Speaking of osteochondrosis, we mean pathological changes in the intervertebral discs with degenerative changes in cartilage. This pathology can affect all parts of the spine. At the same time, cervical osteochondrosis occurs in approximately a quarter of all cases of this condition. As a rule, it affects mainly patients of working age - from 30 to 50 years.
Anatomical features
To understand why osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae develops, you should familiarize yourself with the features of the anatomy of the cervical spine. It consists of 7 vertebrae. And if in the thoracic and lumbar regions the vertebrae are relatively homogeneous, then here they are different in their structure. Indeed, in the cervical region, movements of the shoulder girdle and head are large in complexity and amplitude. In addition, the mobile neck passes into a relatively static thoracic region. Therefore, 1, 2, and 7 vertebrae differ significantly from each other
Through the cervical region, in addition to the spinal cord and spinal nerves, pass peripheral nerves originating from the brain. Some of them, such as the vagus, innervate the diaphragm and abdominal organs. In addition to the nerves, the main blood vessels pass here. And if the blood supply through the carotid arteries and outflow through the jugular veins do not suffer from osteochondrosis, then the vertebral artery is often involved in pathology with osteochondrosis of the neck. It passes through the holes in the transverse processes of 2-6 vertebrae, and accounts for approximately 15% of the total volume of blood entering the brain. With cervical osteochondrosis, this artery can spasm or be squeezed by tense muscles or a displaced disc.
The reasons
Why osteochondrosis of the cervical spine has developed in this particular case can not always be determined. It has been established that osteochondrosis is not an independent disease. This is a pathological condition or syndrome that is caused by other diseases or negative factors, including:
- Heredity
- Systematic violations of posture in schoolchildren, office workers
- Poor nutrition with a deficiency of vitamins and minerals
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Frequent mechanical impacts, such as shocks, shaking from drivers
- Concomitant diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, organs of the endocrine system
- Weakened immunity.
Symptoms
By itself, osteochondrosis is a painless process. Dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs are not felt by the patient. The disease makes itself felt only when the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis appear - displacement of the intervertebral disc in the posterolateral direction with irritation of nearby nerve fibers, impaired blood circulation through the vertebral artery. That's when various sensory, motor and neurological disorders appear. Osteochondrosis of the neck is distinguished by the following symptoms:
- Pain in the neck
- Pathological tension of the neck muscles
- Restriction of movements in the cervical region
- Decreased sensitivity and range of motion in the shoulder girdle and upper limbs
- Headache, dizziness
- Unsteady gait due to coordination disorders
- Nausea, urge to vomit
- Intermittent increases in blood pressure
- Visual disturbances - a feeling of darkening and flickering flies before the eyes
- Sometimes pain or sensation of a lump in the throat, toothache
- Insomnia, or vice versa, pathological drowsiness
- Emotional lability - tearfulness, irritability.
Pain in cervical osteochondrosis is the leading symptom. It is the pain syndrome that makes the patient see a doctor. The nature of the pain depends on which cervical segment is affected by osteochondrosis. When the upper cervical segments are infringed, the skin of the back of the head, crown and superciliary region hurts. If the pathology has developed in the middle and lower sections, then the neck pain radiates to the interscapular space, to the shoulder girdle and to the upper limbs.
An exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis begins with cervicago - a sharp pain resembling a backache. Subsequently, cervical sciatica develops with pain, movement disorders and muscle tension. The main cause of exacerbations is hypothermia. Along with the local, cerebral symptoms are also noted, due to the syndrome of the vertebral artery. Headache and dizziness may be so severe that the patient may lose consciousness.
Features of the flow
Osteochondrosis is a chronic pathology. And in the absence of treatment is steadily progressing. In this regard, 4 degrees are distinguished, which reflect the symptoms and functional disorders in the cervical region.
- The intervertebral disc tissue thickens. Displacement of the disk is minimal, however, already at this stage, the outer fibrous disk sheath is flaky. In the cervical vertebrae, the uncinate processes increase compensatory. Manifestations - cervicalgia, cervical.
- Narrowing of the intervertebral spaces and the lumen of the spinal canal. Pathological mobility leads to subluxations of individual vertebrae and instability of the cervical spine as a whole. Sensory and motor disorders in the upper limbs. Syndrome of the vertebral artery.
- Further narrowing of the spinal canal and spaces between the vertebrae. The formation of disc herniations, as a result of which the symptoms increase.
- Irreversible structural disorders - spondylolisthesis (displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other) and spondylosis (pathological growths of the bone tissue of the vertebrae). Destruction of discs with the expiration of their nucleus pulposus. Persistent brain and movement disorders.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck is carried out using medications and physiotherapy procedures. Massage, physiotherapy exercises, manual therapy and acupuncture are also effective. The main group of drugs is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Moreover, in relation to cervical osteochondrosis, local use of NSAIDs in gels and ointments is preferable. Among the means for the local treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, local irritants and chondroprotectors are shown. Treatment can be supplemented by the ingestion of immunostimulants and vitamin-mineral complexes.
Physiotherapy procedures (UHF, amplipulse, electrophoresis) have a similar effect - they eliminate pain, relieve muscle spasm, increase blood circulation and metabolism in the tissues of the neck. This is also facilitated by massage of the collar zone with osteochondrosis. The neck is a vulnerable area. The slightest damage to the cervical spine is fraught with serious consequences. Therefore, massage movements should be smooth, directed along the muscles. For the same reason of neck fragility, all special measures (manual therapy, cervical traction) should be carried out by experienced specialists with great care. And in the course of recreational gymnastics, preference is given to static loads with frontal and temporal areas resting on the palmar surface of the hand, maximum bending of the head forward and to the sides.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is aimed at eliminating provoking factors. Hypothermia should be avoided. Office workers, programmers, avid Internet users are recommended 15-minute breaks for health-improving gymnastics during each hour. And, of course, good nutrition and avoiding excess weight. And at the slightest sensation of pain and discomfort in the cervical region, it is better to use the Shants immobilizing collar. At the same time, attention should be paid to the treatment of existing chronic diseases of other organs and systems.
Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms, signs and treatment
Today, a disease such as osteochondrosis is very common, and in many people it causes feelings of fear and great fear. As medical practice has shown, several main causes contribute to the appearance of the disease, which, as a rule, are provoked directly by patients. To avoid this disease and prevent its occurrence, you need to know its main symptoms and causes.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Most often, osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae manifests itself in the form of a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral disc. As practice shows, the disease appears and develops against the background of metabolic disorders that occur in the cervical region. In this case, there is a significant change in the structure and structure of individual vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
The course of the disease in osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is slightly different from osteochondrosis, which affects other parts (we are talking about the lumbar and thoracic form of osteochondrosis). This type of disease is more dangerous, as it contributes to the direct infringement of the root, which departs from the brain of the spinal nerve and, thus, disrupts the blood supply to the cerebral vessels due to direct infringement and compression of the blood vessels.
In addition, the structure of the vertebrae (in this case, more closely intertwined) in the cervical region is slightly different from the others, therefore, with the appearance of any change in the pathology, one of them undergoes a noticeable disruption in the normal functioning of the entire spine. That is why, with cervical osteochondrosis, the patient may be disturbed by such obvious signs as: frequent dizziness, impaired sensitivity of the muscles and skin of the hands, neck, face, constant headaches, unpleasant ringing and noise in the ears or noise in the head, hearing or vision impairment, increased sensationfatigue, wobbly and unsteady gait, loss of coordination and so on.
So, you need to pay great attention to the fact that osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae appears as a result of:
- lifting heavy objects and loads;
- work that is directly related to a constant change in the position of the body - we are talking about extension, flexion, circular movements, turns;
- active sports and physical education;
- incorrect posture during lying, sitting, standing positions of the body, as well as during lifting and carrying weights;
- genetic disposition;
- adverse weather conditions.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Often, the symptoms of osteochondrosis in the early stages of its manifestation may not show themselves in any way. Having already passed into a more advanced stage, the disease begins to manifest itself with frequent cramping pain during any movements of the head and neck. However, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are quite diverse and are explained either by degenerative changes and disorders in the structure of the cartilage, or the result of severe pinching by a displaced disc of the vertebral artery, which passes between the discs.
Pain
The most important and very first symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae are pain, which in the first stage can be quickly passing, and then become chronic. Pain may appear in the region of the occipital muscles, shoulders and neck and become stronger when turning or tilting the head and neck. Depending on where the lesion is located, the pain can be aching and permanent. And it can subside for a while or be shooting and sharp. Moreover, any movements of the head and neck become difficult over time, which is associated with constant muscle tension in the neck area.
When the artery of the spine is squeezed by cartilaginous tissue, intervertebral disc or tense muscles, a person can be tormented by a cervical migraine (a headache that occurs as a result of oxygen starvation of tissues and weakened blood circulation), a strong jump in pressure upwards, a short-term loss and impairment of consciousness, the appearance of ringing in the ears, hearing impairment, the appearance of "flies" before the eyes, visual impairment. Headache is sometimes accompanied by vomiting or nausea.
Nausea
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae may be accompanied by nausea. Moreover, nausea is associated with impaired blood circulation in the vessels of the brain. Quite often, a person loses his appetite, as a result of which a lack of nutrients occurs in the body, and the overall weight decreases. In more severe cases, the disease is accompanied by vomiting, which appears during head tilts, turns, and even just walking. As already mentioned above, this is due to a violation of the blood flow process and insufficient oxygen supply to the inner ear, where the center of balance is located.
Lack of air
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae include such a symptom as lack of air. It appears with a direct lesion of the cervical region and is expressed in irritation of the phrenic nerve. As a result, it becomes difficult for a person to breathe, the patient does not have enough air, there is a lack of oxygen, shortness of breath begins to torment, and severe suffocation may even occur.
As a rule, lack of air is accompanied by snoring, especially during an uncomfortable position of the head when resting. This condition leads to the fact that a person wakes up very tired and absolutely broken, he is disturbed by general malaise and weakness. Prolonged stay in this state leads to a decrease in concentration, memory impairment and irreversible changes in brain tissue.
Ringing and tinnitus
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are sometimes manifested in the form of ringing and noise in the ears. It's just that the vestibular apparatus is enriched with blood exclusively from the system of vertebral arteries. That is why, with inflammation of the cervical region, a violation of the function of the inner ear occurs, as a result, a person is tormented by ringing and tinnitus. Sometimes hearing impairment is added to the symptoms described.
Pharyngeal signs
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae can also manifest itself in this way. Often a person is disturbed by an unpleasant and constant feeling of dryness and perspiration in the throat, difficulty swallowing, tickling and itching, sensation of a foreign body. All these symptoms are directly related to the violation of the vascular and nerve trunks that run from the spinal cord.
Visual impairment
The most common and frequent sign of cervical osteochondrosis is a deterioration in visual acuity. This is due to the fact that the visual analyzer is enriched with blood not only due to the carotid, but also due to the vertebral arteries. When these arteries are compressed, visual impairment occurs. Moreover, patients may complain about:
- low pressure;
- atherosclerosis of the arteries of the brain;
- inability to focus on a subject;
- "swimming" or flashing points;
- feeling of a veil or mist before the eyes.
In this condition, doing eye exercises or using glasses does not show a positive effect. Only with appropriate treatment is there an improvement in vision.
Sudden loss of consciousness
The most dangerous and unpleasant sign that occurs with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra is an unexpected loss of consciousness. This is due to a temporary cessation of blood flow through the arteries of the brain. Thus, a pronounced spasm of the arteries is obtained, which occurs from the side of the deformed processes of the bones of the vertebrae, as a response to irritation of the nerve endings.
But after losing consciousness, a person can quickly recover if he is given time to lie down and raise his legs in order to improve the blood supply to the brain and increase the flow of blood from the legs.
Pressure instability
Symptoms of osteochondrosis do not end with the symptoms described above. Often there is a spasm or instability of blood pressure, which appears due to impaired blood supply. Moreover, the pressure either drops sharply, or, conversely, increases. The person's condition is deteriorating, and he needs complete rest.
Dizziness
Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by dizziness. In this case, such a phenomenon may have a spontaneous character. Dizziness is caused by a lack of oxygen reaching the canals of the inner ear. These channels are located in the brain and are fully responsible for balance. Dizziness can occur with any movement of the neck or head. Often and with a sharp rise from a lying position.
How to cure osteochondrosis?
If a person notices one or more of the symptoms described above and indicated, then his initial action should not be self-treatment on the recommendations of friends and relatives, but a timely visit to the appropriate doctor. The actions of a specialist are aimed at conducting tests to identify the main cause of osteochondrosis, as well as choosing the right treatment.
Treatment of the disease, taking into account the patient's condition and its degree, is complex. During treatment, the doctor may prescribe therapeutic exercises, massage, the use of medications aimed at removing the causes of inflammation and relieving pain.
Therapeutic treatment
The drug treatment regimen is represented by the following groups:
- Chondroprotectors - make it possible to stop the destruction of cartilage, and contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - effective removal of inflammation and pain, low risk of side effects, the possibility of long-term use.
Treatment of symptoms of osteochondrosis with ointments is quite popular, but ineffective. As a rule, ointments of the NSAID group or ointments that contain irritants are used for treatment.
Vitamins of group B are used against osteochondrosis.
Folk methods of treatment
Recipes for rubbing and ointments for the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Lemon. In the juice of one lemon, you need to add as much iodine as the juice was squeezed out. Mix. This composition is for external use only. With a swab soaked in this solution, a strip is drawn every evening along the entire spine.
- Honey rub. Mix a glass of honey, alcohol, aloe juice and radish. Add to 1 tbsp. l. dry mustard and mix well. Apply compresses for several hours.
- Vinegar and egg. Make a mixture of vinegar and one egg: add vinegar to the egg and let it dissolve completely. Then add 90 gr. butter and stir. A homogeneous mass of white color, resembling oil, should come out. Rub the solution into the painful areas.
- Peppercorns with camphor and bile. It will take 300 gr. medical bile and a couple of bottles of camphor alcohol. Mix the ingredients in a glass bowl, add 3 pods of hot pepper and let it brew for one week. Apply compresses for 5-7 hours. Shake the paste thoroughly before use.
Osteochondrosis, like all other diseases, is much easier to prevent than to cure completely. To never suffer from this disease, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle with alternating different sports. Nutrition must be fortified and complete, smoking should not be the norm. By following simple rules, you will have more opportunities to live until old age without a deterioration in the quality of life and pain.