The cervical spine is the most active part of the spine, because it keeps the head constantly, which creates an additional burden on the spine. In this regard, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is quite common.
The cause of osteochondrosis of the neck is the proliferation of bone tissue to the side of the vertebrae. Such a change negatively affects the muscles, ligaments, nerves, and membranes of the spinal cord located nearby, provoking painful sensations. Quite common is the protrusion of herniated intervertebral discs during osteochondrosis.
The manifestation of the osteochondrosis of the cervical region can be different and to a large extent it depends on the vertebrae involved in the pathology. Most patients complain of pain in the neck, hands (pain), chin or in the heart area. In addition, osteochondrosis can behave like another disease – a syndrome of the vertebral artery, which arises from the narrowing of the artery of the spine on the affected area of the osteochondrosis from the fourth to the sixth cervical vertebra. Very often, constriction arises because of the proliferation of bone tissue. In addition to worsening circulation in the trunk of the spinal cord, it becomes more complicated in the cerebellum. As a result, a person experiences dizziness, headaches in the occipital region, tinnitus. When the head turns, the totality of the symptoms may increase, and a sharp movement often leads to loss of consciousness.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine arises with prolonged maintenance of the same posture, for example, when working at a computer. The same type of movement of the neck and head also negatively affect the condition of the cervical spine.
Cervical osteochondrosis develops due to destructive changes in cartilaginous tissue and subsequent deposition of salts, impairment of the damping abilities of intervertebral discs. Over time, the cartilaginous tissue loses its elasticity and flexibility, and also causes the onset of pain and discomfort during movement. It is worth noting that the described picture is a sign of the final stage of the disease, and detection of the disease at the initial stage will avoid these undesirable consequences and restore the health of the spine.
For one day, a chronic disease can not develop in any person. For a long time irreversible changes occur in the organs and tissues. The formation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine takes at least 6 months. If you are concerned about neck pain for a month, the use of adequate therapy will relieve your spine from the negative changes that develop in the structure of the spinal column.
Until now, scientists and specialists in medicine can not fully understand the causes that cause changes in the discs between the vertebrae. Most often people after 35 years old face the first manifestations of osteochondrosis. Accompanying factors that accelerate the development of the disease are dynamic and static overloads, back injuries, vibration. More manifestations become noticeable at adulthood, however, recent back pain also affects young people between the ages of 18 and 30. Previously, the manifestation of the disease occurs for a number of reasons: violation of posture, poor physical fitness, excess weight, curvature of the spine, flat feet.
The main causes of development of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Metabolic disease;
- Intoxication, infection;
- Genetic predisposition;
- Age changes;
- Inadequate nutrition, lack of fluid and vitamins in the diet;
- Overweight;
- Injuries of the spine;
- Bad environmental conditions;
- Flat-footed;
- Rachiocampsis;
- Violation of posture;
- Instability of segments of the spine;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Long stay in an uncomfortable position, which increases pressure on the discs and spine;
- Frequent lifting of weights;
- Frequent jerky movements, changes in body positions;
- Unevenly developed musculoskeletal system;
- Excessive physical activity;
- Reduction of regular training by professional athletes;
- Overload of the spine because of wearing uncomfortable shoes, high heels;
- Pregnancy;
- Smoking;
- Stressful situations;
- Nervous overstrain;
- Subcooling;
- Stay a long time in cold water.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by such symptoms: aching back pain, accompanied by a feeling of aches and numbness of the hands. If you do not begin adequate treatment, then the limbs can lose weight and atrophy.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Feeling of numbness and numbness of limbs;
- Spasms of muscles;
- Reduction of the volume of movements;
- Increased pain with sudden movements, sneezing and coughing;
- Headache;
- Pain in the shoulders and arms;
Development of the syndrome of the vertebral artery: dizziness, flashing “flies” before the eyes, throbbing headache.
The development of osteochondrosis begins with a change in the chemical composition of the blood. To develop degenerative changes, the salt level should exceed the norm. Every day, with motor activity and normal nutrition, salts from the bloodstream and lymphatic fluid are collected by bone and muscle tissues. Losses in physical activity are also naturally compensated. If a person, for whatever reasons, does not have sufficient physical activity, then stagnant phenomena appear in the body: the muscles do not need such a quantity of salts, the blood flow slows down, and the salt that comes back with food is delayed. Thus, stagnation of blood flow and lymph leads to the accumulation of these substances in places of least activity. People who spend most of their time sitting, complain about the accumulation of salts in the cervical spine, liver and kidneys. Therefore, all patients suffering from cervical osteochondrosis are advised to check the condition of the gallbladder and kidneys. With a high degree of probability in these organs will be found small Gallstone, deposits of salts.
The most severe consequence of cervical osteochondrosis is a disruption of blood circulation in the brain, which arises from a decrease in blood flow through the main vessels. As a result of this change, there are symptoms: dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, memory impairment. Most often, these complications occur with an untreated osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
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