Cervical lumbar osteochondrosis is more common than anyone - it never affects people over the age of 20 or young people. People around him complain about its manifestations every day, writing their feelings to either magnetic storms or energy vampires or more prose, but they are still far from the truth and explanations.
The localization of the disease in the cervical spine, which covers 7 vertebrae, is explained by the fact that the intervertebral discs in this region are the thinnest. Therefore, their faster drying and destruction leads to nerve compression and erosion of the vertebral bones - because the distance between the bones is already small. Poor development of the cervical muscles, which are the least used by modern man, also affects.
Unfortunately, the non-inflammatory process in the spine goes unnoticed for a long time until the degeneration of the intervertebral discs progresses to the second stage and the pain becomes a constant companion. But even this alarming sign is often rejected by people, who become accustomed to fatigue or even a daily "background". Let's understand why you ignore the headache and how you treat cervical spine osteochondrosis to bring chronic disease to permanent remission when your mother says "don't turn your head. "
Symptoms of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis
Anxiety from cervical osteochondrosis extends to the head, neck and limbs of the shoulder girdle. There are no specific complaints in the early stages - in general, patients begin to feel numbness in the neck more often, which does not seem surprising during office work. Gradually, the space between the vertebrae decreases, the load on the ligamentous apparatus, neck, shoulder and back muscles increases, and the blood supply to the brain and spinal cord deteriorates. This causes a whole chain of non-specific symptoms; The combination of several of them is a good reason to see a doctor.
Cervical spine 1st degree osteochondrosis
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in the early stages are:
- local muscle tension;
- stiffness of movements after a long stay in one position and a decrease in their amplitude (when turning the head, turning the shoulders);
- The need to always support your head with one hand while sitting to avoid fatigue and discomfort;
- fatigue and frequent headaches;
- increased irritability and chronic fatigue;
- Don't go to sleep too fast because you try to be comfortable, crush the pillow comfortably;
- darkening of the eyes, "flying" appearance after cervical spine load or during morning / sharp rise;
- other sounds and sounds while bowing;
- so-called "Lumbago" in the area from the back of the head to the shoulder blades;
- decreased sensitivity at fingertips, tingling sensation in hands;
- unusual feeling of weakness in the arms, decreased endurance and muscle strength;
- increased blood pressure - arterial hypertension;
- voice change, nausea for no reason, snoring, feeling of heaviness, "swelling" in the head.
Cervical spine grade 2 osteochondrosis
- chronic pain syndrome - head, neck or shoulder can last continuously for 2-3 days or longer;
- difficulty sleeping - difficult to fall asleep or wake up, due to nightmares caused by oxygen starvationoften wake up in the middle of the night
- high weather sensitivity;
- appearance of pain and spasms in muscles and internal organs, especially if it is necessary to hold or change the same position for a long time;
- inability to press his chest to his chest and bend his head back painlessly;
- falling head syndrome - pain that is clearly felt when trying to sit without supporting your head;
- numbness of the hands ("hands do not obey"), the appearance of pain in the neck with minimal stress on the upper limbs;
- tinnitus and blackheads, dizziness and even fainting in front of eyes;
- visible clamps;
- heart disease;
- migraines;
- constant nausea;
- growth of connective tissue ("thick skin") in the neck area.
Ignoring the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are large nerves near the spine and lumbar spine that constrict when the spine moves. Complications of the disease include:
- paresis (limitation, weakness of movement) and even paralysis of the arms - one or both sides;
- intervertebral hernia - a common cause of disability and disability to the need for a wheelchair;
- vertebral artery syndrome, which causes dizziness and noise in the head, causes 25% of ischemic strokes;
- rapid impairment of memory, cognition, vision and hearing;
- Lack of coordination of movements that cause difficulties when driving.
How to treat cervical lumbar osteochondrosis
Pharmacotherapy and physiotherapy, cervical collar massage and hydromassage, therapeutic gymnastics, swimming, balneological and mud therapy, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, acupuncture, ultrasound, shock wave are used to combat cervical spine osteochondrosis. UFO, magnetic and other apparatus therapy. The symptoms and treatment of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis differ significantly for the stages of remission and exacerbation. Thus, for example, massage for cervical lumbar osteochondrosis during the inflammatory process is strictly contraindicated - topical ointments and creams are used for starters. In an acute period, it is necessary to restore blood circulation and tissue nutrition, relieve spasms and improve the patient's quality of life. Therapy aimed at the regeneration of cartilage tissue and osteophytes is carried out only in remission.
Surgery is rarely used - mainly to treat pathologies such as hernias and vertebral displacements.
Grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis responds well to treatment and can lead to permanent remission, even with small acute episodes. Typically, treatment involves lifestyle changes while protecting the muscular and ligamentous apparatus with the help of therapeutic exercises. Grade 2 disease has a less optimistic prognosis: in this case, treatment is aimed at eliminating the obvious negative symptoms and preventing further destruction of the spine.
In some cases, therapy is required for diseases that become a kind of catalyst for degenerative changes in cartilage. These include curvature of the spine, problems with the endocrine system. hormonal disorders, metabolic disorders, insomnia, depression, alcohol and nicotine addiction, overweight, hereditary diseases.
Timely treatment of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis improves motor function, prevents macrotrauma of the spine, adjacent tissues, nerves, large vessels and organic systems. According to medical recommendations and daily care therapy, the development of osteochondrosis can be slowed down, and lumbar mobility is maintained until old age.
Medications for cervical lumbar osteochondrosis
At the beginning of the disease, patients are shown to receive chondroprotectors, rehydration of cartilage tissue and nutrient saturation. Vitamin-mineral and antioxidant complexes are actively used. of natural origin. Preparations for the treatment of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis are mainly used externally or orally - warming, local irritants, anti-inflammatory ointments, tablets, capsules. In stage 2 osteochondrosis, in addition to the above, analgesics, antispasmodics (muscle relaxants), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used. Treatment is carried out for life, but because they are harmless, some drugs (painkillers, glucocorticosteroids, etc. ) are prescribed in courses.
Chondroprotectors
In medicine, chondroprotectors are drugs containing glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfates. The names "glucosamine" and "chondroitin" are more common in domestic use. As the structural backbone of cartilage, they play the role of "building blocks" used by the body to repair intervertebral discs. Chondroprotectors are complex - they have a beneficial effect on all articular surfaces of the body and prevent the development of not only cervical, but also other types of osteochondrosis, as well as osteoarthritis and other degenerative diseases of cartilage. These drugs need to be taken for life and continuously - because the cartilage is deprived of blood vessels, it is fed in a diffuse manner. This means that the growth of new cells is very slow - the first results are observed only after taking drugs containing chondroitin for 3-6 months.
Ointments for cervical lumbar osteochondrosis
Ointments with vasodilator, anti-inflammatory and decongestant effects are used in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. To improve blood circulation, bee or snake venom is often included in their composition, and propolis and natural essential oils are used to strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Local analgesic creams or irritating ointments may be prescribed to relieve the patient with mild pain syndrome. Hot ointments activate trophic and metabolic processes in tissues, prevent their destruction and limit the degenerative process.
Tablets for cervical lumbar osteochondrosis
Tablets play a supporting role in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. In the form of tablets are usually prescribed analgesics of complex actions with anti-inflammatory effect. Antispasmodics may be prescribed to relieve acute pain.
With cervical lumbar osteochondrosis, it is especially important to take medications that strengthen blood vessels and improve blood microcirculation. This helps to keep the negative effects of the disease on the brain, which leads to hypoxia and malnutrition.
Injections
Injections for the treatment of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis are administered locally to remove a local inflammatory process that is not sensitive to other methods of exposure. Lidocaine and novocaine blockers are also indicated for severe pain syndrome. They represent the presentation of an anesthetic cocktail (may contain more than ten components - NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids, decongestants, hyaluronic acid and other substances to nourish and restore cartilage). Spinal blockages should only be performed by specialists due to the high risk of damage to the spinal cord and nerve endings during injection and the presence of contraindications.
A diet high in protein and moderate in carbohydrates helps prolong the effects of the drug. The inclusion of sea fish, shellfish and jelly agents, calcium and other foods rich in vitamin D3 in the menu has a positive effect on the stability of remission.
Exercises for cervical lumbar osteochondrosis
The first physical therapy sessions (exercise therapy) are performed under the supervision of a physician. Also chooses a mini set of daily exercises.
Do a simple warm-up to prevent and treat cervical osteochondrosis:
- Sit in a chair and turn your head left and right, try to draw a semicircle 180 degrees. If the disease has not yet felt or is in its early stages, you can throw your head back and slowly turn it clockwise and counterclockwise.
- Raise your shoulders as high as possible and lock in this position for a few seconds, then return to starting position and repeat.
- Place your palm on your forehead and try to slowly lower your head, resisting yourself slightly. After 10 times, place the palm on your temple and repeat by bending to the side.
- Lift your shoulders and try to make a circle around your lower neck.
- Complete exercises that make the vertebrae and muscles feel good and warm the skin with a strong self-massage. Avoid pain while doing this.
You can freely add this list with exercises for the overall tone.
In addition to exercise therapy for cervical spine osteochondrosis, an orthopedic regimen should be followed. Designed to relax the spine while doing homework and during sleep. Special orthopedic pillows and mattresses, car and other headgear and travel bags are already highly desirable for patients with grade 1 osteochondrosis. The workplace also needs to be adjusted to physiological needs - for example, buy a place with a high back and armrest that follows the anatomical curves of the back, adjust the height of the table and seat, provide a comfortable position for the monitor, etc.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, sit on a straight back, leaning on the back of furniture. The position of the legs is equally important - your tires should be straight perpendicular to the ground, and your feet should be completely straight. Bent (about 75 degrees) arms should lie on the table, without a comfortable tension. It is not allowed to sleep with a laptop in your free time. Use a stand when using a computer in bed.