Like other back diseases, grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pain. The nature of the pain can be called bearable, but this does not give a reason to quit the disease without consulting a doctor and further treatment. Ignoring the symptoms of osteochondrosis, which is still in stage 1, can lead to a worsening of the patient's condition and the further development of the disease.
Self-treatment is not recommended, only an experienced doctor can make the correct diagnosis, establish the cause of the symptoms of the disease and give clear recommendations on how to deal with osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
Against the background of 1st degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, first of all there are pains of a pulling nature, called lumbago. Pain syndrome occurs in the cervical region, in severe cases extending to the region of the shoulders, arms and pectoral muscles. This happens because the intervertebral discs tend to be injured more when the movable part of the spine (cervical region) is connected with the less movable thoracic region.
The cervical region consists of 7 vertebrae. The first two support the skull, which is why a person can rotate their head, tilt it, and lift it. The vertebrae are connected by joints and movable ligaments, and the intervertebral discs, made of cartilage tissue, serve as a spacer between the vertebrae. The adjacent muscles are also designed to keep the spine in an upright position, if the muscle corset is well developed, the spine will be stable. As you can see, the well-coordinated work of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs and muscles ensures healthy functioning of the spine. As soon as a link in this system begins to malfunction, disturbances occur in all the work of the spine.
For what reasons can there be violations and the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excessive physical activity;
- bad posture while sleeping;
- nutrition that does not supply the body with a sufficient amount of substances that strengthen the bone and muscle systems;
- bad habits;
- stress;
- lack of adequate rest, fatigue;
- hypothermia and frequent colds.
If the muscles supporting the spine in a stable position begin to age and lose tone at over 50, this can be considered normal. But when the cervical vertebrae undergo a process of deformation at the age of 20, it is worth paying attention and taking action. Take preventative treatment, exercise, be active, and avoid sedentary work with a bent neck and back.
Symptoms
In order to list the main signs and symptoms for accurately determining cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree, it is necessary to clarify the concept itself.
Osteochondrosis of degree 1 is the very initial stage of the disease, until now characterized only by the compaction of the cartilage tissue of the discs between the vertebrae. The spine is still in a stable position, but the hook-shaped processes of the vertebrae are already increasing in size. Displacement of the disc is at a minimum, but its outer shell, made of fibrous tissue, begins to unravel, which, if left untreated, can lead to the development of later degrees of osteochondrosis and evenintervertebral hernia.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Pain syndrome
- begins in the neck area, spreading to shoulder joints, shoulder blades and chest muscles;
- compression of nerve endings leads to the appearance of shooting pains in the neck, especially this condition is aggravated by uncomfortable posture during sleep, at night the patient after waking up holds his neck in an unnatural positionfor a long time due to the inability to painlessly turn your head;
- against the background of compression of the nerve roots, heart syndrome may occur - pain in the pectoral muscles, which a person confuses with pain in the heart (the examination does not confirm the presence of heart pathologies);
- due to vertebral artery syndrome the blood supply to the brain and spinal cord deteriorates, causing headaches, visual disturbances in the form of "flies in front of the eyes", dizziness, pain in the occipital region;
- sleep disturbances;
- worry.
The pain syndrome is accompanied by muscle spasms in the area of the affected spine. Spinal osteochondrosis of grade 1 may not predict the pronounced symptoms listed, it all depends on the body's sensitivity to pain and the general well-being of the patient.
With constant fatigue, sedentary work and stress, all symptoms of the disease are perceived more acutely. Therefore, the very first sign of osteochondrosis - a throbbing pain in the neck, especially after exertion or hypothermia - should be a reason for a visit to the doctor.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree should first of all be aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome and initiating active metabolic processes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs. In addition, it is imperative to strengthen the muscle structure of the neck to keep the spine in a stable and strong position.
Pharmacotherapy involves the following methods:
- analgesics, anti-inflammatories; physiotherapy
- ; massage
- ;
- acupuncture;
- medical gymnastics;
- swim.
With the help of drug therapy it is necessary to relieve pain and inflammation in the affected area. In this case, the doctor can combine the appointment of oral anesthetic drugs with injections of vitamins and anti-inflammatory drugs. A good effect is given by the application of external agents in the form of heating gels based on painkillers, as well as bee and snake venom.
As a complement to drug therapy and physiotherapy can be therapeutic exercises, which will help to gently stretch the spine, release pinched nerve roots, and relieve neck pain. The following preventive measures are a healthy and active lifestyle, sports, a good diet, and the prevention of stress and hypothermia.