Few modern people have not heard of osteochondrosis. Most of them have already several times have been experiencing symptoms of this disease. The wide dissemination of the disease due to prolonged sitting behind a computer, in a passive manner, of life, poor diet, etc Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is manifested by pain, muscle weakness, limitation of mobility and a range of other symptoms.
Do not ignore the signs of the degenerative disease of the disk, because the sooner you start treatment, the more quickly get rid of the disease. In the initial stages takes place-conserving therapy: medicines, physical THERAPY, physiotherapy, massages, etc When complications and the destruction of bone-cartilage structure that is assigned to the operation.
What is this
Osteochondrosis of the neck – it is a pathology which occurs only in humans. The animals from him do not suffer. This is due to the vertical of the vertebral column. In this position, the vertebrae press on each other, leading to this that the intervertebral discs are gradually destroyed.
Cervical consists of 7 vertebrae, which are separated from each of the other disks. This segment of the spine agile enough, that is why it is one of the most vulnerable parts of the spine. The weak link of the cervical region is the intervertebral disc protrudes up', which at first will reflect degenerated-changes.
The prevalence of cervical arthritis is due to muscle weakness brace in the neck. In addition, on this site, are placed the vertebrae of a small size, they have different structures, and too close to each other. That is why even a small pressure on the neck can cause a displacement, as well as the compression of blood vessels and nerves are branches. When the interference of the vertebral artery, which is located inside of the spine in this area, appear the complications dangerous.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (SHOP) are protrusions (displacement of the nucleus pulposus, without damaging the outer sheath) and herniation of the disc. These courses compress the nerve roots, blood vessels.
Because of the degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc, which increases the probability of the appearance of bony growths (osteophytes) on the sites of the vertebral joints. Because of this narrowing the channel and constrict neuro-vascular education.
Help. According to the medical statistics, the cervical arthrosis are often people aged over 35 years. Although there are today the rejuvenation of the pathology that often develops in patients 20 years of age. This is mainly due to a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet.
Doctors have identified 4 the stage of the illness:
- 1 degree – begins to cartilage the joint between the vertebrae. At this stage of the disease erase the symptoms. Unfortunately, patients do not see them.
- 2 degree – under the pressure of the vertebrae of the height of the disc decreases, the integrity of a broken shell. At this stage can manifest itself in projection. There is severe pain, limited mobility of the neck, may be the violation of the sensitivity of the person.
- 3 degree – priest turns into a herniation which compress the blood vessels and muscles. In addition to the pain syndrome can produce pain in the neck, dizziness.
- 4 the degree are formed osteophytes that stabilize the vertebrae, but pinch the nerve fibers. The pain does not disappear, there is the stiffness of the movements, damaged vertebrae nearby, there are neurological symptoms.
It is important to begin treatment 1 – 2 stage, to avoid serious complications, which can be corrected only with surgery.
The reasons
Osteochondrosis SHOP is a lengthy and complicated process, which can occur under the influence of many negative factors.
For example, in the elderly, the disease is related to the age, the changes of the body. Then degenerate: changes that occur as a result of violations of blood circulation, the metabolism, the weakening of immunity.
However, the doctors have identified the main causes of cervical osteoarthritis:
- A bad posture.
- The curvature of the spine.
- Injury cervical segment.
- A excessive weight.
- Exhausting physical work.
- The prolonged sitting position of the computer.
- The mode of life passive.
- The violation of metabolic processes.
- Common hypothermia of the neck.
- Poor organization of the bed (too soft mattress high pillow).
- Frequent stress, chronic fatigue.
- Congenital defects in the structure SHOP.
- Autoimmune diseases, which cause the degeneration of the cartilage.
- The infection.
- The characteristics of the parts of the body, for example, very long or a short neck.
Under the influence of these factors begin to degrade the intervertebral structure, the bones, damage the nerve roots, blood vessels.
The symptoms
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ASAP) diverse. For this reason, patients struggle to understand what is happening to them. The first manifestations of the disease, they copy on fatigue. And after the onset of clear symptoms to look forward to a doctor, but in this case, the irreversible changes are already present and restorer of the structure of the cervical spine will not succeed.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the cervical spine:
- The painful sensations on the ground in the neck, shoulders.
- The weakening of the muscles surrounding the affected area segment of the spine.
- The excess secretion of sweat.
- The violation of the sensitivity of the upper limbs.
- Disorders of coordination of movements.
- Headache (headache).
- Dizziness (vertigo).
- Disorders of hearing, of sight.
- Horse racing in the blood pressure, etc
The nature of the headaches low back pain is different: paroxysmal constant, throbbing, dull. This symptom manifests itself by a spasm of cerebral vessels, the compression of the nerve fascicles of the cervical spine, to improve intracranial pressure.
When the ASAP the pain does not always appear on the terrain of the segment, it can be spread on the shoulders, the arms. The discomfort may occur after sleep, a sudden movement, the tension of the neck, for example, coughing or sneezing.
Osteochondrosis SHOP there are jumps of pressure in function of the hour of the day, the constant high blood pressure unusual pathology. Normally, when an increased pressure symptoms: headaches, arm pain, numbness cervico-zone. The pressure differences are often observed after nerve or muscle, a long stay in an uncomfortable position.
Syndromes of the cervical osteoarthritis
When the ASAP, there are several syndromes (typical of the state, which are accompanied by characteristic symptoms). Their manifestation depends on which nerve branches and blood vessels damaged.
The symptoms of cervical osteoarthritis:
- The vertebral artery – occurs as a result of compression or irritation of the artery that supplies the brain. While the patient suffers from disorders of hearing, vision, dizziness, pressure changes, migraines, etc
- Heart – develops compression nerve bundles that Innervate the diaphragm or pectoral muscle. Then there appears a burning pain in the chest, shortness of breath, weakness, the pulse accelerates.
- High blood pressure – caused by compression of the veins, because of this which is disrupted the flow of blood to the head. Then increases the intracranial pressure, the patient suffers from headache, nausea, vomiting.
- A neck of the migraine is due to compression of the nerves around the vertebral artery. Then there are the hard migrenepodobna a pain in the region of the nape of the neck. The crisis lasts about 10 hours, and is often accompanied by a rash vomit.
- Root – it is the most common syndrome in the ASAP. It is caused by compression of the nerve bundles at the level of the cervical vertebrae of a segment. The violation of the conductivity 1 – 2 heel cervical vertebra is broken, tenderness, or pain in the nape of the neck. In case of damage of 3 pairs of numbs the tongue, the area behind the ears, a man difficult to chew food. Inflammation of 4 pairs of roots, accompanied by pain in the collarbone, hiccups, difficulty in swallowing. If broken conductivity 5 – 8 pairs of nerve bundles, the patient is difficult to move the arm.
Help. Often, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is manifested in several symptoms, then the diagnosis difficult. So, do you understand, better to refer to specialists.
Establish a diagnosis
If you don't know what to do at the onset of the symptoms are suspicious, it is best to consult a therapist. If necessary, the doctor will guide you to the orthopedic surgeon, the spine, a neurologist.
During diagnosis, the following research apply to tools of the study:
- X-ray.
- Computer or magnetic resonance imaging.
- Electroneuromyography.
All these studies provide specific information on the cervical spine. For example, x-rays, CT scans, MRI are used to identify the pathological changes in the structure of the spine. Electromyography is used to assess the state of nerve bundles.
With the help of the x-ray, which takes place in different projections, you can detect the accumulation of calcium salts, the reduction of the height of the cartilage of the joints between the vertebrae, the deformation SHOP, the bony growths, etc
Treatment
The therapy ASAP must be comprehensive. The decision on the choice of methods of physician takes into account the stage of the disease, the severity of the symptoms.
The treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is long and complex. Completely cure the disease is unlikely, especially if it is older patients. However stop degenerate-degenerative disorders in the cervical segment, it is possible at any time.
In the early stages of the disease apply the methods conservative: medication, physiotherapy, physiotherapy, massage, orthopedic devices. Most of the methods described above can apply at home.
3 – 4 stage, which is accompanied with the destruction of not only cartilage, but the vertebral bodies, may be require a surgical intervention.
Get rid of the pain, inflammation, relax the muscles, improve the condition of the cartilage will help the following medications:
- The pain killers. During a strong pain, you can help yourself, by taking the pill metamizol sodium. To do this, apply the NSAIDS, which allow it to face not only the pain and the inflammation.
- Steroids cropped the inflammatory process and painful. For this purpose apply the medication hormone-based form of tablets or ointments.
- The muscle relaxants help to relax spasm of the muscles around the damaged area. For this purpose apply the solutions for parenteral administration on the basis of benzimidazole. They normalize the muscle tone and weaken the pain syndrome.
- The antispasmodic drugs help to combat the pain and muscle spasms.
- The vitamins will speed recovery of the nervous system. For this objective, to take drugs on the basis of the elements of the group b, A, c, D, is Quite effective for vitamins and minerals complex.
Help. If the syndrome of the pain is very strong, and analgesics do not help, the doctor may prescribe novocaine blockade. The injections with the application of anesthetic agents or solutions that are directly in the focus of a pathology. This procedure can perform only by an experienced technician.
In the context of adjuvant therapy use creams, gels, ointments, anti-inflammatory, warming, analgesic action.
In order to facilitate the state of patients, to improve their level of fitness, prescribe exercise medical. The exercises help strengthen the muscles around your neck, improve metabolism, accelerate the blood circulation, disorders of the load on the alteration of the spinal column.
Especially popular in the ASAP gymnastics, it is usually done in the room special simulators. However, if you wish, you can treat at home.
The services of PHYSIOTHERAPY in the low back pain cervical:
- Gently, tilt your head to the shoulder, softservices 30 seconds, and then repeat the movement in the other direction.
- Tilt your head forward, trying to touch your chin to your chest, and lift upwards and slightly towards the front.
- Lower the head back a little, turn to the right and to the left shoulder.
- Push the right hand to the left shoulder, slightly lift the elbow. Then, turn the head to the right, pause, feeling the tension in the muscles.
- This exercise is done, as the third, only during the rotation of the head, lift the hands above the head and stepside them.
- The hands on the knees, plant the one from the other, trying to connect the shoulder blades, at the same time understand the chin up. Thus, you will work and the division.
- Stand up, lower your hands, pull the neck forward, trying to touch your chin on your shoulder.
Before joint training and take a shower to relax the muscles. After the execution of the complex do some stretches.
Treat pain at the lower back of the neck with the help of physiotherapy:
- UHF.
- Laser therapy.
- The magnet therapy.
- Electrophoresis of drugs, etc
Magnetotherapy facilitate inflammation, pain. UHF and the laser treatment accelerates the metabolism on the exposed surface, allows to eliminate the pockets. Thanks to the electrophoresis drugs penetrate in the focus of inflammation in the skin, which exert their action.
With the help of a massage of normal muscle tone, speeds up the blood flow to the injured area, improves trophic tissues. After the course, which usually consists of 10 procedures, stops the development degenerated degenerative process in the cervical spine.
At home, you can use the tibetan applicator is a device made of plastic with a large number of spines. On the device need to go or apply it to the affected place. The applicator that helps relieve pain, relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, as well as motor activity.
The collar Gap apply in the case of pain. This orthopaedic device enters the neck position, to reduce pressure on the vertebrae, reduce pain.
When the treatment of a patient are able to get rid of degenerative disc disease, neck for ever. However, it is possible, if the disease is identified in step 1. In other cases, the activities will help to stop the development of pathology.
Chondrosis neck
Many people believe that chondrosis and osteochondrosis is a disease. However, this opinion is erroneous. At the first of the disease is corrupted only the cartilage attached to the vertebrae, and in the second – degenerative, the changes are reflected on the bone tissue. It is, chondrosis – this is the first stage of degenerative disc disease.
Chondrosis of the vertebral column develops when there is a violation of metabolic processes, disc. Then, the collagen fibers are replaced useless fibrous tissue, hyaline cartilage obyzvestvleniya becomes less elastic. Its height decreases, due to what is broken the function of the spine.
The causes of chondrosis and the degenerative disease of the disc are no different.
Cervical chondrosis has of the following signs:
- Rapid fatigue of the muscles that surround the SHOP.
- The violation of posture.
- Periodically resulting discomfort or mild pain on the exposed surface.
- The limitation of the mobility of the neck.
Generally, patients do not notice symptoms of the chondrosis. Identify the disease by chance, during an x-ray or an MRI.
THE TREATMENT CHONDROSIS
The treatment plan chondrosis neck is a little different than the treatment of degenerative disc disease. At the first of the disease, doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors. In addition, the patient should avoid physical exertion that is excessive or prolonged sitting. It is recommended to perform physiotherapy exercises, eat well, give up bad habits.
Other methods of treatment include massage, manual therapy. In addition, showing physiotherapy treatments, for example, electrophoresis, uv exposure, amplipulse, diadynamic, the balneotherapy, the treatment of the sludge producer. Its effectiveness in the treatment of chondrosis has proved that acupuncture acupuncture).
Comments
In most cases, the patients are unable to get rid of the symptoms of cervical arthritis during a period of time, and then the disease comes back. This is usually because the patient later, seeking medical help or does not comply with the recommendations of a doctor during treatment. But there are those who have managed to heal ASAP, and not to deal with its symptoms.
"I discovered osteochondrosis of the neck on 2 phases. The doctors have designated tablets anti-inflammatory drugs and injections. Once the pain has gone, started to walk on the massage, had a gym, used the ointment. After a course of treatment felt a significant relief. However, after 3 months of pain in the neck again appeared. Therefore, the course had to start again at zero".
"I have long lived with the cervical osteochondrosis. Periodically visit a chiropractor who reduce vertebrae. But most of all, I allows me to physiotherapy. The doctor told me to do that a few years to be very effective in the complex, I try to do every day. But, as soon as I'll drop some lessons, appears again the pain."
"Osteochondrosis cervical early-stage is quite treatable. I have this happened. First of all, the doctors have been named by anti-inflammatory therapy, which relieves pain and inflammation. Then, the treatment is completed by gymnastics, massage, acupuncture. In addition, I went to the pool, start taking vitamins, eat properly. To forget about the pain for ever, I had to completely change his life. Without the exercises not a day goes by, but more the fact that I have not done wrong, yes, and the fitness has improved. I no longer felt pain in the back and continues to lead a healthy life".
The main conclusions
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is an insidious disease, which is manifested by different symptoms. Far from always being sick realises that in fact happens to him. At the onset of the severe pain to look forward to a doctor, but this characteristic indicates the presence of degenerate-degenerative changes in the cervical segment. In this case, the restorer of the state of the spine will not succeed. Then carried out a treatment that will help stop the development of the pathology and avoid serious consequences. The therapy of degenerative disc disease is a lengthy and complicated process, which requires patience, organization. After the elimination of pain and inflammation, the patient should perform regular PHYSIOTHERAPY, massage, physiotherapy, apply orthopedic appliances, eat well, give up bad habits. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, adhere to moderate physical activity, weight control, to follow the pace. Only in this case, you can stop the disease and live a full life.