Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common disease in the modern world. Many people have it in the initial stage, but they don't even suspect it. The widespread osteochondrosis of the neck was due to the fact that people began to sit down more and move less. Let's take a closer look at the reasons for the development of this unpleasant disease and methods to combat it.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
So, cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystophical disease of cartilage tissues of the musculoskeletal system. The disease is characterized by pathological changes in the cartilage structure, which leads to a violation of the anatomical structure of the elements of the column, interrupts the mobility of the skeleton and causes painful sensations. The disease can affect any part of the column, but due to excessive mobility and miniature vertebral size, the cervical segment often suffers from this pathology. The neck is experiencing impressive loads daily. Head turns and even the fact of their retention forces the vertebrae and intervertebral discs to function intensely. From the regular exposure from the outside, the intervertebral discs are thinner, the microfiets appear in them. Over time, its height decreases, they begin to change thickness in a smaller way and stop fulfilling their main function: the depreciation of the vertebrae.
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The causes of the development of the disease, in the first place, are due to the aging of the body related to age and destruction in development of bone and cartilage. You can also call the following causes of osteochondrosis:
- Posture violation
- Reduction of motor activity as a result of a sedentary lifestyle
- Excess weight, which is the result of metabolic disorders, has a burden on intervertebral discs
- Hereditary factor
- Long -term physical activity
- column abnormalities
Cervical osteochondrosis symptoms
Cervical osteochondrosis has specific manifestations. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the cervical column. Most of the time, patients complain of pain of different intensity, increasing from a long stay in a position. Other symptoms to pain are often added:
- weakness in the upper limbs
- numbness and tingling in the hands
- rigidity when moving the head
- dizziness (suggests that damaged elements affected arteries)
- Lip numbness
- Coma sensation in the throat
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis
In medicine, it is customary to separate signs of osteochondrosis based on the nature of the symptomatic manifestations combined in a single syndrome. 4 of these syndrome are distinguished:
- Koreshka: indicates pinched nerve beams, which causes serious pain, as well as a set of autonomous symptoms (dizziness, weakness, bulge bulge);
- Vertebral artery: the damaged elements hold the large vertebral artery, which is the cause of severe headaches, dizziness;
- Vertebral: causes neck pain itself;
- Cardial: It is masked under an attack of angina pectoris, manifested by severe chest pain, similar to a heart attack.
Stages of Cervical Osteochondrosis Development
1 degree of osteochondrosis
It is characterized by the beginning of the destruction of intervertebral discs. Cracks are formed in the fibrous ring, the resistance and elasticity of the disk are formed, its height decreases, because nerve roots are squeezed. A characteristic pain appears. Sometimes, in 1 stage (preclinical), such pain may be absent, and osteochondrosis proceeds with moderate discomfort in the neck.
2 degrees of osteochondrosis
If the first grade osteochondrosis was not treated or the treatment was not effective, then the second degree osteochondrosis occurs: chronic. The pain becomes constant, the destruction and seal of the intervertebral disc continues and leads to small dislocations of the cervical vertebrae. With cervical osteochondrosis, a head syndrome that falls at this stage can be developed. This syndrome is characterized by severe pain, and a person is forced to support his head in a fixed state to reduce pain.
3 degrees of osteochondrosis
The fibrous ring is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis: protrusion of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia. In 3 stages of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain can decrease, since the cartilaginous tissue affected in the disc between the vertebrae is no longer there, which means that there is no source of pain, however, the pinch of the nerve roots remains, so the pain does not go completely.
Cervical osteochondrosis diagnosis
If there is a suspicion of the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to contact a medical institution in a timely manner. Integral diagnosis will help identify the disease, evaluate its degree and understand the causes of the development of pathology.
A preliminary diagnosis is made on the basis of inspection and palpation; With the osteochondrosis, the tension of the cervical muscles is observed, in some cases the deformation of the spine is remarkable. After the target diagnosis, the doctor sends the patient to additional studies. The following diagnostic methods are used to confirm the diagnosis:
- Magnetic resonance tomography
- Radiography (lateral and straight)
- Computed tomography
To determine the cause of the development of the pathology, an ultrasound examination of the nearby organs, the ECG of the heart, the duplex scan of the blood vessels, blood and urine analysis can be prescribed additionally.
Cervical osteochondrosis treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis requires an integrated approach. For temporary pain elimination, analgesics are used, but the basis of therapy is physiotherapy and massage. Massage helps relieve muscle hypertension, improving pain. The procedures also restore normal blood circulation, improving the supply of damaged tissues. According to the results of the massage course, the voltage is eliminated from the cervical region, the load in the column is redistributed. Pharmacological treatmentMedications relieve pain and inflammation, restore blood circulation and eliminate cramps in the neck muscles. For this, the following drug groups can be used: glucocorticosteroids, analgesics, muscle relaxants, etc. Physiotherapeutic treatment. In addition to taking medications to relax near the cervical muscles, eliminate cramps and normalize blood circulation will help physiotherapeutic procedures: acupuncture, laser effect, magnetotherapy, UHF therapy, phonoforesis, etc. 
Therapeutic gymnastics. Special physical exercises will help the patient strengthen the muscle frame, align posture and improve blood supply to the upper spine. In the case of the advanced stages of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column or with an insufficient effectiveness of the conservative methods, surgery is required.
Cervical Osteochondrosis Prevention
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended: when sitting, be sure to make five -minute breaks every hour, avoid loads in the neck; Do not make acute head movements, monitor the posture; Avoid hypothermia; participate in physical education, swimming; eat properly; The dream must be in a solid mattress and in a low pillow, the bending angle in the neck should not be more than 15 degrees; After 25 years, avoid the column shock load (jump, run). In any case, when the symptoms of the disease appear, be sure to visit a doctor. Do not self -medicate!