Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, types, symptoms and treatment methods

When you list the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, almost every adult says that he felt it.This disease really has a significant prevalence: osteochondrosis occurs in 60-80% of the population in industrialized countries.To distinguish whether a person has really cervical osteochondrosis or it is manifestations of another state, it is necessary to have information about this pathology.The article describes the causes of the disease, its characteristics and manifestations, diagnosis and treatment methods.If you have information about the pathology, patients can recognize them at home and seek help in good time.

What is cervical osteochondrosis?

The disease is degenerative in nature and damages the structure of the spine with the primary and secondary mechanism.The pathogenetic mechanism of pathology is that the structure of the vertebral connection is damaged.

Usually there is a layer between these areas.It dissolves the spine and optimizes the motor process.With cervical osteochondrosis, this soft substance is calculated and turns into a hard -wide fabric.This damages the nerve ends and blood vessels and violates its function.

Depending on the level of damage, osteochondrosis can manifest due to pain or high pressure, impairment of consciousness or the deafness of the language.It can be symptoms of chest or back.This complicates the diagnostic process.Patients can hand over several diagnostic consultations before they come to a profile specialist.The diagnostic process uses various methods that make it possible to exclude pathology from other organs and systems.

Gradually “the cervical osteochondrosis“ younger ”and are increasingly introduced in young patients.Modern young people have problems with their neck much earlier than their parents.

Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of the cervix region, which is common from two positions:

• Physiological changes.Indeed, the degeneration of cartilage is a natural part of the development that is regulated by neuroendocrine mechanisms and is irreversible.The process begins with the middle of the pulp layer and gradually passes to the periphery.Soft fabric is replaced by fibrous fibrous elements.Such a process practically does not bother the patient and only manifests itself if it affects the nerve endings.
• Pathological changes.Destruction of the vertebrae as a result of the effect of a number of factors.This process is ahead of the physiological changes and leads to a violation of the function of the spine.The symptoms almost always accompany this state because they spread outside the cartilage structure and damage the nerve -wracking, blood vessels.

The course of the disease can be different: sometimes the pathology is compensated for or vice versa independently - there are periods of deterioration.At the same time as the pathological process, compensation mechanisms are included, which temporarily expand the vertebral function and eliminate the symptoms.

However, the further course of the disease leads to the destruction of the fibrous ring, to the occurrence of microricises.The vertebrae lose their stability and fixation, which manifests itself through a clinical image of the disease.

In addition, the cervical osteochondrosis is the impregnation of the tape of the tape between the grandbays with calcium.This forms a kind of hernia because the damaged vertebrae is pressed into the body of the neighboring.These structures take place and as a result there is a massive ossification of neighboring structures.

The course of the cervical osteochondrosis has several stages:

• Level 1 is the instability of the vertebral structures and disc injuries;
• 2 stadiums - reduced fixation of the spine and ahead of the hard drive;
• Stage 3 - breaking of a fiber ring, severe symptoms and pain;
• The 4th level is accompanied by difficulties in motion, acute pain and widespread bone spread.

Features of the anatomical arrangement of muscles and blood vessels - make the neck a vulnerable area of the body.A long course of osteochondrosis leads to numerous complications, including vascular nature.Many of them can damage the patient's health and make a pronounced risk.

Symptoms

The risk of cervical osteochondrosis is that it does not manifest itself by symptoms for a long time.This is made easier by masking signs of the disease for a different pathology and an independent administration of analgesics.This makes the diagnosis of a neck osteochondrosis diagnosis and difficult.It is important not to delay the diagnosis until the structure of the vertebrae has been replaced by bone tissue.

Consider the main groups of symptoms found in osteochondrosis of the cervix region and their characteristics.

dizziness

As mentioned above, most symptoms of osteochondrosis can be characteristic of other diseases.Therefore, dizziness is accompanied by the vascular pathologies of the central nervous system, the damage to the hearing apparatus, the malfunctions of the vestibular apparatus and cardiovascular diseases.Dizziness is accompanied by poisoning and inflammatory processes.It is important to take a holistic clinical picture into account and not individual symptoms.You should also learn to distinguish from dizziness for reasons of occurrence between the main types.

In the case of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a systematic type of dizziness occurs.The patient seems that the surrounding objects are in motion.Such a disorder can be observed after a head and neck injury and against the background of diseases of the vestibular apparatus.

Headache

Here, too, it is extremely difficult to describe this symptom specifically.Pain in the head can accompany revisions, increased pressure and serious acute conditions.In the case of osteochondrosis, headache occurs as a result of the compression of the nerve endings.This leads to spasming arteries that increase the brain bloody and increase the pressure in the system of the central nervous system.The result is a pronounced feeling of headache.

Characteristics of headaches in this case are a boring character and a feeling of pulsation.Sometimes pain can manifest with attacks and sometimes has a constant character.The pain parameters for osteochondrosis are similar to the characteristics of it with high blood pressure, angina pectoris.The differences in the headache in cardiological pathology is that it is accompanied by chest pain, cardiac arrhythm, changes in the EKG.Therefore, only a doctor can ultimately determine the cause of the pain.

Pain syndrome of different localization

In addition to headaches, the patient is often concerned about the pain on the neck.This is called cervix and a complication of osteochondrosis.Painful sensations can radiate to the upper limb.The patients find that after awakening, pain in their hands occurs against the background of sudden movements.After a short break, painful sensations are done alone.

The characteristic features of pain syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis are listed below:

• Unpleasant sensations are localized in deep neck tissue;
• The headlamps are often accompanied by pain and crunches.
• There is muscle weakness, deafness and cooling of the hands.

Most of the time, the neck osteochondrosis affects two lower vertebrae - 6 and 7. This method is recommended for a small self -diagnosis.It is necessary to pay attention to the combination of pain in the neck and fingers of the hand.Mostly, if the 6th vertebrae is affected, the pain will be felt in the thumb and changes in the 7th vertebrae are accompanied by symptoms in the middle finger.

Changes in blood pressure

Such a symptom occurs when nerve ends and blood vessels are influenced by vertebral changes.How can you distinguish this phenomenon of high blood pressure?First, high blood pressure for cervical osteochondrosis is not constant and has its own jumps within a day.

Osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes:

• Vertebrae.It is also referred to as vertebrae, which indicates that bones and cartilage tissue are involved in the pathological process.This leads to the formation of such symptoms: restriction of the motor activity of the neck, pain in its curves, radiological changes in the image of the cervical spine.It is the simultaneous appearance of these characters that is a vertebral syndrome.
• Vertebral artery syndrome.It appears when the vascular rays are involved in the process that are responsible for the blood supply to the tissue of the central nervous system.The symptoms suggest that the brain tissue has stopped getting an appropriate amount of nutrients.How do I recognize this syndrome?The first signs are dizziness, a feeling of noise in the ears, the differences in blood pressure, the appearance of a "veil" in front of the eyes.This indicates that one of the vertebrates is in a strangled state.Each ship has its own nerve end.If you press those who inner the vertebral artery - migraines, deafness, short -term reduction in eyesight on the one hand.As a result, changes in the ship lead to the brain needs oxygen.At this point, a person feels drowsiness, short -term violations of consciousness, loses attention and control, looks worse and remembers information.In such a clinical image, it is necessary to distinguish cervical osteochondrosis with atherosclerosis of the vertebrae arteries and to press the tumor or inflammation.
• Cardial syndrome.It manifests itself by burning the chest area, the appearance of shortness of breath.A person feels his frequent heartbeat, becomes tired and irritated.This picture is also characteristic of cardiological pathology, for example for angina pectoris, coronary syndrome, a heart attack.The exact conclusion about the causes of such symptoms can be drawn after the patient's passage.
• Rook syndrome.The cervix department innovates 8 pairs of nerve, each of which has roots - the nerveplace from the vertebrae.If you are involved in osteochondrosis, the patient is a decrease in sensitivity or vice versa - severe pain.There can be numbness whether its pain, a decrease in the sensitivity of the tongue, the freezer area, pain in the supraclinking region can be observed.Sometimes there are disorders of swallowing, movements in the belt of the upper extremity, numbness of the fingers.

The causes of cervical osteochondrosis

The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is the improper distribution of the load on the spine.The reasons can be different - one person can wear a bag or weight in one hand, take a wrong pose if it sits or sleeps on an uneven surface.It increases the cargo and a high pillow and shoes that do not correspond to the anatomical characteristics of the foot.Such reasons may seem insignificant, but have a long time and therefore lead to a logical consequence in the form of osteochondrosis.

Among the risk factors that increase the possibility of occurring the disease:

• low physical activity;
• increased body weight;
• Transmitted spine injuries;
• Violation of the attitude or pathology of the foot;
• Reduced blood supply to the cervical spine.

All of this means that the wrong position of the vertebrae is formed.The weight is not evenly distributed to all sections of the cervix region, and some of its departments bear heavy loads.The answer is a change in the tissue.

The situation can be worse into one or the other degree:

1. Suffered serious illnesses or injuries that led to an exhausted state of health;
2. Frequent loads;
3. Violation of the metabolism in the body, reduced consumption of trace elements, their increased consumption or lack of absorption in the intestine;
4. Occupational diseases (especially vibration diseases);
5. Hereditary tendency towards osteochondrosis;
6. Scoliosis and other diseases of the movement apparatus system;
7. Violation of the drinking regime;
8. Nutrition with low quality and bad habits;
9. Pregnancy.

As you can see, there is not a single cause of osteochondrosis.There are only a number of factors that can provoke it.Here, too, the same reason has an impact on different people in different ways.The state of health, the duration, intensity and number of risk factors, background pathologies and the way of life play a role.

Modern treatment methods

The patient must change the way of life before therapy bond.For this it is necessary to change the load that the cervix department experiences.It is necessary to monitor the quality of the diet, to assign the necessary time for sleep and calm to pay attention to stress.If the body has a background pathology that worsens the course of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to undergo and eliminate a treatment course.The selection of the treatment method depends on the stage of osteochondrosis and the patient's borehole.

Treatment can be:

• Not -drug;
• Medicines;
• Surgical.

Folk methods and rehabilitation measures are also separate.

Treatment treatment methods are not used in the use of therapeutic exercises, special simulators or devices, manual therapy as well as physiotherapeutic methods.The right purpose is facilitated by improving blood supply in the vertebrae or slowing down the ossification process.

When manual therapy or massage, contact a doctor about your practicality.Do not assign these methods independently.In some stages of osteochondrosis, the massage can only damage and lead to long immobilization.If manual therapy is carried out according to information, it can relieve symptoms and improve the patient's borehole.

The following are used from physiotherapy techniques with cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Magnetotherapy;
2. Therapeutic baths;
3. Therapeutic shower;
4. Dirt;
5. Electrophoresis.

The use of medicinal products is displayed when the situation deteriorates.Many of them eliminate inflammation and sharp pain, improve the blood supply to tissues, restore cartilage structures and ensure joint mobility.This is a comprehensive approach to causes and symptoms and no one -sided solution to the problem.After correctly selected medication, the patient gets the opportunity to move his neck again, stop experiencing irritation, deteriorated the mood, back to normal work and sleep.

Consider groups of medicines used for cervical osteochondrosis:

Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medication

They are used to reduce inflammatory phenomena in the tissues, to eliminate pain and to relieve the roots and blood vessels.With minor symptoms, ointments and gels are used, more intensive pain syndrome is stopped by tablet forms.The administration of injections is prescribed with severe pain intensity and its sharp occurrence.

You can have other trade names, but the active substance remains unchanged.The patient should take medication with the course, only after the doctor's approval is approved.Please note that these funds have to be taken after eating because you can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach intestine tract.

Vasodilators

Their function is the expansion of the vessels that are narrowed against the background of osteochondrosis.Medicines - Pentoxifillin, Actovegin, Berlithion.These drugs alleviate the syndrome of vertebral artery and improve blood flow to the vertebrae and the patient's borehole.It is necessary to monitor the lack of contraindications for these substances in the patient and their tolerability with other medication that a person occupies.

Muscle relaxants

The purpose of this group is a decrease in the cramp of the neck muscles.This accelerates and optimizes the treatment process because the muscle tension on the ships and nerve endings affect.The regular intake normalizes the sound of blood vessels and reduces the feeling of pain.

Chondroprotectors

Take in to improve the condition of the cartilage elements of the spine and to protect your structure from destruction.A long reception of these substances is required, otherwise you will not have the right action.Patients may not like that the effect will only be used after 6 months.However, when this effect is achieved, it will be persistent and the clinical image will significantly improve.

Sedative

They are used as an auxiliary substance to eliminate depressive manifestations and stress.In mild cases, Valerian, maternity, mint and lemon balm are used.As depression progresses, more serious substances are required.They improve sleep and mood and help the patient coordinate effective treatment.

Vitamins

The reception of group B. Vitamins can be recommended by food - this path to the introduction of vitamins is the most physiological and does not bear any special burden on the liver.If a vitamin deficiency is observed, vitamin complexes and medicines can be used.This will improve sensitivity and innovation and accelerate the process of tissue control.

Since the treatment process is extended and the effect gradually teaches, all phases of taking medication are important.Make sure that the medication is kept in the right place, as stated on the package.If you are written on the box, you have to keep medication in a dark or cool place - do it, otherwise the medication will lose its properties.Observe the duration of the course and the frequency of the application - some substances have accumulated in the body and only then have the right effect.

If the introductory path is injectable, the procedure should be carried out by medical staff or a trained person, since the correct introduction increases efficiency.Tabblet forms must be accepted according to meals that are washed off with water.Pay attention to this moment because other liquids are not suitable for it.The combination of grapefruit juice and medication is particularly dangerous - enzymes contained in this fruit slow down the liver function and reduce the delivery of medicinal products to the tissue.

Surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

This method is used when the cervical osteochondrosis led to a narrowing of the lumen of the spine.This can be done as a result of a hernia or an advantage of the hard drive.The narrowing of the canal is accompanied by a significant stenosis of the vessels and compression of the nerve rays.If an isolated hernia of the intervertebral discs is observed, this is also an indication of surgical intervention.The operation is required for spondylolistz - a displacement of the vertebrae from the axis.In addition to these signs, the doctor pays attention to the quality of the patient's life, his condition, the severity of the symptoms.

Types of surgical interventions:

• Supported Spondylodeza.The essence is to remove the damaged disc and to replace it with a movable connection, a prosthesis that performs the function of a long -distance structure.
• Dynamic stabilization of the spine.A silicone implant is inserted between the spinning processes along the spine, which correctly distributes the load and stabilizes the vertebrae;
• Vaporizing the disc core with a laser beam.This is a modern technology that shows good results.The laser influences the disc core, reduces its size and eliminates the hernia.The intervention is atravmatic, it can be carried out under local anesthesia.However, a number of information for such manipulation is limited, but it can only be made at this time.If a hernia size is not more than 6 mm.This again focuses on why the early search for a doctor and a timely diagnosis is useful.

Surgical interventions take place in a hospital.Depending on the complexity of the treatment, the duration of the postoperative period and rehabilitation differs.By carrying out surgical interventions, an additional complex of medicinal products - medication for the production of the patient, analgesics and antibacterial therapy for preventing septic complications.

Diagnosis

The beginning of the diagnosis is the beginning of the patient's address to the doctor and the listing of the symptoms.The doctor listens to the patient's symptoms, describes them and forms them from symptoms of syndromes.In addition, the specialist needs details about clinical manifestations: the time of occurrence as to whether the treatment methods were used and what influence the type of pain that periods have been used with increased pressure and more.In important information you will find information about an unpleasant position during sleep, work, bad habits and background diseases.All of this is clear during the conversation.

X -Ray is carried out in direct and lateral projections.A functional radiological examination is carried out at the same time as the rotation of the neck.The contrast of the spine canal is used to better visualize the affected areas.The contrast can be inserted into the vessel or the pane itself, depending on which method is called angiography or discography.In the picture you can see tissue seals, calcification deposits, postponement of the spine structures.

As for magnetic resonance imaging, this is the most informative method that is also painless and fast.The doctor can see damage and determine the severity of the process.Scans of tomography helps the surgeon to prepare for the operation, determine the hernia, changes in the nerve ending and blood vessels.

The MRI is carried out in the absence of contraindications that are metal objects in the body, claustrophobia.Pregnancy.

Computer tomography also provides an exact diagnostic image.The study does not take much time - about 10 minutes and does not require any special preparation.The radiation exposure in this study is low, which makes tomography safe for health.Contraindications - pregnancy and lactation, age of the children.

In addition to methods with which you can visualize the pathological process, additional diagnostic manipulations must be used.

This includes an ultrasound examination of the vessels of head and neck.Indications for diagnosis are dizziness, headache and pressure waste.The specialist determines the continuousness of blood vessels and the state of blood flow.In this case, the most informative method is a duplex scanning of blood vessels.

prevention

As you can see, cervical osteochondrosis has a diverse clinic, many syndromes and requires a serious approach to both diagnosis and treatment.If you pay attention to your sensations, listen to the body and react to its signals, early diagnosis is possible.In the first stages of the disease, treatment has a high effect.

To do this, contact a profile specialist and go through the necessary research methods.A high and timely treatment avoids complications, improves well -being and the quality of life, eliminates depression and normalizes sleep.Put positively and you can feel freedom of movement again.