With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, rapid aging of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies of the neck occurs. Dizziness and headache are the main symptoms. Most often, changes develop in the most mobile parts of the spine.
Causes
The fact that osteochondrosis develops only in old age is a delusion. In recent years, signs of cervical osteochondrosis have been found in young people aged 16–20 years. The appearance of the disease is due to the following reasons:
- Violation of metabolic processes.
- Abuse of tobacco and alcohol.
- Low physical activity (hypodynamia).
- Injuries.
- Prolonged sitting position.
- Excess weight.
- Sleep disorders.
- genetic predisposition.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are often confused with a cold or banal fatigue. If signs of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Symptoms
There is a connection of symptoms in which there is an infringement of the spinal roots, narrowing of the veins and arteries passing in the body of the vertebrae. Cervical sciatica (radicular syndrome) is manifested by numbness in 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 osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra are:
- mild pain in the neck;
- crunching during head rotation, 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. It is enough for the patient to make several rotations of the head to make dizziness appear.
Along with the manifestation of dizziness, it happens:
- loss of orientation in space;
- feeling of "floor staggering" underfoot;
- loss of balance;
- noise and ringing in the ears;
- nausea and vomiting;
- redness or pallor of the face;
- headache and increased sweating.
An attack of dizziness provokes blurred vision, increased heart rate, numbness of the hands, the appearance of "flies" before the eyes.
Preventive measures for dizziness are proper nutrition (with sufficient content of B and C vitamins) and proper sleeping arrangements (low pillow, hard mattress). Drug therapy for dizziness is aimed at normalizing the blood circulation of the brain.
Exacerbation of the disease
Symptoms of exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may be as follows:
- Pain in the occipital region and neck, passing into the arms, shoulder blades and shoulders.
- Increased pain during head movement, sneezing, coughing.
- Forced position of the head (for pain relief).
- The pain can be localized in different places, which interferes with the diagnosis.
- Prolonged headache and dizziness.
- Violation of vision, hearing, coordination of movements.
- Increased muscle tone in the limbs and neck, against the background of general weakness.
- Reduced skin sensitivity (numbness, dryness, tingling, coldness).
- Sleep disturbances, memory disorders, increased anxiety.
To check the condition of the vessels of the neck, diagnostic methods are used - duplex scanning or ultrasound dopplerography.
Complications
Symptoms that are not detected and treated in time can lead to the following complications:
- Protrusion (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 of the arteries supplying the brain.
- Dupuytren's contracture. With pathology, the palm is deformed, the fingers are compressed, and the hand ceases to function normally.
Osteochondrosis and VVD
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 becomes the result of cervical osteochondrosis.
Dystonia is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Vertigo.
- Heart palpitations and pain in the region of the heart.
- Respiratory disorders (increased breathing, lack of air).
- Drops in blood pressure.
- Disorders of the internal organs (stomach, intestines, urinary organs).
- Changes in body temperature during the day (from 35 to 38 degrees).
- Irritability, tearfulness, anxiety.
The cause of the development of vegetovascular dystonia may be hormonal failure, endocrine disorders, excess weight, 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 possible only after a complete examination. Self-treatment of the disease is unacceptable!
Diagnostics
The examination begins with an examination and analysis of all patient complaints. Diagnosis allows to exclude diseases of the heart and blood vessels, stomach and intestines. Diagnostic measures include:
- Radiography.
- CT (computed tomography).
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
- Myelography.
A neurological examination is performed to determine the degree of sensory and motor disorders.
Treatment of the disease
Therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating inflammation in the affected area and relieving pain. The drug treatment regimen is represented by the following groups of drugs:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
- Chondroprotectors are 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 irritating substances, or ointments of the NSAID group. The medicinal substance in the ointment will not be able to penetrate through the dense layer of skin and muscles to the site of the lesion.
A significant benefit of ointments in neck massage, while rubbing the drug.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are treated with B vitamins. A combined preparation for intramuscular administration has proven itself well. The composition of the solution includes B vitamins: cyanocobalamin (B12), pyridoxine (B6), thiamine (B1).
The complex treatment includes: physiotherapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), massage, exercise therapy (physical therapy), manual therapy.
The exercise therapy complex for the neck is presented in this video. Daily performance of these exercises will help get rid of unpleasant symptoms.
Disease prevention
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to periodically warm up during work, avoid stress on the neck, do not make sudden head movements, monitor posture, avoid hypothermia, exercise, and eat right.