Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can occur at any age. Often the disease occurs in the elderly, and not only neck injuries can be observed. However, at present there is an increase in the process of neck dystrophy in young people who are mainly involved in mental work. It should be understood that it is very difficult to cure cervical osteochondrosis completely, but you can stop its development and significantly improve a person's well-being.
Causes and mechanisms of formation
The process of cervical dystrophy begins slowly. The most obvious causes of the disease are an inactive lifestyle and violations of some types of mineral metabolism.
If you eliminate the cause of neck osteochondrosis, then some manifestations can be successfully cured. Otherwise, if the causal action continues, the person's condition will only get worse.
Under the influence of the cause of neck osteochondrosis, the following changes occur:
- its starting point is congestion in the lymphatic and circulatory systems;
- then there is a degenerative-destructive change in the intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock absorber between the vertebrae; its height and plasticity decrease;
- a little later, there is growth of vertebral bone tissue;
- all of this leads to limited movement of the spine, increased pressure on the vessels and nerves that pass through the spinal cord.
The earlier the appropriate treatment is started, the more likely it is to slow down the progression of the disease and even cure the person completely.
The deterioration of the disease can be caused by external or internal influences. It can be a viral infection, a cold temperature, significant physical activity, and even an increase in atmospheric pressure. The stronger the cause of the deterioration, the clearer the signs of the disease.
Characteristics of cervical osteochondrosis
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis develop gradually, at the beginning of their disease practically do not bother the patient. Dizziness can only be observed occasionally. However, cervical osteochondrosis cannot be ignored: the symptoms in the later stages of the disease are difficult to eliminate.
Because the cervical spine is directly connected to the brain, in the event of degenerative changes in this area, many complaints from the central nervous system will be observed. This is due to the gradual decrease in blood circulation and metabolic disorders and increase in the brain.
In many patients, the symptoms that show the first brain damage can be observed:
- sudden changes in blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- burning in the temporal area and diminished headache;
- temperatures rise more rarely to low numbers.
Along with the above symptoms, there are signs of damage to the neck itself:
- pain that eventually begins to radiate to the back, arms, back of the head;
- limitation of movement, when tilting and or turning the head, sensation of cracking, crackling, numbness or burning sensation in the neck;
- body temperature is normal.
As osteochondrosis progresses, a person's condition will worsen, exacerbations will occur more frequently and more intensely, it will be very difficult to cure a person completely over time, perhaps to alleviate his suffering only slightly.
Unlike inflammatory processes, temperatures rarely change. In the final stages of neck osteochondrosis, exacerbations practically do not disappear, severe damage to the brain and spine will occur:
- high blood pressure or persistent high blood pressure;
- dizziness and constant headaches, worse with light energy;
- pain, burning and movement limitations of the neck;
- body temperature may increase slightly, but more often remain normal.
The mentioned vertebral artery lesion syndrome occurs quite frequently, when the degenerative-dystrophic process covers the middle part of the neck. Such people almost always feel headaches, stress and burning sensations in the temples, congestion and tinnitus, when turning the head - dizziness and even loss of consciousness. It is almost impossible to cure vertebral artery compression syndrome.
On the other hand, in some people, you may see signs of damage to the upper leg (with dominant changes in the cervical and brachial plexus):
- burns or numbness in all parts of the upper limbs;
- dizziness is rare;
- decrease in skin temperature.
The consequences of osteochondrosis can be very serious: constant headaches and dizziness, memory and attention disorders, persistent numbness throughout the neck.
Methods of treatment
Almost complete recovery from the initial condition of the osteoarticular apparatus can be achieved only in the early stages of osteochondrosis and after the elimination of the cause. The worsening of the disease requires more intensive treatment. At a later stage, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, dizziness, and inflammatory changes. You can cure cervical osteochondrosis using methods such as:
- chondroprotectors to restore the original structure of the intervertebral disc cartilage tissue;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and inflammation;
- multivitamin complex with high B vitamin content to increase nerve tissue trophism;
- nootropics for the correction of severe disorders of brain tissue;
- complex exercise and physiotherapy sequence (if severe dizziness and high blood pressure do not occur);
- physiotherapy (water, iontophoresis, magnetotherapy), while temperature and pressure factors should be high enough, and burning is considered a positive effect.
Many treatments for osteochondrosis depend on the patient himself. The sooner the necessary therapy is started, the more careful the person meets the doctor’s prescription, the more chances of success and a good quality of life for the patient.