Cervical osteochondrosis: Causes, types, symptoms and treatments

If you list the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis – almost every adult will say he feels them.This disease does have a serious prevalence: in developed countries, osteochondrosis occurs in 60-80% of the population.To distinguish whether a person does suffer from cervical osteochondrosis, or whether it shows different states, it is necessary to have information about this pathology.This article describes the causes, characteristics and manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.With information about pathology, patients will be able to identify it at home and seek help in a timely manner.

What is cervical osteochondrosis?

The disease is degenerative by nature and damages the structure of the spine with major and secondary mechanisms.The pathogenic mechanism of pathology is the damage to the structure of the vertebral junction.

Usually, there is a layer between these areas - pebbles fabric.It folds the spine and optimizes the movement process.Use cervical bone cartilage to denaturate, this soft substance is calcified and becomes hard tissue.This damages nerve endings and blood vessels, violating their function.

Depending on the level of damage, osteochondrosis can be manifested by pain or high pressure, disordered consciousness, or numbness of language.It can be a chest or back symptom.This greatly complicates the diagnostic process.Patients can go through several diagnostic consultations before they can obtain a profile expert.The diagnostic process uses several methods that allow pathology to be excluded from other organs and systems.

Gradually, cervical osteochondrosis is "young" and is increasingly discovered among young patients.Modern young people start neck problems much earlier than their parents.

Osteocartilage degeneration is a degeneration of the cervical region, and habits are considered from two locations:

• Physiological changes.In fact, degeneration of cartilage is a natural part of development, and it is regulated by neuroendocrine mechanisms and is irreversible.The process begins at the center of the pulp layer and then gradually moves to the periphery.Soft tissue is replaced by fibrous fiber elements.This process does not actually disturb the patient and can only be manifested if it affects the nerve endings.
• Lesion.A group of factors affects the vertebrae.This process leads to violation of spinal function before physiological changes.Symptoms are almost always accompanied by this because they are spread outside the cartilage structure and damage the nerve ends, blood vessels.

The course of the disease may have different properties: sometimes the pathology is compensated independently, and vice versa - there are many worsening.Also included are pathological processes, including compensation mechanisms, which temporarily prolong the function of the vertebrae and eliminate symptoms.

However, further processes of the disease lead to the destruction of the fibrous annulus, that is, the emergence of microcracks.The vertebrae loses its stability and fixity, which is manifested as the clinical condition of the disease.

In addition, cervical bone cartilage degeneration is the immersion of serous liquid with calcium discs.This creates a hernia as the damaged vertebrae is pressed into the nearby vertebrae.These structures wear out, and therefore, the adjacent structures have huge ossification.

The process of cervical osteochondrosis has multiple stages:

• Stage 1 is the instability of vertebrae structure and disk violations.
• 2 stages - Reduce spinal fixation and disc herniation;
• Stage 3 - Breakage of the fibrous annulus, severe symptoms and pain;
• The fourth stage is accompanied by movement difficulties, acute pain and extensive bone spread.

Characteristics of the anatomical arrangement of muscles and blood vessels - making the neck a vulnerable area of the body.The long-term osteochondrosis process can lead to many complications, including vascular properties.Many of these can cause significant harm to the patient's health and pose significant risks.

symptom

The danger of cervical osteochondrosis is that the symptoms will not show up for a long time.This is facilitated by masking another pathology of the disease signs and independent analgesic administration.This makes it difficult to diagnose cervical osteochondral disease.It is important not to delay diagnosis until the structure of the vertebrae is replaced by bone tissue.

The main symptom group of osteochondrosis and its characteristics in the cervical area was considered.

Dizziness

As mentioned above, most symptoms of osteochondrosis may be characterized by other diseases.Therefore, dizziness is accompanied by vascular pathology of the central nervous system, damage to auditory equipment, vestibular equipment failure and cardiovascular disease.Dizziness is accompanied by intoxication and inflammation.It is important to consider the overall clinical situation, not the individual symptoms.Similarly, for reasons that occur, you should learn to distinguish the main types of dizziness.

As the osteocartilage of the cervical spine degeneration, systemic dizziness occurs.In the patient's view, surrounding objects begin to move.This disease can be observed after head and neck injuries and in the context of vestibular device disease.

Headache

Again, it is very difficult to call this symptom specific to this.Head pain can be accompanied by fatigue pain, increased stress, and severe acute conditions.In osteocartilage, headaches occur due to compression of nerve ends.This causes spastic arteries to energize the brain and increase stress on the central nervous system.The result is a noticeable headache.

In this case, the headache is characterized by a dull character and a pulsating feeling.Sometimes the pain is manifested as an attack, and sometimes it has constant characteristics.Pain parameters of osteochondrosis are similar to those of hypertension and angina.The difference in cardiology headache is that it is accompanied by changes in chest pain, heart rhythm, and electrocardiogram.Therefore, only the doctor can finally determine the cause of the pain.

Various localized pain syndromes

In addition to headaches, patients are often worried about neck pain.This is called a complication of cervical spine and osteochondrosis.The pain radiates to the upper limbs.The patient noticed that the pain after awakening occurred in the context of sudden movement.After a short break, the pain spreads itself.

The following lists the characteristics of pain syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis:

• Unpleasant feelings are located in the deep tissues of the neck.
• Head turn is usually accompanied by pain and tightening.
• Muscle weakness, numbness, and hands cool.

In most cases, cervical osteochondrosis affects both lower vertebrae-6 and 7.For small self-diagnosis, this method is recommended.It is necessary to pay attention to the combination of finger pain.Most commonly, if the sixth vertebra is affected - the thumb will feel pain, and changes in the seventh vertebra bone are accompanied by discomfort in the middle finger.

Blood pressure changes

This symptoms occur when nerve endings and blood vessels are affected by changes in the vertebrae.How to distinguish this phenomenon from hypertension?First, hypertension in cervical osteochondrosis is not constant and has its own jumps within a day.

Osteochondrosis includes the following syndromes:

• Spinal.It is also called vertebrae, indicating that bone and cartilage tissue are involved in pathological processes.This leads to the formation of this symptoms: limitations of neck motor activity, soreness in turns, and radiological changes in the cervical vertebrae diagram.These signs are vertebral syndrome at the same time.
• Vertebral artery syndrome.When the vascular bundle participates in the process, it occurs, which leads to the blood supply to the central nervous system tissue.Symptoms indicate that brain tissue has stopped receiving proper nutrition.How to identify this syndrome?The first sign is dizziness, the sense of noise in the ears, the difference in blood pressure, the appearance of the "veil" in front of the eyes.This suggests that one of the vertebrates is strangled.Each ship has its own nerve end.If you squeeze those who dominate vertebral arteries - migraine, numbness, and on the one hand, the vision is reduced.As a result, changes in blood vessels lead to the fact that the brain needs oxygen.Currently, a person feels lethargic, short-term invasion of consciousness, loses attention and control, works worse, and remembers information.Through such a clinical situation, it is necessary to distinguish cervical osteocartilage with atherosclerosis of the vertebral artery and squeeze the tumor or inflammation.
• Heart syndrome.It is manifested by burning the chest (the appearance of shortness of breath).A person feels his heartbeat often and becomes tired and irritable.This picture is also a feature of cardiology pathology of angina, coronary syndrome, heart attack.Exact conclusions about the causes of such symptoms can be drawn after the patient passes ECG.
• Rook syndrome.The cervical department innervates eight pairs of nerves, each with the root cause - the nerve exits from the vertebrae.When they are involved in osteochondrosis, patients will feel less sensitive and vice versa - severe pain.Is it possible to observe its soreness, reduced tongue sensitivity, frozen areas, and whether pain in interactive areas can cause numbness.Sometimes there are diseases of swallowing, movement on the belt on the upper limbs, and numb fingers.

Causes of cervical bone and chondropathy

The main reason for the development of osteocartilage is the improper distribution of load on the spine.The reasons may be different - a person can wear a bag or weight with one hand, and will impose incorrect postures while sitting on an uneven surface or sleeping.It adds high pillows and high pillows and shoes corresponding to the anatomical features of the feet.This reason may seem trivial, but they work for a long time, thus resulting in logical consequences in the form of osteochondrosis.

Among the risk factors that increase the likelihood of disease:

• Low levels of physical exercise;
• Weight gain;
• Spread spinal injury;
• Violation of foot posture or pathology;
• The blood supply to the cervical spine is reduced.

All of this leads to the fact that the wrong location of the vertebrae is formed.Weight is not distributed to all parts of the cervical area, and some departments bear heavy loads.Response is a change in the tissue.

To some extent, the situation may be aggravated:

1. Suffering severe illness or injury that leads to exhaustion of health conditions;
2. Frequent stress;
3. Violate in vivo metabolism, reduce the consumption of trace elements, increase consumption or lack of intestinal absorption;
4. Occupational diseases (especially vibrational diseases);
5. Genetic trends in osteochondrosis;
6. scoliosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
7. Violating the drinking system;
8. Low quality nutrition and bad habits;
9. Pregnant.

As you can see, there are not only causes of osteochondrosis.There is only one set of factors that can cause it.Similarly, the same reason affects different people in different ways.Health status, duration, intensity and number of risk factors, background pathology and lifestyle play a role.

Modern treatments

Patients must modify their lifestyle even before prescription treatment.To this end, it is necessary to change the load level experienced by the cervical department.It is necessary to monitor the quality of nutrients and allocate necessary sleep and rest time to guard against stress.If the body has a background pathology that aggravates the progression of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to carry out the treatment process and eliminate it.The choice of treatment depends on the stage of osteochondrosis and the patient's health.

Treatment may be:

• Non-drugs;
• drug;
• surgical.

Consider individual civil methods and rehabilitation measures.

Non-pharmaceutical treatment methods include the use of therapeutic exercises, special simulators or equipment, manual treatments, and physical therapy methods.Promote appropriate purposes by improving blood supply to the vertebrae or slowing down the ossification process.

As for manual treatment or massage, be sure to consult a doctor about it.Do not assign these methods independently.In certain stages of osteochondrosis, massage can only damage and lead to long-term fixation.If manual therapy is performed as directed, it can relieve symptoms and improve the patient's health.

From physical therapy techniques (with cervical osteochondrosis), the following are used:

1. Magnetic therapy;
2. Therapeutic bath;
3. Treatment shower;
4. mud;
5. Electrophoresis.

If the condition worsens, the medication is indicated.Many of them eliminate inflammation and severe pain, improve blood supply to the tissue, restore cartilage structure and ensure joint mobility.This is a comprehensive approach to causes and symptoms, not a one-sided solution to the problem.After taking the right choice of medication, the patient has another chance to move his neck, stop irritation, deteriorate his mood, and return to normal work and sleep.

The group of drugs considered for cervical bone cartilage:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

They are used to reduce inflammation in tissues, eliminate pain, and relieve roots and blood vessels.Using smaller symptoms, using ointments and gels, prevents stronger pain syndromes through tablet form.Injection administration has severe pain intensity and rapid occurrence.

They can have other trading names, but the active substance remains the same.Patients should only take medication in the course after approval by the doctor.Please note that these funds must be taken after eating, as they can stimulate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.

Vascular dilator

Their function is the expansion of narrow blood vessels in the context of osteochondrosis processes.Drugs -Pentoxifillin, Actovegin, Berlithion.These drugs will relieve vertebral artery syndrome, improve blood flow to the vertebrae and the health of the patient.It is necessary to monitor contraindications for these substance deficiency in patients and their compatibility with other medications taken by one person.

Muscle relaxant

The purpose of this group is to reduce cramps in the neck muscles.This accelerates and optimizes the treatment process because muscle tone acts on the blood vessels and nerve ends.Routine intake normalizes the tone of the blood vessels and relieves the sensation of pain.

Cartilage Protectant

To improve the condition of the spinal cartilage element and to protect its structure from damage.These substances need to be accepted for a long time or they will not be able to do the right thing.Patients may not like this effect only occurs after 6 months of use.However, if this effect is achieved, it will be durable and significantly improve the clinical situation.

sedative

They are used as auxiliary substances to eliminate depression manifestations and stress.In mild cases, valerian, Motherwort, Mint and Lemon balsams were used.If depression progresses, more severe substances are needed.They will improve sleep and mood and help patients adjust effective treatments.

Vitamin

Vitamins that can be accepted from foods - This pathway that introduces vitamins is the most physiological and does not bear special loads on the liver.If vitamin deficiency is observed, vitamin complexes and medications can be used.This will increase sensitivity and innervation, and accelerate the tissue recovery process.

As the treatment process is prolonged and gradually brings results, all stages of taking the medication are important.Make sure to store the medication in the correct location as shown on the package.If the box says you need to store the drug in a dark or cool place - otherwise, the drug will lose its properties.Observe the duration and frequency of application - Some substances tend to accumulate in the body before they can produce the correct effect.

If the introduction path is injectable, it should be performed by a medical staff or a trained person, as proper introduction will increase efficiency.After meals, you must take the form of a tablet and rinse with water.Please note this moment, as other liquids are not suitable for this.The combination of grapefruit juice and medicine is particularly dangerous - the enzymes contained in this fruit slow down liver function and reduce delivery to tissues.

Surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

This method is used when cervical osteochondrosis causes stenosis of the spinal cavity.This may occur due to the protruding hernia.The narrowing of the channel is accompanied by significant stenosis of the blood vessels and compression of the nerve bundle.If an isolated hernia of the intervertebral disc is observed, this is also a sign of surgical intervention.This operation is necessary for spinal column - displacement of the vertebrae from the axis.In addition to these signs, the doctor should also pay attention to the quality of the patient's life, his condition, and the severity of the symptoms.

Types of surgical intervention:

• Supporting spinal muscles.The essence is to eliminate the damaged disk and replace it with a removable connection, which is a prosthesis that performs remote structural functions;
• Dynamic stability of the spine.A silicone implant is introduced between the rotational processes along the spine, which correctly distributes the load and stabilizes the vertebrae.
• Evaporation of disk core with laser beam.This is a modern technology that can show good results.The laser can affect the disk core, reduce its size and eliminate hernia.The intervention is an operating room and can be performed under local anesthesia.However, a set of indications for such operations is limited and can only be completed at this stage.When the size of the hernia does not exceed 6 mm.This once again focuses on why it is useful to seek a doctor early and prompt diagnosis.

Surgical interventions were held in the hospital.Depending on the complexity of treatment, the duration of postoperative surgery and the duration of recovery vary.Performing surgical intervention means additional complexes of the drug - used to prepare patients' medications, analgesics, antibacterial treatments to prevent sepsis complications.

diagnosis

The beginning of the diagnosis is the beginning and list of symptoms of the patient's speech to the doctor.Doctors listen to patients’ complaints, elaborate on them, and form them from the symptoms of the syndrome.In addition, experts need details about clinical manifestations: when it occurs, whether treatments were used, and what effects were used, the nature of the pain, the period of increased stress and more use.Among the important information, information about the uncomfortable locations of sleep, work, bad habits, background diseases.All of this was clear during the conversation.

X-rays are performed in both direct and transverse predictions.Functional radiology studies were conducted simultaneously with neck rotation.The contrast of the spinal canal is used to better visualize the affected area.Contrast can be introduced into the blood vessel or the disk itself, depending on the method called angiography or record.In the picture, you can see the tissue seal, calcified sediments, displacement of spinal structure.

As for magnetic resonance tomography, this is the most useful method, and it is also painless and fast.The doctor can see the damage and determine the severity of the process.Scanning the scan will help the surgeon prepare for the surgery, identifying the hernia, changes in the nerve ends and blood vessels.

MRI is performed without the contraindications of claustrophobic metal objects.Pregnant.

Computed tomography also provides accurate diagnostic pictures.This study doesn't take much time - about 10 minutes, and no special preparation is required.The radiation load of this study was small, which made the entire tomography healthy and safe.Contraindications - Pregnancy and lactation, the age of the child.

In addition to methods that enable you to visualize pathological processes, other diagnostic actions must be used.

These include ultrasound studies of blood vessels in the head and neck.The indications for diagnosis are dizziness, headache, and pressure drop.Experts will determine the patency of blood vessels and blood flow states.In this case, the most useful method is to scan the blood vessels duplex.

prevention

As you can see, there are multiple clinics for cervical osteochondrosis, many syndromes, and serious approaches are required in both diagnosis and treatment.If you pay attention to your feelings, listen to your body and respond to its signals, which can be diagnosed early.In the first stage of the disease - treatment has a high effect.

To do this, please contact a personal data expert and carefully study the necessary research methods.High-quality and timely treatment will avoid complications, improve good life and quality of life, eliminate depression and normalize sleep.Listen to the positive way and you can feel the freedom of movement again.