Even about 30 years ago, osteochondrosis was exclusively associated with older people, whose joints become inactive and ache with every movement. However, times have changed. Today, more and more people are exchanging hard physical work for sedentary computer work, controlling the quality of nutrition less and less, and more and more facing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Not surprisingly, osteochondrosis is called "the disease of the century", and almost everyone who has reached the age of 25 encounters the symptoms of this disease.
This insidious disease, which begins with an unpleasant pain in the neck area, very quickly leads to serious consequences in the form of hearing and visual impairment, as well as memory impairment up to its complete loss. That is why all people should know the causes of osteochondrosis and consult a doctor in a timely manner in case of unpleasant symptoms of the disease. We will talk about them in this article.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Paradoxically, all of our problems with the cervical spine begin in early childhood, or rather in elementary school, where the child's posture deteriorates and scoliosis develops. It is at this time that the system for supporting the head with the spinal column is affected, in particular, by its thinnest and most vulnerable part: the cervical. The second key factor in cervical osteochondrosis, which originates in early childhood, is insufficient physical condition, in particular, weakness of the spinal muscles and the so-called muscular corset designed to support the spine.
These are the two most important causes of the disease. Everything else is heavy loads on the weakened spine, which provokes the development of the disease in quite young and healthy people. First of all, these include a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, in particular work, which is associated with a long stay in one position. This is more typical for drivers and office workers who sit at the computer during the shift. All this is complemented by being overweight, which seriously increases the load on the spine.
Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- past spinal injuries;
- metabolic disorders;
- hereditary predisposition;
- great physical activity;
- constant nervous tension and stress;
- cervical spine abnormalities;
- bad habits (holding the receiver with your ear and shoulder).
The development of osteochondrosis
These unfavorable 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 leads to impaired blood circulation in this area and a decrease in metabolic processes. All of this results in the development of degenerative processes in the spine. First, the vertebrae begin to thin and converge, squeezing their contents (annulus fibrosus) out of the spine. This bump in the language of doctors is called a bump.
In the case of a bulge, the annulus fibrosus still retains its integrity, but the bulge is already compressing the blood vessels and nerves that run through the spine and feed the brain. In addition, the converging and deformed vertebrae begin to squeeze the roots of the peripheral nerves, which leads to the development of the so-called "radicular syndrome", which manifests itself as severe pain in the back and neck. If you do not identify a problem (which will eloquently indicate unpleasant symptoms) and do not begin to treat osteochondrosis, the fibrous ring will rupture and a spinal hernia will appear. In this case, there will be serious problems with the nutrition of the brain.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In its development, the disease goes through several stages, each of which presents characteristic signs and symptoms. It should be noted here that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differs from degenerative changes in other parts of the spine. The distances between the vertebrae are minimal here, and thus even small degenerative changes cause unpleasant symptoms and lead to various complications.
1. Osteochondrosis grade I
This is the preclinical stage of disease development, in which the patient experiences mild pain and discomfort when turning the head, as well as rapid neck and back tension and fatigue during prolonged stay in one position (more often in a sitting position). At this stage, osteochondrosis is perfectly treated with lifestyle changes, nutritional adjustments, and regular exercise.
2. Grade II osteochondrosis
At this stage, instability appears between the neck vertebrae. A person in this case faces severe pain that radiates to the shoulder, neck or arm. During inclinations or turns of the head, the pain increases significantly, since, due to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, the nerve endings begin to deteriorate. The patient begins to tire quickly, his performance decreases, distraction appears, forgetfulness and he suffers from headaches.
3. Grade III osteochondrosis
With the onset of the third stage of the disease, the pain in the back and neck becomes even stronger, the mobility of the neck is noticeably reduced, and when the neck rotates, the cracking of the vertebrae can be heard. At night, the patient's fingers begin to go numb (mainly the little and ring fingers), so the person wakes up several times during the night. Throughout the day, these patients have an unpleasant heaviness in their hands. And even a brief conversation on the phone, in which a person is forced to hold the mobile close to the ear, turns into an unpleasant tingling and numbness in the fingers. All of this indicates an increased protrusion and possibly the appearance of a hernia in the cervical spine.
4. Grade IV osteochondrosis
In the last stage of the disease, the vertebral discs are destroyed, which cease to perform their functions and begin to be replaced by connective tissue. A patient in this state may experience lack of coordination of movements, maddening noises and pulsations appear in the ears, headaches intensify, visual acuity and hearing decrease. In some cases, numbness of the tongue may occur.
Here it should be said that due to the compression of the blood vessels, the blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Due to this, 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 can occur, melancholy and depression can attack.
In the later stages of osteochondrosis development, severe vascular spasms can cause "flies" to appear before the eyes, a feeling of instability on a flat, hard surface, severe dizziness, migraines, nausea, vomiting, and faintingfrequent.
Disease diagnosis
To identify 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.
1. Radiography. Currently, this diagnostic method is considered uninformative, especially in the later stages of the development of the disease.
2. Ultrasonic duplex scanning. This method is used in cases where a specialist assumes a violation of blood flow in the arteries that provide nutrition to the brain. The study shows the speed of blood flow and determines if there are obstacles in its path.
3. CT (computed tomography). This method is more informative compared to radiography, as it not only reveals the problem, but also allows you to determine the presence and size of hernias, albeit with difficulty.
4. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The most informative method of diagnosing osteochondrosis today, which allows you to see bone structures, the presence of hernias, and even the direction of their development.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Let's say right away that to deal with such a serious problem as osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you need to contact a neurologist. True, if the clinic has a vertebrologist, it is better to contact him first.
Osteochondrosis can only be treated in a complex way. The complex of methods used includes drug therapy, massage of the cervical collar area, exercise therapy, physiotherapy methods and proper nutrition. Only a combination of all these methods will help to cope with the disease and normalize the well-being of the patient.
Help for severe pain
In case of severe pain, doctors recommend taking medications such as Analgin, Baralgin or Tempalgin. When these medications no longer provide relief, you can switch to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In a general sense, drug therapy includes the following means:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These remedies eliminate pain, relieve swelling, and deal with inflammation of the nerve roots.
- Chondroprotectors. Such drugs perfectly restore damaged cartilage tissue.
- Vitamins of group B. They are necessary to improve metabolic processes in nervous tissues.
- Muscle relaxants. These drugs work to reduce muscle spasms.
- Preparations that improve the rheological properties of blood. Thanks to these means, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve endings is improved.
It should be noted here that it is possible to achieve a tangible effect in the fight against osteochondrosis with the help of ointments and tablets 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 to act quickly on the nerve endings and save the patient from possible side effects when taking pills. However, vitamins are best taken orally because vitamins are well absorbed by the body with any method of intake, but injections with them can be painful.
Physiotherapy treatments
Drug treatment should be combined with physical therapy methods. The most effective for this disease are:
- Electrophoresis (in combination with drugs). In this case, the drugs penetrate the damaged vertebrae under the influence of an electric current.
- Ultrasound. This method of exposure allows you to eliminate the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve metabolic processes in tissues.
- Magnetotherapy. This type of physical therapy relieves swelling and pain.
- Laser therapy. It is an excellent method to fight inflammation and improves blood circulation.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Reconstruction of the affected vertebrae also includes a special diet that normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents salt deposition, nourishes and restores cartilage tissue, and also strengthens the ligaments between the vertebral discs.
To achieve this, the following must first be excluded from the patient's diet:
- alcoholic beverages;
- fatty and fried foods;
- spicy and overly salty foods;
- strong broths;
- weaknesses and baked goods;
- strong tea and coffee;
- pickles and marinades;
- canned goods.
The diet of a patient with osteochondrosis should consist of the following foods:
- lean meat and fish;
- low-fat milk, cottage cheese and kefir;
- butter (small amount);
- whole grains and soups;
- jellied meat, fish or meat aspic;
- vegetables, fruits and berries;
- juices, fruit drinks, jellies and compotes.
When osteochondrosis is located in the cervical spine, it is important to follow the drinking regimen, drinking at least 1. 5 liters of water a day. If you are overweight, you should think about how to shed those extra pounds, which put extra pressure on your spine. It is advisable to switch to meals 5 times a day in small portions.
At the same time, as can be seen from the list of allowed foods, the basis of food should be low-fat vegetarian soups, boiled lean meat, fish, seafood, vegetables and fruits without sugar.
A sample menu for the day will look like this:
- breakfast: cottage cheese, a couple of apples, unsweetened tea;
- lunch: baked pear, some oatmeal cookies;
- lunch: vegetarian borscht, boiled chicken with vegetable salad;
- snack: dry crackers and fruit juice;
- dinner: baked fish with vegetables and unsweetened tea.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Physical education gives tremendous results in the treatment of osteochondrosis, although you can do gymnastics for the cervical spine only during the recovery period. Here it is important that in the process of massage or gymnastics the patient does not experience discomfort or pain.
These are some of the most effective gymnastic exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the neck and improving blood circulation in this area.
Exercise n. ° 1
Lying on your stomach and resting your hands on the floor, slowly raise your head and torso so that your back remains straight. Hold this position for 1 minute, then return to the starting position. The element is repeated 2-3 times.
Exercise n. ° 2
Lying on your stomach and stretching your arms along your body, slightly raise your head and begin to turn it first to the right, trying to touch the ground with your ear and then to the left. Make 6 turns in each direction.
Exercise n. ° 3
Sitting on the floor, while inhaling, lean forward, trying to reach the chin towards the chest and, when exhaling, return to the starting position and tilt the head back. Repeat the item 10-15 times.
Exercise n. ° 4
Place your palms on your forehead and try to press hard on your head. At the same time, while stretching the neck muscles, resist the arms, without letting the head tilt. Hold pressure for 20-30 seconds, then lower your arms and relax. Repeat the item 2-3 times and then repeat the exercise in the opposite direction, bringing the hands joined to the back of the head.
Exercise n. ° 5
Begin slowly rotating your head to the right and left, trying to look back. Do 10 laps on each side.