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The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, rapid aging of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies of the neck is observed. Dizziness and headache are the main symptoms. Most often the changes develop in the most mobile parts of the spine.

healthy and damaged spinal disc with cervical osteochondrosis

Reasons

The fact that osteochondrosis develops only in old age is a fallacy. In recent years, signs of cervical osteochondrosis have been found in young people aged 16-20 years. The appearance of the disease is due to the following reasons:

  1. Disruption of metabolic processes.
  2. Tobacco and alcohol abuse.
  3. Low physical activity (hypodynamia).
  4. Injuries.
  5. Prolonged sitting position.
  6. Overweight.
  7. Sleep disorders.
  8. genetic predisposition.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are often confused with colds or banal fatigue. If signs of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Symptoms

There is a connection between the symptoms in which there is a violation of the spinal roots, narrowing of the veins and arteries passing into the body of the vertebrae. Cervical sciatica (radicular syndrome) is manifested by tingling in the shoulders, shoulders, arms, as well as pain and tingling. You may feel discomfort in the neck and chest (front).

The first signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are:

  • mild pain in the neck;
  • crunching during the rotation of the head, when turning;
  • intermittent pain in the head and neck, heaviness in the back of the head, tingling 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 make a few turns of the head to make dizzy.

Along with the manifestation of vertigo occurs:

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

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

Preventive measures for vertigo are proper nutrition (with sufficient content of vitamins B and C) and proper sleep (low pillow, hard mattress). Drug therapy for dizziness is aimed at normalizing blood circulation to the brain.

Exacerbation of the disease

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

  1. Pain in the occipital region and neck, passing into the arms, shoulders and shoulders.
  2. Increased pain when moving the head, 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. Impaired vision, hearing, coordination of movements.
  7. Increased muscle tone of the limbs and neck, against the background of general weakness.
  8. Decreased skin sensitivity (tingling, dryness, tingling, cold).
  9. Sleep disorders, memory disorders, increased anxiety.

Diagnostic methods are used to check the condition of the vessels of the neck - 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 vertebrae.
  • 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).
  • Compression of the arteries that supply the brain.
  • Dupuytren's contracture. In pathology, the palm is deformed, the fingers are compressed and the hand ceases to function normally.

Osteochondrosis and VVD

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

Dystonia is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  1. Dizziness.
  2. Palpitations and pain in the heart.
  3. Respiratory disorders (shortness of breath, shortness of breath).
  4. Decrease 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 reason for the development of vascular dystonia may be hormonal insufficiency, 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 the patient's complaints. The 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 the disease

Therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating inflammation in the affected area and relieving 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 contribute to the recovery of cartilage tissue.

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

Significant benefit of ointments for neck massage while rubbing the drug.

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

The complex treatment includes: physiotherapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), massage, exercise therapy (physiotherapy), manual therapy.

The set of exercises for the neck is presented in this video. Performing these exercises daily will help you get rid of the unpleasant symptoms.

Disease prevention

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