Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can occur at any age.This disease most often occurs in older people, and not only damage to the neck can be observed.However, currently there is an exacerbation of degenerative processes in the neck in young people who are engaged primarily in mental work.It should be understood that it is very difficult to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis, but it is possible to stop its progression and significantly improve a person’s well-being.
Reasons and mechanism of formation
Dystrophic processes in the cervical spine begin slowly.The most significant causes of the disease are a sedentary lifestyle and disorders of certain types of mineral metabolism.
If you eliminate the causes that provoked osteochondrosis of the neck, then it will be quite possible to cure its individual manifestations.Otherwise, if the cause continues, the person’s condition will only worsen.
Under the influence of the root cause that caused osteochondrosis of the neck, the following changes occur:
- the trigger point is stagnation in the lymphatic and circulatory systems;
- then degenerative-destructive changes occur in the intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock absorber between the vertebrae;its height and plasticity decreases;
- somewhat later, growths of bone tissue of the vertebrae are noted;
- all this leads to limited mobility of the spine, an increase in pressure on the vessels and nerves passing through the bone apparatus of the spine.
The sooner appropriate treatment is started, the greater the chance of slowing the progression of the disease and even completely curing the person.
An exacerbation of the disease can be provoked by any external or internal influence.This could be a viral infection, cold temperature, significant physical activity, even changes in atmospheric pressure.The stronger the cause that caused the exacerbation, the more pronounced the signs of the disease.
Features of cervical osteochondrosis
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis increase gradually, at the very beginning of the disease they practically do not bother the patient.Only sometimes can you notice dizziness.However, cervical osteochondrosis cannot be ignored: symptoms in later stages of the disease are difficult to eliminate.
Since the cervical spine is directly connected to the brain, in the case of dystrophic changes in this particular area, numerous complaints from the central nervous system will be noted.This is due to a gradual and increasing deterioration of blood circulation and metabolic disorders in the brain.
In many patients, the first symptoms that can be observed are those indicating brain damage:
- sudden changes in blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- burning in the temporal region and diffuse headache;
- The temperature rarely rises to low levels.
In combination with the above symptoms, signs of damage to the neck itself are observed:
- pain that over time begins to radiate to the back, arms, and back of the head;
- limited mobility; when tilting or turning the head, a cracking, crunching, numbness or burning sensation is felt in the neck;
- body temperature is normal.
As osteochondrosis progresses, a person’s condition will deteriorate, exacerbations will occur more often and more severely, it will be very difficult to cure a person completely over time, and it will only be possible to alleviate his suffering somewhat.
Unlike inflammatory processes, temperature rarely changes.In the later stages of osteochondrosis of the neck, the exacerbation practically does not disappear; combined severe damage to the brain and spine will be noted:
- blood pressure surges or persistently high blood pressure;
- constant dizziness and headache, even worse with little exercise;
- pain, burning and limited mobility of the neck;
- Body temperature may rise slightly, but more often remains normal.
The so-called vertebral artery syndrome occurs quite often, when the degenerative-dystrophic process covers the middle part of the neck.Such a person almost constantly feels a throbbing headache, pressure and burning in the temples, congestion and noise in the ears, and when turning the head - dizziness to the point of loss of consciousness.It is almost impossible to cure vertebral artery compression syndrome.
In some people, on the contrary, you can observe signs of damage to the upper extremities (with predominant changes in the cervical and brachial nerve plexus):
- burning or numbness in all parts of the upper extremities;
- dizziness occurs rarely;
- decreased skin temperature.
The consequences of osteochondrosis can be quite serious: persistent headaches and dizziness, memory and attention problems, constant numbness of the entire neck.
Treatment methods
Almost complete restoration of the original state of the osteochondrosis can be achieved only in the early stages of osteochondrosis and after eliminating its cause.Exacerbation of the disease requires even more intensive treatment.In later stages, the goal of treatment is to eliminate pain, dizziness and inflammatory changes.Cervical osteochondrosis can be cured using such means as:
- chondroprotectors to restore the original structure of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and inflammation;
- multivitamin complexes with a high content of B vitamins to improve the trophism of nervous tissue;
- nootropics for the correction of severe disorders in brain tissue;
- a complex of physical therapy and massage (if severe dizziness and high blood pressure do not occur);
- physiotherapy (water, iontophoresis, magnetic therapy), while the temperature and pressure of the factor should be quite high, and burning is considered a positive effect.
Much in the treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the patient himself.The sooner the necessary therapy is started, the more carefully a person follows the doctor’s prescriptions, the greater the chance of success and a decent quality of life for the patient.