Cervical degenerative disc disease is called a progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesions of intervertebral discs in the region of from 1 to 7 vertebrae belonging to the cervical spine.
As a result of a degenerative cervical disk disease occurs deformity, emaciation, and then the defeat of the vertebral body. This disrupts the normal blood flow and nerve conduction in the neck and those areas which are innervated by the nerve roots of the cervical.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be isolated and combined with osteochondrosis of other departments – thoracic, lumbar, and sacral.
For the reasons
The causes of dystrophic and degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs still in college. The fact that the osteochondrosis senile appearance, which is endorsed by the council. It is found also in the children and young people.
There are a few predisposing to the development of osteochondrosis factors, the. These include the following:
- inactivity and a sedentary way of life,
- a sedentary work with static load on the neck
- being overweight, lack of physical development,
- dysplastic processes of connective tissue
- poor blood circulation in the neck
- an injury to the neck,
- scoliosis, postural defects, uncomfortable mattresses and mattress supports,
- genetic predisposition, defects of metabolism.
The symptoms of cervical degenerative disease of the disk
The cervical spine due to the peculiarities of the skeleton, upright posture, as well as the size of the head is particularly vulnerable to the development of osteoarthritis – the vertebrae is very small in comparison to the other parts of the spine and its muscular frame is not very strong.
The most common symptom that patients complain of pain in the cervical spine. Depending on the affected area, the pain could be localized
- in the clavicle, and the shoulder;
- around the neck of the spine;
- on the anterior surface of the chest.
Pain in the cervical osteochondrosis due to the peculiarities of the cervix.
The first signs of degenerative changes in the cervical disc disease is small and of little specific:
- a pain in the neck, in the evening,
- the feel of the weight in the head, headaches in the occipital area
- numbness or tingling in the shoulders and in the hands of the
- the crunch in the neck when turning the head, cracking the vertebrae.
The leading symptoms are the following:
Vegetative-dystonic
- a pretty serious pain in the neck and, especially in the area just below the nape of the neck;
- the pain occurs after a long stay in one position (e.g., after sleep);
- the cervical muscles at all times held;
- the problem with the abstraction of the hands of the parties.
- on the affected side, her fingers stiff on the move.
Due to the compression of the vertebral arteries, there were neurological manifestations: headache, nausea, and frequent fainting.
The spine can be a symptom of
localized pain behind the breastbone, on the left.
This type of pain is to be distinguished from the pain of the angina (angina pectoris, brings relief with nitroglycerin, osteochondrosis of total).
To have a violation of the structure of the intervertebral discs undergo compression (compression), and the result of the infringement of the nerve roots, as well as a narrowing or pinching of the arteries and veins that are in the area of the vertebral body.
This leads to the formation of the specific syndromes – radicular, and ischemic.
- the defeat of the roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): a disorder affecting his back, decreasing the sensitivity of the skin;
- defeat of the C2, produces a syndrome of pain in the area of the crown and the nape of the neck;
- lose the the C3 gives you a pain in your neck from breaking, it is the feeling of the tongue and the hyoid muscles, and, in some cases, with impaired speech, and loss of control of the tongue;
- lost, C4, and C5 gives the pain in the shoulder, and the clavicle, reduced muscle tone, head and neck, hiccups, respiratory disorders, and cardiac pains;
- the defeat of the S6, it is more often the case, it gives a pain from the neck to the shoulder, of the forearm to the thumb, may be suffering from sensitive skin:
- losing the C7 produces similar symptoms of pain in the neck, back, shoulders, up the back of the hand, weakened the hand of power, and the lower level.
Circulatory disturbances due to compression of the blood vessels of the cervical spine give the head pain, migraine headache, severe dizziness, visual disorders and tinnitus, a flicker flies before the eyes, disorders of the autonomic function.
The symptoms of cardiac syndrome with the pressure-pain of the heart, lack of air and palpitations, arrhythmias.
Complications
Serious complications of cervical degenerative disc disease
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc with the formation of a hernia (protrusion);
- rupture of the intervertebral disc nerves, and blood vessels, and possibly spinal cord compression which can lead to death;
- you can also of radiculopathy (lesion of the roots), the formation of osteophytes (spikes in the bodies of the vertebra), with the onset of paresis and paralysis.
The diagnosis of
If the above appeals, you must appeal to the doctor-orthopedist or a neurologist.
First of all, your doctor will assess the mobility of, and pain in the neck, sensitivity to interference, and other functions. Then, it will be necessary for radiography of the cervical of multiple projections, where necessary, computerised tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan in case of suspicion of a hernia.
When the blood circulation rheoencephalography needs, and fundus examination.
The treatment of cervical degenerative disease of the disk
The same symptoms can be signs of a variety of disorders and diseases may be encountered, not a textbook. Don't try to be a present for yourself — you should consult with your health care provider.
Today, there are both traditional and non-traditional methods for the treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine.
Primarily used in conservative methods:
- symptomatic treatment with analgesics for pain
- taking anti-inflammatory drugs not steroids of the series – for the relief of the inflammation and the swelling of the tissues of the
- to remove the spasms of the muscles used antispasmodics, medications to improve circulation.
In the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease using materials that restore the structure of the intervertebral discs.
Shown rate a vitamin of the b group, the use of external agents for the treatment of the gels and the ointments, the creams with anti-inflammatory and analgesic components. Shown stimulants the regeneration of the intervertebral discs.
In the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease is recommended to wear a special collar.
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis with a hernia, among vertebrates, to which they violate the sensitivity of and the the circulation of blood, can be treated right away.
The duration of treatment depends on the extent and in the same condition, such as osteoarthritis is a chronic progressive disease. Treatment may be prolonged, and the pre-emptive courses of the run of his life.
A substantial reduction of the status of osteochondrosis will be of help to the proper diet. Read on to learn more about the principles of a healthy diet in osteochondrosis, in our separate articles.
Exercises for treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease:
- Self-adhesion: at a position with a straight back, you need to drop the shoulders as low as possible, while the neck to pull it up. You'll need to do at least 10 reps no less than 3 times in a day.
- Self-massage: the clip-on towel of the neck, taking him by the ends and pull them down, stretching the muscles of the neck. In this case, you need to make sure that the towel won't slip on the neck (not rubbing it in).
- Exercises for a cervical osteochondrosis, it shows a slight flexion of the neck, and turns it on its head and tilts. At the time when the 5-7 turns on each side. The most useful is the exercise to perform the following self-massage of the cervical spine.
The prevention of
On the basis of the health of the cervical spine is a strong, healthy back exercise, and a comfortable bed with an anatomical mattress and pillows, good posture, and proper nutrition.
To avoid neck injury and the raising of the weights. There is a need to combine long-term seating with a period of rest, and exercise.