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
Neck and back pain are the main symptom of osteochondrosis, but it doesn't appear until the second stage of this disease. At first, patients only notice a feeling of heaviness and muscle tension. There is a habit of reflexively kneading the neck area or turning the head to get rid of unpleasant sensations.
In addition to pain, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- Crunching when turning the body or head;
- Numbness and weakness in the hands;
- decreased flexibility;
- Headache, fainting;
- Weakness and constant fatigue;
- Impairment of cognitive functions, hearing and sight.
With the development of pathology, a slight discomfort develops into aching and pulling pains, and then sharp pains, which are 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 while sleeping. 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 dysfunction 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 freeze even in a warm room. You can also observe:
- Tingling or itching, burning in the hands;
- periodic numbness;
- Weakness of the hands (including the weakening of the grip of objects with the palm of the hand);
- violation of the motor function of the hands;
- sudden stabbing pain.
With osteochondrosis, calcium salts begin to deposit in the affected area - this is a compensatory reaction of the body to the destruction of the fiber rings of the intervertebral discs. With the deposition of salts, the patient may notice the following:
- decreased neck flexibility;
- Crunching when tilting or turning the head;
- Pain when trying to bow your head.
Some symptoms can only appear in certain postures or certain movements. For example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the feeling of a "current" flowing along the arms when an attempt is made to lower the head.
Problems caused by circulatory disorders
The disease causes severe circulatory disorders and also affects metabolic processes. This affects not only the spine, but also the brain and other systems, as a result of which:
- Fluctuations in blood pressure;
- Movement disorders;
- weakness;
- Headache;
- sudden nausea;
- Tinnitus;
- "Mosquitos" in front of the eyes;
- Fainting conditions.
With the development of osteochondrosis and as a result of the patient's circulatory disorder, 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, moody, depressed, sudden outbursts of apathy or anger may appear.
Other consequences of cervical osteochondrosis
Muscle tension, abnormal head posture, and gradually developing scoliosis can all create 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 center of the chest;
- Pain in the region of the heart;
- Tachycardia and extrasystole;
- Pain or cramping when swallowing;
- Bouts of nausea.
The patient may also notice a change in voice, hoarseness, or a frequent urge to "clear their throat". You may experience a "throat throat" sensation or heavy snoring. The condition of your teeth may deteriorate, problems with diction and sudden numbness of your face or tongue may occur.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at different stages of the development of the disease
Depending on the degree of the disease, symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appear. In the early stages, the patient may only feel heaviness or discomfort in the neck, as well as a feeling of constant muscle tension. Later a pain syndrome appears and intensifies. In later stages, the disease can become disabling.
- 1 degree.At this stage the symptoms are mild: a feeling of heaviness or muscle tension, the appearance of a headache. Unpleasant sensations increase with physical exertion
- 2 degrees. . . Local pain occurs due to the incipient protrusion of the intervertebral discs. The pain syndrome becomes more intense when the head is tilted or turned. There may be reflected pain, usually between the shoulder blades or in the arms. The patient is more likely to feel weakness, the general tone of the body decreases.
- 3 degrees.The formation of an intervertebral hernia begins, a significant deformation of the spine is observed. The pain syndrome is intense and constant. There are serious mobility restrictions in the affected area, gait changes.
- 4 degrees. . . Trying to tilt or turn your head can cause severe pain, or vice versa, if there is no pain, if you cannot move your head. Most often the patient has a severe headache, vision and hearing deteriorate, movement coordination is impaired. At this stage, the patient is often disabled.
Test: Check yourself for symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Answer a few questions to look for signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Have you had a head or neck injury?
- Do you have neck pain after sleeping?
- Is there pain when rolling back, bending, or turning my head?
- Do you crunch when you move your head?
- Do you feel muscle tension or the urge to stretch your neck?
- Do you have discomfort, stabbing or pulling pains during or after training?
- Do you frequently have dizziness or headaches?
- Do you have a headache or do "mosquitoes" appear in front of your eyes during a sharp increase?
- Do you notice that your hands have become cold and regularly numb?
If you answered yes to at least a few questions, then this is a reason to see a doctor. Do not delay a visit to the doctor - you have more chances of recovery.