Osteochondrosis of the neck - symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (shopping) is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.Every year, doctors diagnose the disease more and more often, and it continues more and more difficult.According to statistics, in women, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the upper spine occur more often, especially for patients in the period after fertilization.The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are pain, restriction of mobility, cerebrovascular insufficiency and this is dangerous not only for health but also for life.To protect yourself from the dangerous consequences of the pathology, you need to start its treatment in the early stages.It is important to conduct comprehensive therapy, to change lifestyle in order to stop the destruction of vertebrates and prevent serious complications.

The development of the disease

The cervical spine is most vulnerable to various injuries and degenerative changes.This is due to the fact that this segment is most mobile, and the muscles here are weak.Small cervical vertebrae with a strong load every day, leading to the gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs.The vertebrae press on each other, causing the cartilage seals between them to lose plenty of fluids, begin to degrade and deform.

In addition, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to insufficient cartilage nutrition.And the spinal canal in this area is narrow, so it is often drained, causing neurological symptoms.

The pathology in women in the early stages is manifested by weight in the back of the head, descends into the hands and so on.Often, patients mix the first signs of the disease with overwork.

A large number of blood vessels and nerve roots are located on the neck area, and neurological disorders can also occur with their compression.It is especially dangerous if the deformed disc or vertebrae compress the spinal artery that nourishes important parts of the brain.During her compression, the coordination of movements is broken, the woman may lose balance, her vision, hearing deteriorates and the risk of stroke increases.

Reference.According to statistics, it is most commonly found in cervical osteochondrosis in patients of 25-40 years.This is due to a massive reduction in physical activity, sitting work.In women, the disease is more often found than in men, as they have more fragile vertebrae and thin bone tissue.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis store:

• Stage 1 - The intervertebral disc loses some of the moisture, its height decreases, cracks may appear on the fibrous ring (outer sheath).This is the stage of cervical chondrosis, which is difficult to detect because it has unexpected symptoms.The neck quickly tires, discomfort, seriousness in the damaged area, sometimes slight pain, which passes quickly.
• 2 phases - cracks on the disc surface increases, the pulp core (disk -similar to the disk) changes and can be protruding through the damaged areas.So, the cartilage bumps are manifested, which can compress the spinal cord and its roots.Periodically, pronounced pain, weakness, restriction of mobility, facial stiffness, neck, shoulders, hands may occur.
• Stage 3 - protrusing the outer sheath of the disc so that hernia is formed.The pain becomes more pronounced, there are neurological disorders.
• Stage 4 - The disc is almost completely destroyed, the vertebrae are grasped against each other, bone growths (osteophytes) appear on their parts, which are designed to stabilize the damaged segment.Nerve endings, spinal cord, blood vessels are disrupted.The adjacent joints begin to be damaged.Clinical signs are pronounced.

It is easiest to stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the first two stages of Chop osteochondrosis.In 3 stages, comprehensive treatment will help stop further destruction of the spinal segment.In the last stage, you cannot do without surgery.

Reasons

Shop osteochondrosis is a complex and prolonged process that usually has several reasons.In most cases, the pathology occurs as a result of sitting lifestyle, malnutrition and metabolic disorders.Often, the disease occurs due to injuries or because of the natural aging of the body and the weakening of its protective forces.

Doctors distinguish the main causes of osteochondrosis in women:

• Violation of metabolic processes.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Chronic muscle tension around the cervical segment.
• Curves by holding the body.
• Lack of fluid and nutrients in the body.
• Long -term stay in an awkward position (the neck extend forward and a busy back).
• Overweight.
• Frequent wear in heels.
• Injury shops.
• Raise heavy objects.
• Autoimmune pathologies.
• Frequent stresses, chronic fatigue.
• Hypothermia.
• Infectious diseases.
• Too long or short neck and so on.

All of these factors cause an injury to the diet of the intervertebral discs and lead to their degeneration.

Femaleen osteochondrosis of the cervix can be caused by pathologies of the vertebral artery associated with genetic predisposition, intrauterine disorders, injuries during childbirth.The disease can occur as a result of rheumatism, endocrine disorders, excessive load on the cervical segment during pregnancy, local overloads.

Important.The main causes of cervical osteochondrosis in women are menopause, as well as changes associated with this period.At this stage, the concentration of progesterone decreases in the body, which is very important for bone tissue.The likelihood of degenerative changes is associated with weakening associated with the age of the neck muscles and weakening the support of the vertebrae in this area.

Symptoms

Osteochondrosis is characterized by a wave -like course when the acute period is replaced by remission.Exacerbation can cause infections, injuries, hypothermia, long loads on the neck.

The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women are headaches, discomfort, seriousness in the neck.It is important to make a difference in time to distinguish migraine or autonomic dysfunction pain.

Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis in women are caused by neurological syndromes:

• Cervical discs occur with irritation of nerve endings with fragments of damaged cartilage.Then, a specific crisis appears in the neck, pain, which becomes more pronounced when the head moves and after sleep.
• Stair muscle syndrome becomes the result of damage to the vessels and nerves of the shoulder plexus and subclavian artery.This complex of symptoms is accompanied by pain from the inner surface of the shoulder to the hand from the damaged side.The limb becomes pale, cool, edematous, stiffness occurs.Neck pain spreads to the back of the head when the patient turns his head.
• Shoulder periarthrosis syndrome - dystrophic changes affect the fibers of the tendons that surround the shoulder.Painful neck sensations radiate to the shoulder and shoulder are up.There is a forced neck position - it is inclined to the affected side, and the shoulder is slightly lowered.
• Spinal artery syndrome - blood vessel compresses fragments of impaired disc or osteophyte (depending on the stage of the disease).The patient spins and headache, nausea, sometimes vomiting.The pain is localized in the back of the head, crown and temples.
• Cardiac - Nerve beams of the spinal cord are damaged.There is pain in the heart, arrhythmia.In the case of C3 damage, pain occurs in half the neck, the tongue swells, the patient cannot chew food normally.If the C4 is injured, then discomfort in the area of shoulder vegetables, carbon, heart.By damaging the C5, the reaction of neck pain spreads to the shoulder, the inner surface of the shoulder.The irritation of the C6 is manifested by pain from the blades of the neck and shoulder to the shoulder of the shoulder and spreads throughout the hand to the thumb.If the C7 is damaged, the pain syndrome extends to the back of the shoulder vegetables, grabs the whole arm, including the index and middle finger.When compressing the C8, the pain spreads from the affected area to the elbow and the little finger.

Also, a woman can be upset by the emotional sphere, weakness appears, becomes anxious, tangible.Often there is insomnia, memory weakens, attention due to regular headaches.

Symptoms of cerebrovascular circulation disorders occur when a woman throws her back abruptly, leans or performs a work in which her hands and cervical spine are loaded, for example, when digging, painting the ceiling, tolerating severity.

The violation of cerebral circulation is manifested by dizziness, uncertain walking, "flies" in front of the eyes, noise in the ears, weakness, nausea.In some patients, the voice becomes hoarse, sometimes disappears, sore throat.

Osteochondrosis during the menopause period is accompanied by migraines, amplified by body sweating in the area between the neck and shoulders.When compressing the vertebral artery, the work of the cardiovascular system is impaired.

If the disease occurs for a long time, then there is a lack of blood circulation at important centers that perform neuro-endocrine functions.Due to the increased permeability of the vascular wallsids, atherosclerosis of the brain and heart arteries develops.

Diagnosis

If you notice the symptoms of osteochondrosis, then go to the therapist.After the visual inspection, the specialist will direct you to an orthopedist, vertebrologist or neurologist.

The following methods are used to diagnose osteochondrosis of the cervix:

• X -Ray allows you to discover that the patient has vertebrae in the patient, osteophytes are present on their edges, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced.For this, the study is conducted on different aircraft.For details of the characteristic changes, the doctor is photographing in order.
• CT of the cervical department provides detailed information on pathological changes in the vertebrae.This method allows you to get volumetric images for a more detailed study, used in severe diagnostic cases.
• MRI is used to accurately assess the condition of the soft tissue (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles) of the affected area.
• Electromyography allows you to check the conductivity of nerve fibers.

Doctors may also prescribe UZDG (ultrasound subplography of the main arteries of the brain) to determine the state of blood flow to this area.

Conservative treatment

In the early stages, treatment with chop osteochondrosis can be carried out at home.However, a doctor should be gathered by a doctor.It is important to understand that this is a long process and will probably not be completely cured (especially older women).

The composition of complex treatment includes:

• Taking medication.
• Using orthopedic devices.
• Therapeutic gymnastics.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.
• Massage, manual exposure.
• Alternative treatment methods.

Conservative techniques will help stop the pain, inflammation, normalize muscle tone, improve metabolic processes, nutrition of damaged spine segments.With timely therapy, it is possible to stop pathological changes.

Medications for cervical osteochondrosis will help get rid of inflammation and pain.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is performed by the use of medications that will help improve the metabolism of cartilage seals between the vertebrae, stop inflammation, pain.The following drugs are used for this purpose:

• NSAIDs.Inflammation and pain of mild or medium power will help relieve.
• Analgesics.Stop the pain syndrome.
• Preparations to improve cerebral circulation.
• Moods help eliminate muscle spasm.
• Chondroprotectors.They help to stop the destruction of discs, improve metabolic processes, accelerate recovery.
• Medicines based on greatness.
• Nootropics.They stimulate brain function to normalize its circulator, have a mild sedative effect.

Reference.With intense pain, which is not stopped by oral drugs, therapeutic blockage, for example, with a solution of novocaine or NSAIDs, are used.

You can complement the treatment with anti -inflammatory and painkillers in the form of gels, creams and ointments.They will be effective in remission or in combination with oral agents.

The decision to select medication combinations is made by the doctor.The specialist will prepare a medication diagram and also determine their dose.It is important to follow his recommendations, as many of the above drugs threaten dangerous complications.

During the acute phase of osteochondrosis, the woman should give up severe physical activity.To unload the cervical segment, you need to wear a special corset (chanta collar), which will fix the vertebrae in the right position.This device is recommended to be used for prolonged seating or hard physical work.

Physiotherapeutic procedures will help to weaken the pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area:

• Diadamotherapy.
• Magnetotherapy.
• Electrophoresis.
• Electroalnexia.
• Ultraviolet radiation and so on.

The therapeutic effect is manifested after the third session, then the headache, hearing, vision, dizziness, sleep and general condition improves or disappears.

Using the underwater traction of the cervical segment, you can extend the distance between the vertebrae, release the nerve or blood vessel from compression and restore the normal position of the vertebrae.

Massage will normalize muscle tone, reduce lymph fluid flow, causing swelling.After several sessions, blood circulation in the damaged area improves.

Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the most effective methods for treating chop osteochondrosis.LFK allows you to strengthen your weak neck muscles, which will then take part of the spine load and help stop or slow down degenerative-dystrophic changes.During classes, blood circulation improves, speeding up metabolic processes, diet of disks, which positively affects their condition.

Womennians should train every day.They consist of simple but effective exercises.The complex consists of turns, tilt the head in different directions, as well as neck movements, during which the hands are used.These elements can be performed at home, but only after the doctor's license.Medical physical education is only conducted in remission.

Complex treatment can be supplemented with reflexology (acupuncture), surgery (leech treatment), swimming and the like.

Surgical treatment

The surgery is prescribed in the last stages of Chop osteochondrosis, which are accompanied by serious destruction of bone structures.Also, surgery cannot be done if the conservative methods were ineffective or the spinal canal is significantly narrowed.

In the above cases, the anterior cervical discactomy is performed.During the procedure, the doctor immobilizes the damaged segment of the spine and removes hernia, which drains the spinal nerve.Then the vertebrae are consumed, including the disc.If necessary, the space between the vertebrae is filled with a synthetic insert (cage).

After 3-5 days, the patient is empty at home.The rehabilitation period is about 12 weeks.To speed up recovery, you need to take medication, wear a corset, lead the right lifestyle, go to physiotherapeutic procedures, and perform exercise therapy over time.

Recommendations for life

In order to quickly get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis and stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical segment, you need to adjust your lifestyle.For this, the patient must follow the following recommendations:

• Go for hiking every day, avoid running, jumping and other explosive stresses.
• You cannot carry heavy objects.
• You cannot sit for a long time, in extreme cases to wear a corset and take a horizontal position periodically.
• Perform special physical exercises for the back muscles at home.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow.
• Follow the diet, complement the diet rich in magnesium, calcium (nuts, dairy products, seafood, legumes), as well as fiber, chondroitin (jelly, jelly).Refuse greasy, fried, too much salty food, alcohol.Read more about the rules of power will advise the doctor.But in any case, it should be correct.

The figure cannot be allowed, warming will benefit in the absence of an inflammatory process.

Complications

In the absence of timely treatment with cervical osteochondrosis, the woman may feel the following consequences of the pathology:

• The likelihood of a protrusion occurs, which after a while turns into hernia.Prosecrostures compress the spinal cord, as well as its nerves, causing neurological disorders.
• Osteophytes occur with severe disk damage, they irritate the spinal nerves and blood vessels.
• In advanced cases, a severe weakening of the neck muscles or incomplete paralysis is possible, then the head reluctantly hangs to the side or forward.
• Compression of the vertebral arteries, circulatory injury in the affected area.This condition can cause neuralgia (nerve pain), hearing impairment and vision.
• Paralysis (incomplete or full) hands.
• Stroke.

If a woman is engaged in solving the problem in the early stages of osteochondrosis of the store, then she will be able to warn the above conditions.

Preventive measures

Ideally, chop osteochondrosis prophylaxis is necessary during the period of intrauterine development.The future mother should exclude factors that adversely affect the development of the fetus: infections, oxygen hunger, intoxication.If there is a birth injury, then the newborn must undergo treatment.

To reduce the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis of chop, the woman must follow the following recommendations:

• Stop the spine evenly, for example, wear a load in both hands or in turn to the right and then left.
• Do not lift too much weights yourself.
• Try to avoid neck injuries, hypothermia.
• While working in garden areas, rest every 1.5 hours, go on holiday for 20 minutes.
• Choose shoes with an elastic sole that will soften the blows during running or jumping.
• With a long seat, use a high back chair and headrest or wear a corset.

It is also important to eat, control weight, avoid stress, take vitamin preparations for medical reasons, to treat pathologies on time, which can cause osteochondrosis.In remission phase, it is recommended to visit sanatoriums to undergo a course of treatment.

The most important thing

As you can see, in women, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs more often than in men, as the former have more fragile vertebrae and thin bone tissue.Patients are particularly susceptible to patients in a post -climachron period.The disease is manifested by pain, neurological disorders, as well as dangerous symptoms of cerebrovascular accident.Treatment is recommended to begin in the early stages to avoid dangerous complications of osteochondrosis.To do this, the woman must take medication, adjust her lifestyle, visit physiotherapeutic procedures, massage, do physiotherapy exercises.Surgical treatment is shown only in advanced cases.To prevent pathology, you need to make moderate physical activity, treat injuries and diseases that can cause osteochondrosis on time.