Ever since the distant human ancestor Homo Erectus stood up, in addition to all the possible advantages of upright walking (protection from wild animals, good vision, enhanced work function), humanity has acquired a rich set of musculoskeletal diseases. Cervical osteochondrosis is one of them. Some people do not take the disease seriously, considering it an annoying but insignificant obstacle. This is especially true in situations where there is no severe pain.
Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention
Vertigo with cervical osteochondrosis is generally considered as a separate symptom from the main disease, but eventually the disease can cause serious complications and even disability. In this article, we will consider which drugs to take for dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis, learn how to get rid of dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis, and analyze what exercises should be done for dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The term osteochondrosis is derived from the ancient Greek words ὀστέον - "bone" and χόνδρος - "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, called "disc" in medicine, suffers.
According to the type of osteochondrosis, it is divided into "cervical", "thoracic" and "lumbar". Cervical is the most common. Today, this disease is a constant companion of any person over 40 years old. Despite the idea that this disease develops over the years and young people do not suffer from it, modern medical practice proves the opposite, showing disappointing statistics among people over 30 years old.
Reasons
The causes of osteochondrosis include direct ones (compression of vertebral vessels and nerves - compression of cervical vertebrae) and indirect ones related to the patient's lifestyle and physiological characteristics of the body.
Types of compression complications of osteochondrosis:
- Spondylolisthesis. Displacement of the spinal disc from the back or front. Displacement at a significant speed is fraught with paralysis and death.
- Osteophytes. Abnormal, pathological growth of bone tissue due to calcium salts.
- Protrusion. Intervertebral disc protrusion without disruption of collagen ring integrity.
- Hernias. Displacement of the intervertebral disc core with a rupture of the collagen ring.
Causes of compression:
- intensive physical work;
- physical inactivity, "computer" disease, sedentary entertainment;
- weight is higher than normal;
- metabolic disorder;
- genetic predisposition;
- incorrect posture;
- weak tone of neck and back muscles in general;
- excessive tension, fatigue of back and neck muscles;
- 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. As the disease progresses, dizziness (vertigo) and loss of consciousness are possible.
The exact symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are so diverse that the patient often cannot independently identify this or that symptom with cervical osteochondrosis. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, even the attending physician must conduct a detailed examination.
The symptoms of the disease vary according to its course. Modern medicine distinguishes 4 stages of the development of osteochondrosis:
I - minor changes in normal cervical lordosis. There may be slight pain when turning the head. Slight discomfort when bending the neck;
II – small displacements between the vertebrae, torsion (uncoordinated rotation of the spine relative to the chord of the spine), a decrease in the thickness of the intervertebral cartilage. Mild to moderate pain in the neck and head, tingling in the tips of the fingers, tinnitus appears, when turning the head, the patient hears a slight crackle;
III - the intervertebral cartilage is displaced by a quarter relative to the other, the thickness and size of the disc selectively change, it becomes thinner, it changes its normal shape, the back osteophytes narrow the spinal canal, damage the spinal cord. The pain becomes severe, loses its sporadic character, and takes a constant character varying from moderate to severe. Weakness appears in the hands, hearing is impaired. When you turn your head, the wheezing sound 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 symptom, if this has not already been done, you should immediately consult a doctor;
IV – intervertebral discs are significantly displaced, posterior osteophytes and protrusions grow abnormally, the spinal canal is significantly narrowed and bent, myelopathy is formed (syndrome of compression of the spinal cord and its vessels). Frequent dizziness, fainting. Severe and very severe pains in the neck, head, collarbone, shoulders. The face, tongue and palate become numb. Vision and hearing are significantly impaired. Weakness throughout the body. His legs and arms are removed. Temporary paralysis of limbs. Very significant loss of coordination in space. Abnormal swallowing reflex. Complete loss of sensation in hands and entire body.
Treatment and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
When asking the question "How to treat cervical osteochondrosis? ", we must remember that treatment with cervical osteochondrosis must be timely, there is no way to delay it.
Therapeutic and preventive measures in the treatment of neck osteochondrosis are closely related. Conventionally, the difference between them is the severity of the disease. Prevention of osteochondrosis is applied before the onset of the disease and in its first three stages. The treatment of the disease starts from the moment of its occurrence.
In this section, we will learn whether it is possible to eliminate many 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 complex osteochondrosis. to treat dizziness, how to treat dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis osteochondrosis with folk remedies.
Prevention
Eliminates many symptoms of osteochondrosis at once. Four types of therapy include:
- The traditional way to eliminate the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and dizziness is to lead a healthy lifestyle;
- physical therapy (although the final decision is made by a vertebrologist, it is no longer recommended in the third stage of the development of osteochondrosis);
- massage and self-massage (although manual therapy is very effective for cervical osteochondrosis and can easily relieve pain, it is not recommended in the final stages of the disease);
- apply orthopedic advice and orthopedic devices (Kuznetsov applicator, furniture, household items) in everyday life.
ethnoscience
Osteochondrosis of the neck can be treated at home using traditional medicine. The products he creates are a creative composition of the roots of various plants with herbs, essential oils, oils, poisons, alcohol and iodine.
Can traditional medicine relieve dizziness and pain? Here the situation is the same as in the case of drug treatment - the pain can pass almost immediately, it will take some time to prevent dizziness. Treatment with traditional medicine should be started as early as possible, then it will definitely give a positive result.