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 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 spinal injuries in the cervical spine.
Pain occurs against the background of ailments in the peripheral region, this is a consequence of the damaging effect on the nerve roots and adhesions connecting tissues, discs and muscles. With cervical osteochondrosis, men experience periodic or persistent pain. In the morning, the patient may feel dull pains deep in the neck.
Important!Unpleasant sensations occur with head turning, coughing and sneezing.
Due to strong muscle tension, a man cannot breathe deeply. The pain can 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, the discomfort can radiate to the shoulder and arm area.
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs.
The deterioration of blood circulation in the nerve nodes leads to the following symptoms:
- burning in the back of the head;
- nocturnal numbness of the hands;
- swelling of the hands;
- irregular heartbeat;
- creaks and creaks when you turn your head.
Vascular signs appear when the brain stem 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 heartbeat;
- 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. It 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 go numb.
- Irritating to reflexes. This syndrome is accompanied by burning 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 done to diagnose the disease. It will help make sure there are no spinal injuries. However, this research method does not offer the opportunity to see osteophytes. For this, more modern diagnostic methods are used.
Assigned execution:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic tomography;
- ultrasound of the vessels of the neck.
Computed tomography involves the creation of a series of X-rays that show the cervical vertebrae in volume. These details allow to evaluate the nature of the nerve compression, the height of the discs and the structure of the osteophytes.
Magnetic resonance imaging is considered one of the most informative diagnostic methods. It allows to evaluate the condition of the bone structures. During an MRI, the doctor can detect the presence of a hernia.
Duplex vascular scanning is used if the doctor suspects a bleeding disorder in the vertebral arteries.
Treatment of male osteochondrosis
Treatment is selected based 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 aims to relieve pain and relieve muscle spasm.
Physiotherapy activates regenerative processes in the cartilage tissue. Such procedures can be part of a comprehensive treatment or as an independent method.
The following procedures are assigned:
- Electrotherapy.The impact on the affected areas of the spine occurs 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.Uses 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 whole procedure takes about 14 minutes.
- Shock wave therapy.This type of exposure is rarely used, as there is a lot of controversy over its effectiveness. The impact is provided via acoustic waves. They help improve metabolism and activate blood microcirculation.
- Balneotherapy.The 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, it is necessary to perform gymnastic exercises. They will help strengthen the muscle corset and make the ligaments more flexible. The first workouts should take place under the supervision of a trainer, as it is not the number of exercises performed that is important, but their technique.
Important!Surgery is indicated if medical treatment and physical therapy have not brought 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 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.
Drugs for treatment
Medicines for osteochondrosis should only be taken as directed by a doctor. Work out a treatment regimen and select 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 drugs relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
It is recommended to use drugs to reduce blood viscosity as a vasodilator. They improve blood microcirculation. Taking such drugs promotes rapid recovery after treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
The action of chondroprotectors is aimed at activating the regeneration processes in the damaged 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 drugs to relieve the symptoms of such a pathological condition.
In order for drug treatment to be as effective as possible, it must be combined with medical gymnastics and physiotherapy procedures.
After a chiropractic session, try not to shake your neck. The muscles after the procedure will be fully 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 products and fermented milk products;
- foods rich in proteins;
- foods that contain gelatin and collagen.
Plant foods are rich in vitamins and fiber. They have low energy value, which contributes to the maintenance of normal weight. Parsley, cauliflower, beetroot, and broccoli are especially useful.
For patients with osteochondrosis, it is recommended to introduce sea buckthorn in the 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 cooked milk;
- cheese without preservatives;
- yogurt;
- curdled milk.
It is important that dairy products and fermented milk products are natural, without dyes and other harmful additives. Proteins are essential 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 gelatin, aspic fish and aspic. Promotes the synthesis of cartilage tissue.
HELP.It is advisable to replace simple vegetable oil with extra virgin olive oil. It is important to maintain water balance.
Use only filtered or bottled water.
Most men see a 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.