Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine belongs to the category of long-term chronic diseases. In the process of development of the disease, the destruction of the intervertebral space occurs, which, if left untreated, inevitably leads to the formation of a herniated disc. In the modern world, both the elderly 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 must be approached in all seriousness, because the sooner the doctor can determine the presence of cervical osteochondrosis and prescribe treatment, the more chances the patient will have to regain his health.
The disease in question has quite characteristic manifestations, so it will be difficult not to notice them. However, before considering the information on how to determine cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to find out what its symptoms are and the factors responsible for the appearance.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that causes the appearance 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 cause disability. At the same time, destructive processes provoke inflammation, which is transmitted to nerve fibers that pass nearby. This development of events leads to muscle spasms, which try too hard, trying to avoid compression of the blood vessels and nerve roots.
However, without external intervention, the body cannot cope with the disease, and as a result, a decrease in the gap between individual vertebrae, along with other consequences of osteochondrosis, will lead to significant difficulty in blood circulation, and the human brain will. not receiving oxygen and important nutrients in the amounts required. Naturally, this will immediately affect the patient's self-awareness, therefore, osteochondrosis can be determined by a number of characteristic symptoms.
The main symptoms
The most typical symptoms are:
- constant pain in the neck and head;
- regular bouts of nausea, sometimes vomiting;
- sudden strong changes in blood pressure;
- dizziness, fainting
As you can see, the symptoms are quite 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 draw up an accurate picture of what is happening 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 radiography and computed tomography. In some cases, an ultrasound may be prescribed. As a rule, this occurs with complaints of chest pains against the background of the absence of cardiac pathologies.
The manifestation of cardiac 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 the neurologist will definitely send the patient first for examination with a cardiologist, who must either identify heart problems or confirm the absence of it. If the work of the cardiac system occurs without disturbances, then there is nothing to worry about, since osteochondrosis itself does not in any way affect the activity of such an important organ as the heart.
The above symptoms appear from the first weeks of the onset of the disease. The only exceptions are dizziness and nausea, since these unpleasant sensations are found in patients at 2-3 stages of the development of the disease.
In total, there are three stages of the development of the disease, of which the third manifests itself in the most insidious way. If you do not treat osteochondrosis of the neck vertebrae, its transition to a severe form will lead to disruption of the normal functioning of many vital systems of the human body.
Prerequisites for the appearance of osteochondrosis.
There are many factors that are considered manifestations of osteochondrosis of the spine in the neck. However, the main one is the incorrect posture of the spine. For this reason, it is extremely important to create some kind of habit to maintain the correct body position during work and rest from childhood.
The second very important factor is called a sedentary lifestyle. A modern person usually complains about the lack of time for sports, but at the same time he can spend a lot of time surfing without thinking about the waves of the Internet, empty communications on social networks or computer games.
Since childhood, most people have reported the great benefits of simple morning exercises. Few modern people do it, however, although simple physical exercises in the morning can stimulate blood circulation, experience a real surge of vivacity, and help create a good mood throughout the day. Plus, morning exercises will keep your joints healthy and mobile for years to come.
The last serious factor causing 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 during these periods you need to eat as many raw vegetables and fruits as possible or buy vitamin complexes that are sold in any pharmacy. You should also pay attention to other important microelements for the body. By the way, many people mistakenly believe that osteochondrosis appears due to a lack of calcium. This is not the case, although calcium should be used in the treatment of the disease, as it promotes the rapid healing of cartilage tissue.
The main stages of osteochondrosis
- First.At the initial stage, a dull pain appears, which quickly disappears if a person keeps his body at rest for a while. Also, the patient may notice jumps in blood pressure, which is the first sign of a lack of oxygen in the brain.
- Second.The next stage already significantly darkens the usual way of life, since the pain syndrome in the neck becomes quite strong and does not always disappear even after taking painkillers. This causes a person to become extremely irritable, which negatively affects the attitude of others towards him. In addition, there is a constant feeling of fatigue, systematic headaches appear.
- Third.The last stage is considered the most dangerous. The patient develops intolerable pain in the neck and head, which even strong painkillers cannot always cope with. Dizziness, nausea, limited movement, etc. also appear.
As you can see, osteochondrosis has quite a pronounced symptomatology, however, at the initial stage, many people simply ignore the signs of impending disaster. It is extremely important to be vigilant and timely identify the disease already in its first weak manifestations.
As a rule, the patients of a neuropathologist are people whose osteochondrosis has already passed to the second stage of its development. This complicates the healing process, since it is possible to effectively fight the disease only at the initial stage.
Do not forget that osteochondrosis is one of the most difficult back diseases. It can have a negative impact on the work of several vital systems at the same time. If you do not seek professional help in a timely manner, then, as a result, a disease may begin that will lead to the formation of a spinal hernia, where only surgical intervention will correct the situation.
The recovery process in osteochondrosis is delayed for a long time and can only be successful with strict adherence to all the prescriptions of the doctor. In no case should you independently diagnose and prescribe treatment, as it can further aggravate the situation.
Many believe that osteochondrosis is the final phrase and it is impossible to fully recover from it. In fact, this is not the case at all if the disease has not progressed to the final stage of development. In other cases, the situation can be corrected, but this requires concentrating on long and hard work, and in addition, you will have to change your lifestyle, making sports and outdoor activities an integral part of it.