Since the distant human ancestor Homo erectus stood up, mankind, in addition to all the possible advantages associated with vertical walking (protection from wild animals, improved visibility, expanded work performance), received a rich set of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Cervical osteochondrosis is one of them. Some people do not take illness seriously, considering it as an annoying but minor obstacle. This is especially true in situations where there is no severe pain.
Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention
Vertigo in cervical osteochondrosis is generally perceived as a symptom separate from the main disease, but as a result, the disease can cause serious complications and even disability. In this article, we will discuss what drugs to take for vertigo in cervical osteochondrosis, learn how to get rid of vertigo in cervical osteochondrosis, and analyze what exercises to do for vertigo in cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The term osteochondrosis is derived from the ancient Greek words ὀστέον - "bone" and χόνδρος - "cartilage". Doctors use this term to denote a group of dystrophic changes in joint cartilage, which are caused by an increase in the volume of bone tissue. More than other joints, the cartilaginous ring between the vertebrae suffers, which in medicine is called a "disc".
Osteochondrosis is divided into "cervical", "thoracic" and "lumbar" types. The cervix is the most common. Today, this disease is a constant companion of any person over 40 years old. Despite the opinion that this disease develops over the years and young people do not suffer from it, modern medical practice proves the opposite and shows disappointing statistics in people over 30 years old.
Reasons
The causes of osteochondrosis are direct (compression of blood vessels and nerves of the spine - compression of the cervical spine) and indirect, related to the patient's lifestyle and physiological characteristics of his body.
Types of compression complications of osteochondrosis:
- Spondylolisthesis. Spinal disc displacement from the back or front. At significant rates, movement is fraught with paralysis and death.
- osteophytes. Abnormal, pathological growth of bone tissue due to calcium salts.
- Protrusion. Protrusion of the intervertebral disc without breaking the integrity of the collagen ring.
- hernias. Displacement of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc with rupture of the collagen ring.
Causes of compression:
- intense physical labor;
- physical inactivity, "computer" disease, being sedentary;
- weight is higher than normal;
- metabolic disorder;
- genetic predisposition;
- incorrect posture;
- weak tone of neck and back muscles in general;
- excessive load, back and neck muscle fatigue;
- Tendency to a certain position of the neck, for example, the habit of tilting the head to one side;
- "old" injuries of the cervical spine;
- Nervous shock and stress.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are sporadic and constant pain in the neck, upper shoulder girdle, neck bones and head. Dizziness (dizziness) and loss of consciousness are possible during the advanced disease.
The complete symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are so diverse that the patient often cannot independently recognize one or another symptom of neck osteochondrosis. Even the attending physician must conduct a detailed examination in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
The symptoms of the disease vary according to its progression. Modern medicine distinguishes 4 stages of progression of osteochondrosis:
I – minor changes in normal cervical lordosis. There may be slight pain when turning the head. slight discomfort when bending the neck;
II – small displacements between the vertebrae, rotation (uncoordinated rotation of the spine in relation to the chord of the spine), reduction of the thickness of the intervertebral cartilage. Pain of mild and moderate intensity appears in the neck and head, tingling in the fingertips, ringing in the ears, when turning the head, the patient hears a small convulsion;
III - the intervertebral cartilage is displaced by a quarter relative to the other, the thickness and size of the disc selectively change, it becomes thinner, it changes its normal shape, the back osteophytes narrow the spinal canal, damage the spinal cord. The pain becomes intense, loses its sporadic character, becomes stable, ranging from moderate to severe. Weakness appears in the hands, hearing is impaired. When you turn your head, the crackling sound is heard not only by the patient, but also by others. Possible loss of coordination of movements. By the way, dizziness with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a very alarming sign, during which you should immediately consult a doctor, if this has not already been done;
IV - intervertebral discs are significantly displaced, posterior osteophytes and protrusions become abnormally large, the spinal canal is significantly narrowed and bent, myelopathy is formed (syndrome of compression of the spinal cord and its vessels). Frequent dizziness, loss of consciousness. Strong and very strong pain in the neck, head, collar, shoulders. The face, tongue and palate become numb. Vision and hearing are significantly impaired. Weakness throughout the body. Legs and hands were taken off. Temporary paralysis of limbs. Very significant loss of coordination in space. Reflex disorder of swallowing. Complete loss of sensation in the hands and throughout the body.
Treatment and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
When asking "How to cure neck osteochondrosis? ""We must remember that the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis must be timely, it cannot be delayed.
Therapeutic and preventive measures are closely related to each other in the treatment of neck osteochondrosis. Conventionally, the difference between them lies in the severity of the disease. Prevention of osteochondrosis is used before the onset of the disease and during its first three stages. Treatment of the disease begins from the moment of its appearance.
In this section, we will find out whether it is possible to simultaneously eliminate many unpleasant symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, what exercises can be done for dizziness in cervical osteochondrosis, which tablets, drugs and folk remedies are best used in complicated osteochondrosis, how to treat dizziness, how to treat dizziness with cervical osteochondrosisOsteochondrosis with folk remedies.
Prevention
Eliminates many signs of osteochondrosis at the same time. Includes four types of therapy:
- The traditional way to get rid of the signs of cervical osteochondrosis and vertigo is to constantly lead a healthy lifestyle;
- physical therapy (not recommended already in the third stage of osteochondrosis development, although the final decision is up to the vertebrologist);
- massage and self-massage (although manual therapy is very effective in cervical osteochondrosis and easily relieves pain, it is not recommended in the last stage of the disease);
- Use orthopedic tips and orthopedic tools (Kuznetsov applicator, furniture, household items) in everyday life.
Ethnoscience
Osteochondrosis of the neck can be treated at home using traditional medicine. The products created by him are a creative composition of herbs, essential oils, fats, poisons, roots of various plants with alcohol and iodine.
Can traditional medicine relieve dizziness and pain? Here the situation is the same as in the case of drug treatment - the pain may disappear almost immediately, it will take some time to prevent dizziness. Traditional medicine treatment should be started as early as possible, then it will definitely bring positive results.