Headache, neck muscle numbness, dizziness, loss of sensation in the hands are signs of cervical spine osteochondrosis.The disease is associated with dystrophic changes in the vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, and ligaments.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear at any age, the disease becomes younger.Related to a sedentary lifestyle, work-specific, studying on a computer.The likelihood of developing this disease increases with increased physical inactivity.Normally, the spine is always moving, the discs and vertebrae do not change and function normally.When the body is forced into a boring position, the vertebrae atrophy and cannot cope with the assigned function.The cause of this disease is wrong posture and abnormalities in bone development.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
As a result of changes in vertebrae, discs, ligaments, the function of nerve endings and blood vessels that run from the spinal cord to internal organs and the brain are disturbed.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are associated with compression of nerve endings and blood vessels.Depending on the involvement of the organ in the pathological process, three groups of clinical signs of the disease are distinguished.
The first group includes neurological manifestations of diseases related to effects on the peripheral nervous system.The second group includes symptoms recorded as a result of effects on the spinal cord.The third group of symptoms is associated with disorders in the nerve endings leading to the brain.
When there is a disturbance in the peripheral nervous system, pain comes to the fore.They come in different intensities and characters;General - Pain is registered at the beginning of the disease in the depth of the neck.
Often, with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, shortness of breath appears.The patient finds it difficult to breathe and has a lump in the throat.The pain in the neck is often dull, worsens after a night's rest, and the muscles become tense.
As the disease progresses, the hands become involved in the process - weakness and a feeling of numbness appear.Pain appears in the heart area.Signs indicate that cervicothoracic osteochondrosis has developed, the symptoms are localized in the chest.It manifests itself as pain in the lungs, liver, stomach, and sometimes coughing.Dystrophic disorders in the articular cartilage are disguised as other diseases - angina pectoris, neuralgia.
Consequences
The vertebral artery supplies parts of the brain with oxygen;With dystrophic changes in the vertebra, it becomes pinched and does not perform its function.Dizziness, headache, blurred vision, tinnitus are signs of vascular bundle compression.Headaches due to osteochondrosis will not be relieved by taking regular analgesics.The pain worsens when turning or tilting the head.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis with VSD are increasing, signs of blood pressure instability and neurosis are observed.A VSD that appears earlier is a sign of early disease.This disease has the same symptoms.To prescribe treatment, it is necessary to undergo a full body examination with tests, pictures, and MRI.Symptoms of reduced cervical osteochondrosis are neurological disorders (irritability, poor sleep, fatigue).The disease occurs after physical tension or nervous tension.
Osteochondrosis of the spine worsens the quality of life, prevents you from doing what you like, and the gradual destruction of the disc leads to the need to replace it.Therefore, it is worth identifying the symptoms, thinking about the first signs of the disease, and taking time.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
When treating osteochondrosis, positive results are achieved using treatment methods.Drug therapy is combined with massage, physiotherapy, diet, and light exercise.A comprehensive course will help you overcome this disease and return to work.
Medicines solve several problems at once - eliminate inflammation, painful phenomena, stimulate the regeneration of cartilage and bone tissue.Anti-inflammatory drugs have an analgesic effect.In case of protracted disease, when the pain is observed for more than three months, antidepressants are indicated.Drugs relieve anxiety and reduce pain.
Tablets are prescribed for minor inflammation;To achieve better results, injectable drugs are prescribed.To increase tissue regeneration, relieve muscle tension, and eliminate pain, the use of medical ointments is indicated.Sometimes painkillers are prescribed in the form of rectal suppositories (for gastric ulcers).
For symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, treatment with injections is prescribed.The dosage of the drug is selected based on the age of the patient and the presence of chronic diseases.Chondroprotectors have a positive effect - drugs that improve the recovery of cartilage and have an analgesic effect.
For cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, treatment includes examination of internal organs, as the function is affected.For the treatment of acute pain in the form of an uncomplicated disease, ten days is enough, followed by a period of recovery that complies with the doctor's recommendations.Physiotherapy, massage, and acupuncture sessions help recovery.Daily exercises are shown.For people who have to spend the day in one position, light exercise should be the norm.
Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to cure.In order not to suffer from this disease, it is recommended to live a healthy lifestyle with constant physical activity and alternating sports.The diet should be nutritious, fortified, and smoking should be avoided.By following the rules, you have a chance to live without the pain and deterioration of life into old age.