Headache, numbness of the neck muscles, dizziness, loss of sensation in the hands are signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The disease is accompanied by dystrophic changes in the vertebral body, intervertebral discs and ligaments.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear at any age, the disease becomes younger.Associated with a sedentary lifestyle, specifics of work, studying on the computer.The possibility of developing the disease increases with increasing physical inactivity.Normally, the spine moves continuously, the discs and vertebrae do not get stuck and function normally.When the body is forced into a monotonous position, the vertebrae atrophy and cannot cope with the assigned function.The cause of the disease is wrong posture and anomalies in the development of the bone skeleton.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
As a result of changes in the vertebrae, discs, ligaments, the functioning of the nerve endings and blood vessels that flow from the spinal cord to the internal organs and the brain is interrupted.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are associated with compression of nerve endings and blood vessels.Depending on the involvement of organs in the pathological process, three groups of clinical signs of the disease are distinguished.
The first group includes the neurological manifestations of the disease associated with effects on the peripheral nervous system.The second group includes symptoms recorded as a result of effects on the spinal cord.The third group of symptoms is associated with a disorder in the nerve endings leading to the brain.
When there is a disruption in the peripheral nervous system, pain emerges.They come with different intensity and character;general – pain is registered at the beginning of the disease in the depth of the neck.
Often, with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, shortness of breath occurs.Patients have difficulty breathing and have a lump in their throat.Neck pain is often dull, worsens after a night's rest, and the muscles become tense.
With the development of the disease, the hands are involved in the process - weakness and a feeling of numbness appear.The pain appears in the area of the heart.The signs indicate that cervicothoracic osteochondrosis has developed, the symptoms are localized in the chest.It appears as pain in the lungs, liver, stomach and sometimes cough.Dystrophic disorder in the articular cartilage is disguised as other diseases - angina pectoris, neuralgia.
The consequences
The vertebral artery supplies parts of the brain with oxygen;with dystrophic changes in the vertebrae, it becomes tight and does not perform its function.Dizziness, headache, blurred vision, tinnitus are signs of vascular bundle compression.Headaches due to osteochondrosis will not be reduced by taking the usual analgesics.The pain intensifies when you turn or tilt your head.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis with VSD intensify, signs of blood pressure instability and neuroses are observed.VSD that appears earlier is a sign of an initial disease.These diseases have similar symptoms.To prescribe treatment, it is necessary to undergo a full body examination with tests, photographs and MRI.Symptoms of worsening cervical osteochondrosis are neurological disorders (irritation, poor sleep, fatigue).An exacerbation of the disease occurs after physical strain or nervous strain.
Osteochondrosis of the spine worsens the quality of life, prevents you from doing what you love, and the gradual destruction of the discs leads to the need to replace them.Therefore, it is worth identifying the symptoms, thinking about the first signs of the disease and taking time.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
During the treatment of osteochondrosis, positive results are achieved using treatment methods.Drug therapy is combined with massage, physiotherapy, diet and light exercise.A comprehensive course will help you cope with the disease and return to work.
Medicines solve several problems at once - eliminate inflammation, painful phenomena, stimulate the regeneration of cartilage and bone tissue.Anti-inflammatory drugs have an analgesic effect.In case of a prolonged course of the disease, when the pain is observed for more than three months, antidepressants are indicated.Medicines relieve nervousness and reduce pain.
Tablets are prescribed for minor inflammations;to achieve better results, injectable medications are prescribed.To improve tissue regeneration, relieve muscle tension and eliminate pain, the use of medicinal ointments is indicated.Sometimes painkillers are prescribed in the form of rectal suppositories (for gastric ulcers).
For the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, treatment with injections is prescribed.The dose of drugs is selected based on the age of the patient and the presence of chronic diseases.Chondroprotectors have a positive effect - drugs that improve the restoration of cartilage and have an analgesic effect.
For cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, treatment includes examination of the internal organs, as the function is impaired.For the treatment of acute pain in uncomplicated forms of the disease, ten days are enough, followed by a period of rehabilitation in accordance with the doctor's recommendations.Physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture sessions help with recovery.Daily exercises are shown.For people who are forced to spend the day in one position, light exercise should become the norm.
Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to cure.In order not to suffer from the disease, a healthy lifestyle with constant physical activity and alternating sports is recommended.The diet should be nutritious, fortified and smoking should be avoided.By following the rules, you have a chance to live without pain and deterioration of life until old age.