The neck is considered to be one of the most vulnerable points in the spine. This is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the neck vertebrae. After all, the vertebrae of the neck have greater mobility, they move very easily due to greater loads or injuries. In addition, they rapidly undergo dystrophic and degenerative changes. And this is osteochondrosis. Usually, an exacerbation of the disease occurs in the movable part of the lower part of the neck. And a bump forms between the collarbone and the neck.
Causes
To date, the exact causes of osteochondrosis (ICD code M42) are unknown. Any doctor will tell you a number of factors, including:
- disturbed metabolic processes in the body;
- predisposition;
- poor physical development, scoliosis, flat feet and exacerbation of other diseases in the bones and muscles;
- poisoning and infection;
- microdamage of the spine as a result of blows, falls, sudden movements, increased loads, as well as monotonous asymmetrical movements;
- increased blood pressure (BP);
- microdamage of the spinal column as a result of fractures and bruises;
- violation of the nutritional program, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, leading to lack of fluids, vitamins, micro and macro elements;
- uncomfortable sleeping posture or sleep disturbances;
- stress, bad habits can also cause an exacerbation.
In addition, any doctor will tell you that there are many more different reasons for the appearance of osteochondrosis, ICD code M42 (for example, a "lightning bolt" appears in the eyes, a bump forms on the neck or there is a sharp increase in pressure sanguine). As a result, pressure changes and vertebral artery syndrome appear, as well as derealization.
Symptoms
The first symptoms that appear when the disease occurs are constant pain during shifts or after sleep, as well as vertebral artery syndrome, which has resulted in an increase in blood pressure. There is a "stiffening" of the neck. The muscles become numb and the pain syndrome lasts long enough. The fingers begin to go numb.
There are severe headaches in the occipital region (vertebral artery syndrome) and there is an increase in pressure. As a result, derealization begins: a sick person has an unstable gait, dizziness and tinnitus occur, "lightning" may appear in the eyes. After hypothermia or if the sleeping position was uncomfortable, the muscles become inflamed and the patient loses the ability to turn his head. Also, patients may complain that when the head is tilted forward, there is a sharp pain syndrome in the shoulder blade area, derealization, and so on.
If you feel an exacerbation and similar symptoms, consult a doctor immediately so that your life does not turn into hell.
Treatment
For all those suffering from this disease, the only question arises: how to cure cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code M42) and vertebral artery syndrome?
The treatment is of two types:
- conservative;
- operating.
A treatment regimen for the disease is selected (ICD code M42), depending on the severity of the disease, the desire and resources for healing, as well as other indications and contraindications in each specific case. The decision on the method of treatment is made by the doctor.
Answer the patients question: is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis and vertebral artery syndrome? There is only one answer: yes. But the duration and method directly depend on the severity of the disease.
Conservative treatment and rehabilitation should take place in a complex that uses many different methods. Modern medicine reduces treatment and recovery after surgery to two main things:
- pharmacological therapy;
- hardware treatment (for example, patients use a special apparatus for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis);
- Physical therapy (for example a horizontal bar).
But during the treatment of the neck, the doctor may observe an underestimation of the body's resources, for example, an increase in blood pressure. The procedures are carried out as if "in the absence" of the patient, as if the active participation of the patient in the treatment could not or should not take place. Such a passive method of treatment and rehabilitation can be very long, and in some cases even electrophoresis does not help. As a result, the disease progresses, blood pressure does not stabilize, and the vertebral artery syndrome does not go away. And the patient continues to be tormented by derealization and "lightning" in the eyes.
Therefore, during conservative treatment and neck rehabilitation and after surgery, the doctor should include techniques such as:
- Physical therapy (and correct sleeping position).
- Pilates for cervical osteochondrosis.
- Horizontal bar.
- Electrophoresis.
- Water aerobics.
- Relief treatment based on spinal traction.
- Magnetic, electric and vibratory stimulation.
- Ultrasound, laser and vacuum-mobilization therapy.
- Therapeutic diet.
- Psychotherapy.
- Pharmacological therapy (analgesics, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatories, etc. ).
Prevention
The best prevention of the disease is proper nutrition and physical education (water aerobics and horizontal bar)
In addition, it will not be superfluous to massage the muscles of the back, lower back and limbs. You should also do exercises with swinging movements of the arms and legs, turning the head and kneading the neck, jumping in place, pulling up the horizontal bar. And then the vertebral artery syndrome and derealization won't threaten you.
Home treatment
There are many legends about the dangers of home therapy and the use of folk remedies. At the same time, the doctor also recommends treating the disease (ICD code M42) and vertebral artery syndrome at home, because the duration of treatment depends on the patient's behavior and the use of various treatment methods (for example, a bar) at home.
The horizontal bar for self-treatment is a great simulator. If you intend to include a horizontal bar in a series of exercises, be very careful. After all, any sudden movement can cause damage, so the horizontal bar will not be an assistant, but a "parasite". Don't abuse home treatment if you don't know what to do.
Do not treat at home, but go to the doctor!
However, do not rush to start treatment at home - it is a qualified doctor who will provide useful self-treatment tips. He will not only prescribe drugs, but also tell you what to do so that there are no exacerbations. He will explain how to behave so that derealization does not occur and "lightning" does not appear in the eye. He will also show a series of exercises, thanks to which the bump between the neck and the collarbone will disappear.
Do not forget that at home it is impossible to carry out electrophoresis, which is so necessary for this disease.
The main mistake of therapy is considered insufficient look in depth: getting rid of symptoms at home (for example, the "lightning bolt" in the eye has stopped appearing and derealization has disappeared) does not mean that there has been a cure for the disease. And this only creates a temporary aspect of comfort with an additional bout of malaise, as well as an exacerbation of pain. The exacerbation of this disease can harm the patient.
Therefore, the use of pain medication in the process of treating the disease at home is only a small part of what you are capable of doing. It is better not to self-medicate, consult a specialist and participate in the prescribed procedures.
Usually, doctors give advice, the full observance of which is a guarantee of quality treatment. These include: diet, physical therapy, use of medications, lifestyle changes, sleep and rest, choice of bedding.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis (ICD code M42), a systematic approach is required, therefore, the prescriptions that the doctor has given you must be followed not partially, but completely.