Today, cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases in people over 30 years old. During the pathological process, the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves are destroyed. Subsequently, the disease affects nearby vessels, tissues, ligament systems.
Serious reasons for the threatening prevalence of this disease, doctors call a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.
Furthermore, the development of the disease is facilitated by:
- nervous stress, constant overload;
- hard physical work;
- overweight;
- disorders in the functioning of the body's immune system;
- uncomfortable neck position during sleep;
- complications after infectious diseases.
Osteochondrosis of the cervix often develops in the elderly as a result of senile changes in the body.
Osteochondrosis of the cervix has 4 degrees. This article will consider the symptoms and features of the treatment of stage 1 and 2 disease, as in stages where the consequences of the disease are reversible, the complex treatment helps well, including the use of medicines, traditional medicine, exercises, physiotherapy.
Stage 1 cervical osteochondrosis
The initial signs of stage 1 cervical osteochondrosis are weak. Often a person does not pay attention to them ("the neck is swollen, it will pass by itself").
The body usually signals the onset of the disease as follows:
- neck pain, aggravated by turning the head;
- numbness and tingling sensation in arm and shoulder;
- general weakness of the body.
At this stage of disease development, many are not in a hurry to see a doctor, attributing the disease to nervous stress.
The pathological process has just begun its destructive activity. The intervertebral discs have not completely lost their elasticity. Timely medical assistance will help prevent further development of stage 1 osteochondrosis.
Therapeutic methods in combination with massage, physiotherapy are able to recover the affected area, until a complete cure.
Stage 2 osteochondrosis of the cervix
Late seeking medical help involves the progression of cervical osteochondrosis, the disease goes into the second stage. Further destruction of the intervertebral discs occurs, the pathological process affects the vertebrae themselves and nearby tissues, vessels.
Grip of nerve roots leads to the fact that the pain is not localized, but radiates to the arm, shoulder, spine, below the shoulder.Patients go to the cardiologist with complaints of pain in the heart area. During the examination, it turns out that the cardiogram is within normal limits, and painful sensations are caused by osteochondrosis.
Stage 2 cervical osteochondrosis presents with the following symptoms:
- severe muscle pain in the neck;
- impossibility of turning, tilting, raising the head;
- severe numbness of the neck and upper shoulder girdle;
- frequent headaches;
- persistently high blood pressure;
- reduced performance;
- feeling of constant fatigue, feeling of weakness;
- pulling pain radiating to the arm, under the shoulder blade, to the back;
- pain in the heart region.
Constant tension of the back muscles is noticed, resulting in displacement of the vertebrae. This can lead to curvature of the spine.
Treatment of the disease at this stage of development requires a more serious approach, including:
- drug therapy;
- medical and diagnostic examination;
- physiotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- massage;
- strict diet;
- consultation of close specialists (orthopedist, surgeon, neuropathologist).
The full course of treatment takes place taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body, age, severity of the disease, can last up to 2 months.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis stages 1 and 2
To avoid attacks of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to carry out a series of preventive measures regularly.
The basic instructions are as follows:
- Keep track of your weight. Each extra kilogram increases the load on the spine. This will inevitably lead to a loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs, impaired blood circulation. Which, in turn, contributes to the occurrence of osteochondrosis.
- Try to move a lot. A sedentary lifestyle helps reduce muscle tone, all body systems start working intermittently. Exercises in the fresh air, swimming, cycling, walking are beneficial.
- Keep the right attitude. Do not touch, keep your back straight as you walk while sitting at your desk. To do this, make a rule to do a few simple exercises every day.
- Choose a chair with spine support for computer work. Get up from the table every half hour, do some warm-up.
- Elimination of infectious foci in the body. Any infectious focus on the body can cause preconditions for the onset of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. This is especially true for ENT organs (ear, throat, nose).
- Correct body position during sleep and rest. It is recommended to use orthopedic mattresses and pillows. Their design ensures the correct position of the spine, allows the body to relax as much as possible during rest.
- The complex of daily physical exercises should include exercises for the prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine.
- Proper nutrition. Do not use too many spicy, fatty and smoked foods. Try to include more greens, vegetables, fruits in your daily diet.
- Quit smoking alcohol and tobacco. Now not only is it not healthy, but it is also not fashionable.
- Have a medical examination every year. Ultrasound, X-ray examination, tomography can detect the disease in the early stages of development.
Remember:your health is in your hands. Following the simplest rules will allow your body to avoid such a serious disease as cervical osteochondrosis.