Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is much more common than any other - it should not evoke the elderly or young people over 20 years of age. People around him complain about his manifestations every day, describing their feelings either with magnetic storms or energy vampires, or with more prosaic but still far from the truth explanations.
The localization of the disease in the cervical spine, which contains 7 vertebrae, can be explained by the fact that the intervertebral discs in this area are the thinnest. Therefore, their drying and destruction leads to nerve constriction and abrasion of the spinal bones much faster - after all, the distance between the bones is already small. It is also affected by the poor development of the neck muscles, which a modern person uses minimally.
Unfortunately, the non-inflammatory process of the spine goes unnoticed for a long time until the degeneration between the vertebrae is transferred to the second stage and the pain becomes a constant companion. But even this alarm signal is often ignored by people, attributing fatigue or even getting used to the everyday “background”. Think about why you can’t ignore the headache, your mother was right when she said, “Don’t turn your head, ” and how to treat cervical osteoporosis in order to permanently improve your chronic disease.
Symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis
The discomfort caused by osteoporosis of the neck extends to the limbs of the head, neck and shoulder girdle. In the initial stage, special complaints are not observed - usually patients often numb their necks more often, which doesn’t seem surprising at all during office work. The gap between the vertebrae gradually decreases, the load on the muscles of the mucous membranes, neck, shoulders and back increases, and the blood supply to the brain and spinal cord deteriorates. This leads to a whole chain of non-specific symptoms; a combination of these is a good reason to see a doctor.
Cervical spine grade 1 osteochondrosis
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in the initial stage are:
- local muscle tension;
- decrease in stiffness and amplitude of movements (when rotating the head, rotating the shoulders) after a long stay in one position;
- the need to constantly support your head with one hand while sitting to avoid fatigue and discomfort;
- fatigue and frequent headaches;
- increased irritability and chronic fatigue;
- inability to fall asleep quickly because they are trying to become comfortable, fold the pillow comfortably;
- darker on the eyes, appearance of "flies" after loading the cervical spine or in the morning / sharp rise;
- crackling and other foreign sounds when tilting the head;
- the so-called appearance of "Lumbago" in the area from the back of the head to the shoulders;
- decreased sensitivity in the fingers, tingling sensation in the hands;
- unusual feeling of weakness in the arms, decreased stamina and muscle strength;
- hypertension - arterial hypertension;
- change in voice, hoarseness for no apparent reason, snoring, feeling of heaviness, "swelling" in the head.
Grade 2 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
- Chronic Pain Syndrome - the head, neck or shoulders may be in constant pain for 2-3 days or longer;
- sleep problems - difficulty falling asleep or waking up, often waking up in the middle of the night due to nightmares caused by lack of oxygen;
- high meteosensitivity;
- the appearance of pain and cramps in the muscles and internal organs, especially when it is necessary to maintain or change the same position for a long time;
- inability to press his chin to his chest and lean his head back without pain;
- rain head syndrome - clearly perceptible pain when trying to sit without your head without sitting;
- numbness of the hands ("hands disobey"), appearance of neck pain with minimal strain on the lower extremities;
- Tinnitus and black eyes, dizziness and even fainting;
- appears in clamps;
- heart disease;
- migraine;
- persistent nausea;
- Overgrowth of connective tissue ("thick skin") in the collar zone.
Ignoring the signs of cervical osteochondrosis involves nerves and large blood vessels near the spine that pinch as the vertebrae move. Complications of the disease include
- paresis (restriction, weakness of movements) and even paralysis of the arms - one or both sides;
- vertebral hernia - a common cause of disability and disability up to the wheelchair;
- Spinal artery syndrome, which causes dizziness and noise in the head, 25% leads to ischemic stroke;
- Rapid impairment of memory, cognition, vision and hearing;
- decreased movement coordination, which causes difficulties even during transport.
How to treat cervical spine osteochondrosis? xx / h2>
To combat osteoporosis of the cervical spine, medication and physiotherapy, as well as cervical zone massage and hydromassage, therapeutic gymnastics, swimming, balneology and mud treatments, electrophoresis, phonothoresis, phonophoresis, acupuncture, acupuncture, and other types of device therapy. The symptoms and treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis differ significantly in the stages of remission and exacerbation. So, for example, massage of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine during the inflammatory process is strictly contraindicated - initially topical ointments and creams are used. In the acute period, it is important to restore blood circulation and tissue nutrition, relieve convulsions, and improve the patient’s quality of life. Therapy for the regeneration of cartilage tissue and osteophytes is performed exclusively in remission.
Surgery is extremely rarely used - mainly to eliminate concomitant pathologies such as hernia and vertebral shifts.
First-degree cervical osteochondrosis responds well to treatment and may lead to permanent remission even with minor acute episodes. Treatment usually involves lifestyle changes, maintenance of musculoskeletal devices through therapeutic exercises. Grade 2 of the disease has a less optimistic prognosis: in this case, the goal of treatment is to alleviate the pronounced negative symptoms and prevent further destruction of the spine.
In some cases, therapy is required for diseases that have become some of the catalysts for degenerative changes in cartilage. These include curvature of the spine, problems with the endocrine system, including hormonal disorders, metabolic disorders, insomnia, depression, alcohol and nicotine addiction, obesity, hereditary diseases.
Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine improves motor function, prevents macrotraumatization of vertebrae, adjacent tissues, nerves, large blood vessels, and organic systems. If medical recommendations and daily maintenance therapy are followed, the development of osteochondrosis may be slowed and spinal motility may be maintained until old age.
Medication for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
At the onset of the disease, patients were shown to have chondroprotectors, rehydration, and cartilage tissue saturation. Vitamin-mineral and antioxidant complexes are actively used, including those of natural origin. Medicines for the treatment of osteoporosis of the cervical spine are used primarily externally or orally - in the form of warming, local irritants, anti-inflammatory ointments, tablets, capsules. In the case of stage 2 osteochondrosis, in addition to the above, analgesics, antispasmodics (muscle relaxants), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used. Treatment is given throughout life, but certain medications (painkillers, glucocorticosteroids, etc. ) are prescribed in the courses because of their safety.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotectors in medicine are drugs that contain glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfates. For household use, the names "glucosamine" and "chondroitin" are more common. They form the structural backbone of cartilage as “building blocks” that the body uses for intervertebral correction. Chondroprotectors are complicated to take - they have a beneficial effect on all joint surfaces of the body and prevent the development of other types of osteochondrosis, as well as osteochondrosis and other degenerative diseases of the cartilage. These drugs need to be taken throughout life and continuously - because cartilage has no blood vessels, they are fed in a diffuse way. This means that the growth of new cells is very slow - the first results can be observed only 3-6 months after taking chondroitin-containing drugs.
ointments for cervical osteochondrosis
Vasodilating, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous ointments are used to treat cervical osteochondrosis. To improve blood circulation, uterus or snake size is often incorporated into their composition and propolis and natural essential oils are used to strengthen the vessel wall. In mild pain syndrome, topical analgesic creams or irritating ointments may be prescribed to distract the patient from discomfort. Warming ointments activate the tropics and metabolism of tissues, prevent destruction and inhibit the degenerative process.
Pills for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Pills play an additional role in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. In the form of tablets, complex analgesics are usually prescribed which have an anti-inflammatory effect. Anticonvulsant medications may be prescribed to relieve acute pain
In cervical osteoporosis, it is especially important to take medications that strengthen blood vessels and improve blood microcirculation. This helps to counteract the negative effects of the disease on the brain, leading to hypoxia and malnutrition.
Injections
Injections for the treatment of cervical osteoporosis are performed topically to remove the local inflammatory process that is insensitive to other exposure methods. In severe pain syndrome, lidocaine and novocaine blockades also appear. They mean the introduction of an anesthetic cocktail (it can contain more than a dozen components - NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids, decongestants, hyaluronic acid and other ingredients to nourish and rehydrate cartilage). Spinal block should only be performed by specialists due to the risk of damage to the spinal cord and nerve endings during injection and the possible presence of contraindications.
A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet helps prolong the effects of medications. Adding seafood, shellfish and other foods rich in calcium and vitamin D3 to the menu has a positive effect on the stability of remission.
Practices of cervical spine osteochondrosis
The first physiotherapy sessions (exercise therapy) are performed under the supervision of a doctor. It also selects a mini-set of daily exercises.
To prevent and treat cervical osteochondrosis, perform a simple warm-up:
- Sitting in a chair, turn your head left and right, trying to describe in a 180 degree semicircle. If the disease has not yet been felt or is in the first stage, throw your head back and slowly rotate it clockwise and clockwise.
- Raise your shoulders as high as possible and secure for a few seconds in this position, then return to starting position and repeat.
- Place your palm on your forehead and try to lower your head slowly, resisting light. After 10 repetitions, place your palm in the temple and repeat with side bends.
- Try to make a circle around your lower neck with your shoulders raised.
- Perform a series of exercises with a strong self-massage, feeling good for your vertebrae and muscles and warming your skin. Avoid pain.
Feel free to add general sound exercises to this list.
In addition to therapeutic therapy for osteoporosis of the cervical spine, it is important to adhere to the orthopedic system. It is designed to relieve the spine when doing household chores and sleeping. Special orthopedic pillows and mattresses, car and other headrests, and travel pillows are highly desirable for patients with grade 1 osteochondrosis. The workplace should also be refurbished to meet physiological needs - for example, buy a chair with a high back and armrest that follows the anatomical curve of the backrest, adjust the height of the table and seat, ensure a comfortable position for the monitor, etc.
In case of osteoporosis of the cervical spine, sit with your back straight, leaning on the back of the furniture. The position of the feet is just as important - the underpants should be perpendicular to the floor and your feet should be completely flat on the floor. The bent arms (about 75 degrees) should lie calmly on the table without constant tension. It is unacceptable to spend free time lying down with laptops. When using the computer in bed, use a tripod.