Osteochondrosis of the cervical column: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

The causes of cervical osteochondosisPartly in the development of osteochondrosis of the "culpable" neck, the upheaval of the modern person and the corresponding distribution of charges along the spine, as well as the natural processes of aging of the bodily tissue, in addition, there is a certain number of development and progression of this pathology:sedentary lifestyle;Long stay in the same position during work;excess body weight;In progress injuries of the spine in the neck;Chronic stress, constant nervous tension;Regular hypothermia of the muscles of the collar area (for example, when it is close to the air flow of the air conditioner);Congenital vertebral anomalies and intervertebral discs.

General symptoms and signs of cervical osteochondosisThe osteochondrous process affects a spine or more at the same time. The lumbar and cervical vertebrae are the most affected by pathologies, as the most sensitive to the loads due to the anatomy of the human skeleton.The consequences of vertebral osteochondrosis in the cervical region cause the most drawbacks and potential complications, because the neck is a zone rich in neuromusive highways, many of which directly feed the brain.For this reason, clinical symptoms with cervical osteochondosis are much associated with the ischemia of brain areas. In addition, the nerve roots, which provide the sensitivity and motor activity of the hands and the shoulder belt, when the compression of the destroyed vertebrates can give a variety of symptomatic images. The signs of neck osteochondosis depend on which body systems are affected by pathology:The disrupted blood circulation due to the compression of vertebral arteries determines most of the brain symptoms.The compression of the roots leaving the vertebrates gives an image of the lesion of the peripheral nerves.The pinch of the spinal cord areas is associated with severe neurological pathologies found in advanced cases.Below, consider the general clinic of osteochondrosis of the cervical column.

Pain on the back of the head, neck and necklaceIt is the most common symptom. The location of pain can be extended, affecting the shoulders, the collarbone region, the chest, transforming into intense head migraines.The nature of the pain depends on the location of the lesion and the severity of the pathology. At first, the pain can be quickly transient, gradually becoming chronic, painful.In moments of exacerbations, the pain becomes shot, with an increased tone of the neck muscles and a limited movement of the head.Often, pain with cervical osteochondosis can be located behind the sternum, in which case many patients take this symptom for angina. Differentiation can be carried out by taking a nitroglycerin pill - pain due to osteochondrosis, they are not removed.

Noise, ringing, congestion feeling in the earsThese symptoms often join a decrease in hearing. These phenomena are associated with a decrease in the blood flow of the vertebral arteries to the vestibular apparatus.The complex of these symptoms is called a cochlear or snail syndrome, and it is far from being always possible to determine its connection with osteochondrosis in the cervical region.A specific characteristic of differentiation is that noise, congestion and ringing in the ears are felt when modifying the position, after a long stay in a position.

DizzinessLuries are also due to a violation of the blood flow to the organs of the inner ear, which ensures the balance of the body. NYSTAGM often joins dizzy - arbitrary fluctuations of eye students on the sides.

Lack of airThis feeling appears due to the irritation of the ends of the diaphragmatic nerve. It is a component of the cervical nervous beam and is involved in the regulation of breathing, its depth and its frequency. Patients complain about the inability to breathe in the chest.In some cases, the symptom worsens with severe shortness of breath and suffocation. For the same reason, breathing stops at night and snoring.The disadvantage of oxygen due to respiratory problems is ultimately the cause of the increase in fatigue, a decrease in concentration and memory problems.

NauseaHe is accompanied by Burning Air. Also due to blood circulation problems in certain areas of the brain and inner ear. Nausea is sometimes observed with indomitable vomiting caused by the movements of the head and body. The consequence of nausea and frequent vomiting is a decrease in appetite, weight loss, food insufficiency.

Vision problemsThe "flies" in the eyes, a decrease in visual acuity, fog in front of the eyes - all the symptoms due to the ischemia of the brain area that is responsible for vision.Patients with osteochondosis complain less vision, as the lack of blood supply of vertebral vessels is offset by the blood flow of the carbon arteries system.Glasses and therapeutic gymnastics for eye muscles do not solve the problem, generally vision improves after the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Blood pressure adviceAn unstable pressure level is due to an alteration of blood flow in the oblong brain which is responsible for the functions of the vascular-motor center.

Sudden fainting, or syncopal statesIt occurs with brain arteries spasms due to the short -term stop of blood flow along the vertebral arteries.From the state of loss of consciousness of the patient, you can quickly be removed by placing it so that the legs are slightly higher than the head - the blood flow to the brain allows a person to drive to life.After a fainting attack, reversible problems with speech and movements, due to a brief stop on blood circulation, can be observed for a while.

Green symptomsIt is often the only sign indicating cervical osteochondrosis. They are expressed as perspiration, drought and a feeling of a bump in their throat, difficulties swallowing. Symptoms are associated with compression of the nervous plexus responsible for the innervation of the pharynx. These manifestations are necessary to differentiate from a similar clinic for inflammation or neoplasms.

Body temperature increaseThe increase in body temperature for cervical osteochondosis is not the most typical symptom, it is rarely and locally observed: in the cervical and collar area, with a light redness of the skin.The osteochondrosis clinic in the cervical column can be, first of all, of various degrees of gravity, it depends on the stage of development of pathology, also during periods of exacerbations, they are brighter and, secondly, to form in certain syndromes.

Symptoms according to the stage of cervical osteochondrosisStep IThe start of degenerative processes in the cartilage of vertebral discs. Symptoms are weak, sometimes it may not be observed at all. The first signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical column: Discomfort in the neck, arms, shoulders, sometimes turning into pain;headache;Easy restriction of the motor motor activity;quickly passing visual disorders;Reduce the sensitivity of the skin of the collar area.Important: these symptoms become more pronounced when tilting the head.As a general rule, in the first stage of osteochondrosis in the cervical region, patients do not go to the doctor, believing that all symptoms are associated with fatigue, stress, age, lack of sleep.Stadium IIAt this stage, the vinental projection began, the narrow intervertebral cracks, the collagen fiber of the fiberisal ring of the disc is destroyed. There are notable painful symptoms of a punctual nature due to the compression of the nervous trunks, intensifying during the movements of the neck and the towers of the head. Here you can already suspect cervical osteochondosis, whose symptoms in the second step are as follows:Pain pronounced in the neck, sometimes with a crunch; The skin of the shoulders and hands almost completely loses sensitivity;The headaches are frequent, do not spend long;Visual business with "flies" in the eyes;sounds and noise in the ears;weakness of the muscles of the upper limbs;The clarity of the tendon reflexes is reduced;Shooting pain with dedication under the shoulder blades;The feeling of a bump in the throat, swallowing problems;Sleep disorders, generally insomnia.Long maintenance of the head in a position leads to intense pain. At this stage of the development of the disease, patients are already coming to the doctor to get help.Stadium IIIThe fibrous ring of the disc is destroyed, hernias are formed. In the third step, there is a deformation of the spine, displacement and dislocations of the vertebrae because of their low fixation. The symptoms are as follows: Intensive and acute pain in the neck, collar area, heart zone;The sensitivity of the scalp at the back of the head, in the shoulder region, in the hands, until the complete absence of;hernia of the cervical column;paresis and paralysis of the upper limbs;Tendular reflexes are practically not observed.It is a serious stage of the disease in which the patient is no longer able to support his head by himself. The ischemia of the spinal cord and the compression of the arteries of the spine lead to paralysis and paresis in other parts of the body and a stroke of the spine.

Syndromes caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical columnNon -specific and a large number of different symptoms that accompany osteochondrosis of the cervical column make diagnosis and subsequent treatment difficult, because some of them can be a completely different sign of diseases. Symptoms of cervical osteochondosis are formed in certain groups called syndromes. Their presence and severity can indicate a pathology in the cervical column with an updated location.A group of syndromes frequently found:Koreshka. Otherwise, called cervical radiculitis. It combines the symptoms associated with the offense of the nerve roots of the cervical vertebrae. The "goosebumps" in the affected area, the tingling in the fingers, the forearms, the pallor of the skin, spreads to certain fingers are characteristic.Irrititive reflex. Burne and acute pain on the back of the head and neck, sometimes with the return to the chest and shoulder, which occurs at the time of the change of position of the head and neck, sneezing, coughing and a lively turn of the head.Vertebral artery syndrome includes: Headache, fights or constantly, pulsating in nature;Discomfort in certain movements, including after a long static position;weakness, nausea, loss of consciousness;Hearing reduction, balance problems;Reduce visual acuity.Heart. Almost the same image with angina often continues an inappropriate diagnosis and treatment. The syndrome appears due to the irritation of the diaphragmatic nerve receptors, partially captivating the pericardium and a large chest muscle. Thus, cramps in the region of the heart are more reflexes, as a review of the irritation of the cervical nerves. Symptoms:Suddenly starting, prolonged pain, intensifying with a clear neck, coughing, sneezing, and not passing when they take heart drugs.The ECG does not show the altered blood flow of the heart muscle.Sometimes there can be extrasystole and tachycardia.Vegetative-diaiabolic syndrome. SUBLUXUS The first vertebra of cervical departure with a displacement can lead to the development of vegeto-vacation dystonia. This is not a certain diagnosis of VVD because it has no pronounced symptoms.There may be neurological signs, symptoms of alteration of brain blood flow, intracranial pressure, muscle cramps.Consequently, the patient's complaints come down to dizziness, a decrease in visual acuity, a loss of consciousness, headache, nausea.

How to treat cervical osteochondosisThe state described in the spine is a very serious pathology, which, with negligence, leads to disability, and due to deep cerebral traffic - and death disorders. For this reason, by self-medication, if such symptoms appear, you should not do it.Osteochondrosis is treated in a hospital and at home exclusively as a doctor's prescription. At the initial stages, the treatment of cervical osteochondosis is conservative, including the prescriptions of drugs: non -sterioid anti -inflammatory drugs, anesthetics, hormonal drugs, vitamin complexes, chondroprotectors - all this relieves inflammation, pain, improves the trophic of soft tissues and green.During the acute period, drugs are prescribed in the form of injections, as the pain disappears, the patient goes to the tablets. Physiotherapy, massage, exercise exercises, generally prescribed at the remission stage, join medication lessons. In difficult cases, osteochondrosis is treated by surgery.

PreventionThe basis of the health of the cervical column is a strong and healthy back, physical activity, a comfortable bed with anatomical pillows and a mattress, good posture and good nutrition.It is worth avoiding neck injuries and weight. It is necessary to combine an prolonged session with periods of rest and warm.

Recovery of the recoveryThe prognosis for qualified and appropriate treatment is favorable, but depends a lot on the age of the patient, the severity of the manifestations and the stage of the disease. It is also important in which the person makes medical recommendations concerning nutrition, lifestyle and eliminating bad habits.

ConclusionThus, in most cases, osteochondrosis in the cervical region can be healed. However, it should be remembered that the disease can come back at any time. To avoid this, it is necessary to observe preventive measures and a healthy lifestyle.In addition, it should be remembered:The cause of osteochondrosis is difficult to establish.The symptom of the disease is pain on the back of the head and neck.Cervical osteochondosis is treated in depth: drugs (mainly NSAIDs), massages, exercise therapy.