Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is more common than any other: it spares neither the elderly nor young people over the age of 20. People around him complain about his manifestations every day, writing their feelings or magnetic storms, or energy vampires, or more prosaic explanations, but still far from the truth.
The localization of the disease in the cervical spine, which includes 7 vertebrae, is explained by the fact that the intervertebral discs in this area are the thinnest. Therefore, their drying and destruction much faster leads to pinching of the nerves and abrasion of the vertebral bones - after all, the distance between the bones is already small. It is also affected by the weak development of the cervical muscles, which a modern person minimally uses
Alas, the non-inflammatory process in the spine remains unnoticed for a long time, until the degeneration of the intervertebral discs passes to the second stage and pain becomes a constant companion. But even this alarming sign is often ignored by people, attributing it to fatigue, or even getting used to it, as a daily "background". Let's find out why you can't ignore the headache, your mother was right when she said "don't turn your head" and how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to bring chronic disease into permanent remission.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Discomfort due to cervical osteochondrosis extends to the head, neck and limbs of the shoulder girdle. In the initial stages, no special complaints are observed - usually, patients simply begin to feel numb in the neck more often, which does not seem surprising at all during office work. Gradually, the space between the vertebrae decreases, the load on the ligament apparatus, the muscles of the neck, shoulders and back increases, and the blood supply to the brain and spinal cord deteriorates. This leads to a whole chain of non-specific symptoms; a combination of many of these is a good reason to see a doctor.
1st degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Signs of early stage cervical osteochondrosis include:
- local muscle tension;
- stiffness of movements and decrease in their amplitude (when turning the head, turning the shoulders) after a long stay in one position;
- the need to constantly support the head with one hand while sitting to avoid fatigue and discomfort;
- fatigue and frequent headaches;
- increased irritability and chronic fatigue;
- inability to fall asleep quickly due to attempts to get comfortable, crumple pillow comfortably;
- darkening of the eyes, appearance of "flies" after a load on the cervical spine or during the morning / sudden rise;
- creaking and other extraneous sounds when tilting the head;
- the appearance of the so-called "Low back pain" in the area from the back of the head to the shoulder blades;
- decreased sensation of the fingertips, tingling sensation in the hands;
- unusual feeling of weakness in the arms, decreased endurance and muscle strength;
- increased blood pressure - arterial hypertension;
- change of voice, hoarseness for no apparent reason, snoring, feeling of heaviness, "swelling" in the head.
2nd degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
- chronic pain syndrome: the head, neck or shoulder may have continuous pain for 2-3 days or more;
- difficulty sleeping - difficulty falling asleep or waking up, often waking up in the middle of the night due to nightmares caused by lack of oxygen;
- high meteorological sensitivity;
- the appearance of pain and spasms in the muscles and internal organs, especially if it is necessary to maintain the same position for a long time or change it;
- inability to press chin to chest and tilt head back without pain;
- falling head syndrome - clearly palpable pain when trying to sit without supporting the head;
- numbness of the hands ("hands do not obey"), appearance of pain in the neck with minimal stress on the upper limbs;
- tinnitus and blackheads in front of the eyes, dizziness and even fainting;
- terminals appearing;
- cardiac disorders;
- migraine;
- constant nausea;
- overgrowth of connective tissue ("thick skin") in the neck-collar area.
Ignoring the signs of cervical osteochondrosis is fraught with nerves and large vessels located near the spine, which are pinched when the vertebrae are moved. Complications of the disease include:
- paresis (limitation, weakness of movements) and even paralysis of the arms - one or both sides;
- intervertebral hernia - a common cause of disability and disability, including the need for a wheelchair;
- vertebral artery syndrome causing dizziness and noise in the head, 25% leading to ischemic stroke;
- rapid deterioration of memory, cognition, sight and hearing;
- impaired coordination of movements, which also causes difficulties during transport.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
To combat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pharmacotherapy and physiotherapy are used, as well as massage and hydromassage of the cervical-collar area, therapeutic gymnastics, swimming, balneological treatments and mud baths, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, acupuncture, ultrasound, shock waves, laser, UFO, magnetic and other types of apparatus therapy. Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differ significantly in the stages of remission and exacerbation. So, for example, massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine during the inflammatory process is strictly contraindicated: to begin with, topical ointments and creams are used. In an acute period, it is important to restore blood circulation and tissue nutrition, relieve spasm and improve the patient's quality of life. The therapy, aimed at the regeneration of cartilage tissue and osteophytes, is carried out exclusively in remission.
Surgical intervention is used very rarely, mainly to eliminate concomitant diseases such as hernia, displacement of the vertebra.
1st degree cervical osteochondrosis responds well to treatment and can even go into permanent remission with minor acute episodes. Typically, the treatment involves lifestyle changes, maintaining the muscular and ligament apparatus with the help of therapeutic exercises. The 2nd degree of the disease has a less optimistic prognosis: in this case, treatment is aimed at relieving pronounced negative symptoms, preventing further destruction of the spine.
In some cases, therapy is necessary for diseases that have become a kind of catalyst for degenerative changes in the cartilage. These include curvature of the spine, problems with the endocrine system, incl. hormonal disorders, metabolic disorders, insomnia, depression, addiction to alcohol and nicotine, overweight, hereditary diseases.
Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine improves motor functions, prevents macrotraumatization of the vertebrae, adjacent tissues, nerves, large vessels and organic systems. If medical recommendations are followed and daily maintenance therapy is observed, the development of osteochondrosis can be slowed down and the mobility of the spine is preserved until old age.
Drug for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Early in the disease, patients were shown to receive chondroprotectors, rehydration and nutrient saturation of cartilage tissue. Vitamin-mineral and antioxidant complexes are actively used, incl. natural origin. Drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are used mainly externally or orally - in the form of warming ointments, local irritants, anti-inflammatories, tablets, capsules. In case of osteochondrosis of the 2nd stage, in addition to the above, analgesics, antispasmodics (muscle relaxants), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used. The treatment is carried out for life, but some drugs (painkillers, glucocorticosteroids, etc. ) are prescribed in courses due to their harmlessness.
Chondroprotector
Chondroprotectors in medicine are drugs that contain glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfates. In domestic use, the names "glucosamine" and "chondroitin" are more common. As the structural backbone of cartilage, they act as "building blocks" that the body uses to repair the intervertebral discs. The intake of chondroprotectors is complex - they have a beneficial effect on all articular surfaces of the body and inhibit the development of not only cervical, but also other types of osteochondrosis, as well as osteoarthritis and other degenerative diseases of the cartilage. These drugs must be taken throughout life and on an ongoing basis: because the cartilage is devoid of blood vessels, they are fed by a widespread method. This means that the growth of new cells is very slow: the first results are observed only after 3-6 months of taking drugs containing chondroitin.
Ointments for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, ointments with a vasodilating, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effect are used. To improve blood circulation, bee or snake venom is often introduced into their composition, and propolis and natural essential oils are used to strengthen the walls of blood vessels. With a mild pain syndrome, local analgesic creams or irritating ointments may be prescribed to distract the patient from discomfort. Warming ointments activate trophic and metabolic processes in the tissues, preventing their destruction and stopping the degenerative process.
Tablets for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, tablets play an auxiliary role. In the form of tablets, complex-acting analgesics are usually prescribed, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. Antispasmodics may be prescribed to relieve acute pain.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is especially important to take drugs that strengthen blood vessels and improve blood microcirculation. This helps contain the negative effect this disease has on the brain, leading to its hypoxia and malnutrition.
Injections
Injections for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are performed locally to remove a local inflammatory process that is insensitive to other methods of exposure. With severe pain syndrome, lidocaine and novocaine blocks are also shown. They represent the introduction of an anesthetic cocktail (it can contain over a dozen components - NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids, decongestants, hyaluronic acid and other ingredients to nourish and rehydrate cartilage). Spinal blocks should only be placed by specialists due to the high risk of damage to the spinal cord and nerve endings during injection, as well as the possible presence of contraindications.
A diet rich in protein and moderate in carbohydrates helps to prolong the effect of the drugs. The inclusion in the menu of sea fish, crustaceans and other dishes rich in gelling agents, calcium and vitamin D3, has a positive effect on the stability of remission.
Exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The first physiotherapy sessions (physical therapy) are carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Also select a mini-set of daily exercises.
For the prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, perform a simple warm-up:
- Sitting on a chair, he turns his head left and right, trying to describe him in a semicircle of 180 degrees. If the disease has not yet manifested itself or is in the first stage, you can throw your head back and slowly rotate it clockwise and counterclockwise.
- Raise your shoulders as high as possible and lock them in this position for a few seconds, then return to the starting position and repeat.
- Place the palm of your hand on your forehead and, exerting a slight resistance, try to slowly lower your head. After 10 repetitions, place your palm on your temple and repeat with the side bends.
- With your shoulders raised, try to circle the lower part of your neck.
- Complete the series of exercises with a strong self-massage, feeling the vertebrae and muscles well and warming the skin. Avoid pain when you do.
You can freely supplement this list with exercises for the general tone.
In addition to physical therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is important to observe the orthopedic regimen. It is designed to relieve the spine while carrying out household chores and while sleeping. For patients with osteochondrosis already of 1st degree, special orthopedic pillows and mattresses, automobile and other headrests and travel pillows are highly desirable. The workplace must also be restructured according to physiological needs - for example, buy a chair with a high back and armrests that follows the anatomical curves of the backrest, adjust the height of the table and seat, ensure a comfortable position for the monitor, etc.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, sit with your back straight, leaning against the back of the furniture. The position of the legs is equally important: your shins should be straight perpendicular to the floor and your feet should be completely flat on the floor. The bent arms (about 75 degrees) should lie relaxed, without constant tension, on the table top. It is unacceptable to spend free time lying with a laptop. When using the computer in bed, use a.
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