerebral blood supply;
- vestibular apparatus;
- high pressure;
- The appearance of hernia of the spine.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Before prescribing treatment with osteochondrosis medicines of the cervical spine, the doctor will conduct a full examination to detect the stage of the disease.Then a complete treatment was chosen on a case -by -case basis.
The following medicines are prescribed mainly:
- Medical drugs that relieve muscle cramps;
- painkillers;
- anti -inflammatory;
- A complex of B vitamins;
- Recovery stimulants.
With advanced osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, injections may be prescribed.Often practiced for complex treatment and physiotherapy (electrophoresis, ultrasound, laser therapy, magnetic therapy).
First aid for acute pain
The first task is to eliminate pain and spasms of the muscles.It is necessary to consult a doctor, take prescribed painkillers and anti -inflammatory drugs and go to bed.After 4-5 days, as the pain decreases, they may prescribe physiotherapy.As a rule, conservative treatment is prescribed.
Medication
The basis of the treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of medicines:
- analgesics;
- antispasmodics;
- anti -inflammatory drugs;
- vasodilators;
- Chondroprotectors.
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs
NSAIDs are designed to relieve pain and inflammation.They are used for complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Monsolelaxants
There is an extensive list of muscle relaxants that are prescribed for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.It is only necessary to use them in case of severe pain as they do not relieve inflammation.
Analgesics
Treatment with painkillers can be in tablets and injections.Anesthetic ointments and gels are also prescribed.
Vitamins
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine and cervix, the list of drugs should include B vitamins, A, E and D. Vitamin B affects the nervous system;Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium;Vitamins A and E are responsible for the condition of cartilage.
Physiotherapy and exercise
Easy short -sighted exercises should be agreed with the attending physician, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient, the stage of the disease of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and the presence of other abnormalities in the body.The exercises last an average of 15-20 minutes each day.The exercise complex is better to choose so that you can do both at home and at work.
Therapeutic gymnastics can quickly and effectively produce a positive result in the disease.The main thing is that the patient does not experience pain and discomfort in any movement.
Basic exercises for therapeutic exercises:
- In a sitting position with a flat back, smooth your head to the left and to the right, then with spring -and -down movements;
- Holding your hand on your forehead smoothly tilt your head forward while providing a slight resistance to your head;
- lying on the stomach to turn the head left and right so that the ear touches the floor;
- Take a vertical position and lift your shoulders as much as possible, holding it for a few seconds.Repeat several times.
Balneotherapy
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, a great effect has balneotherapy (treatment with mineral waters and mud).During the rehabilitation period, these procedures help the active natural substances penetrate the skin and affect the nerve endings.Procedures relieve pain, improve blood circulation and fix the positive effect of treatment for a long time.
Electrophoresis
Electrophoresis refers to combined physiotherapy methods.It is prescribed in the complex for the basic treatment of severe pain.Electrophoresis is performed using Novocaine and up to 10 procedures.
Acupuncture
Each human organ has its own point on the skin of the body.By acting at these points, you can control the work of the whole organism.Acupuncture with cervical osteochondrosis stimulates the blood supply to the brain, relieves dizziness, pain and general malaise.This is an effective treatment that helps to restore health and strength.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound with the introduction of medicines into the skin (phonophoresis) has a positive effect on the human body and has a good effect against the background of the basic treatment:
- removes swelling;
- relieves spasm by massaging the muscles;
- Increases blood flow to the places it is directed.
Folk remedies
Different folk methods for eliminating pain and inflammation are used in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine:
- compresses;
- garbage;
- Hirudotherapy (leech treatment).
Therapeutic massage
An important condition for massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is caution.The patient may massage at home, but before that the doctor consult, taking into account the individual characteristics of the spinal disease stage.But we do not recommend a massage of our patients alone!
The patient takes a comfortable horizontal posture, sometimes allowed to be sitting.We start a massage from the healthy part of the back and gradually, with smooth relaxing movements, we go to the area of inflammation.We pay a lot of attention to the area of the collar, neck.Gradually, from relaxing strokes, we turn to rubbing and tapping.We use rubbing agents to increase blood flow and relieve pain.
Prevention of osteochondrosis development
Using preventative measures, you can prevent or reduce the factors that develop the disease.
The most important is the right and healthy lifestyle, that is, a little physical activity, balanced nutrition, gymnastics.It helps prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine regular swimming and yoga.Do not forget about a comfortable sleep with orthopedic mattress and pillows.With a long stay in one posture, it is necessary to make a little warm.In every possible way to avoid nervous stress and fatigue.Go to the fresh air more.
Diet and eating for osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is very important to monitor proper nutrition, which should provide the necessary trace elements of cartilage tissue.Such substances include gelatin (natural chondroprotector).It is located in a student, floods fish, cold and fruit jelly.You should drink up to 2 liters.water a day.The basis of the menu should be protein food.Turn off soda, coffee, sorrel, grapes, alcohol, broth.