Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease in which the marrow between the vertebrae, that the role of a shock absorber, becomes stiff cloth.
Pain in the neck? Dizziness? Crunching? Neck back pain? "It is an osteochondrosis of the..." – do you think picks up the request online. Without panic! Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine – is not a sentence, it is possible to prevent, slow down, and even cure it. How? Let's investigate together.
Introduction
Unfortunately, cervical osteochondrosis – a disease of the quiet and insidious. You can suspect about its existence, until at a certain point does not feel cramp and pain in the neck. Often the added dizziness and numbness of the extremities.
The reason for these seemingly unrelated phenomena in the complex nature of degenerative disc disease.
What is osteochondrosis: common...
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, in which a damaged intervertebral disc, performing the role of shock absorber. Compressed and decompression, give the spine flexibility and elasticity, and at the same time allowing the body to maintain balance during the movement. In their partial helena complete the destruction of this balance is lost, which will inevitably impact on the physical activity of a person. The cause of these changes is often found to physical wear and deformation of the disk, helena, simply put, his "aging". In this other part of your body can serve us faithfully and true for many years.
It is widely known that osteochondrosis – a disease age-related. However, in recent years, the disease significantly "younger": the threat to find themselves people 25 years old and even younger. Blame the sedentary lifestyle, poor exclusive catering and uneven physical stress on the body. In addition, statistics show that the more often an osteochondrosis of sick women. Firstly, this is due to the anatomical features and the emotional background. However, it is harder than the disease occurs in men.
...to the private – cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs most often. The fact is, that exactly in the neck for most of the blood vessels and nerve endings, while the actual vertebrae are significantly smaller (approximately half in comparison with a lumbar department), and the muscular corset is gently weaker.
Together with the high mobility and the proximity of the spinal cord of the cervical department of our body needs increased attention.
How dangerous is cervical osteochondrosis?
Unfortunately, the danger of cervical degenerative disc disease compelling anatomically – through a cervical department are held vertebrates arteries, which saturate the blood important think-tanks in the rear parts of the brain. And some of the defect and circulatory disorders can wear a conclusive character, from defective curvature of the spine (lordosis of the neck) and up to total loss of motor skills, stroke and even deadly result.
Fortunately, does not notice signs of impending disaster is virtually impossible: problems with coordination, severe deterioration of vision and hearing, frequent dizziness and loss of consciousness...
If coupled with regular neck pain you notice these symptoms, immediately consult a doctor!
Diagnosis and symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease of the spine
Osteochondrosis – a serious disease, and diagnose it can only a qualified professional, i.e., doctor-spine, which specializes in solving problems with the spine, the orthopedist helena neurologist.
The most accurate ways to diagnose cervical degenerative disc disease: x-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic nuclear resonance imaging (MRI), to detect not only the symptoms of these thoracic degenerative disc disease, but also other related changes in the body.
When the number of the listed symptoms, immediately seek the professional advice of a doctor.
- dull, pain, intense pain in the neck and the back of the head
- neck back pain, crunching when turning the head
- dizziness, a "fog" before eyes, fainting
- headache
- nausea, vomiting
- numbness of the limbs
- noise in the ears, blurred vision
- total muscle weakness
Pain in osteochondrosis often wear the pain of the character, give the head and are accompanied by numbness of the hands and feet. This is due, firstly, pinching the nerve endings and an increase in intracranial pressure.
Nature degenerative disc disease
Like any disease, osteochondrosis of the spine has several stages of development.
For a better understanding of the occurring in the body processes we offer first solve in the house to the disc itself, and then analyze, what changes are characteristic for each stage of degenerative disc disease.
Alone vertebral disk consists of several parts: the nucleus pulposus gelatinous core (inner part), the fibrous rings (the outer shell) and hyaline cartilage, the separation of the disc from the vertebrae, and the shuttle function of the power supply.
Purposee core of the richly water, and the latter is responsible for the depreciation, the adjustment is below the center of gravity, fluid and moving like a mercury ball. The surroundings of its fibrous ring, on the contrary, has a fixed structure and consists of interwoven fibres. Because the main task of the fibrous rings – protects the core from damage, exactly does it mean to "punch" at each other at high loads.
Stages of degenerative disc disease
Traditionally issued to the four stages of degenerative disc disease.
Cervical osteochondrosis of 1 degree – stage preclinical
This is the early phase of the disease when it occurs the so-called "drying" disk: dropping his height and strength.
When this structural change not yet – after all, as well as symptoms, and therefore, complaints. You can feel the discomfort; the only "harbinger" may be morning stiffness and salt sediments in the area of the neck. Even if you agree with our way of life these feelings are rather the norm.
Cervical osteochondrosis 2 grade – the beginning of the structural changes
Here are beginning to irreversible changes in the polipozom core – necrosis and destruction caused by the violation of metabolic processes, – simultaneously with the formation of cracks in the fibrous ring.
The body starts transmitting SOS signals in the form of a sharp pain in the neck area, reduction of stamina, rapid fatigue.
Cervical osteochondrosis 3 degrees – are moving discos
Is violated the tightness of the fibrous rings, thereby purposee core "bulge" into the spinal canal through the cracks are formed.
If there is a complete rupture of the outer shell is not happening, meziobratle disk is still possible to recover. This process is called the protrusion of the disc of the spine and successfully treated in an outpatient setting. When you feel constant pain in neck and back, advancing on exertion and stay in an uncomfortable position.
In the case of the complete destruction of the fibrous rings of the headaches are added problems with coordination, dizziness, nausea; creates the risk of disability. It is necessary to seek medical attention immediately!
Cervical osteochondrosis 4 degrees – regeneration
Due to irreversible processes between the vertebrae to form outgrowths (osteophytes), a blocker of the mobility of the joints. Purposee core replaced by scar tissue, nerve endings injured, recovery is possible only surgically.
Paradoxically, in terms of health you can feel a noticeable improvement – the backbone, in order to regain the maneuverability of the load. However, pain and limited motor activity subsequently, they will only intensify.
Causes of degenerative disc disease
Unfortunately, speaking about the reasons of such difficult diseases, such as osteochondrosis, must have in mind a variety of factors from the external conditions on physiological disposition.
How to understand that you are in danger? Mentally tick opposite each of the items that are appropriate for you and your lifestyle.
- You were a spinal injury?
- Has excess weight (degree of obesity)?
- Exposed to harmful habits (smoking, alcohol consumption), regular stress?
- You suffer from chronic infectious disease, a disorder of metabolism?
- Do not exceed your work is connected with heavy physical work?
- You determine the violation of possession of your body, and/helena flat feet?
- Met you on the regular load on the spine?
If at least one of the questions you answered in the affirmative, unfortunately, you are in a risk group. This is bad news. But there is a good: osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can stop, treat and even prevent due to the diagnosis and start proper prevention.
How to prevent osteochondrosis
There are a number of preventive measures that we recommend to adhere for games "at the top" with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Step 1. Stand up!
Leading a sedentary lifestyle? Sedentary work, many hours of searching, at the computer, irregular and improper exclusive meals, lack of sleep, stress... Familiar?
All this contributes to the "sluggish" processes in the body and causes the initial stages of degenerative disc disease.
To prevent the progression of the disease, it is reasonable to come to the routine working hours, take regular breaks (every hour for five minutes) and more take care of your health. Believe me, very soon you will yourself say "thank you"!
Take for a rule: set reminders (helena in a particularly "running" cases – the alarm clock) to work the hype is not miss a moment... when you need to just get up and walk.
Step 2. Take care of your own comfort!
Under the convenience of understanding physical signals that the body. Listen to and take care!
First of all, avoid excessive and disproportionate burden. If you are a visitor to the gym, batch weight, do not skip exercise and watch the regularity of exercise.
Secondly, give up the uncomfortable shoes. We do not support ruthlessly to get rid of your favorite outlet boots helena shoes – keep them for special occasions. It is important that these "special cases" do not become your norm of life in the mode 24/7. "Every day" choose shoes with a comfortable termi, is not a call to discomfort and not impact on the posture of your body and walking.
Third, do not skimp on the furniture and bedroom accessories. If office chair you categorically it is not suitable, ask for a replacement helena take care of your own comfort yourself. Subsequently, this one-time investment can save you from the grave of regular expenditure.
Only use anatomically correct furniture, reducing the load on the spine. For home to choose a bed with a hard mattress and a comfortable fit to the density and height of the pillow. Anatomical helena normal – you decide because a lot depends on the characteristics of your your body.
Step 3. Do not forget about prevention!
Forewarned – means armed, no?
If you are feeling often fatigue and feelings of pain in the neck and back, helena on the contrary, you want to avoid them, we recommend a simple set of exercises, is especially effective in the initial (preclinical) stage, degenerative disc disease.
Gymnastics at cervical osteochondrosis
Gymnastics in osteochondrosis of the cervical you can perform both at home and at the workplace.
- Sit exactly, straighten your back, your hands release and put down along your body. Alternately turn your head to the right and to the left, approximately 90 degrees (helena how to allow the joints). Drive smoothly, avoid sudden movements.
For the first time, perform 8 repetitions, and gradually increase the number of turns to 15 in each direction. - In the same position, tilt your head forward, pressing your chin to your chest and back to have the neck on the back side of the neck. Also start with 8 repetitions and increase up to 15 times.
- Next, go to the shoulders. First, raise both shoulders up (toward the ears), hold for a few seconds and lower back. So 8 reps.
Then move arms alternately: right up, left down, replacement – 8 reps. - Place your palm on your forehead and press a while tilting the head forward. Pause 10 seconds – and then 8 times in a row.
After the completion of the complex necessarily to massage do not exceed your neck to relieve tension.
Attention! If you feel strong discomfort when running, exercises, consult with a specialist and carefully batch load!
Cervical osteochondrosis: treatment
Treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine can be narrow-helena complex, combining in itself several components.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy in cervical osteochondrosis – it is the way the local impact directly on the focus of inflammation. The therapeutic effect is achieved due to the improvement of blood circulation and metabolism. Pain in the neck docked, the severity of the symptoms is reduced.
There are many options of physiotherapy in these infant osteochondrosis: electrotherapy, exposure using a magnet, laser, water and mud treatments, electrophoresis, acupuncture, as well as a mild warming inflamed areas.
Before it is recorded on the procedure, carefully read the contraindications and consult with a medical practitioner.
Massage
When cervical osteochondrosis well helps to massage the collar area. You can enroll for a session the masseur will helena massage yourself with the help of professional vibro.
Medications and diet
Among the most commonly used in osteochondrosis of the drug find themselves the anti-anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, antispasmodics, anti-oxidants, as well as medications, to improve blood circulation and metabolic processes. Range of drugs includes tablets, creams, ointments and solutions for intramuscular injection.
Remember, competently to pick up the drug can only doctor!
To increase the effectiveness of drugs and to improve the overall tone of your body will help a balanced diet. Limit your intake of fatty, spicy, smoked food, salt. Give preference to vegetables and fruits, properly cooked meat, fish and milk products. Add in the diet of nuts and honey. And to drink more fluids.
Although osteochondrosis of the you happen, a balanced diet has a positive effect on the general feelings and condition of the body. You will see already after a few weeks you will notice a stunning change! Tested on my own skin!