What is cervical osteochondrosis, how dangerous is it and how is it treated?

Have you ever felt cervical pain, dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath? All these are symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis, a common problem, worries more and more people every year. Can cervical osteochondrosis be treated? First of all, let's look at the factors of formation and the signs of their occurrence.

Stages of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is a disease that weakens the discs between the vertebrae, causing changes in the tissue of the discs themselves, the vertebrae and the neck joints.

In the first stage, the symptoms are almost invisible, because the changes in the cartilage spine have just begun. The following symptoms are observed:

• Headache.
• Unpleasant sensations in the neck, arms, shoulders.
• Slight limitation of neck motor activity.
• Short-term visual impairment.
• Reduces sensitive collar area.

In the second stage, a small spinal hernia may occur, and the intervertebral fractures may narrow. Point pain syndromes are felt during the performance of movements due to the compression of the nerve trunks.

Manifestations of the disease:

• The neck hurts and a crisis is heard during the turn.
• Loss of skin sensation in arms and shoulders.
• Decreased vision.
• I hear a ringing in my ears.
• Face and neck become numb;
• The upper limbs are weakened.
• Pain in the shoulder blade.
• Insomnia, sleep problems.

The third stage is difficult to treat. Hernia is formed, the spine is deformed, there is a change in position, vertebral dislocation:

• Severe pain in the neck, heart muscle, neck.
• The skin of the head, shoulders and arms is no longer felt.
• Upper limbs are paralyzed.
• Tendon reflexes are no longer visible.
• A cervical hernia begins.

The fourth and final stage in which symptoms worsen.

Reasons

Factors affecting the onset and development of cervical osteochondrosis:

• Heavy weight.
• Sedentary work, inactivity.
• Previous spinal injuries.
• Mental disorders, nervous tension, stress.
• Poor physical fitness.
• Spinal curvature, scoliosis, incorrect posture.
• Wrong body positions that become a habit.
• Tension in the neck, back, work way.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Unusual physical stress for the body, increased activity.
• Violation of the rules of healthy eating.

The neck muscle experiences an increase in the stress that the neck muscles try to balance under the influence of the above factors. Muscle spasms begin, the body's blood circulation is disrupted. Anatomical lesions appear.

Symptoms of Disease

The symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis are different from the symptoms of this disease observed in other parts of the spine. The proximity of the cervical vertebrae leads to compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

I have the following symptoms:

• Localization of pain: in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, arms and legs. During the connection of the nerve roots with the process, there is discomfort in the shoulders, back of the head, and the reconstruction of the upper limb begins. Spasm of the neck muscles at the back of the head causes impaired blood flow.
• Weakness of the arms caused by a violation of a root function that connects the motor nerves that restore the muscles of the arm.
• There is a reconstruction in the hands due to a decrease in sensitivity in the hands, damage to the root surrounding the sensory nerves.
• Pain is felt during head movements and a crackling sound is heard. Defeat of the small joints of the neck causes a decrease in the level of the intervertebral disc.
• Lack of strength, fatigue, dizziness, lack of coordination. Due to the displacement of the vertebrae, the spinal artery is constricted. Deterioration of blood flow leads to a weakening of the occipital lobe, cerebral blood supply.
• Visual impairment, loss of language sensitivity.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are similar to those in men. At the age of 46-60, the delicate sexes turn to stone by mixing their hands when they go to sleep.

Why osteochondrosis is dangerous

The disease harms the whole organism. The cervical region includes arteries, nerve endings, and blood vessels that feed the brain.

When pressed too hard, they become constricted due to the slightest pathology and cause deterioration of blood circulation in the brain, migraines, heart rhythm disturbances, difficulty breathing, vision, coordination and attention begin.

Pathologies causing cervical spine osteochondrosis:

• Brain disease;
• Vertebral artery syndrome;
• Spinal cord injury.

Death is the worst outcome of spinal cord compression.

When all the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are considered, the developmental factors are identified, we will consider the treatment used in this situation.

Treatment

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is no different from treatment in men. Stages of treatment:

1. Painkiller.
2. Elimination of edema.
3. Normalization of blood circulation.
4. Strengthen the muscles of the back, abdomen, chest.
5. Improved nutrition and tissue repair.

Any stage or symptom should consult a doctor. Specialists who choose a complex treatment: surgeon, neurologist, physiotherapist, massage therapist. Drug treatment, physiotherapy, neck massage are used, therapeutic exercises are recommended because they are effective in osteochondrosis.

Preparations

Medications used for treatment:

• Medications that relieve muscle spasms.
• Vitamins that improve metabolism in the nervous system.
• NSAIDs that reduce pain, inflammation and swelling.
• Preparations for joints, injuries that restore cartilage tissue, injuries to the intervertebral discs.
• Drugs that improve the nutrition of damaged nerve cells regulate blood flow to the brain.

First aid for flares

Sometimes the pain becomes unbearable and the visit to the doctor is postponed. It is recommended to take painkillers. You can apply a "pepper patch" to relieve pain, but it should be noted that you can not expect a long-term effect. Plaster heats the inflamed area and temporarily relieves pain. It is recommended to use herbal infusions for 3-4 days to eliminate swelling. Is it possible to treat cervical osteochondrosis with these methods? No, the above methods are short-lived, you need to see a doctor for a full recovery.

Physiotherapy

• Electrophoresis- ions of anesthetic drug penetrate the painful area under the influence of electric current. Often done with painkillers.
• Laser therapy- has anti-inflammatory properties, guarantees improvement of blood circulation under the influence of light.
• Magnetic therapy- eliminates tissue swelling, has a analgesic effect.
• Ultrasound- improves metabolic processes, relieves pain, eliminates inflammation of damaged areas.

Healing gymnastics

There are a few simple exercises you need to know when talking about physiotherapy. Regular training will bring the expected results very quickly.

Attention!You should not feel pain or discomfort while performing the complex.

• Lie on your stomach with your hands. Keep your back straight while lifting your head and body. Hold the position for about 2 minutes, then take the starting position. Continue training 2-3 times.
• Hold a lying position on the floor, extend your arms along your body, try to touch your ears to the ground, turn your head to the left. Repeat 6-7.
• Breathe while sitting on the floor, leaning forward, trying to touch your head to your chest. After breathing, lean back and throw your head back. Repeat 10-15 times.
• While sitting on the floor, press down on your forehead and lower it to your palms. Exercise 2-3 times, about 30 seconds.
• Circular head rotation. Do it slowly and slowly so that your head is spinning. If dizziness appears, finish gymnastics. Do 10 rotations in each direction.

Home treatment

This method of treatment should be used only in combination with a complex prescribed by a doctor. The following are used in such options: traditional medicine, therapeutic exercises, massage.

Recipes for relieving anxiety at home:

• A layer of horseradish glued to the neck and secured with a bandage or cloth will help. It is recommended to wipe with boiling water and then cool to room temperature. It is better to leave the dressing overnight.
• Cut the potatoes, mix with honey (one by one). Use as a compress once a week.
• Warming up will help relieve pain. Mustard plaster, sandbag, pepper plaster, etc.

We advise you not to ask for help from the forums, you should trust the diagnoses made by doctors.

Massage

Therapeutic massage can be performed at home, contains elements of classic massage. It starts with a healthy part of the body, moving towards a smooth place. The individual characteristics of the complex patient are selected for the stage of the disease. To perform the massage, the patient must take a horizontal position on the floor, lower his forehead to his hands, and pull his chin towards his chest. Relax your neck muscles.

Therapeutic massage methods:

1. Start massaging with strokes starting from the neck area.
2. Push-ups, the masseur puts his hand on his neck and moves along the waist. Alternatively, this technique can be performed on the shoulder.
3. Rubbed to warm the neck muscles, the body relaxes, bleeding improves. The movements coming from the skull are directed, the movements are in the direction of the spine.
4. The neck should be kneaded in a circular motion.
5. It should end with a vibration performed by hitting and shaking.

Prevention

The following rules should be followed to prevent the disease:

• Do sports (swimming is the most effective).
• Increase the intake of foods containing calcium and magnesium.
• Warm up several times a day, especially if you have a sedentary job.
• Choose the right pillow (should be low) and the mattress (should not be soft). Monitor the position of the neck while lying down: the angle of the neck should be at least 15 degrees.
• Take a hot shower for at least 10 minutes a day.
• For people who do not like sports, experts recommend regular yoga.
• It is better to give up the gym. Bodybuilding can make your health worse.

Osteochondrosis and pregnancy

How is osteochondrosis treated during pregnancy? Of course, you should limit your use of medication. Ointments with a natural composition and folk remedies will help.Don't forget!All possible effects on the neck (for example, warming) during pregnancy are prohibited.

Osteochondrosis occurs in young people? No matter how much adults believe that it is too early for teenagers to get such diseases, it is becoming more and more common. It can develop as a result of congenital or acquired cartilage deficiency.

It is forbidden to heat the neck during an exacerbation of the disease, as it may increase the swelling.

This article examines not only the basic concepts, but also effective methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. It will help you to cope with painful feelings, wherever you are, feel comfortable and confident.