Even 30 years ago, osteochondrosis was only related to the elderly. The joints of the elderly were not smooth, and they would be injured every time they exercise. However, times have changed. Nowadays, more and more people are turning hard physical labor into sedentary work on the computer, monitoring the quality of nutrition less and less, and more and more encountering cervical osteochondrosis. It is not unreasonable that osteochondrosis is called the "disease of the century". Almost everyone over the age of 25 suffers from the symptoms of this disease.
This insidious disease starts with unpleasant pain in the neck, and quickly leads to serious consequences, including hearing and visual impairments and memory impairment, until complete loss. This is why everyone should understand the causes of osteochondrosis, and consult a doctor if symptoms appear. We will discuss them in this article.
Causes of cervical chondropathy
Paradoxically, all of our cervical spine problems start in early childhood, or rather elementary school, where the children’s posture deteriorates and scoliosis develops. At this time, the system that supports the head through the spine is destroyed especially by its thinnest and most vulnerable part-the cervix. The second key factor of cervical osteochondrosis that originated in early childhood is physical inadequacy, especially spinal muscle weakness and so-called muscle corsets designed to support the spine.
These are the two most important causes of the disease. The rest are a heavy burden of weak spine, which promotes young and healthy people to contract this disease. First of all, these include a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise, especially lack of work, which is related to staying in one position for a long time. This is most typical for drivers and office workers who are sitting at the computer in shifts. All these are supplemented by being overweight, which can seriously increase the burden on the spine.
Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- Past spinal cord injury;
- Metabolism disorder;
- Genetic susceptibility;
- Great physical exercise;
- Constant nervousness and pressure;
- Abnormal cervical spine;
- Bad habit (put the earpiece on the ear and shoulder).
The development of osteochondrosis
These unfavorable factors eventually lead to increased cervical spine load. When trying to compensate for the excessive load on the neck muscles, cramps can occur, which can lead to impaired blood circulation in the area and reduced metabolic processes. All of this leads to the development of the spinal degeneration process. First, the vertebrae begin to thin and converge, squeezing their contents (the annulus) out of the spine. In the language of doctors, this kind of protrusion is called protrusion.
In the case of protrusion, the annulus fibrosus still maintains its integrity, but the protrusion has squeezed the blood vessels and nerves that extend along the spine and provide nutrients to the brain. In addition, the converging and deformed vertebrae begin to squeeze the roots of the peripheral nerves, leading to the development of the so-called "radiation nerve syndrome", which is manifested by severe pain in the back and neck. If you do not notice the problem (signals eloquently with uncomfortable symptoms) and do not start treatment for osteochondrosis, the annulus fibrosus will rupture and spinal cord hernia will occur. In this case, there will be serious problems with brain nutrition.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The development of this disease has gone through multiple stages, and each stage has characteristic signs and symptoms. It should be noted here that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is different from degenerative changes in other parts. The distance between the vertebrae is very small here, so even small degenerative changes can cause uncomfortable symptoms and cause various complications.
1. Grade I osteochondrosis
This is the preclinical stage of the development of the disease, during which the patient will experience mild pain and discomfort while staying in one position (usually a sitting position) for a long time, as well as tension and fatigue in the neck and back. At this stage, osteochondrosis can be perfectly treated by changing lifestyle, adjusting nutrition and exercising regularly.
2. Secondary osteochondrosis
At this stage, there is instability between the cervical vertebrae. In this situation, the person faces severe pain, which radiates to the shoulder, neck or arm. During head tilting or turning, the pain increases significantly because the nerve endings begin to be damaged due to the reduced distance between the vertebrae. The patient begins to feel tired quickly, performance declines, distraction, forgetfulness, and headaches.
3. Third degree osteochondrosis
With the onset of the third stage of the disease, the pain in the back and neck becomes more intense, the mobility of the neck is significantly reduced, and when the neck turns, you can hear the rattle of the vertebrae. At night, the patient's fingers began to become numb (mainly the little finger and ring finger), which is why the patient wakes up several times every night. All day long, such patients have discomfort in their hands. Even brief conversations on the phone (forcing a person to hold the phone close to the ear) can turn into unpleasant finger tingling and numbness. All these indicate an increase in herniation, and possibly hernias in the cervical spine.
4. Grade IV osteochondrosis
In the final stage of the disease, the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the intervertebral disc stops functioning and begins to be replaced by connective tissue. Patients in this state may lack motor coordination, ear noises and heinous pulsations, headaches, and vision and hearing loss. In some cases, tongue numbness may occur.
It should be said here that the blood flow to the brain is disturbed due to the compression of blood vessels. As a result, patients may experience neurological disorders such as insomnia, nervousness, irritability and dissatisfaction, frequent mood swings and inability to concentrate. Outbursts of anger or fear, and episodes of depression and depression may occur regularly.
In the later stages of the development of osteochondrosis, severe vasospasm can cause "flies" to appear in front of the eyes, feeling unstable on a hard surface, severe dizziness, migraine, nausea, vomiting and frequent fainting.
Disease diagnosis
To determine the cause of the pathology, the patient introduced the uncomfortable symptoms of his condition to the doctor. After listening to the patient's opinion, the expert sent it to one of the following research methods.
1. Radiography. Currently, this diagnostic method is considered useless, especially in the final stages of disease development.
2. Ultrasonic double-sided scanning. If experts believe that the arterial blood flow that provides nutrients to the brain is violated, use this method. The study shows the speed of blood flow and determines whether there are obstacles in its path.
3. CT (Computed Tomography). Compared with radiography, this method is more valuable because it not only reveals the problem, but also allows you to determine the presence and size of the hernia, despite the difficulties.
4. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). It is the most useful method for diagnosing osteochondrosis today. It allows you to view the bone structure, the presence of hernia, and even its development direction.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Let's say right away, to deal with serious problems such as cervical osteochondrosis, you should contact a neurologist. Yes, if there is a vertebral surgeon in the clinic, it is best to contact him first.
Osteochondrosis can only be treated in complicated ways. The methods used are complex, including medication, neck-neck area massage, exercise therapy, physical therapy methods, and proper nutrition. Only one combination of all these methods will help cope with the disease and return the patient's health to normal.
Relieve severe pain
If you experience severe pain, your doctor recommends taking medications such as Analgin, Baralgin, or Tempalgin. When these drugs no longer relieve pain, you can switch to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In a general sense, medical treatment includes the following means:
- NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). These remedies can eliminate pain, relieve swelling and deal with nerve root inflammation.
- Cartilage protector. These drugs can perfectly restore damaged cartilage tissue.
- Muscle relaxants. These drugs can relieve muscle cramps.
- A preparation to improve blood rheology. In this way, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve endings is improved.
It should be pointed out here that only when drug therapy is combined with other treatment methods, can the anti-osteochondrosis with the help of ointments and tablets achieve significant results. Otherwise, these drugs will only have a temporary effect.
Many experts tend to treat osteochondrosis through injections in order to quickly act on the nerve endings and prevent the patient from possible side effects when taking pills. However, it is best to take vitamins by mouth, because vitamins can be well absorbed by the body through any intake method, but injections of vitamins can be painful.
Physical Therapy
Medication must be combined with physical therapy. The most effective for this disease is:
- Electrophoresis (used in combination with drugs). In this case, the drug will penetrate the damaged vertebrae under the influence of the electric current.
- Ultrasound. This contact method can eliminate inflammatory processes, reduce pain and improve tissue metabolism.
- Magnetic therapy. This type of physical therapy can relieve puffiness and pain.
- Laser therapy. This is an excellent way to fight inflammation and improve blood circulation.
Osteochondrosis diet
The reconstruction of damaged vertebrae also includes a special diet that normalizes the body's metabolism, prevents salt deposition, nourishes and restores cartilage tissue, and strengthens the ligaments between the intervertebral discs.
For this, first, the following foods should be excluded from the patient’s diet:
- Alcoholic beverages;
- Fat and fried foods;
- spicy and salty food;
- Thick soup;
- Weaknesses and baked goods;
- Strong tea and coffee;
- Kimchi and marinade;
- Canned products.
The diet of patients with osteochondrosis should include the following foods:
- Lean meat and fish;
- Low-fat milk, cheese and kefir;
- Butter (a small amount);
- Whole grain cereals and soups;
- The jelly meat of fish or aspic;
- Vegetables, fruits and berries;
- Juices, fruit drinks, jellies and preserves.
When osteochondrosis is confined to the cervical spine, it is important to stick to the way of drinking, drinking at least 1. 5 liters of water a day. If you are overweight, then you should consider how to get rid of those excess weight, which will put extra pressure on the spine. It is recommended to change the meal five times a day.
At the same time, it can be seen from the list of permitted foods that the basis of the food should be low-fat vegetarian soup, lean meat, fish, seafood, unsweetened vegetables and fruits.
The sample menu of the day is as follows:
Breakfast: cheese, a few apples, sugar-free tea;Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Although the cervical spine can be exercised during rehabilitation, physical education has made great achievements in the treatment of osteochondrosis. It is important here that patients do not feel discomfort and pain during massage or gymnastics.
The following are some of the most effective gymnastics exercises designed to strengthen neck muscles and improve blood circulation in this area.
Exercise #1
Lie on your stomach, place your hands on the floor, slowly raise your head and torso, keeping your back straight. Maintain this position for 1 minute, then return to the starting position. This element is repeated 2-3 times.
Exercise #2
Lie on your abdomen, stretch your arms along your body, raise your head slightly, and then start to rotate it first to the right, try to touch the floor with your ears, and then rotate to the left. Make 6 turns in each direction.
Exercise #3
Sit on the floor, inhale and lean forward, try to reach your chest with your chin, and when you exhale, return to the starting position and tilt your head back. Repeat the element 10-15 times.
Exercise #4
Place your palm on your forehead and try to press your head firmly. At the same time, while stretching the neck muscles, please resist your arms and don't let your head tilt. Keep the pressure for 20-30 seconds, then lower your arms to relax. Repeat this element 2-3 times, then repeat the exercise in the opposite direction, placing your clenched hands on the back of your head.
Exercise #5
Start slowly rotating your head left and right, trying to look back. Make 10 turns on each side.