Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral disc. In professional clinics, high -quality treatment for the disease is performed, taking into account the stage of development of the disease and the associated syndromes.
Common Symptoms
Pain in the neck and back is the main symptom of osteochondrosis, but it only occurs in the second stage of the disease. At first, patients only notice a feeling of heaviness and muscle tension. There is a habit of kneading the neck area reflexively or turning the head to get rid of the uncomfortable sensation.
In addition to pain, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- cramps when turning the body or head;
- numbness and feeling of weakness in the hands;
- decreased flexibility;
- headache, fainting;
- constant weakness and fatigue;
- impaired cognitive function, hearing and vision.
With the development of pathology, a slight feeling of discomfort develops into aches and pains, and then into a sharp pain, which is manifested during physical exercise, sudden movements or in a state of fatigue. In the later stages of the disease, pain with varying degrees of intensity is felt continuously, even in a state of rest or sleep. Over time, the pain begins to radiate to the back of the head, arms, shoulders and fingers - this is due to damage to the nerve roots.
Upper limb dysfunction associated with osteochondrosis
The development of this disease often gives rise to a variety of hand -related problems. In patients with cervical osteochondrosis, hands are almost always cold and frozen even in a warm room. You can also see:
- tingling or itching, burning sensation in the hands;
- periodic numbness;
- hand weakness (including weakness of gripping objects with the palms of the hands);
- violation of hand motor function;
- sick of suddenly shooting.
With osteochondrosis, calcium salts begin to be stored in the affected area - this is the body’s compensatory reaction to the destruction of the fibrous rings of the intervertebral disc. With salt deposition, patients can notice:
- decreased neck flexibility;
- convulsions when tilting or turning the head;
- pain when trying to bow the head.
Some symptoms can only appear on certain postures or movements. For example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the sensation of a "current" passing through the arm when trying to lower the head.
Problems caused by disturbed blood flow
The disease causes serious disorders in blood flow, and also affects metabolic processes. Therefore, not only the spine suffers, but also the brain, as well as other systems, as a result:
- blood pressure fluctuations;
- movement disorders;
- weakness;
- Headache;
- sudden nausea;
- tinitus;
- "Midges" in front of the eyes;
- fainting state.
With the development of osteochondrosis and, as a consequence, impaired blood flow in the patient, cognitive function can decline. Analytical and creative abilities decrease, memory problems arise. It can also interfere with vision or hearing. Due to constant pain and insufficient blood supply to the brain, the patient becomes nervous, fickle, depressed, arises feeling uneasy or sudden anger.
Another consequence of cervical osteochondrosis
Muscle tension, abnormal head position and gradually developing scoliosis can pose health problems that, at first glance, are difficult to associate with osteochondrosis.
Some symptoms can be mistaken for manifestations of heart or gastrointestinal tract disease:
- pain in the middle of the chest;
- pain in the heart area;
- tachycardia and extrasystole;
- pain or cramping during swallowing;
- nausea attacks.
Also, the patient may notice a change in voice, a hoarse voice, or a desire to "clear" the throat. You may experience a "bump in the throat" sensation or violent snoring. There may be a sharp deterioration in the condition of the teeth, problems with diction and a sudden onset of numbness of the face or tongue.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at different stages of disease development
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appear depending on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, the patient may only experience a feeling of heaviness or discomfort in the neck, as well as a feeling of constant muscle tension. Then the pain syndrome arises and worsens. At a later stage, the disease can lead to disability.
- Standard 1.At this stage, the symptoms are mild: this is a feeling of heaviness or muscle tension, the appearance of a headache. Unpleasant sensations increase with physical exercise
- Standard 2. . . Local pain appears due to the protrusion of the disc soon. The pain syndrome becomes more intense when the head is tilted or rotated. Reflected pain may appear, usually between the shoulder blades or in the arm. Patients are more likely to experience weakness, the general tone of the body decreases.
- Standard 3.The formation of an intervertebral hernia begins, significant spinal deformities are observed. Strong, persistent pain syndrome. There are serious movement disorders in the affected area, changes in gait.
- Grade 4. . . There may be intense pain when trying to tilt or turn the head, or, conversely, an absence of pain if it is impossible to make head movements. Often, patients experience severe headaches, impaired vision and hearing, impaired coordination of movements. Patient disability often occurs at this stage.
Test: check for yourself the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Answer a few questions to check for signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Do you have a head or neck injury?
- Do you experience neck pain after sleep?
- Is there pain when turning backwards, bending over, or turning the head?
- Do you have problems when you move your head?
- Do you experience muscle tension or a desire to stretch the neck?
- Do you experience discomfort, sharp pain or pulling during or after exercising?
- Do you often experience dizziness, headaches?
- Do you experience headaches during a sudden hike, or do "midges" appear before your eyes?
- Do you notice that your hands become cold and numb on a regular basis?
If you answered yes to at least some of the questions, this is a reason to see a doctor. Don’t delay a visit to the doctor - this way you have more chances to recover.