The neck is considered one of the most vulnerable places in the spine. This is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the neck vertebrae. After all, the neck vertebrae have increased mobility, they are easily dislocated due to increased loads or injuries. In addition, they quickly undergo dystrophic and degenerative changes. And that's osteochondrosis. Usually, an exacerbation of the disease occurs in the movable part of the lower part of the neck. And a bulge 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 bone and muscle diseases;
- poisoning and infection;
- spine microdamage as a result of blows, falls, sudden movements, increased loads, as well as monotonous asymmetrical movements;
- increased blood pressure (BP);
- spine microdamage as a result of fractures and bruises;
- violation of the nutritional schedule, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, which lead to a lack of liquids, vitamins, micro and macro elements;
- uncomfortable posture during sleep or sleep disturbances;
- stress, bad habits can also cause an exacerbation.
In addition, any doctor will tell you that there are many other reasons for the appearance of osteochondrosis, ICD code M42 (for example, "lightning" appears in the eyes, a lump forms in the neck, or there is a sharp increase in blood pressure ). As a result, the pressure changes and vertebral artery syndrome arises, as well as derealization.
Symptoms
The first symptoms that appear when the disease occurs are constant pain during turns or after sleep, in addition to vertebral artery syndrome, which caused an increase in blood pressure. There is a "stiffening" of the neck. The muscles go numb and the pain syndrome lasts long enough. Fingers start to feel 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 unsteady gait, dizziness and tinnitus occur, "lightning bolts" may appear in the eyes. After hypothermia or if the sleeping position is uncomfortable, the muscles become inflamed and the patient loses the ability to turn their head. In addition, patients may complain that when the head is tilted forward, there is a syndrome of sharp pain in the area of the shoulder blades, derealization, and so on.
If you experience an exacerbation and similar symptoms, immediately consult a doctor so that your life does not turn into hell.
Treatment
For everyone who suffers from this disease, the only question arises: how to cure cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code M42) and vertebral artery syndrome?
Treatment is of two types:
- conservative;
- operational.
A treatment regimen for the disease (ICD code M42) is selected, depending on the severity of the disease, the desire and resources for recovery, as well as other indications and contraindications in each specific case. The decision on the treatment method 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 must take place in a complex that uses many different methods. Modern medicine reduces treatment and recovery after surgery to two main things:
- drug therapy;
- hardware treatment (eg, patients wear a special device for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis);
- Exercise therapy (eg, a horizontal bar).
But during neck treatment, the doctor may observe an underestimation of the body's resources, for example, an increase in blood pressure. The procedures take place as if "in the absence" of the patient, as if the patient's active participation in the cure could not or should not take place. This passive method of treatment and rehabilitation can be very lengthy, and in some cases even electrophoresis does not help. As a result, the disease progresses, blood pressure does not stabilize, and vertebral artery syndrome does not go away. And the patient continues to be plagued by derealization and "lightning" in the eyes.
Therefore, during conservative treatment and rehabilitation of the neck and after surgery, the doctor should include techniques such as:
- Exercise therapy (and the correct sleeping position).
- Pilates for cervical osteochondrosis.
- horizontal bar.
- Electrophoresis.
- Water aerobics.
- Discharge treatment based on spinal traction.
- Magnetic, electrical and vibratory stimulation.
- Ultrasound, laser and vacuum mobilization therapy.
- Therapeutic Diet.
- Psychotherapy.
- Drug therapy (analgesics, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatories, etc. ).
Prevention
The best disease prevention is adequate nutrition and physical education (aqua 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 the horizontal bar. And then vertebral artery syndrome and derealization will not 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 still recommends treating the disease (ICD code M42) and vertebral artery syndrome at home, as the duration of healing depends on the patient's behavior and the use of various treatment methods (eg, a bar) at home.
The horizontal bar for self-treatment is an excellent simulator. If you are going to include a horizontal bar in a set of exercises, be very careful. After all, any sudden movement can cause damage, and then the horizontal bar will not be an assistant, but a "pest". 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 give you useful recommendations for self-treatment. He will not only prescribe medication, but also tell you what to do so that there is no exacerbation. He will explain how to behave so that derealization does not occur and "lightning" does not appear in the eyes. It will also show you a set of exercises, thanks to which the swelling between the neck and collarbone will disappear.
Do not forget that at home it is impossible to do electrophoresis, which is so necessary for this disease.
The main mistake of therapy is considered to be insufficient looking in depth: getting rid of symptoms at home (for example, "lightning" in the eyes stopped appearing, and derealization disappeared) does not mean that there was a cure of the disease. And that only creates a temporary semblance of comfort with a new onslaught of unease, as well as exacerbation of pain. The exacerbation of this disease can harm the patient.
Therefore, the use of pain relievers in the process of treating the disease at home is only a small part of what you can do. It is better not to self-medicate, consult a specialist and attend the prescribed procedures.
Doctors usually give advice, the full observance of which is a guarantee of quality treatment. These include: diet, exercise therapy, medication use, 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.