Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are a very painful topic for everyone, literally and figuratively. According to various sources, from 80 to 90 percent of the working population suffers from this disease. Needless to say about the discomfort it brings.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that causes changes in the intervertebral tissue, which leads to its ossification. Ossification of the intervertebral discs leads to damage to the discs themselves, vertebrae and nerve tissue. As a result of pinched nerve endings and rubbing of the intervertebral discs, pain, dizziness and “creaks” in the neck that are so familiar to many appear. The disease usually occurs in several stages.
What is cervical osteochondrosis and why is it dangerous?
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine must be understood as a progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesion of the intervertebral discs (the area between the 1st and 7th vertebrae). As a result of this disease, deformation occurs, as well as exhaustion with subsequent damage to the vertebral bodies. The course of spinal disease can have several stages, so it is important to recognize the disease in the initial stages.
Compression of the spinal nerve roots and blood vessels can lead to disruption of the blood supply to the brain. A neglected condition can even lead to a stroke. At the same time, the heart and blood vessels suffer, and you can struggle with blood pressure for years, but the culprit will be cervical osteochondrosis of the spine.
Causes of the disease
There are many factors that lead to the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excess weight;
- previous spinal injuries;
- deformation of posture, constant tension in the back and neck;
- poor nutrition;
- physical exercise;
- stress and nervous disorders;
- heredity;
- infectious diseases;
- individual characteristics of the body structure;
- changes in blood circulation in the cervical spine.
Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis
The danger of cervical osteochondrosis is associated with the absence of symptoms at the initial stage. When pain appears, the patient more often uses analgesics, which is very erroneous, since the process of development of cervical osteochondrosis is advanced, and the correct diagnosis with subsequent treatment is made with a great delay for successful treatment.
First of all, you need to pay attention to the presence of the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine:
- Dizziness. You need to understand that this symptom may indicate the presence of other diseases. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, dizziness is systemic, that is, the patient feels constant movement of surrounding objects.
- Headache. It has an aching character with pulsation, and can be either constant or paroxysmal.
- Localization of pain. Often in patients with cervical osteochondrosis, pain is observed when turning the head, in the neck, in the shoulders, in the limbs.
- Arterial pressure. Combined with other symptoms (headache, tension and fatigue of the hands, stress and prolonged stay in one position).
- Tinnitus and decreased vision.
- Weakness and rapid fatigue of the body.
- Sleep disturbance and pain during sleep in the neck, in the limbs, their numbness.
Decoctions from useful plants
Traditional medicine offers not only a local effect on a sore neck, but also taking many homemade medicines internally. If ointments, compresses and rubs help to locally solve the problem of inflammation and pain, then decoctions and infusions perfectly stimulate the immune system and improve metabolism from the inside.
The most popular recipes are:
- Take about 400 g of cranberries and peeled cloves of garlic, a few medium-sized ones are enough. Grind them thoroughly or finely chop them, leave them in a clean container for a day. After this, add 800 g of honey to the composition, mix until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. The medicine is used in a teaspoon 3 times a day.
- Take sunflower root (finding it in the off-season is problematic), rinse thoroughly, dry, and chop. 150 g will be enough, which are added to 3 liters of water. All this is put on fire and brought to a boil. The resulting decoction is infused for two days, after which it is taken one tablespoon 30 minutes before meals. It is advisable to prepare a new portion of the medicine in advance so as not to interrupt the course.
- Take 250 g of peeled pine needles and add one liter of water. Put all this on the fire and cook for half an hour. Clear the resulting decoction from the branches and divide into equal parts to form 6 servings, which must be drunk within three days at intervals of 8–12 hours.
- Dandelion root (about 15 g) is cleaned of dirt and dry shoots and poured with half a liter of boiling water. The resulting solution is infused for an hour, after which it is filtered and taken a tablespoon before meals.
Such decoctions remove salts from the body well; this is easy to understand by the changing color of urine. At the beginning of the process, it becomes almost orange, after which it becomes more transparent, as soon as all the harmful components have left the body. But we should not forget that during the treatment period, spicy and salty foods are strictly prohibited. Decoctions combine well with other more conservative methods and help support the body in the fight against pathology. Medicinal herbs such as burdock, wheatgrass, string, violet and plants are also used.
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Diagnosis of the disease
If the above-described symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis exist, self-medication is strictly prohibited. Only a doctor can assess the condition, refer the patient for diagnosis and select a course of treatment. To determine the disease it is recommended:
- x-ray of the spine (cervical spine);
- ECG;
- MRI of the spine (cervical spine);
- rheoencephalography.
CT scan
One of the accurate methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is CT (computed tomography). The procedure is carried out as intended and has no contraindications (weight limit is only up to 160 kilograms). CT accurately reflects the condition of the spine, intervertebral discs, identifies fractures, tumors, hernias and other inflammatory processes. The method is absolutely safe.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging recognizes cervical osteochondrosis of the spine at a very early stage. The pictures clearly show the nerve roots, their integrity, and the places where they are pinched, hernias and other pathologies. A contraindication to MRI may be the presence of a pacemaker. Undesirable in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Using the image, the doctor can prescribe treatment.
Radiography
An X-ray of the cervical spine is performed in two projections and shows at what distance the vertebrae are located, the condition of the vertebral processes, osteoporosis and areas of bone compaction, tumor processes, degenerative conditions and other pathologies of the spine.
Contraindications: pregnancy, body weight over 180 kg, mental disorders.
Popular ointments
It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis with ointments alone, but they are an important component of complex therapy. Different formulations can relieve pain in the problem area, relieve inflammation and improve general condition. The following proven recipes are very popular:
- Take half a pack of high quality butter (you can replace it with pork fat), add peppermint herb, coriander fruits and birch buds to it. Apply the resulting ointment to the problem area 23 times a day.
- Add St. John's wort, snakeweed root, and birch buds to the little or fat. Let the resulting mixture steep for a while and use only for its intended purpose.
- Take calendula flowers, mint grass, hop fruits, meadowsweet flowers, eucalyptus leaves and mix all this with fat. Apply the resulting composition to the painful area.
- Take 6 large laurel leaves, mix it with juniper needles (about 1 teaspoon), add 70 g of butter. Grind the mixture well, preferably in a blender until a homogeneous consistency is obtained and rub into the sore spot. The composition perfectly relieves pain and soothes the affected area.
Ointments can also be used as compresses if you put a scarf over them. It is important to secure everything firmly with a bandage, and to prevent the fabric from absorbing the mixture, place plastic film on it.
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Stages of development of osteochondrosis
There are 4 main stages of development of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine:
- Stage 1 – pain, crunching when turning the neck, decreased mobility, headaches, sleep disturbance;
- Stage 2 – thinning of the intervertebral disc capsule, pinching of nerve endings and blood vessels;
- Stage 3 – the occurrence of protrusions, hernias, deformities of the vertebrae, resulting in dizziness, pain, movement coordination disorders, and impaired blood supply to the brain;
- Stage 4 – constant pain, possible neurological complications, loss of consciousness, blurred vision, and even paralysis.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Before prescribing drug treatment to a patient for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the doctor will conduct a full examination to detect the stage of the disease. Then a comprehensive treatment is selected for each individual case.
The following drugs are mainly prescribed:
- medications that relieve muscle spasms;
- painkillers;
- anti-inflammatory;
- vitamin B complex;
- recovery stimulants.
In case of advanced osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, injections may be prescribed. Physiotherapy (electrophoresis, ultrasound, laser therapy, magnetic therapy) is often practiced for complex treatment.
First aid for acute pain
The first task is to eliminate pain and muscle spasms. It is necessary to consult a doctor, take the prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs and go to bed. After 4-5 days, as the pain decreases, physical therapy may be prescribed. As a rule, conservative treatment is prescribed.
Drug treatment
The basis of treatment for osteochondrosis is taking medications:
- analgesics;
- antispasmodics;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- vasodilators;
- chondroprotectors.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSAIDs are intended to relieve pain and inflammation. They are used in complex treatment for cervical osteochondrosis: meloxicam, indomethacin, diclofenac, ketotefen, etc.
Muscle relaxants
There is an extensive list of muscle relaxants that are prescribed for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis: Methocarbamol, Chlorzoxazone, Carisoprodol, etc. They should be used only in case of severe pain, as they do not relieve inflammation.
Analgesics
Treatment with painkillers can be in the form of tablets and injections. Prescribed in tablets:
- Analgin.
- Baralgin.
- Ketanol.
- Butadion.
In injections:
- Novocaine.
- Dexamethasone.
Ointments and gels:
- Apizartron.
- Capsicam.
- Menovazin.
- Fastum-gel.
Vitamins
When treating the spine and cervical osteochondrosis, the list of medications must include vitamins B, A, E and D. Vitamin B affects the nervous system; vitamin D helps absorb calcium; Vitamins A and E are responsible for the condition of cartilage tissue. The best vitamin complexes for osteochondrosis are Supradin, Calcium D3-nycomed, undevit, etc.
Physiotherapy and exercise therapy
Light, short-term exercises must be agreed upon with the attending physician, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient, the stage of the disease with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and the presence of other abnormalities in the body. The exercises last on average 15-20 minutes every day. It is better to choose a set of exercises so that you can do them both at home and at work.
Therapeutic gymnastics can quickly and effectively give a positive result in case of illness. The main thing is that the patient does not experience pain or discomfort with any movement.
Basic exercises for therapeutic gymnastics:
- in a sitting position with a straight back, smoothly turn your head left and right, then with springy movements up and down;
- holding your hand on your forehead, gently tilt your head forward, while exerting slight resistance with your head;
- lying on your stomach, turn your head left and right so that your ear touches the floor;
- Take a vertical position and raise your shoulders as much as possible, holding for a few seconds. Repeat several times.
Balneotherapy
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, balneotherapy (treatment with mineral waters and mud) has an excellent effect. During the rehabilitation period, these procedures help active natural substances penetrate the skin and influence nerve endings. The procedures relieve pain, improve blood circulation and permanently consolidate the positive effect of treatment.
Electrophoresis
Electrophoresis refers to combined methods of physiotherapy. It is prescribed in combination with the main treatment for severe pain. Electrophoresis is performed using novocaine, and up to 10 procedures are prescribed.
Acupuncture
Each human organ has its own point on the skin of the body. By influencing these points, you can control the functioning of the entire body. Acupuncture for cervical osteochondrosis stimulates blood supply to the brain, relieves dizziness, pain and general malaise. This is an effective treatment that helps restore health and strength.
Ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound with Hydrocortisone ointment (phonophoresis) has a positive effect on the human body and gives a good effect against the background of the main treatment:
- relieves swelling;
- relieves spasms by massaging muscles;
- increases blood flow to the places to which it is directed.
Treatment with folk remedies
When treating cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, various folk methods of relieving pain and inflammation are used:
- compresses;
- rubbing;
- hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches).
Massotherapy
An important condition for massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is caution. The patient can perform a massage at home, but before doing so, a doctor’s consultation is necessary, taking into account the individual characteristics of the stage of the spinal disease. But we do not recommend self-massage to our patients!
The patient takes a comfortable horizontal position, sometimes it is allowed to be in a sitting position. We start the massage from the healthy part of the back and gradually, with smooth relaxing movements, move to the sore area. We pay much attention to the collar area and neck. Gradually we move from relaxing strokes to rubbing and patting. We use rubbing agents to increase blood flow and relieve pain.
The best compresses for neck pain
It is better to start treating cervical chondrosis with folk remedies by using different types of rubs and compresses. Local exposure will warm up the area, reduce pain, improve blood circulation and relieve inflammation. Do the procedure several times a day, usually no more than five. In this case, the specified exposure time must not be exceeded. The best compress recipes are:
Which ointment to choose for osteochondrosis
- You need to find fresh horseradish leaves and pour boiling water over them. After the solution has cooled a little and infused, gauze is moistened in it and applied to the sore spot. It’s better not to do all this at night. Thanks to special components, this effect relieves pain well.
- Take fresh cottage cheese, mash it well and add a little vinegar. The resulting mass is applied in an even layer to the neck area. You need to put a scarf or a warm cloth over the compress. All this lasts for at least 12 hours, so it is most often recommended to do it at night.
- Ordinary turpentine has proven itself well in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis. Add water to 200 g of rye flour and make a hard cake. It is infused for two days, after which turpentine is applied to the sore spot, covered with dough and wrapped in a scarf. As long as the discomfort is tolerated, all this must be held in place, then removed and the area rinsed with warm water.
- Honey and potatoes effectively relieve inflammation and pain. To do this, peeled tubers are grated on a coarse grater, mixed in half with a natural beekeeping product, and all this is applied to the sore spot. On top of this you need to put paper and a clean rag. Leave for 2 hours, then rinse with water and dry the area. Rub fir oil into the skin.
Eggs, vodka, aloe juice with honey, garlic and kerosene are also used as the main ingredients for compresses for osteochondrosis. With some products, it is especially important to observe the dosage and duration of exposure, as they can cause burns if used carelessly.
Some components can be easily found on pharmacy shelves
Prevention of the development of osteochondrosis
With the help of preventive measures, you can prevent or reduce the factors that develop this disease.
The most important thing is a correct and healthy lifestyle, i.e. little physical activity, a balanced diet, gymnastics. Regular swimming and yoga help prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine very effectively. Don’t forget about comfortable sleep with the help of an orthopedic mattress and pillow. When staying in one position for a long time, be sure to do a short warm-up. Avoid nervous stress and overwork in every possible way. Walk more in the fresh air.
Diet and nutrition for osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is very important to maintain proper nutrition, which should provide the cartilage tissue with the necessary microelements. These substances include gelatin (a natural chondroprotector). It is found in jelly, jellied fish, jellied meat and fruit jelly. You need to drink up to 2 liters. water per day. The basis of the menu should be protein foods. Eliminate soda, coffee, sorrel, grapes, alcohol, broths.
Contact the Aspect Health clinic in Ufa for a consultation. We will help you treat your disease! Make an appointment with a doctor by phone.
Preventive agents
In order to prevent relapses of cervical osteochondrosis, vertebrologists recommend drinking at least 2.5 liters of fluid daily. In addition to clean water and table light-salted mineral waters, this can include infusions of medicinal herbs, for example, tea from chamomile flowers or rose hips. To prepare them, pour a teaspoon of dry plant material into a glass of boiling water, filter after an hour and drink with honey or sweet and sour jam. In pharmacies, rose hips and chamomile are sold in filter bags convenient for brewing.
