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The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, rapid aging of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies of the neck occurs. Dizziness and headache are the main symptoms. Most often, changes develop in the more mobile parts of the spine.

healthy and damaged vertebral disc with cervical osteochondrosis

causes

The fact that osteochondrosis develops only in old age is an illusion. In recent years, signs of cervical osteochondrosis have been found in young people 16-20 years old. The onset of the disease is due to the following reasons:

  1. Violation of metabolic processes.
  2. Abuse of tobacco and alcohol.
  3. Low physical activity (hypodynamia).
  4. Injuries.
  5. Prolonged sitting position.
  6. Overweight.
  7. Sleep disorders.
  8. genetic predisposition.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are often confused with a common cold or fatigue. If signs of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Symptoms

There is a connection of symptoms in which there is a violation of the roots of the spine, a narrowing of the veins and arteries passing through the body of the vertebrae. Cervical sciatica (radicular syndrome) is manifested by numbness in the shoulder blades, shoulders, arms, as well as pain and tingling. Discomfort can be felt in the neck and chest (front).

The first signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra are:

  • mild neck pain;
  • creak during head rotation, when turning;
  • periodic pain in the head and neck, heaviness in the back of the head, numbness in the arms and shoulders.

Dizziness is a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis that appears at night or in the morning after waking up. It is enough for the patient to make several rotations of the head to make dizziness appear.

Along with the manifestation of dizziness, there are:

  • loss of orientation in space;
  • sensation of "throwing the ground" under the feet;
  • loss of equilibrium;
  • noise and ringing in the ears;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • flushing or paleness of the face;
  • headaches and increased sweating.

An attack of vertigo causes blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, numbness of the hands, the appearance of "flies" before the eyes.

Preventive measures against dizziness are an adequate diet (with sufficient content of vitamins B and C) and appropriate sleeping conditions (low pillow, hard mattress). Drug treatment of dizziness is aimed at normalizing the blood circulation of the brain.

Exacerbation of the disease

Symptoms of exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may be as follows:

  1. Pain in the occipital region and the neck, passing into the arms, shoulder blades and shoulders.
  2. Increased pain when moving the head, sneezing, coughing.
  3. Forced position of the head (to relieve pain).
  4. The pain can be localized in different places, which interferes with the diagnosis.
  5. Headaches and prolonged dizziness.
  6. Violation of vision, hearing, coordination of movements.
  7. Increased muscle tone in the limbs and neck, against a background of general weakness.
  8. Reduced skin sensitivity (numbness, dryness, tingling, cold).
  9. Sleep disturbances, memory problems, increased anxiety.

To check the condition of the vessels of the neck, diagnostic methods are used - duplex ultrasound or ultrasound dopplerography.

Complications

Symptoms that are not detected and treated in time can lead to the following complications:

  • Protrusion (protrusion) between the vertebrae of the cervical spine.
  • Hernia (intervertebral) of the cervical region.
  • Radiculopathy (damage to one or more nerve roots).
  • Formation of large osteophytes of the cervical spine.
  • Paresis (incomplete paralysis).
  • Compression of the arteries supplying the brain.
  • Dupuytren's disease. With pathology, the palm is deformed, the fingers are squeezed, and the hand ceases to function normally.

Osteochondrosis and VVD

Symptoms of VVD (vegetovascular dystonia) in cervical osteochondrosis are interrelated. These pathologies are links in the same chain that require increased attention, diagnosis and treatment. Often, vegetovascular dystonia becomes the result of cervical osteochondrosis.

Dystonia is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  1. Vertigo.
  2. Heart palpitations and pain in the region of the heart.
  3. Respiratory disorders (accelerated breathing, lack of air).
  4. Drop in blood pressure.
  5. Disorders of internal organs (stomach, intestines, urinary organs).
  6. Changes in body temperature during the day (from 35 to 38 degrees).
  7. Irritability, crying, anxiety.

The cause of the development of vegetovascular dystonia can be hormonal failure, endocrine disorders, excess weight, genetic predisposition. The main symptoms of VVD in cervical chondrosis: muscle fatigue, impaired body control.

The presence of these signs requires a correct diagnosis, and this is possible only after a comprehensive examination. Self-treatment of the disease is unacceptable!

Diagnostic

The review begins with a review and analysis of all patient complaints. Diagnosis allows to exclude diseases of the heart and blood vessels, stomach and intestines. Diagnostic measures include:

  1. X-ray.
  2. CT (computed tomography).
  3. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
  4. Myelography.

To determine the degree of sensory and motor disturbances, a neurological examination is performed.

Disease treatment

Therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating inflammation in the affected area and relieving pain. The drug treatment regimen is represented by the following groups of drugs:

  1. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
  2. Chondroprotectors - drugs that allow you to stop the destruction of cartilage and contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue.

Treatment with ointments is very common, but ineffective. Patients for self-treatment use ointments containing irritating substances or ointments from the NSAID group. The medicinal substance contained in the ointment will not be able to penetrate through the dense layer of skin and muscles to the site of the lesion.

A significant advantage of ointments in the massage of the neck, while rubbing the medicine.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are treated with B vitamins. A combined preparation for intramuscular administration has proven itself. The composition of the solution includes B vitamins: cyanocobalamin (B12), pyridoxine (B6), thiamine (B1).

Complex treatment includes: physiotherapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), massage, exercise therapy (physiotherapy), manual therapy.

The exercise therapy complex for the neck is presented in this video. Daily performance of these exercises will help get rid of unpleasant symptoms.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to periodically warm up during work, to avoid stress on the neck, not to make sudden movements of the head, to monitor posture, to avoidhypothermia, exercise and eat well.