Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. In a professional clinic, high quality treatment of this disease is performed, taking into account the degree of development of the disease and the related syndromes.
Common symptoms
Neck and back pain is the main symptom of osteochondrosis, but it only appears in the second stage of this disease. At first, patients experience only a feeling of heaviness and muscle tension. There is a habit of reflexively kneading the neck area or turning the head to get rid of unpleasant sensations.
In addition to pain, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- crunching when turning the body or head.
- numbness and feeling of weakness in the hands.
- reduced flexibility.
- headaches, fainting
- weakness and constant fatigue.
- impairment of cognitive functions, hearing and vision.
With the development of pathology, a feeling of slight discomfort develops in pain and cramps and then in severe pain, which manifests itself during physical exercise, sudden movements or in a state of fatigue. In the later stages of the disease, the pain of varying degrees of intensity is constantly felt, even at rest or in sleep. Over time, the pain begins to radiate to the back of the head, arms, shoulders and fingers - this is caused by damage to nerve roots.
Upper limb dysfunctions associated with osteochondrosis
The development of this disease often leads to various problems related to the hands. In patients with cervical osteochondrosis, the hands are almost always cold and freeze even in a warm room. You may also notice:
- tingling or itching, burning sensation in the hands.
- periodic numbness.
- weakness of the hands (including weakening of the grip of objects with the palm).
- violation of the motor function of the hands.
- sudden shooting pains.
With osteochondrosis, calcium salts begin to deposit in the affected area - this is a compensatory reaction of the body to the destruction of the fibrous rings of the intervertebral discs. With the deposition of salts, the patient may note:
- reduced neck flexibility.
- crunching when tilting or turning the head.
- pain when trying to bend your head.
Some symptoms may occur only in certain postures or in certain movements. For example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the sensation of a "current" passing along the arms when we try to lower the head.
Problems caused by disturbed blood flow
The disease causes severe disturbances in blood flow and also affects metabolic processes. Because of this, not only the spine suffers, but also the brain, as well as other systems, resulting in:
- blood pressure fluctuations;
- motor disorders.
- weakness;
- headache;
- sudden nausea
- tinnitus
- "Medium" in front of the eyes.
- conditions of fainting.
With the development of osteochondrosis and, consequently, disruption of blood flow to the patient, cognitive functions may deteriorate. Analytical and creative abilities are reduced, memory problems arise. It can also affect your eyesight or hearing. Due to the constant pain and insufficient blood supply to the brain, the patient becomes nervous, capricious, depressed, sudden outbursts of apathy or anger may occur.
Other consequences of cervical osteochondrosis
Muscle tension, abnormal head position and the gradual development of scoliosis can cause health problems that, at first glance, are difficult to relate to osteochondrosis.
Some symptoms can be thought of as a condition of the heart or gastrointestinal tract:
- pain in the middle of the chest.
- pain in the heart area.
- tachycardia and extrasystole.
- pain or cramps when swallowing.
- nausea attacks.
The patient may also notice a change in voice, hoarseness or a frequent urge to "clear" the throat. You may feel a "lump in the throat" or violent snoring. There may be a sudden deterioration of the condition of the teeth, problems with the word and sudden attacks numbness of the face or tongue.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at different stages of the disease
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appear depending on the degree of the disease. In the early stages, the patient may experience only heaviness or discomfort in the neck, as well as a feeling of constant muscle tension. Later the pain syndrome appears and intensifies. In the later stages, the disease can lead to disability.
- 1st degree.At this stage, the symptoms are mild: this is a feeling of heaviness or muscle tension, the appearance of headaches. Unpleasant sensations increase with physical exercise
- 2nd degree. . . Local pain occurs due to the initial protrusion of the discs. The pain syndrome becomes more intense when the head tilts or turns. Reflex pain may occur, usually between the shoulders or in the arms. The patient is more likely to show weakness, the general tone of the body decreases.
- 3rd degree.The formation of an intervertebral hernia begins, a significant deformation of the spine is observed. The pain syndrome is intense, stable. There are severe movement disorders in the affected area, changes in gait.
- 4th degree. . . There may be severe pain when trying to tilt or turn the head or, conversely, the absence of any pain if it is impossible to make any head movements. Most often, the patient experiences severe headaches, vision and hearing deteriorate, coordination of movements is reduced. The patient's disability often occurs at this stage.
Test: check yourself for symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Answer a few questions to check for signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Did you have head or neck injuries?
- Do you have a sore neck after sleeping?
- Is there pain when you turn around, bend over or turn your head?
- Do you get jerks when you shake your head?
- Do you experience muscle tension or a desire to stretch your neck?
- Do you have discomfort, severe pain or traction during or after exercise?
- Do you often have dizziness, headache?
- Do you have a headache during a sudden increase or do "flies" appear in front of your eyes?
- Do you notice that your hands are cold and numb periodically?
If you answered yes to at least a few questions, this is a reason to see a doctor. Do not delay a visit to the doctor - this way you are more likely to recover.