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The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, rapid aging of the intervertebral disc and the vertebral body of the neck occurs. Dizziness and headache are the main symptoms. Often, changes develop in the most mobile part of the spine.

healthy and damaged spinal discs with cervical osteochondrosis

cause

The fact that osteochondrosis develops only in old age is imaginary. In recent years, signs of cervical osteochondrosis have been found in young people aged 16-20 years. The onset of this disease is due to the following reasons:

  1. Violation of metabolic processes.
  2. Tobacco and alcohol abuse.
  3. Low physical activity (hypodynamia).
  4. injuries.
  5. Prolonged sitting position.
  6. Overweight.
  7. Sleep disturbances.
  8. genetic predisposition.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are often confused with cold or superficial fatigue. If signs of illness appear, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

symptoms

There is a symptomatic relationship where there is a violation of the roots of the spine, narrowing of the veins and arteries that pass through the vertebral body. Cervical sciatica (radicular syndrome) is manifested by numbness in the area of the shoulder blades, shoulders, arms, as well as pain and tingling. Discomfort may be felt in the neck and chest (front).

The first signs of cervical vertebral osteochondrosis are:

  • mild pain in the neck;
  • crackling during head turn, when turning;
  • periodic pain in the head and neck, heaviness in the back of the head, numbness in the arms and shoulders.

Dizziness is a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis that appears at night, or in the morning after waking up. Enough for the patient to make a few turns of the head to make dizziness appear.

Along with the manifestation of dizziness, it occurs:

  • loss of orientation in space;
  • the feeling of a "rocking floor" underfoot;
  • loss of balance;
  • noise and ringing in the ears;
  • dizziness and vomiting;
  • redness or paleness of the face;
  • headaches and increased sweating.

Dizziness attacks cause blurred vision, increased heart rate, numbness of the hands, the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes.

Preventive measures for dizziness are proper nutrition (with adequate content of vitamins B and C) and proper sleep arrangements (low pillows, hard mattresses). Drug therapy for dizziness aims to normalize blood circulation to the brain.

Severity of the disease

Symptoms of worsening osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may be as follows:

  1. Pain in the occipital area and neck, beyond the arms, shoulder blades and shoulders.
  2. Increased pain during head movements, sneezing, coughing.
  3. Forced position of the head (to relieve pain).
  4. Pain can be localized in different places, which interferes with the diagnosis.
  5. Prolonged headache and dizziness.
  6. Violation of vision, hearing, coordination of movements.
  7. Increased muscle tone in the limbs and neck, against the background of general weakness.
  8. Reduces skin sensitivity (numbness, dryness, tingling, coldness).
  9. Sleep disturbances, memory disturbances, increased anxiety.

To check the condition of the cervical canal, diagnostic methods are used - duplex scanning or ultrasound dopplerography.

Complications

Symptoms that are not detected and treated in a timely manner can lead to the following complications:

  • Protrusion between the vertebrae of the cervical spine.
  • Hernia (intervertebral) of the cervical region.
  • Radiculopathy (damage to one or more nerve roots).
  • Formation of large osteophytes of the cervical spine.
  • Paresis (incomplete paralysis).
  • Squeezing the arteries that supply the brain.
  • Contractor Dupuytren. With pathology, the palms are deformed, the fingers are compressed, and the hands stop functioning normally.

Osteochondrosis and VVD

The symptoms of VVD (vegetovascular dystonia) in cervical osteochondrosis are interrelated. These pathologies are links in the same chain that require increased attention, diagnosis and treatment. Often, vegetovascular dystonia is the result of cervical osteochondrosis.

Dystonia is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  1. Vertigo.
  2. The heart is pounding and there is pain in the heart area.
  3. Respiratory disorders (increased breathing, shortness of breath).
  4. Decreased blood pressure.
  5. Disorders of internal organs (stomach, intestines, urinary organs).
  6. Changes in body temperature during the day (from 35 to 38 degrees).
  7. Irritation, tearing, anxiety.

Causes of the development of vegetovascular dystonia may be hormonal failure, endocrine disorders, overweight, genetic predisposition. The main symptoms of VVD in cervical chondrosis: muscle fatigue, impaired body control.

The presence of these signs requires a correct diagnosis, and this is only possible after a complete examination. Self -treatment of this disease is unacceptable!

Diagnostics

The examination begins with the examination and analysis of all patient complaints. Diagnosis allows to exclude diseases of the heart and blood vessels, stomach and intestines. Diagnostic steps include:

  1. Radiography.
  2. CT (computed tomography).
  3. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
  4. Myelography.

To determine the degree of sensory and motor impairment, a neurological examination is performed.

Disease treatment

Therapeutic measures aim to eliminate inflammation in the affected area and relieve pain. Drug treatment regimens are represented by the following groups of drugs:

  1. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
  2. Chondroprotectors - drugs that allow you to stop the destruction of cartilage, and contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue.

Treatment with ointments is very common, but ineffective. Patients for self -treatment use ointments containing irritants, or ointments of the NSAID group. The drug substance in the ointment will not be able to penetrate through the dense layer of skin and muscle to the site of the lesion.

Important benefits of the ointment in the neck massage, while rubbing the medicine.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are treated with vitamin B. The combined preparation for intramuscular administration has proven itself well. The composition of the solution includes B vitamins: cyanocobalamin (B12), pyridoxine (B6), thiamine (B1).

Complex treatments include: physiotherapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), massage, exercise therapy (physical therapy), manual therapy.

Complex exercise therapy for the neck is presented in this video. The daily performance of this exercise will help eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to warm up regularly while working, avoid pressure on the neck, do not make sudden head movements, monitor posture, avoid hypothermia, exercise, and eat properly.