Cervical degenerative disc disease is called a progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesions of intervertebral discs in the region 1 and 7 vertebrae belonging to the cervical spine.
As a result of cervical degenerative disc disease occurs deformity, emaciation, and ultimately the defeat of the vertebral body. This disrupts the normal blood flow and nerve conduction in the neck and those areas which are innervated by the nerve roots in the cervical region.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be isolated and combined with osteochondrosis of other departments – thoracic, lumbar, and sacral.
Reasons
Causes of dystrophic and degenerative changes in the intervertebral disks has yet to be studied. The assumption is that osteochondrosis senile phenomenon has not been confirmed. It has been found that even in children and adolescents.
It identifies some of the predisposing to the development of osteochondrosis factors. They include the following:
- inactivity and a sedentary way of life,
- sedentary work static load on the neck,
- obesity, lack of physical development,
- dysplastic process of the body's connective tissue
- poor circulation in the neck,
- injuries to the neck,
- scoliosis, a disorder of faulty, uncomfortable pillows and mattresses,
- a genetic predisposition, defects in the metabolism.
The symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
The cervical spine, due to the nature of the skeleton, upright posture, and also due to the large size of the head is particularly vulnerable to the development of osteoarthritis – the vertebrae, it is very small in comparison to the other parts of the spine, and a muscular frame, this is not very significant.
The most common symptom that patients complain of pain in the cervical spine. Depending on the type of the affected area, the pain could be localized
- in the clavicle and shoulder-blade;
- around the cervical spine;
- on the anterior surface of the chest.
Pain in the cervical osteochondrosis due to the nature of the uterus.
The first sign of cervical degenerative disc disease, smaller, and a little bit famous:
- a pain in the neck,in the evening,
- a feeling of heaviness in the head, headache in the occipital area,
- numbness or tingling in the shoulders and arms
- the crunch in the neck when turning the head, cracking the vertebrae.
The leading symptoms are:
Vegetative-dystonic
- quite a lot of severe pain in his neck, and, in particular, in the area just below the nape of the neck;
- the pain occurs after a long stay in one position (eg. after going to bed);
- the neck muscles are constantly tense;
- the difficulty with the abstraction hands to the side;
- on the other hand, the fingers stiff in the movements.
Due to the compression of the vertebral arteries, there are neurological manifestations: headache, nausea, frequent fainting.
Spinal development
localized pain behind the breastbone on the left hand side.
This type of pain should be distinguished from pain, in angina pectoris (angina brings relief nitroglycerin, osteochondrosis – not).
With the gradual infringement on the structure of the intervertebral discs undergo compression (compression), and can be found on the injury to the nerve roots, as well as a narrowing or pinching of the arteries and veins that are in the area of the vertebral body.
This can lead to the formation of the specific syndromes – radicular, and ischemic.
- the defeat of the roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): sleep disorders affect the back, reducing the sensitivity of the skin;
- the failure of the C2 gives the pain syndrome in the area of the crown and the nape;
- lose the C3 gives you a pain in the neck from the strangulation, and reduced sensation in the tongue, and the hyoid muscles, in some cases, impaired speech, and loss of control over the language.
- lose the C4 and C5 give the pain in the shoulder, and the clavicle, reduced muscle tone, head and neck, hiccups, breathing disorders, and heart pain;
- the failure of the S6 is more often the case, the giving of pain from neck to shoulder, forearm to the thumb, you may experience sensitivity of the skin:
- to lose the C7 gives a similar symptom, with the pain in the neck, back of the hand up to the back of my hand, a damaged arm strength, and diminished reflexes.
Circulatory problems due to compression of the blood vessels in the cervical spine give the head pain of a migraine headache, severe dizziness, visual disorders and tinnitus, a flicker flies before the eyes, disturbances of the autonomic functions.
You may have symptoms of a cardiac syndrome with compressive pain in the heart, lack of air, palpitations, arrhythmias.
Complications
Serious complications of cervical degenerative disc disease
- the protrusion of the intervertebral disc with the formation of a hernia (protrusion);
- rupture of the intervertebral disc on the nerve, and vessel, may compress the spinal cord, which can lead to death;
- also, it may be a radiculopathy (lesion of the roots), the formation of osteophytes (spikes of the vertebral bodies), with the manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
The diagnosis
If the above appeals, you may file a complaint to the doctor-orthopedist or a neurologist.
First of all, your doctor will assess the mobility and pain in the neck, sensitivity to disease, and other functions. You will also need radiographs of the throat to a couple of screenings, and if necessary, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging scan in a case of suspected hernia.
When the blood circulation rheoencephalography you need, and fundus examination.
The treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
The same symptoms can be signs of various diseases and disorders can happen to you is not a textbook. Don't try to treat it yourself — consult your health care provider.
Today, there are both traditional and non-traditional treatment methods for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.
They are mostly used conservative methods:
- symptomatic treatment with analgesics for pain relief
- taking anti-inflammatory medication is a steroid of the series – for the relief of the inflammation and the swelling of the tissues
- to eliminate the spasms of the muscles used antispasmodics, medications to improve circulation.
In the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease additionally, there is also used to restore the structure of the intervertebral disc.
Only the vitamin b group, it is applied to the external medication for the treatment of the gels, and ointments, creams with anti-inflammatory and analgesic components. Presented stimuli to the regeneration of the intervertebral disc.
In the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease, it is recommended to wear a special collar.
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis with a hernia in vertebrates, a breach of sensibility and circulation in the blood stream, it can be treated right away.
The duration of treatment depends on the extent of the condition, such as osteoarthritis, is a progressive chronic disease. The treatment can be continued, and preventing the items to be stored for a lifetime.
A significant lessening of the condition osteochondrosis help of a proper diet. Read more about the principles of diet in osteochondrosis, in our separate article.
Exercises to treat cervical degenerative disc disease:
- Only a draw in a position with straight arms, you need to drop your shoulders as low as possible, as long as the neck is pulled up. You need to perform at least 10 reps no less than 3 times in a day.
- Self-massage of the clasp with a towel neck, taking him by the sides and pull them, stretching the muscles of the neck. In this case, you need to make sure that the cloth does not slip on the neck (don't wear).
- Exercises for a cervical osteochondrosis: shows a slight flexion of the neck, and turn, and head tilts. During the time it is 5-7 bends on each side. The most useful is the exercise to be carried out after the self-massage of the cervical spine.
To prevent
Based on the health of the cervical spine is a strong, healthy back, a physical activity, a comfortable bed with an anatomic mattress and pillows, good posture, and balanced nutrition.
You need to avoid any neck injuries, and lifting weights. Therefore, it is necessary to combine with prolonged sitting, with a period of rest and training.