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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 most mobile parts of the spine.

healthy and damaged spinal disc with cervical osteochondrosis

Causes

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

  1. Violation of metabolic processes.
  2. Abuse of tobacco and alcohol.
  3. Low physical activity (hypodynamy).
  4. Injuries.
  5. Prolonged sitting position.
  6. Excess weight.
  7. Disorders of sleep.
  8. genetic predisposition.

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

Symptoms

There is a connection of symptoms in which there is a violation of the spinal roots, a narrowing of the veins and arteries passing into the body of the vertebrae. Cervical sciatica (radicular syndrome) is manifested by numbness in the area of the shoulder blades, shoulders, arms, as well as pain and tingling. You may feel discomfort in the neck and chest (front).

The first signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra are:

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

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

Along with the manifestation of dizziness, it happens:

  • loss of orientation in space;
  • feeling of "bounce to the floor" under the feet;
  • loss of balance;
  • noise and ringing in the ears;
  • nausea and vomit;
  • redness or paleness of the face;
  • headache and increased sweating.

An attack of dizziness causes blurred vision, increased heart rate, numbness of the hands, the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes.

Preventive measures for dizziness are proper nutrition (with a sufficient content of vitamins B and C) and adequate sleeping arrangements (low pillow, hard mattress). Drug therapy for dizziness is aimed at normalizing the blood circulation of the brain.

Exacerbation of the disease

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

  1. Pain in the occipital region and neck, which passes to 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 located in different places, which interferes with the diagnosis.
  5. Prolonged headache and dizziness.
  6. Violation of vision, hearing, coordination of movements.
  7. Increased muscle tone in the limbs and neck, against the background of general weakness.
  8. Reduced skin sensitivity (numbness, dryness, tingling, cold).
  9. Sleep disturbances, memory disturbances, increased anxiety.

To check the condition of the vessels in the neck, diagnostic methods are used: duplex scanning 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).
  • Squeezing of the arteries that feed the brain.
  • Dupuytren's contracture. With pathology, the palm is deformed, the fingers are compressed, and the hand stops functioning normally.

Osteochondrosis and VVD

Symptoms of VVD (vegetovascular dystonia) in cervical osteochondrosis are related. These diseases are links in the same chain that require more 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 heart region.
  3. Respiratory disturbances (increased breathing, lack of air).
  4. Drops in blood pressure.
  5. Disorders of internal organs (stomach, intestines, urinary organs).
  6. Body temperature changes during the day (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!

Diagnostics

The examination begins with the examination 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.

Treatment of the disease

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 (non-steroidal 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 irritants or ointments from the NSAID group. The medicinal substance in the ointment will not be able to penetrate through the dense layer of skin and muscles to the injury site.

A significant advantage of ointments in the massage of the neck, when rubbing the drug.

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

The complex treatment includes: physiotherapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), massage, physical therapy (physiotherapy), manual therapy.

The physical therapy complex for the neck is presented in this video. Performing these exercises daily 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, avoid stress on the neck, do not make sudden head movements, monitor posture, avoid hypothermia, exercise and eat right.