Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease and treatment methods at home

The most common reason for neck pain is getting degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. Every year this disease getting any younger. Predisposed to it people who daily work in a sitting position, not engaged in physical activity. It is important to know what is osteoarthritis, its symptoms and treatment at home.

Features of the disease

Osteochondrosis – a disease that affects the spine or rather the intervertebral discs. When the development of the meat items are damaged discs and costeniuc, and the vertebrae begin to touch each other, thus squeezing blood vessels and nerve fibers nearby.

Cervical osteochondrosis – one of the most common types of lesions of the spine, which can occur as elderly people and those about 20 years.

The first signs

Due to the fact that in the cervical spinal division of the intervertebral discs is not very high, even a small damage becomes the cause of the disease. About the beginning of the problems can testify:

• osiplosti, hoarseness;
• the increase in dental problems (have to go to the dentist more often than usual, e.g. due to partial destruction of the teeth);
• blurred vision;
• burning sensation between the shoulder blades;
• the sore throat when sore throat;
• pain in the shoulder Department, the occipital region, across the length of the hands;
• weakness of forelimbs;
• impaired coordination resulting in uneven gait;
• frequent dizziness, which can be fainting;
• reduced endurance;
• feeling tired immediately after sleep;
• recurrent headaches in the left side of the chest, give a hand;
• the limited mobility of the neck, the crunch in bends and slopes.

In different cases, cervical osteochondrosis can have a number of additional symptoms. However, they depend on the location of the damaged intervertebral disc.

Specialists distinguish several types of syndromes, characteristic for cervical degenerative disc disease, including:

1. Radicular. Develops due to pinched nerve. Thus the person experiences a sharp pain, extending from the neck to the shoulders, then forearms and so on until the fingers (or one hand). Also radicular syndrome is characterized by tingling or "Murakami" on the skin, blanching of the skin and slight swelling.
2. Vertebral artery syndrome. The main feature is the "wrap-around" headache. Often this pain is constant, but in some cases may be recurring. Amplification of pain occurs after increased activity or after a long stay in an uncomfortable position. With a simultaneous decrease in immunity, headache may be accompanied by nausea and loss of consciousness. In this case, a possible hearing, vision and problems with the vestibular apparatus.
3. Syndrome cervical migraine. In this case, because of a change in position of the vertebrae and the discs between them is disturbed circulation of the brain, which is accompanied by ringing in the ears or nasal congestion, tachycardia, noise in the head etc.
4. Hypertension. Is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. The patient suffers from strong headaches, often accompanied by feeling of nausea.

Often during exacerbation of the disease the patient can rise the body temperature.

Features stages of the disease and symptoms

In the process of disease development experts distinguish 4 stages:

• Stage I. At this stage there is a displacement of the intervertebral discs, the violation of their stability. The person may feel muscle tension in the affected area and a little pain. For mild symptoms, as a rule, this phase to pass almost unnoticed.
• Stage II. Begins with the destruction of the fibrous ring, reducing the distance between the vertebrae. Symptoms – the pain is localized in certain points and is worse when bending or rotating the head. Also at this stage a connection may appear fatigue.
• Stage III. Fibrous ring completely destroyed, the hernia is formed. The spine is thus deformed, the pain becomes much stronger. To reduce the discomfort a person is forced to restrict movement. Clear signs – frequent dizziness, fatigue.
• Stage IV. This stage is characterized by complete immobility of the damaged portion of the spine. Periodically possible extinction of pain, but eventually she always returned, increasing in several times.

The deeper the defeat of the intervertebral discs, the lower the probability of complete cure of the disease.

Causes of cervical degenerative disc disease

There are several reasons for the beginning and development of the disease. Among the most common:

1. genetic predisposition;
2. posture;
3. age;
4. the trauma of the spine;
5. heavy loads, including heavy physical work and sport;
6. infectious diseases transferred earlier;
7. wearing tight uncomfortable shoes or shoes with high heels;
8. unhealthy diet, including excessive harmful foods.

In addition, the emergence of degenerative disc disease can contribute to excess weight, frequent stress, sedentary lifestyle and even severe hypothermia.

The danger of the disease

The sooner started cervical osteochondrosis, Tim stronger can be a possible complications. Upon the occurrence of the disease at a young age you can have these consequences:

• herniated disc;
• radiculopathy cervical roots;
• spinal disc protrusion in the cervical spine (protrusion);
• vertebrogenic cervicalgia, etc.

Also in the case of advanced degenerative disc disease possible problems with vertebrate arteries, the development of paresis and other related diseases.

Rules for home treatment

To treat cervical osteochondrosis in different ways, including to carry out the treatment at home, but under certain rules. First, home therapy give only the initial stage of the disease. In advanced disease you can also use home methods, but in combination with more professional treatments. Secondly, the methods of self-medication in the home must be approved by the physician after an accurate diagnosis.

Effective medications

Modern pharmaceuticals offers a wide variety of different tablets, patches and ointments or gels are directional. These tools not only help to get rid of pain in osteochondrosis, but also prevent out the destruction of the cartilage of the intervertebral discs.

Among the most effective and popular pharmacy products for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease are often singled out:

1. Warming and anesthetic ointments/gels.
2. Muscle relaxants – medications that lower m atovi tone and reduce inflammation.
3. Transdermal patches, which have special medicinal substance, which are most commonly used thiamine (vitamin B1), glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin. Under the influence of heat the drug easily penetrates into the muscles and tissue, providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In addition, the patch also relieve spasms in the muscles and return them to physical activity.
4. Vitamin complexes. Vitamins are an integral part of therapy, because they strengthen the body, improve metabolic processes in it, which, in turn, affects recovery m of asovih and cartilage, improving the conduction of nerve impulses, normalization of skin sensitivity, etc., Among the vitamins necessary in the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease, experts distinguish the b vitamins, and retinol (A) tocopherol (E), calciferol (D), ascorbic and nicotinic acid
5. Chondroprotectors. The main action of these drugs is aimed at restoring cartilage tissues, increasing blood circulation and reducing pain. However, treatment with these drugs gave results, they should be applied over quite a long period of time (3 to 6 months).

To improve the efficiency of treatment it is possible to combine drugs from different groups, for example, vitamin complexes with chondroprotectors and patches.

The use of traditional recipes

A lot of recipes for the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine can be aware in folk medicine:

• To relieve pain during exacerbation of osteochondrosis helps an ordinary sheet of hell. For this purpose it is necessary to apply to the sore spot on the inner side and fix connectivity in a bundle. Sheet pre-scalded with boiling water. By morning the neck pain calmed down almost 100%.
• As a preventive medical aid you can use and potatoes. To prepare the potato medicine, the tubers are of medium size rubbed on a fine grater and mix with honey in proportion 1:1. The consistency of the resulting composition should resemble the ointment. Potato and honey mixture is used as a compresses applied to the neck, compression on top of it is paper and towel and fixed with POV yazki. To keep the poultice should be 2 hours, after which the skin is wiped with a damp cloth and smeared with pine oil. During exacerbation of osteochondrosis, treatment should be 7-10 days, and for the prevention of compress can be done 1 time per week.
• Another popular recipe is also involved bee product – propolis. For making homemade drugs need 1 g of propolis, 50 g of aloe juice (freshly squeezed) and mustard powder. All these ingredients are dissolved in 0.5 liters of vodka or alcohol (diluted). The resulting solution was used to impregnate a fabric, which is then applied to the neck area at night. To enhance the effect of the neck additionally, you can wrap a woolen scarf.
• Paraffin compresses – another remedy to fight inflammation and pain. Before applying on the neck, the wax is melted on a steam bath and allow it to cool slightly to not burn the skin. Instead of wax you can use wax. Heating with paraffin or wax are held 1 time in 3 days.
• The dough with turpentine. For this method of treatment is necessary to make a dough from rye flour and filtered water. It should be fairly elastic, but not very tight. From the received dough to form a pancake. After this sore spot rubbed with turpentine and put on top of the finished cake. Duration of procedure – 15-20 min, the frequency – 3 times a week.

For the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease, traditional medicine offers not only compresses and rubbing, but also the means for the reception inside:

1. Herbal. To prepare a medicinal infusion'll need dandelion leaves, yarrow, thyme, St. John's wort, chamomile and calendula. Each ingredient – 1 tbsp All vegetable ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Then take 2 tbsp of mixture, put them in a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water and insist within hours. Ready infusion of the fifth Ute to 3 times a day (60 ml per serving) before eating. The course of treatment – 20 days.
2. Infusion of Bay leaves. To make it to 1 Cup of water will require 10 g of Bay leaf. All the ingredients are placed in an enamel pan and boil on low heat for 5 for 5 min. After that, the resulting broth insist 3 hours and filtered. The resulting infusion is the fifth Ute during the day in small SIPS. The course is 4 days. After a week break repeat the treatment.
3. A decoction of parsley. Prepare it as follows: 3 tablespoons of crushed roots of the plant is poured into 750 ml of water and boiled on slow heat for hours. The resulting broth is filtered and cooled. Pierre s medicine twice a day 1 tbsp. spoon. This should be made in the morning on an empty stomach and before sleep.
4. Infusion of celery juice. To prepare celery root rubbed on a fine grater, after which the resulting mass is thoroughly wring out the juice. Then, for every tablespoon of juice add 100 ml of hot boiled water and leave to infuse for 2 hours. Take the infusion of 2 tablespoons. tablespoons before each meal.
5. Infusion with cranberry leaves. This infusion makes a good anti-inflammatory effect. To make it 3 tsp. of dry powdered leaves pour a glass of boiling water. Two hours later, the resulting composition is filtered, Pierre Ute 2 tbsp. spoon three times a day.
6. Alcohol tincture of pine nuts. To receive effective medicines pine nuts are pounded with the shell, put in a glass container and pour vodka. Close the jar tightly and put in a dark place for a week. At the same time every day, the capacity should be thoroughly shaken. After 7 days the resulting infusion is filtered. Pierre drink three times a day, 2 tsp per dose.

Also as an effective means to replenish potassium and calcium in the body traditional medicine recommends connection to China eat a few spoons of sesame seeds daily (for one time connection just eat one spoonful, but do it several times a day).

The effectiveness of self-massage

Kneading, rubbing and stroking improve blood circulation, reduce pain, relieve tension in muscles, to normalize metabolism. However, in order not to harm yourself during self-massage you need to follow a few rules:

• Massage should be done exclusively with the pads of the fingers.
• Do not press on the injured area.
• All movements should be smooth, without sharp and rapid taps.
• It is necessary to massage the back of her head, the soft muscles of the back and side areas of the neck.
• To perform the procedure you need just sitting. For convenience, it is necessary to throw one leg over the other and rests the elbow to reach to the back of the neck and spine. The opposite hand it is necessary to embrace the neck from all sides.

The duration of the massage – 10 minutes. Frequency – daily. It is not necessary to do self-massage with strong pain. Better to wait until it subsides a little.

Correctly performed massage can be useful and more efficient than even the best medication.

Gymnastics

It is advisable to complement the home treatment of gymnastic exercises. They are recommended to perform after warming up in the bath or shower. The most effective exercises with cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. The head tilts. To run you must stand up straight, extend hands along the body and tilt the head first forward, then backward. Each situation must be delayed approximately 10 seconds.
2. Tilts to the side. Not changing the previous position, tilt your head left and right, also holding it in each direction for 10 sec.
3. The provisions are the same, but now you must head to tilt alternately to the sides, pausing for half a minute.
4. Turn. Put hands on waist, push the chin slightly forward and turn your head to the side so that it rests on the shoulders. In this position, you must stand still for 50 seconds.
5. Breeding hands. This exercise is performed in the sitting position. To do this, sit on a chair, put my hands on my knees. After the hand is stretched forward and gently bred in hand. At the same time, tilt your head, then return to the starting position.
6. Difficult turns. The left palm is placed on the right shoulder (elbow under the direct angle) and simultaneously turn your head to the right. Then perform the exercise using your right hand.

In addition to these exercises well help with osteochondrosis and many others. For example, during the holidays you can go on a hard sofa so that the shoulders lay on the edge and your head hanging down. Hands should be relaxed and extended along the body. Within a few minutes required to raise and lower the head, straining exclusively to the muscles of the neck. First exercise is performed lying on your back, and then just turned over on his stomach.