Even about 30 years ago, osteochondrosis was associated exclusively with the elderly, whose joints became inactive and painful at every movement. However, times have changed. Today, more and more people are turning to hard work to computer-inactive work, less and less monitoring of nutritional quality, and more and more frequent cervical spine osteochondrosis. It is not uncommon for osteochondrosis to be referred to as the “disease of the century”, and almost everyone over the age of 25 faces symptoms of the disease.
This dangerous disease, beginning with an unpleasant pain in the neck area, quickly leads to serious consequences in the form of hearing and vision disorders, as well as memory impairment until it disappears completely. That is why everyone should know the causes of osteochondrosis and see a doctor in a timely manner if there are any unpleasant symptoms of the disease. We will discuss it in this article.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Paradoxically, all of our problems with the cervical spine begin in early childhood, or more precisely in primary school, where the child's posture declines and scoliosis develops. It is at this time that the system of buffering the head by the spine is disrupted, especially by the thinnest and most vulnerable part - the cervix. The second major factor of cervical osteochondrosis, which originates in early childhood, is inadequate physical fitness, in particular, the weakness of the spinal muscles and the so-called corset muscles that are designed to support the spine.
These are the two main causes of this disease. All the rest is a heavy burden on the weak spine, provoking the development of the disease in quite young and healthy people. First of all, this includes an unstable lifestyle and lack of physical activity, especially employment, which is associated with long stays in one position. This is most common for drivers and office workers sitting at computers on shifts. All of this comes with being overweight, which seriously increases the load on the spine.
Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- previous spinal injuries;
- metabolic disorders;
- hereditary tendencies;
- great physical activity;
- constant nervous tension and stress;
- cervical spine anomalies;
- bad habits (holding the phone receiver with your ears and shoulders).
Development of osteochondrosis
These unfavorable factors eventually cause an increase in load on the cervical spine. While trying to balance the excessive load on the neck muscles, their spasms occur, which causes blood circulation to be disrupted in this area and a decrease in metabolic processes. All this turns into the development of degenerative processes in the spine. First of all, the vertebrae begin to thin and accumulate, squeezing its contents (annulus fibrosus) outside the spine. This protrusion in the doctoral language is called protrusion.
In the case of protrusion, the annulus fibrosus still maintains integrity, but protrusion already presses the blood vessels and nerves that flow along the spinal space and feed the brain. Moreover, distorted and deformed vertebrae begin to squeeze the roots of the peripheral nerves, leading to the development of so-called "radicular syndrome", which manifests itself as severe pain in the back and neck. If you do not identify the problem (for which unpleasant symptoms will signal fluently) and do not start treating osteochondrosis, a fibrous ring will break and a spinal hernia will appear. In this case, there will be serious problems with brain nutrition.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In its development, the disease goes through several stages, each of which has its own specific signs and symptoms. It should be noted here that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differs from degenerative changes in other parts of the spine. The distance between the vertebrae is minimal here, and therefore even minor degenerative changes cause unpleasant symptoms and cause a variety of complications.
1. Osteochondrosis Degree
This is the preclinical stage of the development of the disease, in which the patient experiences mild pain and discomfort during head rotation, as well as rapid strain and fatigue in the neck and back during prolonged stay in one position (more often in a sitting position). At this stage, osteochondrosis is perfectly treated by lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments and regular exercise.
2. Osteochondrosis degree II
At this stage, instability appears between the spine in the neck. Someone in this case is experiencing severe pain radiating to the shoulders, neck or arms. During tilting or turning the head, the pain increases significantly, because, due to the decrease in distance between the vertebrae, the nerve endings begin to pinch. The patient begins to get tired quickly, his appearance decreases, distractions, forgetfulness appear, and he suffers from headaches.
3. Osteochondrosis grade III
With the onset of the third stage of the disease, back and neck pain becomes stronger, neck movement can be reduced, and as the neck turns, spinal fractures can be heard. At night, the patient's fingers begin to feel numb (especially the little finger and ring finger), which is why the person wakes up several times at night. Throughout the day, such patients have an unpleasant load on their hands. And even short conversations on the phone, where one has to hold a cell phone near the ear, turn into tingling and numbness on the fingers. All this indicates an increase in prominence, and the possibility of the appearance of a hernia in the cervical spine.
4. Osteochondrosis grade IV
In the last stage of the disease, the vertebral disc is destroyed, which stops functioning and begins to be replaced by connective tissue. A patient in this condition may experience a violation of coordination of movements, irritating sounds and pulses in the ear appear, increased headache, visual acuity and hearing loss. In some cases, numbness in the tongue can be observed.
Here it should be said that due to the removal of blood vessels, blood flow to the brain is disrupted. As a result, patients experience neurotic disorders such as insomnia, anxiety, irritability and nausea, frequent mood swings and inability to concentrate. Periodically there may be anger or fear, melancholy and depressive attacks.
In the later stages of the development of osteochondrosis, severe vascular spasm can lead to the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes, a feeling of instability on a hard flat surface, severe dizziness, migraines, nausea, vomiting and frequent fainting.
Disease Diagnostics
To identify the cause of the pathology, the patient explains to the doctor the symptoms of his unpleasant condition. After listening to the patient, the specialist sends him to one of the following research methods.
1. Radiography. Currently, this diagnostic method is considered uninformed, especially in the final stages of the development of the disease.
2. Ultrasonic duplex scanning. This method is used in cases where the specialist considers a violation of blood flow in the arteries that nourish the brain. Studies show the speed of blood flow and determine if there are any obstacles in its path.
3. CT (computed tomography). This method is more informative when compared to radiography, as this method not only reveals the problem, but also allows you to determine the presence and size of the hernia, even with difficulty.
4. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The most informative method for diagnosing osteochondrosis today, which allows you to see the bone structure, the presence of hernias and even the direction of its development.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Tell immediately that to deal with a serious problem such as osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you should contact a neurologist. True, if the clinic has a vertebrologist, it is better to contact him first.
Osteochondrosis can only be treated in a complex way. The complex of methods used includes drug therapy, neck-collar zone massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapy methods, as well as proper nutrition. Only a combination of all these methods can help overcome this disease and normalize the well-being of the patient.
Help for severe pain
In case of severe pain, doctors recommend taking medications such as Analgin, Baralgin or Tempalgin. When this medication is no longer a relief, you can switch to a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
In general, drug therapy includes the following methods:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). This medicine relieves pain, relieves swelling and relieves inflammation of nerve roots.
- Chondroprotectors. Such a drug perfectly restores damaged cartilage tissue.
- B group vitamins. They are needed to increase metabolic processes in nerve tissue.
- Relax the muscles. This medicine works to reduce muscle cramps.
- Preparations that enhance the rheological properties of blood. Thanks to such methods, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve endings is improved.
It should be noted here that it is possible to achieve a real effect in the fight against osteochondrosis with the help of ointments and tablets only if treatment with drugs is combined with other methods of therapy. Otherwise, the drug will only have a temporary effect.
Many specialists tend to treat osteochondrosis with injections to act quickly on the nerve endings and save the patient from possible side effects while taking the pill. However, vitamins are best taken orally because vitamins are well absorbed by the body by any method of intake, but injections with them can be painful.
Physiotherapy treatment
Treatment with medication must be combined with physiotherapy therapy methods. The most effective for this disease are:
- Electrophoresis (in combination with medication). In this case, the drugs penetrate into the damaged vertebrae under the influence of electric current.
- Ultrasound. This method of exposure allows you to remove the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve metabolic processes in tissues.
- Magnetotherapy. This type of physiotherapy relieves swelling and pain.
- Laser therapy. This is the best method to fight inflammation and improve blood circulation.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Reform of the affected spine also includes special diets that normalize metabolic processes in the body, prevent salt deposition, nourish and restore cartilage tissue, and even strengthen ligaments between vertebral discs.
To achieve this, first of all, the following should be excluded from the patient's diet:
- alcoholic beverages;
- fatty and fried foods;
- spicy and overly salty foods;
- strong broth;
- weaknesses and fuel;
- strong tea and coffee;
- pickles and marinade;
- canned products.
The diet of patients with osteochondrosis should consist of the following foods:
- lean meats and fish;
- low-fat milk, cottage cheese and kefir;
- butter (small amount);
- whole grain cereals and soups;
- jelly meat, aspic from fish or meat;
- vegetables, fruits and berries;
- juices, fruit drinks, jellies and compotes.
When osteochondrosis is localized in the cervical spine, it is important to adhere to the rules of drinking, drinking at least 1. 5 liters of water a day. If you are overweight, then you should think about how to get rid of those extra pounds, which puts extra pressure on the spine. It is best to switch to food 5 times a day in small portions.
At the same time, as can be seen from the list of permitted foods, the basis of food should be low-fat vegetarian soups, boiled lean meats, fish, seafood, vegetables and fruits without sugar.
The menu example for today will look like this:
- breakfast: cottage cheese, some apples, tea without sugar;
- lunch: baked pears, some oatmeal biscuits;
- lunch: vegetarian borscht, boiled chicken with vegetable salad;
- afternoon snacks: dried biscuits and fruit juices;
- dinner: grilled fish with vegetables and sugar-free tea.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Physical education gives remarkable results in the treatment of osteochondrosis, although doing exercises for the cervical spine only during the recovery period. It is important here that in the process of massage or gymnastics the patient does not experience discomfort and pain.
Here are some of the most effective gymnastic exercises aimed at strengthening the cervical muscles and improving blood circulation in this area.
Exercise # 1
Lying on your stomach and placing your hands on the floor, slowly lift your head and torso so that your back remains straight. Hold this position for 1 minute, then return to the starting position. The element is repeated 2-3 times.
Exercise # 2
Lie on your stomach and stretch your arms along your body, lift your head slightly and start turning it first to the right, trying to touch the floor with your ears, and then to the left. Make 6 turns in each direction.
Exercise # 3
Sit on the floor, inhale, bend forward, try to approach the chest with the chin, and exhale, return to the starting position and tilt the head back. Repeat the element 10-15 times.
Exercise # 4
Place your palms on your forehead and try to press firmly on your head. At the same time, while tense the neck muscles, hold your arms, do not let your head tilt. Hold the pressure for 20-30 seconds, then lower your arms and relax. Repeat the element 2-3 times, and then repeat the exercise in the opposite direction, bringing the clasped hand to the back of the head.
Exercise # 5
Start slowly turning your head to the right and left, trying to look back. Make 10 turns to each side.