Leading positions on the list of the most common diseases of the 21st century are always occupied by spinal diseases. The first line, in most cases, belongs to the diagnosis: osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - a dangerous disease that requires mandatory intervention of experienced doctors.
The disease does not spare anyone, neither women nor men (clinical cases of cervical osteochondrosis in men are less common than in women, but occur). In addition, the disease "rejuvenates" every year, today the signs of cervical osteochondrosis can be noticed not only in those who have crossed the age threshold of 40 years, but also in those who just yesterday celebrated their 25th birthday.
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, what serves as a catalyst for the development of this disease, why an epidemic called osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is gaining momentum, what symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis should be a reason to visit a medical institution, how not to risk and eat foreverto get rid of cervical osteochondrosis? This article is intended for those seeking answers to these questions. First, first.
General disease information
This disease can be characterized by one word - dystrophy. It occurs in the background of changes in the chemical composition of bone and cartilage tissue and entails a loss of elasticity and strength of the elements of the spinal column (discs). Their structure changes, first the outer layer (annulus fibrosus) is destroyed and then the inner layer (nucleus pulposus). A disc (fibrous cartilage) that has completely lost its properties can be deformed, overgrown with growths (osteophytes) and displaced.
The discs, by changing their shape, size and location, constrict either the nerve roots (can injure one of the 8 pairs of spinal nerves located in this zone) or blood channels (the arteries responsible for feeding the brain pass through this area). . . In both cases, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are clearly felt.
Cervical osteochondrosis is the most common diagnosis that a neurologist or vertebrologist must make to his patients. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as the most common reason for visiting a doctor, is due to two reasons:
- Anatomical features. The vulnerability of the upper part of the ridge is associated with the smallness and fragility of its connecting elements (vertebrae, discs).
- Serious loads. The neck is responsible for both mobility and stability. This cannot cause rapid "wear" of weak links.
Hence the question: is cervical osteochondrosis treatable? worries many.
Causes of the disease
Before you get to the point: how to cure cervical osteochondrosis, you should understand the causes of its occurrence and try to rule out factors that may trigger the onset of its development.
It is not possible to give a complete list of catalysts, but it is quite possible to describe the moments that can lead to the fact that the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine will not make you wait.
Main causes of osteochondrosis:
- unhealthy diet (snacks on the run, fast food, lack of diet and a balanced diet - this is a direct path to depletion of cartilage and bone tissue, which does not receive enough trace elements and vitamins that support its health);
- sedentary lifestyle (another possible option is lack of physical activity, causes ridge stagnation and lack of adequate oxygen supply to tissues);
- genetic predisposition (in this case you can ask parents what to do with cervical osteochondrosis, they will tell you how to get rid of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and how this disease manifests itself);
- delayed injuries (the need to obtain information about what is cervical osteochondrosis can also occur when the development of this disease is the result of movement or rupture of the intervertebral discs as a result of injury);
- diseases of the vascular system, infectious or inflammatory in nature (in the first case, information on the topic: how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occur due to lack of nutrients that support cartilage tissue, in the second, due to autoimmune and necrotic processes that destroy joints, vertebrae and spine).
Hormonal background instability caused by overweight or stressful situations, as well as improper posture (scoliosis) are two more reasons to familiarize yourself with the case materials: is it possible to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Signs of disease
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis have been identified. Error work is complete. Now the most important thing is not to miss the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck (if the risk factors are removed too late and the disease has already begun to manifest itself). The sooner they are diagnosed, the easier and faster the path to recovery will be.
For convenience, it is appropriate to divide all signs of the disease into two groups. This can be done based on the main criterion: origin.
The first group is a phenomenon whose occurrence causes constriction of blood vessels (caused by vascular changes). Compressed blood transport channels, saturated with oxygen and nutrients, cannot fully cope with their task, parts of the brain do not receive enough food and lose part of their functional capabilities.
The second group consists of symptoms whose manifestation is associated with constricted nerve endings (caused by neurological changes). In most cases, the vagus nerve (which coordinates the condition of the esophagus, pharynx and larynx), the phrenic nerve (responsible for the heart and regulation of respiration), as well as nerve endings innervating other organs of internal structure, suffer from deformities, destruction and mixing of discs and vertebrae.
More detailed information on how not to miss the first "bells" of the disease in the case of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and timely use of the help that a doctor can offer are presented in the table below.
Symptoms of the disease
| Origin | Events |
|---|---|
| Changes in the state of the vascular system | dizziness, fainting lack of coordination memory impairment decreased concentration loss of visual acuity and hearing black dots in front of eyes ringing, tinnitus apathy, depression panic attacks nausea, vomiting |
| Neurological changes | pain in the neck, temples, nape of the neck (constant, paroxysmal) pain radiating to the arm, shoulder, interscapular region, chest difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, choking pressure, chest tightness, angina dumplings in throat, difficulty swallowing, dryness, itchy throat |
Important! If at least one of the symptoms from the table above appears, it is necessary to urgently undergo an examination and begin treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Any other behavior can lead to more serious consequences, which cannot be cured without surgery!
Complex therapy
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis sounds like a painful question. The answer is simple: with the help of a complex therapy prescribed by a competent qualified doctor.
Fighting this disease requires discipline on the part of the patient and strict adherence to expert recommendations. In most cases, it is possible to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at once using several methods of traditional and alternative medicine (only a doctor who coordinates the patient can determine a specific program aimed at effective treatment of cervical osteochondrosis).
Typically, he selects techniques from the following list:
exercise therapy
Physiotherapy is a great tool for health therapy that allows you to both cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and improve your overall health. Solves several problems at once:
- normalizes blood circulation;
- accelerates metabolic processes;
- relieves pain syndrome;
- strengthens the muscular corset;
- relieves the spine;
- charges with cheerfulness and optimism.
There are a number of rules that explain how proper filling can get rid of cervical osteochondrosis without making the situation worse. They read:
- set of exercises should be selected by a specialist who has an idea of the general clinical picture (age, chronic diseases and characteristics of the patient);
- any discomfort during classes should become a reason to refuse gymnastics (at least before consulting a doctor), as well as a period of worsening of the disease;
- too active sudden movements are completely excluded, you need to do it carefully without haste;
- exercises should be done regularly (exercising from time to time will not solve the problems).
Massage (manual therapy)
Can cervical osteochondrosis be cured in any other way? Absolutely. Everything needed to activate the regenerative properties of the body, relieve cramps, relieve nerve roots, constrict arteries and reduce symptoms, are the skillful hands of an excellent masseur or instruction.
The general guidelines are:
- The procedure must be carried out by a specialist with appropriate education and experience;
- exposure time to the problem area - no more than 35 minutes;
- duration of one course (without interruption) - no more than 12 sessions;
- any changes in the patient's condition must be known to his doctor.
Important! Osteochondrosis massage or a visit to the therapeutic office - a manual with contraindications is strictly prohibited!
Physiotherapy
This area of clinical medicine has found its own answer to the question: how to get rid of osteochondrosis? Suggests the use of medicinal properties of various phenomena, including:
- high frequency sound waves (ultrasound);
- mechanical vibrations (vibrations);
- electric currents of different intensities (electrophoresis, UHF);
- ultraviolet radiation (quartz);
- other physiotherapy techniques.
These procedures contribute to the emergence of positive dynamics. They normalize blood flow, relieve inflammation, relieve pain, facilitate the administration of drugs and shorten the time required for their absorption into tissues.
Medications
How to deal with cervical osteochondrosis, which continues to progress, despite all attempts to stop this process? Only with the help of drugs designed to eliminate the cause of this phenomenon.
All drugs used in the integrated approach are divided into several groups, depending on the actions taken. The table below will help you clarify the situation.
Medications
| Group | Action | |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesics, NSAIDs | pain relief, removal of inflammatory process |
|
| Muscle Relaxants |
relieve muscle cramps | |
| Chondroprotectors | activation of tissue regeneration function, restoration of the structure of discs, vertebrae, joints |
|
| Vitamins and minerals |
stimulation of metabolic processes, activation of protective properties of the body, improved microcirculation, strengthening of the immune system, |
The specialist decides for himself how to treat osteochondrosis of the neck. Therapy can be supplemented with drugs belonging to the group of vasodilators (to relieve vasodilators), antidepressants (to relieve nervous tension) and others, depending on the overall clinical picture of the disease.
In summary, we can give an unambiguous answer to the main question: is osteochondrosis treated? Yes, but only under the strict supervision of a competent doctor and with the great desire of the patient himself!