Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is more common than any other; he does not forgive either the elderly or the young over 20 years of age. The people around him complain about his manifestations every day, writing their feelings in magnetic storms, or in energy vampires, or in more prosaic explanations, but still far from the truth.
The location of the disease in the cervical spine, which includes 7 vertebrae, is explained by the fact that the intervertebral discs in this area are the thinnest. Therefore, their drying and destruction much faster leads to pinching of the nerves and abrasion of the vertebral bones; after all, the distance between the bones is already small. It is also affected by weak development of the cervical muscles, which a modern person uses minimally.
Unfortunately, the non-inflammatory process in the spine remains unnoticed for a long time until the degeneration of the intervertebral discs passes into the second stage and pain becomes a constant companion. But even this alarming sign is often ignored by people, attributing it to fatigue, or even getting used to it, as an everyday “background”. Let's see why you can't ignore the headache, was your mother right when she said "don't move your head" and how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to bring the chronic disease into permanent remission?
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The discomfort of cervical osteochondrosis extends to the head, neck, and extremities of the shoulder girdle. In the initial stages, no special complaints are observed; Usually patients just start to feel numbness in their neck more often, which doesn't seem at all surprising during office work. Gradually, the space between the vertebrae decreases, the load on the ligamentous apparatus, the muscles of the neck, shoulders and back increases, and the blood supply to the brain and spinal cord deteriorates. This leads to a whole chain of nonspecific symptoms; a combination of several of these is a good reason to see a doctor.
First degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in the early stage include:
- local muscle tension;
- stiffness of movements and decreased amplitude (when turning the head, turning the shoulders) after a long stay in one position;
- the need to constantly support the 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 due to attempts to get comfortable, wrinkle the pillow in a comfortable way;
- darkening in the eyes, the appearance of "flies" after a load on the cervical spine or during the morning / sudden rise;
- creaking and other strange sounds when tilting the head;
- the appearance of so-called "Lumbago" in the area from the back of the head to the shoulder blades;
- decreased sensation in the fingertips, tingling sensation in the hands;
- unusual feeling of weakness in the arms, decreased endurance and muscle strength;
- increased blood pressure - arterial hypertension;
- voice change, hoarseness for no apparent reason, snoring, feeling of heaviness, "swelling" in the head.
Osteochondrosis of the second degree of the cervical spine
- chronic pain syndrome: head, neck or shoulder may have continuous pain for 2-3 days or more;
- 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 spasms in the muscles and internal organs, especially if it is necessary to maintain the same position for a long time or change it;
- inability to press chin to chest and tilt head back without pain;
- head drop syndrome: clearly noticeable pain when trying to sit up without holding the head;
- numbness of the hands ("hands do not obey"), appearance of pain in the neck with minimal tension in the upper limbs;
- tinnitus and blackheads before the eyes, dizziness and even fainting;
- clamps appear;
- cardiac disorders;
- migraines;
- constant nausea;
- excessive growth of connective tissue ("thick skin") in the neck area of the neck.
Ignoring the signs of cervical osteochondrosis is fraught with nerves and large vessels located on the side of the spine, which get pinched when the vertebrae are displaced. Complications of the disease include:
- paresis (limitation, weakness of movements) and even paralysis of the arms - one or both sides;
- intervertebral hernia - a common cause of disability and disability, up to the need for a wheelchair;
- vertebral artery syndrome, causing dizziness and "noise" in the head, 25% leading to ischemic stroke;
- rapid deterioration of memory, cognition, vision and hearing;
- impaired movement coordination, causing difficulties even when traveling in transport.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Pharmacotherapy and physiotherapy are used to combat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as well as massage and hydromassage of the cervical neck area, therapeutic gymnastics, swimming, balneological and mud treatments, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, acupuncture, ultrasound, waves ofshock, laser, UFO, magnetic and other therapy devices. The symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differ significantly for the stages of remission and exacerbation. So, for example, massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine during the inflammatory process is strictly contraindicated; To start with, topical creams and ointments are used. In an acute period, it is important to restore blood circulation and nutrition of tissues, relieve spasms and improve the quality of life of the patient. The therapy, aimed at the regeneration of cartilage tissue and osteophytes, is performed exclusively in remission.
Surgical intervention is used very rarely, mainly to eliminate concomitant pathologies, such as hernia, displacement of the vertebra.
First degree cervical osteochondrosis responds well to treatment and can even go into permanent remission with minor acute episodes. Treatment normally involves lifestyle changes, maintaining the muscular and ligamentous apparatus with the help of therapeutic exercises. The second degree of the disease has a less optimistic prognosis: in this case, treatment is aimed at alleviating pronounced negative symptoms, avoiding further destruction of the spine.
In some cases, therapy is required for diseases that have become a kind of catalyst for degenerative changes in cartilage. These include curvature of the spine, problems with the endocrine system, incl. hormonal disorders, metabolic disorders, insomnia, depression, addiction to alcohol and nicotine, overweight, hereditary diseases.
Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine improves motor functions, prevents macro-trauma of the vertebrae, adjacent tissues, nerves, large vessels and organ systems. If medical recommendations are followed and daily maintenance therapy is followed, the development of osteochondrosis may slow down and spinal mobility is maintained until old age.
Medications for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
At the onset of the disease, patients are shown to receive chondroprotectors, rehydration, and nutrient saturation of cartilage tissue. Complexes of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are actively used, incl. natural origin. Drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are mainly used externally or orally, in the form of ointments, tablets, warming capsules, local irritants, anti-inflammatory. In case of osteochondrosis of the second stage, in addition to the above, analgesics, antispasmodics (muscle relaxants), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used. Treatment is carried out for life, but some medications (pain relievers, glucocorticosteroids, etc. ) are prescribed in courses due to their harmlessness.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotectors in medicine are drugs that contain glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfates. In home use, the names "glucosamine" and "chondroitin" are more common. As the structural backbone of cartilage, they act as "building blocks" that the body uses to repair the intervertebral discs. The intake of chondroprotectants is complex: they have a beneficial effect on all joint surfaces of the body and inhibit the development of not only the cervix, but also other types of osteochondrosis, as well as arthrosis and other degenerative cartilage diseases. These medications must be taken for life and continuously; Since cartilage lacks blood vessels, they are nourished by a diffuse method. This means that the growth of new cells is very slow: the first results are observed only after 3-6 months of taking drugs containing chondroitin.
Ointments for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, ointments with vasodilator, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effect are used. To improve blood circulation, bee or snake venom is often introduced into its composition, and propolis and natural essential oils are used to strengthen the walls of blood vessels. With a mild pain syndrome, local pain reliever creams or irritating ointments may be prescribed to distract the patient from discomfort. The hot ointments activate the trophic and metabolic processes in the tissues, preventing their destruction and slowing down the degenerative process.
Tablets for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, tablets play an auxiliary role. In the form of tablets, painkillers of complex action are usually prescribed, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. Antispasmodics may be prescribed to relieve acute pain.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is especially important to take drugs that strengthen blood vessels and improve blood microcirculation. This helps to contain the negative effect that this disease has on the brain, causing hypoxia and malnutrition.
Injections
Injections for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are performed locally to eliminate a local inflammatory process that is insensitive to other methods of exposure. With severe pain syndrome, lidocaine and novocaine blockages are also shown. They represent 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 the cartilage). Spinal blocks should be performed only by specialists due to the high risk of damage to the spinal cord and nerve endings during injection, as well as the possible presence of contraindications.
A diet high in protein and moderate in carbohydrates helps to prolong the effect of the medication. The inclusion in the menu of sea fish, shellfish and other dishes rich in gelling agents, calcium and vitamin D3, has a positive effect on the stability of remission.
Exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The first sessions of physical therapy (exercise therapy) are carried out under the supervision of a doctor. It also selects a mini-group of daily exercises.
For the prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, perform a simple warm-up:
- Sitting in a chair, turn your head left and right, trying to describe it in a 180 degree semicircle. If the disease has not yet made itself felt or is in the early stage, you can tilt your head back and slowly turn it clockwise and counterclockwise.
- Raise your shoulders as high as possible and lock them in this position for a few seconds, then return to the starting position and repeat.
- Place the palm of your hand on your forehead and, opposing a slight resistance, slowly try to lower your head. After 10 reps, place the palm of your hand on the temple and repeat with lateral push-ups.
- With shoulders raised, try to circle around the lower neck.
- Complete the set of exercises with a strong self-massage, feeling the vertebrae and muscles well and warming the skin. Avoid the pain of doing this.
You can freely supplement this list with exercises for the general tone.
In addition to exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is important to observe the orthopedic regimen. It is designed to soothe the spine when doing housework and during sleep. For patients with osteochondrosis of the first degree, special orthopedic pillows and mattresses, car and other headrests, and travel pillows are highly desirable. The workplace must also be renovated according to physiological needs; for example, buying a chair with a high back and armrests that follows the anatomical curves of the backrest, adjusting the height of the table and seat, ensuring a comfortable monitor position, etc.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, sit up straight, leaning on the back of furniture. The position of the legs is equally important: your shins must be straight perpendicular to the floor and your feet must be completely flat on the floor. Arms bent (about 75 degrees) should be relaxed, without constant tension, on the table. It is unacceptable to spend free time lying down with a laptop. When using the computer in bed, please use a stand.