The causes of headaches, numbness of the fingers, tingling in the heart should sometimes not be sought not instead of their location, but in the neck.Osteochondrosis of this department affects the state of the head and the shoulder belt, as well as the organs of these areas.
It is a dystrophic disease of the connective intervertebral discs which serve as shock absorbers in the spine.Depending on the level and volume of the lesion, the appropriate symptoms develop.
The cervical service is the most mobile and vulnerable section of the spine.The influence of undesirable factors leads to a violation of the nutrition of the cartilage, the slimming of the discs, the formation of a hernia or the growth of the bone tissue.The nerve roots are pressed, the blood flow in the periporaging vessels is disturbed.
Reasons
The factors that can lead to osteochondrosis are very diverse:
- A sedentary lifestyle, lack of training for the muscle observation apparatus;
- Long forced poses with an increased neck load - sedentary work with an inclined head;
- neck injuries;
- metabolic violation;
- poorly selected pillow and mattress;
- obesity;
- Systemic diseases of connective tissue;
- Hereditary predisposition.
The following causes have an impact directly on the development of the symptoms of the disease:
- The displacement of the intervertebral disc develops quite rarely, but this condition leads to the development of paralysis;
- The reduction in the height of the disc - the flattening leads to a decrease in the diameter of the intervertebral hole, following which the roots of the nerves are pressed;
- The hernia of the intervertebral discs is a projection which can press the root;
- The osteophytes are located on the sides of the vertebral bodies, irritate the adjacent muscles, cause their edema, its increased tone, which increases the load on the disc and leads to a decrease in its height.If the growth is directed to the vertebral canal, this will lead to its narrowing.
Symptoms of the disease
Cervical osteochondosis is characterized by a group of symptoms in syndromes, which determine clinical manifestations and patient complaints.
Vertebral syndrome
The manifestations of the signs are associated with the state of the bone tissue or cartilage of the vertebrae.To accurately diagnose this syndrome, all of its symptoms should be present:
- change in mobility in the cervical region;
- pain during movement;
- Violation of the morphological structure of discs and vertebral bodies.
The absence of one of the signs allows you to suspect another disease with similar symptoms.A decrease in mobility without changes in morphology is observed with myositis - muscle damage.Pain is characteristic of many other diseases.
Vertebral artery syndrome
Symptoms that form it as follows:
- Compression of the artery and alteration of blood flow in its trunk, which leads to dizziness, noise in the ears, fluctuations in blood pressure, nausea or vomiting;
- The irritation of the nervous processes of the artery manifests itself by a severe headache by the type of migraine, a decrease in sensitivity, numbness, the sparkle of "flies" before the eyes, a temporary decrease in vision;
- Hypoxy of the brain, or famine in oxygen, is expressed by a decrease in performance, fainting, lethargy, drowsiness, aggravation, in serious cases, even depression.
The lesion of the vertebral artery is reduced by the blood supply to the corresponding parts of the brain.But such a syndrome can be observed with other pathologies - atherosclerotic lesions of the vessels, the compression of their growing tumors, the inflamed tissues.
Cardial syndrome
The appearance of signs of angina, pain in the heart does not always indicate the pathology of this organ.These can be signs of osteochondrosis in the cervical region, which include:
- Loaded pain;
- shortness of breath;
- Fast fatigue and weakness.
In this situation, the exclusion method acts - the diagnosis of heart disease is made using an ECG, as a result of which there are no changes characteristic of angina.There is no atherosclerotic narrowing of arteries on angiography.
Rook syndrome
These symptoms have a manifestation on a back and are associated with damage to the roots of the pair of corresponding spinal nerves.Characterized by pain, paralysis or paresis, an altered sensitivity on the corresponding side.
The first and second roots are characterized by pain or numbness in the occipital region.The third pair manifests itself by numbness and a feeling of bursting of the tongue, the difficulty of swallowing and chewing and an altered sensitivity behind the ear wells.
The compression of 4 pairs leads to hiccups, to pain in the clan and in the throat during swallowing.The fifth pair is expressed in the limitation of movement in the shoulders, the sixth pain and numbness in the shoulder blades and forearms.
The seventh causes numbness in the hands, more often in the index and fingers in the middle, the eighth - paresis and altered sensitivity in the ring finger and the little finger.
The pathological process is very rarely limited to a pair of nerve roots, often several are affected at the same time, which confuses the clinical picture and causes diagnostic difficulties.
The absence of treatment or poor selection of the methodology can lead to complications in the form of an hernial projection, breaking the disc and a net movement of the vertebra, which can end with a handicap or death.
Diagnosis
The justification for the diagnosis is possible after carrying out an X-Ray study in a direct and lateral projection.In the images, a decrease in the height of the disc, the narrowing of the intervertebral opening and the pathological bone growths are clearly perceptible.
Treatment
When diagnosed, symptoms of cervical osteochondosis at home can arise if patients follow the prescribed and uncomplicated diagram of the disease.
Modern medicine offers several areas of therapy:
Medicines>
Taking certain groups of drugs aims to eliminate symptoms of the disease, improving the nutrition of cartilage, antioxidant protection.
After the appropriate diagnosis, the doctor will determine how to treat the drug treatment of cervical osteochondosis, you cannot prescribe.
The following groups of drugs are used:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.They eliminate pain and inflammation, reduce proliferative processes.The preparations for this group can be prescribed in tablets, but in the acute period, intramuscular administration is possible.It is not recommended to use them for a long time, taking up maximum doses for more than a week leads to the development of non-stomach ulcers, causes toxic liver damage.
- Chondroprotectors are starting to use it from the moment the diagnosis is installed.The manifestation of their effect should be very long.
- This applies to a greater measure tablet forms and capsules for oral administration.Injection drugs are prescribed courses, their effect manifests itself more quickly.They contain glucosamine, which affects metabolism in cartilage, and chondroitin, which slows the destruction of the disc.There are natural chondroprotectors - these are dishes with gelatin - jelly, jelly, as well as fish.
- Vasodilating drugs eliminate vascular spasms, improve blood flow in muscles and help reduce inflammation.
- Diuretics use when symptoms of exacerbation of the cervical column osteochondrosis appear.Treatment is carried out in a short course to relieve inflammatory edema and nerve compression.
- Vitamin preparations are aimed at antioxidant protection of the cartilage tissue, damaged nerves, brain cells.For this, a, vitamins are necessary.Group B is necessary to improve the condition of peripheral nerves.They will use the alternation of vitamin B6 and B12 every two days.The contribution of group vitamins in a short course is actually affected.
- If cervical osteochondosis of the ointment for treatment has worsened, helps to eliminate pain, have a warming effect and improve blood circulation.It is applied to a very small quantity using a special massage in the defeat area.
Unguents with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a small local analgesic effect.Unlike tablets, they can be used longer.
>Physiotherapy
This method is used as adding to the main treatment method.Physiotherapy acts selectively on the affected area, relieves pain, edema and inflammation, improves microcirculation and local immunity.
The following methods are applicable:
- Electrotherapy produces a local warming effect, due to which blood circulation improves, swelling is eliminated.But this method is contraindicated for those with heart stimulators and metal implants.
- Magnetic induction fields act for about 20 minutes on pathological focus, relieve pain and inflammation.
- Laser therapy activates bioelectric processes in nervous tissues, improves their regeneration.The procedure is carried out on the soil of the fiery roots of the spinal cord, no more than 2 minutes per area.
- Balneo treatment - The use of therapeutic mud, mineral waters, OzoKerte.It is carried out during the period of exacerbation and remission in order to prevent and consolidate the effect of treatment.
Medical physical education
This method cannot be used in the acute period of the disease and perform exercises, overcoming pain.All are smoothly produced, without causing.You cannot throw your head back and make circular movements.If there is a hernia of the intervertebral disc, the consultation of a neurologist or a neurosurgeon is necessary.
A set of exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical column:
- Warm.In 2-3 minutes, walk on site with a full foot, on socks, on the heels (how to treat a heel).
- Be straight, gradually pass your fists, your arms, your shoulders, keep half a minute, relax and chat with your hands.
- Make the inclinations carefully from head to the left and right shoulder, dwell on each position for 10 seconds.
- In a sitting or standing position strictly at the top of your shoulders, then, as if it was straightening up, lower them a little back.
- Standing or sitting, slowly lower your head down and touch the chest chin.Slowly take the starting position.
- Spread your arms on the sides, clench your fists.Rotations with brushes 4 times in each direction.
- Get up, spread your hands on the sides.Make rotation movements in the elbows alternately in front and back.
- Likewise, a circular movement in the shoulder joint is carried out.
- Relax-Lift your hands and place them freely, relaxing as much as possible.
Massage
An experienced mass master will tell you how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical column at home using massage and self-massage.
Basic principles can be called the following:
- All actions are carried out by the fingertips;
- You must go from the spine to the periphery;
- You cannot apply strength, only massive light actions;
- All movements work smoothly, without haste.
Generally use friction, kneading, neck caresses.
Surgical treatment
It is used to reduce the spinal canal of a hernia, which is accompanied by a compression of the vessels and nerves of the spine.
The indication is also the instability of the cervical column.The presence of a hernia is not an indication of the operation.
In this case, they do the effectiveness of drug treatment, the patient's condition, the severity of the symptoms of osteochondrosis.The removal of a hernia is made using a scalpel or in a more modern way - using a laser.
But often after surgical treatment, the symptoms of the disease are eliminated for a while, then resumed.
Prevention
In order not to wonder how to cure osteochondrosis from the cervical region at home, it is necessary to prevent the disease.First of all is the correction of the posture.Perron creates an additional load on the cervical vertebrae, causes an inflammatory reaction
A long -term forced position with an inclined head must also be avoided when there is a high load in this department.
If you have to be in an uncomfortable position for a long time, you should periodically perform exercises for the neck.You should also choose the right pillow to sleep.