Many people suffer from cervical spine osteochondrosis.The disease progresses and develops gradually and imperceptibly, but at a not entirely beautiful time it manifests itself as a general deterioration of well-being and headaches.Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis at home using folk remedies, and which specialist should you contact for help?
How does osteochondrosis appear and manifest?
The human cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae.They are connected by a disc called the intervertebral disc, with the nucleus pulposus located in the middle.Creating an irrational load on the spine, always being in an uncomfortable position, poor circulation, and frequent muscle spasms cause degenerative changes in the intervertebral cartilage of the cervical spine.The result of these changes is the appearance of cracks in the disc cartilage, where the nucleus pulposus is displaced under the load on the spine.This displacement causes compression of nearby structures - the substance of the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots, and, as a result, pain.
Anyone who pays attention to their health can detect the first signs of developing osteochondrosis.Often, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes pain in the shoulder girdle, back of the head and neck.In addition, osteochondrosis causes cerebral circulation disorders, headaches, dizziness and even loss of consciousness.
Most often, this disease occurs in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or have a sedentary job, where the position of the head and neck during the working day is limited to a variety of boring movements.If a person does not receive qualified treatment in time and tries to cope with the disease at home, the situation worsens - the distance between the vertebrae narrows, bone growth occurs, which leads to partial loss or loss of the ability to work.
If the above symptoms appear, you should seek help from a doctor.Vertebrologists treat various pathologies of the spine;However, you can only find specialists of this profile in large medical centers.In a regular clinic, patients with osteochondrosis are treated by a neurologist, and in his absence, a therapist.Only a doctor after an examination can prescribe treatment (drugs, folk, combined), adjust or cancel it.
Stages of cervical osteochondrosis and its diagnosis
The clinical course of osteochondrosis is characterized by three main stages of development, which differ in symptoms and degree of disturbance:
- Stage 1- There is a crack in the intervertebral disc ring;Under load, the core can shift sideways.At this stage, symptoms such as shooting sharp pain and neck muscle spasms, tongue numbness, dilated pupils, occurrence of Wright's syndrome (tingling and numbness of hands when moving behind the head), naffziger's syndrome,
- Level 2- The distance between the vertebrae decreases, the fibrous ring dries up and, as a result, inflammation occurs due to the rupture of the capsule.Also, the edges of the vertebral bodies are overgrown with osteophytes - certain bone growths.To the symptoms of the first stage is added the syndrome called "fall", forcing the patient to support his head with his hands to reduce the pain;
- Stage 3- At this stage there is a complete rupture of the cartilage and prolapse of the nucleus pulposus and the formation of an intervertebral hernia is observed.At this stage, symptoms such as periodic pain in the neck, headache and dizziness are observed, loss of consciousness is observed with a sharp turn of the head, and the limbs periodically "stop listening."
To make a diagnosis, you should seek help from a neurologist, who, after an initial examination, will prescribe an in-depth examination.It should include radiography, MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine, angiography and vascular ultrasound.The diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" is made only on the basis of radiography and MRI data in the presence of changes in the structure of the vertebrae and discs.
How is the treatment carried out?
How to cure cervical spine osteochondrosis?Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment that can completely eliminate this disease.If the patient's condition is satisfactory and he does not need hospitalization, that is, he can receive treatment at home, the doctor prescribes outpatient treatment, where the patient visits the doctor and the procedure on the appointed day.In severe cases of this disease, the decision can be made to be hospitalized.
The drug treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis prescribed by the doctor usually contains drugs taken orally from the following groups:
- painkillers.Taken for a long period of 1-2 weeks 3 times a day after meals;
- Folk sedatives - Motherwort, Valerian, St. Wort.John.They are mild sedatives and prevent fatigue of the nervous system due to the presence of prolonged pain.Received for 1-3 weeks;
- Diuretic.They help reduce swelling in the area of inflammation;
- Vitamin B - normalizes muscle flow, helps improve metabolic processes in nerve tissue;
- Muscle relaxants - help relax spasmodic muscles.
- Chondroprotectors - Drugs that help improve the structure of cartilage tissue and the performance of intervertebral discs.
In addition, gels, ointments, creams and various drugs or folk are used topically, which have analgesic, warming and disturbing effects.
Other treatments
In addition to drugs and folk remedies designed to alleviate the patient's condition, positional treatment is also prescribed.In the severe stage of osteochondrosis with obvious pain, strict bed rest is prescribed, where the physiological position of the body allows you to remove the load from the spine and reduce pain.Treatment with a fixed position for 1-3 days.Also, in the acute stage of osteochondrosis, doctors and physical therapists recommend doing special breathing exercises and exercises at home that relieve muscle spasms.
In the subacute stage of cervical osteochondrosis, you can independently perform head turns and smooth bends at home.When muscle spasms occur, massage is a very effective way to relieve pain.You can do it yourself or trust the hands of an expert.To avoid this disease, it is useful to have a massage session twice a year.Therefore, for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the following methods and methods are used:
- gymnastics;
- Massage;
- Hirudotherapy (treatment with medicinal leeches);
- wearing a special neck brace;
- Vertical cervical traction using a special device.
Diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle play an important role in the treatment of this disease.From the diet it is necessary to exclude drinks and food products that contribute to the agitation and spasm of the muscles of one's spine.Prohibited drinks and foods include: tea and coffee, alcohol and hot spices, fireplaces and smoked foods.Fresh vegetables and fruits, grains and legumes, nuts and hard-boiled eggs, dairy and fermented milk products and low-fat fish, beef, and chicken will be beneficial for cartilage and joint tissue.