Cervical osteochondrosis, unlike diseases of other parts of the spine, is almost equally common in young and old people. It's hard to imagine a person who has not experienced neck pain: it is a "payment" for a sedentary lifestyle, to stay in a bent position at the computer or at the desk.
Other risk factors include bad habits and eating disorders, being overweight, poor posture and flat feet, and inadequate physical activity. Even the habit of carrying a bag on one shoulder can result in osteochondrosis, which is associated with improper load distribution and a forced change in the normal position of the spine.
The spread of the disease can be the cause of a lack of seriousness. But if you want to avoid unpleasant and dangerous complications, it is important to remember that the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a mandatory measure.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Osteochondrosis SHOP is a degenerative disease of the cervical spine, which is characterized by a violation of the structure and function of the intervertebral discs. The disease tends to progress slowly, but as the condition of the tissues worsens, other pathologies may appear:
- hernia and bulge;
- inflammatory processes;
- instability of the cervical vertebrae and associated risks;
- muscle diseases;
- paralysis and so on.
One of the common complications is vertebral artery syndrome. It is an attack of pain accompanied by other symptoms: loss of balance, dizziness of vision and hearing, noise in the ears, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, loss of consciousness and even temporary speech disorders. Although this has reversible consequences, such symptoms are dangerous and worsen the quality of life, ie the appearance of the syndrome should be prevented. This is possible with early treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Localization of the pathological process in the cervical spine leads to the appearance of characteristic symptoms:
- crunching while turning his head;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- difficulty concentrating;
- fainting, semi-fainting;
- pain in the hands, numbness, tingling in the fingers;
- neck pain;
- restriction of neck movement;
- spasms of the neck muscles;
- deterioration of cognitive processes.
If there is a combination of osteochondrosis of several departments (for example, cervical and thoracic), the disease may manifest itself in other symptoms: spasms of the back muscles, 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 of concomitant diseases. You should first consult a neurologist. Based on complaints, anamnesis, a survey, and visual examination of various body positions, movement, and rest, the physician sends for a thorough examination to confirm / clarify the initial diagnosis.
The disease is diagnosed in several ways:
- radiography shop;
- CT;
- myelography;
- MRI;
- ultrasound examination of cervical vessels, Doppler ultrasound examination of cerebral vessels;
- 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 in choosing treatment tactics.
The effectiveness of additional measures depends on how timely and accurate the diagnosis is. Despite the presence of specific symptoms, the form of cervical osteochondrosis is similar to the course of other diseases. Therefore, it is important to differentiate the pathology and make the right choice.
How is the treatment performed?
Cervical osteochondrosis is treated surgically or conservatively. Surgery is used only in the most extreme cases, the strict indications for intervention are the complete ineffectiveness of conservative methods (long-term), the impossibility of their use and the rapid progression of the disease.
The treatment regimen is chosen by a neurologist, taking into account the severity of specific procedures, general health, indications and contraindications. Both conservative treatment and the postoperative period require a careful and comprehensive approach. Combine the following methods:
- drug treatment - restores cartilage tissue, eliminates pain and inflammation, improves metabolic processes, saturates tissues with oxygen, etc. ;
- Exercise therapy - regular performance of prescribed exercises improves posture, strengthens the muscle corset, promotes normal tone of the neck muscles and reduces the compression of nerve tissue;
- massage - massage of the neck area allows you to relieve muscle cramps and spasms, restore the normal position of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae and normalize blood flow;
- water aerobics, swimming - a visit to the pool helps to strengthen muscles, relieve spasms, relax the SHOP and lengthen the spine;
- traction therapy - spinal traction allows to increase the space between the discs, to correct the structure of the spine, is widely used when combining various localization pathologies;
- Physiotherapeutic methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis - increases the effect of medication, stops pain and inflammation of tissues, promotes normal recovery, accelerates metabolic processes;
- Dietary nutrition - the optimal water regime allows to prevent water loss by cartilage tissues, as well as to provide the necessary amount of vitamins and trace elements.
Active treatment of cervical osteochondrosis lasts up to 3 months, depending on the severity of the condition. But it is impossible to forget about back health: restorative, supportive measures last up to 1 year. Optimal physical activity, diet and avoidance of bad habits are necessary for the entire life cycle, which is the basis for effective prevention of the disease.