Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine belongs to the category of long-term chronic diseases. In the process of the development of the disease, the destruction of the intervertebral space occurs, which, if untreated, inevitably leads to the formation of a herniated intervertebral 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. Thus, this problem should be approached with 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 restore his health.
The disease in question has rather 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 are its symptoms and the factors responsible for the 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 cause disability. At the same time, destructive processes cause inflammation, which is transmitted to the nerve fibers passing nearby. This development of events leads to muscle spasm, which overexert, trying to prevent squeezing of blood vessels and nerve roots.
However, without outside 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 a significant difficulty in blood circulation, and the human brain will not receive oxygen and important nutrients in the required quantities. 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;
- strong and sudden changes in blood pressure;
- dizziness, fainting.
As you can see, the symptoms are quite specific and it is impossible not to notice them, therefore, it will not be difficult to determine osteochondrosis in the neck area. However, only an experienced neuropathologist 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 X-ray and computed tomography. In some cases, an ultrasound scan may be prescribed. As a rule, this occurs when complaints of chest pain in the background of absent cardiac pathologies.
The manifestation of heart pain in a patient with osteochondrosis in the neck indicates the active spread of the disease along the spinal column. Such a symptom is rare, so the neurologist will definitely send the patient first for examination to a cardiologist, who must identify heart problems or confirm their absence. 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 stages 2-3 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 vertebrae of the neck, then 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 as manifestations of osteochondrosis of the spine in the neck. However, the main one is the incorrect posture of the spine. Because of this, it is extremely important to create some kind of habit of maintaining the correct body position during work and rest from childhood.
The second very significant 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 on thoughtless surfing on the waves of the Internet, empty communication on social networks or computer games.
Since childhood, most people have been reporting the great benefits of simple morning exercises. Nevertheless, few of modern people do it, although simple physical exercises in the morning can stimulate blood circulation, experience a real surge of vivacity and help create a good mood for the whole day. In addition, morning exercises will keep your joints healthy and mobile for many years.
The last serious factor causing osteochondrosis of the spine in the neck, and at the same time a lot of 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 should 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 microelements important 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 speedy 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 oxygen starvation of 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 go away even after taking analgesics. This makes a person extremely irritable, which negatively affects the attitude towards him from others. 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. Also, dizziness, nausea appear, there is limited movement, and so on.
As you can see, osteochondrosis has a rather 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 at 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 once. If you do not seek professional help in a timely manner, then as a result, you can start a disease that will lead to the formation of a spinal hernia, where the situation will be corrected only by surgical intervention.
The recovery process in osteochondrosis is delayed for a long time and can be successful only with strict adherence to all the doctor's prescriptions. In no case should you independently diagnose and prescribe treatment, as you can further aggravate the situation.
Many believe that osteochondrosis is the final sentence and it is impossible to completely recover from it. In fact, this is not at all the case if the disease has not passed into the final stage of development. In other cases, the situation can be corrected, but for this you need to aim at long and hard work, and, in addition, you will have to change your lifestyle, making sports and outdoor activities an integral part of it.