Degenerative damage to the intervertebral discs and degenerative damage to the spine in the cervical spine is a very common pathology called cervical osteochondrosis.
With this disease, the wheels, which are by nature, are fibrous-graphic formations, gradually losing their power, elasticity and depreciation properties.In fact, they seem to sink and reduce the size.Because of this, the spine becomes less mobile, the height of the intervertebral spaces decreases, and as a result, nerve roots, blood vessels are cut.
The discs, which are subject to vertebrates, also suffer from osteochondrosis, occur in dystrophic changes.In addition, osteochondrosis is accompanied by the formation of reactive growth on the vertebrates - osteophytes (or bone spikes).The "unsuccessful" arrangement of such osteophytes can contract with the nerves or blood vessels.
Causes and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
This pathology in the elderly is in most cases inevitability that sooner or later occurs with unpleasant symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The reason is the physiological processes of bones and cartilage aging.When osteochondrosis develops at a young age, it is necessary to search for factors and eliminate them so that the pathology does not develop.
So the main causes of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- Sedomer.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Spinal injuries.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Chronic infections and intoxication.
- Weak physical exercise.
- Irrational nutrition.
- Positive disruption.
- Long -term and systematic presence in uncomfortable postures that get rid of or subordinate neck.
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Neutral Ecology.
- Stress.
- Smoking.
- Hypothermia.
People with cervical osteochondrosis complain of pain and pain in the neck, shoulders, headaches, bumps and weakening of the hands.These symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are usually permanently worn by patients.The exacerbation of the pathology and all its manifestations are exacerbated after excessively working, physical effort, and "unsuccessful" turn of the head.
Possible complications
Uncomplicated osteochondrosis of the spine on the neck, although it brings many inconvenience to the patient, there is no serious health hazard.But complications of this disease are already more dangerous.
Most often, cervical osteochondrosis is complicated by radical syndrome, which is a response to the body's response to cerebrospinal roots.This pathology is manifested by a variety of neurological symptoms (sharp pain in the neck, shoulder, impaired sensitivity to the upper extremities, muscle weakness, etc.).
The most powerful complications of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine can be called intervertebral discs hernia and spine artery syndrome.The hernia, there is a great danger for the compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord, with the further development of serious neurological disorders, with the patient's disability.
Spine artery syndrome occurs due to the transmission of the artery of the same name or reflex spasm, which provides blood in the brain.This pathology is characterized by sharp headaches, ears, dizziness, "owls" and "spots", as well as other symptoms of blood deterioration in the brain.Patients who have cardiological problems in the development of this syndrome significantly exacerbate the course of heart disease.
How is cervical osteochondrosis treated?
Uncomplicated osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated mainly by conservative methods:
Medical physical education
Its main tasks are to strengthen the muscle framework, improve blood circulation in the tissues, and provide the cartilage structures of the spine with the necessary nutrients that penetrate the intervertebral discs exclusively by reducing them, ie in active movements.
Physiotherapy
In cases of cervical osteochondrosis, this method of treatment helps reduce pain, improve blood circulation, eliminate muscle spasms in the neck and upper shoulder belt.
Massage
Osteochondrosis patients are recommended to regularly undergo medical massage courses.
Manual therapy
It helps to eliminate pain, reduces the compression of nerve formations in the neck.
Reflexology
This type of treatment is used to eliminate anesthesia and neurological symptoms.
Drug therapy
During periods of exacerbation of pathology, when intense pain arises, patients are prescribed analgesic and anti -phlamuric medications, as well as medications for activating tissue microcirculation.When the patient's condition is improved, it is shown in chondroprotectors and vitamin-mineral complexes.
However, it is noteworthy that the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is only possible when using all these methods in the complex.
Prevention of the disease
For the cervical spine, three points are very important - it is a handy orthopedic pillow that bestows the spinal column to rest during sleep, working hours of the neck, and regular exercise, which strengthens the back and neck muscles.If you take the rule yourself, do not harm your health in parallel (do not smoke, eat, eat, or rather abnormalities, which will help to produce discs, you can easily survive in old age without cervical osteochondrosis.