As we age, we experience neck pain and fatigue. These symptoms can hide the diagnosis of 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. The appearance of gray hair is caused by natural aging processes.
In medicine, osteochondrosis refers to various diseases. In English-language literature, the concept of osteochondrosis is rare and refers to bone damage in children and adolescents during growth due to impaired blood supply. In local literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative-dystrophic damage of the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. It is characteristic of elderly people and almost everyone has it.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Neurologists identify several main reasons for the development of the disease:
- low physical activity,
- susceptibility to disease,
- increased static and dynamic loads,
- disturbed metabolism,
- unhealthy diet
- hormonal disorders,
- poor posture,
- stress.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The most common symptoms of osteochondrosis include reflex, myoadaptive and compression pain syndromes. Let's look at each of them in more detail:
Reflex syndrome
This is caused by excessive stress on the nerve endings in the intervertebral disc. Nerve impulses enter the deep and superficial muscles of the back, which causes a feeling of pain and tension.
Reflex syndrome is characterized by neck pain that worsens with any movement of the head. It may not have a clear localization and may be felt on 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 when healthy muscles take over the function of the affected ones.
In myoadaptive syndrome, pain is localized in 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 causes pressure on the nerve endings. Compression syndrome is characterized by the impact of the pathological structure on the spinal roots, spinal cord or any vessel.
Compression syndrome includes 3 vertebral artery syndromes:
- Radiculopathy - radicular syndrome;
- Myelopathy - spinal syndrome;
- Neurovascular syndrome.
Horseradicular syndromethe pain is pronounced and is accompanied by clear sensory disturbances in the region 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.
Horsespinal syndromethe spinal canal compresses the spinal cord - this happens when vertebrae are displaced or fractured. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. Sensibility decreases in the arms and legs, stiffness appears.
Vertebral artery syndromedevelops when the lumen narrows, especially when it is compressed by bony structures. This syndrome is characterized by neck pain, headache, loss of coordination and balance, dizziness, impaired hearing and vision.
There is another syndrome of osteochondrosis, 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 in the heart region, mimics or aggravates existing changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. Unlike "heart" pain, it is not clearly related to food, physical or emotional stress. Pain occurs or intensifies during movements, 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- the instability of the vertebrae, their displacement and violation of the cervical lordosis are visible - the curvature of the spine, prominently looking forward.
In stage 1, symptoms are mild. A person may notice that the neck starts to hurt more often and gets tired faster.
- Stage 2 and 3— the intervertebral space decreases and the vertebrae are compressed. In these stages, protrusions and intervertebral tears, 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 the rupture of the annulus fibrosus and the development of a herniated intervertebral disc.
- Stage 4- the appearance of posterior osteophytes, which threaten the integrity of the spinal cord. The patient's coordination is disturbed and dizziness often occurs. At this stage, irreversible consequences leading to disability appear.
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 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 load for 3-5 days, then the amount of load increases individually. In the acute period, pain should be reduced by taking local anesthetic gels and patches, as well as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with B vitamins. Medicines that improve microcirculation in the affected segment of the spine are recommended.
After the pain syndrome subsides and motor functions normalize, 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 and working with certain affected muscles.
In case of numbness, tingling, impaired movement, dizziness, headaches and other symptoms that go beyond the reflex syndrome, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and determine the correct treatment tactics.
Surgery
The decision to undergo surgical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identify several criteria that may 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 for a long time.
- Drug and physiotherapeutic treatment does not give results for more than 3 months.
Decompression in the case of hernia protrusion is performed by removing the hernia; during the displacement of the spine - fixation with a metal structure; if we talk about osteophytic complications - bone growths are removed.
Most spinal surgeries performed are traumatic and do not guarantee recovery. Often, deterioration of well-being and increase in pain in the movement segments of the adjacent spine can 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 involves normalization of working and living conditions. It is important not to stay in a bent position for a long time. You need to strengthen and stretch the neck muscles and increase their mobility with physical exercises.
OtherAn effective way to prevent the development of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionfoods high in protein, healthy fats and collagen. It is recommended to reduce the amount of consumed "fast" carbohydrates, as well as to compensate for the lack of trace elements 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 related to the natural aging of our body - almost all people are susceptible to the disease. Prevention of osteochondrosis, as well as the observation of specialists, will help your spine stay healthy for a longer time.