The cervical osteochondrosis is a disease in which the pulp between the vertebrae, acting as a shock absorber, becomes an ossified fabric.
Neck pain?Dizziness?Crunch?Cervical shots?"Is osteochondrosis really ..." - you think, winning an online request.Without panic!The cervical spine osteochondrosis is not sentence, it can be prevented, slowed down and even heal.How?Let's understand.
presentation
Unfortunately, cervical osteochondrosis is a calm and secret disease.You may not doubt its existence, until at one point you feel muscle spasm and neck pain.Often, dizziness and numbness of the limbs are added.
The reason for such seemingly unrelated phenomena in the complex nature of osteochondrosis.
What is osteochondrosis: from the general ...
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs are damaged, performing the role of shock absorbers.By squeezing and unlocking, they give the spine of elasticity and elasticity while allowing the body to maintain a balance in the process of movement.With their partial or complete destruction, this balance is lost, which inevitably affects a person's motor activity.The cause of such changes is often physical clothing and disk deformation or, more simply, its "aging".At the same time, the rest of our body can serve us faithfully for many years.
It is generally acknowledged that osteochondrosis is an age disease.However, in recent years, the disease has been significantly "younger": in the danger zone it is 25 years old and even younger.The blame of everything is a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition and unequal physical activity in the body.Moreover, statistics show that women are more often ill than osteochondrosis.First of all, this is due to anatomical characteristics and emotional origin.However, the disease is more difficult in men.
... in the private - cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical back osteochondrosis is more common.The fact is that it is in the neck that most vessels and nerve fees are concentrated, while the beads themselves are much smaller (approximately half compared to the lumbar department), and muscle corsets are weaker.
Along with the high mobility and proximity of the spinal cord, the neck of our body needs increased attention.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Sadly, the risk of cervical osteochondrosis is anatomically justified - vertebral arteries pass through the cervical region, which saturate important brain centers in the back of the brain.And any malfunction and violation of blood supply can be irreversible in nature, ranging from the pathological curvature of the spine (neck lordosis) to complete loss of motor ability, stroke and even death.
Fortunately, it is almost impossible not to notice the symptoms of a close disaster: problems with coordination, a strong deterioration in vision and hearing, frequent dizziness and loss of consciousness ...
If, coupled with regular cervical pain, you have noticed these signs in yourself, consult a doctor immediately!
Diagnosis and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Osteochondrosis is a serious disease, and only a qualified specialist, that is, a vertebologist who specializes in solving problems with the spine, orthopedist or neurologist can diagnose it.
The most accurate ways to diagnose cervical osteochondrosis: X-ray, calculated tomography (CT) and magnetic nuclear resonance (MRI), which allow not only the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, but also other associated changes in the body.
When a number of the following symptoms appear, seek professional advice at the doctor immediately.
- Dull pain, painful, strong in the neck and nape
- cervix, cramp when you turn your head
- dizziness, "veil" in front of my eyes, fading
- headache
- Nausea
- Nickle
- noise in the ear, visual damage
- Overall muscle weakness
Pain for osteochondrosis is often painful, given to the scalp and associated with numbness of the arms and legs.This is caused, first of all, by a tip of the nervous ending and an increase in intracranial pressure.
The nature of osteochondrosis
Like any disease, osteochondrosis of the spine has several stages of development.
For a better understanding of the processes that occur in the body, we propose to first understand the structure of the disk itself, and then analyze which changes are characteristic of each stage of osteochondrosis.
The vertebral disc in itself consists of several parts: a pulp (inside) jacket, a fibrous ring (outer shell) and the cartilage of the hyaline that separates the disk from the beads and performing the power function.
The pulpica core is rich in water, and is what is responsible for depreciation, adapting to the center of gravity, squeezing and moving like a mercury ball.The fibrous ring that surrounds it, on the contrary, has a strong structure and consists of intertwined fibers.Since the main task of the fibrous ring is to protect the essence from damage, it is what takes "stroke" itself with high loads.
Stages of osteochondrosis
Traditionally, four stages of osteochondrosis are distinguished.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical of the first degree uter
This is the early stage of the disease when the so -called "drying" of the disk appears: its height and elasticity decrease.
At the same time, there are still no structural changes - however, as well as symptoms and, accordingly, complaints.You may not feel discomfort;The only "harbinger" can turn out to be breakfast stiffness and salt deposits in the neck.Although, you see, with our way of life, these sensations are more norm.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical of the 2nd scale - the beginning of structural changes
This is where the irreversible changes in the pulpic nucleus - necrosis and the destruction caused by a violation of metabolic processes - at the same time with the formation of cracks in a fibrous ring.
The body begins to send SOS signals in the form of a sharp pain in the neck, reducing durability and rapid fatigue.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical of the 3rd degree - progressive disco
The fibrous ring is disturbed, as a result of which the pulpoosis core "lasts" in the spinal canal through the formed cracks.
If a complete rupture of the outer shell does not occur, the intervertebral disc can still be restored.This process is called the spine extension and is successfully treated on an outpatient basis.At the same time, you feel constant pain in the neck and all the back, progressing during the loads and staying in an unpleasant position.
In the case of complete destruction of the fibrous ring, problems with coordination, dizziness and nausea are added to the pain;There is a risk of disability.It is necessary to quickly seek medical help!
Osteochondrosis of the cervical of the 4th degree - regeneration
As a result of the irreversible processes between the vertebrae, growth (osteophytes) that block the motility of the joints form.The pulposal nucleus is replaced by a scar tissue, the nerve endings are damaged, a cure is only surgical.
Paradoxically, in terms of well -being, you can feel noticeable improvements - the spine again gains the ability to get loads.However, pain and limited motor activity will only intensify.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Sadly, talking about the causes of such a difficult disease as osteochondrosis, you have to keep in mind many factors: from external conditions to physiological predisposition.
How to understand that you are in danger?Mentally put a sign of control in front of each of the points suitable for you and your lifestyle.
- Have you had spinal injuries?
- Is there excess weight (rate of overweight)?
- Researched by bad habits (smoking, alcohol use), regular stress?
- Do you suffer from chronic infectious diseases, metabolic disorders?
- Does your job have to do with hard physical work?
- Have you been diagnosed with flat behavior and/or flat legs?
- Do you experience regular loads on your back?
If at least one of the questions you answer in the assertion, alas, you are in danger.This is bad news.But there is also good: cervical spine osteochondrosis can stop, heal and even prevented with timely diagnosis and the onset of proper prevention.
How to prevent osteochondrosis
There are a number of preventive measures that we recommend observing the game "forward" with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Step 1. Get up!
Are you leading a sedentary lifestyle?Sitting work, many hours of staying on the computer, irregular and malnutrition, lack of sleep, stress ... is known?
All this contributes to the "stale" processes in the body and provokes the initial phase of osteochondrosis.
To avoid the progression of the disease, reasonably approach the daily routine, take regular breaks (every hour for five minutes) and take care of your health more.Believe me, you will soon say "thank you" yourself!
Get a rule: Put on memory (or in particular cases "neglected" - an alarm hour) so that you do not miss the moment in the work ... when you just have to get up and go.
Step 2. Take care of your convenience!
Easily, we mean the physical signals the body gives.Listen and take care of yourself!
First, avoid excess and unreasonable loads.If you are regular fitness, dose weight, do not lose warm heat and follow the training regularity.
Second, give up unpleasant shoes.We do not ruthlessly ask to get rid of your favorite exit shoes or boots - let them remain for special occasions.It is important that these "special cases" do not become your life rate in 24/7 mode."For every day" choose shoes with a comfortable block that does not cause discomfort and does not affect behavior and walking.
Third, do not save on furniture and sleeping equipment.If the office chair is not categorically suitable for you, agree to replace or take care of your comfort yourself.Afterwards, this one -time investment can save you from serious regular expenses.
Use only accurate anatomical furniture that reduces the load on the back.For a home, choose a bed with a solid mattress and a comfortable pillow suitable in density and height.Anatomical or usual - you decide, because much depends on the characteristics of your body.
Step 3. Don't forget about prevention!
Warned - means armed, right?
If you feel periodic fatigue and pain in the neck and back, or, otherwise, you want to avoid them, we recommend a simple set of exercises, especially effective in the initial (pre -end) phase of osteochondrosis.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis
You can perform gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervical back both at home and directly in the workplace.
- Sit evenly, straighten your back, relax your hands and sit along the body.Turn your head alternately to the right and left, about 90 degrees (or how much the joints allow).Move smoothly, avoid sudden movements.
Make 8 repetitions for the first time, and in the future gradually increases the number of turns to 15 in each direction. - In the same position, glue the head forward, pressing the chin on the chest and spine, taking the back of the head to the back of the neck.Also start with 8 repetitions and grow to 15 times.
- Next, go to your shoulders.First, raise both shoulders up (in the direction of the ears), hold for a few seconds and lower it again.So 8 repetitions.
Then move your shoulders alternately: right up, left down, change - 8 repetitions. - Place your palm on your forehead and press with a simultaneous slope of the head forward.A 10 -second pause - and so 8 times in a row.
After completing the complex, be sure to massage the neck to ease the tension.
Attention!If you feel severe discomfort during the exercise, consult a specialist and carefully dose the load!
Cervical osteochondrosis: Treatment
Treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis can be closely concentrated or complex, combining several ingredients immediately.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis is a method of local effects directly on the focus of inflammation.The therapeutic effect is achieved due to the improvement of blood circulation and metabolic processes.Neck pain stops, the severity of the symptoms decreases.
There are many possibilities for physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis: electrotherapy, exposure to a magnet, laser, water and mud procedures, electrophoresis, acupuncture, and moderate heat of the inflamed area.
Before registering for procedures, carefully study the contraindications and consult your doctor.
Massage
With cervical osteochondrosis, the collar massage helps well.You can enroll in sessions in the massage or massage yourself using professional vibration massages.
Medicines and diet
Among the most commonly used in medication osteochondrosis are anti -inflammatory drugs, painkillers, antispasmodic, antioxidants, as well as medicines that aim to improve blood circulation and metabolic processes.The medication spectrum includes tablets, creams, ointments and solutions for intramuscular injection.
Remember, only a doctor can competently choose a medical medicine!
A balanced diet will help increase the effectiveness of the medication and improve the overall tone of the body.Limit the consumption of fatty, spicy, smoked food, salt.Prioritize vegetables and fruits, properly cooked meat, fish and dairy products.Add nuts and honey to the diet.And drink more fluids.
Even if osteochondrosis does not threaten you, a balanced diet will positively affect the overall well -being and condition of the body.You will see, after a few weeks you will notice amazing changes!Checked in your experience!