The degenerative lesion of intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves in the cervical spine is a very common pathology called cervical osteochondrosis.
With this disease, the discs, which are by nature, are fibrous-chrya formations, gradually lose the properties of strength, elasticity and depreciation.In fact, they seem to ossify and decrease size.For this reason, the spine becomes less mobile, the height of the intervertebral spaces decreases and, as a result, the nerve roots, the blood vessels are compressed.
The surfaces of the vertebrae subject to discs also suffer from osteochondrosis, dystrophic changes occur in them.In addition, osteochondrosis is accompanied by the formation of reactive growth in vertebrae - osteophytes (or bone peaks).With the "unsuccessful" arrangement of such osteophytes, a compression of nerves or blood vessels is possible.
The causes and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
This pathology in the elderly is, in most cases, an inevitability that sooner or later manifests almost unpleasant symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.And the reason for this is the physiological processes of aging in bones and cartilage.When osteochondrosis develops at an early age, contributing factors must be sought and eliminate them so that the unrivaled pathology.
Therefore, the main reasons for cervical osteochondrosis include:
- SEDOMARIA.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Lesions in the spine.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Chronic infections and intoxication.
- Weak physical training.
- Irrational nutrition.
- Violation of posture.
- Long and systematic stay in uncomfortable poses with a lowered head or an exposed neck.
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Unfavorable ecology.
- Stress.
- Smoking.
- Hypothermia.
People with cervical osteochondrosis complain of painful pain and neck pain, shoulders, headache, numbness and weakening of the hands.These symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis, as a rule, persecute patients constantly.The aggravation of the pathology and the worsening of all its manifestations occurs after overwork, physical effort, "unsuccessful" twists of the head.
Possible complications
Non -complicated osteochondrosis of the spine in the neck, although it brings much inconvenience to the patient, is not a serious danger to health.But the complications of this disease are more dangerous.
Most of the time, cervical osteochondrosis is complicated by a root syndrome, which is a body response to pinch the cerebrospinal fluid.This pathology manifests itself by various neurological symptoms (marked pain in the neck, shoulder, impaired sensitivity of the upper limbs, muscle weakness, etc.).
Well, the most formidable complications of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine can be called intervertebral disc hernia and vertebral artery syndrome.With hernias, there is a great danger of compression of nerve roots and spinal cord with the subsequent development of severe neurological disorders to the patient's disability.
Vertebral artery syndrome occurs due to transfer or reflex spasm of the artery of the same name, which provides blood to the brain.This pathology is characterized by pulsating headache, ears, dizziness, "flies" and "spots" in front of the eyes, as well as other symptoms of blood supply impaired for the brain.In patients with cardiac problems in the development of this syndrome, the course of heart disease is significantly exacerbated.
How is cervical osteochondrosis treated?
Non -complicated osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with mainly conservative methods:
Medical Physical Education
Its main tasks are strengthening the muscle structure in the neck, improving blood circulation in the tissues and ensuring the spinal cartilage structures with the necessary nutrients that penetrate the intervertebral discs exclusively with their reduction, ie during active movements.
Physiotherapy
In cases with cervical osteochondrosis, this method of treatment helps reduce pain, improving blood circulation, eliminating muscle spasm in the neck and upper shoulder waist.
Massage
Osteochondrosis patients are recommended to regularly undergo medical massage courses.
Manual therapy
It helps to eliminate pain, reduce compression of nerve formations in the neck.
Reflexology
This type of treatment is used for anesthesia and elimination of neurological symptoms.
Drug therapy
During periods of pathology exacerbation, when intensive pain appears, patients receive analgesic and anti -inflammatory drugs, as well as medications for the activation of tissue microcirculation.When the patient's condition improves, he is shown chondroprotectors and vitamin-minineral complexes.
However, it is worth noting that a good result in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is possible only by using all these methods in the complex.
Disease prevention
For the cervical spine, three points are very important - this is a convenient orthopedic pillow, which better allows the spine spine relax during sleep, five -minute discharge to neck during working hours and regular exercises that strengthen the back and neck muscles.If you accept a rule for yourself, not to harm your health in parallel (do not smoke, eat, move further) and treat the timely pathologies that contribute to the occurrence of discs, you can easily survive old age without cervical osteochondrosis.