Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease accompanied by degenerative and dystrophic changes in the spine. The symptomatology of the disease in men and women is the same. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor depending on the severity of the injuries and the condition of the patient.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in men
The main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is pain. There are a number of additional signs that will help determine the presence of degenerative spinal lesions in the cervical spine.
Pain occurs in a context of alterations in the peripheral region, this is a consequence of the damaging effect on the nerve roots and adhesions that connect tissues, discs and muscles. With cervical osteochondrosis, men experience periodic or persistent pain. In the morning, the patient may feel deep dull pain in the neck.
Important!Unpleasant sensations occur when turning the head, coughing and sneezing.
Due to strong muscle tension, a man cannot breathe deeply. The pain may radiate to the occipital part of the head, this indicates an injury to the occipital nerve.
When palpating the upper cervical vertebrae, a man may feel a painful lump. When nerve root compensation occurs, the discomfort can radiate to the shoulder and arm area.
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs.
Deterioration of blood circulation in the nerve ganglia causes the following symptoms:
- Burning pain in back of head;
- nocturnal numbness of the hands;
- swelling of the hands;
- irregular heart rate;
- crackling and crackling when turning head.
Vascular signs appear when the brainstem is affected. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts normal blood flow in the vertebral arteries. In the context of such pathological changes, neurotic failures occur:
- insomnia;
- unreasonable irritability;
- shaky run;
- dizziness;
- fast heart rate;
- excessive sweating;
- memory impairment.
In some cases, the performance of the visual device deteriorates. The danger of osteochondrosis is that it causes the development of the following syndromes:
- Stenosis. This is a narrowing of the spinal canal, when the vessels of the brain are compressed by herniated intervertebral discs. The upper and lower extremities begin to go numb.
- Irritating to reflections. This syndrome is accompanied by burning in the back of the head.
- Radicular. With this pathology, the nerve roots are compressed by the intervertebral disc. The pains are aching, burning, and stabbing.
In most cases, the symptoms of osteochondrosis in men are almost the same as in women. When the first attacks of pain occur, the patient does not always suspect that it is cervical osteochondrosis. Timely diagnosis will help avoid complications.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
X-rays are taken to diagnose the disease. It will help make sure there is no spinal injury. However, this research method does not provide the opportunity to see osteophytes. For this, more modern diagnostic methods are used.
Assigned execution:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic tomography;
- ultrasound examination of the neck vessels.
Computed tomography involves the creation of a series of radiographs that show the volume of the cervical vertebrae. This detail enables the nature of nerve compression, the height of the discs, and the structure of the osteophytes to be evaluated.
MRI is considered one of the most informative diagnostic methods. Allows you to assess the state of bone structures. During an MRI, the doctor can detect the presence of a hernia.
The duplex vascular examination is used if the physician suspects a bleeding disorder in the vertebral arteries.
Treatment of male osteochondrosis
The treatment is selected according to the degree of damage and the general well-being of the man. In most cases, medications and physical therapy are recommended.
HELP.Conservative therapy aims to relieve pain and relieve muscle spasms.
Physiotherapy activates regenerative processes in cartilage tissue. Such procedures can be part of a comprehensive treatment or as a stand-alone method.
The following procedures are assigned:
- Electrotherapy.The impact on the affected areas of the spine is produced by an electric current. This manipulation activates blood circulation. Contraindications include the presence of a pacemaker or metal parts in the patient's body.
- Magnetotherapy.This method involves exposure to a constant magnetic field. One procedure lasts 20 minutes.
- Laser therapy.Use helium-neon lasers. They improve bioelectric processes in the tissues of the nervous system. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and healing effects. The duration of exposure to one area does not exceed 2 minutes, the entire procedure takes about 14 minutes.
- Shock wave therapy.This type of exposure is rarely used, as there is much controversy about its effectiveness. The impact is provided through acoustic waves. They help improve metabolism and activate blood microcirculation.
- Balneotherapy.The treatment is carried out with mineral waters and therapeutic mud. All beneficial substances penetrate the skin and act on receptors and nerve endings.
To restore mobility to the affected area, gymnastic exercises should be performed. They will help strengthen the muscular corset and make the ligaments more flexible. The first training sessions should be carried out under the supervision of a trainer, since the important thing is not the number of exercises performed, but your technique.
Important!Surgical intervention is indicated if medical treatment and physical therapy have not yielded the desired results.
This is called a cervical discectomy. The doctor immobilizes the affected segment and removes the hernia, which puts pressure on the spinal nerve. Over time, the vertebrae grow together. 3-5 days after surgery, the patient is transferred to the outpatient clinic.
The duration of the rehabilitation period is approximately 3 months. The exact time of rehabilitation depends on the implant and the professional activity of the operated patient.
In any case, it is worth starting the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with a visit to a doctor. Self-treatment can aggravate the course of the disease and lead to surgery.
Medications for treatment
Medications for osteochondrosis should only be taken as directed by a physician. Create a therapeutic regimen and select the optimal dose.
The following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- painkillers;
- antispasmodics;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- vasodilators;
- chondroprotectors.
HELP.The active ingredients not only relieve spasms, but also reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings.
The doctor may prescribe the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
It is recommended to use drugs to reduce the viscosity of the blood as a vasodilator. They improve blood microcirculation. Taking such drugs promotes a quick recovery after treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
The action of chondroprotectors aims to activate the regeneration processes in the injured cartilage.
An incorrectly selected treatment can lead to the formation of a herniated disc. With cervical osteochondrosis, hypertension often occurs. If necessary, the doctor prescribes medications to alleviate the symptoms of such a pathological condition.
For drug treatment to be as effective as possible, it should be combined with therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy procedures.
After a chiropractic session, try not to move your neck. The muscles after the procedure will be relaxed to the maximum and can reduce the positive effect of the session.
Nutrition for osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis, a man should pay special attention to his diet. It must be balanced, as the body must receive a sufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients.
The following foods must be present in the diet:
- vegetables and herbs;
- berries and fruits;
- dairy and fermented milk products;
- protein rich foods;
- foods that contain gelatin and collagen.
Plant foods are rich in vitamins and fiber. They have little energy value, which contributes to the maintenance of normal weight. Parsley, cauliflower, beets, and broccoli are especially beneficial.
Patients with osteochondrosis are recommended to introduce sea buckthorn into their diet. On the basis of fruits and berries, you can prepare jelly. Fermented dairy products contain a large amount of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus. These vitamins and nutrients strengthen bones and cartilage tissue.
The following foods must be present in the daily menu:
- fermented baked milk;
- cheese without preservatives;
- yogurt;
- curdled milk.
It is important that fermented dairy and dairy products are natural, without colorants or other harmful additives. Protein is essential for the formation of bone and cartilage tissue. Most of it is found in eggs, milk, whole grains, and brewer's yeast.
Fish and shellfish will benefit. They contain fatty and polyunsaturated acids, which are necessary for the normal recovery of the body. Collagen is present in gelatin, aspic fish and aspic. It favors the synthesis of cartilage tissue.
HELP.It is recommended to replace natural vegetable oil with cold pressed olive oil. It is important to maintain the water balance.
Use only filtered or bottled water.
Most men go to the doctor when osteochondrosis is already in an advanced stage. There are a number of symptoms that indicate the development of a pathological condition. Prompt diagnosis and treatment will help avoid surgery and complications.