Cervical osteochondrosis – a disease in which the pulp between the vertebrae that acts as a shock absorber, becomes stiff cloth.
Pain in the neck? Dizziness? Crunch? Neck backache? "Do low back pain..." you think, typing a query in the Internet. No need to panic! Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not a death sentence, it can be prevented, slowed and even cured. How? Let's deal with it.
Introduction
Unfortunately, cervical osteochondrosis – a disease of the quiet and insidious. You may not be aware of its existence, until in some moment it will not feel muscle spasm and pain in the neck. Often there are added dizziness and numbness of extremities.
The reason for such seemingly non-ate events in the complex nature of osteoarthritis.
What is osteochondrosis: common hell...
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, which are damaged intervertebral discs that act as shock absorbers. Opening and closing, they give the spine flexibility and elasticity, while allowing the body to maintain balance during the movement. In their partial or total destruction of this balance is lost, which inevitably affects the motor activity of man. The reason for these changes is often physical deterioration and deformation of the disk or, more simply, its "ageing". With the remaining part of our whole can serve us faithfully for many years.
It is accepted that osteochondrosis – a disease of age. However, in recent years the disease has become significantly "young": in the risk zone are people 25 years or younger. Blame sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and irregular physical activity on the body. Moreover, statistics show that osteochondrosis often affects women. Primarily, this is due to the anatomical features and emotional background. However, the harder the disease occurs in men.
...Yes private – cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the most common. The fact that it is in the neck the majority of vessels and nerve endings, at the hour of the vertebrae are much smaller (approximately half compared with the lumbar spine) and muscular system significantly weaker.
Together with high mobility and the proximity of the spinal cord cervical our body may need increased attention.
How dangerous is cervical osteochondrosis?
Unfortunately, the danger of cervical degenerative disc disease is anatomically justified through the cervical spine are the vertebral arteries, which provide blood to an important brain centers in the posterior portions of the brain. And any failure and circulatory disorders can be irreversible in nature, from the hell of the pathological curvature of the spine (lordosis of the neck) even complete loss of motor skills, stroke, and even death.
Fortunately, you do not notice the symptoms of impending catastrophe is almost impossible: problems with coordination, severe impairment of vision and hearing, frequent dizziness and loss of consciousness...
If along with regular neck pain you notice these signs, immediately contact doctor!
Diagnosis and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis – serious isnae disease, and diagnose it only by a qualified specialist, the doctor-vertebrologist, which specializiruetsya on solving problems with the spine, orthopedist or neurologist.
The most accurate methods of diagnosis of cervical degenerative disc disease: x-rays, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic nuclear resonance (MRI), which allow to identify not only the symptoms of cervical-thoracic osteochondrosis, Hello and other related changes in the body.
When phenomena Alen of a number of the following symptoms, get immediate professional advice and doctor.
- dull, aching, intense pain in the neck and head
- neck backache, the crunch when you turn your head
- dizziness, the "veil" before the eyes, fainting
- headache
- nausea, vomiting
- numbness
- noise in the ears, blurred vision
- General muscle weakness
Pain in osteochondrosis are often aching in nature, is given in the head and are accompanied by numbness of the hands and feet. This was primarily due to a pinched nerve endings and increased intracranial pressure.
The nature of osteochondrosis
Just like any disease, osteochondrosis of the spine may several stages of development.
For a better understanding of the events that occur in the body processes, we propose to first understand the structure of the disk, and then to analyze, what changes are characteristic for each stage of degenerative disc disease.
He vertebral disk consists of several parts: let's nucleus pulposus (the inner part), annulus fibrosus (the outer shell) and hyaline cartilage that separates the drive a hell of a vertebra and which performs the function of nutrition.
Purposee the core is rich in water, and it is responsible for depreciation, adjusting to the center of gravity, salivas and moving like a mercury ball. The surrounding fibrous ring, on the contrary, may a solid structure and consists of interwoven fibers. Since the main task of the fibrous ring – to protect the core of hell damage, it takes a "blow" on itself at high loads.
Stages of degenerative disc disease
Traditionally there are four stages of osteoarthritis.
Cervical osteochondrosis of 1 degree – preclinical stage
This early stage of the disease, occurs when the so-called "drying" of the disk: its reduced height and firmness.
Thus structural changes do not, however, as symptoms and, therefore, no complaints. You may not feel discomfort; the only "precursors" may be morning stiffness and salt deposits in the neck. Although agree with our way of life these feelings are the norm.
Cervical osteochondrosis of 2 degrees – the beginning of structural changes
Here begin irreversible changes in polipozom core – necrosis and destruction caused by metabolic disturbances, simultaneously with the formation of cracks in the fibrous ring.
The body starts to send SOS signals in the form of a sharp pain in the neck, loss of strength, rapid fatigue.
Cervical osteochondrosis 3 degree – progressive of discos
Impaired integrity of the fibrous ring, resulting in purposee core "bulges" into the spinal canal through the cracks.
If a complete rupture of the outer shell occurs, the intervertebral disk can be restored. This process is called disc protrusion of the spine and can be treated successfully in the outpatient setting. At the same time you feel persistent pain in the neck and back progressing during exercise and stay in an uncomfortable position.
In the case of complete destruction of the fibrous ring and pain are problems with coordination, dizziness, nausea; the risk of disability. Need to quickly seek medical help!
Cervical osteochondrosis 4 degrees – regeneration
In the result of irreversible processes between the vertebrae are formed outgrowths (osteophytes) that blocks the mobility of the joints. Purposee the kernel is replaced by scar tissue, nerve endings are injured, treatment is possible only surgically.
Paradoxically, in terms of health you can feel a noticeable improvement – the spine regains its ability to accept load. However, pain and limited physical activity after will only increase.
The causes of osteochondrosis
Unfortunately, speaking about the reasons of such difficult diseases as osteochondrosis, it is necessary to bear in mind a number of factors: the ad of external conditions and physiological predisposition.
How to understand that you are at risk? Mentally tick each of the items suitable for you and your lifestyle.
- Have you had a spinal injury?
- Are overweight (obesity rates)?
- Prone and harmful habits (Smoking, alcohol consumption), regular stress?
- You suffer from chronic infectious diseases, metabolic disorders?
- Your work involves heavy physical labor?
- Have you been diagnosed with posture disorder and/or flat?
- Do you have a regular load on the spine?
If at least one of the questions you answered Yes, unfortunately, you are at risk. This is bad news. But there is good: osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be stopped, cured and even prevented with timely diagnosis and beginning of proper prevention.
How to prevent low back pain
There are a number of preventive measures that we recommend for the game "ahead of the curve" with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Step 1. Stand up!
Lead a sedentary lifestyle? Sedentary work, stay many hours at the computer, irregular and unhealthy diet, lack of sleep, stress... sound Familiar?
All this contributes to the "stagnation" processes in the body and provokes the initial stage of osteoarthritis.
To avoid the progression of the disease, a reasonable approach and schedule of the day, take regular breaks (every hour for five minutes) and more worry about their health. The signature which was done very soon you yourself will say "thank you"!
The rule is: put the message (or in a particularly "running" cases – the alarm clock) so that your excitement does not miss the moment... when it is simple to get up and walk.
Step 2. Take care of your own convenience!
Under usability we mean the physical signals that the body takes. Listen and take care of yourself!
First, avoid excessive and unreasonable workloads. If you are hitting the gym, batch weight, do not skip the warm up and watch for regular training.
Pas-more, give up a hell of uncomfortable shoes. We do not call relentlessly to get the hell of your favorite weekend shoes or boots, let them stay for special occasions. It is important that these special cases do not become your norm 24/7. "Every day" choose shoes with a comfortable fit, does not cause discomfort and does not affect posture and gait.
Thirdly, do not skimp on furniture and bedding. If office chair you are expressly not suitable, please arrange a replacement or take care of their comfort themselves. After this one-time investment can save you hell seriously esneh regular expenses.
Only use anatomically correct furniture, which reduces the load on the spine. For home, choose a bed with a firm mattress and comfortable, suitable density and height of the pillow. Anatomical or conventional – you decide, because a lot depends Ada characteristics of your body.
Step 3. Do not forget about prevention!
Forewarned is forearmed, isn't it?
If you feel occasional fatigue and pain in the neck and back or, on the contrary, want to avoid them, we recommend a simple set of exercises, especially effective in the initial (preclinical) stages of osteoarthritis.
Exercises with cervical osteochondrosis
Gymnastics in osteochondrosis of the cervical you can perform both at home and on the job.
- Sit up straight, straighten your back, relax your hand and push along the body. Take turns to turn head to right and left, about 90 degrees (or as permitted by the joints). Move smoothly, avoid sudden movements.
First time do for 8 repetitions and then gradually increase the number of turns and 15 in each direction. - In the same position tilt your head forward, pressing your chin and chest, and therefore, pushing in the head and back of neck. Also start with 8 repetitions and increase to 15 times.
- Dalia go on the shoulders. First, raise both shoulders up (and ears), hold for a few seconds and lower back. So 8 reps.
Then move your shoulders at a time: right up, left down, change – of 8 repetitions. - Put hand on forehead and apply pressure with simultaneous tilt of the head forward. Pause for 10 seconds and so on 8 times in a row.
After the end of the complex, be sure to massage the neck to relieve the tension.
Attention! If you feel severe discomfort during exercise, consult your doctor and carefully take the load!
Cervical osteochondrosis: treatment
Treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine can be narrowly focused or comprehensive, which combines several components.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy with cervical osteochondrosis is app local effect directly on the inflammation. The therapeutic effect is achieved by improving circulation and metabolic processes. Neck pain is relieved, the symptoms reduced.
There are many options for physical therapy in cervical-thoracic osteochondrosis: electrotherapy, the effect of magnet, laser, water and mud procedures, electrophoresis, acupuncture, and a moderate warming of the inflamed area.
Before you sign up for the procedure, carefully review the contraindications, and consult your physician.
Massage
With cervical osteochondrosis helps massage the neck area. You can sign up for sessions but massage therapist or massage yourself with expert vibro.
Medications and diet
Among the most commonly used osteoarthritis medications are anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, antispasmodics, antioxidants, and medications to improve blood circulation and metabolic processes. Range of medicines includes tablets, creams, ointments and solutions for intramuscular injection.
Remember to correctly choose the drug can only be a doctor!
To increase the effectiveness of drugs and improve overall body tone will help balanced diet. Limit consumption of fatty, spicy, smoked food, salt. Give preference to fruits and vegetables, properly cooked meat, fish and dairy products. Add in the diet of nuts and honey. And drink plenty of fluids.
And Even if the degenerative disc disease does not threaten you, balanced diet has a positive impact on General health and the condition of the body. You'll see in a couple of weeks you will notice wonderful changes! Tested on their own experience!