As we get older, pain and fatigue in the neck area are more common. These symptoms can obscure the diagnosis of osteochondrosis. Why does it evolve? What treatment methods are there? Is it possible to cope with the disease at home? We asked 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 term osteochondrosis is rare and refers to damage to the bones of children and adolescents during growth due to impaired blood supply. In the domestic literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. It is typical of older people and occurs in almost everyone.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Neurologists identify several main reasons for the development of the disease:
- low physical activity,
- predisposition to illness,
- increased static and dynamic loads,
- disturbed metabolism,
- unhealthy diet
- hormonal disorders,
- bad posture,
- Stress.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The most common symptoms of osteochondrosis include reflex, myoadaptive and compression pain syndromes. Let's take a closer look at each of them:
Reflex syndrome
It occurs due to excessive strain on the nerve endings in the intervertebral disc. Nerve impulses penetrate the deep and superficial back muscles, causing pain and feelings of tension.
Reflex syndrome is characterized by pain in the neck that increases with any movement of the head. The location may not be clear and may be felt in the arms or legs.
Myoadaptive syndrome
It is caused by muscle overload and manifests itself in the form of muscle cramps. It occurs during regular and intensive physical activity, but also when healthy muscles take over the function of the affected muscles.
Pain in myoadaptive syndrome is localized at trigger points - compactions in the cramp zone. Symptoms include nausea, headaches and insomnia.
Compression syndrome
Due to osteochondrosis, there is a displacement of the cartilage and bones of the spine, which leads to pressure on the nerve endings. Compression syndrome is characterized by the influence of a pathological structure on the spinal roots, spinal cord or any vessel.
Compression syndrome includes three vertebral artery syndromes:
- Radiculopathy – radicular syndrome;
- Myelopathy – spinal syndrome;
- Neurovascular syndrome.
Atradicular syndromeThe pain is pronounced and is accompanied by significant sensory disturbances in the area of the affected spinal nerve root. Neck pain often worsens at night. Movement disorders such as muscle weakness and the absence of one or more reflexes may occur.
Atspinal syndromeThe spinal canal compresses the spinal cord - this happens when the vertebrae are dislocated or broken. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. The sensitivity of the arms and legs decreases and stiffness occurs.
Vertebral artery syndromeoccurs when its lumen narrows, especially when compressed by bone structures. This syndrome is characterized by neck pain, headaches, loss of coordination and balance, dizziness, and hearing and vision problems.
There is another osteochondrosis syndrome, the symptoms of which are often accompanied by heart disease - this iscardiac syndrome.
It arises from damage to the cervical and upper thoracic spine, is characterized by pain in the cardiac area, mimics or worsens existing changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. In contrast to "heart pain", there is no clear connection with meals, physical or emotional stress. Pain occurs or increases with movements, with forced inhalation, coughing, sneezing. Cardiac syndrome can affect blood pressure and heart rate.
The presence of symptoms of cardiac syndrome requires careful diagnosis of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
How does osteochondrosis develop?
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- Stage 1- Instability of the vertebrae occurs, their displacement and disruption of cervical lordosis - the curvature of the spine, directed convexly forward.
Symptoms in stage 1 are mild. A person may notice that the neck hurts more often and gets tired more quickly.
- Stages 2 and 3— The intervertebral space shrinks and the vertebrae are compressed. At these stages, protrusions and intervertebral hernias, as well as anterior bone growths - osteophytes - appear.
The second and third stages differ in the severity of these changes. The third stage is characterized by a rupture of the fibrous ring and the development of a herniated disc.
- Level 4- the appearance of posterior osteophytes that threaten the integrity of the spinal cord. The patient's coordination is impaired and dizziness often occurs. At this stage, irreversible consequences occur, leading 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.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
With the development of a 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 stress for 3-5 days, then the volume of stress is increased individually. During the acute phase, pain must be relieved by taking local anesthetic gels and patches, as well as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with B vitamins. Medications that improve microcirculation in the affected movement segment of the spine are recommended.
After the pain syndrome has subsided and motor functions have normalized, restorative treatment methods can be used: exercise therapy, massage, manual and physical therapy.
Non-drug treatment methods may be more effective due to the direct effect on specific affected muscles and their work.
In case of numbness, tingling, movement disorders, dizziness, headaches and other symptoms that go beyond reflex syndrome, you need to consult a doctor for diagnosis and determine the correct treatment tactics.
surgery
The decision to surgically treat cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identify several criteria that can be a reason for surgery:
- The spinal cord is compressed by a hernia, a displaced vertebra, an osteophyte or other pathological formations.
- Severe pain syndrome lasts a long time.
- Drug and physiotherapeutic treatment does not bring results for longer than 3 months.
In the case of hernia bulging, decompression is carried out by removing the hernia; with vertebral displacement - fixation with a metal structure; in osteophytic complications, bone growths are removed.
Most spinal surgeries performed are traumatic and do not guarantee improvement. Often there can be a deterioration in well-being and increased pain in adjacent movement segments of the spine, so spinal surgery is the last resort if the disease is severe and there are no other treatment approaches.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and neck pain involves normalizing working and living conditions. It is important to avoid prolonged flexion of the neck. You should strengthen and stretch your neck muscles and increase their mobility through physical exercise.
One more thingAn effective way to prevent the progression of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionrich in proteins, healthy fats and collagen-rich foods. It is recommended to reduce the amount of "fast" carbohydrates consumed and compensate for the lack of microelements and vitamins.
Proper sleep, freedom from 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 observation by specialists, will help your spine stay healthy longer.