Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease accompanied by degenerative and dystrophic changes in the spine. The symptoms of the disease in men and women are the same. Treatment is prescribed by a physician depending on the severity of the lesion 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 to help determine the presence of degenerative spinal lesions in the cervical spine.
Pain occurs in the background of a disorder in the peripheral region, it is the result of a detrimental effect on the nerve roots and connectors that connect tissues, discs and muscles. In cervical osteochondrosis, men have periodic or permanent pain. In the morning, the patient may feel annoying pains deep in the neck.
Important!Unpleasant sensations occur when the head rotates, coughs and sneezes.
Due to strong muscle tension, a person cannot breathe deeply. The pain may radiate to the occipital part of the head, this indicates a lesion of the occipital nerve.
When palpating the upper cervical vertebrae, a man may feel a painful lump. When nerve root compensation occurs, discomfort can radiate to the shoulder and arm area.
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by degenerative processes on the intervertebral discs.
Deterioration of blood circulation in the nerve nodes leads to the following symptoms:
- burning pain in the back of the head;
- night numbness of the hands;
- swelling of the hands;
- irregular heartbeat;
- crunching and crackling as you turn your head.
Vascular signs appear when the brain stem is affected. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts normal blood flow in the spinal arteries. Neurotic failures occur in the background of such pathological changes:
- insomnia;
- unreasonable irritability;
- wobbly gait;
- dizziness;
- rapid heart rate;
- excessive sweating;
- memory corruption.
In some cases, the performance of the visual aid deteriorates. The danger of osteochondrosis is that it provokes 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 limbs begin to tingle.
- Reflex-irritating. This syndrome is accompanied by burning pain in the back of the head.
- Root. With this pathology, the intervertebral disc compresses the nerve roots. The pains are painful, burning and throbbing.
In most cases, the symptoms of osteochondrosis in men are almost the same as in women. When the first attacks of pain appear, the patient does not always suspect that it is cervical osteochondrosis. A timely diagnosis will help avoid complications.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
X-rays are taken for diagnosis. It will help ensure that there is no spinal injury. However, this research method does not provide an opportunity to see osteophytes. More modern diagnostic methods are used for that.
Implementing assigned:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- Ultrasound scan of the neck veins.
Computed tomography (CT) is the creation of a series of X-rays that show the cervical vertebrae in volume. Such details allow an assessment of the nature of nerve compression, disc height, and osteophyte structure.
Magnetic resonance imaging is considered to be one of the most informative diagnostic methods. It allows you to assess the condition of bone structures. During an MRI, your doctor may detect the presence of a hernia.
Duplex vascular scanning is used if the doctor suspects a bleeding disorder in the spinal arteries.
Treatment of male osteochondrosis
Treatment is selected depending on the degree of damage and the general well-being of the man. In most cases, medication and physical therapy are recommended.
HELP.Conservative therapy is aimed at relieving pain and relieving muscle spasms.
Physiotherapy activates regeneration processes in cartilage tissue. Such procedures may be part of a comprehensive treatment or an independent method.
The following procedures are assigned:
- Electrotherapy.The impact on the affected areas of the spine is done by 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 takes 20 minutes.
- Laser therapy.Uses helium-neon lasers. They enhance bioelectrical processes in the tissues of the nervous system. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and healing wounds. Exposure to one area does not exceed 2 minutes, the whole procedure takes about 14 minutes.
- Shock wave therapy. This type of exposure is rarely used because there is a lot of controversy about its effectiveness. The shock is extended through sound waves. They help improve metabolism and activate blood microcirculation.
- Balneotherapy.The treatment is carried out with mineral water and healing mud. All beneficial substances penetrate the skin and act on receptors and nerve endings.
In order to restore the mobility of the affected area, gymnastic exercises should be performed. It will help strengthen the muscular corset and make the ligaments more flexible. The first trainings should take place under the supervision of a coach, because it is not the number of exercises performed that matters, but their technique.
Important!Surgery is indicated if treatment and physiotherapy have not yielded the desired results.
This is called a cervical discectomy. The doctor immobilizes the affected segment and removes the hernia that puts pressure on the spinal nerve. Over time, the vertebrae grow together. 3-5 days after the operation, the patient is transferred to the outpatient clinic.
The rehabilitation period lasts about 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 treatment for cervical osteochondrosis by visiting a doctor. Self-medication can worsen the course of the disease and lead to surgery.
Medications for treatment
Osteochondrosis medications should only be taken as directed by your doctor. He creates a therapeutic regimen and chooses the optimal dose.
The following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- analgesics; antispasmodics;
- anti-inflammatory drugs; vasodilators;
- chondroprotectors.
HELP.The active ingredients not only relieve cramps, but also reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings.
Your doctor may prescribe the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
The use of drugs to reduce blood viscosity as a vasodilator is recommended. They improve blood microcirculation. Taking such medications promotes rapid recovery after treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
The action of the chondroprotector is aimed at activating the regeneration process in the injured cartilage.
Wrongly chosen treatment can lead to disc herniation. Hypertension often occurs in cervical osteochondrosis. If necessary, the doctor prescribes medication to alleviate the symptoms of such a pathological condition.
In order for drug treatment to be as effective as possible, it must be combined with therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy procedures.
After a chiropractic session, try not to twitch your neck. The muscles will be maximally relaxed after the procedure and you can reduce the positive effect of the session.
Diet for osteochondrosis
In osteochondrosis, a man should pay special attention to his diet. It must be balanced, because the body must receive a sufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients.
The following foods should be present in the diet:
- vegetables and herbs;
- berries and fruits;
- dairy and fermented milk products;
- protein rich foods;
- foods containing gelatin and collagen.
Plant foods are rich in vitamins and fiber. They have a low energy value, which contributes to maintaining a normal weight. Parsley, cauliflower, beets and broccoli are especially useful.
For patients with osteochondrosis, the introduction of sea buckthorn into the diet is recommended. You can prepare jellies based on fruits and berries. 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 should be present in the daily menu:
- fermented baked milk;
- preservative-free cheese;
- yogurt;
- cheese milk.
It is important that dairy and fermented dairy products are natural, free of dyes and other harmful additives. Proteins are necessary for the formation of bone and cartilage tissue. Most are found in eggs, milk, whole grains and brewer’s yeast.
Fish and seafood will benefit. They contain fatty and polyunsaturated acids, necessary for the normal recovery of the body. Collagen is present in jelly, fish aspic and aspic. Promotes cartilage tissue synthesis.
HELP.It is recommended to replace ordinary vegetable oil with extra virgin olive oil. It is important to maintain water balance.
Use only filtered or bottled water.
Most men come to the doctor when osteochondrosis is already in an advanced stage. There are numerous symptoms that indicate the development of a pathological condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help avoid surgery and complications.