Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is the most common disease of the musculoskeletal system.As a rule, almost all representatives of both sexes older than 40 years suffer from this ailment.Today there is a persistent tendency to rejuvenate this disease.Osteochondrosis of the neck is increasingly diagnosed in young people and high school students.The problem of the disease is that it is chronic.
Deformation of the spinal column is considered irreversible process.
It can only be stopped by stopping pathological changes at the stage safe for health.
What is this ailment?
The question of what cervical osteochondrosis is has become topical only in the last decade, when this ailment has acquired the scale of the epidemic.The disease affects all age groups and social strata.Osteochondrosis of the neck has become a problem of national scale, which led to the development of programs for its treatment and prevention.
This disease is a complex of dystrophic changes in the spinal column, when intervertebral discs are deformed and destroyed, playing an important role in almost all processes occurring in the body.In case of violation of the structure of cartilage, its thinning occurs, a change in density and elasticity.This leads to infringement of the nerve roots, which in abundance depart from the spinal column.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra causes squeezing the blood vessels that carry out the nutrition of the brain.This is a rather dangerous phenomenon that can cause a number of serious complications.In the absence of proper treatment, the instability of the cervical spine leads to a violation of the brain, which often ends with disabilities and death.
Causes and symptoms
This disease has become the object of close attention of medicine only in the current century, as it has become a real threat to the health of the nation.The displacement of the cervical vertebrae caused the disability of almost every second employee throughout the year.This phenomenon made experts pay closer attention to the prerequisites that cause pathological changes in the spinal column.
Based on the results of the study, several thousand patients established such causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Low physical activity.A passive lifestyle draws to the depletion of the spinal muscles that serve as a kind of supporting corset for the spine.The situation is aggravated by the deposition of salts, which are formed from lactic acid, not spent to cover muscle efforts.The weakened spinal column quickly deforms and loses mobility.
- Obesity.Excess weight is an enemy No. 1 for the musculoskeletal system.In addition to the high load on the spinal column, adipose tissue takes away the nutrients necessary for maintaining muscles and intervertebral cartilage in tone.This trend causes polysegent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, when all seven intervertebral discs are destroyed.
- Long -term body stay in a static position.This is characteristic of drivers, dispatchers and mental workers.After a long stay in a strangled state, the cartilage return to the original form with a deviation in the hundredths of a millimeter, gradually losing elasticity.Over time, an unnatural configuration becomes the norm for the intervertebral discs.
- Improper nutrition.In order for all body systems to work without deviations, it is necessary to include in the food diet the required amount of fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins.Insufficient, irregular and irrational nutrition leads to a change in the structure of tissues and their rapid destruction.
- Injuries and injuries of the back.Damage to the vertebrae leads to redistribution of pressure on cartilage, which causes pathological changes in their shape and structure.
- Other diseases of the musculoskeletal system,Which belongs to rheumatism, bone tuberculosis and scoliosis.
Quite often, the instability of the cervical spine is a consequence of a genetic predisposition when this disease is inherited without significant and visible causes.Complexes can only be prevented if the treatment has begun in a timely manner.To do this, you need to know what the primary signs of cervical osteochondrosis are.
This disease develops slowly and almost imperceptibly for humans.Its initial symptoms are not distinguished by strength and brightness.This is a special insidiousness of the disease.As a rule, patients who are diagnosed with irreversible changes in the spine are diagnosed with a neuropathologist.Sensations can be quite diverse, depending on which vertebra was amazed.
The first signs of pathological changes in the spine are manifested as follows:
- Unpleasant sensations in the neck.They are expressed in stupid pain, tingling and burning.Symptoms intensify after a long -term finding of the body in a static position or prolonged walking.
- Numbness in the nape, shoulders, hands and fingers.Loss of skin sensitivity.
- Difficulties in turning and tilting the head, raising hands to a vertical position.
- Pain in the area of the back of the head, forehead.Unpleasant sensations intensify during nervous tension or with physical efforts.There is a constant noise in the ears.
- Feelings in the region of the heart and organs located in the abdominal cavity.A characteristic feature of cervical osteochondrosis is that taking painkillers does not bring relief.
- Dizziness, darkness in the eyes and fainting.Loss of consciousness occurs after the performing sudden movements of the head or body.
- General deterioration in well -being.This is expressed in a decrease in performance, chronic fatigue and apathy.The appearance of indifference and interest in the joys of life.
- Weakening of the sensitivity of all organs.Hearing decreases, vision and smell worsen.
- Violation of coordination of movements, numbness of the tongue and violation of diction.

If such symptoms do not respond to such symptoms, then the disease can cause rather serious consequences.The most harmless of them are constant headaches and tingling in the chest.The progression of cervical osteochondrosis leads to the strongest migraines, hypertension and serious impaired coordination of the movements of the arms and legs.The vertebral hernia can forever put the patient in bed.The most dangerous complication is compression of the spinal cord.It inevitably leads to paralysis and death of a person.Treatment of the disease must begin at its earliest stages.
Methods of treatment
In order to make the correct diagnosis, a comprehensive examination of the patient is carried out.Only in this way can the doctor determine the level of pathological changes in the spine and prescribe the correct treatment.
The following events are held with the patient:
- a survey about the lifestyle, symptoms and the history of the disease;
- external bodily inspection;
- radiography;
- blood and urine test;
- magnetic refusal tomography;
- ultrasound indication;
- Duplex scanning.

According to the results of the diagnosis, the doctor receives a complete clinical picture of the disease.After making an accurate diagnosis, treatment is prescribed.It is carried out comprehensively using all available methods.The patient is prescribed such types of therapy:
- Medication.To reduce the pain syndrome, painkillers and anti -inflammatory drugs are prescribed.Chondroprotectors will help strengthen bone and cartilage.Various groups of vitamins are able to restore the tone of the body and maintain it at the right level.Medicines are used in the form of tablets, tinctures and ointments.All medicines are taken only as prescribed by a doctor.Self -medication is unacceptable.
- Physiotherapy.Spasms from muscles are well removed and mobility returned to them such types of procedures as warming up, UHF, magnetic fields and laser irradiation.After physiotherapy, the patient relax muscle relaxation, a decrease in inflammation and pain.
- Manual therapy.Therapeutic massage has a positive effect on the spine.With the help of skillful movements, salts deposits are removed, cramps and stress are removed.The spinal column is stretched, which leads to the release of nerve endings and removing the pain.
- Therapeutic gymnastics.This type of treatment begins only after removing the pain syndrome.The aim of physiotherapy exercises is to get rid of excess weight, burning lactic acid and the creation of a powerful muscle frame around the spinal column.

As a rule, treatment is carried out comprehensively, with the maximum use of all available methods.With a strong exacerbation, the patient is prescribed bed rest.
Prevention
Even a severe form of osteochondrosis can be stopped and prevented by the progression of the disease.To do this, a person needs to introduce several simple, but mandatory rules into his life.
Prevention of osteochondrosis consists in the implementation of such measures:
- regular medical physical education;
- proper and balanced diet;
- clothing and shoes selected for the season, especially in the cold season;
- constant use of vitamins and chondroprotectors prescribed by a doctor;
- use for work and rest only orthopedic furniture;
- avoiding a long stay of the body in an uncomfortable position;
- Periodic visits to sanatoriums and sea resorts.
At least once a year, the patient should undergo a preventive examination.At the first signs of exacerbation of the disease, it is necessary to immediately contact medical assistance.