Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to degenerative-dystrophic processes in intervertebral discs. In a professional clinic, treatment of this disease is carried out of high quality, taking into account the degree of development of the disease and associated syndromes.
Common symptoms
Pain in the neck and back is the main symptom of osteochondrosis, but it occurs only in the second stage of this disease. At first, patients only notice a feeling of heaviness and muscle tension. There is a habit of kneading the neck area reflexively or turning the head to get rid of unpleasant sensations.
In addition to pain, the most important signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- crunch when turning your body or head;
- numbness and feeling of weakness in the hands
- reduced flexibility;
- headache, fainting;
- weakness and constant fatigue
- impairment of cognitive functions, hearing and vision.
With the development of pathology, a feeling of slight discomfort develops into aches and pulling pains and then into sharp pains, manifested during physical exertion, sudden movements or in a state of fatigue. In the later stages of the disease, pain of varying intensity is felt constantly, even at rest or in sleep. Over time, pain begins to radiate to the back of the head, arms, shoulders and fingers - this is due to damage to the nerve roots.
Dysfunctions of the upper limbs associated with osteochondrosis
The development of this disease often leads to various problems associated with the hands. In patients with cervical osteochondrosis, the hands are almost always cold and freeze even in a warm room. You can also observe:
- 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 engine function in the hands;
- sudden shooting pain.
With osteochondrosis, calcium salts begin to be deposited in the affected area - this is a compensatory response of the body to the destruction of fibrous rings on the intervertebral discs. When depositing salts, the patient may notice:
- reduced flexibility in the neck;
- crunch when the head is tilted or turned;
- pain when trying to bend your head.
Some symptoms can only occur in certain positions or certain movements. For example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the sensation of a "stream" passing along the arms when attempting to lower the head.
Problems caused by decreased blood flow
The disease causes severe disturbances in blood flow and also affects metabolic processes. Because of this, not only the spine but also the brain as well as other systems suffer as a result:
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- movement disorders;
- weakness;
- headache;
- sudden nausea;
- tinnitus;
- "Midges" in front of the eyes;
- fainting.
With the development of osteochondrosis and consequently decreased blood flow in the patient, cognitive functions may deteriorate. Analytical and creative abilities decrease, memory problems arise. It can also impair vision or hearing. Due to constant pain and insufficient blood supply to the brain, the patient becomes nervous, capricious, depression, sudden apathy or anger may occur.
Other consequences of cervical osteochondrosis
Muscle tension, abnormal head position and gradually developing scoliosis can cause health problems that at first glance are difficult to associate with osteochondrosis.
Some symptoms can be confused with a manifestation of diseases 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
- bouts of nausea.
The patient may also notice a change in voice, hoarseness or a frequent urge to "clear" the throat. You may experience a "lump in the throat" or violent snoring. There may be a severe deterioration of the condition of the teeth, problems with diction and sudden attacks of numbness in the face or tongue.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at various stages of the development of the disease
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervix occur depending on the degree of the disease. In the early stages, the patient may only experience heaviness or discomfort in the neck as well as a feeling of constant muscle tension. Later, pain syndrome occurs and intensifies. In the later stages, the disease can lead to disability.
- 1st degreeAt this stage, the symptoms are mild: this is a feeling of heaviness or muscle tension, the appearance of headaches. Unpleasant sensations increase with physical exertion
- 2nd degree. . . Local pain appears due to incipient protrusions of discs. The pain syndrome becomes more intense when the head is tilted or turned. Reflected pain may occur, usually between the shoulder blades or in the arms. The patient is more likely to experience weakness, the general tone of the body decreases.
- 3rd degreeThe formation of an intervertebral hernia begins, a significant deformation of the spine is observed. Pain syndrome is intense, constant. There are severe mobility impairments in the affected area, gait changes.
- 4th degree. . . There may be intense pain when trying to tilt or turn the head, or conversely the absence of pain if it is impossible to make head movements. Most often, the patient experiences severe headaches, vision and hearing impaired, coordination of movements is impaired. 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.
- Have you had head or neck injuries?
- Do you experience neck pain after sleeping?
- Is there pain when rolling back, bending or turning your head?
- Do you get a crunch when you move your head?
- Do you experience muscle tension or the urge to stretch your neck?
- Do you have discomfort, sharp or pulling pain during or after exercise?
- Do you often have dizziness, headaches?
- Do you have a headache during a sharp rise, or do "midges" appear in front of your eyes?
- Do you find that your hands have become cold and periodically numb?
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 have more chances for recovery.