Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is degenerative disorders of the intervertebral discs in the neck.
The cervical spine is very mobile, because of the need to change and head tilts, but also quite vulnerable because of weak muscular corset. Any negative effects, back and neck, the negative impact on the cervical spine.
Anatomically, the cervical vertebrae are close to each other, so the probability of expulsion, and the destruction is significant, even without subject to external factors. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is dangerous not only for its unpleasant symptoms, but also the opportunity to squeeze the blood vessels that feed the brain.
Causes of cervical degenerative disc disease
Causes for degenerative disc disease of the cervix is primarily on the changes in cartilage tissue due to the accumulation of salts in the blood and lymph of man.
Proper diet and regular exercise of salt on the human body is well used. By the way, maybe their excessive accumulation in organs and cartilage. Thus, the cartilage loses mobility and flexibility, which explains the processes, displacement of the vertebrae, pinching the arteries and other degenerative changes.
In addition, there are degenerative, which is osteophytes — bony growths on the cervical vertebrae, which irritates the muscles, causing them stress which further exacerbate the human condition.
All changes and disorders of the cervical spine is the culprit in most cases lack of exercise. Usually the cervical osteochondrosis suffer from office workers who have to sit eight hours a day, especially if they do not interfere with regular exercise. It used to be that all spinal osteochondrosis is a disease that is inherent in the people, after 35 years, but currently, the disease is much younger. Many young people are beginning to feel the first symptoms of osteoarthritis are still in school or first year University, which is also due to the long sitting position and, in addition, disorders of posture.
But it is worth noting that people whose work involves physical labor, may also face the degenerative disc disease of the cervical. Big load on his back along with an uncomfortable body posture or a previous back injuries have negative effects on the neck, causing unnecessary tension. In addition, we can highlight several main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical, namely:
- overweight;
- genetic predisposition;
- disturbances in the body's metabolic processes;
- incorrect or poor nutrition;
- prolonged stress;
- flat feet;
- hypothermia;
- lifts weights during an undeveloped muscle corset back;
- injuries to the spine or back in General.
People who are the prevention of osteochondrosis of the steel periodically perform a variety of physical exercises, remember that improper execution of these exercises can cause problems in the neck.
Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical — pain of varying severity, which can be localized in different parts of the human body.
So, the pain can spread to the eye area, giving the teeth or the ears have the wrong diagnosis. Sometimes the pain of osteoarthritis may radiate to shoulders, arms, shoulders and even the lumbar spine.
With cervical osteochondrosis possible localization of pain in the heart area, that the people likely to be mistaken for sadness, but he doesn't come off the drugs. As you can see, the symptoms and pain of osteoarthritis of the cervical complex, and the degree of severity of each individual case.
If due to cervical degenerative disc disease was pinched blood vessels that nourish the brain, then perhaps the appearance of such symptoms as: dizziness, tinnitus, numbness of the tongue, headaches, hearing loss and visual impairment, loss of orientation in space, and other symptoms related to insufficient blood flow to the brain.
In addition, osteochondrosis of the cervical people feel quite a strong strain in the neck, which increases when the head tilts, the long sitting position, and in the morning after sleep.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine began to collect information about the way of life of the people and his work, as well as the analysis of the symptoms. In addition, the doctor shall be installed in the presence or absence of similar symptoms in family members to identify possible genetic predisposition.
The next step in diagnosis is visual in the back and neck in different positions, you can clearly see the changes, posture and a variety of disorders that can cause low back pain. Alternatively, feeling the painful areas, which indicate the extent of pain and tension the muscles and vertebrae.
Such methods help to suspect the presence of degenerative disc disease of the cervix, but the most important role in the diagnosis to determine the instrumental methods of research. So, actively using methods of radiography, which gives a lot of information about the state of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. If the information is not enough for diagnosis, it is possible to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI gives information not only on the spine, but the condition of the soft tissues.
Case is expressed in headaches and tension in the neck, often use duplex study of blood vessels. It can be used to assess the structure of blood vessels and the transparency of the flow of blood through them, and identify many violations and deviations in development of the vessels.
Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
Cervical osteochondrosis is usually a comprehensive approach that includes both medication and physiotherapy.
Drug therapy includes medications that relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the tissues. When not very severe pain, it is possible to use only local preparations in the form of creams or gels. But if bright pain, a person may use medicines, which are used in the mouth and the local way of life.
In addition, osteochondrosis very often prescribe nootropics and B-vitamins that are designed to improve blood circulation in the cervical spine and improve the nutrition of the brain.
But the results of the medical treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervix is reduced to zero, if people do not reconsider your lifestyle. For example, if the cause of the disease lack of exercise and sedentary work, then the person you want to include in your life with regular exercise.
Very good results in the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease showed different physical therapy methods, such as electrophoresis, water treatments, massage and therapeutic exercises. In addition, a significant effect of the treatment is achieved through manual therapy, hirudotherapy and osteopathy.
Prevention
Many diseases are easier to prevent than to cure, if their occurrence. Osteochondrosis refers to such diseases. To protect yourself from it, one must adhere to certain preventive measures.
So, regular physical activity and exercise significantly reduces the likelihood of development of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and in addition does not allow a person to gain weight. In addition, the sedentary lifestyles people are every hour or two to do a light exercise of the neck, and follow the correct posture.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis result shows, a good regular massage, to help you figure out all the problem areas and prevent the development of excessive tension in the muscles.
Avoid stress, regular meals and healthy sleep are General recommendations that reduce the likelihood not only of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, but many other unpleasant diseases. In addition, people should remember that it is not necessary to lift weights, especially if his physical training is not allow you can do it without consequences.
In addition, as a preventive measure, people should once a year visit a specialist early detection of problems in the back and neck.