Osteochondrosis of the neck refers to a "disease of the century. "Its manifestation most often affects people aged 25-40, which causes them a lot of inconvenience in everyday life.
The cervical spine is constantly moving, so it is under severe stress during the day.
In addition, it concentrates a number of nerve endings and vascular systems that are responsible for the proper functioning of the brain and its timely saturation with blood.
The problem lies in the dysfunction of the articular cartilage in the bone tissue.
Acute osteochondrosis, with changes in the intervertebral discs and their displacement, leads to a decrease in blood flow, developing a lack of oxygen in the human brain.
The development of the dystrophic process in the intervertebral discs can have serious consequences, so the disease requires mandatory treatment.
Signs of Illness
The development of cervical osteochondrosis can be determined at an early stage by cervical cracking during head rotation.
People with the disease also report tinnitus and general neck discomfort, which manifests as a painful sensation (it may even appear in the fingers of the hand).
Pain is often not to be found. It all just depends on which parts of the cervical spine are damaged. The loss of intervertebral disc displacement is described in different ways by patients, but suturing pains are recorded.
A joint or injury pinched by friction with the discs of the spine is described differently: there is a dull pain in the collar that occurs almost continuously and does not subside without sudden movements.
How does cervical osteochondrosis manifest itself?
If you experience strange back and neck pain, you should see a doctor immediately for treatment. It is possible that this is all psychosomatics, however, the disease is often confirmed by a doctor.
That's why we've made some extracts and highlight the main signs of cervical spine osteochondrosis:
- Headache with dizziness. This is the first and most common symptom of all patients. In the spine, additional pressure builds up on the sensitive vessels in the head and neck, slowing them to fill with the required amount of blood. In addition to the general background, efficiency and mental activity decrease, one gets tired of even simple tasks.
- Dizziness when turning the head to the side. For a short time, blood entry through the blood vessels and capillaries is blocked, causing a "blurring" in the activity of the human brain system.
- Pain in chest and arms. This manifestation of a serious illness is often confused with growing angina pectoris or myocardial pain, so you should not be concerned with making the correct diagnosis and subsequent self-medication.
- Lumbago in the neck region. Back pain is also a common symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. It resembles an exact electric shock and can later spread to the elbows and fingers.
- Numbness of the tongue. Lack of blood in the blood vessels limits the movement of the tongue. If your tone changes or your speech is much more difficult, see a doctor immediately so as not to trigger further development of the disease.
Symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis
In some patients, the disease may show other signs, so if you are not sure what may have caused your back or neck pain, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
Tinnitus, deterioration of teeth and vision - all of which can lead to osteochondrosis. Numbness of the fingers can occur at any time of the day, resulting in a sharp compression of the nerve endings in the vertebrae.
Unfortunately, the disease is increasingly occurring in young people who do not pay enough attention to it. Over time, the disease can take on a chronic course with changes in posture, the appearance of obesity, and the development of infectious diseases for no reason at all.
In this case, even experienced physicians find it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis against such symptomatically different indicators.
Types of exacerbations
People's inattention to their own health often leads to worsening of osteochondrosis of the cervix. So what is exacerbation and what do they cause?
On the nerves
Unfortunately, stressful situations in every person's life lead to a deterioration in the nutrition of the intervertebral disc.
We don’t even notice that we start to move chaotically during intense excitement or excessive excitement, leading to exacerbation of osteochondrosis with all its consequences (dizziness, tinnitus, headache).
If you suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is recommended that you take the sedative tablets "Glycesid" and "Novo-Passit" with a mandatory visit to a neurologist or psychotherapist.
After the massage
Slimming massage in most cases leads to aggravation of the disease.
Before starting a session, the massage therapist should be notified that he or she has a confirmed diagnosis of cervical spinal osteochondrosis.
Neurologists often give advice to professional massage therapists who perform massage, taking into account the recommendations of doctors.
Seasonal
Changes in weather and climatic conditions cause a seasonal worsening of the disease, and this is a scientifically proven fact. Intervertebral discs are sensitive to temperature and atmospheric changes, so pain and other symptoms can occur.
After drinking
Another typical example of an exacerbation of osteochondrosis is alcohol consumption. The body is affected not only by the alcohol in the drinks, but also by the fact that the person is in an awkward position for a long time.
Don’t rule out situations where hot people simply forget about warm dress because of the “warmth” that prevails over them, exposing the nerve endings to hypothermia.
During menstruation
In women, menstruation is accompanied by a severe decrease in estrogen levels, which is responsible for the integrity of the body’s bone tissue.
If the pain in the lumbar region, chest and neck does not go away for a long time, it is the reason to visit a doctor, as they may not be caused by the menstrual cycle and its symptoms, but by the manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
During a cold
Changes in body temperature during illness cause inflammation in the nerve endings in the intervertebral plates. Which, in turn, can cause aggravation.
What is the risk of cervical osteochondrosis?
Advanced osteochondrosis of the neck can lead to vascular dystonia, high blood pressure, memory and hearing loss. In extreme cases, patients have impaired hand function and experience persistent pain in the forearm.
High blood pressure is a scourge of society, not without reason called "silent death. "Among patients, it is hardly conceivable that premature treatment of osteochondrosis can lead to the development of hypertension, which progresses without visible manifestations and symptoms.
Concerns should also apply to possible changes in a person's vascular system, as these can lead to a lot of illnesses and complications.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
A tactile method is used to diagnose osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. This allows you to evaluate the painful feelings in the spine, the sensitivity of the nerve endings, and other characteristics that are important for a correct and accurate diagnosis.
After being examined by a neurologist, the patient is referred for a cervical x-ray, which is performed in multiple projections for a clearer image.
If the doctor is still unable to accurately diagnose the disease, or if other suspicions arise, a computed tomography or MRI scan will be performed. Unlike an X-ray, it shows the condition of the soft parts very well.
Management
Traditional and non-traditional treatments for cervical spine osteochondrosis are good in their own way, but keep in mind that you need to see a doctor as he or she can prescribe the right treatment.
Conservative treatments include:
- Pain Relief Therapy
- Taking non-steroidal medications
- Take anticonvulsants
A prerequisite for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is the use of chondroprotectors, which allow the damaged structure and integrity of the intervertebral discs to be restored.
Your doctor will prescribe general and acupressure massage as well as B vitamins. In advanced cases, it may be necessary to wear a Shants collar and exercise.
Thus, treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is possible, but it must be done at an early stage in the onset of the disease in order to rule out its occurrence in the future.