What is cervical osteochondrosis, its dangers and how to treat?

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Have you ever experienced cervical pain, dizziness, nausea or lack of air? All these are signs of cervical osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis is a common problem that causes more and more people to worry about it every year. Can cervical osteochondrosis be cured? First, let us look at the factors and signs of occurrence.

Stages of osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that weakens the intervertebral disc between the vertebrae, resulting in changes in the texture of the intervertebral disc itself, vertebrae and neck joints.

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

  • Headache.
  • Discomfort in the neck, arms, and shoulders.
  • Slight restriction of neck movement.
  • Short-term visual impairment.
  • Reduce sensitive areas.

In the second stage, there may be a small hernia of the spine and narrowing of the intervertebral fissure. Due to the compression of the nerve trunk, a pain syndrome may be felt during exercise.

Disease manifestations:

  • The neck hurts and I hear a creaking sound when turning.
  • Loss of skin sensation on arms and shoulders.
  • His vision is diminishing.
  • I heard ringing in my ears.
  • My face and neck are numb;
  • Weakness of the upper limbs.
  • The pain spread to the shoulder blade.
  • Insomnia, sleep problems.

The third stage is difficult to treat. Hernia formation, spine deformation, position changes, vertebral dislocation:

  • Severe pain in the neck, myocardium, and collar area.
  • No longer feel the skin of the head, shoulders, and arms.
  • Paralyzed upper limbs.
  • The tendon reflex is no longer visible.
  • Cervical hernia started.

The final fourth stage of worsening symptoms.

Reason

Factors affecting the onset and development of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Heavy weight.
  • Sitting and working, with limited mobility.
  • Previous spinal cord injury.
  • Mental illness, nervousness, stress.
  • Physically unwell.
  • Curved spine, scoliosis, wrong posture.
  • Incorrect body posture has become a habit.
  • Pull the neck back by working.
  • Genetic predisposition.
  • Abnormal physical stress in the body increases activity.
  • Violates the rules of healthy eating.

Due to the above factors, the pressure on the neck increases, and the neck muscles try to balance this pressure. Muscle cramps occur and the blood circulation of the body is disturbed. Anatomical lesions appear.

Disease symptoms

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are different from the symptoms of this disease observed in other spine. The tight location of the cervical spine causes 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 root to the process, the shoulders and the back of the head feel discomfort, and the reorganization of the upper limbs begins. Spasms of the neck muscles at the back of the head can cause impaired blood flow.
  • Arm weakness, which is caused by root dysfunction, including motor nerves, which rebuild the muscles of the arm.
  • Due to the decreased sensitivity of the hand, damage to the roots including the sensory nerves has led to the reorganization of the hand.
  • I feel pain when I move my head and hear a crunching sound. It is caused by the slippage of the small joints of the neck and the level of the intervertebral discs.
  • Lack of strength, fatigue, dizziness, lack of coordination. Due to the displacement of the vertebrae, the vertebral arteries are compressed. It causes deterioration of blood flow, thereby weakening the blood supply to the occipital cerebellum.
  • Complex vision and loss of tongue sensitivity.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are similar to those in men. Between the ages of 46 and 60, a fairer sex life becomes a stone, and the hand feels numb during sleep.

Why osteochondrosis is dangerous

The manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis

Disease damages the entire creature. The cervical region includes a large number of arteries, nerve endings, and blood vessels that supply the brain.

Because of the least pathological causes, they are compressed, causing the blood circulation in the brain to deteriorate, causing migraines, disturbing the heart rhythm, breathing, vision, coordination and concentration become difficult.

Pathology leading to cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Brain disease;
  • Vertebral artery syndrome;
  • Spine stroke.

Death is the most serious consequence of spinal cord compression.

After considering all the symptoms of cervical spine chondropathy, the factors for its development have been determined, and we will consider the treatment methods used in this case.

Treatment

There is no difference between the treatment of cervical chondropathy in women and the treatment of men. Treatment stage:

  1. Relieve pain.
  2. Remove puffiness.
  3. Normalization of blood circulation.
  4. Strengthen the muscles of the back, abdomen and chest.
  5. Improve nutrition and tissue repair.

Seek medical assistance for any stage or symptom. Experts who choose complex treatments: surgeons, neurologists, physical therapists, massage therapists. The use of medication, physical therapy, massage of the neck ring area, therapeutic exercise is recommended because it is effective for osteochondrosis.

Preparation

Drugs used for treatment:

  • Medicine to relieve muscle cramps.
  • Vitamins that improve the metabolism of the nervous system.
  • NSAID drugs can reduce pain, inflammation and swelling.
  • Joint preparation, restoration of cartilage tissue, and intervertebral disc damage.
  • Drugs that improve the nutrition of damaged nerve cells can regulate blood flow to the brain.

Exacerbation of emergency

Sometimes the pain becomes unbearable and medical treatment must be postponed. It is recommended to take painkillers. To relieve pain, you can apply "pepper patch", but it is worth noting that you cannot hope for long-term results. Plaster can heat the inflamed area and temporarily relieve pain. In order to relieve edema, herbal infusion is recommended for 3-4 days. Can these methods cure cervical osteochondrosis? No, the above method is short-term. To fully recover, you need to consult a doctor.

Physical Therapy

  • Electrophoresis-The ions of the anesthetic enter the sore due to the action of electric current. Analgesics are usually used.
  • Laser therapy-It has anti-inflammatory properties and can be illuminated by light to ensure improved blood circulation.
  • Magnetic therapy-Relieve tissue swelling and have analgesic effect.
  • Ultrasound-The metabolic process is improved, the pain is reduced, and the inflammation in the damaged area is reduced.

Remedial gymnastics

In physical therapy, you need to understand some simple exercises. Regular exercise will quickly bring the desired results.

Attention!You should not feel pain or discomfort during comprehensive exercises.

  • Lie on your stomach and put your hands down. When raising your head and body, keep your back straight. Hold the posture for about 2 minutes, and then start the posture. Continue to practice 2-3 times.
  • Lie on the floor, stretch your arms along your body, try to touch your ears to the floor, and turn your head to the left. Perform 6-7 repetitions.
  • Sitting on the floor inhales, leaning forward, trying to touch his chest with his head. After exhaling, lean back and throw your head back. Do it 10-15 times.
  • While sitting on the floor, press your forehead and lower it to the palm of your hand. Perform about 30 seconds, repeat 2-3 times.
  • The circumference of the head rotates. Perform smoothly and slowly so that the head starts to rotate. If dizziness occurs, complete the gymnastics. Make 10 turns in each direction.

Home Care

This treatment can only be used in conjunction with a doctor's prescription. In such variants, the following are used: traditional medicine, therapeutic exercises, massage.

Recipes to relieve discomfort at home:

  • Horseradish slices attached to the neck and fixed with a bandage or cloth will help. It is recommended to pour boiling water first and then cool to room temperature. It is best to leave the bandage overnight.
  • Cut potatoes and mix with honey (one to one). Compress once a week.
  • Warming up will help relieve the pain. You can apply mustard stucco, sandbags, pepper stucco, etc.

We recommend that you do not seek help from the forum, you should rely on the doctor's diagnosis.

Massage

Massage treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Therapeutic massage can be performed at home, including elements of classic massage. It starts from the healthy part of the body and then moves smoothly to the sore spot. The complex is selected according to the individual characteristics of the patient and the stage of the disease. In order to perform a massage, the patient needs to lay horizontally on the floor, place the forehead on the hand, and bring the chin to the chest. Relax the neck muscles.

Therapeutic massage technique:

  1. Start the massage from the middle collar.
  2. Push-ups, in order to perform, the masseur puts his hands on his neck and moves along the spine. Alternatively, the technique can be performed to the shoulder.
  3. Rubbing can heat the neck muscles, while the body relaxes and bleeding is improved. Starting from the skull, the movement is directed, and the movement is directed towards the spine.
  4. The neck should be kneaded in circular motions.
  5. Vibration must be accomplished by tapping and shaking.

Prevention

The following rules should be followed to prevent diseases:

  • Participate in sports (swimming is the most effective).
  • Increase the consumption of calcium and magnesium foods.
  • Warm up several times a day, especially if you are sitting for a long time.
  • Choose the right pillow (should be low) and mattress (should not be soft). Monitor the position of the neck while sleeping: the angle of the neck should be at least 15 degrees.
  • Wash at least 10 minutes a day.
  • For those who do not like sports, experts recommend that you practice yoga regularly.
  • It is better to abandon the gymnasium. Bodybuilding will worsen your health.

Osteochondrosis and pregnancy

How to treat osteochondrosis when holding a child? Naturally, you need to limit your own use of drugs. Ointments with natural ingredients and folk methods will help.Remember!During pregnancy, it is forbidden to have all possible effects on the neck (for example, warming up).

Does osteochondrosis occur in young people? Regardless of how adults persuade young people to accept such diseases, it is too early, and their frequency of observation is increasing. It may develop due to congenital or acquired cartilage failure.

It is forbidden to heat the neck during the worsening of the disease, as it may cause increased swelling.

This article not only considers the basic concepts, but also considers effective methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. No matter where you are, they will help you cope with painful feelings, feel comfortable and confident.