Cervical spine osteochondrosis develops due to degenerative dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. In a professional clinic, high-quality disease treatment is performed, taking into account the degree of disease progression and associated syndromes.
Common Symptoms
Neck and back pain is the main symptom of osteochondrosis, but it only occurs in the second stage of the disease. At first, patients experience only a feeling of heaviness and muscle tension. There is a habit of reflexively massaging the neck region or turning the head to get rid of uncomfortable sensations.
In addition to pain, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- crunching when turning the body or head;
- numbness and feeling of weakness in the hands;
- decreased flexibility;
- headaches, fainting;
- constant weakness and fatigue;
- impairment of cognitive functions, hearing and vision.
With the development of the pathology, a feeling of mild discomfort evolves into strong and painful pain, and then into acute pain, which manifests itself during physical exertion, sudden movements or in a state of fatigue. In the more advanced stages of the disease, pain of varying degrees of intensity is felt constantly, even at rest or during sleep. Over time, the pain starts to radiate to the back of the head, arms, shoulders and fingers - this is caused by damage to the nerve roots.
Upper limb dysfunctions associated with osteochondrosis
The development of this disease often leads to various problems related to the hands. In patients with cervical osteochondrosis, the hands are often cold and freezing, even in a warm room. You can also observe:
- tingling or itching, burning sensation in the hands;
- periodic dormancy;
- weakness of the hands (including weakened grip on objects with the palm);
- violation of the motor function of the hands;
- sudden pains.
With osteochondrosis, calcium salts begin to deposit in the affected area - this is a compensatory reaction by the body to the destruction of the fibrous rings of the intervertebral discs. With the deposition of salts, the patient can observe:
- decreased neck flexibility;
- crunch when tilting or turning the head;
- pain when trying to bend the head.
Some symptoms may appear only in certain postures or certain movements. For example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the sensation of a "chain" running through your arms when you try to lower your head.
Problems caused by impaired blood flow
The disease causes severe disturbances in blood flow and also affects metabolic processes. Because of this, not only the spine suffers, but also the brain, as well as other systems, as a result:
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- movement disorders;
- weakness;
- headache;
- sudden nausea;
- buzz;
- "Midges" before the eyes;
- fainting conditions.
With the development of osteochondrosis and, as a consequence, decreased blood flow in the patient, cognitive functions may deteriorate. Analytical and creative skills diminish, memory problems arise. It can also damage your eyesight or hearing. Due to constant pain and insufficient blood supply to the brain, the patient becomes nervous, capricious, may experience depression, sudden outbursts of apathy or anger.
Other consequences of cervical osteochondrosis
Muscle tension, abnormal head position, and the gradual development of scoliosis can lead to health problems that, at first glance, are difficult to associate with osteochondrosis.
Some symptoms can be confused with a manifestation of heart or gastrointestinal tract disease:
- pain in the middle of the chest;
- pain in the heart region;
- tachycardia and extrasystole;
- pain or cramps when swallowing;
- attacks of nausea.
In addition, the patient may notice a change in voice, hoarseness, or a frequent need to "clear" their throat. You may experience a "lump in your throat" sensation or violent snoring. There can be severe deterioration of the condition of the teeth, problems with speech and sudden attacks of numbness in the face or tongue.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at different stages of disease development
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appear depending on the degree of the disease. In the early stages, the patient may only feel heaviness or discomfort in the neck, as well as a feeling of constant muscle tension. Later, the pain syndrome arises 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 headaches. Unpleasant sensations increase with physical exertion
- 2nd degree. . . Local pain arises from incipient disc protrusion. The pain syndrome becomes more intense when the head is tilted or turned. Reflected pain may appear, usually between the shoulder blades or arms. The patient is more likely to feel weak, the overall tone of the body decreases.
- 3rd degree.The formation of an intervertebral hernia begins, a significant deformation of the spine is observed. The pain syndrome is intense, constant. There are serious mobility problems in the affected area, gear changes.
- 4th grade. . . There may be severe pain when trying to tilt or turn the head, or conversely, no pain at all if it is impossible to make any head movement. Most of the time, the patient experiences severe headaches, vision and hearing deteriorate, and movement coordination is impaired. Patient disability often occurs at this stage.
Test: check for symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Answer a few questions to check for signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Have you ever had head or neck injuries?
- Do you feel pain in your neck after sleeping?
- Do you feel pain when rolling backwards, leaning over or turning your head?
- Do you feel tight when moving your head?
- Are you feeling muscle tension or wanting to stretch your neck?
- Do you experience discomfort, sharp pain or severe pain during or after exercise?
- Do you often have dizziness, headache?
- Do you have a headache during a steep climb or "mosquitoes" appear in front of your eyes?
- Did you notice that your hands got cold and periodically numb?
If you answered yes to at least a few questions, this is a reason to see a doctor. Don't delay your doctor's appointment - that way you have a better chance of recovery.