With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, rapid aging of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies of the neck occurs. Dizziness and headaches are the main symptoms. Most of the time, changes develop in the most mobile parts of the spine.
Causes
The fact that osteochondrosis only develops in old age is an illusion. In recent years, signs of cervical osteochondrosis have been found in young people aged 16 to 20 years. The appearance of the disease is due to the following reasons:
- Violation of metabolic processes.
- Tobacco and alcohol abuse.
- Low physical activity (hypodynamia).
- injuries.
- Prolonged sitting position.
- Overweight.
- Sleep disorders.
- genetic predisposition.
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are often confused with a common cold or 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 a violation of the spinal roots, narrowing of the veins and arteries that pass in the body of the vertebrae. Cervical sciatica (radicular syndrome) is manifested by numbness in the area of the shoulder blades, shoulders, arms, as well as pain and tingling. Discomfort can be felt in the neck and chest (front).
The first signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra are:
- mild neck pain;
- grinding during rotation of the head, 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 upon waking up. It is enough for the patient to make several head rotations for dizziness to appear.
Along with the manifestation of dizziness, happens:
- loss of orientation in space;
- "ground tottering" sensation 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 causes blurred vision, increased heart rate, numbness of the hands, appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes.
Preventive measures for dizziness are adequate nutrition (with sufficient content of vitamins B and C) and adequate sleeping arrangements (low pillow, hard mattress). Drug therapy for dizziness is aimed at normalizing blood circulation to the brain.
disease exacerbation
Symptoms of exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be as follows:
- Pain in the occipital region and neck, passing to the arms, shoulder blades and shoulders.
- Increased pain during head movement, sneezing, coughing.
- Forced head position (for pain relief).
- Pain can be located in different locations, 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 disturbances, increased anxiety.
To check the condition of the vessels in 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).
- Compression of the arteries that supply the brain.
- Dupuytren's contracture. With the pathology, the palm is deformed, the fingers are compressed and the hand ceases to function 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. Vegetovascular dystonia often 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, shortness of breath).
- Drops in blood pressure.
- Disorders of internal organs (stomach, intestines, urinary organs).
- Changes in body temperature during the day (from 35 to 38 degrees).
- Irritability, crying, anxiety.
The cause of the development of vegetovascular dystonia can 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 only possible after a thorough examination. Self-treatment of the disease is unacceptable!
Diagnosis
The examination begins with an examination and analysis of all the patient's complaints. The diagnosis allows you to exclude diseases of the heart and blood vessels, stomach and intestines. Diagnostic measures include:
- X-ray.
- CT (computed tomography).
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
- Myelography.
To determine the degree of sensory and motor disturbances, a neurological examination is performed.
Disease treatment
Therapeutic measures aim to eliminate inflammation in the affected area and relieve pain. The drug treatment regimen is represented by the following groups of drugs:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
- Chondroprotectors - drugs that make it possible 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 from the group of NSAIDs. The medicinal substance in the ointment will not be able to penetrate through the dense layer of skin and muscles to the injury site.
A significant benefit of ointments in the neck massage, while rubbing the drug.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are treated with B vitamins. A combined preparation for intramuscular administration has proved itself well. The composition of the solution includes B vitamins: cyanocobalamin (B12), pyridoxine (B6), thiamine (B1).
Complex treatment includes: physiotherapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), massage, exercise therapy (physiotherapy), manual therapy.
The neck exercise therapy complex 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 neck stress, do not make sudden head movements, monitor posture, avoid hypothermia, exercise and eat right.