Top of the list of the most common diseases of the 21st century are invariably occupied by diseases of the spine. The first line, in most cases, belongs to the diagnosis - osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - a dangerous disease that requires the mandatory intervention of experienced doctors.
The disease spares no one, neither women nor men (clinical cases of cervical osteochondrosis in men are reported less often than in women, but they do occur). In addition, the disease "rejuvenates" every year, today signs of cervical osteochondrosis can be observed not only in those who have crossed the age threshold of 40, but also in those who just turned 25 yesterday.
What is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, what serves as a catalyst for the onset of the development of this disease, why is an epidemic called osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae gaining momentum, what symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis should be a reason forvisit a medical institution, how not to be at risk and eatAn opportunity to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever? For those looking for answers to these questions, this article is intended. So first things first.
General information about the disease
This ailment can be characterized in one word: dystrophy. It arises in the context of changes in the chemical composition of bone and cartilage tissue and entails a loss of elasticity and strength by elements of the spine (discs). Its structure changes, initially the outer layer (annulus fibrosus) is destroyed, then the inner layer (nucleus pulposus). A disc (fibrous cartilage) that has completely lost its properties can become deformed, become covered with growths (osteophytes) and move.
Discs, changing their shape, size and location, pinch the nerve roots (they can injure one of the 8 pairs of spinal nerves located in this area) or the blood channels (the arteries that are responsible for feeding the brain pass throughthis area). . . In both the first and second cases, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are clearly felt.
Cervical osteochondrosis is the most common diagnosis that a neurologist or vertebrologist must communicate to their patients. Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, as the most common reason for visiting a doctor, is a consequence of two reasons:
- Anatomical features. The vulnerability of the upper part of the ridge is associated with the diminutivity and fragility of its connecting elements (vertebrae, discs).
- Important loads. The neck is responsible for mobility and stability at the same time. This cannot help but cause rapid "wear" on the weak links.
Hence the question: is cervical osteochondrosis treated? worries many.
Causes of the disease
Before proceeding to the point: how to cure cervical osteochondrosis, you need to understand the causes of its occurrence and try to exclude the factors that can trigger the onset of its development.
It is not possible to give a complete list of catalysts, but it is quite possible to outline the moments that can lead to the fact that the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine will not keep you waiting.
The main causes of osteochondrosis:
- unhealthy diet (jogging snacks, fast foods, lack of a diet and complete balanced foods in the diet: this is a direct path to the depletion of cartilage and bone tissue, which does not receive enough trace elements andvitamins that support your health);
- sedentary lifestyle (another possible option is a lack of physical activity, it causes stagnation of the ridge elements and a lack of adequate oxygen supply to the tissues);
- genetic predisposition (in this case, you can ask your parents what to do with cervical osteochondrosis, they will tell you how to get rid of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and how this ailment manifests itself);
- past injuries (the need to obtain information about what cervical osteochondrosis is, can also occur when the development of this disease was the result of displacement or rupture of the intervertebral discs as a result of trauma);
- diseases of the vascular system, infectious or inflammatory nature (in the first case, information on the topic: how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs due to a deficiency of nutrients that support cartilage tissue, in the second, due to the failure of autoimmune and necrotic processes that destroy joints, vertebrae and discs).
The instability of the hormonal background caused by overweight or stressful situations, as well as improper posture (scoliosis) are two more reasons to become familiar with the materials of the carcass: is it possible to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
Signs of illness
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are established. The work on the errors is done. Now the most important thing is not to miss the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck (in the event that the risk factors are eliminated too late and the disease has already begun to manifest itself). The earlier they are diagnosed, the easier and faster the road to recovery will be.
For convenience, it is convenient to divide all signs of the disease into two groups. This can be done based on the main criterion: origin.
The first group is the phenomenon, whose appearance is caused by the clamping of the blood arteries (caused by vascular changes). The compressed channels for carrying blood, saturated with oxygen and nutrients, cannot fully cope with their task, parts of the brain do not receive enough nutrition, and they lose some of their functional abilities.
The second group are symptoms, the manifestation of which is associated with pinched nerve endings (caused by neurological changes). In most cases, the vagus nerve (coordinating the state of the esophagus, pharynx and larynx), the phrenic nerve (responsible for heart rate and regulation of the respiratory process), as well as the nerve endings that innervate other organs of theinternal structure, suffer deformations, destruction and mixing of discs and vertebrae.
The following table presents more detailed information on how not to miss the first "bells" of the disease in case of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and the timely use of the help that the treating physician can offer.
Symptoms of the disease
| Origin | Manifestations |
|---|---|
| Changes in the state of the vascular system | dizziness, fainting lack of coordination memory impairment decreased concentration of attention loss of visual acuity and hearing black dots before eyes ringing, tinnitus apathy, depression panic attacks nausea, vomiting |
| Neurological changes | pain in neck, temples, occiput (constant, paroxysmal) pain radiating to arm, shoulder, interscapular region, chest shortness of breath, shortness of breath, choking pressure, chest tightness, angina lump in throat, difficulty swallowing, dry throat, itching |
Important! When at least one symptom appears from the table above, it is necessary to urgently undergo an examination and begin treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Any other behavior can have more serious consequences, which cannot be cured without surgical intervention!
Complex therapy
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis, this is what the painful question sounds like. The answer is unequivocal: with the help of complex therapy prescribed by a competent qualified doctor.
Combating this ailment requires discipline on the part of the patient and strict compliance with the recommendations of a specialist. In most cases, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be cured with the help of several methods of traditional and alternative medicine at once (only the doctor coordinating the patient can determine a specific program aimed at the effective treatment of osteochondrosiscervical).
Generally, choose techniques from the following list:
exercise therapy
Physiotherapy is an excellent tool for health therapy, which allows to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and improve overall health. Solve several problems at once:
- normalizes blood circulation;
- accelerates metabolic processes;
- relieves pain syndrome;
- strengthens the muscular corset;
- unloads the column;
- charges with joy and optimism.
There are a number of rules that explain how to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis by loading correctly without making the situation worse. They read:
- the set of exercises should be selected by a specialist who has an idea of the general clinical picture (age, chronic diseases and characteristics of the patient);
- any discomfort during classes should be a reason for refusing gymnastics (at least before consulting a doctor), as well as a period of exacerbation of the disease;
- Too active sudden movements are completely excluded, you need to do it carefully, without haste;
- Exercises should be done regularly (exercising once in a while will not solve the problem).
Massage (manual therapy)
Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis in another way? Quite. All that is needed to activate the body's regenerative properties, relieve spasms, release nerve roots, pinch arteries, and reduce symptoms are the skilled hands of an excellent massage therapist or manual.
The general guidelines are as follows:
- the procedure must be performed by a specialist with the appropriate education and experience;
- exposure time to the problem area: no more than 35 minutes;
- duration of a course (without interruption) - no more than 12 sessions;
- any change in the patient's condition must be known to the treating physician.
Important! Doing a massage for osteochondrosis or visiting a therapist's office - a manual with contraindications is strictly prohibited!
Physiotherapy
This area of clinical medicine has found its own answer to the question: how to get rid of osteochondrosis? She suggests using the healing properties of various phenomena, including:
- high frequency sound waves (ultrasound);
- mechanical vibrations (vibration);
- electric currents of various intensities (electrophoresis, UHF);
- ultraviolet radiation (quartz);
- other physiotherapy techniques.
These procedures contribute to the initiation of positive dynamics. They normalize blood flow, relieve inflammation, relieve pain, facilitate the process of drug administration and shorten the time required for their absorption by the tissues.
Medications
How to deal with cervical osteochondrosis, which continues to progress, despite all attempts to stop this process? Only with the help of drugs designed to eliminate the causes of this phenomenon.
All drugs used in an integrated approach are divided into several groups, depending on the measures taken. The following table will help clarify the situation.
Medications
| Group | Action | |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesics, NSAIDs | pain relief, elimination of the inflammatory process |
|
| Muscle relaxants |
muscle spasm relief | |
| Chondroprotectors | activation of the tissue regeneration function, restoration of the structure of discs, vertebrae, joints |
|
| Vitamins and minerals |
stimulation of metabolic processes, activation of the body's protective properties, improved microcirculation, strengthen the immune system, |
The specialist decides for himself how to treat osteochondrosis of the neck. It can complement the therapy with drugs belonging to the group of vasodilators (to relieve vasospasm), antidepressants (to relieve nervous tension) and others, depending on the general clinical picture of the disease.
In summary, we can give an unequivocal answer to the main question: is osteochondrosis treated? Yes, but only under the strict supervision of a competent doctor and with the great desire of the patient himself!