What is cervical osteochondrosis, how dangerous is it and how to treat it?

Have you ever experienced cervical pain, dizziness, nausea or shortness of breath? All of these are signs of osteochondrosis of the neck.

Osteochondrosis, a common problem, worries more and more people every year. Can cervical osteochondrosis be cured? First, let’s understand the occurrence factors and the signs of occurrence.

Stages of osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is a disease whose effect weakens the discs between the vertebrae, leading to changes in the structure of the discs, vertebrae and cervical joints themselves.

In the first stage, the symptoms are almost invisible, as the changes in the cartilaginous vertebrae have just begun. The following symptoms are noted:

• Headache.
• Unpleasant sensation in the neck, arms, shoulders.
• Slight limitation of neck motor activity.
• Short-term visual impairment.
• Reduces the sensitive area of ​​the collar.

During the second stage, a small spinal hernia may occur, the intervertebral fissures may narrow. Due to the compression of the nerve trunks, point pain syndromes are felt during the execution of movements.

Manifestations of the disease:

• The neck hurts, and a scream is heard during turns.
• Loss of skin sensation in the arms and shoulders.
• Vision is shrinking.
• I hear the noise in my ears.
• Face and neck numb;
• The upper limbs are weakening.
• Shooting pains radiating to the shoulder blade.
• Insomnia, sleep problems.

The third stage is difficult to treat. A hernia forms, the spine is deformed, there are changes in position, vertebral displacement:

• Severe neck pain, heart muscle, collar area.
• The skin on the head, shoulders, arms ceases to be felt.
• The upper limbs are paralyzed.
• Tendent reflexes are no longer visible.
• A cervical vertebral hernia begins.

The fourth and final stage during which symptoms worsen.

Reasons

Factors influencing the onset and development of cervical vertebral osteochondrosis:

• Heavy weight.
• Sedentary work, lack of mobility.
• Previous spinal cord injuries.
• Mental disorders, nervous tension, stress.
• Poor physical fitness.
• Spinal curvature, scoliosis, incorrect behavior.
• Inaccurate body positions that have become a habit.
• Tension of the neck, back, through work.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Unusual physical stress for the body, increased activity.
• Breaking the rules of a healthy diet.

The cervical spine experiences an increase in stress, which the neck muscles try to balance, under the influence of the factors mentioned above. Muscle spasm sets in, body blood circulation is disturbed. Anatomical lesions appear.

Symptoms of the Disease

The symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis are different from the symptoms of this disease seen in other parts of the spine. The tight location of the cervical vertebrae leads to compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

I experience the following symptoms:

• Localization of pain: in the neck, back of the head, shoulder, arms and legs. During the connection of the nerve roots with the process, discomfort is felt in the shoulders, in the back of the head, the restructuring of the upper limb begins. Spasm of the neck muscles in the back of the head leads to impaired blood flow.
• Weakness of the arms, which is caused by a root dysfunction, involving the motor nerves that rebuild the arm muscles.
• There is a restructuring of the hands, due to a decrease in sensitivity in the hands, root damage, involving the sensory nerves.
• During head movements, pain is felt and a pressing sound is heard. It is caused by the defeat of small neck joints, a decrease in the level of the intervertebral disc.
• Lack of strength, fatigue, dizziness, lack of coordination. Due to the displacement of the vertebrae, the spinal artery is constricted. This leads to a deterioration of blood flow, weakening the blood supply to the occipital lobe, the cerebellum.
• Complicating vision, the tongue loses its sensitivity.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are similar to men. At the age of 46-60, the fair sex turn to stone, feeling their hands while sleeping.

Why osteochondrosis is dangerous

The disease damages the whole organism. The cervical region includes a considerable number of arteries, nerve endings, blood vessels that feed the brain.

Pressed hard, due to the slightest pathology, they are compressed, leading to deterioration of blood circulation to the brain, causes migraines, disrupts heart rhythm, begins difficulties in breathing, vision, coordination and attention.

Pathologies causing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

• Brain disease;
• vertebral artery syndrome;
• Spinal cord injury.

Death is the worst consequence that occurs when the spinal cord is compressed.

When all the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are considered, the factors of its development are identified, we will consider the treatment used in this case.

Treatment

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is no different from treatment in men. Stages of treatment:

1. Pain relief.
2. Removal of edema.
3. Normalize blood circulation.
4. Strengthen the muscles of the back, abdomen, chest.
5. Improving nutrition and tissue repair.

Any stage or symptom should seek medical attention. Specialists who choose complex treatment: surgeon, neurologist, physiotherapist, massage therapist. Medication therapy, physiotherapy, collar area massage are used, therapeutic exercises are recommended because it is effective in osteochondrosis.

Preparations

Medications used for treatment:

• Medications that relieve muscle spasms.
• Vitamins that improve metabolism in the nervous system.
• NSAIDs that reduce pain, relieve inflammation and swelling.
• Joint preparations, cartilage tissue restoration, intervertebral disc injuries.
• Medicines that improve the nutrition of damaged nerve cells regulate blood flow to the brain.

First aid for exacerbations

There are times when the pain becomes unbearable and a visit to the doctor should be postponed. It is recommended to drink pain relievers. To relieve the pain, you can apply a "spice patch", but it is worth noting that you can not hope for a long-term effect. The plaster warms the inflamed area and temporarily relieves pain. To facilitate bloating, it is recommended to use herbal infusions for 3-4 days. Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis with these methods? No, the above methods are short-term, for a complete cure you should consult a doctor.

Physiotherapy

• Electrophoresis- anesthetic ions penetrate the injured area due to the action of an electric current. It is often done with pain relievers.
• Laser therapy- has anti-inflammatory properties, guarantees improved blood circulation, through exposure to light.
• Magnetic therapy- relieves tissue swelling, has an analgesic effect.
• Ultrasound- has an improvement in metabolic processes, pain relief, relieving inflammation of damaged areas.

Healing gymnastics

When it comes to physiotherapy, you need to know a few simple sets of exercises. Regular exercise will bring the expected results very quickly.

Attention!When performing the complex, you should not feel pain or discomfort.

• Lie on your stomach with your arms outstretched. Keep your back straight while raising your head and body. Hold the position for about 2 minutes, then take the starting position. Continue the exercise 2-3 times.
• Take a supine position, extending your arms along your body, trying to touch your ear to the floor, turning your head to the left. Perform 6-7 repetitions.
• Sucking while sitting on the floor, lean forward, trying to touch your chest with your head. After pulling out, lean back, tilt your head back. Do 10-15 repetitions.
• Pressing on the forehead, lower it to the palms while sitting on the floor. Perform for about 30 seconds, 2-3 repetitions.
• Circular rotation of the head. Perform normally, slowly, so that your head begins to rotate. If dizziness occurs, complete the gymnastics. Do 10 turns in each direction.

Home treatment

This method of treatment should only be used in conjunction with the complex prescribed by your doctor. In such cases, the following are used: traditional medicine, remedial gymnastics, massage.

Recipes to alleviate illness at home:

• A horseradish leaf attached to the neck and secured with a bandage or cloth will help. It is recommended to wash with boiling water and cool to room temperature. It is better to leave the bandage overnight.
• Chop the potatoes, mix with honey (one by one). Use once a week as a compress.
• Warming up will help relieve pain. You can put a mustard plaster, a sandbag, speci plaster, etc.

We advise you not to seek help from forums, you should rely on diagnoses made by doctors.

Massage

Therapeutic massage can be performed at home, includes elements of classical massage. It starts with a healthy part of the body, moving smoothly to a sore spot. The complex is selected for the individual characteristics of the patient, the stage of the disease. To perform the massage, the patient should take a horizontal position on the floor, lowering the forehead to the hands, pulling the chin towards the chest. Relax the neck muscles.

Massage treatment techniques:

1. Start massaging with strokes, starting at the collar area.
2. Pushes, for execution, the masseur puts his hand on the neck and moves along the spine. Alternatively, this technique can be performed towards the shoulder.
3. Friction is performed to warm the neck muscles, while the body relaxes, bleeding improves. Continuing from the skull, the movements are directed the movements are oriented to the spine.
4. The neck should be cooked in a circular motion.
5. it is necessary to finish with vibrations, performed by beating and shaking.

Prevention

The following rules must be followed to prevent the disease:

• Look for sports (swimming is most effective).
• Increase your intake of foods that contain calcium, magnesium.
• Exercise several times a day, especially if you have a sedentary job.
• Choose the right pillow (should be low) and mattress (should not be soft). Monitor the position of the neck during sleep: the neck angle should be at least 15 degrees.
• Take a hot shower for at least 10 minutes a day.
• For people who do not like sports, experts advise to practice yoga regularly.
• Better it is better to give up the gym. Bodybuilding can worsen health conditions.

Osteochondrosis and pregnancy

How to treat osteochondrosis while carrying a child? Of course, you should limit yourself to the use of medication. Ointments with a natural composition and folk methods will help.Remember!During pregnancy, all possible effects on the neck area (for example, heat) are prohibited.

Does osteochondrosis occur in young people? Regardless of how adults convince themselves that it is too early for teens to acquire such diseases, they are observed more and more often. It can develop as a result of congenital failure or acquired cartilage.

During an exacerbation of the disease, it is forbidden to warm the neck as it may lead to an increase in swelling.

This article examined not only the basic concepts but also the effective methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis. They will help you cope with painful sensations, feel comfortable and safe, wherever you are.