Osteochondrosis is a disease that destroys the intervertebral discs and spinal joints. From all five parts of the spine, everyone can be affected by this disease, but the manifestations and symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis give people problems. This is due to the large number of nerve fibers and endings, as well as the blood vessels that supply the brain, passing through the neck.
This area of the spine is the most mobile. It is thanks to the neck that a person has the ability to turn and tilt his head. The constant load that comes to the cervical region contributes to degenerative changes in its structure and the development of osteochondrosis.
Who is affected by the disease?
Often, this disease develops and begins to manifest itself in twenty-five to thirty years due to the compulsion of a person's long stay in a static and uncomfortable position. It affects, first of all, office workers, drivers, operators of various types of equipment. Often the disease manifests itself in athletes as a result of training or, on the contrary, with their sudden cessation.
The main causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical and thoracic spine are incorrect posture, an inactive lifestyle, heredity, an unorganized workplace or an uncomfortable bed. Weight lifting also contributes to the appearance of this disease, because microtraumas may in this process, contribute to dystrophic changes in cartilage tissue and spinal bones.
Stages of development of osteochondrosis of the spine
- The intervertebral disc just begins to collapse, losing moisture and elasticity. This process can take quite some time. The stage is characterized by instability.
- It is characterized by protrusion (bulging) of the disc. The intervertebral space decreases due to the destruction of the fibrous ring of the disc and a decrease in its height. Because of the pinching of the nerve roots by the approaching vertebra and the protruding disc, pain may occur.
- There is a complete destruction of the fibrous ring, and, as a result, the formation of an intervertebral hernia. The spine is significantly deformed.
- This stage is the most difficult, because pain occurs with almost any movement. Bone growths appear, they connect the vertebrae, limiting mobility. Such growth can cause disability.
Distinctive signs of cervical osteochondrosis
The blood vessels that feed the brain are mainly located in a person's neck, so many of the symptoms of the disease are associated with impaired blood circulation in the brain.
- So, here are the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pay attention to which one, you need to see a doctor:
- severe, persistent pain in neck and head, extending to eyes and ears;
- pain in arm, worse with any exertion;
- difficulty in the movement of fingers and hands, violation of their sensitivity;
- neck muscle tension;
- when turning and tilting the head, the appearance of pain in the neck;
- the appearance of throbbing pain in the neck and neck;
- the occurrence of dizziness when turning the head (even before fainting), tinnitus;
- tongue numbness, blurred vision and hearing;
- pain in the heart, not cured by taking appropriate medicine;
- nausea, instability of blood pressure;
- sore throat, swallowing disorder;
- shortness of breath
Pathological symptoms
Manifestations of cervical spine osteochondrosis symptoms may be associated with damage to the following organs and systems in the patient's body:
- compression and disruption of the spinal cord in the spinal canal. Such symptoms are rare and can only appear in very severe cases;
- changes in the peripheral nervous system, the cause of which is compression of the nerve root located next to the affected vertebra;
- violation of blood supply to the brain.
When diagnosing this disease, doctors pay attention to the presence of several symptoms. Their appearance depends on which part of the spine is affected by the disease.
Cardiac syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Signs of heart syndrome in osteochondrosis are similar to angina pectoris, this is caused by irritation of the root of the pectoralis major muscle or the phrenic nerve. The resulting pain can last up to several hours, and with sneezing, a sharp turn of the head, coughing becomes stronger.
Tachycardia and extrasystole may appear, which do not disappear with the use of appropriate drugs, and the cardiogram does not show any abnormalities.
Irritable reflex syndrome
This group of syndromes is characterized by sharp pain in the neck, aggravated by movement, coughing, turning the head and sneezing. It can radiate to the shoulders or chest.
radicular syndrome
This syndrome manifests itself when the cervical nerve is pinched. It is characterized by the spread of pain from the neck to the shoulder blade and the forearm to the fingers. Perhaps the appearance of numbness and tingling in the back of the head, neck, shoulder area, hands.
vertebral artery syndrome
This syndrome, caused by compression of the vertebral artery responsible for blood supply to the brain, is characterized by the appearance of a sharp or throbbing headache, passing through the back of the head, forehead, temples. Perhaps the appearance of nausea, loss of orientation, the occurrence of hearing impairment, visual impairment, fainting.
A person who has seen the appearance of the above signs of cervical osteochondrosis should immediately see a doctor.
Keep in mind that treatment starting in the early stages of the disease is most effective. It will help stop the disease and continue to live a full life.
Today, medicine offers different methods to deal with osteochondrosis, allowing you to slow down or stop the destruction of the spine and give patients a long life without pain.
Proper nutrition, active lifestyle, regular exercise, gymnastics, spinal stretching will allow you not to remember problems like cervical osteochondrosis in the future.