What are the causes of cervical osteochondrosis? What are the symptoms? How to effectively treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home?
Osteochondrosis of the cervix is one of the most common diseases affecting more and more young people (25-40 years old). The development of cervical osteochondrosis is facilitated by prolonged standing in the wrong, tense posture - for example, working at the computer during the day or the habit of supporting the receiver with your shoulder.
It is often caused by prolonged exposure to vibration, such as when working with construction equipment or driving a car. Also, incorrect behavior, uncomfortable bed, sedentary lifestyle, hereditary predisposition and other factors can lead to cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the cervix and its causes
Osteochondrosis of the cervix is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral disc in the cervical spine. It occurs against the background of metabolic disorders in the cervical spine, in which the structure of the intervertebral discs (separate dividers between the vertebrae) and the vertebral bodies themselves change.
In terms of its symptoms, cervical osteochondrosis is somewhat different from osteochondrosis of other parts. This is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis, as it often leads to damage to the nerve root extending from the spinal cord and disruption of the blood supply to the brain due to compression of the blood vessels. The reason is specific to the anatomical structure of the spine in the cervical area. So one of the major arteries that feeds the brain - the vertebral one - passes precisely into the openings of the processes of the cervical vertebrae. Therefore, pathological changes in them - proliferation of bone and fibrous tissue, displacement of the vertebrae - lead to disruption of the normal functioning of this artery.
In addition, the very structure of the spine in the cervical spine is somewhat different - the vertebrae are more closely adjacent to each other. Therefore, with any change, even insignificant, pathological in one of the vertebrae, the normal functioning of the whole section is disrupted - depression or displacement of nerves and blood vessels, as well as more frequent compression of the spinal cord than with lumbar or thoracic osteochondrosis. As a result, with osteochondrosis of the cervix, significant dysfunctions can be observed - a disorder of the sensitivity of the skin and muscles of the neck, face, hands, dizziness attacks. There may be ringing or tingling in the ears and head, constant headaches, increased fatigue, blurred vision and hearing, instability while walking, etc.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
From the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, we notice the following:
- Pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder or arm. In addition, weakness in the arm muscles, difficulty in head movements, a crisis in the neck when turning or tilting the head sideways are often noticed.
- There is often a tingling pain in the left side of the chest, which radiates to the left arm. There may be a burning sensation or pain between the shoulder blades.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervix causes recurrent headaches, a feeling of weakness and increased fatigue. As a rule, the pain has pain of nature and is concentrated on the side and back of the neck, as well as on the back of the head. Patients often have difficulty moving their head, especially when it turns in different directions.
- Neck pain may radiate to the arm and extend from the shoulder to the hand with numbness in the fingers. In this case, patients sometimes complain of "itching" or "electric current passing" along the arms and legs when bending the neck.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervix can also cause hearing and vision impairment, pain in the hands, disturbances in heart and lung function, dizziness, nausea, double vision, numbness of the face and tongue.
What is cervical osteochondrosis? What are the symptoms? How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
As a rule, cervical osteochondrosis starts in a mild form and does not cause any particular discomfort to the person at first. Medical treatment at this stage is usually not required, it is enough just to prevent further complications, to improve working conditions and to revise the lifestyle in favor of a healthy one.
To prevent cervical osteochondrosis, you need to lead an active lifestyle, do morning exercises, follow a moderate calorie diet, get rid of bad habits and avoid heavy lifting. Proper posture, correct posture when sitting and sleeping, a comfortable bed are also important factors in preventing it. Improving gymnastics courses will also be helpful.
However, with age, cervical osteochondrosis progresses and can progress to more serious forms. In this case, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out by conservative methods. Among them: wearing special collars, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage. In more severe cases, the patient may require drug therapy - analgesics, antispasmodics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Physiotherapeutic procedures (paraffin, medical electrophoresis, etc. ) are also described.
For the treatment of chronic osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, chondroprotectors as well as B vitamins (B6, B12) are indicated. Medicines for external use are widely used - oils, creams, gels containing NSAIDs, local irritants and stimulants of tissue regeneration.
Recently, a new drug has appeared in pharmacies that can offer serious help in treating cervical osteochondrosis - a therapeutic anti-inflammatory analgesic patch.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with a medical plaster
In the therapeutic treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, various agents are used, such as NSAIDs, analgesics, antispasmodics. All of these funds are effective, but with prolonged use, they can harm the body. Therefore, it is very important to minimize side effects and improve the effectiveness of treatment. This can be helped by a new generation medicine - a patch of anti-inflammatory anesthetic.
The healing patch is very effective, allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation to the affected area and allows you to reduce the dose of sedatives and anti-inflammatory medications.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a medical patch is applied to the affected area of the cervix, avoiding the anterior surface, particularly the area of the carotid arteries and lymph nodes. A course of treatment of 9 days or more is recommended. It is usually recommended to use the patch in the morning at 12 o'clock, but it is possible to apply at night.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-term therapeutic effect, ease of use and affordable price make the medicinal patch a tool of choice in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.