Osteochondrosis is called a pathological process in the cartilage of intervertebral discs and neighboring 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 features of the body. The neck vertebrae are smaller than those in the thoracic and lumbar regions and are very close to each other. In addition, the neck is characterized by increased mobility and undergoes regular stress while holding the head.
Why does the disease appear
The development of the disease is mainly associated with changes due to age. Other reasons are noted:
- lack of physical activity;
- diseases of the spine;
- excessive overload;
- bad posture;
- unfavorable heredity;
- increased body weight;
- autoimmune diseases in which the cartilage is damaged.
The condition of bone and cartilage tissue is severely affected by nutrition. The development of pathology is facilitated by a diet with a lack of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, vitamins A and E, vitamin D. The high-risk group includes office workers, professional athletes, people engaged in difficult physical labor.
How to identify cervical osteochondrosis
Symptoms of the disease depend on the clinical case and the stage of development. The most common signs are:
- pains that affect not only the neck and head, but also other parts of the body;
- weakness, decreased sensitivity of the hands, numbness of the face;
- a cracking in the neck when you have to turn your head;
- dizziness, weakness, darkening of the eyes caused by pinched blood vessels;
- deterioration of vision and hearing.
Pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae bothers almost all patients. With pathology, the vessels, bundles of nerve endings in the neck area are pinched. Typically, the pain is mostly felt in the area of the head, occiput, shoulders and radiates to the scapula and chest.
Against the background of the disease, the heart rhythm may be disturbed. In the neck region, several arteries are responsible for supplying blood to the brain. When the blood vessels are pinched, the patient faces problems such as impaired coordination of movements, arrhythmia, and ischemic heart disease. In severe cases, obstruction of blood flow leads to strokes and other life-threatening conditions.
Stages of the disease
The progression of the disease is divided into four stages:
- At the initial stage, bone and cartilage tissue just begins to break down. The pathology is manifested by mild pain and fatigue, which patients associate with stress.
- At the second stage, there is a decrease in the disc, the appearance of cracks. The pain increases, there may be numbness of the face and a decrease in the tenderness of the limbs.
- In the third stage, intervertebral hernias begin to form. The process affects muscles and blood vessels. The patient experiences not only pain, but also dizziness.
- At the last stage, the growth of bone tissue occurs, the nerve endings are pinched. The disease is manifested by pronounced symptoms: pain, dizziness, numbness. Many patients have impaired motor activity.
Diagnostic
If you suspect cervical osteochondrosis, the patient should see a neurologist and undergo a diagnosis. Its task is to assess the condition of bone and cartilage tissue. Previously, X-rays were used to diagnose diseases of the spine. Now, preference is given to more advanced search methods:
- CT scan;
- MRI;
- duplex scan of the vessels of the cervical spine.
Most often, the doctor prescribes a full diagnosis. It allows you to determine the presence and location of hernias, the speed of blood flow, the presence of obstacles to normal blood flow.
Treatment
A patient diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should reconsider their lifestyle, ensure regular physical activity and eat well. To improve the condition, it is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a comfortable pillow to relieve stress on the spine.
Medicines
With cervical osteochondrosis, the patient is shown drugs that relieve inflammation, improve blood circulation 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. To slow down the breakdown of bone tissue, the body needs B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and niacin.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the main method of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Specialists use a number of procedures, the task of which is to improve metabolic processes in bone and cartilage tissue, reduce pain, relieve spasms and improve blood circulation. Here are the basic techniques:
- Shock wave therapy. . . Low frequency sound waves affect the cartilage tissue in the cervical spine. They help restore tissue, slow down the formation of osteophytes - growths on the bones that squeeze nerve endings and blood vessels. The source of low-frequency waves is a special device, therefore, the SWT course can be taken only in a medical institution.
- Massage. . . This is the most common method of conservative treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Massage helps improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms. The technique of therapeutic massage is chosen depending on the stage of the disease and the clinical picture. This is a very important condition, because if the massage is carried out unprofessionally, it can harm the patient, lead to a deterioration in well-being. It is worth giving up massage for vascular disease, high blood pressure. During an exacerbation, the massage should be as delicate as possible. Caresses, rubbing are allowed, that is to say the impact on the upper layers of the tissues.
- 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 practiced not only in the office of a medical institution, but also at home. As a rule, exercise therapy is most effective during the period of remission, when the patient does not experience severe pain. Wellness exercises should be combined with walks, aquatic procedures.
- Acupuncture. . . This is an auxiliary method for the treatment of osteochondrosis, based on the effect of special needles on biologically active points. Thanks to this, the metabolism is activated, the pain syndrome decreases.
- Physiotherapy. . . This is a material technique used to treat diseases of the spine, rehabilitation after injuries. Thanks to the exercises, the load is removed from the spine, its mobility is improved, and blood circulation is restored. Physiotherapy classes are taught under the guidance of an instructor. There are many methods and apparatus for performing exercises, therefore, an appropriate set of exercises is selected for each patient.
- Laser therapy. . . Thanks to laser radiation, a positive effect is achieved, the well-being of the patient improves. The procedure reduces inflammation and pain and has a positive effect on metabolic processes.
- Electrotherapy. . . Specialists use devices that are a source of pulsed galvanic alternating current. The aim of the procedure is to reduce pain, relieve spasms, and stimulate.
- Water procedures. . . Water is the best remedy for osteochondrosis. Patients with this disease are given therapeutic baths, swimming, underwater massage. A regular visit to the swimming pool is very useful for the prevention and treatment of pathology.
Osteochondrosis surgery
Spine surgery for osteochondrosis is indicated for patients with an advanced stage of the disease, in which it is not possible to achieve remission by conservative methods. Surgery is used to remove herniated discs and affected discs. In addition, operations are performed to expand the diameter of the spinal canal, remove the vertebral arch. Their goal is to remove the compression of the nerves and spinal cord, which allows you to get rid of the discomfort.
All the manipulations are carried out under anesthesia by radiography and microsurgical control.
For disc protrusion, the method of laser discectomy is used. This is a minimally invasive technique that allows you to vaporize the nucleus pulposus of the disc with a laser beam and thus remove the compression.
Nutrition for osteochondrosis
Poor nutrition increases the chances of developing degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which include osteochondrosis. To slow down pathological processes in bones and cartilage, it is necessary to supply 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, B vitamins;
- cereals, bakery products with the addition of whole grains;
- lean meat;
- Fish and seafood;
- olive oils and other vegetable oils;
- jelly, jelly meat, jelly dishes.
There are no strict dietary restrictions, but there are some foods that are undesirable to consume in large quantities. First of all, it is strong tea and coffee, which impairs the absorption of calcium and vitamins. Foods high in salt are also not helpful.