Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can occur at any age. This disease is most common in the elderly and is not limited to cervical lesions. However, currently, dystrophic processes in the neck are exacerbated in young people who do mainly mental work. It should be understood that complete cure of cervical osteochondrosis is very difficult, but it can stop progression and significantly improve a person’s well-being.
Causes and mechanism of formation
Cervical dystrophic processes begin slowly. The most significant cause of the disease is a sedentary lifestyle and a violation of certain types of mineral metabolism.
By eliminating the causes of osteochondrosis of the neck, some manifestations of it can be successfully cured. Otherwise, if the cause continues to occur, the person's condition will only get worse.
Underlying the cause of cervical osteochondrosis is the following changes:
- the starting point is congestion of the lymphatic and circulatory system;
- then there are degenerative and destructive changes in the intervertebral disc that acts as a shock absorber between the vertebrae; height and plasticity decrease;
- somewhat later there are increases in the bone tissue of the vertebrae;
- All this leads to a restriction of the mobility of the spine, an increase in the pressure of the blood vessels and nerves passing through the skeletal system of the spine.
The earlier you start the right treatment, the better your chances of slowing the progression of the disease and even healing it completely.
Exacerbation of the disease can be caused by any external or internal influences. This can include viral infection, cold temperatures, significant physical activity, or even atmospheric pressure surges. The stronger the cause that caused the exacerbation, the more pronounced the signs of the disease.
Characteristics of cervical osteochondrosis
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis increase gradually, with virtually no disturbance to the patient at the very beginning of the disease. Dizziness is only occasionally observed. However, osteochondrosis of the cervix cannot be ignored: in the later stages of the disease, the symptoms are difficult to eliminate.
Because the cervical spine is directly connected to the brain, degenerative changes in this zone are accompanied by a number of complaints from the central nervous system. This is due to the gradual and increasing deterioration of blood circulation and metabolic disorders in the brain.
Many patients experience symptoms suggestive of brain damage for the first time:
- sudden change in blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- burn in the temporal region and diffuse headache;
- the temperature rises to a low value less often.
In addition to the above symptoms, there are signs of neck damage:
- pains that eventually begin to radiate to the back of the head, arms, back;
- restraint when the head is tilted and / or turned, crackling, crackling, numbness or a burning sensation may be felt in the neck; Body temperature
- is normal.
As osteochondrosis progresses, a person's condition worsens, exacerbation occurs more often and more strongly, it is very difficult to completely heal a person over time, and his suffering can only be alleviated slightly.
Unlike inflammatory processes, temperature rarely changes. In the later stages of osteochondrosis of the neck, exacerbation practically does not disappear, severe joint damage to the brain and spine occurs:
- jumps in blood pressure or persistently high blood pressure;
- constant dizziness and headache, worse with light exertion;
- pain, burns and restriction of neck mobility;
- 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 feels almost constantly throbbing headaches, pressure and burning in the temple, congestion and tinnitus when he turns his head - dizziness, and even loss of consciousness. It is almost impossible to cure vertebral artery compression syndrome.
On the contrary, some people show signs of upper limb damage (there are dominant changes in the cervical and brachial plexus):
- burning or numbness in all parts of the upper limbs;
- dizziness is rare;
- decreased skin temperature.
The consequences of osteochondrosis can be quite severe: persistent headache and dizziness, impaired memory and attention, and constant numbness of the entire neck.
Treatment Methods
Almost complete restoration of the initial state of the osteoarticular device can only be achieved in the early stages of osteochondrosis and after the cause has been eliminated. 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 in the following ways:
- chondroprotectors to restore the original structure of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and inflammation;
- multivitamin complexes with high B vitamin content to improve nerve tissue trophism;
- nootropics for the correction of severe brain tissue disorders;
- a complex of physiotherapy exercises and massages (unless severe dizziness and high blood pressure occur);
- physiotherapy (water, iontophoresis, magnetotherapy), while the temperature and pressure of the factor should be high enough and burning is considered a positive effect.
Much depends on the patient in the treatment of osteochondrosis. The sooner the necessary therapy is started, the more carefully the person meets the doctor's prescriptions, the greater their chances of success and adequate quality of life for the patient.