Ever since the distant human ancestor Homo Erectus stood on his feet, humanity, in addition to all the possible advantages associated with upright walking (protection from wild animals, improved visibility, expanded functionality), has received a rich set of musculoskeletal ailments. Cervical osteochondrosis is one of them. Some people do not take the disease seriously, considering it to be an annoying but insignificant obstacle. This is especially true in situations where there is no severe pain.
Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention
Dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis is generally perceived as a symptom separate from the main disease, but as a result, the disease can lead to serious complications and even disability. In this article we will look at which drugs to take for dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis, learn how to get rid of dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis and analyze what exercises to do for dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The term osteochondrosis comes from the ancient Greek words ὀστεον – "bone" and chondros – "cartilage". Doctors use this term to designate a group of dystrophic changes in joint cartilage caused by an increase in the volume of bone tissue. More than other joints, the cartilaginous seal between the vertebrae, which in medicine is called a "disc", suffers.
Osteochondrosis is divided by type into "cervical", "thoracic" and "lumbar". The cervical is the most common. Today, this disease is a constant companion of every 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, showing disappointing statistics for people over 30 years old.
Reasons
The causes of osteochondrosis include direct (compression of vertebral vessels and nerves - compression of cervical vertebrae) and indirect, related to the patient's lifestyle and physiological characteristics of his body.
Types of compression complications of osteochondrosis:
- Spondylolisthesis. Displacement of the spinal disc from the back or front. In significant percentages, displacement is fraught with paralysis and death.
- Osteophytes. Abnormal, pathological growth of bone tissue due to calcium salts.
- Projection. Intervertebral disc protrusion without rupture of the integrity of the collagen annulus.
- Hernias. Displacement of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc with rupture of the collagen ring.
Compression ratios:
- intense physical work;
- physical inactivity, "computer" disease, sedentary fun.
- weight is higher than normal.
- metabolic disorder;
- genetic predisposition?
- wrong attitude.
- weak muscle tone of the neck and back in general.
- overexertion, fatigue of the back and neck muscles.
- a 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 shocks and stress.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are sporadic and constant pain in the neck, upper shoulder girdle, collarbones and head. With advanced disease, vertigo (dizziness) and loss of consciousness are possible.
The complete symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are so different that the patient is often not able to independently recognize one or another symptom with neck osteochondrosis. Even the attending physician must carry out a detailed examination in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
The symptoms of the disease change according to its progress. Modern medicine distinguishes 4 stages of development of osteochondrosis:
I – minor changes in normal cervical lordosis. There may be slight pain when turning the head. Mild discomfort when bending the neck.
II – small displacements between the vertebrae, torsion (uncoordinated rotation of the vertebra in relation to the spinal chord), a decrease in the thickness of the intervertebral cartilage. There is pain of mild to moderate intensity in the neck and head, tingling in the fingertips, tinnitus, when turning the head the patient hears a slight tingling.
III - the intervertebral cartilage is displaced by a quarter relative to the other, the thickness and size of the disc selectively changes, becomes thinner, changes its normal shape, the posterior osteophytes narrow the vertebral canal, injuring the spinal cord. The pain becomes intense, loses its sporadic character, becomes constant, ranging from moderate to severe. Weakness appears in the hands, hearing is impaired. When you turn your head, the sound of cracking is heard not only by the patient, but also by those around you. Possible loss of coordination of movements. By the way, dizziness with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a very alarming sign, in which you should immediately consult a doctor if this has not already been done.
IV – the intervertebral discs are significantly displaced, the posterior osteophytes and projections become abnormally large, the spinal canal is significantly narrowed and curved, myelopathy is formed (syndrome of compression of the spinal cord and its vessels). Frequent dizziness, loss of consciousness. Intense and very intense pain in the neck, head, collarbone, shoulders. The face, tongue and palate are numb. Vision and hearing are significantly impaired. Weakness throughout the body. The legs and arms are removable. Temporary paralysis of the limbs. A very significant loss of coordination in space. Swallowing reflex disorder. Total loss of sensation in the hands and throughout the body.
Treatment and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
When we ask the question "how to treat osteochondrosis of the neck? ", we must remember that with cervical osteochondrosis, treatment must be timely, there is no way to delay.
Therapeutic and preventive measures are closely related to each other in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck. Conventionally, the difference between them lies in the severity of the disease. The prevention of osteochondrosis is applied 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 learn whether it is possible to eliminate many of the unpleasant symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at once, what exercises can be done for dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis, which tablets, drugs and folk remedies are best used for complicated osteochondrosis, how to treatof dizziness, how to treat dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis with folk remedies.
Prevention
Eliminates many signs of osteochondrosis at the same time. It includes four types of treatment:
- The traditional way to remove the signs of cervical osteochondrosis and dizziness is to constantly lead a healthy lifestyle.
- physical therapy (not recommended already in the third stage of development of osteochondrosis, although the final decision rests with the spondylologist).
- massage and self-massage (although manual therapy is very effective for cervical osteochondrosis and can easily relieve pain, it is not recommended in the last stages of the disease).
- apply orthopedic advice and orthopedic devices (Kuznetsov applicators, furniture, household items) in everyday life.
ethnoscience
Osteochondrosis of the neck can be treated at home using traditional medicine. The products he created are a creative composition of herbs, essential oils, fats, poisons, roots of various plants with alcohol and iodine.
Can a traditional medicine relieve dizziness and pain? Here the situation is the same as in the case of drug treatment - the pain can subside almost immediately, the prevention of dizziness will take some time. Treatment with traditional medicine should be started as early as possible, then it will definitely bring a positive result.