Unfortunately, many are familiar with osteochondrosis. This disease has become a real disease of the century. First of all, osteochondrosis is caused by a sedentary lifestyle, which is becoming the norm for most of us. Problem number two is an unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse. Strange, but it is a food that directly affects the condition of the spine.
The most common type of this disease is cervical osteochondrosis. The cervical spine is a particularly risky area, because the size of the vertebrae here is smaller than in other parts of the spine. In addition, the neck does not have such a muscular corset as the rest of the back.
Development of cervical osteochondrosis
The danger is that a person often does not even realize that he is sick at first. In the first stage of the development of the disease, the intervertebral discs experience mild destructive effects - the elasticity decreases, the first small cracks appear, the height of the disc becomes smaller (as a result, the nerve roots begin to be compressed). There is neck discomfort or pain.
If the first stage of osteochondrosis turns into the second, then the pain progresses. This is due to the fact that the destruction of the intervertebral disc continues to progress, which leads to subluxations of the cervical vertebrae. The development of the disease may follow - the so-calledfalling head syndrome, which is characterized by severe pain. As a result, the patient has to support his head - in this position the pain becomes a little weaker.
The third degree of cervical osteochondrosis has a series of even more unpleasant symptoms: nausea, "lumbago" in the neck, dizziness, weakening of the sensitivity of the hands and, of course, pain.
Aggravation of osteochondrosis on the neck and its causes
Aggravation of the disease can occur at any stage. This is usually because:
- Sudden movements, excessive physical activity, lifting loads. If a person suffering from osteochondrosis in the neck makes a sharp turn or tilts his head, it is not known how his intervertebral discs will react.
- Nervous situations and stress. Often, stressful situations "ignite" diseases that are deeply rooted in us: cervical osteochondrosis is no exception.
- Massage performed by a non-professional. If you know that you suffer from osteochondrosis and you go to a session, it is your responsibility to warn the massage therapist about the disease. Otherwise, the consequences can be the most unpredictable. And, of course, you can't trust your back and neck to a massage therapist whose competence is questionable.
- Weather changes and hypothermia. Exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis occur especially often in autumn.
- Going to the bath during an exacerbation. By itself, a visit to a bath or sauna can be beneficial, as warming often benefits the patient. But you will have to abandon the desire to immerse yourself in cold water or jump out hot into the cold, because osteochondrosis will not be slow to "thank you" for even more deterioration.
- Older years. Intervertebral discs tend to wear out with age, so worsening of the disease in the elderly is not surprising.
- Neglected disease state. If osteochondrosis is not treated, exacerbations cannot be avoided.
Symptoms of exacerbation
Symptoms of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis can be different - it all depends on the degree of progression of the disease. These can be pains in the parietal region, a decrease in skin sensitivity in the same area, pain in one half of the neck, a feeling of heaviness in the tongue, pain in the collarbone and shoulder girdle.
In a particularly acute phase of exacerbation, respiratory failure and pain in the region of the heart or liver may occur. If the vertebral artery syndrome occurs, then wavy headaches may appear, especially "pressing" on the eyes, temples and ears. It happens that the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis causes pain only in the left or only in the right half of the head, as happens with migraine. Another indicator is the characteristic screeching in the back of the head when the head is tilted or rotated.
As for vision and hearing, there may be fog before the eyes, flashing dots and spots. Tinnitus and dizziness are not excluded.
If the pain spreads to the arm, then muscle strength may be weakened. Pain can also be felt in the hand and fingers.
First aid for worsening cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during an exacerbation should be prescribed by a specialist. Therefore, if the disease worsened when you were alone at home, it is better to call a doctor. Before his arrival, it is preferable to move as little as possible, the optimal solution is lying in bed. You are allowed to take pain medication. These medications are designed to reduce pain and reduce inflammation that is present in the spine.
Also, the doctor can prescribe chondroprotectors - they should help stop the destructive processes occurring in the disc. However, such drugs should be taken for quite a long time - about six months. But they will help prevent osteochondrosis from worsening again.
Muscle relaxants, drugs that reduce pathological muscle tension, will not be superfluous. Vascular drugs, B vitamins, diuretics (with constant monitoring) and nootropic drugs are also usually prescribed.
How long does an exacerbation last?
The exacerbation phase for each person proceeds in its own way. The same applies to the duration of the attack. If the treatment of the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis began in time and correctly, the peak of the disease will probably disappear in a few days. In more complex and advanced cases, the period of exacerbations can last several weeks. If the disease is not treated and the matter is left to chance, there is a great danger that the second aggravation will not be long in coming - in that case the periods of "lull" will be shorter and shorter. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to prevent exacerbations.
How to reduce the likelihood of re-exacerbation?
A person who at least once suffered from an aggravation of cervical osteochondrosis and felt its "charms" should do everything to prevent repeated attacks. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during an exacerbation should be intensive, but it does not follow that if the danger has passed, you can relax.
It will be useful to visit an experienced massage therapist, who must be informed in advance about neck problems. If there is no possibility to sign up for a massage, you can limit yourself to self-massage. To do this, it is recommended to stroke, knead and vibrate the neck area.
Finding a good chiropractor is a big deal. Therefore, if you know it, you can contact him. Treatment of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as preventive procedures, may include such manual effects:
- A relaxing massage designed to release tension from tight muscles and warm them up well.
- Mobilization. The purpose of such influence is to restore joint functions with the help of traction.
- Manipulation. Its essence lies in the fact that the chiropractor produces sharp pressure in the area of the problem area, as a result of which the joint returns to its natural position.
Acupuncture can also be very useful for preventing the worsening of osteochondrosis in the neck. Of course, only an expert should perform such a procedure.
Diet also plays a role. Patients are advised to focus on foods rich in magnesium and calcium (eg legumes, nuts, seafood, fish and dairy products). You will have to give up excessive drinking, because alcohol tends to have a negative effect on the circulatory system, which is already suffering from osteochondrosis of the neck.
Lifestyle of a person suffering from cervical osteochondrosis
Regarding daily life and daily routine, the following is recommended:
- Sleep on an orthopedic mattress with a small pillow under your head.
- A warm shower, sauna and bath are useful (except in the period of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation).
- Swimming is very useful - it helps get rid of cramps and strengthens muscles.
- If you work sitting down, you need to take occasional breaks to warm up. In addition, it is advised that even while sitting, try to change your position every fifteen minutes.
- Climbing is useful, but it is better to refrain from jumping and running.
- Physical exercises, the purpose of which is to strengthen the muscular corset of the neck, are the key in the fight against osteochondrosis.
Like any other disease, cervical osteochondrosis should be treated as soon as possible. If the disease hid itself and "showed its claws" only when osteochondrosis had already begun to progress, do not despair. The tips above should definitely help!