Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine belongs to the category of chronic long-term diseases. In the course of the development of the disease, the intervertebral space is destroyed, which, if left untreated, inevitably leads to the formation of a herniated disc. In the modern world, both old people and children suffer from osteochondrosis. At the same time, the healing process is delayed for months or even years and does not always guarantee a positive result. Therefore, this problem should be approached with all seriousness, because the sooner the doctor can determine the presence of cervical osteochondrosis and prescribe treatment, the greater the patient's chances of restoring his or her health.
The disease in question has quite characteristic manifestations, so it will be difficult not to notice it. But before considering the information on how to determine cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to find out the symptoms and the factors responsible for its occurrence.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that causes the onset of degenerative processes within the connective cartilage tissue located between the individual vertebrae. The progression of the disease disrupts the normal functioning of the body and can lead to disability. At the same time, destructive processes cause inflammation, which is transmitted to the nerve fibers that run nearby. This development of events leads to muscle spasms that strain and try to keep blood vessels and nerve roots from squeezing together.
However, without external intervention, the body cannot cope with the disease, and as a result, a decrease in the distance between individual vertebrae, along with other consequences of osteochondrosis, leads to a significant disruption of blood circulation, and the human brain will not receive oxygen and essential nutrients in the required amounts. Of course, this immediately affects the patient's self-confidence, therefore osteochondrosis can be identified by a number of characteristic symptoms.
The main symptoms
The most typical symptoms are:
- constant pain in the neck and head;
- regular nausea, sometimes vomiting;
- sharp and sudden changes in blood pressure;
- Dizziness, fainting.
As you can see, the symptoms are very specific and it is impossible not to notice them, so it will not be difficult to determine osteochondrosis in the neck area. However, only an experienced neurologist should make a diagnosis, since this disease affects the work of many functions, and during the examination it is necessary to obtain an accurate picture of what is going on in order to prescribe the most effective course of treatment.
To determine the nature of the course of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, the patient is sent for an X-ray and computed tomography. In some cases, an ultrasound scan may be prescribed. As a rule, this occurs with complaints of chest pain against the background of the absence of heart disease.
The manifestation of heart pain in a patient with osteochondrosis in the neck indicates the active spread of the disease along the spine. Such a symptom is rare, so in any case, the neurologist will first send the patient to a cardiologist for an examination, who will need to diagnose heart problems or confirm their absence. If the work of the heart system goes smoothly, there is no need to worry, since osteochondrosis itself in no way affects the activity of such an important organ as the heart.
The above symptoms appear in the first few weeks after the onset of the disease. The only exceptions are dizziness and nausea, since these unpleasant sensations appear in patients at stages 2-3 of the development of the disease.
In total, there are three stages of development of the disease, the third of which is manifested in the most insidious way. If you do not treat osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, the transition to a severe form leads to a disruption of the normal functioning of many vital systems in the human body.
Conditions for the appearance of osteochondrosis
There are many factors that are considered to be manifestations of osteochondrosis of the spine in the neck. However, the main reason is incorrect posture of the spine. Because of this, it is extremely important to develop a habit of maintaining correct body position during work and rest from childhood.
The second very important factor is called the sedentary lifestyle. A modern person usually complains about the lack of time for sports, but at the same time can spend a lot of time thoughtlessly surfing the waves of the Internet, empty communication on social networks or computer games.
Since childhood, most people have reported the great benefits of simple morning exercises. Even so, very few modern people do it, although simple physical exercises in the morning stimulate blood circulation, experience a real boost of joie de vivre and create a good mood for the whole day. In addition, morning exercises will keep your joints healthy and flexible for many years.
The last serious factor that causes osteochondrosis of the spine in the neck area, and at the same time many other problems, is a lack of vitamins. Usually, the human body is deficient in vitamins in winter and early spring, so it is during these times that you should eat as much raw vegetables and fruits as possible or buy vitamin complexes, which are sold in any pharmacy. You should also pay attention to other micro-elements important for the body. By the way, many people mistakenly believe that osteochondrosis occurs due to a lack of calcium. This is not the case, although calcium should be used in treating the disease as it promotes the rapid healing of cartilage tissue.
The main stages of osteochondrosis
- First.In the initial stages, there is a dull pain that quickly disappears if a person keeps their body at rest for a while. The patient may also notice jumps in blood pressure, which are the first signs of a lack of oxygen in the brain.
- Second.The next level already significantly darkens the usual way of life, since the pain syndrome in the neck becomes quite severe and does not always go away even after taking analgesics. This makes a person extremely irritable, which negatively affects the attitudes of others towards him. In addition, there is a constant feeling of tiredness, systematic headaches occur.
- Third.The last stage is considered to be the most dangerous. The patient develops excruciating pain in the neck and head area, which even strong painkillers cannot always cope with. Dizziness, nausea, restricted mobility and so on also occur.
As you can see, osteochondrosis has quite pronounced symptoms, however, at the initial stage, many people simply ignore the signs of an impending disaster. It is extremely important to be vigilant and to recognize the disease in a timely manner from its first weak manifestations.
The patients of a neuropathologist are usually people whose osteochondrosis has already reached the second stage of development. This complicates the healing process, as the disease can only be combated effectively in the early stages.
Don't forget that osteochondrosis is one of the most difficult back conditions. It can negatively affect the work of several vital systems at the same time. If you do not seek professional help in a timely manner, you can trigger a disease that leads to the formation of a herniated disc, in which only surgical intervention will correct the situation.
The recovery process in osteochondrosis is delayed for a long time and can only be successful if all medical prescriptions are strictly observed. In no case should you diagnose and prescribe treatment on your own, as it can make the situation worse.
Many believe that osteochondrosis is the last sentence and it is impossible to fully recover from it. In fact, if the disease has not entered the terminal stage of development, this is not the case at all. In other cases, the situation can be corrected, but for that you need to focus on long and hard work and also change your lifestyle to make sports and outdoor activities an integral part.