Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can occur at any age. Most often this disease occurs in the elderly, and not only neck lesions can be observed. However, at present there is an exacerbation of dystrophic processes of the neck in young people who are mainly engaged in mental work. It should be understood that it is very difficult to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis, but you can stop its progression and significantly improve a person's well-being.
Reasons and formation mechanism
Cervical dystrophic processes begin slowly. The most significant causes of the disease are a sedentary lifestyle and violations of certain types of mineral metabolism.
If you eliminate the causes that provoked the osteochondrosis of the neck, then it will be quite successfully possible to cure some of its manifestations. Otherwise, if the action of the cause continues, the person's condition will only worsen.
Under the influence of the root cause that caused the neck osteochondrosis, the following changes occur:
- the starting point is congestion in the lymphatic and circulatory system;
- then there are degenerative-destructive changes in the intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock absorber between the vertebrae; its height and plasticity decreases;
- slightly later, there are growths of bone tissue of the vertebrae;
- all this leads to a limitation of the mobility of the spine, an increase in pressure on the vessels and nerves passing through the bone apparatus of the spine.
The earlier the appropriate treatment is started, the greater the chances of slowing the progression of the disease and even completely curing the person.
An aggravation of the disease can be provoked by any external or internal influence. It can be a viral infection, cold temperature, significant physical activity, even surges in atmospheric pressure. The stronger the cause that caused the exacerbation, the more pronounced the signs of the disease.
Features of cervical osteochondrosis
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis increase gradually, at the very beginning of the disease they practically do not bother the patient. Dizziness can be noted only occasionally. However, cervical osteochondrosis cannot be ignored: the symptoms in the later stages of the disease are difficult to eliminate.
Since the cervical spine is directly connected to the brain, in the case of degenerative changes in this particular area, numerous complaints from the central nervous system will be noted. This is due to a gradual and increasing deterioration in blood circulation and metabolic disorders in the brain.
In many patients, symptoms suggestive of brain damage can first be observed:
- sudden changes in blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- burning in the temporal region and diffuse headache;
- the temperature rises less often to low figures.
In combination with the above symptoms, there are signs of damage to the neck itself:
- pains that eventually begin to radiate to the back, arms, back of the head;
- limitation of mobility, when tilting and or turning the head, a crackling, crunching, numbness or burning sensation is felt in the neck;
- body temperature is normal.
As the osteochondrosis progresses, the person's condition will worsen, the exacerbation will occur more often and stronger, it will be very difficult to cure a person completely over time, it will be possible to alleviate his suffering only a little.
Unlike inflammatory processes, temperature rarely changes. In the later stages of osteochondrosis of the neck, the exacerbation practically does not disappear, there will be a combined severe damage to the brain and spine:
- jumps in blood pressure or persistently high blood pressure;
- constant dizziness and headache, worse with light exertion;
- pain, burning and limitation of neck mobility;
- body temperature may rise slightly, but more often remains normal.
The so-called vertebral artery lesion syndrome occurs quite often, when the degenerative-dystrophic process covers the middle of the neck. Such a person almost constantly feels a throbbing headache, pressure and burning in the temples, congestion and tinnitus, when turning the head - dizziness and even loss of consciousness. It is almost impossible to cure the syndrome of compression of the vertebral artery.
In some people, on the contrary, you can observe signs of damage to the upper extremities (with predominant changes in the cervical and brachial plexus):
- burning or numbness in all parts of the upper limbs;
- dizziness is rare;
- decreased skin temperature.
The consequences of osteochondrosis can be quite serious: persistent headaches and dizziness, impaired memory and attention, constant numbness of the entire neck.
Treatment methods
Almost complete restoration of the initial state of the osteoarticular apparatus can be achieved only in the early stages of osteochondrosis and after elimination of its cause. An exacerbation of the disease requires even more intensive treatment. In the later stages, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, dizziness, and inflammatory changes. You can cure cervical osteochondrosis using such means as:
- chondroprotectors to restore the original structure of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and inflammation;
- multivitamin complexes with a high content of B vitamins to improve the trophism of the nervous tissue;
- nootropics for the correction of severe disorders in the brain tissues;
- complex of physiotherapy exercises and massage (if severe dizziness and high blood pressure do not occur);
- physiotherapy (water, iontophoresis, magnetotherapy), while the temperature and pressure of the factor should be high enough, and burning is considered a positive effect.
Much in the treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the patient himself. The sooner the necessary therapy is started, the more carefully the person fulfills the doctor's prescriptions, the more chances there will be for success and a decent quality of life for the patient.