Just 30 years ago, osteochondrosis was associated only with elderly people whose joints were immobile and painful with every movement.However, times have changed.Today, more and more people replace heavy physical labor with sedentary work at the computer, pay less and less attention to the quality of their diet, and more and more often face osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.It is not for nothing that osteochondrosis is called the "disease of the century", and almost every person who has reached the age of 25 experiences the symptoms of this disease.
This insidious disease, which begins with unpleasant pains in the neck, very quickly leads to serious consequences in the form of impaired hearing and vision, as well as deterioration of memory up to complete loss.Therefore, every person should know the causes of osteochondrosis and should immediately consult a doctor if unpleasant symptoms of the disease appear.We will talk about them in this article.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Paradoxically, all our problems with the cervical spine begin in early childhood, more precisely in elementary school, when the child's posture deteriorates and scoliosis develops.It is at this moment that the system of supporting the head by the spine, especially its thinnest and most sensitive part - the cervical part, is disturbed.The second main factor of cervical osteochondrosis occurring in early childhood is insufficient physical training, especially the weakness of the spinal muscles and muscle corset designed to support the spine.
These are the two most important causes of the disease.All the rest put a heavy burden on the weakened spine, causing the development of the disease in quite young and healthy people.First of all, they include a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, especially work that involves staying in one position for a long time.This is most typical for drivers and office workers who spend their shifts behind a computer.All this is supplemented by excess body weight, which seriously increases the load on the spine.
Other causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine include:
- previous spinal injuries;
- metabolic disorders;
- hereditary tendency;
- great physical activity;
- constant nervous tension and stress;
- developmental anomalies of the cervical spine;
- bad habits (holding the phone by your ear and shoulder).
Developmental process of osteochondrosis
The listed adverse factors ultimately lead to an increased load on the cervical spine.When trying to compensate for the excessive load on the neck muscles, their spasm occurs, which causes blood circulation in this area and a decrease in metabolic processes.All this results in the development of degenerative processes in the spine.First of all, the vertebrae begin to thin and move closer together, compressing their contents (fibrous ring) outside the spine.In medicine, such a protrusion is called a protrusion.
In the case of a protrusion, the annulus fibrosus still retains its integrity, but the protrusion is already compressing the blood vessels and nerves that run along the spinal column and supply the brain.Moreover, the converging and deformed vertebra begins to compress the roots of peripheral nerves, which leads to the development of a disease called "radicular syndrome", which manifests itself as severe pain in the back and neck.If you do not identify the problem (it will be marked by unpleasant symptoms) and do not start treating osteochondrosis, the fibrous ring will break and a vertebral hernia will appear.At this time, there will be serious problems related to brain nutrition.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In its development, the disease goes through several stages, each of which has characteristic signs and symptoms.It should be noted here that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differs from degenerative changes occurring in other parts of the spine.The distances between the vertebrae here are minimal, and therefore even small degenerative changes cause unpleasant symptoms and cause various complications.
Grade I osteochondrosisThis is the preclinical stage of the disease, when the patient feels slight pain and discomfort when turning the head, as well as tension and fatigue in the neck and back when staying in one position for a long time (usually sitting).At this stage, osteochondrosis can be perfectly treated by changing lifestyle, correcting nutrition and regular exercise.
Grade II osteochondrosisAt this stage, instability occurs between the vertebrae in the neck.In this case, a person experiences severe pain that spreads to the shoulder, neck or arm.When bending or turning the head, the pain intensifies significantly, because the nerve endings begin to be compressed due to the decrease in the distance between the vertebrae.The patient begins to get tired quickly, his performance decreases, he is distracted, he becomes forgetful, he suffers from headaches.
Grade III osteochondrosisWith the onset of the third stage of the disease, pains in the back and neck become stronger, the mobility of the neck is significantly reduced, and when the neck is turned, a creaking of the vertebrae is heard.At night, the patient's fingers begin to go numb (primarily the little finger and the ring finger), so the person wakes up several times at night.During the day, such patients feel an unpleasant heaviness in their hands.And even a short conversation on the phone, during which a person is forced to hold the mobile phone close to the ear, results in unpleasant tingling and numbness in the fingers.All this indicates an increased protrusion and, possibly, the appearance of a hernia in the cervical spine.
IV grade osteochondrosisAt the final stage of the disease, the vertebral discs, which stop performing their functions and begin to be replaced by connective tissue, are destroyed.A patient in this condition may experience poor coordination of movement, noise and crazy pulsation in the ears, increased headaches, reduced visual acuity and hearing.In some cases, numbness of the tongue may occur.
It should be said here that blood flow to the brain is disturbed due to compression of blood vessels.For this reason, the patient develops neurotic disorders such as insomnia, nervousness, irritability and resentment, frequent mood swings and inability to concentrate.Periodically, outbursts of anger or fear may occur, melancholy and depression may occur.
In the later stages of the development of osteochondrosis, severe vascular spasms can result in the appearance of "floaters" in front of the eyes, a feeling of instability on a hard, flat surface, severe dizziness, migraine, nausea, vomiting and often fainting.
Diagnosis of the disease
To determine the cause of the pathology, the patient describes the unpleasant symptoms of his condition to the doctor.After listening to the patient, the specialist sends him to one of the following research methods.
Radiography.Currently, this diagnostic method is considered uninformative, especially in the final stages of the disease.Ultrasound duplex scan.This method is used in cases where a specialist suspects a violation of blood flow in the vessels that supply the brain with nutrients.The study shows the speed of blood flow and determines whether there are any obstacles in its path.CT (computed tomography).This method is more informative than radiography, because it not only identifies the problem, but also allows you to determine the presence and size of hernias, albeit with difficulty.MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).Today, it is the most informative method for diagnosing osteochondrosis, which allows distinguishing bone structures, the presence of tears and even their direction of development.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Let's say right away that you need to contact a neurologist to deal with such a serious problem as osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.True, if there is a vertebrologist in the clinic, it is better to contact him first.
Osteochondrosis can only be treated comprehensively.The complex of methods used includes drug treatment, massage of the neck area, exercise therapy, physiotherapeutic methods, as well as proper nutrition.Only the combination of all these methods will help to overcome the disease and normalize the patient's well-being.
Help with severe pain
In case of severe pain, doctors recommend taking drugs such as Analgin, Baralgin or Tempalgin.When these drugs stop bringing relief, you can switch to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ketanov, Ketorolac, Nise and Diclofenac gels).
In a general sense, drug treatment includes the following:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).These remedies relieve pain, relieve swelling and fight inflammation of the nerve roots.
- Chondroprotectors.Such drugs perfectly restore the damaged cartilage tissue.
- B vitamins.They are necessary to improve metabolic processes in nerve tissues.
- Muscle relaxants.The action of these drugs is aimed at reducing muscle spasms.
- Medicines that improve the rheological properties of blood.Thanks to such means, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve endings improves.
It should be noted here that achieving a noticeable effect in the fight against osteochondrosis with the help of ointments and tablets is possible only if drug treatment is combined with other methods of therapy.Otherwise, the drugs will only have a temporary effect.
Many specialists tend to treat osteochondrosis with injections in order to quickly affect the nerve endings and save the patient from possible side effects when taking pills.However, it is better to take vitamins orally because... Vitamins are well absorbed by the body no matter how they are taken, but injections with them can be painful.
Physiotherapy treatments
Drug treatment should be combined with physiotherapeutic therapy methods.The most effective for this disease:
- Electrophoresis (with drugs).In this case, drugs penetrate the damaged vertebra under the influence of electric current.As a rule, electrophoresis is performed with Eufillin to improve blood flow or with Novocaine to reduce pain.
- Ultrasound.This method of exposure allows to eliminate the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve metabolic processes in tissues.
- Magnetotherapy.This type of physiotherapy removes swelling and relieves pain.
- Laser therapy.This is an excellent way to fight inflammatory processes, which improves blood circulation.
Diet for osteochondrosis
The restoration of affected vertebrae includes a special diet that normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents the deposition of salts, nourishes and restores cartilage tissue, and also strengthens the bonds between the vertebral discs.
To achieve this, first of all, the following should be excluded from the patient's diet:
- alcoholic beverages;
- fatty and fried foods;
- spicy and very salty foods;
- strong broths;
- weaknesses and baking;
- strong tea and coffee;
- pickles and marinades;
- canned goods.
The diet of a patient with osteochondrosis should include the following foods:
- lean meat and fish;
- low-fat milk, cottage cheese and kefir;
- butter (a small amount);
- whole grain porridges and soups;
- jellied meat, jellied fish or meat;
- vegetables, fruits and berries;
- juices, fruit drinks, jellies and compotes.
When osteochondrosis is localized in the cervical region, it is important to follow the drinking regime, drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day.If you are overweight, then you need to think about how to get rid of extra pounds that put extra stress on the spine.It is recommended to eat 5 times a day in small portions.
At the same time, as can be seen from the list of foods allowed for consumption, the basis of nutrition should be low-fat vegetarian soups, boiled lean meat, fish, seafood, sugar-free vegetables and fruits.
A sample menu for the day looks like this:
- breakfast: cottage cheese, a few apples, unsweetened tea;
- lunch: baked pear, some oatmeal cookies;
- lunch: vegetarian borscht, boiled chicken with vegetable salad;
- afternoon snack: dry cookies and juice;
- dinner: fish cooked with vegetables and unsweetened tea.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Physical education gives amazing results in the treatment of osteochondrosis, although during the recovery period you can only do gymnastics for the cervical spine.It is important here that the patient does not feel discomfort or pain during massage or gymnastics.
Health to you!