For us, osteochondrosis in the usual sense is a disease of the spine, manifested by a decrease in the height of the discs. But this is a natural process associated with the aging of the body and the penalty of bipedalism. Such changes can be observed in most people in the age group of 25-40 years and above.
The structure of the cervical spine includes seven C1-C7 vertebrae connected by the elastic tissue of the intervertebral discs. There are seven interconnected processes in the bow, and blood vessels and nerve endings pass through their small openings. With a disease, the disc loses its strength and elasticity.
The main purpose of radiography of the cervical spine is to rule out spondylitis, osteoporosis or tumors.
If osteochondrosis is depicted on radiographs, it has no significant clinical significance.
In general, the prognosis of the pathology is favorable, in the vast majority there is recovery, but it can be delayed for several weeks or months.
Incident statistics
Most people with osteochondrosis are adults. On average, only 15% of cases occur in patients under 30 years of age. In people aged 30-49, problems with cervical vertebrae occur in 65% of cases. Over the years, complaints about this disease are increasing due to the sedentary lifestyle of many workers.
| How is it going? | Female age | Men's age |
|---|---|---|
| Not progressing | 58 | 65 |
| It is slowly progressing | 46 | 46 |
| is moving fast | 49 | fifty |
The ratio of severity and dynamics of the disease is approximately the same in men and women (~ 50/50). The ages are almost the same. The difference applies only to the group in which the disease did not progress - in this case, it is noticeable that the average age of men is 7 years older.
| city dwellers | Villager | Brain work | Physical work | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not progressing | 41 | 56 | 55 | 55 |
| It is slowly progressing | 31 | 31 | 29 | 28 |
| is moving fast | 28 | fourteen | fifteen | 17 |
It is also noticeable that fast-moving osteochondrosis occurs more often in urban residents than in rural residents.
Causes of the disease
Many factors, individually or combined, affect the condition of the cervical spine.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region - degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs in the cervical region.
It is manifested by pain, general weakness, numbness in the arms and neck, sometimes tinnitus.
X-ray, CT, MRI and other studies are carried out to determine the degree of cartilage tissue damage and the involvement of vessels and nerves in the process.
Medical and physiotherapeutic treatment, lifestyle correction.
The list of reasons that lead to malnutrition of the intervertebral disc:
- physical inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle;
- improper metabolism;
- salt deposits;
- unbalanced diet;
- sedentary work, including driving a vehicle or working at a computer;
- obesity;
- violation of posture;
- depression, stress, overexertion;
- chronic viral diseases;
- sudden stop of training or wrong actions during physical exertion in athletes;
- injury;
- genetic predisposition;
- childbirth;
- disorders in the formation of bone tissues of the spine;
- hypothermia;
- weight lifting;
- straight legs.
This list can be added, it all depends on the individual characteristics of development, lifestyle and the presence of concomitant diseases.
The degree of development of pathology of the intervertebral disc
The pathology develops gradually and there are 4 degrees in total:
1 degree
Symptoms of the disease are minimal, pain in the cervical region is insignificant. When you turn your head, they can intensify and cause discomfort. During the doctor's examination, there is slight muscle tension in the neck-collar area.
2 degrees
In this case, the pain is stronger than the above description. And they can give it to the arm or shoulder area. This phenomenon is provoked by a decrease in the height of the spinal disc and disruption of the nerve endings in it.
Pain is noted when turning or bending the head. At the same time, the patient's ability to work decreases, headache attacks, general weakness of the body occur.
3 degrees
Pain intensifies, numbness of the limbs and weakness in the muscles of the hands, which means the formation of intervertebral hernias. This degree of the disease is often accompanied by dizziness and general weakness of the body.
4 degrees
This is the most dangerous condition of the body, because there is complete destruction of the disc and replacement of bone tissue with elastic. At the same time, dizziness often occurs, noise appears behind the head and ears, coordination of movements is disturbed.
This is due to the disruption of the artery that feeds the cerebellum and the back of the head. In the fourth stage of the disease, due to the regeneration of cartilage tissue, the pain in the neck decreases significantly, but the pinched nerve endings remain.
The pain syndrome is not always associated with the presence of protrusions, hernias in the back, more often it is non-specific back pain.
Symptoms
Pain can manifest itself in different parts of the body, so special examinations should be carried out. For example, pain can occur in the area of the eyeballs, dental nerves or ears. In some cases, they can spread to the shoulders, arms, shoulder blades and lower back.
Pain in the heart muscle is not excluded, it can be easily confused with heart disease. If you use drugs that help to relieve pain from heart failure, then it will not be useful.
Due to cervical osteochondrosis, the arteries that supply blood to the brain can be compressed (this is extremely rare and only with massive osteophytes or large tears), so there can be dizziness, noise in the head, nausea, headaches, loss of orientation, and a decrease in visual function. to be seen and heard.
| Place of manifestation | characteristic feelings |
|---|---|
| Cervical | Pain and dizziness, breathing becomes difficult, hearing and vision deteriorate, hoarseness appears in the voice, hands go numb. |
| Waist | Back pain - sharp or dull, sweating problems, leg cramps, cold feet, menstrual irregularities, erectile dysfunction. |
| thoracic | It becomes difficult to breathe, it is tight in the chest or back, the pain spreads to the heart area and occurs when bending over and breathing. |
Severe dizziness may occur after a long period of time in the vertical position of the body and a sharp rise. Fingers, toes and the tip of the nose are often cold.
Each case is individual and should be examined before prescribing medicine.
Syndromes with cervical osteochondrosis
A syndrome is a group that combines several clinical features. The following types are distinguished.
Heart
The symptoms are similar to the picture of heart failure, as well as the condition before a heart attack. This category includes:
- burning and pain in the chest;
- increased fatigue;
- shortness of breath;
- general weakness;
- frequent heartbeat.
Functional tests and electrocardiography are used to distinguish cervical osteochondrosis from heart disease.
Vertebral
Such a syndrome indicates the connection of the pathological condition with the body of cartilage and bone tissue. Three main symptoms include:
- painduring neck turns;
- changes inspacebetween vertebrae and their body;
- violationmobilityin the neck area.
These features are directly related to each other. If any of the symptoms are absent, then we are not talking about vertebral syndrome.
Vertebral artery
It shows the relationship between the pathological processes and the arteries feeding the brain tissue. The syndrome includes the following symptoms, which are directly related to impaired blood flow in the brain:
- nerve irritationendings, manifested by migraine, severe headaches, tinnitus, numbness of limbs;
- dysfunctionblood flowin the trunk, which will be indicated by nausea and vomiting attacks, dizziness, changes in blood pressure;
- defectoxygen, manifested by drowsiness, depression, fainting, decreased performance.
The development of the syndrome is facilitated not only by cervical osteochondrosis, but also by other pathological processes.
Root
Manifestation is based on the fusion of 1 of 8 pairs of roots innervating the cervical spine. Typically, only one side of the body is affected.
The following symptoms will indicate impaired conduction:
- 1-2 pairs- pain in the back of the head;
- the third- difficulty in chewing food, numbness of the tongue;
- the fourth- hiccups, pain in the collarbone;
- the fifth- Difficulties in moving the shoulder joint;
- sixth- discomfort in forearm and shoulder blades;
- the seventh- numbness of the middle and index fingers in the upper limbs;
- the eighth- impaired mobility of the little fingers and ring fingers.
In most cases, mixed symptoms are observed because several pairs are involved in the pathological process at once.
Diagnostics
To determine the presence of the disease, the patient's lifestyle, including professional activity, is first analyzed. Summarizes information about symptoms. In addition, in order to identify hereditary predisposition factors, a survey is conducted regarding the presence of similar pathology among family members.
Next, a direct examination of the neck and back is performed in various positions to determine changes in posture and visible disc locations. Painful areas and areas of muscle tension are felt. But these are only external examinations, and a more detailed picture can be drawn only with the help of instrumental methods.
X-ray of the cervical spine
The information content of this method for the diagnosis of herniation is small.
CT scan
This is a more advanced method of detecting changes in the vertebrae, but it is difficult to determine the size and presence of hernias, as well as places of compression of the spinal cord.
MRI
This method is the most advanced method compared to the previous two. With this, you can draw detailed conclusions about the size, location and structure of intervertebral changes.
Ultrasound duplex scan
It is used for suspected changes in blood flow in the vertebral arteries, including its speed and the presence of obstructions.
Rheoencephalography or REG
This examination aims to study the normal blood supply and outflow of blood from the brain. Currently, it is rarely assigned due to the lack of information content.
The above diagnostic methods can be used individually or together to determine the cause of the disease.
Treatment
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is completely impossible, but with the help of some methods, this process can be slowed down.
With the exacerbation of this disease, as a rule, painkillers are prescribed, and with them vitamins and muscle relaxants, the latter are aimed at increasing the flexibility of soft bone tissues. Specialists prescribe massage procedures by wearing a Shants collar. Electrophoresis and ultrasound procedures are also effective.
You can do the massage yourself, but only after consulting a specialist. The main methods are:
- kneadmuscles - deep external impact, solid grip, relatively strong squeezing and pressing;
- lightvibration- tapping and shaking;
- trituration- application of a small effort to apply friction to the muscle warm-up condition;
- caress- movements are soft without effort;
- squeeze- Light pressure and release.
With the help of manual therapy, you can get rid of chronic pain and correct your posture. Its direction is to warm the muscles, relieve tension, restore the normal functions of the joints, and by having a sharp effect on the pathogenic zones, the restoration of the cervical vertebra takes place.
Acupuncture - this method helps release the hormone cortisol, which has anti-inflammatory properties, into the bloodstream.
Exercise therapy at home
Correctly performed therapeutic exercises have the most positive effect. The main principle of sports is based on the normalization of blood flow in the injured area.
Strong inclinations and rotation of the head should not be used during exercise therapy. Movements with joints in their original state are allowed.
There are a number of effective exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
First
Lie on your stomach, put your hands on the floor. Lift your head and torso. The back forms a straight line. In this case, you need to stand for about two minutes. Then slowly take the starting position. The number of repetitions is not more than 3.
Second
As you inhale, sit and lean forward. In this case, the head should touch the chest. During exhalation, the head bends and leans back. It is necessary to repeat up to 15 times.
the third
While sitting, turn your head alternately in each direction. In this case, the movements should be smooth and shallow. If dizziness occurs, exercise should be stopped.
Exercise therapy is allowed only if there is no exacerbation of the pathology. The best effect is achieved during recovery.
The absence of pain and discomfort will indicate the correct use of the complex.
Orthopedic pillows
As a rule, a person is sitting most of the time. As a result, back pain begins to appear. The rest of the spine is only possible during night sleep. Therefore, it is important to choose the right pillow.
Orthopedic items for sleep help reduce stress and normalize the physiological state of the spine at night.
Before choosing a pillow, you should consult your doctor. An experienced specialist will choose the most suitable options, taking into account the rigidity intended for placement under the neck, the presence of rolls along the edges.
If the person is overweight, a notched shoulder pad may be recommended.
In order to achieve the maximum effect, it is also important to consider the following criteria:
- Size. If a person is used to sleeping on his back, the optimal height will be 9 cm, if he is on his stomach, less.
- Degreehardness. You should also consider your favorite sleeping position here. If you often sleep on your stomach, a softer product will help, and if you sleep on your back, it is better to prefer a hard pillow.
- Form. For night rest, doctors recommend taking a rectangular model. For a short vacation, the option of half a month is suitable.
The main disadvantage of orthopedic pillows is that with the wrong choice, a person feels constant discomfort.
Needle applicator
This is a device consisting of a fabric base and an elastic material, on which spiked plastic plates are fixed. In addition, the kit may contain inserts with magnetic strips.
The work of the device is based on the effect of acupuncture on the human body. The use of the applicator for cervical osteochondrosis helps:
- eliminationspasmsand muscle relaxation
- cuppainfulback syndrome;
- normalizationblood circulation;
- improvementmobilityjoints;
- revivalmetabolic processes in tissues.
Main contraindications for use:
- chronicdiseases;
- pregnancy;
- oncologicalpathology;
- epilepsyattacks;
- inclinationbleeding;
- heartdisease and lung damage.
The therapeutic course lasts 14-21 days, according to all the prescriptions of the attending physician. Use the device only in a well-ventilated area.
Diet
Compliance with proper nutrition is an important component in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
General recommendations
A properly designed diet has its own characteristics. First of all, there are no strict restrictions on food. The menu includes the use of various healthy foods. In each case, the energy cost per day is calculated individually. It is important to always have proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fibers in the diet.
To prevent tissue dehydration, it is recommended to drink at least 1. 5 liters of clean water per day. In summer, the daily rate increases significantly.
In addition, salt intake should be reduced. Its excessive amount in the body contributes to the appearance of edema and puts an additional burden on the vascular system. This product is not allowed to be more than 5 grams per day.
It is also recommended to reduce the consumption of starch and sugar.
All dishes are steamed, in the oven, boiled.
Prohibited Products
Patients with cervical osteochondrosis will have to give up a lot of coffee, pastries and sweet products.
It is necessary to completely exclude from the diet:
- dried fish;
- carbonated drinks;
- acid;
- preserves and sausages;
- cakes;
- fat broths;
- food additives.
In addition, strong tea, sweet grapes, spicy food, pickles and smoked meat are prohibited.
Complications and consequences
Pain from cervical osteochondrosis is not yet a severe symptom of the disease. But if you do not respond to them in time and do not take any measures, irreversible processes may occur later. Cardiovascular pathologies can be the most dangerous disease caused by displacement or rupture of spinal discs.
When compressing the veins passing through the spine, the blood circulation of the brain is disturbed, and accordingly the brain experiences starvation. As a result, the function of the upper parts of the cerebellum and spinal cord is disrupted, and sounds are created at the back of the head.
Since the blood supply is poor, vision is impaired and hearing is lost. Diseases such as thyroid gland diseases, migraine, spinal curvature begin. Cervical osteochondrosis can disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system and genitals.
Experts studying the pathogenesis of the disease found that its origin is often provoked by an unhealthy lifestyle, nutrition, as well as stress and increased stress on the body. Therefore, if small symptoms appear, it is recommended to contact your doctor so that they do not turn into a more serious pathology.
Prevention
To prevent such a disease, preventive measures should be different. Experts recommend:
- to sleepmedium firm mattress and low pillow;
- visit from time to timebathroomor sauna. It helps relieve muscle tension;
- take it dailyshowerwith hot water;
- walk moreon foot, swim or do yoga exercises;
- noconvertsharply on sides of head;
- after work forcomputerrest for five minutes at the end of each hour, do not forget to keep your posture while working with your hands, making small body bends;
- hourlet's sit downtry to keep your back straight;
- choose specificallychairsor comfortable seats for work.
In addition to the physical effect on the proper functioning of the cervical vertebra, it is necessary to adjust the nutritional diet. To do this, you need to eat a little, but often - at least 5 times a day.
Steam dishes will ensure good digestion and will not have a negative effect on soft bone tissue. It is necessary to drink at least one and a half liters of clean water a day and to completely exclude alcohol and smoking. It is recommended to dress salads with olive oil.
The following foods should be included in a nutritious diet:
- rabbit meat,chickenor lean beef
- tomatoesand cucumbers, cabbage, beets, avocados, celery, spinach, lettuce, peppers, carrots and onions;
- skinnycheeses, cottage cheese and milk;
- fish, squid, crabs and oysters;
- aspicand jelly;
- seedsunflower, almonds and hazelnuts;
- cereals, eggs and mushrooms.
It is recommended to exclude from the diet or limit the amount of consumption:
- fat soups;
- beans;
- beans;
- grapes;
- smoked meat;
- flour products and spicy foods.
For preventive purposes, you can do simple physical exercises:
- lie downstomachand put your hands on the ground. Then slowly and carefully raise your head and fix this position for a minute. After returning to the starting position. So repeat 3 or 4 times.
- Lying on the stomach, handsorganizealong the body, then slowly turn the head to the right. Return to the starting position and turn your head to the left. Repeat 5 times on both sides.
- Sitting in a chairto let gohead until the chin touches the body. Do this exercise while exhaling. Then take the starting position. After exhaling, tilt your head back. Repeat the exercise - 10 times.
- Rotate itturn the head 4 times clockwise and counterclockwise, but if the state of health allows it.
Complexes of exercises can be different, a medical professional will help you choose them.
In any case, you should consult a specialist before doing gymnastics, and if you feel dizziness or pain during the exercises, then you should stop them and consult your doctor.
Answers to common questions
Which doctor treats?
At the first signs of the development of pathology, you should contact a therapist, who, after an initial examination, will refer you to a neurologist (he who treats problems of the nervous system), a radiologist and a specialist. tomography. A vertebrologist carries out further diagnostics and prescribes treatment. An osteopath will help determine the location of the lesion.
What kind of pillow can you sleep on with cervical osteochondrosis?
Experts recommend using only orthopedic pillows for sleeping. They must meet the following requirements: springy, medium density, rectangular shape, small size.
How long does the exacerbation last?
The duration of the attack is on average 2-5 days. But after this period, for another 2-3 weeks, the patient will feel discomfort in the affected area of the spine. Thus, the exacerbation phase can last from several days to several months.
How long should you sleep on the needle applicator?
A session with cervical osteochondrosis lasts no more than 7 minutes. At the same time, it is necessary to slightly change the position of the head and back every 60 seconds. It is necessary to perform 2-3 procedures a day.