Cervical osteocondrosis is a very common disease in the modern world. Many people have it on the initial step, but don't even suspect it. The widespread osteocondrosis in the neck was due to people starting to sit more and move less. Let's take a closer look at the reasons for the development of this unpleasant disease and methods of combating it.
What is cervical osteocondrosis?
So cervical osteocondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of cartilage tissue in the musculoskeletal system. The disease is characterized by pathological changes in the structure of cartilage, leading to a violation of the anatomical structure of the spine, disturbing skeletal mobility and causing painful sensations. The disease can affect any part of the spine, but due to excessive mobility and miniature vertebral size, the cervical segment most often suffers from this pathology. The neck experiences impressive loads daily. Turning the head and even the fact of its detention forces the vertebrae and intervertebral discs to work intensively. From regular exposure from the outside, intervertebral discs are thinner, microcracies appear on them. Over time, their height falls, they begin to change in thickness in the minor way and cease to fulfill their main function - depreciation of the vertebrae.
The causes of cervical osteocondrosis
The causes of the development of the disease are primarily due to the age -related aging of the body and the developing destruction of bones and cartilage. The following causes of osteocondrosis can also be called:
- Violation of attitude
- Reducing motor activity as a result of a sedentary lifestyle
- Excess weight which is the result of metabolic disorders has a load on the intervertebral discs
- Hereditary factor
- Long -Term physical activity
- Abnormalities of the spine
Symptoms of cervical osteocondrosis
Cervical osteocondrosis has specific manifestations. This is due to the anatomical features of the cervix ridge. Most often, patients complain of pain at different intensity and increase from a long stay in a position. Other symptoms are often added to pain:
- Weakness in the upper limbs
- numbness and tingling hands
- Stiffness when moving the head
- dizziness (suggests that the damaged elements affected the arteries)
- Numbness in the lips
- Feeling of coma in the throat
Signs of cervical osteocondrosis
In medicine, it is usual to separate signs of osteochondrosis based on the nature of symptomatic manifestations combined into a single syndrome. 4 of these syndrome is distinguished:
- Koreshka - indicates squeezed nerve rays that provoke severe pain, as well as a set of autonomous symptoms (dizziness, weakness, lump in the throat);
- Vertebral artery - damaged elements clamping the large spine artery, which is the cause of severe headaches, dizziness;
- Vertebral - provokes pain in the neck itself;
- Cardial - is masked during an attack by angina pectoris, manifested by severe chest pain, similar to a heart attack.
Phases of development of cervical osteocondrosis
1 degree of osteocondrosis
It is characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs. Cracks are formed in the fibrous ring, the strength of the disk and elasticity forms, its height decreases as the nerve roots are pressed. A distinctive sore pain appears. Sometimes in 1 step (preclinical) such pain can be absent, and osteochondrosis continues with moderate neck discomfort.
2 degree of osteocondrosis
If osteocondrosis was not treated in 1. The pain becomes constant, the destruction and sealing of the intervertebral disc continues and leads to small dislocations of the cervical vertebrae. With cervical osteocondrosis, a falling main syndrome can develop at this time. This syndrome is characterized by severe pain and a person is forced to support his head in a firm state to reduce pain.
3 degree of osteocondrosis
The fibrous ring is already almost destroyed, leading to complications of osteocondrosis - projection of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia. At 3 stages of osteocondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease as the affected cartilage tissue in the disk between the vertebrae is no longer there, which means that there is no source of pain but the clamps of the nerve roots remain so the pain does not completely leave.
Diagnosis of cervical osteocondrosis
If the presence of cervical osteocondrosis is suspected, it is necessary to contact a medical institution in a timely way. Extensive 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 osteocondrosis, the tension is noted in the cervical muscles, in some cases the deformation of the spine is felt. After objective diagnosis, the doctor sends the patient to further examinations. 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 pathology, an ultrasound examination of nearby organs, ECG of the Heart, Duplex scan of blood vessels, blood tests and urine can be further prescribed.
Treatment of cervical osteocondrosis
Treatment of osteocondrosis requires an integrated approach. For temporary elimination of pain, painkillers are used, but the basis of therapy is physiotherapy and massage. Massage helps relieve muscle hypertension, which improves pain. The procedures also restore normal blood circulation and improve the supply of damaged tissues. Based on the results of the massage course, the voltage is removed from the cervical region, the load on the spine is redistributed. Drug treatment. Medicines relieve pain and inflammation, restore blood circulation and eliminate cramps in the neck muscles. For this, the following groups of medications can be used: glucocorticosteroids, painkillers, muscle relaxants, etc. Physiotherapeutic treatment. In addition to taking medicines to relax near the cervical muscles, eliminate cramps and normalize blood circulation help physiotherapeutic procedures: acupuncture, laser effect, magnetotherapy, UHF therapy, phonophoresis, etc. 
Therapeutic gymnastics. Special physical exercises will help the patient strengthen the muscle frame, adjust the attitude and improve the blood supply to the upper part of the spine. In the case of advanced stages of osteocondrosis of cervical spine or with insufficient efficiency of conservative methods, surgery is required.
Prevention of cervical osteocondrosis
To prevent the development of cervical osteocondrosis, it is recommended: When sitting, be sure to make five -minute breaks every hour, avoid stresses on the neck; Do not make sharp movements of the head, monitored attitude; Avoid hypothermia; Engage in physical training, swimming; Eat properly; The dream must be on a solid mattress and on a low cushion, bent the neck of the neck should not be more than 15 degrees; After 25 years, avoid shock load on the spine (jump, run). In any case, when the symptoms of the disease appear - be sure to visit a doctor. Not self -medicine!