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 lesions and the patient's condition.
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 lesions of the spine in the cervical spine.
Pain occurs against a background of disorders in the peripheral region, this is a consequence of the detrimental effect on the nerve roots and clutches that connect tissues, discs and muscles. With cervical osteochondrosis, men experience periodic or persistent pain. In the morning, the patient may feel boring pains deep in the neck.
Important!Unpleasant sensations occur with head rotation, coughing and sneezing.
Due to the strong muscle tension, a man 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 compensation of nerve roots occurs, discomfort can radiate to the area of the shoulders and arms.
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs.
Deterioration of blood circulation in the nerve nodes leads to the following symptoms:
- burning pain in the back of the head;
- nighttime numbness of the hands;
- swelling of the hands;
- irregular heart rate;
- crunch and crackle when turning the head.
Vascular signs appear when the brainstem is affected. Cervical osteochondrosis disrupts normal blood flow in the vertebral arteries. Against the background of such pathological changes, neurotic failures occur:
- insomnia;
- unreasonable irritability;
- wobbly gait;
- dizziness;
- rapid heart rate;
- excessive sweating;
- memory impairment.
In some cases, the performance of the visual apparatus 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 squeezed by herniated intervertebral discs. The upper and lower limbs begin to numb.
- Reflex-irritative. This syndrome is accompanied by burning pain in the back of the head.
- Root. With this pathology, the nerve roots are compressed by the intervertebral disc. The pains are aching, 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 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 an opportunity to see osteophytes. For this, more modern diagnostic methods are used.
Carrying out assigned:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic tomography;
- ultrasound scanning of neck vessels.
Computed tomography involves the creation of a series of X-rays that show the cervical vertebrae in volume. Such detailing makes it possible to assess the nature of nerve compression, the height of the discs and the structure of osteophytes.
Magnetic resonance imaging is considered one of the most informative diagnostic methods. It allows you to assess the condition of the bone structures. During an MRI, the doctor may detect the presence of a hernia.
Duplex vascular scanning is used if the doctor suspects bleeding disorder in the vertebral 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 spasm.
Physiotherapy activates regenerative processes in cartilage tissue. Such procedures can 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 by means of 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.It uses helium-neon lasers. They enhance bioelectric processes in the tissues of the nervous system. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and wound-healing effects. The duration of exposure to one area does not exceed 2 minutes, the whole procedure takes about 14 minutes.
- Shockwave therapy.This type of exposure is rarely used, as there is a lot of controversy regarding its effectiveness. The impact is provided through acoustic waves. They help to enhance metabolism and activate blood microcirculation.
- Balneotherapy.Treatment is carried out with mineral water and therapeutic mud. All beneficial substances penetrate the skin and act on receptors and nerve endings.
To restore the mobility of the affected area, gymnastic exercises should be performed. They will help strengthen the muscle corset and make the ligaments more flexible. The first trainings should take place under the supervision of a trainer, since it is not the number of exercises performed that is important, but their technique.
Important!Surgical intervention is indicated if medical treatment and physiotherapy have not brought 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 the surgery, the patient is transferred to the outpatient clinic.
The duration of the rehabilitation period is 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 of cervical osteochondrosis with a visit to a doctor. Self-treatment can aggravate the course of the disease and lead to surgery.
Drugs for treatment
Medicines for osteochondrosis should be taken only as directed by a doctor. He draws up a therapeutic regimen and selects the optimal dosage.
The following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- analgesics;
- antispasmodics;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- vasodilators;
- chondroprotectors.
HELP.The active ingredients not only relieve spasm, 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 blood viscosity as a vasodilator. They improve blood microcirculation. Taking such medications promotes rapid recovery after the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
The action of chondroprotectors is aimed at activating regeneration processes in injured cartilage.
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 relieve the symptoms of such a pathological condition.
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 jerk your neck. The muscles after the procedure will be maximally relaxed and you 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 should 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 high 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 milk products contain a large amount of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus. These vitamins and nutrients strengthen bones and cartilage tissue.
The following products should be present in the daily menu:
- fermented baked milk;
- cheese without preservatives;
- yogurt;
- curdled milk.
It is important that dairy and fermented milk products are natural, without dyes and 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 seafood will benefit. They contain fatty and polyunsaturated acids, which are necessary for the normal recovery of the body. Collagen is present in jelly, aspic fish and aspic. It promotes the synthesis of cartilage tissue.
HELP.It is recommended to replace plain vegetable oil with extra virgin olive oil. It is important to keep the water balance.
Use only filtered or bottled water.
Most men see a doctor when osteochondrosis is already at an advanced stage. There are a number of symptoms that indicate the development of a pathological condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help avoid surgery and complications.