Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative-dystrophic pathology. It develops rapidly without treatment, exacerbating symptoms. During the course of the disease, the stages of remission are replaced by relapses in which the condition of the person deteriorates significantly. She suffers from severe, sharp, punching pains, stiff neck, dizziness, a sudden rise in blood pressure and headaches. Improper intake of analgesics with exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis. Action should be taken on the causes of clinical symptoms - muscle cramps, displacement of the vertebrae and vertebrae, compression of the muscle roots and blood vessels based on bone growth.
After diagnosis, the vertebrologist prepares a therapeutic plan. Transformation of cervical osteochondrosis to the level of stable remission, drugs of various clinical and pharmacological groups, physiotherapy procedures, gentle therapeutic gymnastics.
Causes of relapse
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In most cases, there are no symptoms that prevent exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis. That person feels good, participates in daily activities, makes plans for the near future. Suddenly a sharp, penetrating pain, which is urgently needed to be placed in a comfortable horizontal position of the body. This allows you to reduce the severity of your pain syndrome for a short time before visiting a doctor. Only in 15-20% of cases, before exacerbation, there are weak discomforts - pain, analgesia, "alkali blockages", numbness of the neck, shoulders and sometimes forearms. Due to the already deteriorating blood circulation in the cervical spine and brain, weakness, apathy, mental and physical performance occur.
Cervicago or cervical lumbago occurs after a few hours or days. A person suffers from such severe pain that when he or she visits a doctor, one of the issues that interests him or her becomes an opportunity to prevent relapse. To prevent exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, you need to know the reasons for its appearance:
- Stay in a stressful environment for a long time. People who experience even ordinary conflicts violently often suffer from various chronic pathological diseases, including musculoskeletal disorders. Negative emotions negatively affect the operation of all vital systems. Patients with cervical osteochondrosis provoke muscle cramps, circulatory disorders in the brain, neck and back of the head;
- continuous static and dynamic loads. Prolonged stay with a computer, typewriter, and microscope leads to a deterioration in the blood supply to the cartilage tissues of oxygen, nutrients, and biologically active substances. He suffers from osteoporosis2, 3 degrees of severity, a few hours is enough for relapse. Sleeping in an uncomfortable position on an overly soft mattress or pillow can also lead to this;
- neck twitching movements. Accidental intense twisting or tilting of the head can lead to dislocation of the discs and vertebrae, compaction of the nerve root, or blood vessels due to bone growth;
- hypothermia, a sharp change in the climate zone. Vertebrologists note that patients with worsening osteochondrosis most often turn to them in the fall or spring. In the off-season, downturns provoke a drop in temperature. It happens in the fall for natural reasons and in the spring - because of the desire to get rid of warm heavy clothes quickly;
- Exacerbation of respiratory, intestinal, urogenital infections, chronic diseases. In this case, a sudden decrease in immunity becomes a cause of recurrence of cervical pathology.
Osteochondrosis is exacerbated by improper massage, weight lifting, and excessive exercise. Relapse is often the result of non-compliance with medical recommendations regarding nutrition and drinking, medication.
Clinical presentation
Methods for treating osteochondrosis of the cervix or cervicothoracic spine depend on the severity of the symptoms. It is not as intense if they show a pathology of 1, 2 degrees when a small amount of cartilage tissue is damaged. And in osteochondrosis, stages 3 or 4 are characterized by acute clinical manifestations triggered by several negative factors simultaneously. Cartilage vertebral discs lost their cushioning properties and the distance between the vertebrae was significantly reduced. Therefore, with a sharp movement of the vertebrae, the nerves and blood vessels can be pressed simultaneously. The vertebrologist will treat you based on the following symptoms of worsening cervical osteochondrosis:
- pulling shots, stitches, aches, pains in the cervicobrachial or chest region;
- irradiation of pain in the back of the head, arms, forearms, shoulders, chest;
- persistent or paroxysmal pain syndrome;
- Increased pain while moving, shoulder rotation, arms raised.
Neck and shoulder pain is a sign of worsening pathology.
When the patient is examined, the vertebrologist detects muscle cramps, spinal pain, stiffness of movements, and smooth physiological lordosis. The unnatural condition of the human body also allows for the suspicion of aggravation. Tighten your neck tightly, turning your whole body to the side to reduce the intensity of the pain. Moderate to severe osteochondrosis is manifested by neurological disorders that are sensitive, motor, vegetative functional structures. For example, when the roots of the spine are pressed, “creeping creeps” are felt, the skin of the forearms and okithis region loses its sensitivity, becomes pale and cool to the touch. Patients complain of weakness in the arms, dizziness, headache, nausea, vision and / or hearing loss.
Impaired vision is almost always associated with worsening of osteochondrosis of the cervix.
Recurrence of cervical osteochondrois is manifested in psychoemotional instability, insomnia, arterial hypertension, and sometimes syncope - a short-term fainting that results from sudden movements of the neck.
First aid for relapse
The pain of a relapse is so acute that one simply freezes in place for fear of making unnecessary movement. It should be soothed, preferably placed on a hard surface. Place a flat pillow or a folded pillow under your back. a blanket to make the patient more comfortable and reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome.
The ambulance must now be called. The situation is that in some cases, with the worsening of osteochondrosis, a person is unable to swallow the pill. On-call physicians inject analgesic solution intramuscularly or intravenously. If necessary, devices are also used to restore cerebral circulation or to further treat a person in a hospital setting.
Transport the patient to the hospital.
While the ambulance is on its way, the patient feels better. Alleviation of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis:
- if swallowing functions are maintained, give anesthetic tablets;
- Light rubbing of analgesic gels will help reduce pain;
- The patient should not be allowed to stand or bow, as coordination of movements may be detrimental.
Self-medication is strictly forbidden before the doctor arrives - use of warming agents, massaging the neck to relieve muscle cramps. When an attack of osteochondrosis is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the paravertebral structures, such events lead to irreversible complications.
Treatment of osteochondrosis in the acute stage
Treatment of worsening cervical osteochondrosis begins with the elimination of the main symptom, acute piercing pain. A vertebrologist may prescribe intramuscular administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Glucocorticosteroid solutions, together with anesthetics, are injected into the area of the vertebrae or the choked spinal cord. After the severe pain has resolved, treatment is continued with tablets or topical medications.
How to continue to treat worsening cervical osteochondrosis at home:
- Taking NSAIDs in tablets, capsules, pills for 5-7 days. The drugs should be combined with proton pump inhibitors to prevent ulceration of the gastric mucosa. If this recommendation is neglected, post-refillation osteochondrosis, hyperacid gastritis should be treated;
- Use of NSAIDs in the form of gels, ointments, creams for 7-10 days from the first day of treatment. The funds should be applied in a thin layer to the pain area 2-3 times a day and rubbed lightly;
- use of warming agents. After the inflammation has stopped, the treatment is stopped for approx. On day 3, doctors prescribe warming agents to improve blood circulation and stimulate regeneration. They are rubbed in small amounts once every 1-3 days. Transdermal products, such as pepper patch, can help cope with pain;
- Ingestion or parenteral administration of muscle relaxants. They have an analgesic effect by eliminating muscle cramps, which are usually provoked by compression of nerve endings.
The vertebrologist decides what to do with the worsening of osteochondrosis of the neck, what medications to take, or what medical procedures to perform. If the patient did not use a chondroprotector prior to relapse, adjunctive medications that stimulate cartilage tissue regeneration should be given from the first days of therapy. Intramuscular injection of chondroprotectors is allowed to accelerate the restoration of all cervical spine functions.
The use of B vitamins significantly accelerates the patient's recovery. Pyridoxine, thiamine, cyanocobalamin, nicotinamide, riboflavin improve the innervation of damaged discs and vertebrae, stabilize the central and autonomic nervous systems.
Non-drug treatment
The patient rests in bed for 3-4 days of treatment. Dynamic loads on all parts of the spine are not included. Patients are advised to wear Shants collars of the desired height for several hours or all day, which will be determined by their doctor. The use of an orthopedic device reduces the strain on the cervical vertebrae and prevents an increase in painful sensations.
The Shants collar secures the cervical vertebrae.
Feeding for cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation should be fractional - 5-6 times daily. Foods containing salts or spices should be excluded from the diet. Their use provokes body fluid retention and increased bloating. Nutritionists recommend more fruits, cereals, fresh vegetable salads.
In severe relapse, nerve damage causes disturbance to the nerves in parts of the body. Compression of the spinal cord becomes a conduction disorder - para- and tetraparesis of the hand, dysfunction of internal organs. Therefore, doctors strongly do not recommend independent elimination of worsening cervical osteochondrosis and immersion of pain with pills. Only proper treatment can help avoid the dangerous consequences of a chronic disease relapse pathology.
How to forget about joint pain and osteochondrosis?
- Joint pain restricts movement and whole life. . .
- Worried about discomfort, crunching, and systematic pain. . .
- You may have tried a lot of medications, creams and ointments. . .
- But based on reading these lines, not much help has been given to you. . .
The term "osteochondrosis" describes the destructive processes that take place in one part or another of the human musculoskeletal system.
In some patients, the disease affects the joints of the limbs, but there is a 95% chance that osteochondrosis will be localized in certain parts of the spine.
The spine is the main axis of the human body, performing many important functions, and is an almost irreplaceable element of the musculoskeletal system.
Violation of the structure of any part of the spine can lead to irreversible consequences and severely impair a patient's quality of life.
Osteochondrosis of the spine affects one of the three sections of the column: neck, chest, or lumbar, and can be localized in several sections.
Each disease of the spine has its own characteristics of the process and individual symptoms, as well as certain nuances in the tactics of treating osteochondrosis.
How does cervical osteochondrosis work?
Changes in spinal structure, patient complaints, and treatment modalities are classified into three stages of cervical osteoporosis.
1. section
Cervical spine inflammation
This degree rarely shows a clinically pronounced picture, with some patients complaining:
- recurrent headache;
- Feeling uncomfortable in the neck and neck.
Changes in this stage of the disease affect some of the vertebrae and vertebral contact plates, reduce the elasticity of renal fibrosis, and slightly compress the roots of the spinal nerve
2. section
Degeneration of spinal structures is more pronounced, intervertebral discs are practically unable to perform their functions, there is pressure on neural processes and blood vessels, this causes the symptoms of the disease.
Patients report frequent headaches, dizziness, and decreased performance. At this stage, most trained medical care is needed, but some spinal injuries are already irreversible.
3. section
The cervical spine reaches its apex. Instrumental severe lesions of bones and vertebrae
Strong clinical picture:
- Severe headache;
- Nausea, lack of coordination;
- Sleep problems;
- Visual and hearing impairments
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease characterized by periods of alternation and remission (calm).
Exacerbation of a disease is a stage in the chronic course in which the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves and the well-being of the patient deteriorates.
The stage of remission is the period after treatment or on its own, characterized by an unnoticeable course of the disease, without a distinct clinical picture.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in the second and third stages is reduced to minimize the exacerbation phase and prolong the duration of remission.
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Exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis
Competent treatment, physiotherapy, gymnastic exercises, proper nutrition and lifestyle will help the body fight osteochondrosis and prolong the remission time of the disease.
There are a number of reasons that can cause a sudden worsening of cervical osteochondrosis, which can lead to a recurrence of the symptoms of the disease.
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The frequency, duration and intensity of exacerbation periods are individual and depend on the cause, presence or absence of treatment initiation, as well as the personal characteristics of the body, its compensatory and adaptive properties.
Causes of exacerbations
Spinal degeneration leads to cervical osteochondrosis
It is quite difficult to perform laboratory tests that can reliably determine the factor that has provoked the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine.
The list of causes is based on long-term observations by orthopedic doctors and neuropathologists, a thorough analysis of possible predisposing factors, after which patients perceive a deterioration in well-being. influence.
Endogenous causes include progressive degeneration of the spine and impaired compensatory and adaptive properties of the body.
Among the exogenous factors, the following are likely to provoke an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Inadequate spinal load or change in dominant posture (weight lifting, strength sports, change in activity type);
- Tensions, nervous shocks;
- An incompetent person attends a hand therapy session or course;
- Seasonality (revealed exacerbation of several cervical spine diseases in the fall);
- Hormonal concussions (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause);
- diseases that weaken the body (respiratory viral infections, infectious diseases, periods of exacerbation of other chronic diseases);
- Fast weight gain.
How to tell if your osteochondrosis has got worse?
The aggravation of the disease is evidenced by the discomfort in the neck and head, the general damage to health.
Sometimes the exacerbation phase begins at lightning speed with severe headaches.
In 70% of cases, a rapid worsening of osteochondrosis of the cervix can be predicted: the patient experiences a feeling of heaviness or dull pain in the back of the neck, complaints increase in the morning.
The presence of predisposing factors confirms the version of exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine despite the onset of symptoms of the disease.
All kinds of symptoms during exacerbation
Symptoms of exacerbation of chronic spinal disease roughly coincide with general symptoms of cervical osteoporosis.
The most common symptom of exacerbation is pain.
Intensity, nature, and localization may vary: pain in the back of the neck or part of it, headache in the neck, parietal tuberculosis, pain in the wrist, shoulder.
- Pain on the mountain;
- chest pain;
- Pain in the left limb.
Some patients only report a painful sensation when their head or arms are moved in the shoulder joint.
Exacerbation of chronic cervical osteochondrosis can cause a number of neurological symptoms, if any, the patient should be closely monitoredto rule out more serious pathological conditions:
- sleep disorders, concentration, memory;
- loss of coordination, loss of balance, fainting;
- Flies feeling in eyes, goose bumps, blowing in ears;
- dizziness;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Violation of dictation;
- Decrease or increase sensitivity of arm, shoulder, neck.
The presence of these symptoms cannot be ignored. The effect of cervical osteoporosis on the vessels supplying the brain can lead to the most dangerous complication of cervical osteochondrosis - stroke.
How long does the aggravation last?
The duration of the exacerbation phase may vary from season to season (activation of osteochondrosis may be prolonged and more painful during the cold season), due to the reasons that caused the symptoms of spinal disease to persist, individual patient body characteristics and treatment provided
Experts call for the following time framesfor exacerbations of cervical osteoporosis:
- Severe symptoms - up to 1 week, more often - 4-5 days;
- Maintaining some discomfort in the affected area, headache - up to 3 weeks after relief of severe seizures;
- The overall period of exacerbation is considered normal - about 1-1. 5 months.
Exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis during pregnancy
A pregnant woman's body undergoes complex physiological changes, a massive hormonal surge develops, the body's center of gravity is completely redistributed, and the absorption and assimilation of minerals and nutrients changes.
These rearrangements have a severe effect on the musculoskeletal system, with the spine under severe stress.
Pregnant women with a history of disease such as osteochondrosis of the cervical spine have a relapse in 50% of cases. This is due to the transformation of the spine.
Exacerbation symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in pregnant women are the same as in all other patients.
Choosing a treatment regimen is difficult because the potential effects of the drug on the fetus must be considered when prescribing medications.
Ointments that do not pass to the baby, rarely severe pain, should be chosen to alleviate the aggravation of pregnancy. complex anesthetic tablets or injections are prescribed.
Many pregnant women treat with non-traditional methods, traditional medicine recipes that are milder for the fetus.
What to do in case of exacerbation?
If you have symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck, do not delay your visit to an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist.
Only a specialist can fully assess the patient's condition, the causes of the disease's worsening, and prescribe the correct, safe, and effective treatment.
Avoid stressing the affected spine before visiting a doctor.
If you have chronic diseases of the digestive system or individual intolerance, take a tablet of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medicine.
In case of worsening cervical osteochondrosisprohibited:
- Warm the neck or back of the head using compressors or other methods;
- Receiving massage treatments;
- Self-healing.
Methods for the treatment of acute cervical osteochondrosis
Exacerbation of pharmacological treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease and early restoration of the patient's well-being and performance.
The table shows the main treatments for cervical spine diseases, listing the most common medications.
Consult your doctor before adding any medicine to the list.
| drug group | Target Target |
|---|---|
| Analgesics / NSAIDs | Pain relief, reduction of inflammation in the affected area |
| Muscle relaxants | Relieve muscle cramps |
| Diuretics | Reduce swelling in the inflamed spine and reduce pressure on nerve roots |
| Chondroprotectors | Reconstruction of spinal structures |
| Vitamins | Improve metabolism, chemical reactions |
| Nootropics | Restoring conduction of nerve impulses along nerve processes |
A visit to a qualified osteopath in the acute stage “relieves” the retained nervous system and relieves some of the symptoms of the disease.
How to alleviate exacerbation at home?
If a doctor's visit is currently not possible, there are several recipes for how to relieve osteoporosis in the cervical spine before providing medical care:
- Take a warm, relaxing shower;
- Wrap the neck in a natural woolen cloth;
- Apply an herbal compressor to the affected area. To do this, use onions, sage, mint;
- Make butter and mummy ointment 1: 1.