Degenerative cervical disc disease, the so-called progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesions of intervertebral discs in the region 1 7 vertebrae belonging to the cervical spine.
As a result of the degenerative cervical intervertebral disc disease occurs deformity, emaciation, and the defeat of the vertebral body. This disrupts the normal blood circulation nervous system, the neck, and those areas that are innervated in the nerve roots in the cervical.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be isolated, combined with osteochondrosis of other departments – thoracic, lumbar, and sacral.
Reason
Causes of dystrophic or degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs has not been studied. The assumption that osteochondrosis senile phenomenon was not confirmed. This is found even in children and adolescents.
This indicates that some of the predisposing to the development of osteochondrosis factors. These are the following:
- yet inactive, sedentary lifestyle,
- sedentary work static load on the neck,
- overweight, insufficient physical development,
- dysplastic processes of connective tissue,
- poor circulation in the neck,
- injuries to the neck,
- scoliosis, postural defects, uncomfortable, pillows,mattresses,
- genetic predisposition, defects in the metabolism.
The symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
Cervical spine because of the peculiarities of the skeleton, a straight posture is also due to the large size of the head is particularly vulnerable to the development of osteoarthritis – the vertebrae, it's small, compared to other parts of the spine, muscular frame is not too pronounced.
The most common symptom that patients complain of pain in the cervical spine. Depending on the affected area the pain can be localized
- the clavicle and shoulder;
- around the cervical spine;
- the anterior surface of the chest.
Pain in the cervical osteochondrosis due to the peculiarities of the neck.
The first signs of cervical degenerative disc disease is less specific than that:
- pain in the neck tonight,
- a feeling of heaviness in head, headache in the occipital area,
- numbness or tingling in the shoulders and hands
- the crisis in the neck when turning the head, cracking the vertebrae.
Leading symptoms:
Vegetative-dystonia-old
- pretty severe pain in the neck, especially the area below the nape of the neck;
- the pain occurs after a long stay in one position (e.g., after sleep);
- the neck muscles are constantly tense;
- difficulties with abstraction hands to the side;
- on the affected side, the fingers stiff movements.
Because of the compression of the vertebral arteries, there are nervous system symptoms: headache, nausea, frequent fainting spells.
Spine symptoms
localized pain behind the breastbone, on the left side.
This type of pain should be distinguished from pain, in angina pectoris (angina get relief, nitroglycerin, osteochondrosis – not).
The gradual violation of the structure of the intervertebral discs subjected to compression (compression), and the resulting violation of the nerve roots, as well as the narrowing or pinching of the arteries and veins to the area of the vertebral body.
This leads to the formation of a special syndromes – radiculáriszt, and ischemic.
- the defeat of roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): diseases that affect the back, reducing skin sensitivity;
- the defeat of C2 gives pain syndrome in the area of crown, nape;
- lose C3 gives you a pain in the neck, the strangulation, decreased sensation on the tongue, and the hyoid muscles, in some cases, the impaired speech, loss of control over the language;
- lose C4, C5 gives hurt the shoulder, clavicle, decreased muscle tone, head and neck, hiccups, shortness of breath, and heart pain;
- the defeat of the S6 is more often the case that the pain in the neck, shoulder, forearm up to the thumb, do you suffer from skin sensitivity:
- lose C7 gives similar symptoms, the pain in the neck, back, shoulders up to the back of the hand, decreased hand strength, decreased reflexes.
Circulatory disorders due to the compression of the blood vessels of the cervical spine give the head pain, migraine, severe dizziness, visual disturbances, or tinnitus, a flicker flies before the eyes, disturbances of vegetative functions.
You may have symptoms of heart syndrome pressure pain of the heart, the lack of air and heart palpitations, arrhythmia.
Complications
Severe complications of degenerative cervical disc disease
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc with the formation of a hernia (protrusion);
- rupture of the intervertebral disc nerves, and vessels, or spinal cord compression, which can lead to death;
- could be radiculopathy (lesion of the roots), the formation of joints (spines on the vertebral body) is the manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
Diagnosis
If the above complaints, you must appeal to the doctor-an orthopedist or neurologist.
First, the doctor will examine the mobility pain in the neck, confusion, and other functions. You will need to x-ray the neck more projections, if needed, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging in case of suspected hernia.
When the blood circulation rheoencephalography to fundus examination.
Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
The same symptoms can be signs of various diseases, and the disease can occur, not textbooks. Don't try to handle it yourself, talk to your doctor.
Today, both traditional and non-traditional methods of treatment for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.
Primarily conservative methods:
- symptomatic treatment analgesics pain
- taking anti-inflammatory drugs non-steroidal serial – to relieve inflammation, swelling, tissue
- to eliminate the spasms of the muscles used in preparations, drugs, improves blood circulation.
In the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease using materials that restore the structure of the intervertebral discs.
You can see, evaluation of the b-vitamin group, apply external remedies therapy gels, ointments, creams, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic components. Shown stimulants the regeneration of inter-vertebral discs.
In the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease, it is recommended to wear a special collar.
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis hernia among vertebrates, violation of sensitivity, blood circulation can be treated immediately.
The duration of treatment depends on the extent of the condition as osteoarthritis is a progressive, chronic disease. The treatment may be prolonged and the preceding courses are held life.
Significantly relieve the condition, osteochondrosis helps in the proper nutrition. Learn more about the principles of diet in osteochondrosis of the separate article.
Exercises to treat cervical degenerative disc disease:
- Self-traction: the position of a straight back, you need to drop your shoulders as low as possible, while the neck to pull up. You should perform at least 10 reps, no less than 3 times a day.
- Self-massage: the curly a towel neck, take the strings and pull them, stretching the muscles of the neck. In this case, you need to make sure that the towel doesn't slip on the neck (not rubbing).
- Exercises cervical osteochondrosis: shows slight bending of the neck, then turned, and head tilts. The time is 5-7 leaning to either side. The most useful is the exercise that finally, after self-massage of the cervical spine.
Prevention
The basis for the health of the cervical spine is a strong, healthy back, the physical activity, comfortable bed, anatomical mattresses, pillows, good posture, proper nutrition.
To avoid neck injuries, weight lifting. It is necessary to combine prolonged sitting on the rest, and workout.