Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can occur at any age. Most of the time, this disease occurs in the elderly and not only injuries to the neck can be observed. However, at present there is an exacerbation of neck dystrophic processes in young people who are mainly engaged in mental work. It should be understood that it is very difficult to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis, but it can stop its progression and significantly improve the well-being of a person.
Reasons and mechanism of formation
Cervical dystrophic processes start slowly. The most important causes of the disease are a sedentary lifestyle and violations of some types of mineral metabolism.
If you eliminate the causes that led to osteochondrosis of the neck, some of its manifestations can be successfully cured. Otherwise, if the action of the cause continues, the person's condition will only get worse.
Under the influence of the root cause that caused osteochondrosis of the neck, the following changes occur:
- the starting point is congestion in the lymphatic and circulatory system;
- then there are degenerative-destructive changes in the intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock absorber between the vertebrae; its height and plasticity decrease;
- a little later, there are growths of bone tissue from the vertebrae;
- all this leads to a limitation of the mobility of the spine, an increase in pressure on the vessels and nerves that cross the bone apparatus of the spine.
The sooner the appropriate treatment is started, the greater the chances of slowing the progression of the disease and even completely cure the person.
An aggravation of the disease can be caused by any external or internal influence. It can be a viral infection, cold temperature, significant physical activity, even sudden increases in atmospheric pressure. The stronger the cause that provoked the exacerbation, the more pronounced the signs of the disease.
Characteristics of cervical osteochondrosis
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis gradually grow, at the beginning of the disease they practically do not bother the patient. Dizziness may be noticed only occasionally. However, cervical osteochondrosis can not be ignored: symptoms in the later stages of the disease are difficult to eliminate.
Since the cervical spine is directly connected to the brain, in the case of degenerative changes in this particular area, numerous complaints from the central nervous system will be noted. This is due to a gradual and increasing deterioration of blood circulation and metabolic disorders in the brain.
In many patients, symptoms suggesting brain damage can be seen first:
- sudden changes in blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- burning in the temporal region and diffuse headache;
- the temperature rises less frequently to low figures.
In combination with the above symptoms, there are signs of damage to the neck itself:
- pains that eventually begin to radiate to the back, arms, back of the head;
- limitation of mobility, when tilting and / or turning the head, you feel a cracking, cracking, numbness or burning sensation in the neck;
- body temperature is normal.
As osteochondrosis progresses, the person's condition will worsen, exacerbation will occur more often and stronger, it will be very difficult to completely cure a person over time, it will be possible to alleviate his suffering just a little.
Unlike inflammatory processes, the temperature rarely changes. In the later stages of osteochondrosis of the neck, the exacerbation practically does not disappear, there will be severe combined damage to the brain and spine:
- jumps in blood pressure or persistently high blood pressure;
- constant dizziness and headache, worse with light exertion;
- neck pain, burning, and limited mobility;
- Body temperature may rise slightly, but more often it remains normal.
The so-called vertebral artery injury syndrome occurs quite often, when the degenerative-dystrophic process covers the middle part of the neck. Such a person almost constantly feels a stabbing headache, pressure and burning in the temples, congestion and tinnitus, when turning the head - dizziness and even loss of consciousness. It is almost impossible to cure vertebral artery compression syndrome.
In some people, on the contrary, signs of damage to the upper extremities (with predominant changes in the cervical and brachial plexus) can be observed:
- burning or numbness in all parts of the upper extremities;
- dizziness is rare;
- decrease in skin temperature.
The consequences of osteochondrosis can be quite serious: persistent headaches and dizziness, impaired memory and attention, constant numbness of the entire neck.
Treatment methods
The almost complete restoration of the initial state of the osteoarticular apparatus can only be achieved in the early stages of osteochondrosis and after the elimination of its cause. An exacerbation of the disease requires even more intensive treatment. In the later stages, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, dizziness, and inflammatory changes. You can cure cervical osteochondrosis with the help of such means as:
- chondroprotectors to restore the original structure of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation;
- multivitamin complexes with a high content of B vitamins to improve the trophism of the nervous tissue;
- nootropics for the correction of serious disorders in brain tissues;
- a complex of physical therapy exercises and massages (if severe dizziness and high blood pressure are not present);
- physiotherapy (water, iontophoresis, magnetotherapy), while the temperature and pressure of the factor should be high enough, and burning is considered a positive effect.
Much of the treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the patient himself. The earlier the necessary therapy is started, the more carefully a person complies with the doctor's prescriptions, the better the chances of success and a decent quality of life for the patient.