Osteochondrosis is a disease that destroys the intervertebral discs and the joints of the spine. Anyone from all five parts of the spine can be affected by the disease, but the manifestations and symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis give people the most problems. This is due to the large number of nerve fibers and endings, as well as blood vessels that feed 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 on the cervical region contributes to degenerative changes in its structure and the development of osteochondrosis.
Who is affected by the disease?
Often, the disease develops and begins to manifest itself within twenty-five to thirty years due to the fact that a person is forced to remain in a static and uncomfortable position for a long time. This primarily affects 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 abrupt cessation.
The main causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical and thoracic spine are incorrect posture, a sedentary lifestyle, heredity, an improperly organized workplace or an uncomfortable bed. Lifting weights also contributes to the appearance of this disease, because in this process microtraumas are possible, causing dystrophic changes in the cartilage and bone tissues of the spine.
Stages of development of osteochondrosis of the spine
- The intervertebral discs are just beginning to collapse, losing moisture and elasticity. This process can take quite a long time. The stage is characterized by instability.
- It is characterized by protrusion (bulging) of the discs. Due to the destruction of the fibrous ring of the disc and a decrease in its height, the intervertebral spaces decrease. Pain can occur due to compression of the nerve roots by the approaching vertebrae and bulging discs.
- There is a complete destruction of the fibrous ring and, as a result, the formation of intervertebral hernias. The spine is significantly deformed.
- This stage is the most difficult, because the pain occurs with almost any movement. Bony growths appear, they connect the vertebrae, limiting mobility. Such growths can cause disability.
Different signs of cervical osteochondrosis
The blood vessels that feed the brain are located mainly in the human neck, so many symptoms of the disease are associated with impaired blood circulation in the brain.
- So, these are the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which you should see a doctor if you see:
- severe, continuous pain in neck and head, extending to eyes and ears;
- pain in the arms, worse with any effort;
- difficulties in the movements of fingers and hands, violation of their sensitivity;
- neck muscle tension;
- when turning and bending the head, the appearance of pain in the neck;
- the appearance of throbbing pain in the neck and neck;
- dizziness when dizzy (even before fainting), tinnitus;
- numbness of the tongue, blurred vision and hearing;
- heart pain that is not treated by taking appropriate drugs;
- nausea, instability of blood pressure;
- sore throat, swallowing disorder;
- feeling of shortness of breath.
Symptoms of pathology
Manifestation of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be associated with malfunctions of 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 may appear only in very severe cases;
- changes in the peripheral nervous system, due to compression of the nerve roots located near the affected vertebrae;
- disruption of blood supply to the brain.
When diagnosing this disease, the doctor focuses on the presence of a number of symptoms. Their appearance depends on which part of the spine is affected by the disease.
Cardiac syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Symptoms of heart syndrome in osteochondrosis are similar to angina pectoris, which is due to irritation of the roots of the pectoral 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 that do not disappear with the use of appropriate drugs can be seen, and there are no abnormalities in the cardiogram.
Irritant reflex syndromes
This group of syndromes is characterized by sharp pain in the neck, aggravated by movement, coughing, turning the head and sneezing. It can spread to the shoulder or chest.
radicular syndrome
This syndrome manifests itself when the cervical nerve is compressed. It is characterized by the spread of pain from the neck to the shoulder blades and from the forearms to the fingers. Perhaps a feeling of numbness and abdominal pain 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 that passes to the back of the head, forehead, and temples. Perhaps nausea, loss of orientation, the occurrence of hearing disorders, impaired vision, fainting.
A person who notices the appearance of the above symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis should immediately consult a doctor.
It should be remembered that the treatment started at the early stage of the disease is the most effective. This will help stop the disease and continue to live a full life.
Today, medicine offers various methods of combating osteochondrosis, allowing to slow down or stop the destruction of the spine and give the patient a long life without pain.
Proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, regular exercise, gymnastics, stretching the spine will allow you not to remember such a problem as cervical osteochondrosis in the future.