Cervix osteochondrosis: causes, types, symptoms and methods of treatment

If you list the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervix - almost every adult says they felt them.Indeed, this disease has significant prevalence: in developed countries, osteochondrosis occurs in 60-80% of the population.In order to distinguish between a person's cervical osteochondrosis, or appear in different condition, information should be held on this pathology.The article describes the causes, properties and manifestations of the disease, diagnosis and treatment methods.Patients can recognize and ask for help in time when possession of pathology information.

What is the cervix osteochondrosis?

The disease is degenerative and damages the spine structure with the primary and secondary mechanism.The pathogenetic mechanism of pathology is that the structure of the spinal connection is damaged.

Usually these areas include a layer of pulpoose tissue.Removes the spine and optimizes the motor process.With the cervical osteochondrosis, this soft substance is calcified and converted into a hard causing tissue.This damage nerve endings and blood vessels, violating their functions.

Depending on the level of damage, osteochondrosis may be manifested by numbness or numbness of the tongue.It may be symptoms from the chest or back.This greatly complicates the diagnostic process.Patients can hand over more diagnostic consultations before they get to a profile expert.The diagnosis process uses a number of methods that allow the pathology to exclude from other organs and systems.

Gradually, cervical osteochondrosis becomes "younger" and is increasingly found in young patients.Modern young people begin to experience problems much earlier.

Osteochondrosis is a degeneration of the cervix region, which is used to consider from two positions:

• Physiological changes.In fact, degeneration of cartilage is a natural part of development, regulated by neuro -ndocrine mechanisms and irreversible.The process begins with the center of the pulpic layer and gradually penetrates the periphery.The soft tissue is replaced by fibrous fibrous elements.Such a process does not virtually disturb the patient and only manifests itself if it affects the nerve endings.
• Pathological changes.Destruction of the vertebrae as a result of the set of factors.This process has progressed before physiological changes and leads to violation of the spine function.Symptoms almost always accompany this condition because they spread outside the structure of the cartilage and damage nerve endings, blood vessels.

The course of the disease can be different in nature: sometimes the pathology is compensated on its own, or vice versa, there are aggravations.At the same time as the pathological process, it contains compensation mechanisms that temporarily extend the function of the vertebrae and eliminate the symptoms.

However, the further process of the disease leads to destruction of the fibrous ring to the appearance of micro fractures.The vertebrae lose their stability and fixation, which is declared by the clinical picture of the disease.

In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is the impregnation of intervertebral space with calcium.This forms a kind of hernia because the injured vertebrae is pressed into the neighboring body.These structures are worn out and, as a result, there is a huge bone of the adjacent structures.

There are several stages during the cervical osteochondrosis:

• Section 1 instability of spinal structures and disks;
• Section 2 - reduced fixation of the spine and disc protrusion;
• Section 3 - fibrous ring, severe symptoms and pain;
• Stage 4 is accompanied by difficulty in movement, acute pain and widespread bone spread.

Characteristics of anatomical arrangement of muscles and blood vessels - makes the neck a vulnerable area of the body.For a long time, osteochondrosis leads to many complications, including vascular system.Many can cause significant damage to the patient's health and pose a pronounced risk.

Symptoms

The risk of osteochondrosis of the cervix is that the symptoms do not manifest for a long time.This is facilitated by the covering of the signs of the disease into another pathology and independent administration of analgesic drugs.It is long and makes it difficult to diagnose cervical osteochondrosis.It is important not to delay the diagnosis until the structure of the vertebrae is not replaced by bone tissue.

Take into account the main groups of symptoms that are found in the cervical region osteochondrosis and their characteristics.

Dizziness

As mentioned above, most of the symptoms of osteochondrosis can be characterized by other conditions.Thus, dizziness is accompanied by the vascular pathologies of the central nervous system, the damage to the hearing equipment, the malfunction of the vestibular device and the cardiovascular diseases.Dizziness is accompanied by intoxication and inflammatory processes.It is important to take into account the holistic clinical picture and not individual symptoms.In addition, you need to learn to distinguish the main types of dizziness because of its occurrence.

The cervical spine osteochondrosis is systematic dizziness.It seems to the patient that the surrounding objects are in motion.Such an abnormality can be observed after head and cervical injury and in the background of vestibular equipment.

Headache

Again, this symptom is extremely difficult to call -specific.Head pain can be accompanied by overtime, increased pressure, and severe acute conditions.In the case of osteochondrosis, headaches occur as a result of compacting nerve endings.This leads to increasing pressure in the brain blood and in the central nervous system.The result is a feeling of emphatic headache.

Features of headache in this case are a dull nature and a pulsation feeling.Pain can sometimes be manifested by attacks and sometimes permanent.The pain parameters of osteochondrosis resemble its characteristics with hypertension, angina pectoris.The differences in the headache of cardiological pathology are that chest pain, heart rhythm, ECG changes.Therefore, only one doctor can determine the cause of the pain.

The various localization pain syndrome

In addition to headache, the patient is often worried about cervical pain.This is called cervix and complication of osteochondrosis.Painful feelings can radiate into the upper limb.Patients note that the pain in their hands occurs after awakening against the background of sudden movements.After a short rest, painful feelings surrender to themselves.

Below are the characteristics of the cervical syndrome with the cervix with osteochondrosis:

• The discomfort is localized in the deep tissues of the neck;
• Head turns are often accompanied by pain and crunch;
• There is muscle weakness, numbness, cooling hands.

Most often, two lower vertebrae - 6 and 7 touches the two lower vertebrae of cervical osteochondrosis.For a small self -diagnosis, this method is recommended.Combine cervical pain and hands fingers should be taken into account.Most often, if the vertebrae is influenced, the pain is felt in the thumb, and the change in the 7th vertebra is accompanied by the inconvenience of the middle finger.

Changes in blood pressure

Such a symptom occurs when nerve endings and blood vessels are influenced by changes in the vertebrae.How to distinguish this phenomenon from high blood pressure?Above all, the cervical osteochondrosis hypertension is not constant and has its own jumps within one day.

Osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes:

• Spine- It is also called vertebrae, which indicates that bones and cartilage are involved in the pathological process.This leads to the development of such symptoms: restrictions on the motor activity of the neck, turns of pain, radiological changes in the cervical spine.The simultaneous appearance of these signs is the spine syndrome.
• Spine artery syndrome- It seems that when the vascular beams are involved in the process, which are responsible for blood supply to the central nervous system tissues.Symptoms suggest that the brain tissue is no longer a sufficient amount of nutrients.How to recognize this syndrome?The first signs are dizziness, noise of the ears, differences in blood pressure, and appearance of "veil" before the eye.This suggests that one of the vertebrates is strangled.Each vessel has its own nerve ending.If you squeeze those that innervate the spine artery - migraine, numbness, on the one hand, a short -term decrease in vision.As a result, changes in the vessel lead to the fact that the brain needs oxygen.At this time, one feels drowsiness, a short -term violation of consciousness, loses attention and control, works worse and remember the information.Such a clinical image should be distinguished by cervical osteochondrosis with atherosclerosis of the spinal arteries and by tightening the tumor or inflammation.
• Cardiac- burning in the chest area, showing shortness of breath.One feels that he or she is frequent heartbeat, tired and irritable.This image is also typical of cardiological pathology, such as angina pectoris, coronary artery syndrome, and heart attack.An accurate conclusion of the causes of such symptoms can be made after the patient has handed over the ECG.
• Coordinated syndrome- The cervical class starts 8 nerve parties, each with roots - the nerve exit place from the vertebrae.When involved in osteochondrosis, the patient's sensitivity decrease or vice versa - severe pain.It may be numbness -its pain, the reduction of tongue sensitivity, the freezing area, the pain in the suprahlinking region.Occasionally there are swallowing disorders, movement in the upper limb, and numbness of the fingers.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

The main cause of the development of osteochondrosis is the inadequate distribution of load on the spinal column.The causes may be different - one can wear a bag or weight in one hand, taking an incorrect pose when sitting on an uneven surface or sleeping.It increases the load as well as a tall pillow and shoes that do not meet the anatomical properties of the foot.Such reasons may seem insignificant but behave for a long time, resulting in logical consequences in the form of osteochondrosis.

Among the risk factors that increase the possibility of the disease:

• Low physical activity;
• increased body weight;
• handed over spine injuries;
• violation of posture or foot pathology;
• Blood supply to the cervical spine has been reduced.

This leads to the wrong position of the vertebrae.Weight is not distributed evenly at all stages of the cervical region and some classes have heavy loads.The answer is a change in tissue.

Up to one degree, the situation can be exacerbated:

1. Suffered a serious illness or injury that led to exhausted health;
2. Frequent stress;
3. Violation of metabolism in the body, reduces the consumption of trace elements, increased consumption or lack of absorption in the intestine;
4. Occupational diseases (especially vibration disease);
5. Hereditary tendency for osteochondrosis;
6. Skoliosis and other disorders of the muscle bone system;
7. Violation of the drinking system;
8. Low quality nutrition and bad habits;
9. Pregnancy.

As you can see, there is no reason for osteochondrosis.There is only one factor that can provoke it.The same reason again affects different people in different ways.Health, duration, intensity and risk factors, background pathologies and lifestyle play a role.

Modern treatment methods

Even before the treatment is required, the patient should change the lifestyle.To do this, you need to change the level of load experienced by the cervix.The quality of the nutrition, the time needed to sleep and relax, and to care for stress should be taken into account.If the body has a background pathology that exacerbates the course of osteochondrosis, it should be examined and eliminated.The choice of treatment method depends on the stage of osteochondrosis and the patient's well -being.

Treatment may be:

• no -drog;
• medicine;
• Surgical.

We also consider folk methods and rehabilitation measures.

Non -drog treatment methods consist of therapeutic exercises, special simulators or tools, manual therapy and physiotherapy methods.The right goal is facilitated to improve blood supply in the vertebrae or slowing down the ossification process.

As far as manual therapy or massage is concerned, be careful to seek medical attention.Do not assign yourself to yourself with these methods.In some stages of osteochondrosis, massage can only harm and lead to long immobilization.If manual therapy is carried out according to indications, it can alleviate the symptoms and improve the patient's well.

From physiotherapy techniques with cervix with osteochondrosis, the following are used:

1. magnetic therapy;
2. therapeutic baths;
3. Therapeutic shower;
4. mud;
5. Electrophoresis.

The use of medicines can be indicated in the event of an aggravation.Many eliminate inflammation and sharp pain, improve blood supply to tissues, restore cartilage structures and ensure joint mobility.This is a comprehensive approach to causes and symptoms, not a one -sided solution to the problem.After taking the correctly selected drugs, the patient will once again be able to move the neck, eliminate irritation, deteriorated mood, normal work and sleep.

Consider groups of drugs used for cervical osteochondrosis:

Non -steroid anti -inflammatory drugs

They are used to reduce inflammatory phenomena in the tissues, eliminate pain, relieve roots and blood vessels.With smaller symptoms, ointments and gels, more intense pain syndrome is stopped by tablets.Injection is prescribed by severe pain intensity and sharp occurrence.

They may have other trading names, but the active material remains unchanged.The patient should only take medication with the course after approval of the participating physician.Please note that these bases should be taken after a meal as they may irritate the gastrointestinal tract mucosa membrane.

Vasodilators

Their function is to expand the vessels, which narrow it based on the process of osteochondrosis.Drugs - pentoxifillin, Actovegin, Berlithion.These drugs relieve spinal arterial syndrome, improve the bloodstream of the vertebrae and the patient's well.The lack of contraindications to such substances and their compatibility with other drugs taken by a person.

Muscular

The purpose of this group is to decrease the cervical muscles.This accelerates and optimizes the treatment process as muscle tension affects blood vessels and nerve endings.Regular intake normalizes the sound of blood vessels and reduces the feeling of pain.

Chondropotectors

Remove the condition of the spine cartilage elements and protect their structure from destruction.These materials need a long reception, otherwise they will not have the right act.Patients do not like the effect only after 6 months of use.However, if this effect is achieved, it will last and significantly improve the clinical picture.

Sedative

They are used as complementary material to eliminate depressive manifestations and stress.In mild cases, valerian, Mothwort, went and lemon balm are used.If depression progresses, more serious materials are needed.They will improve sleep and mood and help the patient in effective treatment.

Vitamins

The reception of vitamins B belongs to Group B.Foods are recommended - this is the path to the introduction of vitamins is the most subiniological and does not contain special load on the liver.If vitamin deficiency is observed, vitamin complexes and medicines can be used.This improves sensitivity and innervation and accelerates the tissue recovery process.

As the treatment process is prolonged and gradually the effect, all stages of taking medicines are important.Make sure the drugs are stored in the right place as the package indicates.If you write on the box that you need to store the drugs in a dark or cool place - otherwise the drug will lose its properties.Take into account the duration of the course and the frequency of application - some substances tend to accumulate in the body and only have an appropriate effect.

If the introduction can be injected, the procedure must be performed by medical staff or trained persons, as the correct introduction increases efficiency.The tablellet forms should be prepared after a meal and washed with water.Take care of this moment as other liquids are not suitable for this.The combination of grapefruit juice and drugs is particularly dangerous - enzymes that slow the liver function in this fruit and reduce drug text into the tissue.

Surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

This method is used when the cervix osteochondrosis led to narrowing of the spinal column lumen.This can happen as a result of disk hernia or protrusion.The channel narrowing is accompanied by significant stenosis of the vessels and the compression of the nerve beams.When observing isolated hernia from intervertebral discs, this is also a sign of surgical intervention.The operation is required for spondylolistz - the movement of the vertebrae from the axis.In addition to these indications, the doctor pays attention to the quality, condition of the patient's life and the severity of the symptoms.

Types of surgical interventions:

• Supported Spondylodeza.The point is to eliminate the damaged disk and replace it with a movable connection, with a prosthesis that performs the function of the remote structure;
• Dynamic stabilization of the spine.A silicone implant is introduced between the processes along the spine, which correctly distributes the load and stabilizes the vertebrae;
• Evaporation of the sheet core with a laser base.This is a modern technique that shows good results.The laser affects the core of the disk, reducing its size and eliminating hernia.The intervention can be performed during atravmatic, local anesthesia.However, signs of such manipulation are limited and can only be done at that stage.If the size of the hernia does not exceed 6 mm.This again focuses on why it is useful for early seeking doctor and timely diagnosis.

Surgery interventions are held in a hospital.Depending on the degree of complexity of treatment, the postoperative period and the duration of rehabilitation differ.Performing surgical intervention involves a complex of additional drugs - drugs for the preparation of the patient, analgesics, antibacterial treatment to prevent septic complications.

Diagnosis

The beginning of the diagnosis is the patient's doctor's address and a list of symptoms.The doctor listens to the patient's complaints, details them and forms them from the symptoms of syndromes.Professionals also need details of clinical manifestations: the time of occurrence, the use of treatment methods, and what influence, the nature of the pain, the periods of increased pressure and much more.Important information on the unpleasant situation of sleep, work, bad habits, background diseases.All this is clear during the conversation.

X -Ray is performed in direct and lateral projections.Functional radiological examination is performed at the same time as the cervical rotation.The contrast of the spinal canal is used to better display the affected areas.The contrast can be introduced into the vessel or plate, depending on which method is called angiography or discography.The picture shows tissue seals, calcification deposits, and spine displacement.

As for magnetic resonance tomography, this is the most informative method that is also painless and fast.The doctor can see the damage and determine the severity of the process.Scanning the tomograph helps the surgeon prepare for the operation, determine the changes in the hernia, nerve endings and blood vessels.

MRI is carried out in the absence of contraindications that are metal objects in the body, clausrophobia.pregnancy.

Computer tomography also gives an accurate diagnostic picture.The study does not take much time - approx.10 minutes and does not require special preparation.In the study, the radiation load is low, which makes tomography safe for health.Contraindications - pregnancy and lactation, age of children.

In addition to the methods that allow the pathological process to be displayed, further diagnostic manipulations should be used.

This includes ultrasound examination of the head and neck vessels.Diagnosis signs are dizziness, headache, pressure drop.The specialist determines the freedom of blood vessels and the state of blood flow.The most informative method in this case is duplex scanning of blood vessels.

Prevention

As you can see, there is a diverse clinic of osteochondrosis of the cervix, with many syndromes and requires a severe approach to both diagnosis and treatment.If you pay attention to your feelings, listen to the body and respond to its signs, it is possible to have an early diagnosis.In the first phase of the disease - the treatment has a great effect.

To do this, contact a profile expert and go through the necessary research methods.High quality and timely treatment avoids complications, improves well -being and quality of life, eliminates depression and normalizes sleep.Tune in a positive way and may feel the freedom of movement again.