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The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes rapid aging of the intervertebral discs and the vertebral body. 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 develops only in old age is a misconception. In recent years, signs of cervical osteochondrosis have been detected in young people aged 16 to 20 years. The appearance of the disease is caused by the following reasons:

  1. Violation of metabolic processes.
  2. Tobacco and alcohol abuse.
  3. Low physical activity (hypodynamics).
  4. Injuries.
  5. Extended sitting position.
  6. Excess weight.
  7. Sleep disorders.
  8. genetic predisposition.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are often confused with a cold or banal fatigue. If signs of illness appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Symptoms

There is a connection between the symptoms of spinal root injury, narrowing of veins and arteries that pass in the vertebral body. Cervical sciatica (radicular syndrome) is manifested by numbness in the area of the shoulders, shoulders, arms, as well as pain and tingling. Discomfort can be felt in the neck and chest (front).

The first signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra are:

  • mild neck pain;
  • creaking 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 in order for dizziness to appear.

With the manifestation of dizziness, it happens:

  • loss of orientation in space;
  • a feeling of "staggering the floor" underfoot;
  • loss of balance;
  • noise and tinnitus;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • redness or pallor of the face;
  • headache and increased sweating.

An attack of dizziness causes blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, numbness of the hands, the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes.

Measures to prevent dizziness are proper nutrition (with sufficient content of vitamins B and C) and proper sleep schedule (low pillow, hard mattress). Dizziness drug therapy aims to normalize blood circulation to the brain.

Worsening of the disease

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

  1. Pain in the occipital region and neck, which passes into the arms, shoulders and shoulders.
  2. Increased pain during head movements, sneezing, coughing.
  3. Forced head position (to relieve pain).
  4. The pain can be localized in different places, which interferes with the diagnosis.
  5. Prolonged headache and dizziness.
  6. Violation of sight, hearing, coordination of movements.
  7. Increased muscle tone of the limbs and neck, on the background of general weakness.
  8. Reduced skin sensitivity (numbness, dryness, tingling, cold).
  9. Sleep disorders, memory disorders, increased anxiety.

Diagnostic methods are used to check the condition of the neck vessels - duplex scanning or ultrasound Doppler.

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 the arteries that supply the brain.
  • Dupuytren's contracture. With pathology, the palm is deformed, the fingers are compressed, and the hand ceases to function normally.

Osteochondrosis and VVD

The symptoms of VVD (vegetovascular dystonia) in cervical osteochondrosis are interrelated. These pathologies are links in the same chain that require increased attention, diagnosis, and treatment. Often vegetative-vascular dystonia results from cervical osteochondrosis.

Dystonia is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  1. Vertigo.
  2. Heart palpitations and pain in the heart area.
  3. Respiratory disorders (increased breathing, shortness of breath).
  4. Drop in blood pressure.
  5. Disorders of internal organs (stomach, intestines, urinary organs).
  6. Changes in body temperature during 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, overweight, 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 complete examination. Self-treatment of the disease is unacceptable!

Diagnosis

The examination begins with an 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. Radiography.
  2. CT (computed tomography).
  3. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
  4. myelography.

A neurological examination is performed to determine the degree of sensory and motor disorders.

Treatment of diseases

Therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating inflammation in the affected area and relieving pain. The drug treatment regimen is presented in 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 renewal of cartilage tissue.

Fat treatment is very common, but ineffective. Patients use ointments that contain irritants or ointments from the NSAID group for self-medication. The medicinal substance in the ointment will not be able to penetrate through the dense layer of skin and muscles to the site of the lesion.

Significant benefit of fat in neck massage while rubbing the drug.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are treated with B vitamins. A combined preparation for intramuscular use has been shown to be effective. The composition of the solution includes B vitamins: cyanocobalamin (B12), pyridoxine (B6), thiamine (B1).

Complex treatment includes: physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic (leech treatment), massage, exercise therapy (physical therapy), manual therapy.

The complex of neck exercise therapy is presented in this video. Performing these exercises daily will help you get rid of unpleasant symptoms.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to occasionally warm up during work, avoid stress on the neck, do not make sudden head movements, monitor posture, avoid hypothermia, exercise and eat properly.