Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, types, symptoms and treatment methods

If it lists the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, almost all adults will say they felt them.This disease really has a significant prevalence: in developed countries, osteochondrosis occurs in 60-80% of the population.To distinguish if a person really has cervical osteochondrosis or if they are manifestations of a different state, it is necessary to have information about this pathology.The article describes the causes of the disease, its characteristics and manifestations, diagnostic and treatment methods.Provide information about the pathology, patients can recognize it at home and seek help in a timely manner.

What is cervical osteochondrosis?

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

Normally, among these areas there is a layer: octopoose fabric.It depreciates the spine and optimizes the engine process.With cervical osteochondrosis, this soft substance is calcified and becomes a hard tissue.This damages nerve endings and blood vessels, violating their function.

Depending on the level of damage, osteochondrosis can manifest itself by pain or high pressure, deteriorated awareness or numbness of language.It can be symptoms of chest or back.This greatly complicates the diagnostic process.Patients can approve several diagnostic consultations before reaching a profile specialist.The diagnostic process uses several methods that allow excluding the pathology of other organs and systems.

Little by little, cervical osteochondrosis "becomes younger" and is getting more and more in young patients.Modern young people begin to experience neck problems long before their parents.

Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of the cervical region, which is usual to consider from two positions:

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

The course of the disease can be of a different nature: sometimes the pathology is compensated independently or vice versa: there are periods of exacerbations.Simultaneously with the pathological process, compensation mechanisms are included, which temporarily extend the vertebral function and eliminate symptoms.

However, the additional course of the disease leads to the destruction of the fibrous ring, the appearance of microcks.The vertebrae lose their stability and fixation, which is manifested by a clinical image of the disease.

In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is the impregnation of intervertebral space pulp with calcium.This forms a kind of hernia, because the damaged vertebra is pressed in the neighbor's body.These structures are wearing and, as a result, there is a massive ossification of neighboring structures.

The course of cervical osteochondrosis has several stages:

• Stage 1 is the instability of the backbone structures and the violation of the discs;
• 2 stages: reduced column fixation and disc protuberance;
• Stage 3 - Rupture of a fibrous ring, serious symptoms and pain;
• The fourth stage is accompanied by difficulties in motion, acute pain and generalized bone propagation.

Characteristics of the anatomical disposition of the muscles and blood vessels: they make the neck a vulnerable area of the body.A long course of osteochondrosis leads to numerous complications, including vascular nature.Many of them can cause significant damage to the patient's health and represent a pronounced risk.

Symptoms

The danger of cervical osteochondrosis is that it is not manifested by the symptoms for a long time.This is facilitated by the masking of the signs of the disease for another pathology, as well as an independent administration of analgesic medications.This makes the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis long and difficult.It is important not to delay the diagnosis until the structure of the vertebrae has been replaced by bone tissue.

Consider the main groups of symptoms found in the osteochondrosis of the cervical region and its characteristics.

Dizziness

As mentioned above, most osteochondrosis symptoms can be characteristic of other conditions.Then, dizziness are accompanied by vascular pathologies of the central nervous system, damage to the auditory apparatus, the malfunction of the vestibular device and cardiovascular diseases.The dizziness are accompanied by poisoning, inflammatory processes.It is important to take into account a holistic clinical image and not individual symptoms.In addition, one must learn to distinguish between the main types of dizziness for reasons of their occurrence.

With the osteochondrosis of the cervical column, there is a systematic type of dizziness.It seems to the patient that surrounding objects begin to be moving.Such disorder can be observed after a head and neck injury, as well as against the bottom of the diseases of the vestibular device.

Headache

Again, it is extremely difficult to call this specific symptom.Head pain can accompany excess work, greater pressure, as well as severe acute conditions.With osteochondrosis, headache occurs as a result of the compression of nerve endings.This leads to the spasm of the arteries that beg the brain, as well as to increase the pressure in the central nervous system system.The result is a pronounced sensation of headache.

The characteristics of the headache in this case are a boring character and a feeling of pulsation.Sometimes pain can manifest with attacks, and sometimes it has a constant character.The parameters of pain for osteochondrosis resemble the characteristics of this with hypertension, angina pectoris.The differences in the headache in cardiological pathology are that it is accompanied by chest pain, heart rate, changes in the ECG.Therefore, only a doctor can finally determine the cause of pain.

Various Pain Syndrome

In addition to the headache, the patient often worries the pain in the neck.This is called cervical and a complication of osteochondrosis.Painful sensations can radiate to the upper limb.Patients point out that pain in their hands occurs after awakening, in the context of sudden movements.Painful sensations pass on their own after a short break.

The characteristic features of pain syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis are listed below:

• Unpleasant sensations are located in deep neck tissues;
• Head turns are often accompanied by pain and crunch;
• There is muscle weakness, numbness, hands cooling.

Most of the time, neck osteochondrosis affects two lower vertebrae - 6 and 7. For a small diagnosis of auto -diagnosis, this method is recommended.It is necessary to pay attention to the combination of pain in the neck and fingers.Very often, if the sixth vertebra is affected, the pain will feel in the thumb, and the changes in the seventh vertebra are accompanied by discomfort in the middle finger.

Changes in blood pressure

Such symptom appears when nerve endings and blood vessels are affected by changes in vertebrae.How to distinguish this phenomenon from hypertension?First, hypertension for cervical osteochondrosis is not constant and has its own jumps in one day.

Osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes:

• Vertebral.It is also called vertebrae, indicating that bones and cartilage tissue are involved in the pathological process.This leads to the formation of such symptoms: restriction of the motor activity, pain in its shifts, radiological changes in the image of the cervical column.It is the simultaneous appearance of these signs that is a vertebral syndrome.
• Vertebral artery syndrome.It appears when the vascular beams are involved in the process, which are responsible for the blood supply to the tissues of the central nervous system.Symptoms suggest that brain tissue has stopped receiving an adequate amount of nutrients.How to recognize this syndrome?The first signs are dizziness, a sense of noise in the ears, the differences in blood pressure, the appearance of a "veil" in the eyes.This suggests that one of the vertebrates is in a strangled state.Each ship has its own nerve endings.If you squeeze those who innervate the vertebral artery (migraine, numbness, short -term decrease in the vision on the one hand. As a result, changes in the glass lead to the fact that the brain needs oxygen. At this time, a person feels sleepiness, short -term violations of consciousness, loses attention and control, works worse and remembers the information. With such a clinical image, it is necessary to differentiate the osteocondrosiscervical with atherosclerosis of the vertebral arteries and tighten the tumor or inflammation.
• Cardial syndrome.It is manifested by burning in the chest area, the appearance of difficulty breathing.A person feels his frequent beat, tired and irritable.This image is also characteristic of cardiological pathology, for example, for angina pectoralis, coronary syndrome, heart attack.The exact conclusion about the causes of such symptoms can be done after the patient passes the ECG.
• Syndrome.The department of Cervical Innerva 8 pairs of nerves, each of which has roots: the place of nervous exit of the vertebra.When they are involved in osteochondrosis, the patient feels a decrease in sensitivity or vice versa - severe pain.There may be numbness about whether your pain, a decrease in the sensitivity of the tongue, the freezing area, pain in the supraclable region can be observed.Sometimes there are swallowing disorders, movements in the upper limb belt, fingertips of fingers.

The causes of cervical osteochondrosis

The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is the inadequate distribution of load in the spine.The reasons can be different: a person can use a bag or weight in one hand, take an incorrect possession when he feels or sleeps on an unequal surface.Increases the load and a high pillow and shoes that do not correspond to the anatomical features of the foot.Such reasons may seem insignificant, but act for a long time and, as a result, lead to a logical consequence in the form of osteochondrosis.

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

• low level of physical activity;
• greater body weight;
• transmitted column injuries;
• rape of the posture or pathology of the foot;
• Reduction of blood supply to the cervical column.

All this leads to the fact that the incorrect position of the vertebrae is formed.The weight is not distributed to all sections of the cervical region evenly and some of its departments carry heavy loads.The answer is a change in tissues.

In one degree or another, the situation can be aggravated:

1. He suffered serious diseases or injuries that led to an exhausted state of health;
2. Frequent tensions;
3. Violation of metabolism in the body, reduced consumption of trace elements, its greater consumption or lack of absorption in the intestine;
4. Occupational diseases (in particular, vibratory disease);
5. Hereditary tendency to osteochondrosis;
6. Scoliosis and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
7. Violation of the drink regime;
8. Low quality nutrition and bad habits;
9. Pregnancy.

As you can see, there is not only cause of osteochondrosis.There are only a set of factors that can cause it.Again, the same reason affects different people in different ways.The state of health, the duration, intensity and number of risk factors, background pathologies and way of life play a role.

Modern treatment methods

Even before the prescription of the therapy, the patient must modify the way of life.For this, it is necessary to change the level of loads experienced by the department of Cervical.It is necessary to monitor the quality of nutrition, assign the necessary time to sleep and rest, be careful with stress.If the body has a background pathology that exacerbates the course of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to undergo a treatment course and eliminate it.The choice of the treatment method depends on the stage of osteochondrosis and the good of the patient.

The treatment can be:

• not fragable;
• medicine;
• Surgical.

Separately, also consider popular methods and rehabilitation measures.

Treatment methods that are not fragments consist of the use of therapeutic exercises, simulators or special devices, manual therapy, as well as physiotherapeutic methods.The appropriate purpose is facilitated by improving blood supply in the vertebrae or braking the ossification process.

As for manual therapy or massage, be sure to consult a doctor about their convenience.These methods are not independent independently.In some stages of osteochondrosis, massage can only damage and lead to long immobilization.If manual therapy is carried out according to the indications, it is able to relieve symptoms and improve the patient's good.

Of the physiotherapeutic techniques, with cervical osteochondrosis, the following are used:

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

The use of medicines is indicated in case of exacerbation of the situation.Many of them eliminate inflammation and acute pain, improve blood supply to tissues, restore cartilage structures and ensure joint mobility.This is an integral approach to causes and symptoms, and not a unilateral solution to the problem.After taking medications selected correctly, the patient again has the opportunity to move the neck, stop experiencing irritation, worsening mood, returning to normal work and sleeping.

Consider drug groups used for cervical osteochondrosis:

Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs

They are used to reduce inflammatory phenomena in the tissues, eliminate pain, relieve the squeak of roots and blood vessels.With minor symptoms, ointments and gels are used, the most intense pain syndrome stops through tablet shapes.Injection administration is prescribed with severe intensity of pain and its strong occurrence.

They may have other commercial names, but the active substance remains unchanged.The patient must take medications with the course, only after the approval of the assistant doctor.Keep in mind that these funds should be taken after eating, since they can irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.

Vasodilators

Its function is the expansion of the vessels that are reduced at the bottom of the course of the osteochondrosis.Drugs - Pentoxifilin, Actovegin, Berlithion.These drugs will relieve vertebral artery syndrome, will improve blood flow to the vertebrae and patient's well.It is necessary to monitor the lack of contraindications to these substances in the patient, as well as their compatibility with other medications that a person takes.

Muscle relaxants

The purpose of this group is a decrease in the spasm of the neck muscles.This accelerates and optimizes the treatment process, since muscle tension acts on vessels and nerve endings.Regular intake normalizes the tone of blood vessels, reduces the sensation of pain.

Condroprotectors

Let's take to improve the condition of the elements of the spine cartilage and protect its structure from destruction.A long reception of these substances is needed, otherwise they will not have the right action.It is possible that patients do not like the effect to occur only after 6 months of use.However, if this effect is achieved, it will be persistent and significantly improve the clinical image.

Sedatives

They are used as an auxiliary substance to eliminate depressive manifestations and stress.In soft cases, Valeriano, mother, mint and lemon are used.If depression progresses, more serious substances are needed.They will improve sleep and mood, help the patient to tune into an effective treatment.

Vitamins

Vitamins from Group B. can be recommended from food: this vitamin introduction path is more physiological and does not have a special load in the liver.If vitamin deficiency is observed, vitamin and medication complexes can be used.This will improve sensitivity and innervation, it will accelerate the tissue restoration process.

Since the treatment process is extended and brings the effect gradually, all stages of taking medications are important.Make sure drugs are stored in the right place, as indicated in the package.If in the box it is written that needs to store medications in a dark or fresh place;Otherwise, the medicine will lose its properties.Observe the duration of the course and the frequency of application: some substances tend to accumulate in the body, and only then have the right effect.

If the introduction route is injectable, the procedure must be carried out by medical personnel or a trained person, because the correct introduction increases efficiency.Table table forms should be taken after meals, washed with water.Pay attention to this moment, since other liquids are not suitable for this.The combination of bullfighting and drugs is especially dangerous: the enzymes that are contained in this fruit slow down the liver function and reduce the supply of drugs to the tissue.

Surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

This method is used when cervical osteochondrosis led to a narrowing of the spine light.This can happen as a result of a hernia or bump of the disk.The narrowing of the channel is accompanied by a significant stenosis of the vessels and the compression of the nerve rays.If an isolated hernia of intervertebral discs is observed, this is also an indication of surgical intervention.The operation is necessary for spondylistz: a displacement of the vertebrae of the axis.In addition to these indications, the doctor pays attention to the quality of the patient's life, his condition, the severity of the symptoms.

Types of surgical interventions:

• Compatible spondylode.The essence is to eliminate the damaged disk and replace it with a mobile connection, a prosthesis that performs the function of a remote structure;
• Dynamic stabilization of the spine.A silicone implant is introduced between the rotation processes along the column, which correctly distributes the load and stabilizes the vertebrae;
• Disc nucleus vaporization with a laser beam.This is a modern technique that shows good results.The laser affects the disc nucleus, reducing its size and eliminating hernia.The intervention is crossing, it can be carried out under local anesthesia.However, a set of indications for such manipulation is limited, it can only be done at that stage.When a hernia size is not more than 6 mm.This once again focuses on why the former are looking for a doctor and a timely diagnosis are useful.

Surgical interventions are held in a hospital.Depending on the degree of complexity of the treatment, the duration of the postoperative period and rehabilitation differ.The realization of surgical intervention implies an additional complex of medicines: medicines for patient preparation, analgesics, antibacterial therapy for the prevention of septic complications.

Diagnosis

The beginning of the diagnosis is the beginning of the patient's address to the doctor and the list of symptoms.The doctor listens to the patient's complaints, he details them, the shapes from syndromes symptoms.In addition, the specialist needs details about the clinical manifestations: the time of occurrence, if the treatment methods and what influence, the nature of the pain, the periods of greater pressure and more were used were used.In important information is the information about an awkward position during sleep, work, bad habits, background diseases.All this is clear during the conversation.

X -Ray is done in direct and lateral projections.A functional radiological study is carried out simultaneously with neck rotation.The contrast of the spinal channel is used to better visualize the affected areas.The contrast can be introduced into the glass or disc itself, depending on which the method is called angiography or discography.In the image you can see tissue stamps, calcification deposits, displacement of column structures.

As for magnetically resonance tomography, this is the most informative method, which is also painless and fast.The doctor can see damage and establish the seriousness of the process.Tomograph scans will help the surgeon to prepare for the operation, determine hernia, changes in nerve endings and blood vessels.

Magnetic resonance is carried out in the absence of contraindications that are metallic objects in the body, claustrophobia.pregnancy.

Computed tomography also offers a precise diagnostic image.The study does not take long, approximately 10 minutes and does not require special preparation.The radiation load in this study is small, which makes tomography safe for health.Contraindications: pregnancy and breastfeeding, age of children.

In addition to the methods that allow you to visualize the pathological process, it is necessary to use additional diagnostic manipulations.

These include an ultrasound study of the glasses of the head and neck.The indications for diagnosis are dizziness, headache, pressure drops.The specialist will determine the permeability of the blood vessels and the state of the blood flow.The most informative method, in this case, is a duplex scan of blood vessels.

Prevention

As you can see, cervical osteochondrosis has a diverse clinic, many syndromes and requires a serious approach both in diagnosis and treatment.If you pay attention to your sensations, listen to the body and respond to your signals, an early diagnosis is possible.In the early stages of the disease, treatment has a high effect.

To do this, contact a profile specialist and go through the necessary research methods.The high quality and timely treatment will avoid complications, improve well and quality of life, eliminate depression and normalize sleep.Tune in a positive way and you can feel the freedom of movement again.