Rarely who does not are now confronted with the manifestations of this widespread disease: according to the statistics, about 60% of the population in the developed countries in varying degrees Standard, suffer from manifestations of osteochondrosis. The main reasons for such a spread – sedentary work and sedentary lifestyle of modern people.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (Osteohondroz) is a degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the intervertebral discs, in consequence of which self-drives, the spine vertebrae and joints of the neck are damaged, a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs. The disease progresses if untreated, and may cause incidents, headaches, circulatory disorders, and even intervertebral disc. Such as osteoporosis, the disease occurs due to the violations of the mineral metabolism, which bone to use and the joints are less strong.
Osteochondrosis can have instability of the cervical spine (symptoms and treatment similar to chondrosis, but have a number of properties), which is not rarely accompanied by a displacement of the vertebrae. This in turn accelerates disease is the development of degenerative intervertebral disc, the destruction of the spinal Department.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms
In the early stages of the disease are practically non-painful symptoms manifested: you can feel the discomfort in the throat after great physical exertion or long periods of sitting in a tense attitude, a sudden movement or tilting of the head.
The main symptoms – headache, dizziness, and impaired coordination, slight crunch in the movement of the head, the weakness of the; rare weakness of hands, numbness of the tongue were observed and speech disorders, problems with breathing, seeing, hearing, increased sweating, abnormally high blood pressure. The main zones – the neck, throat, vorotnikovaya Zone. In most cases, at the same time, there are only a few of the symptoms of the disease.
In General, symptoms of osteochondrosis is not obvious, often the use of painkillers masks. Therein consists one of the dangers: most of the symptoms are possible and in the case of other pathologies, it is difficult, the diagnosis of cervical degenerative disc disease.
Dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis
Such a condition has spine clear evidence of osteochondrosis of the neck.
Dizziness can be the result of:
- Inflammation in the middle ear, the inner ear;
- Spasm of cerebral vessels;
- Violation of transmission of nerve impulses;
- Problems with vestibular apparatus;
- Diseases of the circulatory System.
There are no exact criteria dizziness osteochondrosis. However, there is the common dizziness, they have significant differences.
It is recommended to know the differences between the systemic and dizziness-system, it will help to independently determine the causes of unusual conditions:
- systemic dizziness is a feeling of circular movement of the surrounding objects or the body, which is a consequence of disorders of the vestibular, visual analyzers and receptors in the joints, muscles and the Epidermis (osteochondrosis of different etiology);
- no System of dizziness is a feeling of powerlessness, a feeling of numbness, unsafe condition in an upright Position. In the case of non-systemic dizziness, feeling of circular Rotation, and this is an important difference to the comparison of the signs is missing.
The man, feeling dizzy, one of these types must be regarded, by an experienced doctor, primarily a neurologist or (if there is a suspicion of disease of the ear, nose and throat) ENT.
The reason for the emergency room in a hospital in connection with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, is the identification of the patient (except for fraud), such characteristics, such as:
- Paralysis of the face muscles and numbness of part of the shoulder girdle;
- severe headache against the background of the deterioration of the health;
- lack of coordination of movements;
- the loss of, or the extinguishing of consciousness.
Headaches with cervical osteochondrosis
It is one of the most common non-specific symptoms of many diseases of the people. Headaches particularly prevalent in the female population. It is difficult to determine the cause of headaches, and, above all, they bind with changes in the spine. About 14 different causes for headaches in people.
The most common causes of headaches in the described pathology us:
- Spasm of cerebral vessels;
- pinched nerve roots;
- Reflex increased intracranial pressure.
Headaches with cervical osteochondrosis sensations were, remind can high blood pressure, Angina, or stroke. Especially in people of middle and higher age, in General, about the risks of strokes or heart attacks.
Perceived pain may be paroxysmal, constant, pulsating and stupid.
In the case of pathologies of the heart, patients complain of discomfort in the area of the chest, accompanied by a rhythm disturbance of the heart activity. To determine the cause can only be made by a qualified physician. In the case of a headache, coupled with nausea, dizziness, and retro-sternal pain, not necessarily an ECG is made.
Pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Not always precisely localized pain in the area of the head and neck. There are cases of other localization of pain.
Pain in the neck can radiate to the shoulder area and in different parts of the hands. The peculiarity of these feelings, the suddenness of the seizures after sleep, jerky movements, hardly noticeable tensions for the people, such as when laughing or sneezing is. Pain in connection with osteoarthritis, if the process has not assumed a chronic character that usually wears off after a short period of time and combined with a crunch in the cervical spine.
Without prior investigation, should not be pain with the help of manual therapy (Massage). In some cases, bungling Manipulation will only exacerbate the pathology, can Innervation to disrupt and lead to disability of the patient.
According to the intensity of the pain is moderate or sharp can. For the duration – as short and long.
Found that the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often associated with the defeat of the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae.
There are Tests for the determination of the localization of the pain pulse. The defeat in the region of the sixth vertebra is complemented by pain in the thumb, and a loss in the region of the seventh lumbar vertebra, accompanied by painful sensations in the middle fingers.
Blood pressure with cervical osteochondrosis
The connection of cervical degenerative disc disease installed with irregular blood pressure a long time ago. The cervical vertebrae have important nerves and blood vessels.
Characteristic pressure peaks in the course of the day. Hypertension for a long time not typical for this disease. Reflex irritation of the nerve endings, and transient spasms of the blood vessels can cause hopping of the daily dynamics of the arterial high blood pressure.
A distinctive feature of the increased pressure in the cervical osteochondrosis in combination with the following symptoms:
- Headaches;
- Pain in the extremities and the chest;
- sensitivity reduction in the area of the neck area;
- the formation of pressure shocks according to Stress, muscle tension, a long time in an uncomfortable Position, and other similar situations.
Fluctuating blood pressure and the rapid deterioration of health are the basis for the treatment for urgent medical help.
The stage of development of osteochondrosis
In the development of cervical degenerative disc disease, it is common practice to stage 4. But it is rather conditional division, as the most can manifest a symptoms of the disease, and other pathologies.
The first Phase (pre-clinical)
In the initial phase, the symptoms are mild, and is often associated with Stress or other diseases. You can feel an uncomfortable stiffness in the neck, pain with sudden movement or bending over. In this Phase, is quite possible in the beginning to get rid of degenerative disc disease with the help of physiotherapy or easy to move anymore always, the right diet.
The second stage
The pain intensified, permanently, in the case of sharp turns or inclines are already strong. There is a strong headache, the fatigue, the Patient starts quickly, is multiple deaf, at regular intervals, areas of the face Institute.
The Third Stage
The formation of disc herniations often caused dizziness, the weakness of the hands, pain in the neck, and to feel the hands constantly in the shoulders.
The fourth stage
At the end of the discs destroyed, you will be tissue by the connective. Nerves are pinched, leading to difficulties in movement, acute pain, strengthening of dizziness, noise in the ears.
Causes and risk factors
Strangely enough, the possibility of the development of osteochondrosis in humans, breaks down by its evolutionary advantages of the use of the upright posture: vertebrae pressure on each other, and with increasing age the connective tissue. As a result, in the elderly, it is almost inevitable process. But there are a lot of factors, the diseases, the earlier and more intensive development of cervical degenerative disc:
- First and foremost, is a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle, often observed in modern life (office workers, drivers, and other "sitting" specialty, television, long hours at the Computer), lack of physical activity
- Tense, unnatural postures during work: for example, the people often at the Computer leans to the heated seats in the front, where the tense pose
- The opposite cause – to height, unusual for this Person; but in a Zone of danger – even in trained athletes, weight lifters;
- All the reasons against the natural posture of the people: uncomfortable shoes, especially High Heels, poor posture when sleeping, flat foot, rheumatism, scoliosis;
- Obesity, which is often due to incorrect diet
- Frequent Stress, strong, tension, constant fatigue
- Local Hypothermia
How dangerous is cervical osteochondrosis
In the area of the neck, many important concentrated blood vessels, arteries, capillaries, so that any breach can backfire, including lack of oxygen, high blood pressure, vascular dystonia.
Cervical osteochondrosis relates to the segments of the spine, the administrative work of the shoulder and elbow joints, the thyroid, the hands and other organs. In the case of osteochondrosis, when left untreated, the chances are, nerve pinching, crushing of the blood vessels, which inevitably impact on the work of other organs.
As for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Book, stable successes in the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease, which you can reach only through an integrated approach that includes drugs, neck, massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy. In very advanced cases, surgical Intervention can require.
We strongly recommend not is not to resort to self-medication, primarily due to the fact that the symptoms of the degenerative disease can disc quite a different disease, mean: only that the selected medication, a treatment, you can still be damaged.
The abolition of acute pain
Osteochondrosis, particularly in the later stages, accompanied by severe pain, therefore, the first task of the doctor to alleviate their suffering. He will prescribe you with pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, chondroprotectors for the restoration of the cartilaginous tissue, medicines to improve blood circulation and reduce spasms of the muscles.
Physiotherapy with cervical osteochondrosis
The easiest and cheapest, including home, away physiotherapy. It is also very effective since the muscles of the neck strengthens, the blood circulation in the damaged areas, to compensate for the chard of movement in everyday life. Movement therapy can't swim, Aqua.
Physiotherapy – the easiest and cheapest way for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease and, at the same time, enough powerful. The treatment therapy can be carried out and in the home. In the case of osteochondrosis intensity of the workout does not play a crucial role in the process, you need only your regularity. First and foremost, exercise is used to strengthen the muscles of the neck, the make, the insufficient functionality of the spine to support and help him, the weakened vertebrae.
For the strengthening of the neck muscles daily lessons are recommended. They can be complicated a very simple, consisting of rotation and inclinations of the head in different directions, and more on how to help Ironing the neck by muscles of the Hand. You you can at home and at work. For example, if the Job is a sitting, then it makes sense, such an exercise after an hour of sitting at the table, or Monitor.
Physiotherapy
The correct and consistent application of the physiotherapeutic methods improves the blood circulation in the injured areas, reducing inflammation and pain, slowing down the process of ossification.
In the case of the osteochondrosis of cervical Department of a use of electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, shock waves, wave therapy, medical baths and showers, mud therapy and other methods.
Neck massage in case of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
In the case of osteochondrosis Massage can be very effective: it improves blood circulation, reduces the likelihood of spasm by reducing the muscle tone, relieves painful symptoms and improves the overall health of the patient.
But Massage and manual therapy can be apply, have to be very careful, because the inept and gross effects on the diseased areas of the body can only harm.
Surgical Treatment
In particularly serious cases, this is not a surgical procedure: a narrowing of the spine, herniated intervertebral discs is excluded even in the case of spondylolisthesis.
The decision on the need for and type of surgery, the surgeon takes, it determines the preparatory operations, the duration of the post-operative period and Rehabilitation.