According to medical statistics, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a fairly common disease in recent years. Every person at least once in his life has encountered his unpleasant symptoms.
<1_img_centerxx>The disease itself is a dysfunction of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. After all, it is on this part of the human spine that the maximum constant load occurs.
The cervical region consists of 7 discs. Due to his weak muscles and the constant loads on them, various injuries and labor stoppages can occur. Due to all these factors, cervical osteochondrosis begins to develop.
Types of diseases
Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that may not manifest itself for a long time. There are several stages in the development of this disease:
- 1st degree cervical osteochondrosis (manifested by initial disorders of the spine);
- 2nd degree cervical osteochondrosis (the distance between the discs of the cervical spine begins to decrease);
- 3rd degree cervical osteochondrosis (complete destruction of the ring of intervertebral discs occurs and severe deformation of the entire spine begins);
- 4th degree cervical osteochondrosis (final stage of disease progression, which can lead to disability).
Causes of the onset and development of the disease
Like any other disease, cervical osteochondrosis has its own causes and developmental factors. Until a few decades ago, only the elderly were susceptible to this disease. In addition, osteochondrosis of the neck struck men after 40 years who are engaged in heavy physical labor.
Nowadays, osteochondrosis of the neck is more and more common, affecting young people over 20 years old. There are many reasons for the development of diseases of the cervical and thoracic spine:
- existing excess weight;
- poor posture and, as a result, curvature of the spine by 1 or 2 degrees;
- strenuous physical work or professional sports, due to which various injuries to the spine were suffered;
- reasons causing stress and severe emotional stress;
- weak muscles in the cervicothoracic region;
- sudden cessation of sport after prolonged training;
- work associated with sitting in front of a computer or being in the same position for a long time.
If you find yourself with the reasons listed, then you are part of the so-called risk group. In this case, it is necessary to prevent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Manifestation of the disease
With osteochondrosis of 1 degree, a person hardly experiences any symptoms of a developing disease. Only the initial tightening of the neck muscles begins.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 2nd degree is usually manifested by minor pain which may occur in the cervical and thoracic segment. This happens due to the pinching of the nerve endings due to a decrease in the distance between the discs in the spine.
Grades 3 and 4 of the disease cannot go unnoticed. In this case, the deformity of the spine can be noticeable with the naked eye, not to mention the sensations that a person experiences.
The main and most common symptoms of this disease include:
- severe persistent headache;
- buzzing in the head;
- impaired movement and coordination;
- deterioration of vision and dental health;
- stroke, insomnia and various neurological disorders.
At 1, 2, 3, or 4 degrees of illness, the pain can spread to the shoulder joint area and arms. A feature of this symptom, which distinguishes it from other diseases, is that the discomfort changes in strength and concentration depending on the position of the neck and head.
Disease syndromes
All the symptoms that appear in osteochondrosis can be incorrectly justified, and therefore incorrect diagnosis is possible. That is why, together with the existing symptoms, it is necessary to know all the reasons for their occurrence. Thus, medicine knows several syndromes which distinguish the causes from their origin:
Radicular syndromes
In this case, the nerves are pinched and the person feels pain and numbness in part of the neck. Unpleasant sensations can spread to the back, the area of the scapula, as well as to the arm;
Reflex irritation syndromes
Manifested by severe and unbearable pain in the back of the head, which spreads throughout the neck. Most often this occurs with a sharp movement or twist of the head;
Vertebral artery syndrome
In this case, the name speaks for itself. There is a pinching of the artery and the person has a severe throbbing headache, which may cause unconsciousness or vomiting;
Cardiac Syndrome
Manifested by increased heart rate, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Quite often, in this case, the wrong diagnosis is made and treatment of angina pectoris begins.
Treatment
With osteochondrosis, a person always receives immediate treatment. Its tactics are chosen depending on the degree of the disease. So, at 1 or 2 degrees, full recovery is possible after therapy. In later stages, medical correction is usually aimed at preventing complications as well as improving quality of life.
First aid
What to do when the first symptoms of the disease appear? First you need to relieve the pain in the cervico-thoracic region. To do this, you need to take a regular pain reliever, lie down or just relax.
The next step is to consult a doctor for the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Conservative treatment
In case of confirmed osteochondrosis, conservative treatment is usually prescribed. The patient takes anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. Various gels or ointments can be used to relieve swelling and inflammation. In addition, the doctor can prescribe a course of massage, therapeutic exercises. Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is prescribed in almost all cases.
Operation
In rare cases, with severely advanced osteochondrosis, it is possible to perform an operation. In this case, the patient is put to sleep with the help of general anesthesia, after which the removal of bone formations between the discs of the cervicothoracic spine is carried out. After manipulation, the patient is given conservative therapy or additional physiotherapy.
Preventive measures
Due to the decrease in the age of onset of cervico-thoracic osteochondrosis, it is necessary that each person proceed to its prevention. This is especially true for those at risk.
Important rules
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis consists of 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 movements of the head;
- don't be nervous, avoid stress;
- do not catch a cold, do not overcool;
- get rid of bad habits, switch to good nutrition.
Special exercises
In order to protect yourself from such a disease, you need to do preventive exercises:
- place your palm on your forehead, tighten your neck muscles, then move your hand to the back of your head and repeat the exercise, you need to do this for 7 seconds in 3 sets;
- put your palm against your temple, then also tighten the muscles of your neck, repeat a similar action on the other hand, the time, the number of approaches is the same as in the first paragraph;
- take your head back, then slowly reach your chin up to your chest, you need to do the exercise 3 times;
- turn your head in different directions - you need to do this exercise slowly, without sharp movements;
- tilt your head back, first touch 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. You may only be prescribed physiotherapy and that will be the end of it. Don't delay, don't start the disease.
Do your daily gymnastics. It is better to do basic exercises than to get sick later.
Ask your doctor how to sleep for cervical osteochondrosis. Follow all the rules, be healthy!