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 very easily displaced due to increased 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 mobile part of the lower neck. And a lump 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;
- spinal microdamage as a result of blows, falls, sudden movements, increased loads, as well as monotonous asymmetric movements;
- increased blood pressure (BP);
- microdamage of the spine as a result of fractures and bruises;
- violation of the schedule of nutrition, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, implying a lack of fluids, vitamins, micro and macro elements;
- uncomfortable posture during sleep or sleep disturbance;
- 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" appears in the eyes, a lump forms on the neck, or there is a sharp increase in blood pressure ). As a result, the pressure changes and the vertebral artery syndrome appears, 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 caused an increase in blood pressure. There is a "tightening" of the neck. The muscles go numb, and the pain syndrome lasts long enough. 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 unsteady gait, dizziness and tinnitus occur, "lightning" may appear in the eyes. After hypothermia or if the sleeping position was uncomfortable, the muscles swell and the patient loses the ability to turn his head. Also, patients may complain that when the head is tilted forward, an acute pain syndrome occurs in the area of the shoulder blades, derealization, etc.
If you feel 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 method of treatment is made by the doctor.
Answer the question of patients: 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 be carried out in a complex using many different methods. Modern medicine reduces treatment and recovery after surgery to two main things:
- drug therapy;
- hardware treatment (for example, patients use a special apparatus for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis);
- Exercise 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 take place as if "in the absence" of the patient, as if the patient's active participation in healing cannot or should not occur. 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 and rehabilitation treatment of the neck and after surgery, the doctor must include techniques such as:
- Exercise therapy (and the correct sleeping position).
- Pilates for cervical osteochondrosis.
- horizontal bar.
- Electrophoresis.
- Water aerobics.
- Unloading treatment based on spinal traction.
- Magnetic, electrical and vibratory stimulation.
- Ultrasound, laser and mobilization-vacuum therapy.
- therapeutic diet.
- Psychotherapy.
- Pharmacological treatment (analgesics, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatories, etc. ).
Prevention
The best prevention of the disease is proper nutrition and physical education (aqua aerobics and horizontal bar)
Also, it will not be superfluous to massage the muscles of the back, lower back and extremities. You should also do exercises with swinging arms and legs, turning your head and kneading your neck, jumping on the spot, pulling up on the horizontal bar. And then the 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 even recommends treating the disease (ICD code M42) and vertebral artery syndrome at home, because the duration of the cure 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 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 medications, 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 a "lightning" does not appear in the eyes. He will also show a series of exercises, thanks to which the bulge between the neck and the clavicle 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 the symptoms at home (for example, the "lightning" in the eyes stopped appearing and derealization disappeared) does not mean that there was an elimination of the illness. And this only creates a temporary semblance of comfort with a new attack of discomfort, as well as an exacerbation of pain. 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 can do. It is best 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. Among them are: diet, exercise therapy, use of medications, changes in lifestyle, sleep and rest, choice of bedding.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis (ICD code M42), a systematic approach is required, therefore the prescriptions given by the doctor must be followed not partially, but completely.