About 30 years ago, osteochondrosis was associated exclusively with people in old age, whose joints become inactive and wounded with every movement. However, the times have changed. Today, more and more people are changing hard physical work for computer sedentary work, they are less and less monitoring the quality of food and more and more often meet the osteochondosis of the cervical hotel. It is not surprising that osteochondrosis is called "disease of the century" and almost all the people who have reached the age of 25 meet the symptoms of this disorder.
This is an insidious disease, which begins with unpleasant pain in the neck, it leads very quickly to serious consequences in the form of weakening of hearing and vision, as well as the worsening of memory until it is completely lost. That's why each person should know the causes of osteocondrosis and consult a doctor in a timely manner in case of unpleasant symptoms of the disease. We will talk about it in this article.
The causes of osteochondosis of the cervical region
Paradoxically, all our problems with the cervical column begin in early childhood, or rather in elementary school, where the child deteriorates posture and scoliosis develop. It is at this moment that the spine maintenance system is violated, in particular, the thinnest and most vulnerable department: the cervical. The second key factor in the osteocondrosis of the cervical region, which starts from distant childhood, is an insufficient physical preparation, in particular the weakness of the spinal muscles and the muscle corset so called designed to support the column.
These are two most important causes of the disease. Everything else with a heavy load falls on a weakened vertebral column, causing the development of the disease in rather young and healthy people. First of all, they include a sedentary lifestyle and the lack of physical activity, in particular the work, which is associated with a long stay in a position. This is more characteristic of drivers and employees, which replaces the computer. All this is integrated by an excess of body weight, which seriously increases the load on the spine.
Of the other causes of osteochondosis of the cervical column, it should be distinguished:
- Spinal lesions transmitted;
- metabolic violation;
- hereditary predisposition;
- Great physical effort;
- constant nervous tension and stress;
- anomalies in the development of the cervical column;
- Bad habits (keeping the phone tube with the ear and shoulder).
The process of development of osteochondosis
The adverse factors listed eventually lead to an increase in the load on the cervical column. When trying to compensate for the excess load of the neck muscles, their spasm occurs, which leads to a violation of blood circulation 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 become thinner and approach, tightening their content (fibrous ring) out of the spine. This protrusion in the language of doctors is called protrusion.
In the case of the protrusion, the fibrous ring still maintains its integrity, but the protrusion already tightens the blood vessels and the nerves that pass along the spinal column and feed the brain. In addition, the converging and deformed vertebrae begin to squeeze the roots of the peripheral nerves, which leads to the development of the so called "root syndrome", which occurs with severe pain in the back and neck. If the problem is not identified (which unpleasant symptoms will be eloquently reports) and they will not begin to treat osteochondrosis, the fibrous ring will break and the vertebral hernia will appear. In this case, serious problems with cerebral nutrition will arise.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondosis
In its development, the disease passes several phases, each of which has characteristics and symptoms characteristics. It should be noted here that the osteochondosis of the cervical column differs from degenerative changes in other parts of the spine. The distances between the vertebrae here are minimal, and therefore even small degenerative changes cause unpleasant symptoms and lead to various complications.
Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree.This is the preclinical phase of the development of the disease, in which the patient suffers from slight pain and discomfort during the curves of the head, as well as the tension and the rapid effort in the neck and back with a prolonged discovery in a position (often in sedentary). At this stage, osteochondrosis is perfectly treated with a change in lifestyle, the correction of nutrition and regular physical exercises.
Osteochondrosis of grade II.At this stage, instability appears in the vertebrae in the neck. In this case, a person is faced with intense pains, which are given to the shoulder, neck or hand. During the inclinations or curves of the head, the pain increases significantly, since due to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, the nerve endings begin to violate. The patient begins to get tired quickly, his performance is reduced, distraction, forgetfulness and torment appears to headaches.
Osteochondrosis of Grado III.With the beginning of the third stage of the disease, back pain and neck becomes even stronger, neck mobility decreases considerably and when turning the neck, you can feel a crew of vertebrae. At night, the patient begins to become numb with his fingers (mainly a finger and ring finger), which is why a person wakes up several times a night. During the day, such patients have an unpleasant gravity in their hands. And also a brief conversation on the phone, in which a person is forced to keep a cell phone near the ear, turns into unpleasant tingling and numbness between the fingers. All this indicates an increase in the protrusion and perhaps the appearance of an hernia in the cervical region.
Osteochondrosis of the degree IV.In the last phase of the disease, vertebrates are destroyed, which stop performing their functions and begin to be replaced by the connective tissue. A patient in this state can observe a violation of the coordination of the movement, a noise appears and the pulsation in the ears is crazy, the headache has improved, the visual acuity and the hearing are reduced. In some cases, it can be observed innerpying the language.
It must be said that due to the transfer of blood vessels, the blood flow to the brain is disturbed. For this reason, the patient has neurotic disorders such as insomnia, nervousness, irritability and resentment, frequent mood changes and the inability to concentrate. Focolars of anger or fear can occur periodically, to attack desire and depression.
In the subsequent stages of the development of osteochondrosis, the strongest cramps of blood vessels can lead to the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes, a feeling of instability on a hard and flat surface, strong dizziness, migraine, nausea, vomiting and frequent fainting.
Diagnosis of the disease
To identify the cause of the pathology, the patient describes the unpleasant symptoms of the doctor of his condition. After listening to the patient, the specialist sends him to one of the following research methods.
X -ray.Currently, this diagnostic method is considered non -informative, especially in the last stages of the development of the disease.
Ultrasonic duplex scan.This method is used in cases where a specialist involves a violation of the blood flow in the arteries that give the brain to food. The study shows the scope of the blood and determines if there are obstacles in its path.
CT (computerized tomography).This method is more information than the X -ray, since not only reveals the problem, but also allows you to determine the presence and size of the hernias, although with difficulty.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).The most informative method for diagnosing osteochondrosis, which allows to distinguish bone structures, the presence of hernias and even the direction of their development.
Treatment of osteocondrosis
We will immediately say that to combat such a serious problem as the osteochondosis of the cervical region, you should contact a neurologist. True, if the clinic has a doctor in a vertebrologist, it is better to contact him before. You can only treat osteochondrosis completely. The complex of used methods includes drug therapy, massage of the cervical area, physical exercise therapy, physiotherapy methods and correct diet. Only the combination of all these methods will help to cope with the disease and normalize the patient's well -being.
Help with severe pain
In the case of a strong pain syndrome, doctors recommend taking analgesics. When these funds cease to bring relief, it is possible to switch to non -short anti -inflammatory drugs.
In general, drug therapy includes the following funds:
- NSAIDs (Non -pounded anti -anti -inflammatory drugs). These products eliminate pain, breed swelling and face the inflammation of the nerve roots.
- Condroprotectors. These drugs perfectly restore damaged cartilage fabrics.
- Vitamins B B. are necessary to improve metabolic processes in nerve tissues.
- Musorelassanti. The effect of these drugs aims to reduce muscle cramps.
- Preparations that improve the rheological properties of the blood. Thanks to these means, the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve ending improves.
It should be noted that it is possible to obtain a tangible effect in the fight against osteochondrosis using ointments and tablets only if the treatment with drugs is combined with other therapy methods. Otherwise, drugs will only give a temporary effect.
Many experts tend to treat osteocondrosis with injections in order to quickly influence nerve endings and save the patient from possible side effects during the intake of tablets. However, vitamins are better taken orally, because vitamins are well absorbed by the body with any method of intake, but the injections with them can be painful.
Methods of physiotherapy treatment
Drug treatment must be combined with physiotherapy methods of therapy. Are considered the most effective in this disease:
- Electrophoresis (in combination with drugs). In this case, medicines penetrate damaged vertebrae under the influence of electric current.
- Ultrasound. This exposure method allows you to relieve the inflammatory process, calm pain and improve metabolic processes in tissues.
- Magnetotherapy. This type of physiotherapy relieves swelling and eliminates pain.
- Laser therapy. This is an excellent way to combat inflammatory processes, which also improves blood circulation.
Diet for osteochondrosis
The restoration of the interested vertebrae also includes a special diet that normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents the deposition of salts, nourishes and restores the fabric of the cartilage and also strengthens the ligaments between the vertebrates.
To achieve this, first of all, from the patient's diet it should be excluded:
- Alcoholic beverages;
- fatty and fried dishes;
- Acute and too salty dishes;
- Strong broths;
- weakness and slaughter;
- strong tea and coffee;
- Sottaceti and marinated;
- canned products.
The diet of a patient with osteochondrosis should consist in the following food:
- low fat and fish meat;
- Low fat, cottage and kefir milk;
- butter (in small quantities);
- Cereals and soups from whole cereals;
- gelatin, pouring from fish or meat;
- vegetables, fruit and berries;
- juices, fruit drinks, gelatin and componies.
When locating osteochondrosis in the cervical region, it is important to adhere to the drinking regime, drinking at least 1, 5 liters of water per day. If there is overweight, then you should think about how to get rid of extra kilos that provide additional load on the spine. It is recommended to move on to the power supply 5 times a day in small portions.
At the same time, as can be seen from the list of products allowed for use, the base of the food should be vegetarian soups with low fat, not boiled non -fat meat, fish, seafood, vegetables and sugar -free fruit.
The approximate menu for the day will seem as follows:
- Breakfast: cheese cottage, pair of apples, sugar -free tea;
- Lunch: pear in the oven, a little oatmeal;
- Lunch: vegetarian borsch, boiled chicken with vegetable salad;
- Afternoon snacks: dried biscuits and fruit fruit;
- Dinner: Baked fish with vegetables and sugar -free tea.
Physical exercise therapy for osteochondosis
Physical education gives surprising results in the treatment of osteocondrosis, the truth is to engage in gymnastics for the cervical column only during the recovery period. It is important here that in the massage or gymnastics process, the patient does not feel discomfort and pain.
Here are some more effective gymnastics exercises aimed at strengthening cervical muscles and improving blood circulation in this sector.
Exercise number 1Lie on the stomach and leaning your hands on the floor, slowly raises your head and torso, so that the back remains straight. Keep in this position for 1 minute, then go back to the starting position. The element is repeated 2-3 times.
Exercise number 2Lie on the stomach and stretch your hands along the body, lightly raise your head and start turning it first to the right, trying to touch the floor with your ear and then left. Perform 6 laps in every direction.
Exercise number 3Sitting on the floor, by inspiration, inclined forward, trying to reach the chin on the chest and, in exhalation, return to the starting position and throw your head back. Repeat the element 10-15 times.
Exercise number 4Attack the palms of the forehead and try to put pressure on the head with an effort. At the same time, by striving the muscles of the neck, resisting the hands, preventing the head from refusing. Keep the pressure for 20-30 seconds, then lower your hands and relax. Repeat the element 2-3 times, then repeat the exercise in the opposite direction, giving with the hands of the socket on the back of the head.
Exercise number 5Start turning your head slowly to the right and left, trying to look behind the back. Make 10 laps on each side. Good health!