Cervical Osteochondrosis: Symptoms and Treatment at Home

As we age, we are more likely to experience neck pain and fatigue. These symptoms may hide a diagnosis - osteochondrosis. Why does it develop? What treatments are available? Can this disease be dealt with at home? We asked doctors these questions.Osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the spine. It is caused by the natural aging process, such as the appearance of gray hair.In medicine, osteochondrosis refers to various diseases. The concept of osteochondrosis, which is rarely seen in the English literature, refers to bone damage in children and adolescents due to compromised blood supply during growth. In the domestic literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. This is a typical phenomenon among older adults and happens to almost everyone.

Causes of osteochondrosis

Neurologists have identified several main causes of the disease:

• Low physical activity,
• susceptibility to the disease,
• increasing static and dynamic loads,
• Impaired metabolism,
• unhealthy diet
• hormone imbalance,
• bad posture,
• pressure.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

The most common symptoms of osteochondrosis include reflex pain, myoadaptive pain, and compression pain syndrome. Let's look at them in more detail:

reflex syndrome

It occurs due to excessive pressure on the nerve endings in the disc. Nerve impulses travel into the deep and superficial muscles of the back, causing pain and tension.Reflex syndrome is characterized by neck pain that worsens with any movement of the head. It may not have a clear localization and can be felt in the arms or legs.

myoadaptation syndrome

It occurs due to excessive muscle tension and manifests itself in the form of muscle spasms. It develops with regular and strenuous physical activity and healthy muscles taking over the functions of the affected muscles.The pain of myoadaptation syndrome is localized to the trigger point—the compaction of the spastic area. Symptoms include nausea, headache and insomnia.

compression syndrome

With osteochondrosis, the cartilage and bones of the spine shift, causing pressure on the nerve endings. Compression syndromes are characterized by the impact of pathological structures on the spinal cord roots, spinal cord, or any blood vessels.Compression syndromes include 3 types of vertebral artery syndromes:

• Radiculopathy - nerve root syndrome;
• Myelopathy - spinal syndrome;
• Neurovascular syndromes.

existradiculopathy syndromeThe pain is pronounced and is accompanied by significant sensory impairment in the area of the affected spinal nerve roots. Neck pain often worsens at night. Movement disorders may occur, such as muscle weakness and lack of one or more reflexes.existspinal syndromeThe spinal canal compresses the spinal cord – this occurs when a vertebrae becomes dislocated or fractured. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. Sensitivity decreases and stiffness occurs in the arms and legs.vertebral artery syndromeThis condition occurs when the lumen narrows, especially when it is compressed by bony structures. The syndrome is characterized by neck pain, headaches, loss of coordination and balance, dizziness, and hearing and vision impairment.There is another osteochondrosis syndrome whose symptoms are often associated with heart disease - this iscardiac syndrome.It occurs due to damage to the cervical and upper thoracic spine and is characterized by pain in the heart area that mimics or exacerbates existing changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. Unlike "heart" pain, it is not clearly linked to meals, physical or emotional stress. The pain occurs or worsens with movement, forced breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Cardiac syndrome affects blood pressure and heart rate.The presence of cardiac syndrome symptoms requires careful diagnosis of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.

How does osteochondrosis develop?

The disease has 4 stages:

• Stage 1- Instability of the vertebrae occurs, they shift and destroy cervical lordosis - a curvature of the spine with the convex side facing forward.Symptoms in the first stage are mild. People may notice that their neck begins to hurt more frequently and tire more quickly.
• Phase 2 and Phase 3— The intervertebral space is reduced and the vertebrae are compressed. During these stages, protrusions and intervertebral hernias appear, as well as anterior bony growths - osteophytes.The difference between stages two and three is the severity of these changes. The third stage is characterized by annulus fibrosus rupture and disc herniation.
• Stage 4- The appearance of posterior osteophytes threatens the integrity of the spinal cord. The patient's coordination is impaired and he often experiences dizziness. At this stage, irreversible consequences can occur, leading to disability.

The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on diagnostic X-rays, MRI or CT studies. All of the above syndromes, as well as many others, are complications of osteochondrosis.

Treat osteochondrosis at home

As reflex syndrome develops, accompanied by local pain and limited mobility,Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home. The patient needs to rest without physical and static load for 3-5 days, and then increase the load alone. In the acute phase, local anesthetic gels and patches must be used to relieve pain, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs combined with B vitamins. Drugs that improve microcirculation in the affected spinal motion segments are recommended.When pain symptoms subside and motor function returns to normal, restorative treatment methods can be used: exercise therapy, massage, manipulation and physical therapy.Non-drug treatment can be more effective because it has a direct effect on and treats certain affected muscles.If symptoms beyond reflex syndrome such as numbness, tingling, difficulty moving, dizziness, and headache occur, you need to consult a doctor to diagnose and determine the correct treatment strategy.

Surgery

The decision to undergo surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identified several criteria that may be reasons for surgery:

• The spinal cord is compressed by hernias, displaced vertebrae, osteophytes, or other pathological conditions.
• Severe pain syndrome lasts for a long time.
• Medication and physical therapy continued for more than 3 months but still had no effect.

If it is a herniated hernia, decompression is performed by excision of the hernia; if it is a displaced vertebrae, it needs to be fixed with a metal structure; if we are talking about osteophytic complications, the bone growth needs to be removed.Most spine surgeries are invasive and do not guarantee improvement. Often, deterioration in health and increased pain in adjacent spinal motion segments may occur, so spinal surgery is a last resort when the disease is severe and no other treatment options are available.

Prevent osteochondrosis

Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and neck pain includes normalizing working and living conditions. It is important to avoid holding your neck bent for long periods of time. Neck muscles should be strengthened, stretched and increased in mobility through physical exercise.otherAn effective way to prevent the progression of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionFoods rich in protein, healthy fats, and collagen. It is recommended to reduce the intake of "fast" carbohydrates and to compensate for the deficiencies of trace elements and vitamins.Proper sleep, freedom from stress and active physical activity are important: aerobic exercise, regular exercise therapy, Pilates, yoga, stretching.The development of osteochondrosis is related to our body's natural aging - almost all people are susceptible to this disease. Osteochondrosis prevention and expert observation will help your spine stay healthy longer.