Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, or how to recognize the disease?

Already in his youth, a person has the initial symptoms of cartilage disease - osteochondrosis.

Often, the first to suffer is the cervical region of the spine, which can lead to intervertebral hernias as well as serious sensory and movement disorders.

Therefore the need arises not only to recognize the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, but to be able to diagnose them in time.

Stages of cervical osteochondrosis

The disease begins to develop - after 25 years - when the metabolism in the cartilage deteriorates due to hormonal changes in the body. In this case, the blood supply to the intervertebral discs naturally stops.

These changes in the spine correspond to the initial stage of the disease, when there are still no manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervix. However, a combination of additional factors (heredity, stress, early trauma, etc. ) stimulates further progression of the disease.

The next stage in the development of the disease is the extension of the membrane of the intervertebral disc - fibrous covering. Due to the loss of moisture, the disc changes shape and "swells", which is called elongation in medicine. At this stage, the first signs appear - sharp burning pain in the neck, which is caused by pressure of the disc on the nerves.

The onset of the third stage of the disease is evidenced by the rupture of the intervertebral disc membrane (fibrous circle) and the appearance of an intervertebral hernia, which compresses the vessels and nerve fibers. At the same time, disorders of sensation and movement of the upper limbs, as well as the collar area, are accompanied by pain.

The transition to the fourth stage of disease development is the complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, when the blood supply not only to individual nerve fibers but also to the entire spinal cord is stopped. The changes at this stage are irreversible and therefore require surgical treatment.

General symptoms of the disease

Osteochondrosis can be diagnosed in one (or more) parts of the spine. At the same time, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is considered particularly dangerous, as in this part of the spine are located large vessels and nerve roots, which supply blood and irritate not only the hands but also the brain.

So the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into three major groups:

1. Compression of arteries:We are usually talking about vertebral arteries, which are located in the processes of the cervical vertebrae and supply the brain;
2. Implanted nerve roots:manifested by impaired movement and sensation in the hands, as well as in the parietal region of the skull and back of the head;
3. Spinal cord compression:a variant of stage IV disease, associated with severe neurological disorders (paralysis, lack of superficial sensations, etc. ).

The manifestations described are general. However, there are many private symptoms that make it possible to detect the disease in its early stages.

Pain

The first appearance of cervical osteochondrosis is a local pain syndrome - cervical pain. This is usually a severe neck pain that sometimes spreads to the arm or back of the head. Pain occurs after inappropriate behaviors (long journeys in transport, sleep) or physical activity. Usually they pass by themselves.

After sharp turns or tilting of the head, low back pain may occur in the collar area (otherwise cervicago). It is often associated with muscle tension, as a result of which head movements become impossible (up to 10 days after the onset of the cervix).

Over time, adaptation to pain occurs. But in the second stage, the pain usually intensifies, which indicates further displacement and destruction of the intervertebral disc.

When the "extension" of the intervertebral disc reaches the nerve fibers, radicular syndrome (aka "radiculitis") occurs. It is usually accompanied by unilateral pain extending to the arm (as well as sensations and movement disorders). In this case, reflex muscle tension is observed - tilting the head is impossible.

Other variants of pain syndrome are:

• pressing headache, which often mimics a migraine, but is not relieved with ordinary pain relievers. Usually it "deviates" to the back of the head, parietal and temporal regions, sometimes to the pupils of the eyes. In this case, it can be both unilateral and bilateral;
• "heart" pain (or cardialgia) is extremely rare. Manifested by chest pain, which may resemble an attack of angina pectoris.

Be careful!If the cause of chest pain is osteochondrosis, then in this condition, "heart" medicine will not help! If these pills bring short-term relief while there is an obvious fear of death, you should suspect a myocardial infarction and go to the hospital urgently.

Sensory disorders of the cervical spine

Loss, decrease or increase in sensitivity are the main symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis. So sensory disturbances are often noticed on the back of the head as well as around the shoulder or hand joint.

In the latter case, these manifestations are associated with edema or other trophic pathologies (ulcers and others).

Movement Disorders

If the intervertebral hernia compresses the motor nerve fibers, the patient may feel muscle weakness with limited range of motion - paresis. The extreme degree of movement disorders is paralysis - a complete lack of movement, as well as a decrease in muscle tone (up to their atrophy) and the disappearance of reflexes. Such symptoms in the early stages may be temporary.

Other symptoms

The manifestations described above are the classic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.

However, there are other (important! ) signs of the disease.

• Head rotation. It is often associated with osteochondrosis. Dizziness is accompanied by a defect in the distribution of blood to the inner ear - a paired organ of balance located in the temporal bone. Irregular postures or periodic exacerbations of osteochondrosis provoke dizziness, which is sometimes accompanied by nystagmus - rapid fluctuations of the baby. The human organ of balance is supplied with blood through an artery - the vertebral artery. It passes into the cervical vertebrae, and therefore can be "compressed" in diseases of the spine (with osteochondrosis, fractures).
• Ringing in the ears. Tinnitus in the ears or ear blockage is another possibility to impair the "sending" of blood to the inner ear. This symptom appears after a long stay in the wrong position, and then disappears. It is the last symptom that distinguishes a similar symptom in osteochondrosis from similar symptoms in other diseases.
• Mixed. It is an independent symptom, but is sometimes accompanied by vomiting or vomiting. The latter is provoked by tilting and turning the head, sometimes even while walking. The reason for this condition is the same as dizziness - reduced distribution of arterial blood in the balance organ. However, prolonged vomiting can have serious complications - dehydration and loss of salts from the body, which can lead to alkalosis (blood alkalization). This condition requires intravenous administration of appropriate saline solutions.
• Respiratory disorders. A symptom of cervical osteochondrosis may be difficulty breathing when breathing becomes shallow (you can not "breathe fully with your chest"). Provokes a similar state of pressure or excessive stimulation of the phrenic nerve (irritates the diaphragm, the muscle responsible for respiratory movements). In such situations, the patient feels shortness of breath or shortness of breath. However, more often than not stimulation of the phrenic nerve is manifested by prolonged hiccups.
• Night attacks. Holding the breath during sleep with an unsuccessful posture may also be natural in osteochondrosis of the cervical region. But more often the disease is manifested by snoring and lethargy in the morning due to lack of blood containing oxygen during nighttime sleep. Such a "lack of oxygen" can lead to disorders in the brain - loss of attention and memory loss.
• Sore throat. It is considered as one of the most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. Manifested as dry throat, sensation of a "foreign body", possible itching or difficulty in the throat. The reason for this is the constriction of the nerve and vascular bundles that extend from the spinal column to the neck organs. Also, we must not forget that similar symptoms may indicate other pathologies (tumors or respiratory diseases). In this case, the presence of osteochondrosis does not exclude tumor or inflammatory processes.

• Visual disorders. The visual organs are supplied with blood by the vertebral and carotid arteries. Therefore, changes in vision with this pathology are less common, but they are characteristic of people with atherosclerotic vascular plaques or hypotension (low blood pressure). Among the manifestations may be: "fog" or the flashing of "flies" in front of the eyes, reduced visual acuity or disturbance of its accommodation (concentration). At the same time, the symptoms of the disease are unstable and can not be corrected by optics (glasses, contact lenses) or visual gymnastics.
• Unstable pressure. When the vertebral artery is congested, the blood supply to the vasomotor center may be disturbed, as a result of which an inadequate increase and decrease in pressure will be observed. The latter may be associated with conditions of syncope weakening.
• Sinkope. Fainting is often seen in the elderly who also have atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries. Usually, reflex vasospasm (due to excessive irritation of nerve endings by hernial extensions or bone processes) leads to a sharp decrease in the volume of blood flowing to the brain. As a result, the brain experiences hypoxia - lack of oxygen - which is the cause of loss of consciousness. Be careful! In such situations, the help to faint consists in the fact that a person lies on a flat surface and his legs are raised. Blood from the veins of the lower half of the body flows in large volumes to the heart and then to the brain, renewing the necessary blood flow. To bring a person to life, it is worth using a pungent-smelling substance, for example, ammonia. Sometimes people have trouble speaking and / or moving after syncope, but these symptoms are usually temporary due to the short duration of fainting. If the state of extinction lasted more than a few minutes and after that a headache bothers you, while these violations do not disappear after a few hours, you should suspect a stroke and go to the hospital urgently.
• Temperature rise. This is a very rare symptom of cervical osteochondrosis. Occurs when blood flow is impaired in the hypothalamus (the center of regulation of the brain). Then it is possible not only an increase, but also a decrease in body temperature. However, more often local phenomena are observed - hyperemia (redness and heat) in the collar area. Remember, the presence of osteochondrosis does not rule out a rise in temperature due to inflammation or swelling!
• Static Violations. These are behavioral curvatures, "stretching" of the cervical spine, as well as subluxation at the spinal joints. Such changes lead to a redistribution of the load, as a result of which some parts of the spine (for example, the waist) are overloaded. This can lead to the concomitant development of osteochondrosis in other parts of the spine.
• Spinal blow. As mentioned above, stage IV cervical osteochondrosis can result in spinal cord injury (spinal cord injury). Such pathology is extremely rare, but is distinguished by its risk: there is usually tetraplegia (complete immobilization of the hands and feet), lack of pain and temperature sensitivity in all limbs, sometimes eye pulling, drooping eyelid, baby cramps, impaired facial sensitivity, etc. In such cases, immediate surgical intervention is indicated.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development and complication of the disease you need:

• cure spinal cord injuries immediately (bruising and dislocation);
• disorders of correct behavior (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis), instability of the spinal segments, ligament apparatus;
• to correct orthopedic problems (club feet, flat feet), as well as to prefer orthopedic shoes, with comfortable heels or special insoles;
• to reduce overweight to normal;
• balances food by increasing the level of micronutrients, fluids and foods that contain collagen (jelly and bone broth);
• not lead a sedentary lifestyle while limiting strenuous physical activity;
• undergo annual preventive examinations (especially for those employed in industries where there is an increase in the level of vibration from machine tools, equipment or moving machinery);
• athletes, bodybuilders, etc. do not suddenly leave the exercise.

Older people need to control concomitant diseases (atherosclerosis and hypertension). At the same time, it is important to rule out bad habits (alcohol and tobacco smoking), as well as to avoid stressful situations that lead to nervous tension.

It is worth remembering that osteochondrosis is a progressive disease that does not go away on its own. Many patients are encouraged by remission (a period of disease remission), which makes them return to their old way of life and discontinue treatment. And this, in turn, significantly worsens the outcome of the disease. Therefore, if you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, consult a neurologist urgently! After all, there is no better treatment than timely therapy!