Spine diseases invariably remain at the top of the list of the most common diseases of the 21st century. The first line, in most cases, belongs to the diagnosis: osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - a dangerous disease that requires mandatory intervention by experienced doctors.
The disease spares no one, neither women nor men (clinical cases of cervical osteochondrosis in men are reported less frequently than in women, but they do occur). In addition, the disease "gets younger" each year, today the signs of cervical osteochondrosis can be seen not only in people who have passed the barrier of 40 years, but also in those who celebrated 25 years yesterday.
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, what serves as a catalyst for the onset of this disease, why is an epidemic called osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae gaining momentum, which symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis should be the reason for a consultation with a medical institution, how not to take a chance and eat a chance to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever? For those looking for answers to these questions, this article is intended. So, first things first.
General information about the disease
This disease can be characterized in one word - dystrophy. It arises in the context of changes in the chemical composition of bone and cartilage tissue and causes a loss of elasticity and resistance of the elements of the spine (discs). Its structure changes, initially the outer layer (fibrous ring) is destroyed, then the inner layer (pulpal nucleus). A disc (fibrous cartilage) that has completely lost its properties can be deformed, covered with growth (osteophytes) and displaced.
The discs, changing their shape, size and location, compress the nerve roots (they can injure one of the 8 pairs of spinal nerves located in this area) or the blood channels (the arteries responsible for feeding the brain pass through this area)). . . In both the first and the second cases, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are clearly felt.
Cervical osteochondrosis is the most common diagnosis that a neurologist or vertebrologist should give his patients. Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, as the most common reason to see a doctor, is due to two reasons:
- Anatomical features. The vulnerability of the upper part of the crest is associated with the decrease and fragility of its connecting elements (vertebrae, discs).
- Serious loads. The neck is responsible for mobility and stability at the same time. This cannot fail to cause a quick "wear" of the weak links.
That's why the question: is cervical osteochondrosis treated? worries many.
Causes of the disease
Before going to the point: how to cure cervical osteochondrosis, you must understand the causes of its occurrence and try to exclude the factors that can trigger the beginning of its development.
It is not possible to give a complete list of the catalysts, but it is quite possible to outline the moments that can lead to the fact that the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine do not keep you waiting.
The main causes of osteochondrosis:
- unhealthy diet (fast snacks, fast foods, lack of a complete and balanced diet and diet - this is a direct path to the depletion of cartilage and bone tissue, which does not receive enough trace elements and vitaminsfor your health);
- sedentary lifestyle (another possible option is the lack of physical activity, as it causes stagnation of the crest elements and a lack of adequate oxygen supply to the tissues);
- genetic predisposition (in this case, you can ask your 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);
- postponed lesions (the need to obtain information on what is cervical osteochondrosis can also occur when the development of the disease was due to displacement or rupture of intervertebral discs due to injury);
- diseases of the vascular system, of an infectious or inflammatory nature (in the first case, information on the topic: how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs due to lack of nutrients that support the cartilage tissue, in the second, due to failure of autoimmune processes andnecrotics that destroy joints, vertebrae and disks).
The hormonal fundus instability caused by overweight or stressful situations, as well as inadequate posture (scoliosis) are two more reasons to become familiar with the material of the case: it is possible to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Signs of illness
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis have been established. The work on the bugs is complete. Now the most important thing is not to lose the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck (if the risk factors have been eliminated too late and the disease has already started to manifest). The sooner they are diagnosed, the easier and faster the path to recovery.
For convenience, it is convenient to divide all signs of the disease into two groups. This can be done based on the main criterion: origin.
The first group is the phenomenon, whose appearance is caused by the clamping of blood arteries (caused by vascular changes). The compressed channels for transporting blood, saturated with oxygen and nutrients, cannot fully accomplish their task, the parts of the brain do not receive enough nutrition and lose some of their functional capabilities.
The second group consists of symptoms, the manifestation of which is associated with compressed nerve endings (caused by neurological changes). In most cases, the vagus nerve (coordinating the state of the esophagus, pharynx and larynx), the phrenic nerve (responsible for heart rate and regulation of the respiratory process), as well as the nerve endings that innervate other internal structure organs, suffer fromdeformation, 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 the timely use of the help that the attending physician can offer are presented in the table below.
Symptoms of the disease
| Origin | Demonstrations |
|---|---|
| Changes in the state of the vascular system | dizziness, fainting lack of coordination impaired memory decreased concentration of attention loss of visual acuity and hearing black spots before the eyes tinnitus, tinnitus apathy, depression panic attacks nausea, vomiting |
| Neurological changes | pain in the neck, temples, occipital region (constant, paroxysmal) pain radiating to the arm, shoulder, interscapular region, chest shortness of breath, shortness of breath, suffocation pressure, chest tightness, angina throat lump, difficulty swallowing, dryness, itchy throat |
Important! If at least one symptom in the table above appears, an urgent examination and treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis is required. Any other behavior can lead to more serious consequences, which cannot be cured without surgical intervention!
Complex therapy
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis, this is how the painful question sounds. The answer is unmistakable: with the help of a complex therapy prescribed by a qualified and competent doctor.
Combating this disease requires patient discipline and strict adherence to the recommendations of a specialist. In most cases, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be cured with the help of several methods of traditional and alternative medicine at the same time (only the doctor who coordinates the patient can determine a specific program aimed at the effective treatment of cervical osteochondrosis).
Normally, he chooses techniques from the following list:
exercise therapy
Physiotherapy is an excellent tool for health therapy that allows you to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and improve your general health. It solves several problems at once:
- normalizes blood circulation;
- speeds up metabolic processes;
- relieves pain syndrome;
- strengthens the muscle corset;
- unloads the spine;
- loads with joy and optimism.
There are several rules that explain how to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis by loading correctly, without making the situation worse. They read:
- the set of exercises must 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 be a reason for refusing gymnastics (at least before consulting the doctor), as well as a period of exacerbation of the disease;
- Suddenly very active movements are completely excluded, you need to do this carefully and without haste;
- exercises should be done regularly (exercises from time to time will not solve the problem).
Massage (manual therapy)
Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis in another way? Quite. All that is needed to activate the body's regenerative properties, relieve spasms, release nerve roots, clamp arteries and reduce symptoms are the skillful hands of an excellent masseuse or manual.
The general guidelines are as follows:
- the procedure must be performed by a specialist with appropriate training and experience;
- time of exposure to the problem area - no more than 35 minutes;
- duration of a course (without interruption) - no more than 12 sessions;
- Any changes in the patient's condition should be known to the attending physician.
Important! Do an osteochondrosis massage or go to the therapist's 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? It suggests the use of healing properties for several phenomena, including:
- high frequency sound waves (ultrasound);
- mechanical vibrations (vibration);
- electric currents of various intensities (electrophoresis, UHF); ultraviolet radiation (quartz);
- other physiotherapy techniques.
These procedures contribute to the beginning of the positive dynamic. They normalize blood flow, relieve inflammation, relieve pain, facilitate the process of administering medications and shorten the time needed for their absorption into the tissues.
Medication
How to deal with cervical osteochondrosis, which continues to progress, despite all attempts to interrupt this process? Only with the help of drugs designed to eliminate the causes of this phenomenon.
All drugs used in an integrated approach are divided into several groups, depending on the action taken. The table below will help to clarify the situation.
Medicines
| Group | Action | |
|---|---|---|
| Painkillers, NSAIDs | pain relief, elimination of the inflammatory process |
|
| Muscle relaxants |
relief from muscle spasm | |
| Chondroprotectors | activation of the tissue regeneration function, restoration of the structure of discs, vertebrae, joints |
|
| Vitamins and Minerals |
stimulation of metabolic processes, activation of the body's protective properties, improved microcirculation, strengthening the immune system, |
The specialist decides for himself how to treat osteochondrosis of the neck. It can complement therapy with drugs in the group of vasodilators (to relieve vasospasm), antidepressants (to relieve nervous tension) and others, depending on the general clinical picture of the disease.
In short, 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 patient's own great will!