With osteochondrosis, the structure of the spine undergo degenerative-dystrophic changes, which is accompanied by a violation of the anatomical structure of the intervertebral disc, as well as the function performed by it. One of the common forms of the disease is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
If you believe the data of statistics, then more than half of the population of the globe has to one degree or another the severity of the manifestation of pathology. As a rule, the average age of the primary manifestation of the disease occurs for a period of 30-40 years.
In cases where adverse living conditions, genetic predisposition and provoking factors are combined, the development of osteochondrosis can come to the age of 20-30 years. Especially if this is facilitated by prolonged static loads on the spinal ridge or injuries of the back of varying severity.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous? Its complications and consequences, can a person die from illness?
General clinical picture
Important! The main provocateur of the formation of pathology is uneven loads on the spinal column. This can happen due to wearing a heavy bag on only one shoulder or only in one hand, sitting in an uncomfortable, from the spine, a pose, the use of a very soft mattress, large feathers for sleeping, wearing high and very high heels. All this leads to the incorrect distribution of the load on the spine.
Additionally, negative impact is exerted by:
- hypodynamia;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- obesity;
- the resulting injury of the spine, pelvic bones or limbs;
- Pathological changes in the set of the foot;
- age aspect.
Other reasons affecting the development of the disease include:
- excessive physical activity;
- chronic psycho -emotional stress;
- disorders of metabolic processes;
- any type of poisoning;
- digestive system diseases;
- professional harmfulnesses (for example, these include labor on the vibration platform);
- genetic factors;
- the formation of violations of posture, scoliosis in the period when the skeleton is in the phase of active growth;
- incorrectly selected shoes (very cramped, having a high heel);
- regular insufficient use of fluids;
- improper and inferior nutrition, the lack of sufficient admission to the body of all the vitamins and trace elements necessary for it;
- chronic nicotine intoxication;
- The period of gestation, because this condition is characterized by the displacement of the center of gravity.
What threatens osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women?
The main clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis:
- pain in the neck, shoulder girdle, ribs;
- a feeling of discomfort, stiffness in body movements (changes in its position, inclination, turning the head);
- muscle hypertonicity or, conversely, hypotonus;
- the occurrence of numbness in the area of the hands, hands and fingers;
- headache, dizziness;
- asthenia symptoms;
- Strong pain;
- the occurrence of paresthesia in the zone of the upper extremities;
- the appearance of spots in front of the eyes;
- A feeling of noise in the ears.
The opinion of doctors:
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious disease that can lead to various complications if you do not pay attention to it. Doctors note that the main reasons for the development of this condition are associated with improper posture, a sitting lifestyle, excessive stress in the cervical spine. Symptoms of osteochondrosis can include pain in the neck, headaches, dizziness, a feeling of numbness in the hands. Often, patients complain of a feeling of stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Doctors warn that ignoring these symptoms can lead to compression of nerves, circulatory disorders, and even to the development of hernia of the intervertebral disc. Therefore, it is important to contact specialists in a timely manner for diagnosis and prescribing complex treatment, including drugs, physiotherapy and special exercises.
Spinal lesions
The course of the pathological process can be divided into four stages:
- During this period, the primary changes in the pulpoose nucleus of the intervertebral discs begin. Large loads lead to dehydration of the nucleus, due to which the volume of the intervertebral disc is significantly reduced and cracks in the fibrous ring occur. This stage usually does not have clinical manifestations. The only alarming symptom may be a feeling of discomfort during the performance of active movements or a long stay in an uncomfortable position.
- The ongoing reduction in the volume of the disks will contribute to the reduction of the intervals between neighboring vertebrae, as well as to proceed the muscle and ligamentous apparatus of the spine. These changes will lead to the fact that the vertebrae and their affected discs become more mobile, which is fraught with the occurrence of their displacement or slipping. Here, patients are already complaining about the occurrence of pain, which are provoked by a change in the body position, by finding in some poses, and the influence of loads.
- At this stage, prolapse or protrusion of the affected disk will occur. Which is often accompanied by the formation of a subluxation of the joint or arthrosis of the joints of the spine. Patients begin to complain about the occurrence of restrictions in the performance of a certain range of movements, stiffness, paresthesia or numbness in the upper limb. The pain syndrome, the localization of which is limited by the area of the neck, becomes more intense and requires taking drugs to relieve it.
- The body does everything possible to level the results of increased mobility of individual vertebrae, adapt to the new conditions of existence associated with a violation of the normal functioning of the spine structures. In areas where the vertebrae are in contact with each other, the growth of bone tissue (the so -called osteophytes are formed) for a more reliable fixation occurs. But there are frequent cases when bone growths provoke vertebral injuries, a compression of the vascular-naval beam. The formation of fibrous ankylosis of the intervertebral joints occurs. If there is no injury or compression of the nerve endings, then the severity of clinical manifestations can be slightly faded.
Neurological symptoms: pain in the head, neck and back, effect on the brain
Violations of the vegetovascular system
Degenerative changes in the vertebrae lead to a violation of their structure. With the progression of the disease, the changes begin to affect the vascular and nervous structures that go along the spine.
Attention! The irritation of the nerve roots provokes the occurrence of vascular spasm (vasoconstrictor affects the arteries), as a result of which the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the brain is disturbed. Neuron ischemia leads to a violation of the production of certain hormones, the task of which includes ensuring the normal functioning of the vegetative system.
The result will be the progression of symptoms of vegetovascular dystonia:
- blood pressure fluctuations;
- pain in the temples;
- difficulty or inability to take a deep breath;
- dizziness, syncopal conditions;
- tachycardia;
- pain behind the sternum;
- pain in the epigastria;
- hyperhidrosis;
- The appearance of tremor hands.
The experience of other people
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious disease that many are talking about. It is dangerous in that it can lead to various complications, including disorders of blood circulation in the brain and spine. At the same time, the consequences can be extremely serious, up to paralysis of the limbs. The reasons for the development of this disease can be improper posture, sedentary lifestyle, neck injuries, infections. The symptoms include headaches, dizziness, noise in the ears, a sensation of tingling in the hands. Therefore, it is important to contact a specialist at the first signs in order to avoid possible complications.
Hypertension and hypotension
The compression of the radicular nerve structures in the cervical region causes a violation of vascular innervation. Constant compression of the nervous tissue leads to the fact that the fibers lose the ability to adequately conduct impulses from the pyramidal cerebral structure of the brain.
Attention! In advanced cases, the vertebral artery syndrome may form. In this case, both a hypotonic state and hypertension may occur.
With a combination of osteochondrosis with a high level of vertebral damage and fluctuations in blood pressure, the approach to therapy for the condition should be complex. If only a cardiologist treat such patients, then he will not achieve the normalization of pressure. This is possible subject to parallel impact on pathological changes in the spine. In the absence of an integrated approach, a sharp compensatory jump in pressure may occur, which provoke the development of spinal ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
The danger of destructive effects on the spine
Headaches and impaired nervous system
Pain in the head area is one of the common symptoms of this pathology. The use of painkillers has a positive effect only for a short period of time, but there is no elimination of the root cause of the disease.
The main factor that leads to the occurrence of pain is the formed subluxation of the vertebrae of the neck. In this case, there is a pronounced compression of the vertebral arteries and the nearby nerve fibers.
Headache is regular. The following symptoms may accompany her:
- nausea;
- vomit;
- tinnitus;
- darkening before the eyes;
- short -term loss of consciousness;
- irritability;
- insomnia;
- Reduced performance.
Syndromes
In the clinic of osteochondrosis, the following complexes of syndromes are distinguished:
- compression-brown cervical vertebrogenic syndrome;
- irritative-reflex syndrome of pain; muscle-tonic;
- vertebral artery syndrome;
- Myelopathy cervical compression.
The effect of therapy and the use of therapeutic drugs, their harmful effects on the joints
How to prevent a pathology
In order to prevent diseases from developing, it is enough to regularly perform a set of exercises. An approximate option for morning or evening gymnastics:
- Press your forehead in your palm and strain your neck muscles. It is required to make three approaches for seven seconds. Then change the direction and press the back of the head in the palm of your hand. The number of approaches is the same.
- Press the left temporal area on the left palm, and then repeat the exercise for the right side. In this case, you need to not forget to strain the cervical muscles.
- The head throws back a little back. Next, you need to press the chin to the jugular fossa, overcoming the resistance of tense muscle fibers. The number of approaches is five.
- The head and shoulder belt are straightened. It is required to make turns of the head to the maximum possible amplitude first to the right side, and then to the left side.
- The chin sinks to the neck. And the heads of the head are also made first in one direction, and then in the other direction.
- The head throws back. It is required to make a touch with the right ear of the right shoulder, and then vice versa.
All exercises are performed five times on each side. They can be done both at home and at the workplace. Especially if the work is associated with large loads on the neck. The starting position can also be selected any: standing or sitting on a chair. What should not be done is to perform circular movements of the head, because you can trigger the vertebrae.
The results of treatment: to what extent you can get rid of the disease, possible complications of the disease and the consequences are dangerous for life
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that will not take place over time. Modern medicine is not able to cure degenerative vertebral changes. Therefore, the task of patients and doctors is to prevent the progression of pathology and complications.
Frequent questions
What can be the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis?
What is dangerous cervical osteochondrosis if you do not take treatment in a timely manner, the result of the disease can be a violation of cerebral circulation, weakness and atrophy of muscles, impaired functions of internal organs and systems. The disease also leads to limiting the mobility of the spine and the loss of the sensitivity of the hands.
What helps with cervical osteochondrosis very well?
Effective painkillers in the form of gels, ointments, tablets, injections contraindicated in children, as well as women during pregnancy and lactation.
What does a person feel with cervical osteochondrosis?
With "cervical osteochondrosis" in the neck, visible areas of muscle atrophy (muscle weight loss), a decrease or increase in muscle tone of the long muscles of the back, and violations of statics in the cervical region may be noted.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
The dangers of cervical osteochondrosis in an advanced stage of osteochondrosis can develop ischemia, stroke and many other diseases that are dangerous to human life. Therefore, when any symptoms associated with this disease appear, it is recommended to seek medical help.
Useful tips
Council No. 1
Maintain proper posture and avoid a long stay in the wrong position of the head to reduce the load on the cervical spine.
Council No. 2
Regularly do exercises for the neck and back to strengthen the muscles and improve the flexibility of the joints.
Council No. 3
Avoid lifting weights without the right technique so as not to load the cervical spine and not aggravate osteochondrosis.