Today, cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases in people over 30 years of age. During the pathological process, the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves are destroyed. After that, the disease affects nearby vessels, tissues, ligament systems.
Severe reasons for the looming prevalence of this disease, doctors call a sedentary lifestyle and inactive work.
In addition, the development of the disease is facilitated by:
- nervous stress, constant overwork;
- hard physical work;
- overweight;
- disorders in the functioning of the body's immune system;
- uncomfortable neck position during sleep;
- complications after infectious diseases.
Cervical osteochondrosis often develops in the elderly as a result of senile changes in the body.
Cervical osteochondrosis has 4 degrees. This article will discuss the symptoms and features of treatment of the disease in stages 1 and 2, because in the stages of reversible consequences of the disease, complex treatment helps well, including the use of drugs, traditional medicine, exercise, physiotherapy.
Stage 1 cervical osteochondrosis
The initial signs of stage 1 cervical osteochondrosis are weak. Often a person does not pay attention to them ("the neck is swollen, it will pass by itself").
The body usually signals the onset of the disease as follows:
- neck pain, intensified by turning the head;
- feeling numb and slightly tingling in the arm and shoulder;
- general weakness of the body.
At this stage of the development of the disease, many do not rush to the doctor in vain, attributing the difficulties to excessive work, nervous stress.
The pathological process has just begun its destructive activity. The intervertebral discs have not completely lost their elasticity. Timely medical care will help avoid further development of stage 1 osteochondrosis.
Therapeutic methods in combination with massage and physiotherapy can restore the affected area until complete healing.
Stage 2 cervical osteochondrosis
Late seeking medical help implies the progression of cervical osteochondrosis, the disease passes into the second phase. There is a further destruction of the intervertebral discs, the pathological process affects the vertebrae and nearby tissues, vessels.
Pinching of nerve roots leads to the fact that the pain is not localized, but radiates to the arm, shoulder, back, below the shoulder blade.
Patients go to a cardiologist with complaints of pain in the heart area. During the examination, it turns out that the cardiogram is within normal limits, and the painful feelings are caused by osteochondrosis.
Stage 2 cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in the following symptoms:
- severe neck muscle pain;
- inability to turn, tilt, raise head;
- severe numbness of the neck and upper shoulder girdle;
- frequent headache;
- persistently high blood pressure;
- reduced performance;
- feeling of constant tiredness, feeling of weakness;
- withdrawal of pain radiating to the arm, below the shoulder blade, to the back;
- pain in the heart area.
A constant tension of the back muscles is noticed, which results in the movement of the vertebrae. This can lead to curvature of the spine.
Treatment of the disease at this stage of development requires a more serious approach, which includes:
- drug therapy;
- medical and diagnostic examination;
- physiotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- massage;
- strict diet;
- consultations of narrow specialists (orthopedist, surgeon, neuropathologist).
The complete course of treatment is developed taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body, age, severity of the disease, can last up to 2 months.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis stage 1 and 2
In order to avoid attacks of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to carry out a series of preventive measures on a regular basis.
The basic guidelines are as follows:
- Track your weight. Each extra kilogram increases the load on the spine. This will inevitably lead to loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs, impaired blood circulation. Which in turn contributes to osteochondrosis.
- Try to move around a lot. A sedentary lifestyle helps reduce muscle tone, all body systems begin to break down. Exercising in the fresh air, it is useful to swim, ride a bike, walk.
- Maintain proper posture. Don’t shy away, keep your back straight as you walk while sitting at the table. To do this, set a rule for you to do a few simple exercises every day.
- To work on your computer, choose a chair with spinal support. Get up from the table every half hour, warm up a bit.
- Removal of infectious foci in the body. Any infectious focus in the body can cause the preconditions for the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. This is especially true of ENT organs (ear, throat, nose).
- Correct body position during sleep and rest. The use of orthopedic mattresses and pillows is recommended. Their design ensures the correct position of the spine, allowing the body to relax as much as possible during rest.
- The complex of daily physical exercises should include exercises for the prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine.
- Proper nutrition. Don’t overdo it with spicy, greasy, smoked foods. Try to include more greens, vegetables, fruits in your daily diet.
- Quit smoking alcohol and tobacco. Now it is not only unhealthy, but also not modern.
- Have a medical check-up every year. Ultrasound, X-ray examination, tomography can detect the disease in the early stages of development.
Remember:your health is in your hands. Following the simplest rules will allow your body to avoid such a serious disease as cervical osteochondrosis.