In the world there are several diseases that belong to a person only because he is a human being. For example, vascular lesions, and the thickening of their walls, cholesterol is also found in the world of the living. The symptoms of degenerative disc disease in the neck may be confused with symptoms of other diseases. An increase in blood pressure is characteristic of all warm-blooded animals. An improper diet can lead to fatigue and a lack of protein and vitamins, and chicken, and an elephant, and clam, and a wrestler in the freestyle. But, osteochondrosis refers to diseases of the that can be proud only person that even his closest relatives – primates, the disease is almost absent. Let us examine the manifestations of the signs and symptoms and method of treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.
Cervical osteochondrosis, what is it?
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine — a disease of the bone and cartilage that belong to the dystrophic — degenerative. The underlying disease (malnutrition cartilage, and then its destruction or degeneration. In fact, osteochondrosis, mainly suffer a cartilaginous intervertebral disks, and then a "snowball" is completed by the reaction of the bone (osteophytes), the occurrence of protrusions and hernias of the root cause of the symptoms, the onset of instability of the cervical spine, as well as severe headaches and chronic muscle spasm of the deep muscles of the neck, with disruption of regional blood flow. The cause of osteochondrosis of the intervertebral discs in the cervical or cervical – thoracic-only one: it is historical to establish the vertical position of the face. There are no cats or cows or hippos did not exist such a constant axial load in the vertical located in the back, the spine is in a relaxed, "loose" state, and the intervertebral discs are comfortable. The person is the same, but also for the development of cervical degenerative disc disease, the predisposition to, the following factors:
- Often it is in a vertical position;
- Injuries and fast-moving, head shots, for example, with low ceilings;
- In the carriage of cargo on their shoulders, in some countries it is – of the head;
- The lack of active movement. This leads to the muscle weakness in the system, which is critical in the cervical spine.
Also, additional risk factors include wearing in winter, the heavy collars and fur caps, with the aim of "serving the government", reduced fluid intake, causing dehydration of the secondary cartilage. This increases the fragility of the disk, and calls for a "recession" (narrow sizes), the reduction of the buffer of the elastic properties. In his youth, of the degenerative disc disease may result in the violation of posture in the written assignments, and computer work. Congenital changes in the spine, for example, a scoliotic deformity in the thoracic spine. I can't remember — the higher the spine the stronger the pulse, which can have a detrimental effect, similar to a "neck" injury. Therefore, a failure or a breach of the compensatory mechanisms that protects our skull from excessive stress, also leads to the degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. Here are the reasons:
- Flat feet, both longitudinal and transverse. The arch of the foot, devoid of the trim, you can't keep it on the intervertebral discs in the cervical region of the concussion and the fracture;
- The underlying degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. If the elasticity in the lower part of the back is broken, do not expect as good protection against cervical cancer.
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is very different, but all of them can be grouped into local and remote displays. Local symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease include the following:
- The pulling and pain in the muscles, pain in low-intensity, worse after prolonged sitting, for example, when you work in a office and on a computer;
- Crunching when moving the neck. Most strongly it is felt, when performing the morning exercises, in that case, if you plug your fingers in it's ears. Then, the bone conduction sound exceeds the air, and the turning of the neck and the crisis has even heard of it. This development shows the appearance of osteophytes which violate the congruence (fitting accuracy) of the cartilage and vertebrae;
- The pain in the neck when you're driving (the most severe). These pains are referred to as the Servicio, by analogy with "lumbago" in the back, which is referred to as lumbago. As the pain can be treated radicular manifestations of osteochondrosis. These occur when a sudden stress on the nerves that occurs with laughing, coughing, sneezing, straining. This pain reminds us neuralgia, and similar to an electric shock in its power and suddenness. Most often it occurs in the thoracic spine;
The remote signs include the following:
- Headaches osteochondrosis. Taking place in a quiet, reminiscent of the "helmet" or "helmet", it is often symmetrical. The intensity is at a low level, it may be associated with the movement, but not all the time. Often they "go out" of the head, the neck, and accompany a sedentary way of life.
- Conductive disorders of sensitivity. Often occur in the course of night – waking, the person feels that he has numb fingers. Most often it is the little finger and half the ring finger on the side of the little finger. To restore sensitivity, you will need to move your arms, neck and change of position.
This is due to a pinched nerve in the cervical plexus at the place of production of the nerves. It is important that the roots have been for the most part, spasserovannye the neck, and the muscles that are in the vicinity of the vertebrae. Cervical degenerative disc disease, the symptoms of which are, we understand, can be complicated by instability of the cervical spine. The height of all intervertebral discs in the cervical spine is uniformly reduced, and the necks are 'abnormal mobility', or the tendency to the pain, and the different kinds on the go. When this situation arises, a common occurrence for injury of the nerve root and increases the risk of protrusion and hernia.
The role of a muscle spasm
There is a secondary to a muscle spasm, which is referred to as the myofascial — tonic syndrome. This condition can occur in many different parts of the spine, anywhere where there is striated muscle. As a result of the decrease in the level of the intervertebral disks and the growth of marginal osteophytes, the muscles are "tight", and the supply of blood is getting worse. Accordingly, it is reduced, and the venous outflow. Such a situation gives rise to the swelling of the muscles and the chronic spasm, which is accompanied by pain and stiffness in the neck and back.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical
In typical cases, the degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine occurs with the above symptoms. Therefore, the main phase of the treatment has been, and remains, the identification of the patient, determining the presence of muscle spasm associated with simple palpation of the muscles along the spine. In order to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis using radiographic studies:
- The X-ray of the cervical spine, even with functional tests in flexion – extension has not been showed cartilage like tissue transmits x-rays.
In spite of this, the location of the vertebrae is not possible to draw General conclusions about the severity of the intervertebral discs, overall strengthening of the physiological curvature of the neck lordosis, as well as the presence of the regional disorders of the vertebrae during prolonged irritation at their surfaces fragile and dehydrated intervertebral discs. Functional tests in order to confirm the diagnosis of instability in the cervical spine;
- Magnetic resonance imaging and x-ray computed tomography is shown in order to clarify the internal structure of the cartilage, and the formation of protrusions and hernias.
So, it is subjected to the diagnosis of the complications of the disease, as a result of the scan is an indication for the operative treatment of hernia at the Department of neurosurgery.
The treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease, medications,
The treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has always been complex: at first, removed the acute pain in the medication, and when the cervical osteochondrosis (pain reduction) regresses to join the physiotherapy and massage techniques, and after the cupping this acute phase, it starts secondary prevention, that its purpose is the prevention of repeat cases. Sometimes, the patient is assigned to a Spa treatment. The main groups of drugs for the relief of acute pain:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Cut the inflammatory component;
- Muscle relaxants of Central action . A decrease in tone of the spastic muscles, reducing the pain and stiffness in the muscles;
- The b vitamins – contribute to the improvement of the trophic nervous tissue;
- Drugs in order to improve the capillary blood flow microcirculation — improving the organizational and normalize the function of the muscles of the face.
These funds are to be allocated to, or inside, or intramuscular injection, for greater efficiency. The goal is to relieve acute pain. Then after 2-3 days go to the reception of the tablets, we actively apply the ointments, or gels that are rubbed into the neck and the back. In the second stage to join the physiotherapy – electrophoresis with vitamins and hydrocortisone, massage, underwater traction, and the power of the shower, iglorefleksoterapevta techniques. Sometimes prescription medications – chondroprotectors, but having them on the inside of their efficacy is not yet proven. The only intra-articular introduction of the substitutes of the synovial fluid can reduce the crisis, in order to facilitate movement and eliminate pain. However, in osteochondrosis, this technique has worked in the large joints, is almost never done. The surgical treatment is carried out at the heavy compression protrusion, or hernia of the sensory or motor root. The indications for surgery are intractable pain, are manifested in the course of a month, intractable to treatment, or progression of weakness in the muscles of the back, extending to the area of the lower sensitivity, and the confirmation of the diagnosis of a protrusion and a herniation by MRI or CT.
Exercises with cervical osteochondrosis
Gymnastics in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, is not that other, as a rational adherence to a physical activity and maintaining a healthy way of life, the osteochondrosis is found in all without an exception of people, starting from childhood, or even in some places, is considered to be a "normal variant". Because there is such a person, especially in adulthood would not be the signs of degenerative disc disease, the goal of gymnastics is to be left only on the objective radiological signs of the disease, and to eliminate all the appeals. It is well known that, even in the elderly, and the elderly may or may not be present at the appeal to his neck and back, but only if you have a lot of time on prevention.
The prevention of cervical degenerative disc disease
You may, for example, degenerative disc disease can be taken on the principles of prevention, which are to be presented to everyone and, as a result of this, the rules of a healthy way of life. Here they are:
- Free movement, no excessive weight gain, and exercises with no load, just the weight of your body;
- Drinking plenty of pure water, because the age of cause dehydration of the cartilage tissue;
- The preservation or normalization of body weight;
- The occupation of such a burden, which reduces the load on the back (for a swim);
- Avoidance of harmful practices;
- The changes in mental load with physical. Every hour and a half of mental work, it is recommended that you change the activity to a physical activity;
- Prevent hypothermia of the neck, back, waist, especially in the spring and fall.
Only by respecting these simple recommendations, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the symptoms and the treatment which is being studied, not to disturb you for years.