How to correctly identify and treat neck osteochondrosis

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

The signs of cervical osteochondrosis can occur at any age. This disease most often occurs in the elderly, and not only neck lesions can be observed. However, among young people who are mainly engaged in mental work, the condition of neck malnutrition is worsening. It should be understood that it is very difficult to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis, but you can prevent its development and significantly improve one's happiness.

Reason and formation mechanism

The process of cervical dystrophy begins to slow. The most important cause of the disease is a sedentary lifestyle and violation of certain mineral metabolism.

If the cause of cervical osteochondrosis is eliminated, some of these manifestations can be successfully cured. Otherwise, if the cause continues, the person's condition will only worsen.

Under the influence of the root cause of cervical osteochondrosis, the following changes occur:

    The starting point of
  • is ​​the hyperemia of the lymphatic and circulatory system;
  • The intervertebral disc has degenerative and destructive changes, which act as a shock absorber between the vertebrae; its height and plasticity decrease;
  • Later, the bone tissue of the vertebrae began to grow;
  • All of this leads to the limitation of the mobility of the spine, and the pressure on the blood vessels and nerves passing through the bones of the spine increases.

The earlier appropriate treatment is started, the greater the chance of slowing the progression of the disease or even curing the person completely.

Any external or internal influence may aggravate the disease. It may be a viral infection, low temperature, important sports activities, or even a surge in atmospheric pressure. The stronger the cause of the deterioration, the more obvious the signs of the disease.

Features of cervical osteochondrosis

The signs of cervical osteochondrosis gradually increase, and at the beginning of the disease, they hardly bother the patient. Dizziness can only occur occasionally. However, cervical osteochondrosis should not be ignored: the symptoms of the late stage 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 specific area, many discomforts from the central nervous system will be noticed. This is due to the gradual deterioration of blood circulation and metabolic disorders in the brain.

In many patients, symptoms suggestive of brain injury can be observed first:

  • Sudden changes in blood pressure;
  • dizziness;
  • Burning in the temple and diffuse headache;
  • The temperature rises to lower numbers less frequently.

Combined with the above symptoms, there are signs of damage to the neck itself:

  • 's pain eventually spread to the back, arms, and back of the head.
  • Mobility, when tilting and/or turning the head, I feel a crack, crunch, numbness or burning sensation in the neck;
  • Her temperature is normal.

With the development of osteochondrosis, a person’s condition will worsen, the frequency of aggravation will be higher and higher, and it will become more serious over time, as time goes by, it will be very difficult to completely cure a person, Can only slightly alleviate his pain.

Unlike the inflammatory process, the temperature rarely changes. In the later stage of osteochondrosis of the neck, the aggravation hardly disappears, and the comprehensive damage to the brain and spine will be serious:

  • Increased blood pressure or persistent high blood pressure;
  • Frequent dizziness and headaches, worse with mild fatigue;
  • Pain, burning and restricted neck movement;
  • Body temperature may rise slightly, but more often it stays normal.
Consequences of cervical osteochondrosisThe so-called vertebral artery disease syndrome usually occurs when the degenerative malnutrition process covers the middle of the neck. Such people almost always feel convulsive headaches, pressure and burning temples, congestion and tinnitus-dizziness and even loss of consciousness when turning their heads. It is almost impossible to cure vertebral artery compression syndrome.

Conversely, in some people, you can observe signs of upper limb damage (main changes in the cervix and brachial plexus):

  • Burning or numbness in various parts of the upper limbs;
  • Dizziness is rare;
  • Skin temperature drops.

The consequences of osteochondrosis can be very serious: persistent headaches and dizziness, impaired memory and concentration, and continuous numbness throughout the neck.

Treatment method

Only in the early stage of osteochondrosis and after its cause is eliminated, can the bone joint device be almost completely restored to the initial state. The deterioration of this disease requires more intensive treatment. In the later stages, the goal of treatment is to reduce pain, dizziness and inflammatory changes. You can use the following methods to cure cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Cartilage protectant, can restore the original structure of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc;
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for pain and inflammation;
  • A multivitamin complex with high content of B vitamins, which can improve the nutrition of nerve tissue.
  • Nootropics, used to correct serious diseases in brain tissue;
  • A complex of physical therapy exercises and massage (if severe dizziness and high blood pressure does not occur);
  • Physical therapy (water, iontophoresis, magnetic therapy), and the temperature and pressure of this factor should be high enough, and burning is considered a positive effect.

The treatment of osteochondrosis depends largely on the patient. The sooner the necessary treatment is started, and the more carefully a person follows the doctor's prescription, the more likely it is to succeed and provide the patient with a decent quality of life.