Among all the pathological processes that affect the spine in its various parts, cervical osteochondrosis is considered one of the most common and painful.This disease leads to many complications, mainly because it affects the spinal cord and also adversely affects the functioning of the brain.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
The words of cervical osteochondrosis in medical practice mean an acquired progressive disease that affects the specific spine.This pathological process is characterized by degenerative dystrophic processes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs, which are shock absorbers for the cervix of the cervical vertebrae.Degenerative dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs are due to the fact that they have been erased and deformed.As a result, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced and as a result, the following consequences arise:
- Narrowing of the spinal canal in certain areas of the spine.
- Passing of the spinal arteries - large blood vessels that provide blood supply to the brain.Therefore, the delivery of the brain worsens and blood circulation in the spinal cord of the cervix is impaired.
- Intervertebral discs can be deformed and flattened.This leads to the drainage of individual areas of the spinal cord and nerves, more often the nerve roots are squeezed.
All these problems threaten not only a disorder of the blood circulation of the brain, painful sensations in the neck, headache and more.The development of osteochondrosis of the cervical region is dangerous with problems of neurological nature, worsening of the central nervous system, damage to the brain tissue.According to the international classification of diseases, osteochondrosis of the cervical region has been appointed to several separate codes.The ICB 10 disease code depends on the age of the disease: The disease is diagnosed:
- M02 - dystrophy of intervertebral discs in adolescence.
- M42.12 is a dystrophic process in the neck in adults.
Many factors depend on the age of the patient and the degree of development of the pathological process, for example, consequences, complications, symptoms and, of course, the principles of treatment.
Reasons
Knowledge of the causes of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical region can play a decisive role in the diagnosis process, as well as determine the principles of combating disease.However, before you list the reasons, it is worth saying that doctors distinguish two factors that lead to the development of this pathological process:
- Pathological - the destruction of the intervertebral discs and other vertebrates with the participation of nearby tissues, blood vessels and nerve rays in the pathological process under the influence of adverse external factors.The more difficult these factors and other pathologies, the more the disease develops.
- Physiological - based on the development of pathology, mainly age -related changes.We are talking about the natural aging of cartilage tissues in the spine, salts, etc.
If we list more specific causes of cervical osteochondrosis, they are as follows:
- Disruption of metabolic processes in the body, as well as certain stages of obesity.
- Hypodynamia is a phenomenon characterized by limiting mobility.It is not just about injuries or illnesses, it can also include a sedentary lifestyle and sitting work.
- Pathologies of the cardiovascular system, contributing to impaired blood circulation in the brain, changes in pressure and other things.
- Improper posture, these are different forms of scoliosis, rheumatism and even flat feet.
- Injection of the cervical spine.In this case, we are talking about sprains, blows, bruises.Studies of another spine in the development of cervical osteochondrosis can affect the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Excessive exercise on the cervical region caused by intense sports or severe physical difficult, depending on the type of human activity.
- A sedentary lifestyle is also dangerous with constant tension of the cervical spine and the entire spine if you sit incorrect or uncomfortable furniture.
- Hernia of the cervical spine, as well as various related diseases.
- Forced long -term head holding in an uncomfortable or unnatural position.In this case, not only occurs muscle surge, but also the spine is also curved in the cervical region.
- Doctors consider constant stress and nervous overvoltage a very common cause.
- One of the reasons is also considered congenital abnormalities in the structure of the spine.
What is the health hazard?
As mentioned earlier, in the cervical spine are located not only the spinal cord and various nerve branches, but also the spinal arteries that deliver the back of the brain, cerebellum and the medullav brain.With the development of cervical osteochondrosis, tissues are inflamed nearby.In addition, the development of the pathology threatens to remove the roots of the nerves and transmit blood vessels, the consequences are as follows:
- Osteochondrosis is accompanied by deformities of the spine, a consequence of which the cerebrospinal canal narrows in certain areas.This can lead to a spinal cord and nerve branches, which promises severe neurological problems.In severe cases, one experiences pain, even having a loss of control over the individual parts of the body (mainly in the arm or face).
- The leakage of the vessels of the neck, as already mentioned, is accompanied by a disorder of the circulation in the back of the brain.At the same time, the brain ceases to receive oxygen and nutrients in the required amounts, with oxygen starvation begins.In blood disorders, there is a real risk of ischemic stroke and various neurological pathologies.
Syndromes
The main syndromes are:
- Vertebrae.
- Spinal artery.
- Korean.
- Heart.
It is important to know that each of these symptoms is accompanied by painful sensations of different nature, as well as very adverse clinical signs.One can feel dizzy, noise appears in his ears and much more.
Vertebrae syndrome
He talks about the direct connection of osteochondrosis of the cervical region with bones and cartilage tissues.Symptoms in this type of pathology are also related to the lesion of the mentioned tissues:
- Neck movements are partially or completely restricted.
- The movements of the head are accompanied by neck pain.
- X -ray shows morphological changes in the tissues (intervertebrals and in the body of the vertebrae).
It is worth noting that vertebrae syndrome is always accompanied by these three clinical traits.If at least 1 of them are absent, the diagnosis will be completely different.
Rook syndrome
It occurs when the roots of the spinal cord are damaged.At the same time, the nerve conductivity is disturbed, one may feel pain or lose the sensitivity of the individual parts of the body or even suffer from paralysis.Depending on which of the 8 Radicular couples, there is a violation of conductivity, such symptoms differ:
- 1 pair - numbness or pain in the back of the head;
- 3 pair - violation of the reflex of chewing, tingling of the tongue and unpleasant sensations behind the ears;
- 4 pair - clavicle pain, impaired swallowing reflex;
- 5 pair - shoulder girdle disorders, accompanied by the problem of hand movement;
- 6 pair - the patient begins to experience pain and numbness in the forearm and shoulder blades;
- 7 pair - arms and fingers tingle (often index and medium);
- 8 pairs - problems similar to the past element, but the tingling is felt in the ring and the little finger.
Carden syndrome
Despite the fact that the pathological process is still located in the cervical spine, the syndrome has all signs of cardiac pathologies.The clinical picture is the following:
- A quick pulse.
- Pain in the area of the sternum.
- Shortness of breath, weakness, lethargy, reduction of productivity.
Signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
For timely search for a doctor, it is necessary to clearly understand the signs of cervical osteochondrosis.In some cases, such knowledge allows you to seek help in the initial stages of the disease when it is easier to treat.In general, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are as follows:
- Osteochondrosis pain is always present, only intensity and frequency differ.Pain is the first clinical sign.Their intensity depends on the stage of progression of the disease, in nature they are stupid or pressing.The painful sensations are mainly present in the neck of the dorsal area, but can also be radiated to the temporal region, shoulder girdle and hands.
- In most cases, there are manifestations of the lesion of the vestibular apparatus.We are talking about frequent causation -subsequent dizziness, nausea, impaired movement coordination, uneven gait, loss in space.
- One of the most common clinical signs is the hardness of the neck muscles and the stiffness of movement.It is difficult for a person to turn, decrease and throw away his head, the movements respond with attacks of pain.
- Many patients note the feeling that Goosebumps is felt "pass through the scalp" or a characteristic tingling.
- There is muscle weakness and numbness in the arms area.
- There are often psychological manifestations expressed in depression, drowsiness, a sudden change in mood, temper or irritability.
- Due to the impaired blood circulation and damage to the brain tissue, the dizziness increases and the noise in the ears, similar to rustling, pulsation, ringing, occurs.
- Most patients report visual impairment, as well as eyeball pain, especially when trying to mow their eyes to the left, right, up or down.
It is sometimes possible to determine the degree of development of the pathological process through symptoms.However, for complete diagnosis of this, this is not yet sufficient and a number of diagnostic measures are needed.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is necessary to determine the location and stage of progression of the disease.Complete diagnosis requires such diagnostic methods:
- X -ray - the main method that allows you to determine the degree and location of the deformity of the spine.
- You can use computed tomography for more accurate diagnosis of pathological changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
- MRI (magneticorezonance) - allows to study the wheels and vertebrae in detail, to determine the presence of hernia, protrusions and scale of the lesions of the others.
- Dopplerography - At the same time, the study becomes an opportunity to find a place to squeeze the artery, to evaluate the degree of blood disorders.
Methods of treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck always implies an integrated approach.The principles of treatment depend on the mass of the factors, such as the age of the patient, the stage of development of the disease, the brightness of the clinical picture, etc.Nevertheless, you cannot do without a doctor in this situation and first of all you can consult a therapist who will then refer you to a vertebologist.As for the integrated approach: osteochondrosis of cervical osteochondrosis is treated with the help of drug therapy, physiotherapy, massages, exercises and other methods that need to be discussed in more detail.
Medication
The basis for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is drug therapy, which includes the use of tablets, medicines and medicines in such groups:
- Anesthetics - analgesics and antispasmodics.Former direct nerve centers, thus stop the painful sensations.The latter allows you to relieve the spasm of the neck muscles, establishing blood flow and inhibiting pain.
- NSAIDs -No -Rosalidal anti -inflammatory drugs are necessary to reduce the inflammatory process, most of them also eliminate pain.Often these drugs are used in the form of gels, ointments that are rubbed in the affected area.
- Missorelaxes are another way to eliminate muscle spasm in the cervical region.
- Chondroprotectors are mandatory at certain stages of CHOP osteochondrosis as they contribute to the repair of bone tissue.
- In vitamins - normalize the metabolic processes of nerve tissues, improving the conductivity of nerve impulses and contributing to the functioning of the central nervous system.
Remember that treatment should only be performed under the supervision of a doctor who is responsible for the appointment of each medicine, as well as for determining the duration of its administration and dosage.
Physiotherapy
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck will be many times more effective, using some physiotherapy techniques:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser therapy.
- Ultrasound.
- Massage.
Massage therapy is necessarily performed by an experienced health worker, treatment is performed with a course of at least 10 sessions.Massages of the cervical region help to normalize blood circulation, restore elasticity, muscle tone, relieve pain, etc.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is based on the principle of restoration of motor functions and mobility between the vertebrae.Initially, the manipulations are in a slight relaxing massage, then the doctor attaches more and more power, acts on the vertebrae of pressure and turns of the neck.
The use of Kuznetsov applicators is one of the methods of spinal disease therapy, including osteochondrosis.The effect of adaptation to the cervical region normalizes metabolic processes, relieves pain, increases muscle tone, improves blood circulation, increases the conductivity of nerve tissue, etc.To prevent osteochondrosis, it is useful to switch on and hang on the horizontal strip for 2-3 minutes each day.