Osteochondrosis of the cervix, unlike diseases of other parts of the spine, is almost equally common in young and older people. It is hard to imagine a person who has never experienced neck pain: it is "paying" for a sedentary life, constantly leaning in front of a computer or study desk.
Other risk factors include bad habits and eating mistakes, being overweight, poor posture and flat feet, inadequate physical activity. Even the habit of carrying a bag on one shoulder can eventually lead to osteochondrosis, which is associated with improper distribution of the load and forcible alteration of the normal position of the spine.
The spread of the disease may be the cause of a non-serious attitude towards it. But it is important to remember that treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a mandatory measure if you want to avoid unpleasant and dangerous complications.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Osteochondrosis SHOP is a degenerative disease of the cervical spine cartilage, which is also characterized by disruption of the structure and function of the intervertebral discs. This disease is prone to slow progression, however, with the deterioration of tissue condition other pathologies may appear:
- Hernia and protrusion;
- Inflammatory processes;
- Cervical spine instability and associated risks;
- Muscle diseases;
- Paralysis and a. Sh.
One of the most common complications is vertebral artery syndrome. It is an attack of pain accompanied by other signs: loss of balance, blurred vision and hearing, ringing in the ears, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, loss of consciousness and even temporary speech disorders. Although these are reversible consequences, such symptoms are dangerous and worsen the quality of life, which means that it is necessary to prevent the onset of the syndrome. This is possible with early treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Localization of the pathological process of the cervical spine leads to the following symptoms:
- Crunching when turning his head;
- headache;
- Dizziness;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Irritability, semi-irritability;
- Pain in the hands, numbness, tingling in the fingers;
- Neck pain;
- Restriction of neck movement;
- Neck muscle spasm;
- Deterioration of cognitive processes.
If there is a combination of osteochondrosis of several sections (for example, cervix and chest), the disease may manifest itself in other signs as well: back muscle spasm, chest pain, etc.
In order to choose the right treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to assess the stage of development of the pathology, the stage, to determine the presence or absence of concomitant disorders. You should first consult a neurologist. Based on complaints, medical history, surveys, as well as visual examinations of various areas of the body, movement, and rest, your doctor will send you a comprehensive examination to confirm / clarify the preliminary diagnosis.
The disease is diagnosed using many methods:
- Radiographic Store;
- CT;
- Myelography;
- MRI;
- Ultrasound examination of the vessels of the neck, Doppler ultrasonography of the cerebral arteries;
- Laboratory tests (for inflammatory processes, etc. ).
In some cases, an accurate detailed diagnosis allows you to see the diseases that accompany osteochondrosis. This allows you to make the right decision when choosing treatment tactics.
The effectiveness of follow-up measures depends on how timely and accurately the diagnosis is made. Despite the presence of specific symptoms, the picture of cervical osteochondrosis is similar to that of other diseases. Therefore, it is important to differentiate the pathology and make the right choice.
How is the treatment carried out?
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is performed surgically or using conservative methods. Surgery is used only in extreme cases, strict instructions for intervention are the complete ineffectiveness of conservative methods (for a long time), the inability to use them and the rapid progression of the disease.
The treatment regimen is chosen by the neurologist, taking into account the severity, general health, indications and contraindications for specific procedures. Both conservative treatment and the postoperative period require a careful and comprehensive approach. Combine the following methods:
- Drug therapy - restores cartilage, relieves pain and inflammation, improves metabolic processes, enriches tissues with oxygen, etc . ;
- Exercise Therapy - Regular performance of prescribed exercises corrects posture, strengthens the muscle corset, promotes normal tone of the neck muscles and reduces the contraction of nerve tissues;
- Massage - Massage of the cervical area allows you to remove muscle cramps and spasms, restore the normal position of the intervertebral discs and spine and normalize blood flow;
- Water aerobics, swimming - a visit to the pool helps to strengthen muscles, relieve spasms, naturally unload in the store and stretch the spine;
- Traction therapy - spinal traction allows you to increase the space between the discs, correct the structure of the spinal column, widely used in combining pathologies of different localization;
- Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis - enhances the effect of medication, designed to stop tissue pain and inflammation, promotes their normal recovery, accelerates metabolic processes;
- Dietary nutrition - Optimal water regime allows you to prevent water loss by cartilage tissues, as well as provide the necessary amount of vitamins and micronutrients.
Active treatment of cervical osteochondrosis takes 3 months, depending on the severity of the condition. However, even after that it is impossible to forget about spinal health: restorative, supportive measures last up to 1 year. Adherence to optimal physical activity, diet and also giving up bad habits is necessary throughout life, this is the basis of effective prevention of the disease.