What are the causes of cervical osteochondrosis? What are the symptoms? How to effectively treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home?
Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most widespread diseases that increasingly affects young people (25-40 years). The development of cervical osteochondrosis is facilitated by prolonged permanence in the wrong and tense posture - for example, working on a computer during the day or the habit of supporting the telephone receiver on the shoulder.
It is usually caused by prolonged exposure to vibration, such as when working with construction equipment or driving a car. In addition, incorrect posture, uncomfortable bed, sedentary lifestyle, hereditary predisposition and other factors can lead to cervical osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis and its causes
Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral disc in the cervical spine. It occurs in the context of metabolic disorders in the cervical spine, in which the structure of the intervertebral discs (special spacers between the vertebrae) and the bodies of the vertebrae themselves change.
In terms of symptoms, cervical osteochondrosis is slightly different from osteochondrosis elsewhere. This is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis, as it often leads to infringement of the nerve root that extends from the spinal cord and interruption of blood supply to the brain due to the compression of blood vessels. The reason is the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the spine in the cervical area. Thus, one of the great arteries that feed the brain - the vertebral - passes precisely through the openings in the processes of the cervical vertebrae. Therefore, pathological changes in them - the proliferation of bone and fibrous tissue, displacement of the vertebra - lead to disruption of the normal functioning of this artery.
In addition, the structure of the spine in the cervical spine is somewhat different - the vertebrae are closer to each other. Therefore, with any pathological change, even insignificant, in one of the vertebrae, the normal functioning of the entire section is interrupted - depression or displacement of nerves and blood vessels, as well as more frequent compression of the spinal cord than lumbar or thoracic osteochondrosis. As a result, with cervical osteochondrosis, significant dysfunctions can be observed - a disturbance of the sensitivity of the skin and muscles of the neck, face, hands, attacks of dizziness. There may be noise or ringing in the ears and head, persistent headaches, increased fatigue, blurred vision and hearing, instability when walking and so on.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, we note the following:
- Pain in the neck, neck, shoulder or arm. In addition, weakness in the arm muscles, difficulty with head movements, a crack in the neck when turning or tilting the head to the side are often observed.
- Often, there is a pulling pain on the left side of the chest, which radiates to the left arm. There may be a burning sensation or pain between the shoulder blades.
- Cervical osteochondrosis causes recurring headaches, a feeling of weakness and increased fatigue. As a rule, the pain is of a painful nature and is concentrated in the lateral region and in the nape, as well as in the nape. Patients often find it difficult to move their head, especially when it rotates in different directions.
- Neck pain can radiate to the arm and extend from the shoulder to the hand, with numbness in the fingers. In this case, patients sometimes complain of "itching" or "electrical current" passing through their arms and legs when bending their necks.
- Cervical osteochondrosis can also cause hearing and vision problems, pain in the hands, disturbances in the functioning of the heart and lungs, dizziness, nausea, double vision, numbness of the face and tongue.
What is cervical osteochondrosis? What are the symptoms? How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
As a rule, cervical osteochondrosis starts lightly and does not cause any particular discomfort to the person at first. Medical treatment at this stage is generally not necessary, just to prevent further complications, improve working conditions and review the lifestyle in favor of a healthier one.
To prevent cervical osteochondrosis, you must lead an active lifestyle, exercise in the morning, follow a moderate calorie diet, get rid of bad habits and avoid lifting weights. Erect posture, correct posture when sitting and sleeping, a comfortable bed are also important factors in its prevention. Corrective gymnastics courses will also be helpful.
However, with age, cervical osteochondrosis progresses and can progress to more severe forms. In this case, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is done by conservative methods. Among them: wearing special collars, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage. In more severe cases, the patient may need drug therapy - analgesics, antispasmodics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Physiotherapeutic procedures are also prescribed (paraffin, medicinal electrophoresis and so on).
For the treatment of chronic osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, chondroprotectors are shown, as well as B vitamins (B6, B12). Medicines for external use are widely used - ointments, creams, gels that contain NSAIDs, local irritants and tissue regeneration stimulants.
Recently, a new drug has appeared in pharmacies that can provide serious assistance in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis - a therapeutic anti-inflammatory analgesic patch.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with medical plaster
In the therapeutic treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, several agents are used, such as NSAIDs, analgesics, antispasmodics. All of these features are effective, but with prolonged use, they can harm the body. Therefore, it is very important to minimize side effects and improve treatment effectiveness. This can be helped by a new generation drug - an anesthetic anti-inflammatory medical patch.
The curative patch is very effective, relieves pain and inflammation, improves blood circulation in the affected area and reduces the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatories.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a medical patch is applied to the disturbing area of the neck, avoiding the frontal surface, especially the area of the carotid arteries and lymph nodes. A course of treatment of 9 days or more is recommended. It is usually recommended to use the patch in the morning at 12 o'clock, but it is possible to apply it at night.
High efficiency, exclusive composition, long-term therapeutic effect, ease of use and affordable price make the adhesive a means of choice in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.