Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative disorder of the intervertebral discs in the neck of a person.
The cervical department is very variable, because it is necessary in the bends and slopes of the head, but in this case, and quite vulnerable due to weak muscular corset. Any negative impact, which turns on your back and neck, negative impact on the cervical spine.
Anatomically, the neck vertebrae are close to each other, so the probability of their bias and failure is necessary even without the influence of external factors. Osteochondrosis of the cervical threat not only for its unpleasant manifestations, but also the possibility of pinch points of the arteries that nourish the brain.
Causes of cervical degenerative disc disease
Causes of degenerative disc disease of the cervical mainly consist in changes of the cartilage due to the accumulation of salts in the shelter and lymph of man.
When normal nutrition and regular physical exertion of salt in the human body are spent properly. In the opposite case it is possible to their excessive accumulation in organs and cartilage. So, cartilage tissue loses mobility and flexibility, which explains the processes of displacement of the vertebrae, pinch the points of the arteries and other degenerative changes.
In addition, they appear degenerative changes in which arise osteophytes — bony growths in the area of the cervical vertebrae, which irritates the muscles, causing their tension, which even more worsens the condition of man.
All of the changes and disorders in the cervical region of the spine is guilty in most cases of a sedentary way of life. Usually cervical osteochondrosis suffer from office workers who are forced to sit for eight hours a day, especially if they do not bother with regular physical loads. Previously it was believed that osteochondrosis of the any of the spine is a disease that is inherent in the people after 35 years, but currently the disease significantly younger. Very many young people are beginning to feel the first symptoms of degenerative disc disease is still in school or in the first years of the university, which also explains the long sedentary position, and, in addition, disturbances in posture.
But it should be noted that people whose work involves physical labor, also can meet with osteochondrosis of the cervical. Big load on the back in combination with inappropriate body position, or previous injuries of the back in a negative way affect a person's neck, causing unnecessary tension. In addition, one can distinguish several main reasons for the development of degenerative disc disease of the cervical, and that:
- overweight;
- hereditary predisposition;
- disorders in the metabolic processes of the organism;
- incorrect or skimpy meals;
- prolonged stress;
- flat feet;
- hypothermia;
- increase weights when undeveloped muscle corset back;
- injuries of the spine or back in general.
People who like the prevention of degenerative disc disease were regularly perform different physical exercises, it is worth remembering that the incorrect execution of these exercises may also lead to problems in the neck.
Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
The main symptom is a degenerative disc disease of the cervical — pain of varying degree of severity, which may be localized in different parts of the body.
So, the pain may spread to the eye area, put on the teeth or the ears, because of what it is possible to determine an incorrect diagnosis. Sometimes the pain, degenerative disc disease can put on the shoulders, the arms, shoulder blades and even in the lumbar department of spine.
When cervical osteochondrosis can be localization of pain in the region of the heart, a person most likely mistakenly accepted as a heart pain, but she will not be taken any medications. As can be seen, the symptoms and feelings of pain from degenerative disc disease of the cervical multifaceted, and their degree of severity is individual for each opportunity.
In the event that, due to cervical degenerative disc disease were pinched arteries that supply the brain, then perhaps it is the emergence of such symptoms such as: dizziness, humming in the ears, numbness of the tongue, headache, reduce acuity of hearing and vision, loss of orientation in space and other symptoms associated with a lack of blood supply to the brain.
In addition, in osteochondrosis of the cervical person will feel quite expressed as tension in the neck area, which intensifies at the slopes of the head, the debt of a sitting position, as well as in the morning after sleep.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine begins with the gathering of information about the way of life of the man and his work, and also from the analysis of the symptoms. In addition, the physician should be installed the presence or absence of similar symptoms in family members, in order to reveal a possible genetic predisposition.
The next step in the diagnosis is the external control of the back and neck in different positions of the person, allowing you to clearly see the changes of posture and various disorders, which may lead to osteochondrosis. In addition, they carried out a feeling of painful zones, which indicate the degree of soreness and tension of the muscles and vertebrae.
These methods help to the local availability of degenerative disc disease of the cervical, but the main role in establishing the diagnosis distracts instrumental methods of research. So, actively used the method of x-ray, which gives quite a lot of information about the condition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. In the event that the information is not enough for diagnosis, perhaps holding a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI gives information not only on the vertebrae, but also on the condition of the soft tissues.
In the case that headaches and tension in the neck, very often use two-sided study of the blood vessels. It allows to evaluate the structure of blood vessels and the patency of blood in it, and also reveal the many inconsistencies and anomalies of development of the walls of blood vessels.
Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
Treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical usually wear a comprehensive approach, which includes both the intake of drugs and physiotherapy.
Treatment treatment includes administration of drugs that eliminate pain and reduce inflammatory processes in tissues. When strongly expressed pain possible using only local preparations in the form of ointments or gels. But in the case of bright painful feelings a person can use as a medication used oral and local medications.
In addition, when osteochondrosis very often served nootropics and complexes of B vitamins, which are designed to improve blood flow in the cervical region and contribute to better nutrition of the brain.
But the results of pharmacological treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical department is reduced to zero, if a person re-evaluate their lifestyle. For example, if it is the cause of the disease in sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work, then the person need to include in your life regular physical activity.
Very good results in the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease have shown different methods of physiotherapy, such as, for example: electrophoresis, water treatments, massage and physiotherapy. In addition, a significant effect in the treatment is achieved with the help of manual therapy, hirudotherapy and osteopathy.
Prevention
Many of the disease is easier to warn, than to treat in the event of their occurrence. Osteochondrosis refers to any of these diseases. To prevent from it, the person needs to follow certain preventive measures.
So, regular physical activity and exercise significantly reduces the likelihood of developing degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and, in addition, it is not allows a person to dial the extra weight. In addition, when working in a seated position a person must be every hour, two, do light exercises of the neck, and also pay attention to the correct posture.
As the prevention of degenerative disc disease of the cervical good result shows a regular massage, which allows you to practice all the problem areas and prevent the development of excessive muscle tension.
Avoidance of stress, regular meals and healthy sleep are a common recommendation, which make it possible to reduce the likelihood of developing not only degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, but also many other unpleasant diseases. Also one should remember that it is not necessary to lift weights, and especially if his physical preparation does not allow to do it without consequences.
In addition to all of the above, in the preventive purposes the man should once a year visit a specialist for early detection of problems with his back and neck.