Unfortunately, many are familiar with osteochondrosis. This disease has become a real disease of the century. First of all, a sedentary lifestyle is to blame for osteochondrosis, which for most of us is becoming the norm. Problem number two is an unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse. Oddly enough, but it is food that has a direct effect on the condition of the spine.
The most common type of this disease is cervical osteochondrosis. The cervical spine is a particular risk area, as the size of the vertebrae is smaller here than in other areas of the spine. In addition, the neck does not have such a muscular corset as the rest of the back.
Development of cervical osteochondrosis
The danger is that at first a person often does not even realize that he is sick. At the first stage of the development of the disease, the intervertebral discs experience slight destructive effects - elasticity decreases, the first small cracks appear, the height of the disc becomes smaller (as a result, the nerve roots begin to compress). There is discomfort in the neck or aching pain.
If the first degree of osteochondrosis passes into the second, then the pain progresses. This is due to the fact that the destruction of the intervertebral disc continues to progress, leading to subluxations of the vertebrae of the neck. The development of the disease may follow - the so-called falling head syndrome, which is characterized by severe pain. As a result, the patient has to support his head - in this position, the pain becomes a little weaker.
The third degree of cervical osteochondrosis has a number of even more unpleasant symptoms: nausea, "lumbago" in the neck, dizziness, weakening of the sensitivity of the hands and, of course, pain.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the neck and its causes
Exacerbation of the disease can occur at any stage. The reason for this is usually:
- Sudden movements, excessive physical activity, heavy lifting. If a person suffering from osteochondrosis in the neck makes a sharp turn or tilt of the head, it is not known exactly how his intervertebral discs will react to this.
- Nervous situations and stress. Often, stressful situations "ignite" diseases that are deeply seated in us: cervical osteochondrosis is no exception.
- A massage performed by a non-professional. If you know that you suffer from osteochondrosis and go to a session, it is your responsibility to warn the massage therapist about the disease. Otherwise, the consequences can be the most unpredictable. And, of course, you can’t trust your back and neck to a massage therapist whose competence is in doubt.
- Weather changes and hypothermia. Especially often exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis occur in the fall.
- Going to the bath during an exacerbation. In itself, a visit to the bath or sauna can be useful, since warming up often benefits the patient. But the desire to plunge into cold water or jump out hot in the cold will have to be abandoned, since osteochondrosis will not be slow to "thank" you with even more aggravation.
- Elderly age. Intervertebral discs tend to wear out over the years, so the exacerbation of the disease in the elderly is not surprising.
- A neglected state of the disease. If osteochondrosis is not treated, exacerbations cannot be avoided.
Exacerbation symptoms
Symptoms of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis can be different - it all depends on the degree of progression of the disease. These can be pains in the parietal region, a decrease in the sensitivity of the skin in the same area, pain in one half of the neck, a feeling of heaviness in the tongue, pain in the collarbone and shoulder girdle.
In a particularly acute phase of exacerbation, there may be respiratory failure and pain in the region of the heart or liver. If vertebral artery syndrome occurs, then undulating headaches may appear, especially "pressing" on the eyes, temples and ears. It happens that exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis causes pain only in the left or only in the right half of the head, as happens with migraine. Another indicator is a characteristic crunch in the back of the head when the head is tilted or rotated.
As for vision and hearing, fog may appear before the eyes, flashing dots and spots. Ringing in the ears and dizziness are not ruled out.
If the pain extends to the arm, then muscle strength may be weakened. Pain can also be felt in the hand and fingers.
First aid for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation should be prescribed by a professional. Therefore, if the worsening of the disease caught you when you were at home alone, it is better to call a doctor. Before his arrival, it is desirable to move minimally, the optimal solution is to lie down in bed. You are allowed to take painkillers. These medicines are designed to reduce pain and reduce the inflammation that is present in the spine.
Also, the doctor may prescribe chondroprotectors - they should help stop the destructive processes occurring in the disk. However, such medications should be taken for quite a long time - about six months. But they will help prevent re-exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Muscle relaxants, drugs that reduce pathological tension in the muscles, will not be superfluous. Vascular drugs, B vitamins, diuretics (with constant monitoring) and nootropic drugs are also usually prescribed.
How long does an exacerbation last?
The exacerbation phase for each person proceeds in its own way. The same applies to the duration of the attack. If the treatment of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis was started in a timely and correct manner, it is likely that the peak of the disease will subside in a few days. In more complex and advanced cases, the period of exacerbations can last several weeks. If the disease is not treated and the matter is left to chance, there is a great danger that a second exacerbation will not be long in coming - in this case, the periods of "calm" will be shorter and shorter. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to prevent exacerbations.
How to reduce the likelihood of re-exacerbation?
A person who has at least once suffered an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis and felt its "charms" on himself should do everything possible to prevent repeated attacks. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation should be intensive, but it does not follow from this that if the danger has passed, you can relax.
It will be useful to visit an experienced massage therapist, who must be notified in advance about problems with the neck. If there is no opportunity to sign up for a massage, you can limit yourself to self-massage. To do this, it is recommended to make stroking, kneading and vibration movements in the neck area.
Finding a good chiropractor is a big deal. Therefore, if you know this, you can contact him. Treatment of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as preventive procedures, may include such manual effects:
- Relaxation massage, which is designed to relieve tension from tight muscles and warm them up well.
- Mobilization. The purpose of such an impact is to restore the functions of the joints with the help of traction.
- Manipulation. Its essence lies in the fact that the chiropractor produces a sharp push in the area of the problem area, as a result of which the joint returns to its natural position.
Acupuncture can also be very useful for preventing exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the neck. Naturally, only a specialist should perform such a procedure.
Diet also plays a role. Patients are advised to focus on foods rich in magnesium and calcium (i. e. legumes, nuts, seafood, fish and dairy products). You will have to give up excessive drinking, since alcohol tends to negatively affect the circulatory system, which already suffers from osteochondrosis of the neck.
Lifestyle of a person suffering from cervical osteochondrosis
With regard to daily life and daily routine, the following is recommended:
- Sleep on an orthopedic mattress with a small pillow under your head.
- A hot shower, sauna and bath are useful (except for the period of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during exacerbation).
- Swimming is very useful - it helps relieve spasms and strengthens muscles.
- If you work sitting, you need to periodically take breaks to warm up. In addition, it is advisable even while sitting to try to change position every fifteen minutes.
- Hiking is useful, but it is better to refrain from jumping and running.
- Physical exercises, the purpose of which is to strengthen the muscular corset of the neck, are the key to the fight against osteochondrosis.
Like any other ailment, cervical osteochondrosis should be treated as early as possible. If the disease hid and "showed its claws" only when osteochondrosis had already begun to progress, do not despair. The tips above should definitely help you!