Cervical spondylosis is a common chronic disease, so the development of cervical spondylosis involves some pathological changes. Many people are not very familiar with these pathological changes. So how do the pathological changes of cervical spondylosis form? Below we will introduce the pathological changes of cervical spondylosis. Generally speaking, the pathological changes of cervical spondylosis are intervertebral disc degeneration, reduction of nucleus pulposus elasticity, bulging around, or even protrusion or herniation. Then, how should we pay attention to prevent cervical spondylosis in our daily life?
1. Proper use of pillows. One third of human life is spent in bed, and the height and softness/hardness of the pillow have a direct impact on the cervical vertebrae. The best pillow should be able to support the physiological curve of the cervical vertebrae and keep the cervical vertebrae straight. The pillow should have elasticity, and the pillow core made of kapok, hollow high elastic cotton or grain shells is recommended. For those who like to sleep on their back, the height of the pillow should be about 5 cm (the height after compression); for those who like to sleep on their side, the height should be about 10 cm. When lying on your back, the lower edge of the pillow should preferably be padded at the upper edge of the scapula, and the neck should not be left unsupported. In fact, the real name of the pillow should be "cervical pillow". An unsuitable pillow often causes stiff neck, and repeated stiff neck is often a precursor of cervical spondylosis, which needs timely treatment; another thing to note is the pillow mat. A grass-woven pillow mat is the best, while bamboo mats are too cold and too hard, and it's better not to use them.
2. Keep neck warm. Cold stimulation to the neck can cause muscle and blood vessel spasm, aggravating the stiffness and pain in the neck. In autumn and winter, it is best to wear high-necked clothes; when the weather is slightly warmer, you should pay attention to preventing the neck and shoulders from getting cold during nighttime sleep; in hot seasons, the air conditioning temperature should not be too low.
3. Correct posture. The main inducement of cervical spondylosis is incorrect working or studying posture. Good posture can reduce fatigue and avoid injury. Prolonged head-down time makes muscles tired, leading to aging of the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine and chronic strain, which may lead to a series of symptoms. The best desk work posture is to keep the neck upright, slightly tilted forward, without twisting or tilting; if the working time exceeds one hour, you should take a few minutes' rest, doing some neck exercises or massage; it is not advisable to lean your head against the head of the bed or the armrest of the sofa to read books or watch TV.
4. Avoid injury. Neck injuries can also induce this disease. Besides paying attention to posture, when taking fast transportation, if there is an emergency brake and the head rushes forward, a "whiplash" injury may occur. Therefore, you need to protect yourself, avoid dozing off in the car, and appropriately twist your body sideways when sitting; during sports competitions, more attention should be paid to avoiding cervical spine injuries; when cervical spondylosis acutely occurs, the cervical spine should reduce activity, especially avoid rapid turning of the head, and use a neck brace if necessary.