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The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there is rapid aging of the intervertebral discs and cervical vertebrae. Dizziness and headache are the main symptoms. Most often, changes develop in the most mobile parts of the spine.

healthy and damaged intervertebral disc with cervical osteochondrosis

causes

It is a delusion that osteochondrosis only develops with age. In recent years, signs of cervical osteochondrosis have been noted in young people aged 16–20 years. The occurrence of the disease is due to the following reasons:

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

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are often confused with a cold or banal 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, narrowing of the veins and arteries that pass in the body of the vertebrae. Cervical sciatica (radicular syndrome) is characterized by numbness in the shoulder blades, shoulders and arms, as well as pain and tingling. Discomfort may be felt in the neck and chest (front).

The first signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra are:

  • slight pain in the neck;
  • crunching 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 occurs at night or in the morning after waking up. It is enough for the patient to turn his head several times to produce dizziness.

Along with the manifestation of dizziness happens:

  • loss of orientation in space;
  • sensation of "ground tumbling" underfoot;
  • loss of balance;
  • noise and ringing in the ears;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • redness or paleness of the face;
  • Headache and increased sweating.

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

Preventive measures against dizziness are proper nutrition (with sufficient levels of B and C vitamins) and proper sleeping arrangements (low pillow, hard mattress). Drug therapy for dizziness aims to normalize blood flow to the brain.

worsening of the disease

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

  1. Pain in the back of the head and neck, spreading to the arms, shoulder blades and shoulders.
  2. Increased pain with head movements, sneezing, coughing.
  3. Forced position of the head (for pain relief).
  4. The pain can be localized in different places, which interferes with the diagnosis.
  5. Persistent 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. Disturbed sleep, impaired memory, increased anxiety.

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

complications

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

  • Protrusion (protrusion) between the vertebrae of the cervical spine.
  • Hernia (intervertebral column) 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 supply the brain.
  • Dupuytren's contracture. With pathology, the palm is deformed, fingers are squeezed, and the hand stops functioning normally.

Osteochondrosis and VVD

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

Dystonia is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  1. Dizziness.
  2. Palpitations and pain in the heart area.
  3. Respiratory disorders (increased breathing, lack of air).
  4. drop in blood pressure.
  5. Diseases of the internal organs (stomach, intestines, urinary organs).
  6. Changes in body temperature throughout the day (from 35 to 38 degrees).
  7. Irritability, tearfulness, anxiety.

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

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

diagnosis

The investigation begins with an examination and analysis of all patient complaints. The diagnosis allows the exclusion of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, stomach and intestines. Diagnostic measures include:

  1. radiography.
  2. CT (computed tomography).
  3. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
  4. myelography.

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

treatment of the disease

Therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating inflammation in the affected area and reducing 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 help restore cartilage tissue.

Treatment with ointments is very common, but ineffective. Patients for self-treatment use ointments with irritating substances or ointments of the NSAID group. The drug in the ointment cannot penetrate through the dense layers of skin and muscle to the lesion.

A significant benefit of ointments in neck massage while rubbing the drug.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are treated with B vitamins. A combination 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 regularly warm up during work, avoid neck strains, do not make sudden head movements, monitor posture, avoid hypothermia, exercise and eat right.