Osteochondrosis of the cervical column

Cervical osteochondrosis is some dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs in the neck.

Not only the discs themselves, but also the vertebrae, the soft fabric and cartilage are exposed to negative effects.The main feature of the cervical region is the fact that its vertebrae do not have the most reliable structure than other departments, which makes this area very vulnerable.The vertebrae here are found in the immediate vicinity of each other, as well as by those arteries that are fed by the human brain.

If the shift of the vertebrae occurs, the probability of squeezing the nerve rays and the arteries is high, which inevitably will occur of an hernia between the vertebrae and the protrusion, that is, the changes in the structure of the spinal disc.

What is it?

The osteochondrosis of the cervical column (Osteohondroz) is a degenerative dyeing dyeing of the intervertebral discs, which damage the wheels, vertebrae and joints of the cervical region, a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs is observed.The disease progresses if it is not treated and can lead to headaches, circulatory disorders and even hernias.Like osteoporosis, the disease occurs due to a violation of the mineral metabolism, due to which the bones and joints become less durable.

Osteocondrosis can cause the cervical column instability (the symptoms and treatment are similar to the chondro, but have a series of characteristics), which is often accompanied by a movement of the vertebrae.In turn, this accelerates the development of the osteocondrosis, destroying the vertebrato.

Phases

The attending physician must determine the degree of development of the cervical osteocondrosis, on the basis of an anamnesis, as well as the patient's examination.There are only four degrees:

1. The first degree.The disease is in roughly, the patient has a slight pain in the neck, which can be more intense if a person starts to turn the head.
2. The second degree.The patient can complain of very intense pain in the cervical region, which can be located in the upper limbs.The clinical picture shows that in this phase of the development of the disease there is a pinch of nerve rays, which causes intense pain.Note also headache, weakness and general malaise.
3. The third degree.The pain becomes almost incessant, also giving the shoulder or arm.In some patients, a hernia of intervertebral discs is diagnosed, which leads to a loss of sensitivity of the upper limbs.When examining a doctor, a considerable reduction in the mobility of the cervical column is observed, as well as pain in palpation.
4. The fourth degree.At this stage of the disease, the intervertebral disc is almost completely destroyed.In its place, the connective tissue appears, which leads to a deterioration of the patient's conditions.He begins to hear pain, noise in his head and poor orientation in space.This suggests that the artery is pinched, which interferes with the natural diet of the brain.

Symptoms of osteochondosis of the cervical column

The important symptoms of osteochondosis of the cervical column are dizziness, headache and blood pressure.

The diagnosis of the disease is difficult, pain sometimes does not manifest itself and the symptoms are deleted in nature, moreover, the uncontrolled use of strong analgesics masks the signs of the disease.A patient who does not feel pain is considered healthy, and therefore continues to the development of irreversible processes in the fabrics of the neck joints.

Headache for cervical osteochondosis

This is one of the most common non -specific signs of many human diseases.The headache is particularly widespread in the female population.It can be difficult to determine the cause of the headache and, in particular, connect it with spine lesions.About 14 different causes of headache in humans were detected.

The most common causes of the headache in the pathology that we have described:

1. Brain spasms;
2. Pinch of nerve roots;
3. Increase in the reflection of intracranial pressure.

The headache for cervical osteochondosis can resemble sensations with arterial hypertension, angina pectis or stroke.In addition, in medium and old people, as a rule, there are risks of developing shots or heart attacks.

It seems that pain can be paroxy, constant, pulsating and stupid.

With the pathologies of the heart, patients complain of unpleasant sensations in the chest area, accompanied by a reduced compromise of heart activity.Only a qualified doctor can determine the cause.In case of headaches, combined with nausea, dizziness and load pains, an ECG is necessarily made.

Dizziness for cervical osteochondosis

This condition does not always clearly indicate osteochondosis of the cervical column.

Dizziness can be a consequence:

1. Inflammation in the middle or internal ear;
2. Brain spasms;
3. Violations of the transmission of nerve impulses;
4. Problems with the vestibular apparatus;
5. Cardiovascular system diseases.

There are no clear criteria for dizziness for osteochondrosis.However, there are systemic and non -systematic dizziness, they have clear differences.

It is recommended to know the differences in systemic and non -systematic vertigo, this will help to independently determine the causes of an unusual state:

1. Systemic dizziness are a sense of circular movement of surrounding objects or body, which is a consequence of a violation of the vestibular system, visual analyzers and receptors in the joints, muscles and epidermis (osteochondrosis of various etiologies);
2. The dizziness not played are a feeling of censorship, a sense of deafening, an uncertain state in a vertical position.With non -systematic dizziness, there is no sensation of circular rotation, and this is an important difference between the signs compared.

A person who feels the dizziness of one of the specified types should be examined by an expert doctor, first of all, a neuropathologist or (if there are suspicions of ear disease and apopharynx) otolaringoiatra.

The reason for hospitalization in emergency hospital that is not associated with the osteochondosis of the cervical column is to detect these characteristics in the patient (except dizziness) as:

1. Paralysis of the facial muscles and numbness of the part of the shoulder belt;
2. Severe headache against the background of a deterioration in well -being;
3. Violations of the coordination of movements;
4. Loss or extinction of consciousness.

Blood pressure with cervical osteochondosis

The connection of the cervical osteochondrosis with jumps to blood pressure has long been established.The cervical vertebrae have important nerve endings and blood vessels.

The pressure waves are characteristic during the day.For a long time hypertension is not a characteristic of this disease.The reflected irritation of nerve terminations and short -term cramps of the blood vessels cause a brusciously daily dynamic of arterial hypertension.

A distinctive feature of greater pressure in cervical osteochondosis is a combination with the following symptoms:

• Heachache;
• Pain in the arts and chest;
• Decrease in sensitivity in the collar area;
• The pressure of pressure jumps after stress, muscle tension, long -term time in an uncomfortable position and other similar situations.

These signs should be taken into consideration with independent differentiation of the hypertension of various genesis.

The sharp jumps of blood pressure and a rapid deterioration of well -being are the basis for looking for an emergency medical assistance.

Osteochondrosis syndromes

The clinical picture of the cervical osteochondrosis is placed in different syndromes.Syndrome is several symptoms that occur together.

Osteochondrosis consists of the following syndromes:

1. Vertebral.It is also called vertebrae, which indicates that the bones and the fabric of the cartilage are involved in the pathological process.This leads to the formation of these symptoms: restriction of the motor activity of the neck, node in its curves, radiological changes in the image of the cervical column.It is the simultaneous aspect of these signs which is a vertebral syndrome.A similar set of clinical signs is observed with myosite (pathology of muscle tissue) and painful movements of many other pathologies.
2. Vertebral artery syndrome.It appears when vascular rays are involved in the process, which are responsible for the blood flu to the tissues of the central nervous system.Symptoms suggest that brain tissue has stopped receiving a correct amount of nutrients.How to recognize this syndrome?The first signs are dizziness, a sense of noise in the ears, the differences in blood pressure, the appearance of a "veil" in front of the eyes.This suggests that one of the vertebrates is in an strangled state.Each ship has its nerve finals.If those who innervate the vertebral artery, migraine, numbness, the short -term reduction of the vision on the one hand are tightened.As a result, the changes in the ship lead to the fact that the brain needs oxygen.Right now, a person feels sleepy, short -term violations of consciousness, loses attention and control, works worse and recalls information.With such a clinical picture, it is necessary to differentiate cervical osteochondosis with atherosclerosis of the vertebral arteries and squeeze the tumor or inflammation.
3. Cardial syndrome.It manifests itself by burning in the chest area, the appearance of the lack of breath.A person feels his frequent heart beat, becomes tired and irritable.This picture is also characteristic of cardiological pathology, for example for Angina pectis, coronary syndrome, heart attack.The exact conclusion on the causes of these symptoms can be done after the patient has passed the ECG.
4. Rook syndrome.The cervical department innervates 8 pairs of nerves, each of which has roots of the nervous exit from the vertebra.When they are involved in the osteocondrosis, the patient feels a decrease in sensitivity or serious vice versa.There may be numb in the fact that his pain, a decrease in language sensitivity, the freezing area, pain in the supracinking region.Sometimes there are disorders of swallowing, movements in the belt of the upper limb, numbness of the fingers.

First aid at home with exacerbation of osteochondosis

With a serious pain syndrome, it is possible to use painkillers, such as analgin, tempalgin or shalgin.If the above drugs do not bring relief, you can take the fans (nise or diclofenac).

Often, the means of "distraction" are used, for example, a pepper patch that does not heal, but only feels an inflamed area and distracts from pain.In the case of Edema in the inflammation area, the patient can drink herbal or diuretic infusion for 3-4 days.Is it possible to cure osteochondrosis with these methods?These measures are only temporary;For the treatment of the causes, you need to consult a doctor.

It should be noted which doctor deals with osteochondrosis.If the suspicion arises that the causes of pain in the cervical column are the occurrence of osteochondosis, you should contact a neuropathologist.It is this specialist who is engaged in diseases of this type.In some medical institutions there are restricted specialists involved in precisely spine diseases.If your clinic has a vertebrologist, you should face the question of how to cure this disease, immediately to it.

How to treat osteochondosis of the cervical column?

In the initial phase of development, osteochondrosis can be treated without medicines, simply review the diet, the daily regime and regularly perform a complex of special exercises.With advanced forms of the disease, effective treatment is possible only if the use of various medicines that help to suspend degenerative changes in the vertebrae.

The complex of therapeutic measures necessarily includes physiotherapy - electrophoresis with drugs, ultrasounds, magnetotherapy, laser therapy.These methods help to cope with pain, inflammation, swelling of tissues, improve metabolic processes and blood circulation.

Pharmacological treatment

The main methods for the treatment of osteochondosis of the cervical column are pharmacological treatment, physiotherapy, the massage of the area of the cervical viber, therapeutic gymnastics for cervical osteochondosis is particularly effective.The main groups of drugs used for this disease include:

Name	The principle of action
Non steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).This is Voltaren, Nise, Movalis, Ketonal, Ketanov, Diclofenac, Nimesulide and others	Reduce pain syndrome, help to relieve aseptic inflammation and the edema of the damaged nerve root.
Drugs that improve the regological properties of blood and blood flow.This is Eufillin, Tenal.	Improve the nutrition of damaged nerve roots and improve blood flow to the brain.
The vitamins of group V. are Kombilita, Unigma, Milgamma, Neurobion.	It improves metabolic processes in the nervous tissue.
Musorelassanti.This is Midokalm, Sirdalud, Tizalud, Tizanidina, etc.	These are drugs that relieve muscle spasm.
Condroprotectors.This (glucosamine and chondroitin) is Arthra, Theflex, Doppelgerz, Zhabio Stone, Condonov, Structure, Alflutop.	These are drugs that restore the cartilage fabric, included in the damaged intervertebral disc.

When accepting the tablets from the osteocondrosis, it should be remembered that the significant effect of the pharmacological treatment with tablets will be only if it is combined with other methods, including exercises.It should also be noted that the attending physician must prescribe rather than treating the disease based on his stadium and other signs.