Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can occur at any age. Most often this disease occurs in the elderly, and not only neck lesions can be observed. However, there is currently a deterioration of neck dystrophic processes in young people who are mainly engaged in mental work. It should be understood that it is very difficult to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis, but you can stop its progression and significantly improve a person’s well-being.
Reasons and mechanism of formation
Dystrophic processes of the cervix begin slowly. The most important causes of the disease are a sedentary lifestyle and violations of certain types of mineral metabolism.
If you eliminate the causes that provoked osteochondrosis of the neck, then some of its manifestations can be successfully cured. Otherwise, if the causal action continues, the person's condition will only worsen.
Under the influence of the underlying cause that caused neck osteochondrosis, the following changes occur:
- the starting point is congestion in the lymphatic and circulatory system;
- then there are degenerative-destructive changes in the intervertebral disc, which acts as a buffer between the vertebrae; its height and plasticity are reduced;
- a little later, there is growth of vertebral bone tissue;
- all this leads to a restriction of the mobility of the spine, an increase in pressure on the vessels and nerves that pass through the bony apparatus of the spine.
The earlier proper treatment is started, the greater the chances of slowing the progression of the disease and even completely healing the person.
Exacerbation of the disease can be provoked by any external or internal influences. It can be a viral infection, cold temperature, significant physical activity, and even an increase in atmospheric pressure. The stronger the cause that caused the deterioration, the more pronounced the signs of the disease.
Characteristics of cervical osteochondrosisThe signs of cervical osteochondrosis gradually increase, at the beginning of the disease they practically do not bother the patient. Dizziness can only be noticed occasionally. However, cervical osteochondrosis can not be ignored: symptoms in the later stages of the disease are difficult to eliminate.
Since the cervical spine is directly connected to the brain, in the case of degenerative changes in this particular area, numerous complaints from the central nervous system will be noticed. This is due to a gradual and increasing deterioration of blood circulation and metabolic disorders in the brain.
In many patients, symptoms suggestive of brain damage may be noticed first:
- sudden changes in blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- burning in the temporal region and widespread headache;
- temperature rises less frequently in low figures.
In combination with the above symptoms, there are signs of damage to the neck itself:
- pain that eventually begins to radiate to the back, to the arms, to the back of the head;
- restriction of mobility, when tilting and or turning the head, a cracking, tearing, numbness or burning sensation is felt in the neck;
- body temperature is normal.
As osteochondrosis progresses, the person's condition will worsen, deterioration will occur more often and stronger, it will be very difficult to fully heal a person over time, it will be possible to alleviateits just a little.
Unlike inflammatory processes, temperature rarely changes. In the later stages of neck osteochondrosis, the deterioration practically does not disappear, there will be a severe combined brain and back injury:
- jumps in blood pressure or high blood pressure;
- persistent dizziness and headache, worse with slight strain;
- pain, burning and limited mobility of the neck;
- body temperature may rise slightly, but more often remains normal.
The so-called vertebral artery lesion syndrome occurs quite often, when the degenerative-dystrophic process covers the middle part of the neck. Such a person almost constantly feels a throbbing headache, pressure and burning in the temples, congestion and tinnitus when turning his head - dizziness and even loss of consciousness. Almost it is almost impossible to cure vertebral artery compression syndrome.
In some people, on the contrary, you may notice signs of damage to the upper extremities (with predominant changes in the cervical and brachial plexus):
- burning or numbness in all parts of the upper limbs;
- dizziness is rare;
- lower skin temperature.
The consequences of osteochondrosis can be quite serious: persistent headaches and dizziness, impaired memory and attention, constant numbness of the entire neck.
Treatment methods
Almost complete restoration of the initial condition of the osteoarticular apparatus can be achieved only in the early stages of osteochondrosis and after the elimination of its cause. An exacerbation of the disease requires even more intensive treatment. In the later stages, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, dizziness, and inflammatory changes. You can cure osteochondrosis of the cervix with the help of tools such as:
- chondroprotectors to restore the original structure of the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral disc;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation;
- multivitamin complexes with a high content of B vitamins to improve nerve tissue trophism;
- nootropics for the correction of severe disorders in brain tissue;
- complex of physiotherapy exercises and massages (unless severe dizziness and high blood pressure occur);
- physiotherapy (water, ionophosis, magnetotherapy), while the temperature and pressure of the factor should be quite high and burning is considered a positive effect.
Much in the treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the patient himself. The sooner the necessary therapy is started, the more carefully a person fulfills the doctor's prescriptions, the more chances there will be for success and a good quality of life for the patient.