As we age, we are more likely to experience pain and fatigue in the neck area. These symptoms can hide the diagnosis - osteochondrosis. Why is it evolving? What treatment methods are there? Is it possible to deal with the disease at home? We asked the doctors these questions.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the spine. This is caused by natural aging processes, such as the appearance of gray hair.
In medicine, osteochondrosis refers to various diseases. In English literature, the term osteochondrosis is rare and refers to bone damage in children and adolescents during growth due to impaired blood supply. In domestic literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. It is typical for older people and occurs in almost every person.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Neurologists identify several main reasons for the development of the disease:
- low physical activity,
- predisposition to disease,
- increased static and dynamic loads,
- disturbed metabolism,
- unhealthy diet
- hormonal disorders,
- bad posture,
- stress.
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
It occurs due to excessive stress on the nerve endings in the intervertebral disc. Nerve impulses enter the deep and superficial muscles of the back, which leads to pain and a feeling of tension.
Reflex syndrome is characterized by pain in the neck, which increases with every movement of the head. It may not have a clear localization and may be felt in the arms or legs.
Myoadaptive syndrome
It is caused by muscle overexertion and manifests itself in the form of muscle spasms. It develops during regular and intense physical activity, as well as in cases where healthy muscles take over the function of diseased ones.
Pain in myoadaptive syndrome is localized on trigger points - compaction in the spasm zone. Symptoms include nausea, headache and insomnia.
Compression syndrome
Due to osteochondrosis, the cartilage and bones of the spine move, which leads to pressure on the nerve endings. Compression syndrome is characterized by the impact of a pathological structure on the root of the spine, the spinal cord or any vessel.
Compression syndrome includes 3 vertebral artery syndromes:
- Radiculopathy - radicular syndrome;
- Myelopathy - spinal syndrome;
- Neurovascular syndrome.
Atradicular syndromethe pain is pronounced and accompanied by clear sensory disturbances in the area of the affected spinal nerve root. Neck pain is often worse 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 dislocated or broken. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. The sensitivity in the hands and feet decreases, and stiffness appears.
Vertebral artery syndromeit develops when its lumen narrows, especially if 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 syndrome of osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are often associated with heart disease - that iscardiac syndrome.
It is caused by damage to the cervical and upper thoracic spine, is characterized by pain in the region of the heart, imitates or worsens existing changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. Unlike "heart" pain, it does not have a clear connection with meals, physical or emotional stress. The pain occurs or intensifies during movement, with forced breathing, coughing, sneezing. Cardiac syndrome can affect blood pressure and heart rate.
The presence of symptoms of cardiac syndrome requires a careful diagnosis of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
How does osteochondrosis occur?
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- Phase 1- the instability of the vertebrae appears, their displacement and cervical lordosis disorder - curvature of the spine, convexly facing forward.
Symptoms in stage 1 are mild. A person may notice that the neck starts to hurt more often and that he gets tired faster.
- Phases 2 and 3— the intervertebral space decreases and the vertebrae are compressed. In these stages, protrusions and intervertebral hernias appear, as well as anterior bone growths - osteophytes.
The second and third stages differ in the severity of these changes. The third stage is characterized by the rupture of the fibrous ring and the development of a herniated intervertebral disc.
- Phase 4- appearance of posterior osteophytes that threaten the integrity of the spinal cord. The patient's coordination is disturbed and frequent dizziness occurs. In this phase, irreversible consequences occur that lead to disability.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on X-ray diagnostics, MRI or CT studies. All the above syndromes, as well as many others, are complications of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
With the development of reflex syndrome, accompanied by local pain and limited mobility,cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home. The patient needs rest, absence of physical and static load for 3-5 days, and then the load volume is increased individually. In the acute period, the pain must be reduced by taking local anesthetics and plasters, as well as by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with B vitamins. Drugs that improve microcirculation in the affected segment of spinal movement are recommended.
After the pain syndrome is reduced and motor functions are normalized, restorative treatment methods can be used: exercise, massage, manual and physical therapy.
Non-drug treatment methods can be more effective due to directly affecting and working with specific affected muscles.
In case of numbness, tingling, difficulty moving, dizziness, headache and other symptoms that go beyond the reflex syndrome, it is necessary to consult a doctor for diagnosis and determine the correct treatment tactics.
Operation
The decision on surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identify several criteria that may be the reason for surgery:
- The spinal cord is compressed by a hernia, displaced vertebra, osteophyte or other pathological formations.
- Intense pain syndrome lasts for a long time.
- Treatment with drugs and physiotherapeutic treatment does not give results for more than 3 months.
In the case of hernial protrusion, decompression is performed by removing the hernia; in case of displacement of the vertebra - fixation with a metal structure; if we are talking about osteophytic complications - bone growths are removed.
Most spine surgeries performed are traumatic and do not guarantee improvement. Deterioration of well-being and increased pain in adjacent segments of spinal movement can often occur, so spine surgery is the last resort when the disease is severe and there are no other treatment approaches.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and neck pain includes normalization of working and living conditions. It is important to avoid keeping the neck bent for long periods of time. Physical exercises should strengthen and stretch the neck muscles and increase their mobility.
Othersan effective way to prevent the progression of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionrich in protein, healthy fats and foods rich in collagen. It is recommended to reduce the amount of consumed "fast" carbohydrates, as well as compensate for the lack of microelements and vitamins.
Proper sleep, lack of stress and active physical activity are important: cardio, regular exercise therapy, pilates, yoga, stretching.
The development of osteochondrosis is connected with the natural aging of our body - almost all people are susceptible to the disease. Prevention of osteochondrosis, as well as observation by a specialist, will help your spine stay healthy for longer.