Osteochondrosis is a disease that destroys the intervertebral discs and the joints of the spine. Of the five parts of the spine, anyone can be affected by the disease, but the manifestations and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine give people the most trouble. 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 area contributes to degenerative changes in its structure and the development of osteochondrosis.
Who is affected by the disease?
Most often, the disease develops and begins to manifest itself in twenty-five to thirty years due to the forced long stay of a person 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 abrupt cessation.
The main causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical and thoracic spine are incorrect posture, sedentary lifestyle, heredity, improperly organized workplace or uncomfortable bed. Weight lifting also contributes to the occurrence of this disease, since in this process microtraumas are possible, contributing to 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 a long time. The scene is characterized by instability.
- It is characterized by protrusion (bulging) of the discs. The intervertebral spaces are reduced due to the destruction of the annulus fibrosus of the disc and the reduction of its height. Due to pinching of the nerve roots by the nearest vertebrae and protruding discs, pain may occur.
- There is complete destruction of the annulus fibrosus and, consequently, formation of intervertebral hernias. The spine is significantly deformed.
- This stage is the most difficult, since the pain occurs with almost any movement. Bony growths appear, connecting the vertebrae, limiting mobility. Such increases may cause disability.
Distinctive signs of cervical osteochondrosis
The blood vessels that supply the brain are located mainly in a person's neck, so many of the signs of the disease are related to impaired blood circulation in the brain.
- So, here are the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, noticing which, you need to see a doctor:
- severe, persistent pain in neck and head, extending to eyes and ears;
- pain in hands, worse with every effort.
- difficulties in the movements 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 throat and neck;
- the appearance of dizziness when turning the head (even before fainting), tinnitus.
- numbness of the tongue, blurred vision and hearing.
- pain in the heart, which is not cured by taking the appropriate medicines.
- nausea, blood pressure instability.
- sore throat, swallowing disorder.
- feeling short of breath.
Symptoms of pathology
The manifestation of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may be associated with dysfunction of the following organs and systems in the patient's body:
- compression and splitting of the spinal cord in the spinal canal. Such symptoms are rare and can only occur in very severe cases.
- changes in the peripheral nervous system, the cause of which is the compression of the nerve roots located next to the affected vertebrae.
- violation of the blood supply to the brain.
When diagnosing this disease, the doctor pays attention to the presence of a number of symptoms. Their appearance depends on which part of the spine was affected by the disease.
Cardiac syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The signs of cardiac syndrome in osteochondrosis are similar to those of angina pectoris, this is due to irritation of the roots 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, the cough becomes stronger.
Tachycardia and extrasystole may occur that do not disappear with the use of appropriate drugs and the cardiogram shows no abnormalities.
Irritable reflex syndromes
This group of syndromes is characterized by acute pain in the neck, aggravated by movement, coughing, turning the head and sneezing. It can radiate to the shoulder or chest.
radical syndrome
This syndrome occurs when the cervical nerve is compressed. It is characterized by the spread of pain from the neck to the shoulder blades and forearms to the fingers. Perhaps the appearance of numbness and goosebumps in the back of the head, neck, shoulder area, hands.
vertebral artery syndrome
This syndrome, caused by compression of the vertebral artery that is responsible for the blood supply to the brain, is characterized by the appearance of a sharp or throbbing headache, which passes to the back of the head, to the forehead, to the temples. Perhaps the appearance of nausea, loss of orientation, the appearance of auditory disturbances, impaired vision, fainting.
A person who has noticed the appearance of the above signs of cervical osteochondrosis should immediately consult a doctor.
We must remember that treatment started at an early stage of the disease is more effective. It will help stop the disease and continue to lead a full life.
Today, medicine offers different methods of treating osteochondrosis, allowing you to slow down or stop the destruction of the spine and give the patient a long life without pain.
Proper nutrition, active lifestyle, regular exercise, gymnastics, stretching of the spine will allow you not to remember such a problem as cervical osteochondrosis in the future.