Cervical osteochondrosis is considered a fairly common disease that causes degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.In almost 30% of cases, this ailment becomes the culprit of severe headaches.The first signs of the disease can appear at the age of 25-40 years.Osteochondrosis in the cervical spine causes serious metabolic disorders.At the same time, discs lose their elasticity, their strength is also significantly reduced.The danger of the disease is that the changes occurring in the spine become irreversible.Over time, the ailment can spread to other departments, provoke the development of serious problems, for example, to lead to limiting physical activity, disability.
Symptoms (signs)
The disease for a long time does not bring serious discomfort.A person may not guess that he is already developing osteochondrosis, because his first signs are similar to the symptoms of many other ailments.Thinking about this disease is necessary for people who periodically experience:
- numbness of the shoulder, arms;
- pain in the neck;
- Heaviness in the shoulders.
Another common sign of the disease is a characteristic crunch in the neck that occurs with sharp turns of the head.This indicates the changes that have already begun to occur in intervertebral discs.In the future, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes the following symptoms:
- severe pain in the neck, back of the head;
- dizziness;
- numbness of the fingers on the hands, a sensation of tingling;
- pain under the shoulder blade when tilting the head forward;
- noise in the ears.
The signs of the disease also include severe fatigue and hearing deterioration.It is very difficult for a person to concentrate, because the pain accompanies him both day and at night.In this regard, sleep quality worsens, insomnia appears.At the later stages of development, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine provokes oily symptoms associated with the appearance of bone growths.In this case, the vertebrae are connected and immobilized.As a result, a person can no longer freely move his neck, which leads to disability.
Causes of the disease
Earlier, osteochondrosis was considered age -related, that is, only older people suffered from it.
Today the ailment is rapidly “getting younger”.Recently, the number of patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine has increased significantly, whose age varies from 18 to 30 years.The disease can develop for various reasons.However, most often it appears due to:
- spinal curvature;
- excess weight;
- flat feet;
- traumatic damage to the back;
- Violations of metabolic processes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- infectious diseases;
- heavy physical labor.
In addition, the disease develops due to hereditary predisposition, as well as against the background of strong stress and emotional overstrain.Promotes the appearance of osteochondrosis in the wrong pose.Too high or very soft pillow can cause pinching of the nerve endings in the neck.
A significant increase in the number of patients with osteochondrosis is also due to the usual way of life of a modern person.For example, hypodynamia and constant work at the computer contribute to the appearance of this disease.Infutable nutrition causes a lack of trace elements and vitamins in the body, which also provokes the development of the disease.
Which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
You can completely get rid of the disease if you seek medical help in a timely manner.Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be the basis for an immediate examination.People who suffer from severe headaches need to consult such a doctor as:
- NEUROLOGIST
- Vertebrologist
If the disease is at an advanced stage of development, then, probably, a person will also have to seek help from a surgeon.At the first appointment, the doctor will certainly conduct an examination by the patient, listen to all his complaints.The doctor will also ask several clarifying questions:
- How long did the pain appear?
- Did a person suffer from this disease?
- Did he receive injuries of the cervical spine?
- Did fainting happen?
- What has a person who had been sick lately?
- Does he suffer from chronic ailments?
- Are there any other symptoms?
The information received from the patient will be used by the doctor in the development of an individual treatment program.However, it has the right to confirm the diagnosis only after a thorough study of the results of hardware procedures.The patient will have to undergo radiography, computed or magnetic resonance tomography.He can also prescribe a duplex scan that will help a specialist assess the condition of the vessels of the neck.
What if you do not treat the disease?
The sooner therapy is started, the faster and easier it will be possible to cope with the disease.Osteochondrosis of the cervical region first causes insignificant symptoms that are easy to confuse with overwork.However, with the development of the disease, they become more intense and painful.Patients who do not want to treat osteochondrosis are very at risk of their health, since the ailment can even lead to death.
Do not try to cope with the disease yourself.Such actions often cause aggravation of the situation, quickly developing the disease.Only a qualified doctor will help to get rid of the disease without consequences, and only after a careful comprehensive examination of the patient.The first signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should make a person change his usual lifestyle.At an early stage of development, you can get rid of the disease if:
- regularly perform exercises;
- switch to proper nutrition;
- Avoid stress and nervous overstrain.
The consequences of osteochondrosis of the cervical region
Refusing to treat, a person risks facing serious complications.In the cervical region there are many nerve channels and blood vessels, with which the brain feeds.Their compression or displacement leads to the following problems:
- intervertebral protrusion;
- migraines;
- hypertension;
- vegetovascular dystonia.
Over time, malfunctions in cerebral circulation provoke disorders in work in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.A person develops problems with coordination, hearing and vision worsen.Osteochondrosis of the cervical region at a late stage is a serious danger to the patient's life.The ailment can lead to ischemia of the brain, radiculopathy, and spinal stroke.Such serious consequences of the disease can be avoided if you do not postpone the onset of therapy.
Folk methods
The treatment of the disease should be complex.It includes both taking medications, undergoing various procedures, and the use of natural remedies.If a person was diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, then traditional medicine will help relieve symptoms and improve the general condition.The doctor will tell you prescriptions that will be effective for the patient.Most often, the following folk remedies are used for osteochondrosis:
Horseradish
The leaves of this plant must be lowered into boiling water.Without taking them out, let the water cool.Then attach the sheet to the neck at night, wrapping a scarf.
Lemon
Citrus must be twisted in a meat grinder.Add crushed garlic to the resulting mass.Pour the mixture with boiling water and let it brew.Drink the product before meals every morning half a glass.Shake before use.
Brusnika leaves
They need to prepare a decoction.To do this, pour two teaspoons of leaves with boiling water, boil for 15 minutes.Give the product to cool.Strain and drink one glass per day.
Sea salt
Dissolve one tablespoon of salt in a liter of water.Bring the mixture to a boil, and then cool.Moisten a towel in this water and rub their neck.
Chamomile and St. John's wort
Two tablespoons of herbal collection must be poured with boiling water.Give the product for a day to brew.Strain and drink a decoction every day.