When we talk about osteochondrosis, we mean pathological changes in the intervertebral discs with degenerative changes in the cartilage. This pathology can affect all parts of the spine. At the same time, cervical osteochondrosis occurs in about a quarter of all cases of this condition. As a rule, it mainly affects patients of working age - from 30 to 50 years.
Anatomical features
To understand why osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra develops, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of the anatomy of the cervical spine. It consists of 7 vertebrae. And if the vertebrae in the thoracic and lumbar regions are relatively homogeneous, here they differ in their structure. Indeed, the movements of the shoulder girdle and head in the cervical region are of great complexity and amplitude. In addition, the mobile neck moves to a relatively static thoracic region. Therefore, the 1st, 2nd and 7th vertebrae are significantly different from each other
In addition to the spinal cord and spinal nerves, peripheral nerves from the brain pass through the cervical region. Some, for example, innervate the vagus, diaphragm, and abdominal organs. In addition to the nerves, the main blood vessels pass from here. And if the blood supply through the carotid arteries and the outflow through the vessels of the neck do not suffer from osteochondrosis, then the vertebral artery is often involved in the pathology of neck osteochondrosis. It passes through holes in the transverse processes of 2-6 vertebrae and makes up about 15% of the total volume of blood entering the brain. With cervical osteochondrosis, this artery can be spasmed or compressed by tense muscles or a displaced disc.
The reasons
In this case, it is not always possible to determine why osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops. It has been established that osteochondrosis is not an independent disease. This is a pathological condition or syndrome caused by other diseases or negative factors, including:
- Heredity
- Systematic violation of posture in schoolchildren and office workers
- Poor nutrition with a lack of vitamins and minerals
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Frequent mechanical effects, for example, shocks, vibration from drives
- Accompanying diseases of kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system organs
- Weakened immunity.
Symptoms
Osteochondrosis itself is a painless process. Dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs are not felt by the patient. The disease makes itself felt only when the results of cervical osteochondrosis appear - displacement of the intervertebral disc in the posterolateral direction with irritation of nearby nerve fibers, disruption of blood circulation through the vertebral artery. It is at this time that various sensory, motor and neurological disorders appear. Osteochondrosis of the neck is distinguished by the following symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Pathological tension of 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 increase in blood pressure
- Visual disturbances - a feeling of darkness and trembling in front of the eyes
- Sometimes pain or feeling of a lump in the throat, toothache
- Insomnia or, conversely, pathological drowsiness
- Emotional lability - tears, irritability.
Pain is the leading symptom in cervical osteochondrosis. It is the pain syndrome that forces the patient to consult a doctor. The nature of the pain depends on which cervical segment is affected by osteochondrosis. When the upper cervical segments are disturbed, the skin of the back of the head, crown and superciliary region hurts. If the pathology has developed in the middle and lower parts, neck pain spreads to the interscapular space, shoulder girdle and upper limbs.
Exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis begins with cervicago - a sharp pain similar to back pain. Later, neck sciatica develops with pain, movement disorders and muscle tension. The main cause of exacerbation is hypothermia. In addition to local, cerebral symptoms due to vertebral artery syndrome are also noted. Headache and dizziness can be so strong that the patient may lose consciousness.
Flow characteristics
Osteochondrosis is a chronic pathology. And it progresses steadily in the absence of treatment. In this regard, 4 degrees are distinguished, reflecting symptoms and functional disorders in the cervical region.
- Intervertebral disc tissue thickens. Displacement of the disc is minimal, but already at this stage the outer fibrous disc sheath is crusted. The uncinate processes in the cervical vertebrae increase compensation. Manifestations - cervicalgia, cervical.
- Narrowing of the intervertebral spaces and the lumen of the spinal canal. Pathological mobility leads to subluxation of individual vertebrae and instability of the cervical spine as a whole. Sensory and motor disorders in the upper extremities. Vertebral artery syndrome.
- Further narrowing of the spinal canal and the spaces between the vertebrae. The occurrence of disc herniation, as a result of which the symptoms increase.
- Irreversible structural disorders - spondylolisthesis (displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other) and spondylosis (pathological growth of the bone tissue of the vertebrae). Destruction of discs with the end of nuclear pulposis. Persistent brain and movement disorders.
Treatment
Treatment of neck osteochondrosis is carried out using drugs and physiotherapy procedures. Massage, physiotherapy exercises, manual therapy and acupuncture are also effective. The main group of drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Moreover, in relation to cervical osteochondrosis, the local use of NSAIDs in gels and ointments is preferred. Means for local treatment of cervical osteochondrosis include local irritants and chondroprotectors. Treatment can be completed by taking immunostimulants and vitamin-mineral complexes.
Physiotherapy procedures (UHF, amplipulse, electrophoresis) have a similar effect - relieve pain, relieve muscle spasm, increase blood circulation and metabolism in neck tissues. It is also facilitated by massage of the collar zone with osteochondrosis. The neck is a sensitive 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 with great care by experienced specialists. During relaxation gymnastics, the frontal and temporal areas standing on the palmar surface of the hand, static loads with the maximum tilt of the head forward and to the sides are preferred.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is aimed at eliminating provoking factors. Hypothermia should be avoided. Office workers, programmers, amateur Internet users are recommended to take 15-minute breaks for health gymnastics every hour. And of course, good nutrition and avoiding excess weight. And with the slightest pain and discomfort in the cervical region, it is better to use Shants immobilization 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 like osteochondrosis is very common and causes fear and great fear in many people. As medical experience shows, as a rule, several main reasons contribute to the appearance of the disease, which are directly provoked by patients. In order to prevent this disease and prevent its occurrence, it is necessary to know its main symptoms and causes.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra
Most often, osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra manifests itself in the form of a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral disc. Experience shows that the disease appears and develops against the background of metabolic disorders occurring 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 somewhat different from osteochondrosis affecting other parts (we are talking about the lumbar and thoracic forms of osteochondrosis). This type of disease is more dangerous because it contributes to the direct violation of the root of the spinal nerve leaving the brain, thus disrupting the blood supply to the cerebral vessels due to the direct violation and compression of the blood vessels. .
In addition, the structure of the vertebrae in the cervical region (in this case, they are more closely connected) is slightly different from the others, so with the appearance of any change in pathology, one of them is noticeably disturbed in its normal state. functioning of the entire spine. Therefore, a patient with cervical osteochondrosis may be disturbed by such obvious symptoms: frequent dizziness, impaired sensitivity of the muscles and skin of the hands, neck, face, constant headaches, unpleasant ringing in the ears and noise or noise. head, hearing or vision disorders, increased sensation fatigue, slippery and unsteady gait, loss of coordination, etc.
So, you should pay close attention to the fact that osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra appears as a result of:
- lifting heavy objects and loads;
- we are talking about work that is directly related to the constant change of the position of the body - stretching, bending, circular movements, turns;
- active sports and physical education;
- lying, sitting, standing positions of the body, as well as wrong posture when lifting and carrying weights;
- genetic predisposition;
- adverse weather conditions.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Often, in the early stages of its manifestation, the symptoms of osteochondrosis may not manifest themselves at all. Having moved to a more advanced stage, the disease often begins to manifest itself with cramping pain during any movement of the head and neck. However, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are quite diverse and are explained by degenerative changes and disorders in the cartilage structure, or by the result of severe compression of the displaced disc of the vertebral artery passing between the discs.
Pain
The most important and first symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra are pain, which can pass quickly in the first stage and then become chronic. The pain can appear in the occipital muscles, shoulders and neck, and is intensified when turning or bending the head and neck. Depending on the location of the lesion, the pain can be painful and persistent. And it can decrease for a while or it can be hot and sharp. Moreover, any movement of the head and neck becomes difficult over time, which is associated with constant muscle tension in the neck region.
When the spinal artery is compressed by cartilaginous tissue, intervertebral disc or tense muscles, a person can suffer from a cervical migraine (a headache caused by tissue oxygen starvation and poor blood circulation), with a strong jump. upward pressure, short-term loss and impairment of consciousness, 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 vertebra can be accompanied by nausea. Moreover, nausea is associated with impaired blood circulation in the vessels of the brain. Often, a person loses his appetite, as a result of which the body lacks nutrients and the overall weight decreases. In more severe cases, the disease is accompanied by vomiting, which occurs when the head is bent, turned, 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 balance center is located.
Lack of air
Among the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra is a symptom such as lack of air. It appears with direct damage to the cervical region and is expressed by 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 suffer, even severe suffocation may occur.
As a rule, lack of air is accompanied by snoring, especially during an uncomfortable position of the head at rest. This condition causes a person to wake up very tired and completely broken, suffering from a general disorder and weakness. Staying in this state for a long time leads to a decrease in concentration, memory impairment and irreversible changes in brain tissue.
Ringing and tinnitus
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are sometimes manifested in the form of ringing and noise in the ears. Simply, the vestibular apparatus is rich in blood coming only from the system of vertebral arteries. Therefore, with inflammation of the cervical region, the function of the inner ear is disturbed, as a result, a person suffers from ringing and tinnitus. Sometimes hearing impairment is added to the described symptoms.
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 sweating in the throat, difficulty in swallowing, tickling and itching, a feeling of a foreign body. All these symptoms are directly related to the disruption of the vessels and nerve trunks coming out of the spinal cord.
Visual impairment
The most common and frequent symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is deterioration of visual acuity. This is due to the enrichment of the visual analyzer with blood not only due to the carotid, but also due to the vertebral arteries. When these vessels are compressed, visual impairment occurs. In addition, patients may complain of:
- low pressure;
- atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels;
- inability to focus on one subject;
- "swimming" or flashing spots;
- sensation of a veil or mist before the eyes.
In this case, doing eye exercises or using glasses does not have a positive effect. Vision improves only with appropriate treatment.
Sudden loss of consciousness
The most dangerous and unpleasant symptom that occurs with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is an unexpected loss of consciousness. This is due to the temporary cessation of blood flow through the arteries of the brain. Thus, in response to the irritation of the nerve endings, an open spasm of the vessels is obtained from the side of the deformation processes of the vertebral bones.
But after passing out, a person can recover quickly if he is given time to lie down and raise his legs to improve blood supply to the brain and increase blood flow 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 decreases sharply or, on the contrary, increases. A person's condition worsens and he needs complete rest.
Dizziness
Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by dizziness. In this case, such a phenomenon can be spontaneous. Dizziness is caused by a lack of oxygen reaching the inner ear canals. 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 false position.
How to treat osteochondrosis?
If a person sees one or more of the above symptoms and behind them, his initial action should not be to self-medicate with the recommendations of friends and relatives, but to consult the appropriate doctor in time. The actions of a specialist are aimed at conducting tests to determine the main cause of osteochondrosis, as well as choosing the right treatment.
Treatment of the disease is complex, taking into account the condition and degree of the patient. During the treatment, the doctor can prescribe therapeutic exercises, massage, the use of drugs aimed at eliminating the causes of inflammation and relieving pain.
Therapeutic treatment
The drug treatment regimen is represented by the following groups:
- Chondroprotectors - allow to stop the destruction of cartilage and help to restore cartilage tissue.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - effective removal of inflammation and pain, low risk of side effects, possibility of long-term use.
Treatment of osteochondrosis symptoms with ointments is quite popular, but ineffective. As a rule, ointments from the NSAID group or ointments with irritating substances are used for treatment.
Vitamins of group B are used against osteochondrosis.
Folk remedies
Recipes for rubbing and ointment for the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Lemon. In the juice of one lemon, it is necessary to add iodine as much as the juice is squeezed. Mix it up. This composition is for external use only. A strip is drawn along the entire spine every evening with a tampon soaked in this solution.
- Rub honey. Mix a glass of honey, alcohol, aloe juice and radish. Add 1 tbsp. l. dry mustard and mix well. Apply compresses for several hours.
- Vinegar and eggs. Prepare a mixture of vinegar and an egg: add vinegar to the egg and let it dissolve completely. Then add 90 gr. butter and stir. A white homogeneous mass resembling oil should come out. Apply the solution to the painful areas.
- Peppercorns with camphor and bile. It will be 300 gr. medical bile and several bottles of camphor alcohol. Mix the ingredients in a glass container, add 3 pods of hot pepper and brew for a week. Apply compresses for 5-7 hours. Shake the paste well before use.
Osteochondrosis, like all other diseases, is easier to prevent than to cure completely. You should lead a healthy lifestyle with alternative sports to never suffer from this disease. Nutrition should be strengthened and complete, smoking should not be the norm. By following simple rules, you will have a better chance of living into old age without deterioration in your quality of life and pain.