
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is a disease of the intervertebral disc, consisting in the onset of pathological metabolic disorders.When the pulp, which acts as a shock-absorbing role, begins to harden due to the active processes of ossification, there is a discomfort associated with the pinching of nerve roots.
Without timely treatment, osteochondrosis of the cervical region, serious consequences have a hinder that prevent normal life.You need to know what symptoms to start the alarm.
Osteochondrosis of the neck - classification
The problem with the disease is untimely detection.The patient has classic neurological manifestations - headache, dizziness, flies in the eyes, shortness of breath, neck pain, chest.The patient can numb the limbs, which is why he will visit a cardiologist, neurologist, therapist or orthopedist, without realizing the true causes of malaise.
The disease is physiological, as the human spine is forced to withstand long static loads in a vertical position.With age, bone tissue weakens, which adversely affects the state of spinal health.The destructive and depth of the processes are developed, leading to the appearance of osteochondrosis.Cervical osteochondrosis is more common as the neck has good mobility, which makes this department predisposed to traumatic damage.
The disease is one of the most common among the diseases of the spine.Osteochondrosis also tends to reduce age.If 20 years ago, people aged 40 to 60, addressed with complaints of pain in their back, now people between the ages of 30 to 40 are more likely to complain.Such an adverse change is related to the deterioration of health parameters, which is due to a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and reduced quality of nutrition.
The pathology is associated not only with physiological adverse changes, but also with the pathological condition of the body.The physiological processes are due to the appearance of destructive processes against the background of aging of the body and cartilage.Over time, natural adverse changes occur, which cannot be prevented - metabolic processes are disturbed, calcium stocks are exhausted.Pathological factors - the destruction of cartilage and wear of the intervertebral discs associated with the leading of an unhealthy lifestyle.
Also, the pathological course of the wear of the intervertebral discs and the ossification of the elastic content can be complicated by the ligamental apparatus, the pathological wear of the vertebrae (spondylosis), the pressure (development of the type of hernia) and the formation of deposits of calcium salts.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
In the early stages, it is difficult to identify clear signs of the disease, since the symptoms are paroxysmal, sometimes passing completely.The diagnosis is more difficult in those patients who use painkillers periodically.By reducing the sensitivity to pain, the disease is concealed and becomes more difficult to diagnose by external signs.Usually the patient does not believe that there are problems until the disease reaches the final stage.In addition to the pain in the neck and head, dizziness and jumps with blood pressure appear.
Dizziness for osteochondrosis occurs periodically, but does not always show specifically for this disease.Usually this condition is observed in the development of inflammatory processes in the ears, with spasms of the vessels of the brain, and against the background of innervation.Sometimes such a condition is associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system, impaired movement coordination or anemia.If the patient has a dizziness periodically, accompanied by a sense of trouble, lack of air and weakness, you should seek medical attention soon.
What signs that happen against the background of dizziness are the reason for the patient's emergency hospitalization:
- Tingling of the upper arm on one side, accompanied by parallel paralysis of the muscles of the face.
- Migran's attacks, a very severe headache against the background of general malaise.
- Problems with movement coordination.
- Disruption of consciousness, his loss.
Headache is one of the most common and non -specific signs that appear on the background of cervical osteochondrosis.Most often in women there is a headache of tension.This condition is associated with the characteristic of the hormonal background (excess estradiol in the body compared to men) and vascular weakness, which is also associated with hormonal status (increased progesterone releases the vessels, which makes them less durable).
With osteochondrosis, headache occurs due to frequent spasms of the vessels of the brain, against the background of pinching of the nerve roots and with increasing indicators of intracranial pressure.Attacking attacks of pain often resemble hypertension, IBS or stroke attack (it is important to believe that the more adherent a person is, the greater the risk of pathologies).
If the patient has other diseases associated with impaired heart muscle function, then with osteochondrosis attacks, heartache will also be observed.Usually, in people with cardiovascular disease, an attack of angina occurs, blood pressure, extrasystole, arrhythmia and chest pain begins to increase.If, when using first aid medicines, the patient does not get better and the attack lasts for a long time, it is urgent to call an ambulance so that the patient is taken to the hospital at the cardiologist.
Osteochondrosis pain syndrome
The characteristics of the disease syndrome must be described separately.Unpleasant sensations do not always occur in the back or head.There are attacks, pain in which they are more commonly located in completely different places.Pain in the cervix is often radiated in the hands or shoulders.The distinctive signs of unpleasant sensations are the appearance of discomfort immediately after waking up or sudden movements.An example is sneezing or laughing.Even with such mild physiological reactions, an attack of pain syndrome can occur.
If the pathology is not too neglected, the unscrupulous sensations will soon disappear and the discomfort is often accompanied by an increased crisis in the cervical vertebrae.Often the disease is found in people with cervical lordosis - a pathophysiological condition associated with increased neck flexibility.If a person often lifts his head back, this condition can occur.The more the pathological condition is, the more the patient feels, because the pain returns over time, intensifying, delivering increasing anguish.
What feelings and signs of pain are described by patients most often:
- The pain stems from the "depth" of the neck.
- When the head is turned, a crunch or a strong feeling of cracking is observed.
- When unpleasant sensations are observed, the patient has stiffness in the cervical region, accompanied by muscle weakness.
According to statistics, the disease most often affects 6 and 7 cervical vertebrae.The disease is also found in each of the vertebrae of the cervical location.
Development of arterial hypertension with cervical osteochondrosis
There is a clear link between a specific disease and an increase in pressure.The cervical vertebrae also penetrates nerve endings and vascular canal.If it is calculated on the surface of the vertebrae, it increases, then a pathological compression of the nerve endings and blood vessels occurs.As a result, the microspas appears and the patient has characteristic worsening in the well.
The hypertension that happens against the background has specific differences:
- Sustainable, acute headache is the most characteristic feature of shock.
- Chest pain when inhaled, limb discomfort.
- Reducing sensitivity in the collar area.
- The appearance of a sharp pressure jumped after nervous tension, muscle surge or after a long stay in the antalgic posture.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the neck
In its bigger part, this disease is associated with natural aging processes and the appearance of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.It is worth noting that not all elderly people suffer from osteochondrosis.Usually, this disease is ahead of obese people leading to a sedentary lifestyle.
The provocative factors causing pathology include:
- A sedentary lifestyle, including hypodynamia.
- Occupation of an uncomfortable posture associated with long, static stress.An example is a long sitting on the desktop without maintaining a suitable posture.
- Obesity or excess body weight.The high weight is not always associated with fat deposits.In bodybuilders or massive athletes, an increased body weight index is often observed.Exceeding the recommended weight is fraught not only with premature wear of the spine, but also for overloading the cardiovascular system.
- Chronic stress associated with nervous surge.
- Early injuries to the head or dislocation of the neck.
- Local hypothermia - blowing on the neck.
- The presence of a pathological autoimmune process in the body, which negatively affects the condition of the cartilage, bone tissue.Examples are rheumatoid arthritis, which leads to the development of such diseases as shock.
- The presence of congenital abnormalities in the structure of the cartilage spine.
The presence of dosed physical activity, proper nutrition and rejection of bad habits is the best way to minimize the risks of exacerbations associated with osteochondrosis.
Stages of disease development
There are several stages of development of the pathological condition associated with the power of manifestation of symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- The preclinical stage is the first.In the initial stages, it is difficult to notice signs of the disease as there are still no specific symptoms.The only thing an experienced specialist can notice is the smoothness of cervical lordosis.As a result of such a slight change, minimal discomfort with sharp turns on the neck is possible.Over time, tension, pain in the lumbar region and the muscles of the back may occur, as the cervical zone often pulls the lumbar.If the patient was lucky and osteochondrosis was found at an early stage, then you can change the diet and lifestyle correction so that the pathology does not continue to progress.Patients often ignore this stage as discomfort rarely causes significant changes in the body.
- The second stage appears if the preclinical degree is successfully ignored.Usually at this stage there are signs of instability of the cervical region.At this stage, the patient is already concerned about the pain syndrome.The unpleasant sensations are often given to the hands of the upper belt on the shoulder.The pain with sharp slopes and bends of the head feels more severe.As the pathological descent of the distance between the intervertebral discs is already taking place, the nerve endings are pressed, leading to the development of neurological syndrome in the patient.As a result, the patient has concomitant symptoms, including increased fatigue, decreased effectiveness, scattering and headache.
- The third degree.At this stage, the pain syndrome becomes even more pronounced than before.It becomes impossible to ignore such pain, so that even the most resistant patients are already forced to consult a doctor to make an appropriate diagnosis.The pain often radiates in the limbs and shoulders, and in the morning there is weakness in the muscles of the hands.At this stage, a concomitant disease can occur - hernia of the intervertebral disc.In the morning, the patient experiences a strong stiffness, which also shows a deterioration in the mobility of the cervical region.Dizziness and severe weakness are observed in patients.
- Terminal osteochondrosis, fourth stage.At this stage there is a destruction of the intervertebral discs.The discs themselves are replaced during the connective tissue.The increased pathological process can now affect other segments of the spine, including the thoracic and lumbar regions.In such patients, the quality of life suffers significantly - the coordination of movements deteriorates, the headache and the dizziness become unbearable, and the noise in the ears, other serious disorders - vascular disorders, problems with the respiratory system - occurs.
Syndromes that appear with cervical osteochondrosis
The danger of untreated symptoms lies in the further progression.If the patient continues to neglect the pathology, different types of syndromes occur - symptomatic complexes.There are such species:
- Spinal or vertebrae.
- Spinal artery.
- Cardiac or heartfelt.
- Rook syndrome.
The combination of these signs often develops in the overall picture of the manifestation of osteochondrosis.
The vertebrae syndrome develops frequently.In the patient over time, the mobility of the cervical spine is impaired.First, stiffness appears after waking up.In the future, the pathology will be constantly present.Also, when you try to turn your neck on the side, pain occurs.In X -ray, some deterioration is also fixed.A characteristic characteristic of the vertebrae syndrome is the presence of all the above characters.If there is no sign, it is an exception or axiom.The complexity of the diagnosis is that vertebrae syndrome is often confused with other inflammatory diseases of the cervical region - myositis, injury and stretching.
Spinal artery syndrome is associated with the pathological arterial process that occurs in compression.If there is no blood flow due to partial overlap of the spinal arteries in the cervical region, the following signs appear:
- The insufficiency of the venous blood flow is manifested by such signs - the appearance of tinnitus, dizziness, pressure jumps, vomiting or nausea.
- The onset of irritation of the nerve endings, which is manifested by migraine or severe headache.Often, a patient may record a feeling of tingling or temporary vision of vision with one eye.
- Oxidized fasting due to squeezed arteries.The patient has signs of hypoxia - shortness of breath, heartache, seizure, dizziness and weakness in the milder physical stress.
A similar condition is also characteristic of atherosclerosis and oncology.
Also, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are characterized by the development of heart type syndrome.The patient has signs that resemble a heart muscle disorder.Many signs can resemble a heart attack or coronary heart disease.During the worsening period, the patient experiences burning and squeezing in the heart muscle, weakness, shortness of breath, and an increase in tachycardia attack.To exclude cardiac syndrome against the background of osteochondrosis, you must perform an echo of the heart, ECG.If there are no signs of heart disorders, then it is a cardiac syndrome that has arisen due to the fact that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine continues to progress.
Rooser syndrome is associated with major diseases - bastards in the spine and limbs.The reason is the transfer of nerve endings.During the deterioration period, the patient should monitor bed rest and use painkillers.The pathology is treated with the help of neurotropic drugs.The prevention of attacks is aimed at improving blood circulation, conducting physiotherapy and physiotherapy.Rotor syndrome is dangerous for complications.If even a small nerve is fully attached, it is filled with immobilization of the limbs and impaired innervation in the fingers, hands.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the neck
To determine the pathology, you should contact the therapist.The doctor conducts an initial examination, completes the patient's hospital card and sends the patient to a narrow specialist - traumatologist or neurologist.The doctor then examines the patient, made a primary diagnosis in the examination that should be confirmed by laboratory tests.
What diagnostic methods are recommended for suspicion of cervical osteochondrosis:
- X -ray.This is a quick and common option for the initial examination required to assess the patient's bone system in the distant spine.If the patient has osteochondrosis, then the distance in the area of anxiety of the spine will be reduced.
- To find out about a particular diagnosis, you can perform magnetic resonance imaging.MRI is the most accurate diagnostic method.The device will look at both bone structures and cartilage, soft tissues.You can notice any disorders - pressed nerves, stage of intervertebral hernia and the degree of development of osteochondrosis.
- Computed tomography.The examination method is appropriate if there is no suspicion of the presence of intervertebral hernia.
- Ultrasound duplex scan.If the patient is suspected of impaired venous blood, then this type of examination is performed.If there are physical obstacles, this type of diagnosis will help identify.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is aimed at eliminating symptoms.There is no radical way to restore the development of pathology.It must be understood that the nature of the disease is found not only in pathological development, but also in natural physiological degenerative destruction.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with medication
Drug therapy is the best way to reduce pain during the pain attack.Usually medicines are prescribed to treat osteochondrosis based on symptoms:
- NSAIDs or analgesics.Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs are suitable for stopping a stress headache attack, which is more commonly seen in women.The appointment of a particular drug depends on the causes of pain.Example-if the woman has a headache due to vascular spasm, then analgesics or antispasmodics are prescribed.If the pain occurs in the neck and is accompanied by inflammation, NSAIDs with a pronounced anti -inflammatory effect are required.It is better to clarify the specific trade name for the attending physician.
- Mussorelaxants.These drugs are effective in the treatment of similar diseases related to the destruction or damage to bone cherries.Such diseases include hernia, convexity and rheumatoid pathologies.Recent studies have shown that muscle relaxants not only show a relaxing effect, but also effectively anesthetize.A group of medicines are prescribed for excessive muscle spasticity associated with their overload, which has arisen against the background of osteochondrosis.These drugs practically do not affect the activity of the central nervous system, so they can be taken during the day.The course of therapy lasts about 4 weeks.
- In vitamins in combined injection agents of vitamins B1, B6 and B1 in large doses show an analgesic effect if the pain syndrome is caused by the pinching of nerve roots.In combination, a long course with analgesics is required.In the event of an exacerbation attack, it is advisable to monitor bed rest to unload the area of pain as much as possible.Within 2-3 weeks, according to the instructions, injectable medicines are used, and then for 1-2 months they drink tablets.
- Chondroprotectors.Such drugs are needed in the presence of degenerative processes in cartilage.If increased destructive effects have already begun, chondroprotectors will not eliminate them.Long -term use of injection forms of drugs can delay the regression of cartilage destruction, no more.The minimum use period is 3-4 months.
- Hypotentine agents.If the patient periodically has pressure pressure to enlarge, use medicines that reduce systolic and diastolic pressure.Medicines are used carefully and only as prescribed by a doctor.Tyta blockers or calcium channel blockers are usually prescribed.
- Caltives.Sitting agents are necessary if neurological disorders occur on the background of autonomous disorders.Examples are attacks of anxiety, insomnia, or sleep disturbance.In the initial stages, plant sedatives are appropriate.More serious disorders are prescribed medication prescribed by a prescription.
- Anti -chyxants.It is necessary if the patient suffers from a mild heart disorder associated with lack of air.
- Calcium and Vitamin D3 preparations.In order to maintain the bone fortress in the presence of active degenerative processes, it is necessary to take mineral complexes.Calcium is the necessary building material, without it the bones become porous and break.D3 is a vitamin without which normal assimilation of calcium is impossible.In combination, these substances well strengthen bone tissue.It is also useful to drink other minerals periodically to support the health of the musculoskeletal system-silicone, sulfur, zinc, magnesium and boron.
- Vitamin-mineral complexes.In addition to specialized supplements, it is necessary to take seasonally polyvitamins to maintain the overall health of the patient.Take complexes 2-3 times a year for 1-2 months with breaks.
- External funds.To put the condition of your neck to feel stiffness, you can use warm or therapeutic ointments, gels that contribute to improving blood supply.It is in some ointments to cure the feeling of constant stiffness, but the administration of a small amount of external medicine before going to bed will alleviate the condition in the morning.
Conservative therapy methods
In the period of recovery, when acute pain subsides, a person with osteochondrosis must maintain the body using conservative treatments:
- Therapeutic gymnastics.Special exercises with regular performance improve joint mobility, temporarily accelerate blood circulation.The patient feels improved over time.The basic rule of exercise is the regularity and sequence of actions.If you do physical education every day, the neck muscles come in a tone that relieves the load from the spine significantly.
- Massage.The procedure is performed after an acute period to improve blood flow and relax the muscles.The contact effect is well combined with the course of muscle relaxants, potentiated by the effect of medicines.With physical exposure to the fingers, the local temperature in the warm -P muscles increases, which improves blood flow.The massage causes the fastened areas to the back.
- Physiotherapy methods.Hardware treatment is aimed at improving blood flow to the damaged area.Using devices and exposure to a low -frequency current or magnetic field, medicines are administered through the skin.These agents are well consumed without creating a systemic effect.Examples of procedures-magnetizing, electrophoresis, laser effect, shock wave therapy.
In a neglected case where conservative therapy is ineffective, the patient is proposed to perform surgery.In particular, the radical method of therapy is effective in the presence of hernia or convexity when there are concomitant diseases of the spine that exacerbate the situation.Indications for surgery are a loss of sensitivity to limbs, intolerable pain.