How to recognize the symptoms or disease of cervical osteochondrosis?

Already in his youth, a man has the first symptoms of cartilage disease - osteochondrosis.

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

Thus, in addition to knowing the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine, it is possible to make a timely diagnosis.

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 condition, 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 no manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis. However, the combination of additional factors (heredity, stress, early trauma, etc. ) stimulates further development of the disease.

The next stage in the development of the disease is the elongation of the intervertebral disc membrane - fibrous coating. Due to the loss of moisture, the disc changes shape and gives a "bulge", which in medicine is called protrusion. At this stage, the first symptoms appear - acute burning pain in the neck caused by pressure on the nerves of the disc.

The onset of the third stage of the disease is evidenced by the rupture of the intervertebral disc membrane (fibrous circle) and the formation of an intervertebral hernia that compresses the vessels and nerve fibers. At the same time, sensory and motor disorders of the upper limbs near the neck area also add to the pain.

The transition to the fourth stage of the disease is the complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, when the blood supply to not only the individual nerve fibers, but also to the spinal cord is stopped. Changes at this stage are irreversible, so surgical treatment is required.

General symptoms of the disease

Osteochondrosis can be diagnosed in one (or more) parts of the lower back. At the same time, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is considered especially dangerous, because this part of the spine has large blood vessels and nerve roots that supply blood and innervate not only the hands but also the brain.

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

1. Arterial constriction:Generally, we are talking about the spinal arteries located in the cervical vertebral processes and supplying the brain;
2. Compressed nerve roots:manifests itself with impaired movement and sensation in the hands, as well as in the parietal region of the skull and behind the head;
3. Spinal cord compression: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 specific symptoms that allow the disease to be detected at an early stage.

Pain

The first manifestation of cervical osteochondrosis is a local pain syndrome - cervical. This is usually a severe pain in the neck, sometimes spreading to the arm or back of the head. Pain occurs after incorrect postures (long trips in transport, sleep) or physical activity. In general, they pass themselves.

After a sharp turn or bend of the head, back pain (otherwise cervical) may occur in the neck area. It is often accompanied by muscle tension, as a result of which head movements become impossible (up to 10 days after the onset of cervicitis).

Adaptation to pain occurs over time. However, in the second stage, the pain generally intensifies, indicating further displacement and destruction of the intervertebral disc.

Radical syndrome occurs when the "dislocation" of the intervertebral disc reaches the nerve fibers (aka "radiculitis"). It is usually accompanied by unilateral pain extending to the arm (as well as sensory and movement disorders). In this situation, reflex muscle tension is observed - it is impossible to bend the head.

Other types of pain syndrome are:

• pressing headaches that often mimic migraines but are not relieved with regular painkillers. It is usually "separated" in the back of the head, parietal and temporal regions, and sometimes in the pupil. In this case it can be either one-sided or two-sided;
• "heart" pain (or cardialgia) is extremely rare. It manifests itself in chest pain similar to angina pectoris.

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

Emotional disorders in the cervical spine

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

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

Movement Disorders

If an intervertebral hernia compresses the motor nerve fibers, the patient may experience muscle weakness with limited range of motion - paresis. Excessive degree of movement disorders is paralysis - a complete lack of movement, as well as a decrease in muscle tone (up to the periphery) and loss of reflexes. In the early stages, these symptoms may be temporary.

Other symptoms

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

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

• Head spinning. Often accompanied by osteochondrosis. Dizziness is associated with a defect in the blood supply to the inner ear, which is a double balance organ located in the temporal bone. Irregular postures or periodic exacerbations of osteochondrosis sometimes cause dizziness, accompanied by nystagmus - rapid fluctuations of the pupils. The human body is supplied with blood through an artery - the vertebral artery. It passes through the cervical vertebrae and can therefore be "compressed" in diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, fractures).
• The bell sounds. Tinnitus ringing or blockage in the ears is another option to disrupt the "delivery" of blood to the inner ear. This symptom appears after being in the wrong position for a long time and then disappears. A similar symptom in osteochondrosis is the last symptom that distinguishes it from similar symptoms in other diseases.
• Nausea. This is an independent symptom, but is sometimes accompanied by vomiting or nausea. Second, it is stimulated by bowing and turning the head, sometimes even walking. The cause of this condition is the same as dizziness - a decrease in arterial blood to the equilibrium organ. However, prolonged vomiting can lead to serious complications - dehydration and loss of salts in the body, which can lead to alkalosis (alkalization of the blood). This condition requires the administration of appropriate intravenous saline.
• Respiratory Disorders. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can be difficulty breathing when breathing is shallow (completely "you can't breathe through your chest"). The phrenic nerve causes a similar compression or over-stimulation condition (innervates the diaphragm - the muscle responsible for breathing movements). In such cases, the patient feels shortness of breath or shortness of breath. However, excessive stimulation of the phrenic nerve manifests itself with prolonged hiccups.
• Night attacks. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region may also be associated with poor breathing during sleep. However, more often the disease manifests itself with snoring and morning drowsiness due to lack of oxygen-containing blood during sleep at night. Such a "lack of oxygen" can lead to disorders in the brain - loss of attention and memory loss.
• sore throat. It is considered one of the most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. It manifests itself as a dry throat, a feeling of "foreign body", possible itching or difficulty in swallowing. This is due to the compression of the nerve and vascular ligaments extending from the spine to the neck. We must also keep in mind 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 disturbances. Both the vertebral and carotid arteries supply blood to the visual organs. Therefore, vision changes with this pathology are less common, but are characteristic of people with atherosclerotic vascular plaques or hypotension (low blood pressure). Manifestations may include: "fog" or "flies" blinking in front of the eyes, decreased visual acuity, or disturbance (focus). At the same time, the symptoms of the disease are unstable and cannot be corrected by optics (glasses, contact lenses) or visual gymnastics.
• Unstable pressure. When the vertebral artery is constricted, the blood supply to the vasomotor center may be disrupted, resulting in an insufficient increase and decrease in pressure. The latter may be accompanied by syncope - fainting.
• Sinkope. Fainting is often observed in older people with atherosclerotic plaques in addition to blood vessels. In general, a reflex vasospasm (due to excessive stimulation of the nerve endings by herniated discs or bone processes) causes a sharp decrease in the volume of blood flowing to the brain. As a result, the brain experiences hypoxia - a lack of oxygen - leading to loss of consciousness. Become Beware! Helping to lose consciousness in such a situation is to place the person on a flat surface and lift his legs. From the vessels of the lower half of the body, a large amount of blood flows to the heart, then to the brain, and the necessary blood flow is renewed. To "bring" a person to himself is to use a substance with a pungent odor, such as ammonia. Sometimes people experience speech and / or movement problems after syncope, but these symptoms are generally temporary due to the short duration of fainting. If the unconsciousness lasts for more than a few minutes and then the headache is bothersome, and these disorders do not disappear after a few hours, you should immediately go to the hospital with a suspected stroke.
• Temperature rise. This is a very rare symptom of cervical osteochondrosis. Occurs when blood flow to the hypothalamus (the thermoregulatory center of the brain) is disrupted. Then not only an increase, but also a decrease in body temperature is possible. However, in most cases, local events are observed - hyperemia (redness and warming) in the neck area. Remember, the presence of osteochondrosis does not preclude an increase in temperature due to inflammation or swelling!
• Static Law Violations. These are posture curvature, "alignment" of the neck flexion of the spine, as well as subluxation in the joints of the spine. Such changes lead to a redistribution of the load, so some parts of the spine (for example, the spine) are overloaded. This can lead to the parallel development of osteochondrosis in other parts of the spine.
• Spine stroke. As mentioned above, stage IV cervical osteochondrosis can result in spinal cord injury (spinal cord injury). Such a pathology is extremely rare, but characterized by danger: tetraplegia (complete immobilization of the hands and feet), lack of pain and temperature sensitivity around, sometimes narrowing of the eyes, drooping eyelids, pupil narrowing, facial tenderness, etc. In such cases, immediate surgical intervention is indicated.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development and aggravation of the disease necessary: ​​

• treat spinal cord injuries (bruises and dislocations) immediately;
• posture disorders (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis), instability of spinal segments, garden apparatus;
• to correct orthopedic problems (feet, flat feet), as well as to prefer orthopedic shoes with comfortable heels or special heels;
To normalize excess weight
• ;
• Balance your diet by increasing the levels of micronutrients, fluids and collagen-containing foods (jellies and bone broths);
• not to lead a sedentary lifestyle while restricting heavy physical activity;
• undergo annual preventive examinations (especially for those working in areas with increased levels of vibration from machines, equipment or moving machines);
• athletes, bodybuilders, etc. they do not suddenly stop training.

Elderly people should control diseases (atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension) together. At the same time, it is important to avoid bad habits (alcohol and tobacco smoking), as well as to avoid stressful situations that cause nervous tension.

It is worth remembering that osteochondrosis is a progressive disease that does not disappear by itself. Many patients are encouraged to remission (a period of weakening of the disease), which causes them to return to the old way of life and stop treatment. And this, in turn, significantly aggravates the outcome of the disease. Therefore, if you see signs of cervical spine osteochondrosis, consult a neurologist immediately! After all, there is no better treatment than timely therapy!