Osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue of intervertebral discs. The development of the disease is very slow, and often in the early stages of development, there will be a variety of symptoms except for slight pain which very often happens, people don't pay enough attention to. In the modern world, low back pain is a very common ailment that can cover a variety of different age groups of people.
The disease can occur in any part of the spine. The main areas that can be divided into:
- osteochondrosis of the cervical
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar
Cervical degenerative disc disease is fairly common and it is perhaps the most dangerous, as it is an advanced form of being able to bring the person before the disability. The fact that the cervical vertebrae are much smaller in comparison to the other vertebrae, but that they have the greatest mobility. In the neck region is concentrated a large number of blood vessels and nerve fibres also pass through the neck artery, carrying blood to the brain. Therefore, a small displacement of the cervical vertebrae contributes to the compression of the nerve roots, and blood vessels. Because of the cervical spinal canal is small, there is always the possibility of compression of the spinal cord. This is a major danger which can result in disability.
The causes of the disease
The causes of the disease are not yet fully understood by scientists, but, nevertheless, there are certain risk factors that may be contributing to the development of the disease. The main factors include the following:
- Likely that it was transmitted genetically.
- Improper food, due to which there is an excess of body weight, and the lack of any trace elements in the body.
- Intoxication or an infection.
- Damage to the metabolism.
- Injuries to the spine.
- Keeping a sedentary way of life, the implementation of the minimum moves.
- The presence of such a disease such as scoliosis, flat feet, and instability of the spinal segment.
- A physically unbalanced load on your body.
- In the psychological stress and tension.
- A sudden change in the already established way of life.
The main stages of development of degenerative disc disease
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be divided into four stages. In the first stage, it can be seen, only the discomfort in his back. The second stage is characterized by the destruction of the fibrous ring and the appearance of the protrusion of the intervertebral disc, it can also be a pinched nerve. With the development of the third stage of the formation of intervertebral hernia. In the fourth, the final phase of an osteochondrosis of a people, a very bad move, and an almost constant feeling of pain. This is due to the deformations of the vertebrae, in the form in which the appearance of osteophytes (bone spurs).
The symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
The presence of cervical degenerative disc disease is associated with several symptoms, which act as the main symptom of the disease:
- Irritative-reflex syndromes. When available, there is a faint pain in the neck and in the nape of the neck, which increases with the increase of the motion.
- Vertebral artery syndrome. It is accompanied by headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, noise in the ears, also, it is probably a disorder of the visual system. There is a possibility of disorders in the cerebral circulation.
- The syndrome of anterior scalene muscle. It is characterized by pain, a pain in the neck. The pain is worse when tilting or rotating the head.
- Cardiac syndrome. Can be accompanied by pain in the neck, the heart, and the levator scapulae. The pain tends to be worse when turning the head, and sneezing. The symptoms in this case are strongly reminiscent of angina.
- Radicular syndrome. When this happens it is compression of the nerve roots. The area of the pain is spread over a large area of the body. This area includes the neck, scapula, shoulders, and fingers.
- The root-vascular syndrome. Usually, it is characterized by motor and sensory disturbances.
- Spinal syndromes. It appears when the compression of the spinal cord affected with osteochondrosis of the vertebrae. In this case, there is a pain in the neck, loss of sensation, weakness of the limbs.
The treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
The first step in the treatment — determining the correct diagnosis. Only then you can conduct a full-scale treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease, which basically is to reduce the pain and reduce the inflammation. Consider the main methods of complex treatment of:
- The treatment with the medication. It took place during the time of the exacerbation of the disease. With its help reduce the swelling and relieve the pain.
- Physiotherapy. Carried out with the use of currents having a low frequency, ultrasound, magnetic fields and the laser. Removed, so that the sensation of pain and muscle spasms, reduces inflammation.
- Manual therapy. This type of treatment chosen for each patient individually. After its implementation, the relief of pain, increased mobility, and an upright position of the body.
- Physiotherapy. Focused on the decompression of the nerve roots. Special exercises help to significantly reduce the weight falling on the spine, due to the strengthening and development of the muscles of the face. In the course of the most from the exercise, usually do not use it. The exercises should be started only by a qualified technician.
- Furthermore, the treatment with a massage. In the specialized clinics of Tibetan medicine uses acupressure, and the methods of Chinese medicine – acupuncture and moxibustion.
- Reflexology. Effectively eliminates the pain, improves the metabolic processes in the body.
It should be noted that the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease, during pregnancy is almost impossible. Therefore, women need to pay attention to the disease before you get pregnant. There are also a number of references to sleep, the people who are suffering from the osteochondrosis. Of the mattress to the patient you need to be at a medium strength. You can use a very soft or very hard mattress. The pillow should not be used for the high, it is recommended to buy an orthopedic. In order to prevent this unpleasant disease, you need to make it through a regular prevention. The means of prevention is proper diet, physical mobility, and a change in the way of living a more active role.