Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. In a professional clinic, high-quality treatment of this disease is carried out, 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 custom of reflexively kneading the neck area or turning the head to get rid of uncomfortable sensations.
In addition to pain, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- crunching when turning the body or head;
- numbness and a feeling of weakness in the hands;
- decreased flexibility;
- headaches, fainting spells;
- constant weakness and fatigue;
- impairment of cognitive, auditory and visual functions.
With the development of pathology, a feeling of mild discomfort turns into aching and pulling pains, and then into sharp pain, manifested during physical exertion, sudden movements or in a state of fatigue. In the later stages of the disease, pain of varying degrees of intensity is felt constantly, even at rest or during sleep. Over time, the pain begins to radiate to the back of the head, arms, shoulders, and fingers; this is caused by damage to the nerve roots.
Upper limb dysfunctions associated with osteochondrosis
The development of this disease often leads to various problems related to the hands. In patients with cervical osteochondrosis, the hands are almost always cold and icy 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 the motor function of the hands;
- sudden, stabbing pains.
With osteochondrosis, calcium salts begin to deposit in the affected area; This is a compensatory reaction of the body to the destruction of the fibrous rings of the intervertebral discs. With the deposition of salts, the patient may notice:
- decreased flexibility of the neck;
- crunching when tilting or turning the head;
- pain when trying to bend the head.
Some symptoms may appear only in certain postures or certain movements. For example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the sensation of a "current" passing through the arms when trying to lower the head.
Problems caused by impaired blood flow.
The disease causes serious disturbances in blood flow and also affects metabolic processes. Due to this, not only the spine suffers, but also the brain, as well as other systems, as a result of which:
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- movement disorders;
- soft spot;
- headache;
- sudden nausea
- tinnitus;
- "Mosquitoes" before the eyes;
- fainting conditions.
With the development of osteochondrosis and, as a consequence, impaired blood flow in the patient, cognitive functions may deteriorate. Analytical and creative abilities decrease, memory problems arise. It can also affect vision or hearing. Due to constant pain and insufficient blood supply to the brain, the patient becomes nervous, capricious, depression, sudden outbursts of apathy or anger may appear.
Other consequences of cervical osteochondrosis
Muscle tension, abnormal head position, and gradually developing scoliosis can lead to health problems that, at first glance, are difficult to associate with osteochondrosis.
Some symptoms can be mistaken for a manifestation of diseases of the heart or gastrointestinal tract:
- pain in the middle of the chest;
- pain in the region of the heart;
- tachycardia and extrasystole;
- pain or cramps when swallowing;
- bouts of nausea.
In addition, the patient may notice a change in voice, hoarseness, or a frequent need to "clear" the throat. You may experience a "lump in the throat" feeling or violent snoring. There may be a sharp deterioration in the state of the teeth, diction problems and sudden bouts of numbness of the face or tongue.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at different stages of the development of the disease.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appear depending on the degree of the disease. In the early stages, the patient may experience only heaviness or discomfort in the neck, as well as a feeling of constant muscle tension. Later the pain syndrome arises and intensifies. In the later stages, the disease can lead to disability.
- 1st grade.At this stage, the symptoms are mild: it is a feeling of heaviness or muscle tension, the appearance of headaches. Unpleasant sensations increase with physical exertion.
- 2nd grade. . . Local pain appears due to the incipient bulging of the discs. The pain syndrome becomes more intense when the head is tilted or turned. A reflected pain may appear, usually between the shoulder blades or in the arms. The patient is more likely to experience weakness, the general tone of the body decreases.
- Grade 3.The formation of an intervertebral hernia begins, a significant deformation of the spine is observed. The pain syndrome is intense, constant. There are serious mobility problems in the affected area, changes in gait.
- Fourth grade. . . There may be severe pain when trying to tilt or turn the head or, conversely, the absence of pain if no head movement is possible. Most often, the patient experiences severe headaches, vision and hearing deteriorate, coordination of movements is impaired. Disability of the patient often occurs at this stage.
Test: check yourself the 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?
- Do you feel pain when rolling back, stooping, or turning your head?
- Do you feel a crack when you move your head?
- Are you experiencing 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, headache?
- Do you have a headache during a steep climb or do "gnats" appear in front of your eyes?
- Do you notice that your hands have periodically got cold and numb?
If you answered yes to at least some questions, this is a reason to see a doctor. Do not delay the visit to the doctor, this way you have a better chance of recovery.