According to medical statistics, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in recent years is a fairly common disease. Every person at least once in his whole life has encountered its unpleasant symptoms.
The disease itself is a malfunction of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. After all, it is on this part of the human spine that the maximum static load occurs.
There are 7 discs in the cervical region. Due to its weak muscles and constant load on them, various injuries and interruptions in work can occur. All these factors lead to the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
type of disease
Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that may not manifest itself for a long time. The development of this disease consists of several stages:
- cervical osteochondrosis of the first degree (manifested by precancerous disorders of the spine);
- cervical osteochondrosis of the second degree (the distance between the discs of the cervical spine begins to decrease);
- cervical osteochondrosis of the third degree (there is a complete destruction of the ring of the intervertebral discs and severe deformation of the entire spine begins);
- Cervical osteochondrosis of the 4th degree (the last stage of disease progression, which can lead to disability).
Causes of disease onset and development
Like any other disease, cervical osteochondrosis has its own causes and developmental factors. Until a few decades ago, only the elderly were vulnerable to the disease. In addition, osteochondrosis of the neck struck men after the age of 40 whoEngaged in heavy physical labor.
Nowadays, osteochondrosis of the neck is increasingly common, affecting young people over 20 years old. There are several reasons for the development of diseases of the cervical and thoracic spine:
- existing excess weight;
- incorrect posture and, as a result, curvature of the spine of 1 or 2 degrees;
- hard physical labor or professional sports, which led to various spinal injuries;
- Causes causing stress and severe emotional stress;
- weak muscles of the cervical region;
- abrupt cessation of sports after prolonged training;
- Work involving sitting at a computer or staying in one position for a long time.
If you find yourself with the listed reasons, then you are in the so-called risk group. In this case, it is necessary to prevent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
manifestation of disease
With osteochondrosis of the 1st degree, a person practically does not feel any symptoms of the developing disease. Only the initial pinching of the neck muscles begins.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the second degree usually manifests itself as minor pain that can occur in the cervical and thoracic segment. This is due to the pinching of nerve endings due to a decrease in the distance between the discs of the spine.
Grades 3 and 4 of the disease can go unnoticed. In this case, the deformity of the spine may be noticeable with the naked eye, not to mention the sensations that a person experiences.
The main and more common symptoms of this disease include:
- severe persistent headache;
- ringing in the head;
- impaired movement and coordination;
- deterioration in vision and dental health;
- Cerebrovascular accident, insomnia and various neurological problems.
At 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th degree of disease the pain may radiate to the shoulder joint and the arm area. A feature of this symptom, which distinguishes it from other diseases, is that the discomfort is caused by the position of the neck and the turning of the head. Transforms your strength and concentration on the basis of
disease syndrome
All the symptoms that appear in osteochondrosis can be misdiagnosed and, as a result, misdiagnosis is possible. Therefore, along with the existing symptoms, it is necessary to find out all the reasons for their manifestation. Thus, medicine treats many syndromes. Knows that distinguishes between the causes of their origin:
radicular syndrome
In this case the nerves are pinched and the person feels pain and numbness in one part of the neck. Unpleasant sensations can radiate to the back, to the area of the scapula, as well as to the arm;
irritant reflex syndrome
Manifested by severe, unbearable pain in the back of the head, which radiates throughout the neck. Most often this is accompanied by a sharp movement or turning of the head;
vertebral artery syndrome
In this case, the name speaks for itself. There is a prick in the artery and the person experiences a sharp throbbing headache, which may result in loss of consciousness or vomiting;
cardiac syndrome
Manifested by increased heart rate, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Often, in this case, an incorrect diagnosis is made and treatment of angina pectoris begins.
treatment
With osteochondrosis, a person is always shown immediate treatment. Their tactics are selected depending on the degree of the disease. So, on the 1st or 2nd degree, full recovery after therapy is possible. In the later stages, of medical improvement. The aim is usually to prevent complications as well as improve quality of life.
first aid
What to do at the first signs of the disease? First you need to get relief from the pain of the cervicothoracic region. To do this, you need to take a regular analgesic, lie down or just rest.
The next step is to visit the doctor for the correct diagnosis and proper treatment.
conservative treatment
With confirmed osteochondrosis, conservative treatment is usually prescribed. The patient is shown taking anti-inflammatory, analgesic drugs. It is possible to use various gels or ointments to relieve swelling and inflammation. In addition, the doctor massages, may prescribe a course of therapeutic exercises. Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is prescribed in almost all cases.
Surgery
In rare cases, with severely advanced osteochondrosis, it is possible to perform an operation. In this case, the patient is put into a sleeping position with the help of general anesthesia, followed by removal of bone formations between the discs of the cervicothoracic spine. After manipulation, the patient is shown further conservative treatment or physiotherapy.
Preventive Measures
Due to the age reduction of the occurrence of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, it is necessary for each person to carry out its prevention. This is especially true for those who are at risk.
important rule
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis includes the following simple but very important rules:
- Watch your posture, don't let it bend;
- do not expose the spine to heavy loads;
- You cannot make sudden head movements;
- Do not panic, avoid stress;
- Don't catch a cold, don't get too cold;
- Get rid of bad habits, switch to proper nutrition.
special exercises
To protect yourself from such a disease, you need to perform preventive exercises:
- put your palm on your forehead, tighten your neck muscles, then move your hand behind your head and repeat the exercise, you need to do it for 7 seconds in 3 sets;
- put your palm to your temple, then also tighten your neck muscles, repeat the same action on the other hand, timing, number of approaches is the same as in the first paragraph;
- take your head back, then slowly bring your chin to the chest area, you need to do the exercise 3 times;
- turn your head in different directions - you need to do this exercise slowly, without sudden movements;
- Tilt your head back, first touching one shoulder with your ear, then the other, repeat the exercise 5 times.
If one or more symptoms of the disease appear, contact your doctor immediately. Perhaps you will be prescribed only physiotherapy and this will be the end of it. Do not delay, do not start the disease.
Do your daily gymnastics. It is better to do elementary exercises than to suffer from illness later.
For cervical osteochondrosis ask your doctor how to sleep. Follow all the rules, be healthy!