Cervical osteochondrosis refers to the "disease of the century". Its manifestation most often affects people from 25 to 40 years old, which causes them a lot of inconvenience in everyday life.
The cervical spine is in constant motion and is therefore subject to significant stress during the day.
In addition, this is where a large number of nerve endings and vascular formations are concentrated, which are responsible for the proper functioning of the brain and its timely saturation with blood.
The problem lies in the dysfunction of the articular cartilage located in the bone tissue.
Acute osteochondrosis with changes in the intervertebral discs and their displacement leads to a decrease in blood flow, developing oxygen deprivation in the human brain.
The development of a dystrophic process in the intervertebral discs can have serious consequences, which is why the disease requires mandatory treatment.
Signs of illness
The development of cervical osteochondrosis at an early stage can be determined by the creaking in the neck that occurs during head rotation.
Patients also report tinnitus and general discomfort in the neck area, manifesting as painful sensations (may even appear in the fingers of the hand).
Pain cannot often be localized. It all depends only on the damaged parts of the cervical spine. Patients describe the defeat of the intervertebral disc with displacement in different ways, but note stitch pains.
A pinched joint or friction injury with the spinal discs is described differently: a dull pain in the neck region is present almost constantly and does not disappear even in the absence of sudden movements.
How osteochondrosis of the neck manifests itself
If you start to develop unusual back and neck pain, you should immediately see a doctor for treatment. It is possible that all this is psychosomatic, however, the disease is often confirmed by a doctor.
That is why we have prepared an extract and we highlight the main signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Headache accompanied by dizziness. This is the first symptom and the most common among all patients. In the spine, additional pressure is created on the sensitive vessels of the head and neck, which slows their filling with the necessary amount of blood. In the general context, efficiency and mental activity decrease, a person quickly tires of even simple tasks.
- Dizziness when turning head sideways. For a short period of time, access of blood through vessels and capillaries is blocked, causing "clouding" in the activity of the human brain system.
- Pain in the chest and arms. Often this manifestation of a serious ailment is confused with increasing angina pectoris or pain in the heart muscle, so you should not participate yourself in establishing the correct diagnosis and subsequent self-medication.
- Lumbago in the cervical region. Back pain also refers to a common symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. It resembles a spot electric shock and can then spread to the elbow and finger joints.
- Numbness of the tongue. The lack of blood in the vessels causes a restriction in the movement of the tongue. If you have a change in the tone of your voice or it has become much more difficult to speak, immediately consult a doctor so as not to trigger further development of the disease.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
In some patients, the disease can manifest itself with other signs, so if you are not sure what may have caused the back or neck pain, it is recommended that you consult your doctor.
Ringing in the ears, deterioration of the condition of teeth and vision - all this can cause the development of osteochondrosis. Numbness of the fingers can occur at any time of the day, which is associated with a strong compression of the nerve endings of the vertebrae.
Unfortunately, the disease begins to manifest itself more and more in young people who do not pay enough attention to it. Over time, the disease can acquire a chronic course with changes in posture, the appearance of excess weight and the development of infectious diseases for no apparent reason.
Even experienced physicians, in this case, have difficulties in making an accurate diagnosis in the context of indicators that differ in symptomatology.
Types of exacerbations
Often, people's inattention to their own health leads to an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis. So what are exacerbations and why are they caused?
Of the nerves
Unfortunately, the stressful situations that occur in each person's life lead to a deterioration in the nutrition of the intervertebral disc.
We do not even notice that during strong arousal or overexcitement we begin to move chaotically, which leads to an exacerbation of osteochondrosis with all consequent consequences (dizziness, tinnitus, headache).
If you suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is recommended to take sedative pills "Glycesid" and "Novo-Passit" with a mandatory visit to a neurologist or psychotherapist.
After the massage
Slimming massage in most cases leads to an exacerbation of the disease.
Before the start of the session, the masseur should be notified that he or she has a confirmed diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis.
Neurologists often advise professional masseurs who perform massage taking into account the recommendations of doctors.
Seasonal
Changes in meteorological and climatic conditions cause a seasonal exacerbation of the disease, and this is a scientifically proven fact. The intervertebral discs are sensitive to temperature and atmospheric changes, so pain and other symptoms can appear.
After drinking
Another typical example of an exacerbation of osteochondrosis is drinking alcohol. The body is affected not only by the alcohol contained in drinks, but also by a person staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
Situations should not be excluded in which hot people, due to the "warmth" that has flooded them, simply forget to bundle up, exposing the nerve endings to hypothermia.
During your period
In women, menstruation is accompanied by a severe decrease in the level of estrogen, which is responsible for the integrity of bone tissue in the body.
If the pain in the lower back, chest and neck does not go away for a long time, then this is a reason for a visit to the doctor, as they can be caused not by the menstrual cycle and its symptoms, butby the manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
During a cold
Changes in body temperature during illness cause inflammation in the nerve endings located in the intervertebral discs. Which in turn can provoke an exacerbation.
What is the danger of cervical osteochondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis in advanced stages can lead to the development of vascular dystonia, hypertension, memory and hearing impairment. In extreme cases, patients experience impaired hand function, as well as persistent pain in the forearms.
Hypertension is a scourge of society, not without reason is it called "silent death". Almost none of the patients can imagine that untimely treatment of osteochondrosis can lead to the manifestation of hypertension, which proceeds without visible manifestations and symptoms.
Concerns should also refer to possible changes in the vascular system of a person, since after this he can develop a large number of diseases and complications.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
A tactile method is used to diagnose osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. It allows you to assess the painful sensations in the spine, the sensitivity of the nerve endings, as well as other characteristics that are important for a correct and accurate diagnosis.
After being examined by a neurologist, the patient is referred for an X-ray of the cervix, which is performed in several projections to obtain a clearer image.
If, even after that, the doctor cannot accurately diagnose the disease or there are other suspicions, a CT scan or MRI is performed. Unlike X-rays, it shows the state of soft tissues very well.
Treatment
Traditional and non-traditional methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are good in their own way, but do not forget about the need to consult a doctor, as it is he who can prescribe the correct treatment.
Conservative treatments include:
- Analgesic therapy
- Taking non-steroidal medications
- Taking antispasmodics
A mandatory requirement in the treatment process of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the use of chondroprotectors, which allow to restore the damaged structure and integrity of the intervertebral discs.
The doctor prescribes general and acupressure massages, and also prescribes B vitamins. In advanced cases, it may be necessary to use a Shants collar and exercise therapy.
Therefore, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is possible, but it should be carried out at an early stage of the manifestation of the disease to exclude its occurrence in the future.