Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative-dystrophic pathology. If left untreated, it will go away quickly, causing an increase in symptoms. During this disease, the level of remission is replaced by relapse, during which the person's condition deteriorates significantly. She suffered from severe, sharp, stabbing pain, cervical spine spasm, dizziness, sudden surge of blood pressure and headache. With exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis inadequate analgesic intake. It is necessary to act on the causes of clinical manifestations - muscle spasms, displacement of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae, compression of muscle roots and blood vessels by bone growth.
Once diagnosed, the vertebrologist will devise a therapeutic scheme. To transfer cervical osteochondrosis to a stable level of remission, drugs from various clinical and pharmacological groups, physiotherapeutic procedures, rescue therapeutic.
Reasons for relapse
Important to know! The doctor was shocked: "An effective and affordable drug for OSTEOCHONDROSIS is available. . . " Read more. . .
In most cases, there are no symptoms that precede an increase in cervical osteochondrosis. The person feels great, engages in daily activities, plans things for the near future. Suddenly there is a sharp, painful, for elimination which is indispensable to take a comfortable horizontal position of the body. This allows you to temporarily reduce the pain syndrome before seeing a doctor. Only in 15-20% of cases, before the exacerbation, there is an incontinence - pain, soreness, "goose bumps", numbness of the back of the neck, shoulders, and sometimes forearms. Due to deteriorating blood circulation in the cervical spine and brain, weakness, apathy appear, mental and physical performance.
Cervicago, or cervical lumbago, occurs after a few hours or days. A person experiences severe pain so that when seeing a doctor, one of the interesting questions for him becomes the possibility of preventing relapse. To prevent the worsening of cervical osteochondrosis, you need to know the causes of its appearance:
- is in a stressful environment for a long time. People who experience frequent daily conflicts often suffer from a variety of chronic pathologies, including diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Negative emotions have a negative impact on the functioning of all important systems. In patients with cervical osteochondrosis, they provoke muscle spasms, circulatory disorders in the brain, neck and back of the head;
- static and dynamic loads are constant. Long stays in computers, typewriters, microscopes cause a deterioration of blood supply to cartilage tissue with oxygen, nutrients and biologically active substances. With osteochondrosis2, 3 degrees of severity, a few hours is enough to relapse. Sleeping in an uncomfortable position on a mattress or pillow that is too soft also causes this;
- jerky neck movements. Unintentional rotation or tilt of the head can cause disc and vertebral displacement, compression of nerve roots or blood vessels by bone growth;
- hypothermia, sudden changes in the climate zone. Vertebrologists note that often patients with degenerative osteochondrosis turn to them in the fall or spring. During the season, recurrent relapses cause a drop in temperature. It occurs in the autumn for natural reasons, and in the spring - because of the desire to quickly get rid of warm heavy clothing;
- respiratory, intestinal, urogenital infections, increased chronic disease. In this case, a sharp decrease in immunity causes recurrent cervical pathology.
Also, osteochondrosis is exacerbated by improper massage, weight lifting, excessive physical activity. The onset of recurrence is very common due to non-compliance with medical recommendations regarding nutrition, drinking, medication.
Clinical presentation
The method of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or cervixothorax depends on the severity of the symptoms. They are not very strong in pathology 1, 2 degrees, when a small amount of cartilage tissue is damaged. And for osteochondrosis at stage 3 or 4, acute clinical manifestations are characteristic, provoked by several negative factors at once. The cartilage intervertebral disc has lost its protective properties, and the distance between the vertebrae has decreased significantly. Thus, with a sharp displacement of the vertebrae, nerves and blood vessels can be squeezed simultaneously. Vertebrologists carry out treatment, taking into account the following symptoms that exacerbate cervical osteochondrosis:
- shooting, sewing, pain, pulling pain in the cervical or brain area;
- radiating pain in the back of the head, arms, forearms, shoulders, chest;
- persistent or paroxysmal pain syndrome;
- increased pain during movement, shoulder rotation, raising hands.
Pain in the neck and shoulders is one of the signs of worsening pathology.
While examining patients, vertebrologists detect signs of muscle spasm, pain in the paravertebral points, stiffness of movement, and smooth physiological lordosis. Improper positioning of the human body also allows one to suspect a severe attack. He forcefully pulls his neck upwards, turning his entire body to the side to reduce the intensity of the pain. Osteochondrosis of moderate to severe severity is indicated by neurological disorders due to damage to sensitive motor, vegetative function structures. For example, when the roots of the spine are squeezed, there is a “creeping creep” sensation, the skin of the forearms and occipital areas lose sensitivity, becoming pale and cold when touched. Patients complain of weakness in the arms, dizziness, headache, nausea, decreased vision and / or hearing.
Visual impairment almost always leads to an increase in cervical osteochondrosis.
Recurrence of cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in psychoemotional instability, insomnia, arterial hypertension, and sometimes in the synopsis - short-term fainting that occurs with sharp neck movements.
First aid for relapse
The pain that occurs during relapse is so severe that a person simply freezes in place, afraid to perform unnecessary movements. It should be calmed, preferably placed on a hard surface. Place a flat pillow or folded pillow under your back. blanket until the patient is comfortable and the intensity of the pain syndrome decreases.
Now need to contact the ambulance team. The fact is that in some cases, with the increase of osteochondrosis, one can not swallow the pill. The doctor making the call will inject the analgesic solution intramuscularly or intravenously. If necessary, they also use means to restore cerebral circulation or send someone to the hospital for further treatment in a hospital environment.
Transportation of patients to hospital.
While the ambulance is traveling, the patient should feel better. Ways to relieve cervical osteochondrosis that worsens:
- if swallowing function is maintained, give anesthetic tablet;
- Gently rubbing painkillers will help reduce pain;
- the patient should not be allowed to stand, bend over, as his or her movement may be impaired.
Before the doctor's arrival, it is strictly forbidden to do self-treatment - use a warming agent, neck massage to relieve muscle cramps. If an attack of osteochondrosis is accompanied by an inflammatory process on the paravertebral structure, then such an event will provoke the development of irreversible complications.
Treatment of osteochondrosis in the acute stage
Treatment of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis begins with the elimination of the main symptom - acute puncture pain. Vertebrologists may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs intramuscularly.
The use of inhibitors with hormone medications is practiced. Glucocorticosteroid solution together with anesthetic is injected into the area of the vertebrae or root of the choked spine. After severe pain relief, the therapy is connected with a tablet or topical agent.
How treatment of cervical osteochondrosis exacerbation persists at home:
- take NSAIDs in tablets, capsules, pills for 5-7 days. The drug must be combined with a proton pump inhibitor to prevent gastric mucosal ulceration. If this suggestion is ignored, then after the onset of osteochondrosis, hypererasid gastritis should be treated;
- use of NSAIDs in the form of gels, ointments, creams from the first day of treatment for 7-10 days. The funds should be applied in a thin layer to the sore area 2-3 times a day and rubbed lightly;
- use of heating agent. Once the inflammation has stopped, on about the 3rd day of therapy, the doctor prescribes an agent with a warming effect to improve blood circulation and stimulate regrowth. They are applied in small amounts 1-3 times a day. Transdermal products such as pepper can help relieve pain;
- parenteral intake or administration of muscle relaxers. They have an analgesic effect by relieving muscle spasms, usually provoked by compression of nerve endings.
What else to do with an increase in cervical osteochondrosis, what medications to take or undergo medical procedures, the vertebrologist decides. If the patient does not use chondroprotectors before relapse, then from the first days of therapy he must be prescribed drugs that stimulate the recovery of cartilage tissue. To speed up the recovery of all functions of the cervical spine will allow the injection of intramuscular chondroprotectors.
The use of vitamin B will significantly accelerate the patient's recovery. Pyridoxine, thiamine, cyanocobalamin, nicotinamide, riboflavin enhance preservation in damaged disc and spinal area, stabilize central and vegetative nervous systems.
Non-drug therapy
For 3-4 days of treatment, the patient is shown a bed rest. Any dynamic load on all parts of the spine is excluded. For several hours or throughout the day, patients are recommended to wear a Shants collar, the required height of which will be determined by the doctor. The use of orthopedic devices helps to reduce the load on the cervical vertebrae, preventing the increase of painful sensations.
Collar Shants corrects cervical vertebrae.
Diet for cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbations must be fractional - 5-6 times a day. It is necessary to exclude diet foods high in salt or spices. Its use provokes fluid retention in the body and increased swelling. Nutritionists recommend eating more fruits, cereals, fresh vegetable salads.
In severe relapses, the maintenance of some parts of the body is interrupted due to nerve damage. And compression of the spinal cord causes conduction disorders - para- and hand tetraparesis, internal dysfunction of the organ. Therefore, doctors strongly do not recommend independently to eliminate the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, relieving pain with pills. Only well-done therapy can help prevent the dangerous consequences of chronic pathological relapse.
How to forget joint pain and osteochondrosis?
- Joint pain limits your movement and life completely. . .
- You are worried about discomfort, pain and systematic. . .
- You may have tried many medications, creams and ointments. . .
- But if you see that you are reading this line, they are not helping you much. . .
In some patients, the disease affects the joints of the feet, but with a 95% probability, osteochondrosis is localized in any part of the spine.
The spinal cord is the main axis of the human body, performs many important functions and is an almost irreplaceable element of the musculoskeletal system.
Structural violations of any part of the spine can lead to irreversible consequences and worsen the patient's quality of life.
Osteochondrosis of the spine can affect one of three parts of the column: the cervix, thorax or lumbar, and is also localized in several parts.The disease of each part of the spine has its own characteristics and individual symptoms, as well as some nuances in the tactics of treating osteochondrosis.
How is the process of cervical osteochondrosis?
According to changes in spinal structure, patient complaints and treatment methods, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is classified into 3 stages.
Level 1
Inflammation of the cervical spine
This degree rarely has a clinically expressed picture, some patients complain about:
- Recurrent headache;
- Discomfort in the neck and occiput.
Level 2
Degeneration of spinal structures is more pronounced, intervertebral discs are practically unable to function, there is pressure on nerve processes and blood vessels, this causes symptoms of disease.
Patients report frequent headaches, dizziness, decreased performance. At this stage, most calls for qualified medical treatment occur, but some spinal injuries are already irreversible
Level 3
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine reaches its peak. Massive bone lesions and ligament devices.
Strong clinical picture:
- Severe headache;
- Nausea, lack of coordination;
- Sleep problems;
- Visual and hearing impairments.
Exacerbation of the disease is a chronic stage of travel, in which there are manifestations of symptoms of the disease, deterioration of the patient's well-being.
The degree of remission is a period that occurs after treatment or by itself, characterized by an invisible disease without a clear clinical picture.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at the second and third stages is reduced to minimize exacerbation levels and prolong remission.
to content ↑
Deterioration of cervical osteochondrosis
Carrying out competent treatment, physiotherapy, gymnastic exercises, nutrition and proper lifestyle helps the body in the fight against osteochondrosis and can increase the remission time of the disease.
A number of reasons can cause a sudden increase in cervical osteochondrosis, causing the symptoms of the disease to recur.Related Videos:
The frequency, duration and intensity of exacerbation periods are individual and depend on the cause of onset, presence or absence of treatment, as well as the personal characteristics of the organism, its nature of compensation and adaptation.
Exacerbation cause
Spinal degeneration leads to cervical osteochondrosis
It is quite difficult to carry out laboratory tests that make it possible to determine with certainty the factors that provoke the manifestation of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine.
List of reasons based on the long-term observations of orthopedic doctors and neurologists for patients, a thorough analysis of possible predisposing factors, after which patients record a deterioration in their well-being.
Causes of exacerbations can be exogenous and endogenous - caused by influences from within or from the outside.
Endogenous causes include progressive spinal degeneration and impaired compensation and body adaptive properties.
Among the exogenous factors, the following are most likely to cause cervical osteochondrosis:
- Presence of inadequate load on the spine or changes in posture (lifting weights, doing strength sports, changing activity types);
- Stress, nerve shock;
- Undergoing sessions or courses of manual therapy by incompetent people;
- Seasonal (reveals a large number of cervical spine diseases in autumn);
- Hormonal tremors (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause);
- Weak diseases (respiratory viral infections, infectious diseases, exacerbations of other chronic diseases);
- Rapid weight gain.
How to determine if osteochondrosis has worsened?
The increase in the disease is evidenced by the discomfort in the neck and head, deterioration of general health.Sometimes the degree of exacerbation begins as fast as lightning, with severe pain in the head.
In 70% of cases, a rapid increase in cervical osteochondrosis is predictable: the patient experiences a dull feeling or dull pain in the back of the neck, complaints increase in the morning.
The presence of predisposing factors against the background of the manifestations of the symptoms of this disease confirms the version of the worsening of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
All types of symptoms during exacerbation
Symptoms that occur during the occurrence of chronic spinal disease largely coincide with the general symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
The most common symptom of exacerbation is pain.
Intensity, nature and localization can vary: pain in the back of the neck or one of its parts, headache in the occiput, parietal tuberculosis, pain in the clavicle, shoulder.
Manifestations of pain can be symptoms similar to myocardial infarction:
- Pain in scapula;
- Chest pain;
- Pain in left limb.
Some patients report a painful sensation only when moving the head or arms at the shoulder joint.
Chronic cervical osteochondrosis damage can cause a number of neurological symptoms, if any, it is necessary to examine the patient carefullyto exclude more serious pathologies:
- Disorders of sleep, concentration, memory;
- Loss of coordination, loss of balance, fainting;
- Sensation of flies in front of eyes, goose bumps, buzz in ears;
- Dizziness;
- Nausea vomiting;
- Diction violation;
- Decreases or increases the sensitivity of the arms, shoulders, neck.
The presence of these symptoms cannot be ignored. The effects of cervical spine osteochondrosis on the blood vessels that supply the brain can lead to the most dangerous complication of cervical osteochondrosis - stroke.
How long does the annoyance last?
The duration of exacerbation may vary depending on the season (in winter, the activation of osteochondrosis can be longer and more painful), the causes of the recurrence of symptoms of spinal disease, individual characteristics of the patient and the treatmentgiven.
Experts call the following periods <strongx stage of enlargement of cervical spine osteochondrosis:
- Severe symptoms - up to 1 week, more often - 4-5 days;
- Maintains some discomfort in the affected area, headache - up to 3 weeks after severe attack relief;
- The general exacerbation period is considered standard - about 1-1. 5 months.
Increased cervical osteochondrosis during pregnancy
The body of a pregnant woman undergoes complex physiological changes, there is a colossal hormone surge, redistribution of the body's center of gravity, absorption and assimilation of mineral and nutrient changes.
This restructuring has a serious effect on the musculoskeletal system, the spine undergoing severe stress.
Pregnant women with a history of diseases such as osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, in 50% of cases, recurrence of the disease. This is due to the changes experienced by the spine.
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis increase in pregnant women are the same as in all other patients.
The difficulty lies in the choice of treatment regimen, because when prescribing the drug, one must take into account the possible effects of the drug on the fetus. , in case of severe pain, complex anesthetic pills or injections are prescribed.
Many pregnant women use treatments with non-traditional methods, traditional medicine recipes, which are softer for the fetus.
What to do in case of deterioration?
If you have symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, do not delay a visit to an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist.
Only a specialist can fully assess the patient's condition, the causes of the worsening of the disease, and prescribe proper, safe and effective treatment.Before seeing a doctor, try to avoid pressure on the affected spine.
If there is no chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract or individual intolerance, you can take analgesic and anti-inflammatory pills.In the event of an increase in cervical osteochondrosisprohibited <strong:
- Warm the neck or back of the head while bathing, using a heating compress or other method;
- Receive a massage session;
- Self-healing.
Methods for the treatment of acute cervical osteochondrosis
Improved treatment of cervical osteochondrosis treatment aims to eliminate the symptoms of the disease and early recovery of the patient's well-being and work ability.
The table shows the main methods of treatment of cervical spine disease, which shows the most common drugs.
Before using any of the drugs on the list, consult your doctor.
| Group of drugs | Goal |
|---|---|
| Painkillers / NSAIDs | Relieves pain, reduces inflammation in the affected area |
| Muscle relax | Relieves muscle cramps |
| Diuretics | Reduces swelling in inflamed spine and reduces pressure on nerve roots |
| Chondroprotectors | Reconstruction of the spinal structure |
| Vitamin | Increases metabolism, chemical reactions |
| Nootropics | Restores the flow of nerve impulses throughout the nerve process |
A visit to a qualified osteopath in the acute stage will "release" controlled nerve processes and relieve some symptoms of the disease.
How else can you relieve itching at home?
If visiting a doctor at this time is impossible, there are some recipes on how to slightly reduce the condition of patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine before giving medical treatment:
- Bathe and relax warmly;
- Roll the neck with a natural fur coat;
- Apply herbal compress to the affected area. For this purpose, use onion, sage, mint;
- Make butter ointment and mummy 1: 1.