As we age, we are more likely to experience pain and fatigue in the neck. These symptoms can hide the diagnosis of osteochondrosis. Why did it grow? What treatment methods are available? Is it possible to overcome this disease at home? We ask this question to doctors.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the spine. It is caused by the natural aging process, such as the appearance of gray hair.
In medicine, osteochondrosis refers to various diseases. In the English language literature, the concept of osteochondrosis is rare and refers to damage to the bones of children and adolescents during growth due to impaired blood supply. In domestic literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. It is typical for older people and happens to almost everyone.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Neurologists identify several main reasons for the development of the disease:
- low physical activity,
- predisposition to this disease,
- increase in static and dynamic loads,
- impaired metabolism,
- unhealthy diet
- hormonal disorders,
- poor posture,
- pressure.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The most common symptoms of osteochondrosis include reflex, myoadaptive and compression pain syndromes. Let's look at each of them in more detail:
Reflex syndrome
It occurs due to excessive pressure on the nerve endings in the intervertebral disc. Nerve impulses enter the deep and superficial back muscles, leading to pain and a sense of tension.
Reflex syndrome is characterized by pain in the neck, which increases with any movement of the head. It may not have a clear localization and can be felt in the arms or legs.
Myoadaptive syndrome
It occurs as a result of excessive muscle tension and manifests itself in the form of muscle spasms. It develops with frequent and intense physical activity, as well as in cases where healthy muscles take over the affected function.
Pain in myoadaptive syndrome is localized at the trigger point - compaction in the spasm zone. Symptoms include nausea, headache and insomnia.
Compression syndrome
Due to osteochondrosis, the cartilage and bones of the spine are displaced, which leads to pressure on the nerve endings. Compression syndrome is characterized by the impact of pathological structures on the spinal roots, spinal cord or any vessel.
Compression syndromes include 3 vertebral artery syndromes:
- Radiculopathy - radicular syndrome;
- Myelopathy - spinal syndrome;
- Neurovascular syndrome.
Onradicular syndromepronounced pain and accompanied by a clear sensory disturbance in the area of the affected spinal nerve root. Neck pain often gets worse at night. Movement disorders may occur, such as muscle weakness and the absence of one or more reflexes.
Onspine syndromespinal canal compresses the spinal cord - this happens when a vertebra is dislocated or broken. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. The sensitivity in the arms and legs decreases, and stiffness appears.
Vertebral artery syndromedevelops when the lumen narrows, especially if it is compressed by bony structures. This syndrome is characterized by neck pain, headache, loss of coordination and balance, dizziness, hearing and vision impairment.
There is another syndrome of osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are often associated with heart disease - this isheart syndrome.
It occurs due to damage to the cervical and upper thoracic spine, characterized by pain in the heart area, imitating or exacerbating existing changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. Unlike "heart" pain, it has no obvious connection to food, physical or emotional stress. Pain occurs or worsens during movement, with forced inhalation, coughing, sneezing. Heart syndrome can affect blood pressure and heart rate.
The presence of symptoms of cardiac syndrome requires careful diagnosis of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
How does osteochondrosis develop?
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- Stage 1- instability of the vertebrae appears, their displacement and disruption of cervical lordosis - curvature of the spine, convexity facing forward.
Symptoms in stage 1 are mild. A person may notice that the neck starts to hurt more often and gets tired faster.
- Stage 2 and 3— the intervertebral space decreases and the vertebrae become compressed. At this stage, intervertebral protrusions and hernias appear, as well as anterior bone growths - osteophytes.
The second and third stages differ in the severity of these changes. The third stage is characterized by the rupture of the fibrous ring and the development of a herniated intervertebral disc.
- Stage 4- the appearance of posterior osteophytes that threaten the integrity of the spinal cord. The patient's coordination is impaired and frequent dizziness occurs. At this stage, irreversible consequences appear, leading to disability.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on X-ray diagnostics, MRI or CT studies. All of the above syndromes, as well as many more, are complications of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
With the development of reflex syndrome, accompanied by local pain and limited mobility,cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home. The patient needs rest, absence of physical and static load for 3-5 days, then the amount of load increases individually. During the acute period, pain must be reduced by taking local anesthetic gels and patches, as well as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with vitamin B. Medicines that improve microcirculation in the affected segment of spinal motion are recommended.
After the pain syndrome is reduced and motor function is normalized, rehabilitation treatment methods can be used: exercise therapy, massage, manual and physical therapy.
Non-drug treatment methods can be more effective because of the direct effect on the specific affected muscles and work with them.
If numbness, tingling, impaired movement, dizziness, headache and other symptoms that go beyond the reflex syndrome, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and determine the correct treatment tactics.
Surgery
The decision to undergo surgical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identify several criteria that may be the reason for surgery:
- The spinal cord is compressed by hernias, displaced vertebrae, osteophytes or other pathological formations.
- Intense pain syndrome continues for a long time.
- Drug and physiotherapeutic treatment did not bring results for more than 3 months.
In case of hernia protrusion, decompression is performed by removing the hernia; in the case of vertebral displacement - fixation with a metal structure; if we talk about osteophytic complications - bone growth is removed.
Most spinal surgeries performed are traumatic and do not guarantee improvement. Often, a deterioration in well-being and an increase in pain in the adjacent spinal movement segment may occur, so spinal surgery is the last resort when the disease is severe and there are no other treatment approaches.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and neck pain includes normalization of work and life conditions. It is important to avoid bending the neck for long periods of time. You should strengthen and stretch your neck muscles and improve their mobility through physical exercise.
One moreAn effective way to prevent the development of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionhigh in protein, healthy fats, and collagen-rich foods. It is recommended to reduce the amount of "fast" carbohydrates used, as well as compensate for the lack of microelements and vitamins.
Proper sleep, less stress and active physical activity are important: cardio, regular exercise therapy, Pilates, yoga, stretching.
The development of osteochondrosis is associated with the natural aging of our body - almost everyone is susceptible to this disease. Prevention of osteochondrosis, as well as observation by a specialist, will help your spine stay healthy longer.