The symptoms and treatment of cervical osteoarthritis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine – the result of a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet. The first signs of the disease may appear already in 25 years, if you do not start the treatment experience serious complications. In the treatment of the disease to apply a comprehensive approach to drug therapy, diet therapy, healing of the physical education and physio.

The causes of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine

The Cervical osteochondrosis degenerate-degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs, joints, which results in a decrease of the mobility of the neck, the appearance of explicit pain. The main reason for the development of the disease, the violation of mineral metabolism, because of what bones and joints are less strong.

Why happens osteochondrosis cervical:

• excess weight, sedentary lifestyle;
• the violation of posture, scoliosis;
• rheumatism;
• flat feet;
• IRR;
• a bad power supply.

Trigger the development of the deformation of the cervical vertebrae can be injury, spinal cord injuries, excessive exercise, stress. In women, the low back pain often occurs during pregnancy, menopause and the hormonal changes decreases the amount of calcium, the bone tissue is fragile.

General symptoms and signs of

During the constant increase of the load on the cervical vertebrae occurs muscle spasms, tightened up the vessels of the cervical spine, breaks down the process of the traffic accidents occur in metabolic processes, – changing the structure of the intervertebral discs, they distort, begin to act outside of the spine.

What are the signs and osteochondrosis cervical:

• syndrome root canal – on the bottom of the crushing of the nerve endings in the pain occurs, which extends from the neck to the shoulder blades, forearms, covers the front of the chest wall;
• the muscle weakness in the hand, visible swelling in the neck;
• when the movement of the head heard the crunch characteristic;
• weakness, chronic fatigue, swings of blood pressure;
• disorders of coordination, often dizziness, seizures are accompanied by nausea, vomiting;
• the deterioration of vision and hearing, noise, ringing in the ears;
• a numbness of the extremities, of the tongue;
• frequent migraines;
• among women aged 45 to 65 years during sleep appears pain, numbness, tingling in the upper limbs, seizures can be repeated several times per night.

When osteochondrosis cervical disrupted the power supply and the supply of blood to the brain, problems of neurotic character – anxiety, irritability, mood swings, sleep disorders.

The classification of the osteoarthritis of the cervical

On the development of osteochondrosis goes through several stages of development, each of which has characteristics. What looks like the affected area of the division of the vertebral column at various stages, you can see on the photo.

The degree of development of the disease:

1. Osteochondrosis of 1 degree, the first step of this process particularly clear symptoms, the human mind rare and minor pain during the rotation and tilt of the head, the back muscles get tired quickly.
2. Osteochondrosis of degree 2 – the vertebrae volatile economic, pinch the nerve, the discomfort in the neck to acquire a pronounced character, gives the shoulder to the hand. Other symptoms – fatigue, frequent headaches in the occipital area, for the distraction.
3. Osteochondrosis 3 degrees – the pain is of a chronic character, covers the upper part of the back, arms, there is expressed in muscle weakness, the members numb, develops, intervertebral hernia, there are often attacks of dizziness.
4. Osteochondrosis 4 degree, occurs a destruction of intervertebral disc, they are replaced by connective tissue, the disease process extends over several segments of the spinal column. Disorders of coordination, economic frquent dizziness, appears tinnitus.

Acute low back pain is the result of a chronic form of the disease, is characterized by a strong heart attack, acute pain that occurs suddenly after waking up.

What doctor to consult?

At the onset of the signs of cervical osteoarthritis, you need to visit the neurologist, in some hospitals, there is more of the spine specialist, dealing specifically with diseases of the spine.

The methods of diagnosis

Running a form of degenerative disc disease, have expressed the clinical picture, which allows you to put a first-time diagnosis already at the first visit. To determine the extent of degenerative changes in the vertebrae to help the methods of diagnostic tools.

The main types of surveys osteochondrosis:

• x-ray – the method is effective only in the early stages of the development of the pathology;
• The MRI on the screen, we can see the structure of the bony structures, the dimensions and the direction of the development of the hernias, the condition of the spinal cord;
• CT – the method is less effective than MRI, because it does not give accurate information on the presence and the size of the hernia;
• duplex scanning – allows you to see the violations of the bloodstream;
• all – shows the presence of pinching, inflammation, other nerve damage;
• rheoencephalogram – prescribing in violation of the cerebral circulation.

For an observation, and a careful study of the state of some of the vertebrae pass discography – in the intervertebral disc protrudes until injected contrast material that allows you to see the slightest change in the tissue, to distinguish rubtsovie the changes of the hernia.

The means of the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine

The development phase of curing low back pain, you can without medication, it can simply review the diet, the mode of the day, to regularly carry out a complex of exercises. During the execution forms of the disease effective treatment is only possible if the application of different medicines that help to suspend the degenerative changes in the vertebrae.

In the services of medical make sure you include physiotherapy – electrophoresis of drugs, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. These methods allow to cope with the pain, the inflammation, the swelling of the tissues, enhances metabolism and blood circulation.

Physiotherapy

The physical therapy prescribed in a period of convalescence, during an exacerbation of the degenerative disc disease and physical exercises, however, the gym is simple, do it at home, do it regularly.

Gymnastics Bubnovsky for the treatment and prevention of cervical osteoarthritis:

1. Standing, hands-free lowering along the body. The head bent forward, chin to try to the chest, fix the position on the count of 3. The head is tilted back, the chin up, count to 3. Return to the initial position.
2. In a standing position, turn the head to the right, to the left, at each extreme of securing the position for a few seconds. Repeat 3 times in each zg.
3. In a standing position, tilting the head to the right, to the left, the ear to try to reach the hand to the shoulder, hold the position for 30 seconds. Perform 6 repetitions on each side.
4. Standing, hands on belt, chin parallel to the ground, extends from the front. Turn the head, the chin live on the shoulder, torso a little turn, to dwell on a half-minute. Do 6 repetitions on each side, may occur in scattered the pain in the spine.
5. In a sitting position, back straight, hands on knees. Dilute the direct hands on the sides, a little rise in the back, the head at once bow to the back, to return to the starting position, repeat 5 times.
6. In a sitting position with the head turned to the right, the palm of the left hand to live on the right shoulder, with the elbow parallel with the floor, the right hand rests on the knee, return to the initial position. Perform 6 repetitions on each side.
7. In a sitting position with the hands rising above the head, agree, join, elbows a little bit bend, turning the head to the side until the appearance of a slight pain, to fix the position of the extreme point on a few seconds. Repeat 6 rounds each side.

Between exercises take a break of 30 seconds. Before starting the gym, you need to take a hot shower, to the slopes of the head from all sides, to warm up your muscles. Once charging is complete easy stretching allows you to avoid unpleasant sensations on the next day.

The drug treatment

Drug therapy, low back pain aims to eliminate the discomfort, the recovery of the mobility of the vertebrae, the slowing down of the degenerative changes in the tissues. Sharp attacks of pain to relieve the bites of NSAIDS or corticosteroids, a chronic form of the disease, deal with ointments, tablets.

Rather than dealing with low back pain:

• The NSAIDS, occur in the form of tablets and funds for exterior applications, the elimination of the swelling, the pain;
• corticosteroids – cropped acute pain syndrome;
• the vitamins of group B, by restoring the metabolism in the tissues;
• chondroprotectors – to contribute to the reconstruction of the cartilage;
• medication to improve blood circulation, nutrition of the brain;
• nootropics – improve the functioning of the brain, of memory;
• the muscle relaxants – eliminate the muscle spasms;
• for local treatment, use of ointments and gels with anti-inflammatory, heats up the action.

For the medical treatment has been effective, it is necessary to combine it with exercise, diet, in the contrary case, no medication will help get rid of the degenerative disease of the disc.

Folk remedies

Popular treatment, you need to use as a complement to medical therapy and physical education, to rid themselves completely of the disease of unconventional methods, is not helping you.

What to do when the cervical spine osteochondrosis at home:

1. Fresh from the leaf of horse-radish rinse of boiling water, a little cool, the face internal to attach to his neck, attach the fine natural fabric. The procedure to do before going to bed, the compress leave it on all night.
2. Grate a raw potato, mix in equal proportions and warm liquid honey. The mixture is used for compresses, the procedure to perform 1 to 2 times per week.
3. Mix the egg with 100 ml oil, 20 ml of vinegar and 20 g of flour, mix store it in a dark place for 48 hours, remove the surface film. Way to rub the wound of the plot before going to bed, store it in the refrigerator.
4. In may to collect the pins of the kidney up to 2 cm, cut into thin slices, put them in the tank in the dark glass. 1 a portion of the raw materials to take 2 lumps of sugar, the drug of the store in a dark place for 2 weeks. Drink 5 ml of a mixture three times per day, immediately, do not swallow, take 2-3 minutes in the mouth. A duration of 15-20 days, repeat 2-3 times in the year.
5. Dissolve 150 g of garlic, peeled and 400 g of cranberries, the mixture is folded into glass capacity, after 24 hours, add 800 ml of honey, mix. Take 5 ml of medication three times per day before meals.

Face-to-severe pain, and release the surplus of salts will help a cabbage leaf, oiled, honey, compress and set on the neck of a scarf to warm, leave overnight.

Massage in osteochondrosis cervical

The massage helps to strengthen muscle tone, improve the blood circulation in the tissues, in the severe forms of the disease, degenerative disc sessions shall proceed to a specialist. In mild forms of the disease, prevention will help self-massage – the treatment is done at home.

Massage Technique:

1. Warm up your muscles – both hands intensely to spend on the rear, the lateral surface of the neck from top to bottom. Warm-up time of 2 minutes.
2. The midrib of the palm is applied to the lower part of the neck, dragging movements to move to the area of hair growth, and then shoulder joints.
3. With the fingertips of both hands to rub in a circular motion in the occipital area of the line of the regrowth of the hairs of the forearm of the spine to the ear and to the back.
4. Pinch the neck muscles from the bottom to the top, and then in the opposite direction.
5. Stroking of the nape of the neck to the shoulder blades – will be performed after each type of exercise.

The possible consequences and complications

In the cervical region vertebrae are close together, the height of the intervertebral discs of the small, so the various complications of degenerative disc disease occur even with degenerative changes in the bone tissue.

That dangerous osteochondrosis cervical:

• frequent migraine attacks;
• heart rhythm disorders, atherosclerosis;
• protrusion, intervertebral hernia, of the bony growths of the vertebrae;
• serious pathology of the brain;
• the narrowing of the vertebral artery, which led to the development of the IRR, hypertension, cerebral disability;
• spinal stroke.

Contra-indications of osteochondrosis cervical

To lead a full life low back pain, you should avoid activities that may cause pain, a worsening of the disease.

Do not of osteochondrosis cervical:

• sleep on a very strong or a soft mattress, on a cushion of high;
• lifting weights, if you need to lift something heavy, it must be done with the back straight with bent knees;
• carry a bag on one shoulder;
• during the exacerbation of the pathology to make active movements of the head, the nape of the neck;
• smoking, consuming alcohol;
• walking without a scarf in the cold, sitting on the air currents, near an air conditioner;
• stay a long time in an uncomfortable position, a sitting position;
• wear high-heeled shoes;
• biting into the neck.

Spa treatments – hot pack, visit bathroom, heating blue lamp, you can do so in the remission phase of the disease. During the exacerbation of heat to relieve the pain, but soon an unpleasant sensation to come back, increase the degree of their manifestation.

The prevention of the disease

In order to maintain the health of the spine, it is enough to observe simple rules of prevention.

How to avoid cervical osteoarthritis:

• get rid of excess weight;
• every morning, doing gymnastics, swimming, yoga, dance;
• spend more time in the open air, particularly useful for walks in the morning;
• eat well, control the intake of salt, to comply with drinking.
• when the sedentary job every hour to do a workout for the neck, monitor the posture;
• keep the neck warm;
• to sleep, to avoid the physical, mental, and emotional fatigue.

Osteochondrosis cervical disease is a chronic, slowly progressive disease, the signs of the disease not manifest themselves immediately. Combination competent traditional and popular methods of treatment, exercise and diet will help to deal with the unpleasant symptoms and simple measures of prevention – to avoid the recurrence of the pathology.