Signs of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis. Bobyr Clinic

Signs of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis

The modern world, with its speed of life, working at a computer, and constant use of gadgets, has become the reason that many people have developed osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. And those who suffered from it increasingly began to complain about exacerbations that occur constantly.

In order to stop the disease at the earliest stage, you need to know the signs of its symptoms, as well as the causes that provoke its onset. As soon as you notice any of the following signs, it is better to consult a neurologist who will prescribe adequate treatment that can relieve pain and its causes.

For what reasons can osteochondrosis of the cervical region develop?

As you know, osteochondrosis is the degeneration of cartilage tissue between the vertebrae, changes in which can be caused by a variety of factors:

The most common reasons are: uncomfortable, unnatural, prolonged position of the head and increased stress on the neck area.
Working at a computer for a long time can provoke the development of the disease, just like constantly sitting behind the wheel.
Regular stressful conditions. Stress provokes spasm of fibers, and this, in turn, can give impetus to the development of osteochondrosis.
Sharp turns of the neck. An awkward movement can be the impetus for the disease to begin to progress.
Hormonal problems, including disruptions.
Inflammation of the joints.
Incorrect diagnosis and incorrectly chosen treatment.

Distinctive signs of the disease and features of its course

Attacks of osteochondrosis can vary in intensity and duration. This may depend, first of all, on the individuality of each organism, and, no matter how paradoxical it may sound, the time of year.

The exacerbation usually lasts a month. The first week is the most difficult, the pain is the most severe and constant. Then they become paroxysmal in nature.

In order to be fully armed before the disease, you need to know when you are at risk of an attack. This usually happens in the spring, so you should be extremely attentive to your health during this period. Autumn exacerbations are also common, especially among amateur gardeners.

Before starting treatment, you need the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. Self-medication will be fraught with the most dangerous consequences. Complaints are usually of the following nature:

Neck pain: the stage of the disease can be determined by its intensity and duration.
The skin is less sensitive to touch and temperature changes.
When you rotate your neck, the pain intensifies.
A change in body position is accompanied by tinnitus.
Psychomotor skills are impaired.

Cervical osteochondrosis can be accompanied by associated pain: between the shoulder blades, in the heart, in the arms. For a more accurate diagnosis if symptoms do not match, X-rays, MRI or CT, electromyography and EEG are used. They can give an accurate answer to the question: does the patient have osteochondrosis?

It is important to know how the disease progresses in a person, make a diagnosis in time and prescribe treatment, otherwise the disease will progress and reach a severe stage.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis

Painkillers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics will relieve pain.
Sedatives will help you calm down and not worry about pain.
Drugs that dilate blood vessels will improve blood circulation.
Vitamins K and E create positive dynamics in cerebral circulation and help control pain.
Antihistamines can strengthen the lumen in blood vessels, affecting symptoms.
Diuretics will relieve swelling, including from the brain and other tissues.
Physiotherapy relieves pain and tension in the affected area.
Exercise therapy for the neck strengthens its muscles.
Manual therapy will relieve an acute attack.

Knowing the symptoms, you will begin treatment on time and avoid a severe stage of the disease.
Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Osteochondrosis is based on the destruction of the intervertebral disc - a flat cartilaginous formation that connects the vertebrae and ensures their mobility. The base of the disc is a soft nucleus pulposus surrounded by a fibrous (dense) ring. The core is 88% water and cushions the movement of the spine during vertical loading, such as lifting weights or walking. The function of the annulus fibrosus is to prevent the nucleus from moving away from the center of the vertebra. Also, the correct positioning of the core is facilitated by many ligaments and the muscular “corset” of the spine1,11.

At the age of 35-40 years, the blood supply to the disc core and its metabolism weakens, and the water content in it decreases to 60%1. But age is not the only and far from the main cause of lumbar osteochondrosis.

The following factors play a role in the development of the disease1,5,11:

prolonged standing or sitting, especially in an uncomfortable position;
overload of the spine associated with walking in high heels;
poor posture, flat feet;
nervous tension, chronic stress;
overweight, metabolic disorders;
poor physical development;
congenital anomalies of the structure of the spine;
heredity.

Most of these factors are related to the modern rhythm of life. It makes its own changes in a person’s habits, which turn out to be very harmful to the spine. The main problem is the imbalance between physical activity and the ability of the spine to bear a certain load. If the spinal muscles lose tone but are regularly overstrained, the load is transferred to the intervertebral discs and ligaments11. On the one hand, this situation creates conditions for microtrauma11, on the other hand, the risk of blood stagnation in the muscles increases, which prevents normal blood flow in them5.

In addition, the lower back bears the heaviest load11. And if the work involves heavy lifting, sudden movements, turns, flexion and extension, the pressure on the intervertebral discs increases many times over11. Therefore, wear of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region is more often observed in people of certain professions - athletes, loaders and drivers5.

to come back to the beginning

Stages of lumbar osteochondrosis

When an intervertebral disc is damaged, its displacement is observed with the formation of an intervertebral hernia6, but all this happens gradually, so there are several stages in the development of the disease6,7:

Stage 1 is characterized by unexpressed pain that occurs when lifting heavy objects. The patient can no longer tolerate prolonged physical activity, but at rest the pain, as a rule, does not bother him.
In stage 2, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, which leads to pinched nerve endings. Sharp pain (lumbago) appears, radiating to the buttock, thigh and lower leg, forcing the patient to take a forced position with the torso tilted to the healthy side.
At stage 3, the fibrous ring is destroyed and an intervertebral hernia is formed. The hernial protrusion compresses or irritates the roots of the spinal cord, the pain becomes severe, and is accompanied by disturbances in sensitivity (numbness of the limbs) and motor activity (weakness of the muscles of the leg or foot).
By stage 4 , a pronounced deformity of the spine occurs, the patient moves with great difficulty, and the pain syndrome may be less disturbing.

How to relieve pain with osteochondrosis

When the disease worsens, the question of how to relieve pain due to osteochondrosis . You should not self-medicate. Only a doctor can prescribe therapy that is effective in each specific case. After examination, the following therapeutic treatment methods are often prescribed:

medications;
physiotherapy;
massotherapy;
exercise therapy;
laser therapy.

Only timely seeking help can relieve the serious consequences of the disease.
If you do not know how osteochondrosis hurts and how to relieve pain, contact our clinic for detailed diagnosis and subsequent treatment. osteochondrosis

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