Speaking of osteochondrosis, we mean pathological changes in the intervertebral discs with degenerative changes in the cartilage. This pathology can affect all parts of the spine. At the same time, cervical osteochondrosis occurs in about a quarter of all cases of this condition. As a rule, it mainly affects patients of working age - from 30 to 50 years old.
Anatomical features
To understand why osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae develops, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of the anatomy of the cervical spine. It is made up of 7 vertebrae. And if in the thoracic and lumbar regions the vertebrae are relatively homogeneous, then here they are different in structure. Indeed, in the cervical region, the movements of the shoulder girdle and the head are of significant complexity and amplitude. In addition, the movable cervix passes through a relatively static chest region. Therefore, 1, 2 and 7 vertebrae differ significantly from each other
Through the cervical region, in addition to the spinal cord and spinal nerves, pass peripheral nerves coming from the brain. Some of them, like the vagus nerve, innervate the diaphragm and abdominal organs. In addition to nerves, major blood vessels pass here. And if the blood supply through the carotid arteries and the outflow through the jugular veins do not suffer from osteochondrosis, then the vertebral artery is often involved in pathology with osteochondrosis of the neck. It passes through the holes of the transverse processes of 2 to 6 vertebrae and represents about 15% of the total volume of blood entering the brain. With cervical osteochondrosis, this artery may spasm or be compressed by tight muscles or a displaced disc.
The reasons
Why osteochondrosis of the cervical spine developed in this particular case cannot always be determined. It has been established that osteochondrosis is not an independent disease. It is a medical condition or syndrome caused by other diseases or negative factors, including:
- Heredity
- Systematic violations of posture in schoolchildren, office workers
- Poor diet with vitamin and mineral deficiency
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Frequent mechanical impacts, such as knocks, jolting of conductors
- Concomitant diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, organs of the endocrine system
- Weakened immunity.
Symptoms
By itself, osteochondrosis is a painless process. Dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs are not felt by the patient. The disease makes itself felt only when the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis appear - displacement of the intervertebral disc in the posterolateral direction with irritation of nearby nerve fibers, impaired blood circulation through the vertebral artery. This is when various sensory, motor and neurological disorders appear. Osteochondrosis of the neck is distinguished by the following symptoms:
- Pain in the neck
- Pathological tension of the neck muscles
- Restriction of movement in the cervical region
- Decreased sensitivity and range of motion of the shoulder girdle and upper limbs
- Headache, dizziness
- Unsteady gait due to coordination disorders
- Nausea, feeling sick
- Intermittent increases in blood pressure
- Visual disturbances - a feeling of darkening and flickering of flies in front of the eyes
- Sometimes pain or a lump in the throat, toothache
- Insomnia, or conversely, pathological drowsiness
- Emotional lability - crying, irritability.
Pain in cervical osteochondrosis is the main symptom. It is the pain syndrome that prompts the patient to consult a doctor. The nature of the pain depends on which cervical segment is affected by osteochondrosis. When the upper cervical segments are violated, the skin on the back of the head, crown and eyebrow region hurts. If the pathology has developed in the middle and lower sections, the pain in the neck radiates to the interscapular space, to the shoulder girdle and to the upper extremities.
An exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis begins with cervicago - a sharp pain resembling back pain. Subsequently, cervical sciatica develops with pain, movement disorders and muscle tension. The main cause of exacerbations is hypothermia. Besides local symptoms, cerebral symptoms are also noted, due to vertebral artery syndrome. Headaches and dizziness can be so severe that the patient may pass out.
Flow characteristics
Osteochondrosis is a chronic pathology. And in the absence of treatment steadily progresses. In this regard, 4 degrees are distinguished, which reflect symptoms and functional disorders of the cervical region.
- The tissue of the intervertebral disc thickens. Displacement of the disc is minimal, however, already at this stage the outer sheath of the fibrous disc is scaly. In the cervical vertebrae, the uncinate processes increase in a compensatory manner. Manifestations - cervicalgia, cervical.
- Narrowing of the intervertebral spaces and the lumen of the spinal canal. Pathological mobility leads to subluxations of individual vertebrae and instability of the cervical spine as a whole. Sensory and motor disorders of the upper limbs. Vertebral artery syndrome.
- Further narrowing of the spinal canal and the spaces between the vertebrae. The formation of herniated discs, as a result of which the symptoms increase.
- Irreversible structural disorders - spondylolisthesis (displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other) and spondylosis (pathological growths of the bone tissue of the vertebrae). Destruction of the discs with the expiration of their nucleus pulposus. Persistent brain and movement disorders.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck is carried out with the help of drugs and physiotherapy procedures. Massages, physiotherapy exercises, manual therapy and acupuncture are also effective. The main group of drugs is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Also, when it comes to cervical osteochondrosis, the local use of NSAIDs in gels and ointments is preferable. Among the means of local treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, local irritants and chondroprotectors are presented. Treatment can be supplemented with the ingestion of immunostimulants and vitamin-mineral complexes.
Physiotherapy procedures (UHF, amplipulse, electrophoresis) have a similar effect - they eliminate pain, relieve muscle spasms, increase blood circulation and metabolism in the tissues of the neck. This is also facilitated by massaging the cervical area with osteochondrosis. The neck is a vulnerable area. The slightest damage to the cervical spine is fraught with serious consequences. Therefore, massage movements should be smooth and directed along the muscles. For the same reason of fragility of the neck, all special measures (manual therapy, cervical traction) must be carried out with the greatest care by experienced specialists. And during recreational gymnastics, preference is given to static loads with frontal and temporal zones resting on the palmar surface of the hand, maximum bending of the head forward and to the sides.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is aimed at eliminating provoking factors. Hypothermia should be avoided. Office workers, programmers, and avid internet users are recommended to take 15-minute breaks for health-enhancing gymnastics during every hour. And, of course, proper nutrition and avoiding excess weight. And at the slightest feeling of pain and discomfort in the cervical region, it is better to use the Shants immobilizing collar. At the same time, special attention should be paid to the treatment of existing chronic diseases of other organs and systems.
Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms, signs and treatment
Today, such a disease as osteochondrosis is very common and in many people causes a feeling of fear and great fear. As medical practice has shown, several main causes contribute to the onset of the disease, which, as a rule, are provoked directly by patients. To avoid this disease and prevent its occurrence, you need to know its main symptoms and causes.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Most often, osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae manifests itself in the form of a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral disc. As practice shows, the disease arises and develops against the background of metabolic disorders that occur in the cervical region. In this case, there is a significant change in the structure and structure of individual vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
The course of the disease in osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is slightly different from osteochondrosis, which affects other parts (we are talking about the lumbar and thoracic form of osteochondrosis). This type of disease is more dangerous, as it contributes to direct damage to the root, which starts from the brain from the spinal nerve and thereby disrupts the blood supply to the cerebral vessels due to direct damage and compression of the vesselsblood. .
In addition, the structure of the vertebrae (in this case, more closely connected) in the cervical region is slightly different from the others, therefore, with the appearance of any changes in the pathology, one of them experiences a disturbancenoticeable normal functioning of the entire spine. That is why, with cervical osteochondrosis, the patient may be disturbed by such obvious signs as: frequent dizziness, impaired sensitivity of the muscles and skin of the hands, neck, face, constant headaches, unpleasant buzzingand noise in the ears or noise in the head, hearing or visual impairment, increased feeling of fatigue, wobbly and unsteady gait, loss of coordination, etc.
So, you should pay close attention to the fact that osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae appears as a result of:
- lifting heavy objects and loads;
- work directly related to a constant change in the position of the body - we are talking about extension, bending, circular movements, turns;
- active sports and physical education;
- incorrect posture during lying, sitting, standing positions of the body, as well as during lifting and carrying weights;
- genetic predisposition;
- Adverse weather conditions.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Often, symptoms of osteochondrosis in the early stages of its manifestation may not manifest themselves in any way. Already passed to a more advanced stage, the disease begins to manifest itself in frequent cramps during any movement of the head and neck. However, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are quite diverse and are explained either by degenerative changes and disorders in the structure of the cartilage, or by the result of severe pinching by a displaced disk of the vertebral artery, which passesbetween discs.
Pain
The most important and very early symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae are pain, which at the first stage can pass quickly, and then become chronic. The pain may appear in the region of the occipital muscles, shoulders and neck and become stronger when rotating or tilting the head and neck. Depending on where the lesion is located, the pain can be aching and permanent. And it can fade for a while or be searing and sharp. In addition, all movements of the head and neck become difficult over time, which is associated with constant muscle tension in the neck area.
When the spinal artery is compressed by cartilage tissue, an intervertebral disc, or tight muscles, a person can be tormented by a cervical migraine (a headache that occurs as a result of oxygen deprivation intissues and impaired blood circulation), a sharp jump in upward pressure, short-term loss and impairment of consciousness, the appearance of ringing in the ears, hearing impairment, the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes, visual impairment. Headaches are sometimes accompanied by vomiting or nausea.
Nausea
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae may be accompanied by nausea. In addition, nausea is associated with impaired blood circulation in the cerebral vessels. Quite often a person loses his appetite, which leads to a lack of nutrients in the body and a decrease in overall weight. In more severe cases, the disease is accompanied by vomiting, which appears when tilting the head, bends and even simple walking. As already mentioned above, this is due to a violation of the process of blood circulation and insufficient supply of oxygen to the inner ear, where the center of balance is located.
Lack of air
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae include such a symptom as stuffiness. It appears with a direct lesion of the cervical region and results in irritation of the phrenic nerve. As a result, it becomes difficult for a person to breathe, the patient does not have enough air, there is a lack of oxygen, shortness of breath begins to torment, and severe suffocation may even occur.
As a rule, the lack of air is accompanied by snoring, especially during an uncomfortable position of the head at rest. This condition leads to the fact that a person wakes up very tired and absolutely broken, he is disturbed by general malaise and weakness. A prolonged stay in this state leads to a decrease in concentration, memory impairment and irreversible changes in brain tissue.
Ringtones and tinnitus
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are sometimes manifested in the form of ringing and noise in the ears. It's just that the vestibular apparatus is enriched with blood coming exclusively from the vertebral artery system. That is why, with inflammation of the cervical region, a violation of the function of the inner ear occurs, as a result, a person is tormented by ringing and tinnitus. Sometimes hearing impairment is added to the symptoms described.
Pharyngeal signs
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae can also manifest itself in this way. Often a person is disturbed by a constant unpleasant feeling of dryness and sweating in the throat, difficulty swallowing, tickling and itching, a feeling of a foreign body. All these symptoms are directly related to the violation of the vascular and nerve trunks that depart from the spinal cord.
Visual impairment
The most common and frequent sign of cervical osteochondrosis is a deterioration in visual acuity. This is due to the fact that the visual analyzer is enriched with blood not only because of the carotid, but also because of the vertebral arteries. When these arteries are compressed, visual impairment occurs. In addition, patients may complain of:
- low pressure;
- atherosclerosis of the arteries of the brain;
- inability to concentrate on a subject;
- "swimming" or flashing dots;
- veiling or hazy sensation before the eyes.
In this condition, doing eye exercises or using glasses does not show a positive effect. Only with proper treatment is there an improvement in vision.
Sudden loss of consciousness
The most dangerous and unpleasant sign that occurs with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra is an unexpected loss of consciousness. This is due to a temporary stoppage of blood flow in the arteries of the brain. Thus, a pronounced spasm of the arteries is obtained, which occurs on the side of the deformed processes of the bones of the vertebrae, in response to irritation of the nerve endings.
But after losing consciousness, a person can recover quickly if given time to lie down and raise their legs to improve blood supply to the brain and increase blood flow to the legs.
Pressure instability
Symptoms of osteochondrosis do not end with the symptoms described above. Often there is a spasm or instability of blood pressure, which appears due to insufficient blood supply. In addition, the pressure drops sharply or, conversely, increases. The person's condition is deteriorating and he needs complete rest.
Dizziness
Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by dizziness. In this case, such a phenomenon may have a spontaneous character. Dizziness is caused by a lack of oxygen reaching the inner ear canals. These channels are located in the brain and are entirely responsible for balance. Dizziness can occur with any movement of the neck or head. Often and with a strong increase from a lying position.
How to cure osteochondrosis?
If a person notices one or more of the above and indicated symptoms behind him, his first action should not be self-treatment on the recommendations of friends and relatives, but a timely visit to the appropriate doctor. The actions of a specialist are aimed at carrying out tests to identify the main cause of osteochondrosis, as well as choosing the right treatment.
Treatment of the disease, taking into account the patient's condition and its degree, is complex. During treatment, the doctor may prescribe therapeutic exercises, massage, the use of drugs aimed at eliminating the causes of inflammation and relieving pain.
Therapeutic treatment
The drug treatment regimen is represented by the following groups:
- Chondroprotectors - allow to stop the destruction of cartilage and contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - effective elimination of inflammation and pain, low risk of side effects, the possibility of long-term use.
Treatment of symptoms of osteochondrosis with ointments is quite popular, but ineffective. As a rule, ointments from the group of NSAIDs or ointments containing irritants are used for treatment.
Vitamins of group B are used against osteochondrosis.
Folk methods of treatment
Recipes for rubs and ointments for the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Lemon. In the juice of one lemon, you need to add as much iodine as the juice was squeezed. To mix together. This composition is for external use only. With a swab soaked in this solution, a strip is drawn every evening on the entire spine.
- Rub with honey. Mix a glass of honey, alcohol, aloe juice and radish. Add to 1 tbsp. I. dry mustard and mix well. Apply compresses for several hours.
- Vinegar and egg. Prepare a mixture of vinegar and an egg: add vinegar to the egg and let it dissolve completely. Then add 90 gr. butter and stir. A homogeneous mass of white color, resembling oil, should come out of it. Rub the solution into the painful areas.
- Camphor and bile peppercorns. It will take 300 gr. medical bile and a few bottles of camphor alcohol. Mix the ingredients in a glass bowl, add 3 chili pods and leave to infuse for a week. Apply compresses for 5-7 hours. Shake the paste well before use.
Osteochondrosis, like all other diseases, is much easier to prevent than to completely cure. To never suffer from this disease, you must lead a healthy lifestyle by alternating different sports. Nutrition should be enriched and complete, smoking should not be the norm. By following simple rules, you'll be more likely to live to old age without deterioration in quality of life or pain.