If, upon waking up in the morning, you feel a strong pulling pain in the back of your head and neck, then you need to pay attention to this. Of course, during the day the discomfort may pass, but the next day there is a possibility that the discomfort will return.
What causes pain in the back of the head and neck? Only a doctor can answer this question, but you must first undergo a series of studies (ultrasound, MRI of the cervical region). There is a possibility that the cause of everything is a cold or inflammation of the lymph nodes as a result of a sore throat or other infection. But if the cause of the pain was chondrosis of the neck, then this diagnosis should not be ignored. After all, this disease contributes to a significant decrease in the quality of life, limits the activity of patients.
What is neck chondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. As a result, irreversible deformities of the vertebrae occur. Spinous processes appear, digging into the nerve endings that pass in the trunk of the spine. In addition to everything, the intervertebral discs become more fragile and thinner. There is a risk of intervertebral hernia, which leads the patient tooperating table.
In general, the cervical region consists of 7 vertebrae, is very mobile and is responsible for tilting and turning the head. Chondrosis of the neck is very common and takes second place after chondrosis of the lumbar spine. It most often affects people between the ages of 30 and 60. The cause of this disease is the structural features of the spine (vertebrae tightly adjacent to each other). In addition, the neck muscles are rather poorly developed, so a very slight load leads to violations in the cervical region.
Chondrosis of the neck may result from:
- weakness of the muscle corset of the neck;
- long work at the computer or desk;
- various neck injuries;
- poor posture, sedentary lifestyle;
- violations of metabolic processes;
- hypothermia;
- overeating.
Symptoms of disease
Cervical chondrosis in terms of its symptoms is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis, since blood supply to the brain is disturbed due to squeezing of blood vessels. And pinching the root, which extends from the nerve of the spinal cord, can lead a person to loss of sensitivity and disability.
So, the symptoms of the disease are:
- persistent pain in the back of the head and neck;
- dizziness;
- ringing, noise in the head and ears;
- fatigue, general malaise;
- impaired vision and hearing;
- pain that radiates to the shoulder blade, shoulder, arm and may be accompanied by weakness and numbnessupper limbs.
Acute disease
Acute chondrosis runs without symptoms until a certain time. It makes itself felt when the inflammatory process begins. Parts of the spine that are involved in movement are affected. Severe pain appears.
Symptoms of the acute form of osteochondrosis are the same as the usual cervical chondrosis. But the causes of this disease are different:
- frequent muscle spasms;
- congenital skeletal disorder;
- postoperative care and trauma;
- severe poisoning;
- hernias;
- old age;
- hard physical labor;
- mineral or hormonal failure.
Treatment
To avoid serious consequences in the future, it is urgent to consult a doctor if at least one of the above symptoms of the disease occurs. Treatment of neck chondrosis should be started immediately. However, a full recovery, unfortunately, is not possible. Treatment is focused only on slowing down irreversible processes. Exacerbations require hospitalization and half-bed rest.
Neurologists prescribe various kinds of analgesics, vitamins, muscle relaxants. Physiotherapy gives good results (ultrasound procedures, electrophoresis using anesthetics, etc.). Wearing a Shants collar is also one of the treatments. In addition, surgery is used with the use of chondroprotectors.
Massage is also shown, it should be done whenchondrosis is not yet in the acute stage. However, sometimes it is prescribed during the period of exacerbation. Then the doctor reflexively affects the pain in the spine at the expense of he althy parts of the body. In general, at first, massage is organized using gentle methods in order to avoid muscle tension.
In order to effectively treat cervical chondrosis, you must:
- eliminate the factors that caused this disease;
- stimulate the process of natural regeneration of intervertebral discs;
- improve the overall condition and function of discs;
- restore normal blood circulation in the brain.
Ointment for neck chondrosis
Using an ointment helps to anesthetize, warm, distract, protect cartilage tissue. Use these drugs should only be prescribed by a doctor. They are used for tension and muscle pain. Ointment is of the following types:
-
neck chondrosis treatment Anti-inflammatory - contains steroid substances and possibly analgesics to relieve pain.
- Having a complex effect (pain relief, inflammation relief, regeneration).
- Ointment for chondrosis, which anesthetizes and irritates. It is needed in order to increase blood circulation and thereby improve tissue nutrition. The active substance is nicoboxyl.
- An ointment that slows down negative processes and restores cartilage tissue. The main active ingredient in it is chondroitin sulfate.
- Homeopathic. The ointment is made on the basis of plant components and extracts. In its action, it is similar to ointments from 1 point.
- Massage, which relieves inflammation, promotes tissue regeneration, anesthetizes. It contains mummy, honey, herbal ingredients.
Prevention
In the initial stages of neck chondrosis is almost invisible, so you should pay special attention to the prevention of this insidious disease. After all, it is always better to prevent a problem than to treat it. To prevent this disease, you should:
- improve working conditions;
- lead a he althy lifestyle;
- follow diets, don't overeat;
- avoid irrational loads;
- observe the correct postures during work and sleep;
- exercise.
