Only 30 years ago, osteochondrosis was associated exclusively with the elderly, whose joints became immobile and painful with every movement.However, times have changed.Today, more and more people exchange hard physical labor for sedentary work at the computer, pay less attention to the quality of their diet, and are increasingly faced with cervical spine osteochondrosis.It is not without reason that osteochondrosis is called "the disease of the century," and almost every person who has reached the age of 25 faces the symptoms of this disease.
This dangerous disease, starting with an unpleasant pain in the neck, quickly leads to serious consequences in the form of poor hearing and vision, as well as deterioration of memory until complete loss.That is why everyone should know the cause of osteochondrosis and immediately see a doctor if unpleasant symptoms of the disease appear.We will talk about them in this article.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Paradoxically, all our problems with the cervical spine begin in early childhood, or rather in elementary school, where the child's posture deteriorates and scoliosis develops.It is at this time that the system supporting the head by the spine is disrupted, particularly by the thinnest and most vulnerable part - the cervix.The second main factor in cervical osteochondrosis, which begins in early childhood, is insufficient physical training, in particular, the weakness of the spinal muscles and the so-called muscle corset, which is designed to support the spine.
These are the two main causes of this disease.All the rest put a heavy load on the weak spine, provoking the development of the disease in a relatively young and healthy person.First of all, this includes a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, especially work that involves staying in one position for a long time.This is most common for drivers and office workers who spend their shifts sitting in front of a computer.All this is accompanied by excess body weight, which seriously increases the load on the spine.
Other causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine include:
- previous spinal injury;
- metabolic disorders;
- hereditary predisposition;
- great physical activity;
- constant nervous tension and stress;
- developmental anomalies of the cervical spine;
- bad habits (holding the cell phone by your ear and shoulder).
The process of development of osteochondrosis
The unfavorable factors listed ultimately lead to an increased load on the cervical spine.When trying to compensate for the excessive load on the neck muscles, their spasms occur, which leads to impaired blood circulation in this area and a decrease in metabolic processes.All this results in the development of degenerative processes in the spine.First of all, the vertebrae begin to thin and move closer together, squeezing their contents (fibrous rings) outside the spine.In medical terms, such a protrusion is called a protrusion.
In the case of a protrusion, the fibrous ring still retains its integrity, but the protrusion already compresses the blood vessels and nerves that run along the spinal column and supply the brain.Moreover, the approaching and deformed vertebrae begin to compress the peripheral nerve roots, which leads to the development of the so-called "radicular syndrome", which manifests itself as severe pain in the back and neck.If you do not identify the problem (which will be eloquently marked by unpleasant symptoms) and do not start treating osteochondrosis, the fibrous ring will break and a vertebral hernia will appear.In this case, serious problems with brain nutrition will arise.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In its development, this disease goes through several stages, each of which has characteristic 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 here is minimal, and therefore even small degenerative changes cause unpleasant symptoms and lead to various complications.
Osteochondrosis I degreeThis is the preclinical stage of the disease's development, where the patient experiences mild pain and discomfort when turning the head, as well as tension and fatigue in the neck and back when staying in one position for a long time (usually in a sitting position).At this stage, osteochondrosis can be perfectly treated by changing lifestyle, correcting diet and regular exercise.
Osteochondrosis degree IIAt this stage, instability appears between the vertebrae in the neck.In this case, the person faces severe pain that radiates to the shoulder, neck or arm.When bending or turning the head, the pain increases significantly, because due to the decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, the nerve endings begin to be pinched.The patient begins to tire quickly, his performance decreases, he becomes distracted, forgetful, and has headaches.
Osteochondrosis III degreeWith the onset of the third stage of the disease, the pain in the back and neck becomes stronger, the mobility of the neck is significantly reduced, and when you twist the neck, you can hear a fracture of the spine.At night, the patient's fingers begin to go numb (especially the little and ring fingers), which is why the person wakes up several times a night.Throughout the day, such patients experience an unpleasant feeling of heaviness in their hands.And even a short conversation on the phone, where a person has to hold the mobile phone near the ear, results in unpleasant tingling and numbness in the fingers.All this indicates an increase in protrusion, and perhaps the appearance of a hernia in the cervical spine.
Osteochondrosis IV degreeIn the last stage of the disease, the vertebral disc is destroyed, which stops performing its function and begins to be replaced by connective tissue.Patients in this condition may experience poor movement coordination, annoying noises and pulsations in the ears, increased headaches, decreased visual acuity and hearing.In some cases, numbness of the tongue may occur.
Here it should be said that due to the squeezing of the blood vessels, the blood flow to the brain is interrupted.Due to this, patients experience neurotic disorders such as insomnia, nervousness, irritability and revenge, frequent mood swings and inability to concentrate.Periodically, outbursts of anger or fear may occur, melancholy and depression may occur.
In the final stages of the development of osteochondrosis, severe vascular spasm can cause the appearance of "floating" in front of the eyes, a feeling of instability on hard and flat surfaces, severe dizziness, migraine, nausea, vomiting and frequent fainting.
Disease diagnosis
To identify the cause of the pathology, the patient explains to the doctor the unpleasant symptoms of his condition.After listening to the patient, the specialist sends him to one of the following research methods.
Radiography.Currently, this diagnostic method is considered uninformative, especially in the last stages of the disease.Duplex ultrasound scanning.This method is used in cases where experts suspect blood flow disorders in the arteries that supply food to the brain.The study shows the speed of blood flow and determines whether there are obstacles in its path.CT (computed tomography).This method is more informative than radiography, because it not only identifies the problem, but also allows you to determine the presence and size of the hernia, even with difficulty.MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).The most informative method for diagnosing osteochondrosis today, which allows you to distinguish the bone structure, the presence of a hernia and also the direction of its development.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Let's say right away that to combat such a serious problem 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 comprehensively.The complex of methods used includes drug therapy, massage of the cervical collar area, exercise therapy, physiotherapeutic methods, as well as proper nutrition.Only the combination of all these methods will help overcome the disease and normalize the patient's well-being.
Help with severe pain
If the pain is severe, the doctor recommends taking drugs such as Analgin, Baralgin or Tempalgin.When these drugs stop bringing relief, you can switch to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ketanov gel, Ketorolac, Nise and Diclofenac).
In a general sense, drug therapy includes the following:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).These drugs relieve pain, relieve swelling and overcome nerve root inflammation.
- Chondroprotectors.Such drugs perfectly restore damaged cartilage tissue.
- vitamin B. They are needed to improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue.
- Relax the muscles.The action of these drugs is aimed at reducing muscle spasms.
- Drugs that improve the rheological properties of blood.Thanks to such means, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve endings improves.
It should be noted here that it is possible to achieve a significant effect in the fight against osteochondrosis with the help of ointments and tablets only if drug treatment is combined with other therapeutic methods.Otherwise, the drugs will only have a temporary effect.
Many experts tend to treat osteochondrosis with injections to act quickly on nerve endings and save patients from possible side effects when taking pills.However, it is better to take vitamins orally, because... Vitamins are well absorbed by the body regardless of how they are taken, but injections with them can be painful.
Physiotherapy treatment
Treatment with drugs must be combined with physiotherapeutic methods of therapy.The most effective for this disease are:
- Electrophoresis (in combination with drugs).In this case, drugs penetrate the damaged vertebra under the influence of electric current.As a rule, electrophoresis is carried out with Eufillin to increase blood flow, or with Novocaine to reduce pain.
- Ultrasound.This method of exposure allows you to relieve the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve metabolic processes in the tissue.
- Magnetotherapy.This type of physiotherapy relieves swelling and relieves pain.
- Laser therapy.This is an excellent method of combating the inflammatory process, which also improves blood circulation.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Rehabilitation of affected vertebrae also includes a special diet that normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents salt deposition, nourishes and restores cartilage tissue, and also strengthens the ligaments between the 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 dishes;
- strong soup;
- weakness and ascendancy;
- strong tea and coffee;
- pickles and marinades;
- canned products.
The diet of patients with osteochondrosis should consist of the following foods:
- lean meat and fish;
- low-fat milk, cottage cheese and kefir;
- butter (small amount);
- whole grain porridge and soup;
- jellied meat, fish or jellied meat;
- vegetables, fruits and berries;
- juices, fruit drinks, jellies and compotes.
When osteochondrosis is localized in the cervical area, it is important to adhere to the drinking regime, drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day.If you are overweight, then you should think about how to get rid of extra pounds, which puts extra pressure on the spine.It is advisable to switch to eating 5 times a day in small portions.
At the same time, as can be seen from the list of foods allowed to be eaten, the basis of the diet should be low-fat vegetarian soups, boiled lean meat, fish, seafood, vegetables and fruits without sugar.
An example menu for the day would look like this:
- breakfast: cottage cheese, a few apples, tea without sugar;
- lunch: baked pear, some oatmeal cookies;
- lunch: vegetarian borscht, boiled chicken with vegetable salad;
- afternoon snack: dry cookies and fruit juice;
- dinner: grilled fish with vegetables and tea without sugar.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Physical education gives remarkable results in the treatment of osteochondrosis, although you can only do gymnastics for the cervical spine during the recovery period.It is important here that during the massage or gymnastics the patient does not experience discomfort or pain.
Good health to you!