Osteochondrosis is a disease that destroys the intervertebral discs and joints of the spine. Of the five parts of the spine, everyone can be affected by the disease, but the manifestations and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine give people more problems. This is due to the large number of nerve fibers and endings, as well as the blood vessels that supply the brain, passing through the neck.
This area of the spine is the most mobile. It is thanks to the neck that a person has the ability to turn and tilt the head. The constant load that comes to the cervical region contributes to degenerative changes in its structure and the development of osteochondrosis.
Who is affected by the disease?
Most often, the disease develops and begins to appear in twenty-five to thirty years due to the long forced stay of a person in a static and uncomfortable position. It affects, first of all, office workers, drivers, operators of various types of equipment. Often the disease appears in athletes as a result of training or, conversely, with their sudden interruption.
The main causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical and thoracic spine are incorrect posture, a sedentary lifestyle, heredity, an improperly organized workplace or an uncomfortable bed. Lifting weights also contributes to the occurrence of this disease, as microtraumas are possible in this process, contributing to dystrophic changes in the cartilage and bone tissues of the spine.
Stages of development of osteochondrosis of the spine
- The intervertebral discs are just beginning to collapse, losing moisture and elasticity. This process can take quite some time. The scene is characterized by instability.
- It is characterized by the protrusion (bulging) of the discs. The intervertebral spaces are reduced due to the destruction of the fibrous ring of the disc and the decrease in its height. Due to entrapment of the nerve roots by the approaching vertebrae and protruding discs, pain may occur.
- There is a complete destruction of the fibrous ring and, as a result, the formation of intervertebral hernias. The spine is significantly deformed.
- This stage is the most difficult, as pain appears with almost every movement. Bone growths appear, they connect the vertebrae, limiting mobility. Such increases can cause disability.
Distinctive signs of cervical osteochondrosis
The blood vessels that feed the brain are located mainly in a person's neck, so many of the signs of the disease are associated with impaired blood circulation in the brain.
- So, here are the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, noticing which, you should see a doctor:
- severe, continuous pain in the neck and head, extending to the eyes and ears;
- pain in arms, worse with every effort;
- difficulty in the movements of the fingers and hands, a violation of their sensitivity;
- neck muscle tension;
- when turning and tilting the head, the appearance of pain in the neck;
- the appearance of throbbing pain in the neck and neck;
- the appearance of dizziness when turning the head (even before fainting), tinnitus;
- numbness of the tongue, blurred vision and hearing;
- pain in the heart, which does not heal by taking the right medications;
- nausea, instability of blood pressure;
- sore throat, swallowing disorder;
- feeling short of breath.
Symptoms of pathology
The appearance of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may be associated with a malfunction of the following organs and systems in the patient's body:
- compression and destruction of the spinal cord in the spinal canal. Such symptoms are rare and may appear only in very severe cases;
- changes in the peripheral nervous system, the cause of which is the compression of the nerve roots located near the affected vertebrae;
- violation of blood supply to the brain.
When diagnosing this disease, the doctor pays attention to the presence of a number of symptoms. Their appearance depends on which part of the spine is affected by the disease.
Cardiac syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The signs of cardiac syndrome in osteochondrosis are similar to those of angina pectoris, this is due to irritation of the roots of the pectoralis major muscle or the phrenic nerve. The resulting pain can last up to several hours, and with sneezing, a sharp turn of the head, the cough becomes stronger.
Tachycardia and extrasystoles may appear, which do not disappear with the use of the relevant drugs, and the cardiogram shows no abnormalities.
Irritant reflex syndromes
This group of syndromes is characterized by sharp pain in the neck, aggravated by movement, coughing, turning the head and sneezing. It can radiate to the shoulder or chest.
radicular syndrome
This syndrome occurs when the cervical nerve is compressed. It is characterized by the spread of pain from the neck to the shoulder blades and the forearms to the fingers. Perhaps the appearance of numbness and a feeling of lumps in the back of the head, neck, shoulders, hands.
vertebral artery syndrome
This syndrome, caused by the compression of the vertebral artery responsible for the blood supply to the brain, is characterized by the appearance of a sharp or throbbing headache, which passes to the back of the head, forehead, temples. Perhaps the appearance of nausea, loss of orientation, the appearance of hearing disturbances, weakening of vision, fainting.
A person who has noticed the appearance of the above signs of cervical osteochondrosis should immediately consult a doctor.
It should be remembered that treatment started at an early stage of the disease is more effective. It will help stop the disease and lead a full life.
Today, medicine offers various methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis, allowing you to slow down or stop the destruction of the spine and give the patient a long life without pain.
Proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, regular exercise, gymnastics, stretching the spine will allow you not to remember such a problem as cervical osteochondrosis in the future.