As we age, we are more likely to experience pain and fatigue in the neck area. These symptoms can hide a diagnosis - osteochondrosis. Why is it evolving? What are the treatment methods? Is it possible to cope with the disease at home? We asked the doctors these questions.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the spine. It is caused by natural aging processes, such as the appearance of gray hair.
In medicine, osteochondrosis refers to various diseases. In the English-language literature, the concept of osteochondrosis is rare and refers to the damage that occurs during the growth of the bones of children and adolescents, which occurs due to damage to the blood supply. In domestic literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. It is characteristic of the elderly and occurs in almost all people.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Neurologists identify several main causes of the development of the disease:
- low physical activity,
- tendency to illness
- increased static and dynamic load,
- impaired metabolism,
- unhealthy diet
- hormonal disorders,
- bad posture
- tension.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The most common symptoms of osteochondrosis are reflex, myoadaptive and compression pain syndromes. Let's look at each of them in more detail:
Reflex syndrome
This occurs due to excessive stress on the nerve endings of the intervertebral disc. Nerve impulses enter the deep and superficial muscles of the back, leading to pain and tension.
Reflex syndrome is characterized by pain in the neck, which intensifies with any movement of the head. It may not have a clear localization and may be felt in the arms or legs.
Myoadaptive syndrome
It occurs due to muscle overload and manifests itself in the form of muscle spasms. It develops with regular and intense physical activity, as well as in cases where healthy muscles take over the function of those affected.
The pain of myoadaptive syndrome is localized at trigger points - compressions in the spasm zone. Symptoms include nausea, headache and insomnia.
Compression syndrome
Due to osteochondrosis, the cartilage and bones of the spine are displaced, which puts pressure on the nerve endings. Compression syndrome is characterized by the impact of the pathological structure on the roots of the spine, the spinal cord or any blood vessel.
Compression syndrome includes 3 vertebral artery syndromes:
- Radiculopathy - radicular syndrome;
- myelopathy - spinal syndrome;
- Neurovascular syndrome.
Atradicular syndromethe pain is pronounced and is accompanied by clear sensory disturbances in the area of the affected spinal nerve root. Neck pain often worsens at night. Movement disorders may occur, such as muscle weakness and the absence of one or more reflexes.
Atspinal syndromethe spinal canal compresses the spinal cord - this happens when vertebrae are displaced or broken. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. The sensitivity of the arms and legs decreases, stiffness appears.
Vertebral artery syndromeit forms when its lumen narrows, especially when it is compressed by bony structures. This syndrome is characterized by neck pain, headache, loss of coordination and balance, dizziness, hearing and vision impairment.
There is another osteochondrosis syndrome, the symptoms of which are often associated with heart disease - thisheart syndrome.
It occurs due to damage to the cervical and upper thoracic spine, is characterized by pain around the heart, imitates or aggravates the changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. Unlike "heart" pain, this has no clear connection with eating, physical or emotional stress. The pain occurs or increases during movement, with forced inhalation, coughing, sneezing. Heart syndrome can affect blood pressure and heart rate.
The presence of symptoms of the heart syndrome requires a careful diagnosis of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract.
How does osteochondrosis develop?
The disease has 4 stages:
- Section 1- the instability of the vertebrae appears, their displacement and disruption of the cervical lordosis - the curvature of the spine, convex forward.
In stage 1, symptoms are mild. A person may notice that the neck starts to hurt more often and gets tired faster.
- Sections 2 and 3— the intervertebral space decreases, the vertebrae are compressed. In these stages, protrusions and intervertebral hernias appear, as well as frontal bones - osteophytes.
The second and third stages differ in the severity of these changes. The third stage is characterized by the rupture of the annulus fibrosus and the development of intervertebral disc herniation.
- Section 4- the appearance of posterior osteophytes, which threaten the integrity of the spinal cord. The patient's coordination is impaired and frequent dizziness occurs. At this stage, irreversible consequences occur that lead to disability.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on X-ray diagnostics, MRI or CT scans. All of the above syndromes, as well as many others, are complications of osteochondrosis.
Home treatment of osteochondrosis
With the development of the reflex syndrome, which is accompanied by local pain and limited movement,Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home. The patient needs rest, absence of physical and static load for 3-5 days, and then the amount of load is increased individually. In the acute period, the pain should be reduced by taking local anesthetic gels and patches, as well as by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs combined with vitamin B. Medicines that improve microcirculation in the affected spinal movement segment are recommended.
After the reduction of the pain syndrome and the normalization of motor functions, restorative treatment methods can be used: exercise therapy, massage, manual and physical therapy.
Non-drug treatment methods can be more effective because of the direct effect on and work with the individual muscles involved.
In case of numbness, tingling, movement disorder, dizziness, headache and other symptoms beyond the reflex syndrome, a doctor should be consulted in order to determine the diagnosis and appropriate treatment tactics.
Surgery
The surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identify several criteria that may be reasons for surgery:
- The spinal cord is compressed by a hernia, displaced vertebra, osteophytes or other pathological formations.
- Intense pain syndrome persists for a long time.
- Drug and physiotherapy treatment does not bring results for more than 3 months.
In case of hernia protrusion, decompression is performed by removing the hernia; in case of dislocation of the vertebra - fixation with a metal structure; if we are talking about osteophytic complications - bone growths are removed.
Most spine surgeries are traumatic and do not guarantee improvement. Deterioration of well-being and an increase in pain in the adjacent spinal movement segments can often occur, so spine surgery is the last solution if the disease is severe and there is no other treatment method.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and neck pain involves the normalization of working and living conditions. It is important not to keep the neck bent for a long time. Neck muscles should be strengthened and stretched, and mobility should be increased with physical exercises.
Anotheran effective way to prevent the progression of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionfoods high in protein, healthy fats and collagen. It is recommended to reduce the amount of "fast" carbohydrates consumed, as well as to compensate for microelement and vitamin deficiencies.
Adequate sleep, lack of stress and active physical activity are important: cardio, regular exercise therapy, Pilates, yoga, stretching.
The development of osteochondrosis is associated with the natural aging of our body - almost all people are susceptible to the disease. Prevention of osteochondrosis, as well as monitoring by specialists, helps the spine to remain healthy for a longer period of time.