Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is caused by degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral plates. A high-quality treatment of this disease is performed in a professional clinic, taking into account the development of the disease and related syndromes.
Common symptoms
Neck and back pain is a major symptom of osteochondrosis, but it only occurs in the second stage of the disease. At first, patients only notice a feeling of heaviness and muscle tension. There is a habit of kneading the neck area reflexively or turning your head away to get rid of discomfort.
In addition to pain, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- crackling when turning the body or head;
- numbness and weakness in the hands;
- reduced flexibility;
- headache, fainting;
- weakness and constant fatigue;
- impairment of cognitive functions, hearing and vision.
With the development of the pathology, the mild discomfort turns into aching and pulling pain, followed by sharp pain, manifested by physical exertion, sudden movements, or fatigue. In the later stages of the disease, pain of varying intensity can be felt continuously, even at rest or in sleep. 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 dysfunctions are associated with osteochondrosis
The development of this disease often leads to various problems with 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 sensation in the hands;
- intermittent numbness;
- weakness of the hands (including weakening of the grip of objects on the palm);
- violation of the motor function of the hand;
- sudden shooting pains.
In osteochondrosis, calcium salts are deposited in the affected area - a compensatory reaction by the body to destroy the fibrous rings in the intervertebral discs. With the deposition of salts, the patient may notice:
- decreased neck flexibility;
- crackling when tilting or rotating the head;
- pain when bending the head.
Some symptoms can only occur in certain postures or certain movements. For example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the feeling of "current" traveling along the arms when trying to lower the head.
Problems caused by impaired blood circulation
The disease causes severe disturbances in the blood flow and also affects metabolic processes. Because of this, not only the spine suffers, but also the brain, as well as other systems that result in:
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- movement disorders;
- weakness;
- headache;
- sudden nausea;
- tinnitus;
- "Midges" before the eyes;
- fainting conditions.
With the development of osteochondrosis and the consequent deterioration of the patient's blood circulation, cognitive functions may deteriorate. Analytical and creative abilities decline, memory problems arise. It can also damage your eyesight or hearing. Due to the constant pain and insufficient blood supply to the brain, the patient will become nervous, capricious, depressed, sudden apathy or tantrums may appear.
Other consequences of cervical osteochondrosis
Muscle tension, abnormal head position, and progressive scoliosis can cause health problems that are difficult to associate with osteochondrosis at first glance.
Some symptoms may be confused with cardiovascular or gastrointestinal diseases:
- pain in the middle of the chest;
- pain in the heart area;
- tachycardia and extrasystole;
- pain or cramps when swallowed;
- nausea attacks.
In addition, the patient may notice a change in tone, hoarseness, or a frequent urge to "cleanse" the throat. You may experience a "lump in the throat" feeling or snoring violently. The condition of your teeth may deteriorate sharply, dictation problems may occur, and numbness of the face or tongue may suddenly occur.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at different stages of the disease
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appear depending on the extent of the disease. In the early stages, the patient may only experience difficulty or discomfort in the neck as well as a feeling of constant muscle tension. Later, the pain syndrome occurs and intensifies. In later stages, the disease can lead to disability.
- 1st degree.At this stage, the symptoms are mild: it is a feeling of heaviness or muscle tension, the appearance of a headache. Uncomfortable feelings are exacerbated by physical effort
- 2nd degree. . . Local pain appears due to the initial protrusion of the discs. The pain syndrome becomes more intense when the head is tilted or turned. Reflective pain may appear, usually between the shoulder blades or in the arms. The patient is more likely to experience weakness, the overall voice of the body decreases.
- 3rd degree.Intervertebral hernia begins to form and significant deformity of the spine is observed. The pain syndrome is intense, constant. There are severe mobility impairments and gait changes in the affected area.
- 4th degree. . . Severe pain may occur while tilting or turning the head, or conversely, lack of pain if it is impossible to perform any head movement. Most often, the patient experiences severe headaches, impaired vision and hearing, and impaired coordination of movements. The patient’s disability often occurs at this stage.
Test: check for symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Answer a few questions to check for signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Did you have a head or neck injury?
- Do you experience neck pain after sleep?
- Do you have pain when you turn around, bow, or turn your head?
- Do you get a twitch when you move your head?
- Do you experience muscle tension or make you stretch your neck?
- Do you have any discomfort, sharp or pulling pain during or after your workout?
- Do you often feel dizzy, have headaches?
- Do you have a headache during a sharp ascent, or does it appear "bitter" before your eyes?
- Do you notice that your hands are cold and numb periodically?
If you answered yes to at least some of the questions, that’s why you need to see a doctor. Don’t delay your visit to the doctor - this will give you a better chance of recovery.