Osteochondrosis of the neck is a common disease of the spine that affects patients of all ages. This is a degenerative change in the spinal disc, which develops against the background of severe stress, wearing inappropriate shoes, strenuous exercise and malnutrition.
It develops gradually so that the patient may not notice the first symptoms immediately.
Another name for this disease is degenerative-destructive damage to the spine, affecting the body of the vertebrae, ligaments and joints, intervertebral discs.
It is equally common in men and women and usually develops after the age of 30. According to statistics, this disease affects 50 to 80% of the population.
The main signs of the disease
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear with the progression of the pathology. They are more noticeable during exacerbations. After noticing the first signs of the disease, it is recommended to consult a doctor, as it often disguises itself as other disorders, which complicates the timely diagnosis. Patients usually come with the following complaints:
- Severe pain in the collar area.
- Noise and congestion in the ears.
- Frequent dizziness.
- Shortness of breath, shortness of breath.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Blood pressure drops.
- Frequent seizures or syncope.
- Fever.
The signs of cervical osteochondrosis in men do not differ much from those that appear in women. Patients complain of discomfort in the back, sternum and shoulder girdle. You should contact your local therapist or neurologist for a diagnosis.
Neck pain
One of the most common symptoms of chondrosis of the cervical spine is pain in the neck, affecting the back of the head and shoulders. The nature of the pain (pain, sharp, slight tingling) directly depends on the location of the lesion and the severity of the development of the pathological process. In the initial stage, this may be a slight discomfort that does not allow you to turn your head freely in all directions. Gradually the pain becomes chronic and limits the range of motion.
The pain is manifested as a result of deformation of the vertebrae due to insufficient blood supply to the collar area. Against the background of this process, spasms, anxiety attacks and panic are observed. Pain in the neck may radiate to the shoulders or arms. Increases after sleep, sudden movements, laughter or sneezing. The discomfort is combined with a characteristic crunch when trying to turn or muscle weakness.
Muscle spasms and poor circulation often lead not only to pain but also to temporary loss of the ability to move the neck. The constant strain spreads throughout the head and the patient begins to complain of migraine attacks.
Noise and congestion in the ears
Osteochondrosis of the neck is also manifested by a feeling of congestion in the ears, hearing loss and noise. All this is due to insufficient intensity of blood flow to the vestibular apparatus. This complex of symptoms is called cochlear, but doctors rarely associate it with a disorder in the spinal region. Pay attention to the nature of the noise and ringing in the ears, they are usually amplified when a person is in one position for a long time or trying to change it.
Patients with hearing problems consult an otolaryngologist. In the presence of concomitant disorders of the condition, such as numbness of the face, limited mobility of the neck, additional consultation with a neurologist is needed to clarify the diagnosis and determine the cause.
Headache and migraine
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in men are rarely accompanied by frequent headaches, the female population is more susceptible to them. The vertebrae in this area are constantly exposed to excessive stress, which leads to their gradual deformation if the muscle tissue is not elastic enough to keep them in a natural position. It is more difficult to identify the cause of the headache because the symptom is not specific. The following reasons provoke an attack:
- Cerebral vasospasm.
- Pinched nerve endings in the cervical-thoracic spine.
- High blood pressure.
- Acute venous outflow disorder.
- Increased fatigue.
- Prolonged stay in an unnatural position.
The headache is exacerbated in the period of exacerbation in the patient, including men. By nature, it can be constant, dull in the form of seizures or pulsating. In the elderly, this symptom requires careful attention, as it may indicate an initial stroke, angina pectoris, heart attack or hypertension. Therefore, above all, these conditions are ruled out before starting treatment for osteochondrosis.
In cardiac pathologies, patients also complain of chest compressions, irregular heart rhythms, which allows the doctor to differentiate the condition in time. Headache, accompanied by nausea, shortness of breath, necessarily requires an ECG.
Dizziness
Impaired coordination and frequent dizziness often occur when osteochondrosis develops to grade 2 or more. This is due to degenerative changes in the vertebrae, spasms, pinching of nerve endings. The brain does not receive the necessary amount of oxygen, which adversely affects the functioning of the vestibular apparatus. As a result of the deviation of the condition, the symptom is:
- Systemic dizziness. They appear as a sensation of rotation of the whole body and the objects around it. The dysfunction occurs due to a malfunction of the vestibular apparatus, weakening of muscle tissue and receptors located in the joints.
- Unsystematic vertigo. In addition to instability, patients experience bouts of nausea, an insecure state in an upright position. Circular rotation is usually absent.
Dizziness is a serious symptom that should be consulted immediately. In the presence of tingling in the shoulders, paralysis of the facial muscle tissue, loss of consciousness, urgent hospitalization is required.
Shortness of breath and shortness of breath
Another serious symptom of advanced osteochondrosis in the shoulders is the constant feeling of shortness of breath. Breathing problems arise from the compression of nerve endings and receptors that do not transmit impulses from the pharynx to the esophagus. Shortness of breath occurs when the vertebrae are displaced, increasing in a state of stress, accompanied by a lump in the throat. After taking a sedative, the state of health returns to normal.
Lack of air provokes radicular syndrome. Diaphragm spasm affects the depth and rhythm of breathing. The patient becomes suffocated and has difficulty breathing air, problems with memory and concentration. Such a symptom of osteochondrosis requires immediate help, as it can cause a number of serious complications. The doctor chooses the drug individually, taking into account the condition.
nausea
In the cervical region there is a large accumulation of nerve endings, through which passes an artery that is responsible for transporting nutrients to the brain. In osteochondrosis, protrusions and intervertebral hernias gradually form, which affects blood pressure and, as a result, the patient experiences a bout of nausea.
Prolonged disturbance of normal blood circulation leads to vomiting, loss of consciousness and causes stroke and disability. Therefore, the appearance of such a symptom, which is not associated with eating errors, requires immediate medical attention.
High blood pressure
Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by a rise in blood pressure during the day. Elevated or decreased blood pressure has not been maintained for a long time, which is a characteristic sign of degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. The daily dynamics of blood pressure is sharp, as the irritation of the nerve endings is reflex and causes short-term spasms of blood vessels. A distinctive feature of high blood pressure in cervical osteochondrosis is:
- headache;
- chest discomfort;
- reduced sensitivity in the collar area;
- muscle tension after a long time in one position.
All this is taken into account when making a diagnosis. Rapid deterioration and sudden changes in blood pressure are the basis for hospitalization of the patient and assistance in hospital.
Visual impairment
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine often provokes such unpleasant symptoms as double vision, flickering, the appearance of "flies". This signals the severity of the process and requires a visit to the doctor. Against the background of the destruction of connective tissue in the vertebrae, the following diseases can develop:
- glaucoma. The patient was diagnosed with increased intraocular pressure, optic nerve damage. It is impossible to completely eliminate pathologists just to achieve stable remission with comprehensive treatment.
- cataract. This pathological process leads to the destruction of the lens. The changes are associated with metabolic processes and acute disruption of the brain's oxygen supply. The first sign of the disease is the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes. Timely initiation of treatment helps to preserve the patient's vision.
- Claude Bernard-Horner's disease. One of the reasons for the appearance of the lesion is considered to be hypoxia in the occipital region. The main signs of a pathological condition are a decrease in pupillary response or a difference in pupil size in different eyes. Some patients complain that they cannot close their eyes completely for a night's rest, and twilight vision also suffers.
The ophthalmologist prescribes treatment after a thorough examination. But the therapy is carried out only in a complex aimed at eliminating the cause of the disorder. Only then can the problem be overcome effectively.
Pharyngeal problems
Degenerative changes in the cervical spine provoke swallowing problems. The patient complains of a lump in the throat, sweating, foreign body sensation in the throat, itching. Signs indicate a malfunction of the neurovascular trunks that exit the spinal cord. But the symptoms are not considered typical and can be observed in pathological disorders such as inflammation, swelling.
Change in body temperature
Osteochondrosis, as it progresses, causes a rise in body temperature. Such symptoms occur when the vertebral artery is damaged, stenosis of the spinal canal or protrusion of the disc. Provokes changes in neuroses and concomitant neurological disorders. Against the background of fever there is numbness of the tongue or hands, inflammatory process in the lymph nodes, burning sensation of the tongue.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis depending on the stage
The signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine largely depend on the stage of development of the pathology, the force of compression of the nerve endings and the process of deformation of the discs. Provokes the appearance of symptoms of compression of the spinal artery and impaired blood flow to the brain. Pinched nerve endings lead to severe neurological pathologies. The severity of the symptoms directly depends on the stage of development of the disease:
- Initially. The degenerative processes in the spinal discs go unnoticed by the patient. It is quite difficult to notice the first changes, as these can be mild headaches (they are felt more strongly in women), neck discomfort, slight deterioration of vision or loss of sensitivity in the collar area. At this stage, patients rarely go to the doctor, attributing symptoms of fatigue, lack of sleep or stress.
- Second stage. As the pathology progresses and the appearance of a disc protrusion, more pronounced symptoms appear. The destruction of the fibrous ring affects the movements of the head, they become more limited. Also, patients begin to complain of constant ringing in the ears, impaired visual function, neck pain with characteristic crunching, swallowing problems, sleep disturbances and decreased clarity of reflexes. Keeping the head in one position causes severe discomfort, which requires consultation with a physician.
- Third stage. Gradually intervertebral hernias are formed, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed, there is a deformation of the vertebrae, displacement of bone segments, dislocations, instability. The patient complains of acute pain in the neck, severe shoulder syndrome, paralysis of the upper extremities, no tendon reflexes, impaired sensitivity in the scalp. This is a severe stage of the disease that requires comprehensive treatment.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic systemic disease that presents with various symptoms. The reason always lies in the compressed nerve endings, circulatory disorders and deformity of the intervertebral discs. Protrusion, hernia and displacement gradually lead to loss of vertebral mobility.
Age directly affects the severity of symptoms. The older the patient, the stronger the changes in connective and bone tissue. This is due to weakness of muscle fibers, nutritional deficiencies and chronic inflammatory diseases in the body.
Patient feedback
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a common disease, as nerve roots are constantly exposed to stress due to excessive segment mobility. Early detection of the pathology avoids serious complications, so many people read the examinations of patients and compare them with their symptoms.
Female, 35 years old
"We suspected osteochondrosis almost immediately, as I was constantly tormented by headaches and had trouble turning my neck. But the diagnosis was made only after an X-ray. As the treatment does not give a normal result and the pain still appears periodically, computed tomography is still pending, it will confirm or deny the progression.
Female, 42 years old
"For a long time, doctors could not diagnose osteochondrosis due to the fact that the symptoms reverberated with my gastritis. I felt sick from time to time, but I blamed it on eating mistakes. It was only after a seizure that I went to the doctor and started looking for a problem. The discomfort in the neck was not very painful in the initial stage and the pain was felt only with the progression of the pathology. Treatment is prescribed only after computed tomography. The treatment gradually gives results. "
Male, 36 years old
"Osteochondrosis of the neck developed due to the peculiarities of the profession, but they could not determine it immediately. Initially, my vision dropped, which I immediately attributed to eye strain at night, and then I began to suffer from dizziness and neck pain, but because I was constantly driving and it did not bother me. The diagnosis was already made at almost 3 stages, when the pressure began to jump and health problems in general began. The treatment has not yet yielded tangible results. "
It is strictly forbidden to diagnose without laboratory and hardware tests. Any information should be taken as a remark only.
Cervical osteochondrosis presents with a large number of symptoms, but most of them are easily confused with such pathologies. Therefore, it is recommended to comprehensively address the patient's complaints and to make a differential diagnosis, which allows timely identification of the disease and prescribing the correct treatment, which includes physiotherapy, gymnastics and medical treatment.