Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative-dystrophic pathology. When left untreated, it progresses rapidly, causing symptoms to increase. In the course of the disease, the stages of remission are replaced by relapses, in which case the person significantly worsens. Suffers from severe, sharp, piercing pain, cervical spine stiffness, dizziness, sudden increase in blood pressure and headaches. Inadequate intake of analgesics with aggravation of cervical osteochondrosis. Causes of clinical manifestations - muscle spasm, displacement of intervertebral discs and vertebrae, compression of muscle roots and blood vessels with bone growth.
After diagnosis, the vertebrologist will develop a therapeutic scheme. Gymnastics to transfer cervical osteochondrosis to a stable remission stage, drugs of different clinical and pharmacological groups, physiotherapeutic procedures, reserve therapeutic stage.
Reasons for falling back
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In most cases, there are no symptoms before the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis. A person feels good, engages in daily activities, plans everything for the near future. Sudden sharp, piercing pain, the body urgently needs to take a comfortable horizontal position to eliminate it. This allows the doctor to reduce the severity of the pain syndrome before starting. In only 15-20% of cases, there are mild discomforts before exacerbation - aches, pains, "gas twists", numbness of the neck, shoulders and sometimes the forearms. Weakness, apathy, mental and physical performance due to the already deteriorating blood circulation in the cervical spine and brain.
Cervical or cervical lumbago occurs after a few hours or days. A person experiences so much pain that one of the most interesting questions for a doctor is the possibility of preventing relapse. To prevent exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, you need to know the causes of its appearance:
- Being in a stressful environment for a long time. People who experience acute or even daily conflicts often suffer from various chronic pathologies, including diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Negative emotions have a negative effect on the functioning of all vital systems. In patients with cervical osteochondrosis reveals muscle spasms, circulatory disorders of the brain, neck and back of the head;
- continuous static and dynamic loads. Prolonged exposure to a computer, a machine, or a microscope impairs the blood supply to the cartilage tissues with oxygen, nutrients, and biologically active substances. With osteochondrosis, the severity of 2, 3 degrees, a few hours is enough for a recurrence. Sleeping uncomfortably on a very soft mattress or pillow also causes it;
- neck curved movements. An accidental intense turn or tilt of the head can cause discs and vertebrae to move, and nerve roots or blood vessels to constrict with bone growths;
- hypothermia, abrupt change in climate zone. Vertebrologists note that in most cases, patients with complications of osteochondrosis visit them in the fall or spring. In the off-season, relapses cause the temperature to drop. In the fall for natural reasons, and in the spring - for the desire to quickly get rid of warm heavy clothes;
- exacerbation of respiratory, intestinal, urogenital infections, any chronic diseases. In this case, a sharp decrease in immunity leads to recurrence of cervical pathology.
In addition, osteochondrosis is aggravated by improper massage, weight lifting, and excessive physical activity. The onset of relapse often occurs as a result of non-compliance with medical recommendations related to nutrition, drinking regimen, medication.
Clinical presentation
Treatment for cervical or cervicothoracic lumbar osteochondrosis depends on the severity of its symptoms. When a small amount of cartilage tissue is damaged, they are not so dense in 1, 2 degree pathology. And osteochondrosis is characterized by acute clinical manifestations in stages 3 or 4, triggered by several negative factors simultaneously. The intervertebral discs lost their cushioning properties and the distance between the vertebrae was significantly reduced. Therefore, with a sharp displacement of the vertebrae, nerves and blood vessels can constrict at the same time. The vertebrologist treats the following symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- shooting, stitches, pain, pain in the cervicobrachial or thoracic region;
- radiation of pain in the back of the head, arms, arms, shoulders, chest;
- persistent or paroxysmal pain syndrome;
- Increased pain during movement, rotation of the shoulders, raising the arms.
Pain in the neck and shoulders is one of the symptoms of an exacerbated pathology.
When examining a patient, the vertebrologist detects muscle spasm, pain in the paravertebral points, stiffness of movements, and smoothness of the physiological lordosis. An unusual position of the human body also allows us to suspect an aggravation. To reduce the intensity of the pain, pull the neck from top to bottom, turning the whole body to the side. Moderate to high-grade osteochondrosis is characterized by sensitive, motor, and neurological disorders as a result of injury. vegetative functional structures. For example, when the roots of the spine are compressed, there is a feeling of "creeping reptiles", the skin of the forearms and occipital region loses sensitivity, becomes pale and cool to the touch. Patients complain of weakness in the arms, dizziness, headache, nausea, decreased vision and / or hearing.
Visual impairment is almost always accompanied by complications of cervical osteochondrosis.
Recurrence of cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in psychoemotional instability, insomnia, arterial hypertension and sometimes syncope - short-term weakness caused by sudden movements of the neck.
First aid for injuries
The pain of a relapse is so severe that a person simply freezes in place for fear of unnecessary movement. It should be soothed, preferably on a hard surface. Place a flat pillow or folded pillow under your back. a blanket to keep the patient comfortable and reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome.
Now you need to call an ambulance. The fact is that in some cases, with the exacerbation of osteochondrosis, a person can not take the pill. On-call doctors will inject an analgesic solution intramuscularly and intravenously. If necessary, they also use tools to restore cerebral circulation or to place a patient in a hospital to continue treatment.
Take the patient to the hospital.
The patient should feel better while the ambulance is on its way. How to prevent complications of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Give an anesthetic tablet if swallowing functions are preserved;
- Gentle rubbing of analgesic gels will help reduce pain;
- The patient should not be allowed to stand or bend, as coordination of movements may be impaired.
It is strictly forbidden to self-medicate before the doctor's visit - use warming products, massage the neck to relieve muscle spasms. If the onset of osteochondrosis is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the paravertebral structures, then such events will lead to the development of irreversible complications.
Treatment of acute osteochondrosis
Treatment of complications of cervical osteochondrosis begins with the elimination of the main symptom - acute piercing pain. The vertebrologist may prescribe intramuscular administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Drug blockers are used in combination with hormonal drugs. A solution of glucocorticosteroids is injected with anesthesia into the area of the vertebrae or curved spine. Severe pain continues with therapy tablets or topical agents after relief.
How to treat complications of cervical osteochondrosis at home:
- Take NSAIDs in tablets, capsules, tablets for 5-7 days. Medications should be combined with proton pump inhibitors to prevent gastric ulcer ulceration. If this recommendation is ignored, the onset of osteochondrosis after the hearth, hyperacid gastritis will have to be treated;
- Use of NSAIDs in the form of gels, ointments, creams for 7-10 days from the first day of treatment. The material should be applied in a thin layer to the painful area 2-3 times a day and rubbed lightly;
- use of heating agents. After the inflammation has stopped, on the 3rd day of therapy, doctors prescribe substances that have a warming effect to improve blood circulation and stimulate regeneration. Rub a small amount 1-3 times a day. Transdermal products such as a pepper patch can help cope with pain;
- intake or parenteral administration of muscle relaxants. They have an analgesic effect, relieving muscle spasms and are generally stimulated by squeezing the nerve endings.
What else to do with the complication of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebrologist decides what to take or exercise medication. If the patient did not use chondroprotectors before relapse, drugs that stimulate cartilage tissue regeneration should be prescribed from the first days of therapy. Accelerating the recovery of all functions of the cervical spine will allow intramuscular injection of chondroprotectors.
The use of B vitamins will significantly speed up the patient's recovery. Pyridoxine, thiamine, cyanocobalamin, nicotinamide, riboflavin improve innervation in damaged discs and spinal cord, stabilize the central and autonomic nervous system.
Non-drug treatment
During the treatment lasting 3-4 days, the patient is shown bed rest. Any dynamic load on all parts of the spine is excluded. For several hours or all day, patients are advised to wear a Shants collar with the required height as prescribed by your doctor. The use of an orthopedic device helps to reduce the load on the cervical vertebrae, prevents the aggravation of painful sensations.
The short collar straightens the cervical vertebra.
In case of exacerbation, nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis should be fractional - 5-6 times a day. Foods high in salt or spices should be eliminated from the diet. Their use causes fluid retention and increased swelling in the body. Dietitians recommend eating more fruits, cereals, fresh vegetable salads.
In severe relapse, the innervation of some parts of the body is disrupted due to nerve damage. And compression of the spinal cord leads to conduction disorders - para- and tetraparesis of the hands, dysfunctional internal organs. Therefore, doctors do not recommend eliminating the complication of cervical osteochondrosis independently by suffocating the pain with pills. Only properly implemented therapy will help to avoid the dangerous consequences of a chronic relapse.
How to forget joint pain and osteochondrosis?
- Joint pains limit your movement and your full life. . .
- You are worried about anxiety, crushing and systemic pain. . .
- You may have tried a bunch of medications, creams and ointments. . .
- But reading these lines didn't help you much. . .
The term "osteochondrosis" describes the destructive processes occurring in one or another part of the human musculoskeletal system.
In some patients, the disease affects the joints of the extremities, but with a 95% probability, osteochondrosis is localized in any part of the lower back.
The spine is the main axis of the human body, performs many important functions and is an almost indispensable element of the musculoskeletal system.
Disruption of any part of the spine can lead to irreversible consequences and seriously worsen the patient's quality of life.
Osteochondrosis of the spine can affect one of three parts of the spine: cervical, thoracic or lumbar, and can be localized in several parts.
The disease of each spinal unit has its own course and individual symptoms, as well as some nuances in the tactics of treatment of osteochondrosis.
How does cervical osteochondrosis continue?
Cervical lumbar osteochondrosis is classified into 3 stages according to changes in spinal structure, patient complaints, and treatment options.
Step 1
Inflammation of the cervical spine
There is a picture that is so clinically rare that some patients complain:
- Recurrent headaches;
- Neck and occipital discomfort.
Changes at this stage of the disease affect some vertebrae and intervertebral discs, the elasticity of the annulus fibrosus decreases, and there is a slight compression of the spinal nerve roots.
Step 2
Degeneration of spinal structures becomes more pronounced, intervertebral discs are practically unable to perform their functions, there is pressure on the nervous processes and blood vessels, which causes symptoms of the disease.
Patients often report headaches, dizziness, and decreased activity. At this stage, the majority of calls for qualified medical care occur, but spinal injuries are no longer irreversible.
Step 3
Cervical spine osteochondrosis peaks. Massive damage to the bone and intestinal tract.
Strong clinical picture:
- Severe headaches;
- Nausea, incoherence;
- Sleep problems;
- Visual and hearing disorders.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission (calm).
Exacerbation of the disease is a manifestation of the symptoms of the disease, a stage of the chronic course, which is a deterioration of the patient's well-being.
The remission phase is a period that occurs after treatment or on its own, and is characterized by an unacceptable course of the disease without a clear clinical picture.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in the second and third stages is reduced to minimize exacerbations and prolong remission.
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Exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis
Skillful treatment, physiotherapy, gymnastics, proper nutrition and lifestyle can help the body fight osteochondrosis and increase the remission period of the disease.
A number of causes can lead to a sudden exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis and a recurrence of the symptoms of the disease.
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The frequency, duration, and intensity of exacerbation periods are individual, and the cause of onset, the presence or absence of treatment, as well as individual characteristics, compensation, and adaptation characteristics of the organism.
Causes of aggravation
Spinal degeneration causes cervical osteochondrosis
It is very difficult to perform laboratory tests that can reliably determine the cause of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine.
The list of causes is based on long-term observations of patients by orthopedic physicians and neurologists, a comprehensive analysis of possible predisposing factors, and noted deteriorating patient well-being.
The causes of exacerbation can be exogenous or endogenous - as a result of exposure from inside or outside the body.
Endogenous causes include progressive spinal degeneration and weakening of the body's compensatory and adaptive properties.
Exogenous factors include exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Insufficient load on the spine or change of dominant position (lifting weights, exercising hard, changing the type of activity);
- Stresses, nervous concussions;
- taking a course or therapy course by an incompetent person;
- Seasonality (numerous aggravations of cervical spine diseases were found in autumn);
- Hormonal concussions (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause);
- Weakening diseases of the body (respiratory viral infections, infectious diseases, inflammatory periods of other chronic diseases);
- Rapid weight gain.
How to determine the deterioration of osteochondrosis?
Exacerbation of the disease is evidenced by the presence of discomfort in the neck and head, deterioration of general health.
Sometimes the exacerbation phase begins with severe pain in the head with lightning speed.
In 70% of cases, a rapid exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis can be predicted: the patient notices a feeling of heaviness or dull pain along the back of the neck, complaints intensify in the morning.
The presence of predisposing factors in the background of the symptoms of the disease confirms the version associated with the exacerbation of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis.
Any symptoms during exacerbation
Symptoms of exacerbation of chronic spinal disease coincide with the general symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
The most common symptom of aggression is pain.
Density, nature and localization can be different: pain in the back of the neck or in one of the parts, headache in the occiput, parietal tubercles, clavicle, pain in the shoulder.
Dangerous manifestations of pain may include symptoms similar to myocardial infarction:
- scapular pain;
- Chest pain;
- Pain around the left side.
Some patients report pain only when the head or arm moves in the shoulder joint.
xxx- Sleep, concentration, memory disorders;
- Loss of coordination, loss of balance, fainting;
- Sensation of flies in front of eyes, sparks in ears, noise in ears;
- Dizziness;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Diction violation;
- Decreased or increased sensitivity of arms, shoulder blades, neck.
The presence of these symptoms cannot be ignored. The effects of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis on the blood vessels that supply the brain can lead to the most dangerous complication of cervical osteochondrosis - stroke.
How long does the tension last?
The duration of the exacerbation phase can vary depending on the season (activation of osteochondrosis in the cold season can be longer and more painful), the reasons for the recurrence of symptoms of spinal diseases, the characteristics of the individual body and the treatment provided.
Experts call the following time framesinflammatory stages of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Severe symptoms - up to 1 week, more - 4-5 days;
- Seizure of some discomfort, headache in the affected area - up to 3 weeks from the elimination of severe attacks;
- The general period of exacerbation is considered standard - about 1-1, 5 months.
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis during pregnancy
A pregnant woman's body undergoes complex physiological changes, a very large hormonal fluctuation, a complete redistribution of the body's center of gravity, and changes in the absorption and absorption of minerals and nutrients.
These adjustments have a serious effect on the musculoskeletal system, the spine is under severe stress.
Pregnant women with a disease such as cervical spine osteochondrosis have a relapse of the disease in 50% of cases. This is due to changes in the spine.
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in pregnant women are the same as in all other patients.
The difficulty lies in choosing a treatment regimen, because the possible effect of the drug on the fetus must be taken into account when prescribing the drug.
To avoid a complication in pregnant women, the choice is made over ointments that do not penetrate the baby, rarely with severe pain, complex anesthetic pills or injections are prescribed.
Many pregnant women seek treatment in non-traditional ways, with traditional medical prescriptions that are milder for the fetus.
What to do in case of exacerbation?
If you have symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, do not visit an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist.
Only a specialist can fully assess the patient's condition, the causes of the disease, as well as prescribe the right, safe and effective treatment.
Before you see a doctor, try to avoid stress on the affected spine.
In the absence of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or individual intolerance, you can take one pill and one anti-inflammatory pill.
In case of aggravation of cervical osteochondrosisis prohibited
:- Warm the neck or back of the head in the bath using warming compresses or other methods;
- Get massage sessions;
- Self-medication.
Methods of treatment of acute cervical osteochondrosis
Exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis drug treatment is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease and early recovery of the patient's well-being and ability to work.
The table shows the main methods of treatment of cervical spine diseases, showing the most common drugs.
Consult your doctor before using any of the listed medications.
| Drug group | Target target |
|---|---|
| Painkillers / NSAIDs | Pain relief, reduction of inflammation in the affected area |
| Muscle relaxants | Relief of muscle spasm |
| Diuretics | Reduce swelling in the inflamed lumbar region and reduce pressure on nerve roots |
| Chondroprotectors | Reconstruction of spinal structures |
| Vitamins | Metabolism, improvement of chemical reactions |
| Nootropics | Restore the conduction of nerve impulses along neural processes |
Visiting a qualified osteopath in the acute phase will "release" the impaired nervous process and relieve some of the symptoms of the disease.
How else to deal with complications at home?
If it is not possible to see a doctor at this time, there are several recipes to alleviate the condition of a patient with cervical lumbar osteochondrosis before providing medical care:
- Take a warm, comfortable shower;
- Roll the neck with a natural wool dress;
- Apply herbal compresses to the affected area. Onions, sage, mint for this purpose; use
- Butter and mummy ointment 1: 1.