Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. High quality treatment of this disease is carried out in a professional clinic, taking into account the degree of disease development and related syndromes.
Common symptoms
Neck and back pain is the main symptom of osteochondrosis, but it only occurs in the second stage of this disease. At first, patients notice only a feeling of heaviness and muscle tension. There is a habit of reflexively stretching the neck area or turning the head to get rid of uncomfortable sensations.
In addition to pain, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- Crunching when the body or head is turned;
- Numbness and feeling of weakness in the hands;
- Reduced flexibility;
- Headache, nausea;
- Weakness and constant fatigue;
- Impairment of cognitive functions, hearing and sight.
With the development of pathology, a slight feeling of discomfort develops in aches and pains, followed by severe pain that manifests itself during physical exertion, sudden movements, or a state of fatigue. In the later stages of the disease, pain of varying degrees of intensity is constantly felt, even at rest or during sleep. Over time the pain begins to radiate to the back of the head, arms, shoulders and fingers - this is caused by damage to the nerve roots.
Upper limb dysfunction associated with osteochondrosis
The development of this disease often causes 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 can also observe:
- Itching or itching, burning sensation in the hands;
- Periodic numbness;
- Weakness of the hands (including weakening of the touch of objects with the palms);
- Impaired motor function of the hands;
- Sudden shooting pains.
With osteochondrosis, calcium salts begin to be deposited on the affected side - this is the body’s compensatory response to the destruction of the fibrous rings of the intervertebral discs. By depositing salts, the patient may notice:
- Reduced neck flexibility;
- Crunching when tilting or turning over;
- Pain when trying to close his head.
Some symptoms may appear only in certain postures or movements. For example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by a "power" sensation along the arms when trying to lower oneself.
Problems caused by impaired blood flow
The disease causes serious disorders of blood circulation and also affects metabolic processes. Because of this, it affects not only the spine but also the brain, as well as other systems, resulting in:
- Blood pressure fluctuations;
- Movement disorders;
- Weakness;
- headache;
- Sudden nausea;
- Tinnitus;
- "Middle" in front of eyes;
- Fatigue conditions.
With the development of osteochondrosis and, consequently, with impaired blood flow in the patient, cognitive functions may deteriorate. Decreased analytical and creative abilities, memory problems arise. It can also impair sight or hearing. Due to constant pain and insufficient blood supply to the brain, the patient becomes nervous, capricious, depressed, sudden outbursts of apathy or anger may appear.
Other consequences of cervical osteochondrosis
Muscle tension, its abnormal position, and progressive scoliosis can lead to health problems that at first glance seem difficult to associate with osteochondrosis.
Some of the symptoms may be mistaken for heart or gastrointestinal disease:
- Pain in the middle of the chest;
- Pain in the heart;
- Tachycardia and extrasystole;
- Pain or cramps when swallowing;
- Nausea attacks.
Also, the patient may notice a change in voice, hoarseness, or a frequent urge to "clear" the throat. You may experience a "fed bump" feeling or violent snoring. There may be a sharp deterioration in the condition of the teeth, problems with dictation, and sudden attacks of numbness of the face or tongue.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at different stages of the disease
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are manifested according to the degree of the disease. At an early stage, 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 gets worse. In later stages, the disease can lead to disability.
- 1 degree.At this point the symptoms are mild: it is a feeling of heaviness or muscle tension, the appearance of a headache. Unpleasant sensations increase with physical exertion
- 2nd degree. . . Local pain occurs due to the initial eruption of the discs. The pain syndrome becomes more intense when the head is tilted or turned. Pain may be reflected, usually between the shoulder blades or in the arms. The more the patient experiences weakness, the general tone of the body decreases.
- 3rd degree.The formation of the intervertebral hernia begins, a significant deformation of the spine is observed. The pain syndrome is intense, constant. Serious mobility disorders are observed in the affected side, gait is changed.
- 4th degree. . . There may be severe pain when trying to tilt or turn his head, or conversely, no pain if it is impossible to do any movement of the head. Most often, the patient experiences severe headaches, vision and hearing deteriorate, coordination of movements is impaired. At this stage, the patient is often disabled.
Test: Check for symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Answer a few questions to check for signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Have you had head or neck injuries?
- Do you suffer from neck pain after sleep?
- Is there pain when pulling back, bending or turning your head?
- Do you notice Khram while moving on your head?
- Do you experience muscle tension or a desire to stretch your neck?
- Do you have discomfort, sharp or excruciating pain during or after exercise?
- Do you often have dizziness, headaches?
- Do you have a headache when lifting sharply if a "whistle" appears in front of your eyes?
- Do you notice that your hands are cold and periodically numb?
If you answered yes to at least a few questions, this is the reason for a visit to the doctor. Do not delay a visit to the doctor - this way you have a better chance of recovery.