Cervical degenerative disc disease is called a progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesions of intervertebral discs in the region 1 7 vertebrae belonging to the cervical spine.
As a result, cervical degenerative disc disease occurs deformity, emaciation, and then defeat the spine of the body. This disrupts the normal blood circulation and nerve conduction in the neck and those areas which are innervated by the nerve roots of the cervical spine.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be isolated and combined with osteochondrosis of other departments – thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebra.
Reasons
Causes of dystrophic and degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs yet to be studied. Assuming that osteochondrosis senile phenomenon has not been confirmed. It has also been reported in children and adolescents.
It identifies some of the predisposing to the development of osteochondrosis factors. These are:
- inactivity and lack of exercise,
- sedentary work static load on the neck,
- overweight, insufficient physical development,
- dysplastic processes in the connective tissue,
- poor blood circulation in the neck,
- injuries to the neck,
- scoliosis, postural deficiencies, uncomfortable pillows and mattresses,
- genetic predisposition, defects in metabolism.
Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
Cervical spine because of the peculiarities of the skeleton, in a vertical position, and also, because of the large size of the head is particularly prone to the development of osteoarthritis – the vertebrae, it is very small compared to other parts of the spine and 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 can be localized
- the clavicle and shoulder;
- around the cervical spine;
- the front surface of the chest.
Pain in the cervical osteochondrosis due to the peculiarities of the cervix.
The first signs of cervical degenerative disc disease of the small and a little special:
- pain in the neck in the evening,
- a feeling of heaviness in the head, headaches in the occipital area,
- numbness or tingling in the shoulders and arms
- a crunch in the neck when turning the head, fractures of the vertebrae.
The leading symptoms are:
Vegetative-dystonic
- quite severe pain in the neck and especially the area below the nape of the neck;
- the pain occurs after a long stay in one position (e.g., after sleep);
- the neck muscles are constantly tense;
- the difficulties of abstraction hands to the side;
- on the affected side, fingers stiff movements.
Because of the compression of the vertebral arteries, there are neurological symptoms: headache, nausea, frequent fainting.
Of the spine symptoms
localized pain behind the breastbone on the left.
This type of pain should distinguish between pain of angina pectoris (chest pain brought relief from nitroglycerin, osteochondrosis – not).
With the gradual violation of the structure of the intervertebral discs in the task of compression (compression) and the emergence of violation of the nerve roots, and stenosis or pinching of the arteries and veins that are in the area of the spine of the body.
This leads to the formation of the specific syndromes – radicular, and ischemic.
- the defeat of the roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): disorders affecting the back, reducing skin sensitivity;
- loss of C2 gives pain syndrome in the area of the crown and the nape of the neck;
- lose the C3 will give you a pain in the neck from strangulation, decreased sensation of the tongue and the hyoid muscles, in some cases, impaired speech and loss of control over the language;
- lose C4 and C5 give pain to the shoulder and the clavicle, reduced muscle tone, head and neck, hiccups, difficulty breathing and heart pain;
- loss of S6 is often the case with pain in the neck to the shoulder, the forearm up to the thumb, can suffer from skin sensitivity:
- lose C7 give similar symptoms, pain in the neck, back, shoulder, even the back of the hand, decreased hand strength and impaired reflexes.
Circulatory disturbances, due to the compression of the blood vessels of the cervical spine give the head pain to migraines, severe dizziness, visual disorders and tinnitus, a flicker flies in front of the eyes, disorders of the autonomic nervous system functions.
Can be symptoms of heart syndrome compressive pain in the heart a lack of oxygen and heart palpitations, arrhythmia.
Complications
Serious complications of cervical degenerative disc disease are
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc formation of the hernia (bulge);
- rupture of the intervertebral disc nerves and blood vessels, possibly spinal cord compression which can lead to death;
- can also be a radiculopathy (damage to the roots), the formation of osteophytes (spikes vertebrae) manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
Diagnosis
If the above complaints, you need to choose your doctor-orthopedist or neurologist.
First, the doctor will assess the mobility and pain in the neck, sensitivity to interference and other functions. You then need radiography of the cervical several predictions, if necessary, computed tomography, or mri scan if there is suspicion of a hernia.
When blood circulation rheoencephalography needs and fundus examination.
Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
The same symptoms can be signs of various diseases, and the disease can occur, not a textbook. Do not try to treat yourself — contact your doctor.
Today is both traditional and non-traditional methods for the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.
Mainly used conservative methods:
- symptomatic treatment with analgesics for pain
- taking anti-inflammatory drugs, non-steroids-series – relieves inflammation and swelling of the tissues
- to remove the spasms of the muscles used antispasmodics, medications to improve blood circulation.
The treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease is used substances that restore the structure of the intervertebral discs.
Presented the amount of the b vitamin group, apply external remedies therapy gels and creams, ointments anti-inflammatory and analgesic components. Showing stimulants the regeneration of intervertebral discs.
The treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease recommended the use of a special collar.
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis with hernias among vertebrates, the violation of the sensitivity and blood circulation, can be treated quickly.
The duration of treatment depends on the extent of the condition, such as osteoarthritis is a progressive chronic disease. Treatment can be long-term and preventive courses organized life.
Significantly alleviate the condition of osteochondrosis helps proper nutrition. Read more about the principles of diet in osteochondrosis in our separate article.
Exercises to treat cervical degenerative disc disease:
- Self summary: position with your back straight you have to drop the shoulders as low as possible, while the neck pulling up. You should do at least 10 reps no less than 3 times a day.
- Self-massage: lock towel on the neck, taking him by the head and pull them, stretching the muscles of the neck. In this case, you need to make sure that the towel does not slip around the neck (not rubbing).
- Exercises with cervical osteochondrosis: showing a small bending of the neck, and turns and head tilts. The time is 5-7 bend on each side. The most useful is the use do when self-massage of the cervical spine.
Prevention
On the basis of the health of the cervical spine is strong and healthy back, physical activity, comfortable beds with anatomic mattresses and pillows, good posture and proper nutrition.
Should avoid neck injuries and lifting weights. It is necessary to combine long-term sitting periods of rest and exercise.