Pathological conditions of the musculoskeletal system are more common than other known diseases. According to statistics, every person after the age of 40 will have symptoms of similar diseases. Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are particularly common. Therefore, the symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as its etiology, should be known to everyone in order to understand how to prevent the disease and eliminate complications.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by changes in the intervertebral disc and malnutrition of cartilage tissue. In 25% of cases, cervical osteochondrosis occurs, which develops due to the structural characteristics of this segment of the spine.
The cervical spine area includes 7 vertebrae of different structures, very close to each other. It is in this area of the body that complex movements are performed. In the neck area, there are many peripheral nerves and spinal nerves that affect internal organs. In addition, the neck is full of blood vessels, and the main blood vessels pass here: the jugular vein, carotid artery, and vertebral artery. Usually, pathologically, the vertebral artery will be affected, which is related to the blood supply to the brain.
In this process, the involvement of blood vessels and nerves leads to the development of serious complications (cerebral ischemia, stroke). Therefore, timely detection of the signs and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is an important issue in medicine and human health.
Causes and symptoms of the disease
There are many causes of cervical osteochondrosis, but they all lead to increased neck load or changes in the structure of the vertebra itself. they are:
- Violation of posture;
- Excess weight;
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- Spinal injury;
- Increase physical activity;
- pressure;
- Poor physical fitness;
- Genetic predisposition;
- Excessive muscle force at work;
- hormone imbalance;
- Metabolic changes;
- Malnutrition;
- Abnormalities and defects of the cervical spine;
- Spinal diseases.
The pathological clinical symptoms are related to the structural characteristics of the cervical spine. Even the smallest pathological process can cause symptoms. In most cases, patients complain:
- Pain in the neck, back of the head, arms and shoulders, and head;
- Weakness and impaired sensitivity of the hands;
- Limited movement of the neck and upper limbs;
- Squeaking sound when turning and tilting the head;
- dizziness;
- Lack of coordination;
- weakness;
- Changes in hearing and vision.
Degree of osteochondrosis
The degree of pathology depends on the clinical manifestations and chief complaint.
- 1 degree. There are almost no symptoms. There is slight pain and discomfort in the neck, which worsens with exercise. Identify mild muscle overstrain, which is related to the development of nervous and nerve root syndromes.
- level 2. The patient is worried that severe pain in the neck will radiate to other parts of the body and be caused by the reduced distance between the vertebrae and compression of nerves. In addition, there are headaches, severe general weakness and decreased performance. This is due to the increase in vertebral artery syndrome (it participates in the pathological process).
- 3 degrees. The symptoms are severe, growing, and the pain is persistent and unbearable. Sensitivity to invade the upper limbs, weakness, and limited neck mobility. This is due to the development of intervertebral hernia.
- 4 degrees. The intervertebral disc is completely replaced by connective tissue, causing persistent pain, stiffness, tinnitus, impaired vision, hearing, and coordination. Persistent brain and movement disorders are characteristic.
The symptoms and photos of cervical osteochondrosis show the severity of the pathology, so when the first signs appear, be sure to see a doctor.
treatment
The symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are interrelated concepts, because the treatment method will lead to the reduction and disappearance of the symptoms. The disease can only be completely cured at an early stage, but during this period, few people seek help. In other cases, treatment can prevent further degenerative malnutrition changes, reduce symptoms and prevent the development of complications.
Many people want to know how to treat the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. There is no definite answer, because each patient is individualized, and treatment should be selected for each specific case. But all the treatment principles boil down to relieve inflammation and pain, relieve muscle spasms, improve blood supply and nutrition to the cervical spine, and strengthen the musculoskeletal system.
Main treatment methods:
- take medicine;
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- Exercise therapy.
drug:
- NSAIDs (to relieve inflammation and pain);
- B vitamins (improve the metabolism and nutrition of nerve fibers);
- Muscle relaxants (to relieve muscle cramps);
- Cartilage protective agent (prevent the destruction of cartilage tissue and promote its recovery);
- Warm creams and ointments (to relieve pain and muscle cramps).
You should not be limited to taking medications. It is important to use all treatments in a comprehensive and systematic way. The combination of medication, massage, and exercise therapy helps to obtain rapid results and helps maintain the results obtained for a long time.