Osteochondrosis is called a pathological process in the cartilage of the intervertebral discs and nearby tissues. The disease can occur on any part of the spine, however, the cervical spine is more susceptible to osteochondrosis. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the body. The vertebrae on the neck are smaller than the thoracic and lumbar region and are very close to each other. In addition, the neck is characterized by increased mobility and suffers regular stress while holding the head.
Why does the disease appear?
The development of the disease is primarily related to changes due to age. Other reasons are given:
- lack of physical activity;
- spinal diseases;
- excessive overload;
- improper posture;
- unfavorable heredity;
- increased body weight;
- autoimmune disorders in which cartilage is damaged.
The condition of bone and cartilage tissue seriously affects nutrition. The development of pathology is facilitated by a diet deficient in calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, vitamins A and E, vitamin D. The risk group includes office workers, professional athletes, people engaged in heavy physical work.
How to recognize cervical osteochondrosis
The symptoms of the disease depend on the clinical case and the stage of development. The most common signs are:
- pains affecting not only the neck and head but also other parts of the body;
- weakness, decreased sensitivity of the hands, numbness of the face;
- creaking in the neck when you need to turn your head;
- dizziness, weakness, darkening of the eyes caused by pinching of blood vessels;
- deterioration of vision and hearing.
Pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine afflicts almost all patients. With pathology, the vessels constrict, bundles of nerve endings in the neck area. As a rule, the pain is most felt in the area of the head, nape, shoulders and radiates to the shoulder blade and chest.
In the background of the disease, the heart rhythm can be disturbed. There are several arteries in the neck area that are responsible for supplying the brain with blood. When blood vessels constrict, the patient faces problems such as impaired coordination of movements, arrhythmia, and ischemic heart disease. In severe cases, obstruction of blood circulation leads to strokes and other life-threatening conditions.
Stages of the disease
Disease progression is divided into four phases:
- In the initial phase, the bone and cartilage tissue is just beginning to break down. The pathology manifests as mild pain and fatigue, which patients associate with stress.
- In the second phase, the disc shrinks, cracks appear. The pain increases, there may be numbness of the face and decreased sensitivity of the limbs.
- In the third phase, intervertebral hernias begin to form. The process affects the muscles and blood vessels. The patient experiences not only pain, but also dizziness.
- In the last stage there is a growth of bone tissue, constriction of nerve endings. The disease is manifested by pronounced symptoms: pain, dizziness, numbness. Many patients have impaired motor activity.
Diagnosis
If cervical osteochondrosis is suspected, the patient should consult a neurologist and undergo a diagnosis. Its task is to assess the condition of bone and cartilage tissue. Earlier, X-rays were used to diagnose spinal diseases. Preference is now given to more advanced research methods:
- CT scanner;
- MRI;
- duplex scanning of the vessels of the cervical spine.
Most often, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive diagnosis. It allows you to determine the presence and location of hernias, the speed of blood flow, the presence of obstacles to normal blood circulation.
Treatment
A patient diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine must reconsider their lifestyle, ensure regular physical activity and eat properly. To improve the condition, it is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a comfortable pillow to relieve stress from the spine.
Medications
In cervical osteochondrosis, the patient is shown medications that relieve inflammation, improve blood flow and reduce pain. The doctor prescribes drugs for vasodilation, muscle relaxants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs to improve cerebral circulation, chondroprotectors - means to restore cartilage tissue. In order to slow down the deterioration of bone tissue, the body needs B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, niacin.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the main method of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Specialists use many procedures whose task is to improve metabolic processes in bone and cartilage tissues, reduce pain, relieve cramps and improve blood circulation. Here are the basic techniques:
- Shockwave therapy. . . Low frequency acoustic waves affect the cartilaginous tissue of the cervical spine. They contribute to tissue regeneration, slow down the formation of osteophytes - growths on the bones that squeeze the nerve endings and blood vessels. The source of low frequency waves is a special device, so the SWT course can be taken only in a medical institution.
- Massage. . . This is the most common method of conservative therapy of cervical osteochondrosis. Massage helps to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle cramps. The technique of therapeutic massage is selected depending on the stage of the disease and the clinical picture. This is a very important condition, because if the massage is performed unprofessionally, it can harm the patient, cause a deterioration in well-being. It is worth giving up massage for vascular diseases, high blood pressure. During the worsening, the massage should be as sensitive as possible. Caressing, rubbing, or hitting the upper layers of tissue is allowed.
- Therapeutic gymnastics (exercise therapy). . . Exercise therapy helps strengthen muscles and improve blood circulation. There are special sets of exercises for patients with osteochondrosis. Gymnastics can be performed not only in the office of a medical institution, but also at home. Exercise therapy is usually most effective in the period of remission, when the patient does not feel severe pain. Wellness exercises should be combined with walks and water treatments.
- Acupuncture. . . This is an auxiliary method for the treatment of osteochondrosis, which is based on the effect of special needles on biologically active points. Thanks to that, the metabolism is activated, the pain syndrome is reduced.
- Kinesitherapy. . . This is a hardware technique used to treat spinal diseases, rehabilitation after injuries. Thanks to the exercises, the load is removed from the spine, its mobility is improved and blood circulation is restored. Kinesitherapy classes are conducted under the guidance of an instructor. There are many methods and apparatus for performing exercises, so an appropriate set of exercises is selected for each patient.
- Laser therapy. . . Thanks to the laser radiation, a positive effect is achieved, and the well-being of the patient is improved. The procedure reduces inflammation and pain, and has a positive effect on metabolic processes.
- Electrotherapy. . . Specialists use devices that are a source of galvanic, pulsed, alternating current. The purpose of the procedure is to reduce pain, relieve cramps and stimulate.
- Water procedures. . . Water is the best remedy for osteochondrosis. Patients with this disease are shown therapeutic baths, swimming, underwater massage. Very useful for the prevention and treatment of pathology is a regular visit to the pool.
Surgery for osteochondrosis
Spinal surgery due to osteochondrosis is indicated for patients with an advanced stage of the disease, in whom remission cannot be achieved with conservative methods. Surgery is used to remove herniated discs and affected discs. Operations are also performed to expand the diameter of the spinal canal, to remove the vertebral arch. Their goal is to eliminate the compression of the nerves and spinal cord, which allows you to get rid of the discomfort.
All manipulations are performed under anesthesia with the use of X-rays and microsurgical control.
Laser discectomy is used to protrude the disc. This is a minimally invasive technique that allows you to evaporate the nucleus pulposus of the disc using a laser beam and thus eliminate compression.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Improper diet increases the risk of developing degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which include osteochondrosis. To slow down the pathological processes in the bones and cartilage, it is necessary to provide the body with a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. The diet should include:
- dairy products - a source of calcium;
- fresh vegetables and herbs;
- legumes, nuts, seeds - a source of protein, magnesium, vitamin B;
- cereals, bakery products with the addition of whole grains;
- lean meat;
- Fish and seafood;
- olive and other vegetable oils;
- they want, they want meat, they want food.
There are no strict dietary restrictions, but there are foods that are undesirable to consume in large quantities. First of all, they are strong tea and coffee, which reduce the absorption of calcium and vitamins. Foods high in salt are also not helpful.