Cervical osteochondrosis - a disease of the cervical spine, accompanied by degenerative and dystrophic processes in intervertebral discs.
More than 80% of the population complains of pain in the neck. In addition, 30% of headaches are directly linked to cervical osteochondrosis.
If before this disease experienced the elderly, but more and more are those who suffer from degenerative disc disease neck of 20-30 years of age of patients.
Reasons
The more unfavorable of the causes of the degeneration of the vertebrae of the neck are:
- the lack of exercise, in a few words, the lack of physical activity;
- irrational nutrition;
- prolonged physical activity;
- salt deposits;
- a variety of lesions;
- violation of the metabolism and excess weight;
- prolonged sedentary work (for example, a computer) without interruption;
- incorrectly organized place to sleep (mattress, cushion);
- long trips or constant driving.
Also the risk factors are: hypothermia cervical, heredity, hormonal disorders.
In addition, to promote the development of cervical degenerative disc disease and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus.
The disease develops slowly, but is prone to the progression.
Symptoms
The key symptoms of degenerative disc disease neck:
- the pain. Can be smaller and pain in the neck;
- numbness. In general, this is, in the area of the arm, shoulder, scapula, neck, may also be a tingling sensation. A characteristic feature is the crisis in the neck while turning the head;
- the noise and the ringing in the ears. Sometimes, the hearing loss;
- migraines and headaches, muscle weakness of arms and legs;
- nausea, difficulty breathing. It seems that you can not breathe, which leads to oxygen starvation;
- blurred vision. Observe the blurring of the vision, reduction of visual acuity, there is the so-called "flies" in front of the eyes;
- the instability of the blood pressure. Patient affected by a high or low pressure, the result is dizziness.
As for the pain, and then more often pursued by the patient to rotate the head or after sleep, minimal exercise at hand, coughing or sneezing. The pain can be, so to speak, to "give" in the region to occipital, shoulders and arms. If you tilt the head forward, often have pain under the shoulder blade.
Diagnosis
To make a diagnosis of cervical degenerative disc disease, you should consult an orthopedist or neurologist. He will conduct the inspection and survey of the patient, sent for x-rays of the cervical from various perspectives. In some cases, may require MRI scanning and magnetic RESONANCE diagnosis.
Treatment
Cervical osteochondrosis in need of a long, systematic and completion of the treatment. The majority of the therapy is directed to the elimination of pain and combat inflammation.
In the early stages of the disease enough manual therapy, exercises, therapeutic. In addition, running - you need medication.
It is also important to create the conditions for the regeneration of damaged tissues, to do this, use products with vitamin B in the form of injections or tablets.
It is necessary to observe the regime of work and rest, to take care of comfortable to sleep on, not lift weights and to stop the addiction.
Complications
Osteochondrosis of the cervical many consider to be a pretty insidious disease. After all, since the cervical vertebrae are located close to each other, then, at the slightest deformation of the compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels. In the end, disturbed cerebral circulation of the blood, which leads to headaches, migraines. In advanced cases, is loaded with ischemia or spinal cord, and even of time.
At risk is the cardiovascular system. Some people observed at the cardiologist because of the pain in the heart, constantly "stirring" the high pressure, and the reason is found in osteochondrosis of the neck.
Also due to the compression of the nerve endings, the patient can suffer from hearing, vision, disturbed coordination of movements.
In advanced forms and without proper treatment, the formation of hernias, the treatment that needs surgical intervention.
In the elderly, cervical osteochondrosis is often combined with deforming arthrosis of the cervical, vertebrae, wear and tear, etc.
Prevention
To avoid cervical degenerative disc disease, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a healthy diet, exercising regularly. A great role for the proper organisation of the workplace and compliance with the regime of work and rest.