Unfortunately, many are familiar with osteochondrosis. This disease has become a real disease of the century. First of all, a sedentary lifestyle is to blame for osteochondrosis, which is becoming the norm for most of us. Problem number two is an unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse. Strangely enough, it is food that has a direct effect on the condition of the spine.
The most common type of this disease is cervical osteochondrosis. The cervical spine is a special area of danger, as the size of the vertebrae is smaller here than in other areas 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 at first a person often does not even realize that he is sick. 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 aching pain.
If the first degree of osteochondrosis passes into the second, then the pain progresses. This is due to the fact that the destruction of the intervertebral disc continues to progress, leading to subluxations of the vertebrae of the neck. The development of the disease can follow - the so-called syndrome of falling head, which is characterized by severe pain. As a result, the patient must 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 in the neck and its causes
Aggravation of the disease can occur at any stage. The reason for this is usually:
- Sudden movements, excessive physical activity, heavy lifting. If a person suffering from osteochondrosis in the neck makes a sharp turn or tilt of the head, it is not known exactly how his intervertebral discs will react to this.
- Nervous situation and stress. Often, stressful situations "trigger" diseases that are deeply embedded in us: cervical osteochondrosis is no exception.
- A massage performed by a non-professional. If you know that you suffer from osteochondrosis and 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 in doubt.
- Weather changes and hypothermia. Especially often exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis occur in autumn.
- Going to the bathroom during a tantrum. By itself, a visit to the bath or sauna can be beneficial, as the heat often benefits the patient. But the desire to plunge into cold water or jump outside hot in the cold will have to be abandoned, as osteochondrosis will not be slow to "thank" you with even greater deterioration.
- Old age. Intervertebral discs tend to wear out over the years, so worsening of the disease in the elderly is not surprising.
- A neglected disease state. If osteochondrosis is not treated, irritations cannot be avoided.
Symptoms of deterioration
Symptoms of worsening cervical osteochondrosis can be different - it all depends on the degree of progression of the disease. These can be pain in the parietal region, decreased skin sensitivity in the same area, pain in half of the neck, a feeling of heaviness in the tongue, pain in the clavicle and shoulder girdle.
In a particularly acute stage of deterioration, there may be respiratory failure and pain in the region of the heart or liver. If the vertebral artery syndrome appears, then wavy headaches may appear, especially "pressing" in the eyes, temples and ears. It happens that the deterioration of cervical osteochondrosis causes pain only on the left or only on the right half of the head, as happens with migraine. Another indicator is a characteristic crackle in the back of the head when the head is tilted or rotated.
In terms of vision and hearing, there may be fog before the eyes, spots and flashing spots. Tinnitus and dizziness are not excluded.
If the pain extends to the arm, then muscle strength may be weakened. The pain can also be felt in the hand and fingers.
First aid for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation should be prescribed by a professional. Therefore, if the aggravation of the disease caught you when you were alone at home, it is better to call a doctor. Before his arrival, it is desirable to move minimally, the optimal solution is to lie in bed. You are allowed to take painkillers. 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 must be taken for a long time - about six months. But they will help prevent re-exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Muscle relaxants, drugs that reduce pathological tension in the muscles, will not be superfluous. Vascular drugs, B vitamins, diuretics (with continuous monitoring) and nootropic drugs are also commonly prescribed.
How long does a tantrum last?
The deterioration phase for each person proceeds in its own way. The same goes for the duration of the attack. If the treatment of the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis was started in time and correctly, it is likely that the peak of the disease will subside within a few days. In more complex and advanced cases, the period of irritation may last several weeks. If the disease is not treated and the matter is left to chance, there is a great risk that a second exacerbation will not be delayed - in this case, the periods of "quietness" will be shorter and shorter. To prevent this from happening, prevention of irritations is recommended.
How to reduce the likelihood of relapse?
A person who at least once suffered an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis and felt its "spooks" on himself, should do everything possible to prevent repeated attacks. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation should be intensive, but this does not mean that if the danger has passed, you can relax.
It will be useful to visit an experienced massage therapist, who should be informed in advance about neck problems. If there is no possibility to register for a massage, you can limit yourself to self-massage. To do this, it is recommended to make movements, frictions and vibrations in the neck area.
Finding a good chiropractor is a big deal. Therefore, if you know this, you can contact him. Treatment of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as preventive procedures, may include such manual effects:
- Relaxing massage, which is designed to relieve tension from tight muscles and warm them up well.
- Mobilization. The purpose of such an impact is to restore the functions of the joints with the help of traction.
- Manipulation. Its essence lies in the fact that the chiropractor produces a sharp push in 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 a specialist 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, as alcohol tends to negatively affect the circulatory system, which is already suffering from osteochondrosis of the neck.
Lifestyle of a person suffering from cervical osteochondrosis
In terms of daily life and daily routine, the following is recommended:
- Sleep on an orthopedic mattress with a small pillow under your head.
- A hot shower, sauna and bath are useful (except during the period of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation).
- Swimming is very useful - it helps relieve spasms and strengthens muscles.
- If you work sitting, you should take periodic breaks to warm up. In addition, it is advisable that even when you are sitting, try to change your position every fifteen minutes.
- Hiking is useful, but it is better to refrain from jumping and running.
- Physical exercises, the purpose of which is to strengthen the muscular belt of the neck, are the key to the fight against osteochondrosis.
Like any other disease, cervical osteochondrosis should be treated as soon as possible. If the disease was hidden and "showed its claws" only when osteochondrosis had already begun to progress, do not lose hope. The tips above should definitely help!