Cervical osteochondrosis is typical of modern people due to an unhealthy lifestyle. The nutritional deficiencies in brain tissue they cause can lead to many complications, including fatal ones.
It is important to timely identify the development of pathology. In the early stages, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is quite effective.
Signs and Symptoms of the Disease
The cervical spine comprises seven vertebrae. Each of them has its own function, but they all serve to aid in head and neck movement.
The vertebrae are separated by special intervertebral discs, the connective tissue of which is destroyed in osteochondrosis. This leads to a change in the position of the vertebrae, loss of flexibility of the spine, pinching of blood vessels and nerves. Due to the latter pathology, the blood supply to the brain is disturbed.
The symptoms of the disease are associated with pressure on the nerve endings and blood vessels. The main features are:
- Pain in the back of the head and other parts of the head, dizziness.
- Crackling and "goose bumps" on the neck when moving the head.
- Painful sensations when raising arms.
- Numbness of the arms and neck as well as the back muscles, their constant tension.
- Coordination problems.
- Bad dreams, insomnia.
- Nausea, tinnitus, vomiting.
- Mood swings.
With prolonged stress on the nerves and blood vessels, memory loss, concentration and language problems are possible.
There are three stages of the disease, each with characteristic symptoms:
- initial. . . It is accompanied by the first "alarm bells" of the disease - dizziness, tinnitus, constant fatigue, pain and numbness in the cervical spine, irritability, sleep problems.
- Undercompensatory. . . The disease suppresses the functioning of the central nervous system. The intellect declines, language problems arise, the patient suffers from mood swings. Possible impaired coordination of movements, nausea, vomiting.
- Decompensatory. . . Pathological changes become irreversible and fatal. Most of the symptoms are persistent.
The sooner you notice signs of illness and the sooner you get medical help, the easier and more effective treatment will be.
Causes of the disease
Cervical vertebrae are smaller and more fragile in size and structure than similar bones in other vertebral sections. They are also the most mobile. All of this leads to increased stress on the cervical spine and pathological transformation of the intervertebral discs. Under the influence of changes caused by osteochondrosis, small vessels and nerve roots are squeezed.
Sedentary sedentary lack of exercise always leads to metabolic failure and an increase in salts in the lymph and blood. They accumulate in the neck area. An unhealthy diet and obesity lead to metabolic problems, and a lack of valuable vitamins and minerals aggravates degenerative symptoms in the connective tissue.
The main reasons for the development of pathological processes are:
- Hypodynamia.
- Remaining in the same position for a long time (at the computer, driving a car).
- Salt deposits.
- Improper diet, which leads to metabolic disorders.
- Lack of valuable vitamins and minerals.
- Excessive body weight.
- Injuries and chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Regular hypothermia.
- Hormonal disorders.
Most risk factors can be eliminated by changing lifestyle and balancing the metabolic processes in the body.
What are the risks of cerebral blood flow problems?
A third of the nutrients reach the brain via the vertebral arteries. If they begin to constrict and small vessels are pinched by osteochondrosis, the brain tissue suffers from a lack of oxygen and from valuable trace elements and vitamins.
Why brain hunger is dangerous:
- Dysfunction of the heart and blood vessels.
- Musculoskeletal disorders (especially the shoulder body).
- Increased intracranial pressure.
- Micro-strokes and then severe cerebral hemorrhage.
Neglected conditions can cause encephalopathy - a dangerous condition that causes dystrophy of brain tissue.
All these pathological conditions can develop if you do not pay attention to the first signs of osteochondrosis and vascular dysfunction. If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, dangerous consequences can be avoided.
Visual and hardware diagnostics
To accurately find out the causes and stage of the disease, a comprehensive examination is carried out:
- Visual examination with palpation of the cervical spine.
- Control of posture and coordination of movements.
- Assessment of neck flexibility.
A skilled doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis by looking at the way you walk and moving your head.
Hardware examinations of problem organs are also mandatory. These include:
- Radiography.
- Doppler ultrasound.
- Rheoencephalography and angiography of the cerebral vessels.
- Computed tomography or MRI.
- Electrocardiography.
The results will help identify damaged intervertebral discs and clarify the degree of damage to blood vessels, tissues of the spine, and the brain. If a diagnosis is made, treatment is started immediately.
Medication and non-drug treatment
If the course of the disease is accompanied by severe pain and swelling, they should first be removed. To do this, use analgesics or massage the neck region with anesthetics.
Sometimes doctors recommend using an applicator that will not only relieve pain but also relieve cramps. Pepper patches can help relieve pain in some cases. Puffiness is eliminated with the help of diuretics.
The further therapy of the disease can be divided into two areas: the treatment of osteochondrosis with the restoration of the spine and the improvement of the blood flow to the brain tissue and the neural metabolism.
It will take time to get rid of osteochondrosis. To restore the health of the spine, drug and non-drug therapy is used.
The latter includes:
- Remedial gymnastics.
- The help of a masseur.
- Right nutrition.
- Acupuncture.
- Physical therapy.
Some of the best physical therapy techniques include electrophoresis and magnetic therapy. The first type of procedure helps relieve muscle spasms, the second - dilates blood vessels and improves intercellular metabolism.
For osteochondrosis, smoked meats, fried foods, fast foods, and carbonated drinks are not recommended. Chicken and rabbit meat, boiled fish, vegetables and fruits, herbs are considered healthy products.
In addition to anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, chondroprotectors are used to restore the spine - agents that renew the cartilage tissue in the intervertebral discs. If abnormal muscle tension is observed, muscle relaxants can be used.
To improve blood flow to the brain and neural metabolism, the doctor also prescribes medication. These include:
- Vasodilators and blood thinners.
- Nootropics that improve metabolism in brain tissue. They restore concentration and memory.
- Histaminergic drugs. Stimulates specific receptors in the inner ear to alleviate vestibular dysfunction and improve motor coordination.
- Antioxidantsincrease resistance to the destruction of brain cell membranes, stop destructive oxidative reactions.
In addition, doctors recommend vitamin and mineral complexes to restore the body weakened by the disease.
Only a specialist doctor can prescribe drugs and medical procedures. Self-medication is unacceptable and deadly.
Prevention: How to prevent illness
The causes of violations lie precisely in unhealthy habits. To avoid unpleasant consequences, you need to:
- Normalize body weight.
- Forget about bad habits.
- Avoid hard work and weight training after injuries or bruises.
- Don't overcool.
- Don't succumb to the stress.
- Balance your diet.
- Distribute loads correctly.
- Visit the pool and massage room.
- Do sports without harming your health.
Rarely in one day can anyone change life in the right direction, the transition should be gradual.
Medical attention is needed at the first signs of cervical osteochondrosis. Timely action will avoid serious consequences.