Modern realities do not affect human health in the best way.An unhealthy lifestyle and strict working conditions lead to a number of human health diseases.Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - a disease of the white collar, stresses in the world in the number of suffering in this disease.
What is cervical osteochondrosis and why is it dangerous?
Under osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is necessary to understand the progressive dystropher defined damage of the intervertebral discs (the area between 1 and 7 vertebrae).As a result of this disease, deformation and exhaustion with subsequent damage to the vertebral bodies occurs.The course of the spinal disease can have several stages, so it is important to recognize the disease in the early stages.
The drive of the nerve roots of the spine and the blood vessels can lead to a violation of the brain blood supply.A neglected state can even lead to a stroke.At the same time, heart and blood vessels suffer and they can fight against pressure for years, and the cervical osteochondrosis of the spine will be guilty.
The reasons for the development of the disease
There are many factors that lead to the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- sitting lifestyle;
- Obesity;
- Transmitted spine injuries;
- Deformation of the attitude, constant tension between back and neck;
- improper nutrition;
- Physical activity;
- Stress and nervous disorders;
- Inheritance;
- Infectious diseases;
- Individual properties of the structure of the body;
- Change of blood flow to the cervical spine.
Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis
The risk of cervical osteochondrosis is associated with the lack of symptoms in the early stages.When pain occurs, the patient often uses analgesics, which is very faulty, since the process of developing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is started, and the correct diagnosis with subsequent treatment takes place with a great delay for successful treatment.
First you must pay attention to the presence of the main symptoms of the manifestation of the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Dizziness.You must understand that this symptom can indicate the presence of other diseases.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, dizziness shows a systemic character, i.e. the patient feels the constant movement of the surrounding objects.
- Headache.It has a real character with pulsation, can either be constant or paroxysmal.
- Localization of the pain.Pain is often observed in patients with cervical osteochondrosis when they turn their heads, in the neck, in the shoulders, in the limbs.
- Blood pressure.It is combined with other symptoms (headache, tensions and hands of hands, stress and longer stay in one position).
- Noise in the ears and vision of seeing.
- Weakness and fast tiredness of the body.
- Sleep disorders and pain during sleep in the neck, in the limbs, their numbness.
Diagnosis of the disease
With the existence of the above symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, self -mediation is strictly prohibited.Only one doctor can evaluate the condition, lead the patient to diagnose and choose a treatment course.To determine the disease, it is recommended:
- Shipping X -Ray (cervix department);
- EKG;
- MRI of the spine (cervix compartment);
- Reoencephalography.
Computed tomography
One of the exact methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is CT (computer tomography).The procedure is carried out for its intended purpose, no contraindications (only by weight - up to 160 kilograms).CT shows exactly the condition of the spine, the intervertebral panes, determines fractures, tumors, hernia and other inflammatory processes.The method is absolutely safe.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging recognizes the cervical osteochondrosis of the spine in the very early stage.Images clearly show nerve roots, their integrity and places of violation, hernia and other pathologies.Contraindication to the MRI can be the presence of a pacemaker.It is undesirable in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.The doctor can prescribe the treatment through the image.
Radiography
The cervical spine X -beam is carried out in two projections and shows at the distance from the vertebrae, the condition of the processes of vertebrae, osteoporosis and the place of the bone tissue, tumor processes, dystrophic conditions and other pathologies of vertebrae.
Contraindications: pregnancy, body weight more than 180 kg, mental disorders.
Development stages of osteochondrosis
There are 4 main stages of the development of cervical spine osteochondrosis:
- 1. Level - pain, crunch when turning the neck, reduced mobility, headache, sleep disorder;
- 2 stages - thinning of the intervertebral disc capsule, violations of nerve endings and blood vessels;
- 3 stadiums - the occurrence of requirements, hernia, vertebrae deformations, which leads to dizziness, pain, movement of movement, impairment of brain supply;
- Stage 4 - Constant pain, neurological complications, loss of consciousness, visual impairment and even paralysis are possible.
Possible complications and consequences
If no cervical osteochondrosis is treated, this can lead to very serious diseases of the spine and the entire organism:
- Work of the heart and blood vessels;
- Vision and hear;
- Hebral blood supply;
- Vestibular apparatus;
- increased pressure;
- The appearance of hernia of the spine.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Before prescribing drug treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the doctor carries out a complete examination in order to recognize the stage of the disease.Then comprehensive treatment is selected for each individual case.
The following drugs are mainly prescribed:
- Medical medications that alleviate muscle cramps;
- Pain reliever;
- anti -inflammatory;
- a complex of vitamins of group B;
- Recovery stimulants.
Injections can be prescribed with advanced osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.It is often practiced for complex treatment and physiotherapy (electrophoresis, ultrasound, laser therapy, magnetic therapy).
First aid for acute pain
The first task is to eliminate the pain and cramps of the muscles.It is necessary to consult a doctor, take prescribed pain relievers and anti -inflammatory medication and go to bed.After 4-5 days, you can prescribe physiotherapy if the pain is weared out.As a rule, conservative treatment is prescribed.
Drug treatment
The basis of the treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of medicinal products:
- Analgetics;
- Anti -spas modos;
- anti -inflammatory medication;
- Vasodilators;
- Chondroprotectors.
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medication
NSAIDs are designed so that they relieve pain and inflammation.They are used in complex treatment for cervical osteochondrosis.
Musorelaxants
There is an extensive list of muscle relaxants prescribed for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.It is necessary to use it only for severe pain because they do not relieve inflammation.
Analgesics
Treatment with painkillers can take place in tablets and injections.Anesthesia ointments and gels are also prescribed.
Vitamins
When treating the spine and the cervical osteochondrosis, the list of medicines vitamins of group B, A, E and D. vitamin B must influence the nervous system.Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium;Vitamins A and E are responsible for the cartilage state.
Physiotherapy and training therapy
Simple, short exercises must be agreed with the applicable doctor, whereby the individual characteristics of the patient, the stage of the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and the presence of other deviations in the body are taken into account.The exercises last an average of 15 to 20 minutes a day.The practice complex is better to choose so that you can carry out both at home and at work.
Therapeutic gymnastics can quickly and effectively achieve a positive result of the disease.The main thing is that the patient does not have pain and inconvenience in any movement.
Basic exercises for therapeutic exercises:
- Turn your head gently to the left and right in a seated position with a flat back, then up and down with springs.
- Hold your hand on your forehead smoothly while offering a slight resistance of your head.
- Lying on the stomach to turn your head left and right so that the ear touches the floor;
- Take in a vertical position and lift your shoulders as far as possible and hold it up for a few seconds.Repeat several times.
Balneotherapy
When treating the cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, a great effect is a balneotherapy (treatment with mineral waters and mud).In the rehabilitation period, these methods help active natural substances to penetrate the skin and influence the nerve endings.The procedures relieve pain, improve blood circulation and fix the positive effect of treatment for a long time.
Electrophoresis
The electrophoresis refers to combined physiotherapy methods.It is prescribed in the complex for the main treatment for severe pain.The electrophoresis is carried out with novocaine and up to 10 methods are assigned.
acupuncture
Every human organ has its own point on the body's skin.If you react to these points, you can control the work of the entire organism.Acupuncture with cervical osteochondrosis stimulates the brain blood supply, relieves dizziness, pain and general discomfort.This is an effective treatment method that contributes to the restoration of health and strength.
Ultrasonic therapy
Ultrasound with the introduction of medication into the skin (phonophoresis) has a positive effect on the human body and has a good effect against the background of the main treatment:
- Removed swelling;
- Relieves cramp, massage the muscles;
- Improves blood flow to the places to which it is aimed.
Treatment with folk remedies
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, various folk methods are used to remove pain and inflammation:
- Compress;
- Garbage;
- Hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches).
Therapeutic massage
An important disease for the massage for the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is caution.The patient can massage at home, but a doctor's consultation is required in front of it, with the individual characteristics of the stage of the spinal disease into account.However, we do not recommend our patients to self -massage!
The patient occupies a comfortable horizontal pose, sometimes he can be in a seated position.We start with the massage from the healthy part of the back and gradually go into the aching area with smooth relaxing movements.We pay attention to the collar zone.Gradually we transform ourselves from relaxing strokes to rub and bags.We use rubbers to increase blood circulation and relieve pain.
Prevention of the development of osteochondrosis
With the help of preventive measures, you can prevent or reduce the factors that develop this disease.
The most important thing is the right and healthy lifestyle, i.e. small physical activity, balanced diet and gymnastics.It helps to regularly swim the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and prevent yoga.Don't forget a comfortable dream with an orthopedic mattress and pillows.With a long stay in a pose, it is necessary to carry out a small warm up.In every possible way to avoid nerve stress and revise.Go into the fresh air more.
Diet and nutrition for osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is very important to observe the right nutrition that should provide the necessary micro elements of the cartilage tissue.These substances include gelatin (natural chondroprotector).It is in a student, flooded fish, a cold and fruit jelly.You have to drink up to 2 liters.Water per day.The basis of the menu should be protein food.Soda, coffee, sorrel, grapes, alcohol, brewing exclude.