Osteochondrosis is a disease that destroys the intervertebral discs and the joints of the spine. The disease can affect all five parts of the spine, but most problems are caused by the manifestations and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The reason for this is the large number of nerve fibers and endings, as well as the blood vessels that supply the brain and pass through the neck.
This area of the spine is the most mobile. Thanks to the neck, a person can turn and tilt his head. Constant loading of the neck region contributes to degenerative changes in the structure and the development of osteochondrosis.
Who is affected by the disease?
Most often, the disease develops and begins to manifest itself between the ages of twenty-five and thirty, because the person was forced to stay in a static and uncomfortable position for a long time. It primarily affects office workers, drivers, and operators of various types of equipment. Often, the disease manifests itself in athletes as a result of training or, on the contrary, when it suddenly stops.
The main causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine are incorrect posture, a sedentary lifestyle, heredity, an improperly organized workplace or an uncomfortable bed. Weight lifting also contributes to the appearance of the disease, since in this process microtraumas are possible, which contribute 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 now starting to collapse, losing moisture and elasticity. This process can take quite a long time. The stage is characterized by instability.
- It is characterized by the protrusion (bulging) of the discs. The intervertebral spaces decrease due to the destruction of the annulus fibrosus and the decrease in its height. Pain may occur due to pinching of the nerve roots of the approaching vertebrae and protruding discs.
- A complete destruction of the fibrous ring occurs and, as a result, an intervertebral hernia develops. The spine was significantly deformed.
- This stage is the most difficult, as the pain occurs with almost every movement. Bone growths appear, connecting the vertebrae, limiting mobility. Such growths can cause disability.
Characteristic signs of cervical osteochondrosis
The blood vessels feeding the brain are located mainly in the neck of the person, therefore many symptoms of the disease are related to the damage of blood circulation in the brain.
- So, here are the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which should be noticed by a doctor:
- severe, persistent pain in the neck and head that spreads to the eyes and ears;
- pain in the arms that worsens with any effort;
- difficulties in the movement of fingers and hands, violation of their sensitivity;
- neck muscle tension;
- the appearance of pain in the neck when turning and tilting the head;
- the appearance of throbbing pain in the neck and neck;
- occurrence of dizziness when turning the head (even before fainting), tinnitus;
- numbness of the tongue, blurred vision and hearing;
- heart pain that cannot be cured by taking appropriate medicines;
- nausea, blood pressure instability;
- sore throat, difficulty swallowing;
- feeling short of breath.
Symptoms of pathology
The manifestation of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the patient's body may be associated with the failure of the following organs and systems:
- compression and disruption of the spinal cord in the spinal canal. Such symptoms are rare and can only occur in very severe cases;
- changes in the peripheral nervous system, the cause of which is the compression of the nerve roots located next to the affected vertebrae;
- violation of blood supply to the brain.
When diagnosing the disease, the doctor pays attention to the presence of many symptoms. Their appearance depends on which part of the spine has been affected by the disease.
Cardiac syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
In osteochondrosis, the symptoms of the heart syndrome are similar to the symptoms of angina pectoris, the cause of which is irritation of the pectoral muscle or phrenic roots. The resulting pain can last for several hours, and the cough becomes stronger with sneezing and a sharp turn of the head.
Tachycardia and extrasystole may occur, which do not disappear with the use of appropriate drugs, and the deviation is not visible on the cardiogram.
Irritative reflex syndromes
This group of syndromes is characterized by sharp neck pain that is 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 pinched. It is characterized by pain radiating from the neck to the shoulder blades and from the forearm to the fingers. Perhaps the appearance of numbness and a feeling of goosebumps on the back of the head, neck, shoulder area, hands.
vertebral artery syndrome
This syndrome, which is caused by the compression of the vertebral artery responsible for blood supply to the brain, is characterized by the appearance of a sharp or throbbing headache that passes to the back of the head, the forehead, and the temples. Perhaps the appearance of nausea, loss of orientation, the occurrence of hearing disorders, 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 in the early stages of the disease is the most effective. It helps to stop the disease and continue to live a full life.
Today, medical science offers various methods of treating osteochondrosis, allowing to slow down or stop the destruction of the spine and provide the patient with 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.