About 30 years ago, osteochondrosis was only associated with older people with immobile joints and pain in every movement. But times have changed. Today, more and more people are turning heavy physical work into computer work, less and less monitoring the quality of nutrition, and more and more people are experiencing cervical spine osteochondrosis. It is no coincidence that osteochondrosis is called the "disease of the century" and almost everyone over the age of 25 experiences the symptoms of this disease.
This insidious disease, which begins with unpleasant pain in the neck, quickly leads to serious consequences in the form of hearing and vision impairment, and also leads to memory impairment until complete loss. Therefore, everyone should know the causes of osteochondrosis and consult a doctor in a timely manner in case of unpleasant symptoms of the disease. In this article we will talk about them.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Paradoxically, all our problems with the cervical spine begin in early childhood, or rather in elementary school, when the child's posture is disturbed and scoliosis develops. At this point, the system that supports the head by the spine, especially the most delicate and sensitive part - the cervix - is disrupted. The second major cause of cervical osteochondrosis in early childhood is insufficient physical fitness, especially muscle weakness and a spinal corset designed for the spine.
These are the two most important causes of the disease. All the rest are heavy loads on the weakened spine and cause the disease to develop in young and healthy people. First of all, this includes sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, especially work related to staying in one position for a long time. This is most typical for drivers and office workers who are sitting at a computer in turn. All this is complemented by excess weight, which significantly increases the load on the spine.
Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- past spinal injuries;
- metabolic diseases;
- hereditary tendency;
- excellent physical activity;
- constant nervous tension and stress;
- cervical spine anomalies;
- bad habits (holding the phone with your ears and shoulders).
Development of osteochondrosis
These unpleasant factors eventually lead to an increase in the load on the cervical spine. When trying to compensate for the excessive load on the muscles of the neck, they spasm, which leads to disruption of blood circulation in this area and a decrease in metabolic processes. All this leads to the development of degenerative processes in the spine. First of all, the vertebrae begin to thin and coalesce, squeezing the inside (annulus fibrosus) outside the spine. In the language of doctors, such a protrusion is called a protrusion.
In the protruding state, the ring fibrosis still maintains its integrity, but the protrusion already compresses the blood vessels and nerves that run along the spine and feed the brain. In addition, the approaching and deformed spine begins to compress the roots of the peripheral nerves, leading to the development of "radical syndrome", which manifests itself as "severe pain in the back and neck. "If you do not detect a problem (if the unpleasant symptoms will clearly signal) and do not start treatment for osteochondrosis, the fibrous ring will rupture and a spinal hernia will occur. In this case, there will be serious problems with brain nutrition.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The disease goes through several stages in the development of each, with characteristic signs and symptoms. It should be noted that cervical spine osteochondrosis differs from degenerative changes in other parts of the spine. The distances between the vertebrae are minimal here, and therefore small degenerative changes cause unpleasant symptoms and various complications.
1. Grade I osteochondrosis
This is a preclinical stage in the development of the disease in which the patient feels mild pain and discomfort during dizziness, as well as tension and fatigue in the neck and waist during prolonged stay in one position (mostly in a sitting position). At this stage, osteochondrosis is perfectly treated with lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments and regular exercise.
2. Grade II osteochondrosis
At this stage, there is instability between the vertebrae in the neck. In this case, a person experiences severe pain that spreads to the shoulder, neck or arm. The pain increases significantly when the head is bent or turned, as the nerve endings begin to break due to the reduction in the distance between the vertebrae. The patient quickly becomes tired, loses performance, is distracted, forgetful, and has headaches.
3. Grade III osteochondrosis
With the onset of the third stage of the disease, back and neck pain intensifies, neck mobility is significantly reduced, and vertebral murmurs are heard when the neck rotates. At night, the patient's fingers begin to numb (primarily the little finger and ring finger), so the person wakes up several times a night. During the day, such patients have an unpleasant heaviness in their hands. Even a short conversation on the phone, where a person has to hold the cell phone close to the ear, turns into an unpleasant tingling and numbness in the fingers. All this indicates that there is an increase in the protrusion, and possibly a hernia in the cervical spine.
4. Grade IV osteochondrosis
In the final stages of the disease, the vertebral discs, which cease to function and begin to be replaced by connective tissue, are destroyed. A patient in this condition may experience loss of coordination, noise and crazy pulsation in the ears, increased headaches, decreased visual acuity and hearing. In some cases, there may be a mismatch of language.
It should be noted that the blood flow to the brain is disrupted due to constriction of blood vessels. For this reason, the patient develops neurotic disorders such as insomnia, irritability, irritability and resentment, frequent mood swings and inability to concentrate. Periodically there may be attacks of anger or fear, melancholy and depression.
In the later stages of osteochondrosis, severe vascular spasms can cause "flies" to appear in front of the eyes, instability on a hard flat surface, severe dizziness, migraines, nausea, vomiting, and frequent fainting.
Diagnosis of the disease
Explains the unpleasant symptoms of the patient's condition to the doctor to determine the pathological cause. After listening to the patient, the specialist sends him to one of the following research methods.
1. Radiography. At present, this method of diagnosis is considered uninformed, especially in the later stages of the disease.
2. Ultrasonic duplex scanning. This method is used when a specialist recognizes a violation of blood flow in the arteries that supply nutrition to the brain. The study shows the speed of blood flow and determines whether there are obstacles in its path.
3. CT (computed tomography). This method is more informative than X-rays because it not only detects the problem, but also makes it difficult to determine the presence and size of the hernia.
4. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Today, it is the most informative method for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis, which allows you to see the bone structures, the presence of hernias and even the direction of development.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Let's just say that you need to contact a neurologist to solve a serious problem like cervical spine osteochondrosis. However, if there is a vertebrologist in the clinic, it is better to contact him first.
Osteochondrosis can be treated only in a complex way. The set of methods used includes medication, neck and neck massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapy and proper nutrition. Only a combination of all these methods will help to cope with the disease and normalize the patient's well-being.
Help for severe pain
For severe pain, doctors recommend taking medications such as Analgin, Baralgin, or Tempalgin. When these medications no longer provide relief, you can switch to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In the general sense, drug treatment includes the following means:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These remedies relieve pain, eliminate swelling and fight inflammation of the nerve roots.
- Chondroprotectors. Such drugs perfectly repair damaged cartilage tissue.
- B vitamins are needed to improve metabolic processes in nerve tissues.
- Muscle relaxants. These medications work to reduce muscle spasms.
- Drugs that improve the rheological properties of the blood. Thanks to such means, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve endings is improved.
It should be noted that the use of ointments and tablets in the fight against osteochondrosis is possible only when drug treatment is combined with other therapies. Otherwise, the medication will only have a temporary effect.
Many specialists tend to treat osteochondrosis by injection to move the nerve endings quickly and to avoid possible side effects while taking the pill. However, vitamins are best taken orally. Vitamins are well absorbed by the body by any method of administration, but injections into them can be painful.
Physiotherapy treatments
Drug treatment should be combined with physiotherapy methods. The most effective for this disease:
- Electrophoresis (with medication). In this case, the drugs penetrate the damaged vertebrae under the influence of electric current.
- Ultrasound. This method of exposure allows you to eliminate the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve metabolic processes in tissues.
- Magnetotherapy. This type of physiotherapy eliminates swelling and pain.
- Laser therapy. It is a perfect way to fight inflammation and improve blood circulation.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Rehabilitation of the affected vertebrae includes a special diet that normalizes the body's metabolic processes, prevents salt accumulation, nourishes and restores cartilage tissue, as well as strengthens the bonds between the vertebral discs.
To achieve this, the following should first be excluded from the patient's diet:
- alcoholic beverages;
- fatty and fried foods;
- spicy and very salty foods;
- strong broths;
- weaknesses and baked goods;
- strong tea and coffee;
- pickles and marinades;
- canned goods.
The diet of a patient with osteochondrosis should consist of the following foods:
- lean meat and fish;
- low-fat milk, cottage cheese and kefir;
- fat (in small quantities);
- whole grain cereals and soups;
- mixed meat, aspic from fish or meat;
- vegetables, fruits and berries;
- juices, fruit drinks, jellies and compotes.
When osteochondrosis is localized in the cervical spine, it is important to follow a drinking regimen by drinking at least 1. 5 liters of water per day. If you are overweight, you need to think about how to get rid of the extra pounds that put extra stress on your spine. It is recommended to skip meals in small portions 5 times a day.
At the same time, as can be seen from the list of allowed foods, the basis of the meal should be low-fat vegetarian soups, boiled lean meat, fish, seafood, unsweetened vegetables and fruits.
The sample menu for the day will look like this:
- breakfast: cottage cheese, a few apples, tea without sugar;
- dinner: baked pear, oatmeal cookies;
- dinner: vegetarian borscht, boiled chicken with vegetable salad;
- Afternoon snack: dry biscuits and juice;
- Lunch: baked fish with vegetables and tea without sugar.
Sports therapy for osteochondrosis
Physical training gives great results in the treatment of osteochondrosis, although you can do gymnastics for the cervical spine only during the recovery period. Here it is important that the patient does not feel discomfort and pain during the massage or gymnastics.
Here are some of the most effective gymnastic exercises aimed at strengthening the cervical muscles and improving blood circulation in this area.
Work # 1
Lie on your stomach, put your hands on the floor, slowly raise your head and torso so that your back is straight. Hold this position for 1 minute, then return to the starting position. The element is repeated 2-3 times.
Work # 2
Lie on your stomach, extend your arms along your body, raise your head slightly, and start to turn to the right, first trying to touch the ground with your ears, then to the left. Make 6 turns in each direction.
Exercise # 3
Sit on the floor, lean forward while breathing and try to reach your chest with your chin, and when you breathe in, return to the previous position and turn your head back. Repeat the element 10-15 times.
Work # 4
Put your palms on your forehead and try to press firmly on your head. At the same time, while tightening the muscles of your neck, resist your hands, which prevent you from bending your head. Hold the pressure for 20-30 seconds, then lower your arms and relax. Repeat the element 2-3 times, and then repeat the exercises in the opposite direction, bringing the stapled hands to the back of the head.
Exercise # 5
Start turning your head slowly to the right and left, trying to look behind you. Make 10 turns on each side.