Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the neck is a common disease of the spine that affects patients of all ages.

Represents degenerative changes in the spinal disc, developing against the background of severe stress, wearing the wrong shoes, strenuous exercise and malnutrition. It develops gradually so that the patient may not notice the first symptoms immediately.

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 is often disguised as other disorders, which complicates the timely diagnosis.

Patients are usually associated with the following complaints:

• Severe pain in the collar area.
• Noise and shortness of breath in the ears.
• Frequent dizziness.
• Shortness of breath, feeling short of breath.
• Nausea, vomiting.
• Blood pressure drops.
• Frequent fainting or syncope.
• Rising body temperature.

The signs of cervical osteochondrosis in men do not differ much from those that appear in women. Patients complain of discomfort in the nape of the neck, sternum and shoulder girdle. You should contact your local therapist or neurologist for diagnosis.

Neck pain

One of the most common symptoms of cervical chondrosis is neck pain that affects 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 can 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. Against the background of this process, spasms, anxiety attacks and panic are observed. Pain in the neck can radiate to the shoulders or arms. Increase after sleep, sudden movements, laughter or sneezing. The discomfort is combined with a characteristic crisis when trying to turn over or muscle weakness.

Muscle spasm and poor blood 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.

Tinnitus and stuffy ears

Osteochondrosis in 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 set of symptoms is called cochlear, but doctors rarely associate it with a vertebral disorder. 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 are referred to 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 required 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 determine the cause of the headache because the symptom is not specific.

The following causes trigger an attack:

• Spasm of cerebral vessels.
• Pinched nerve endings in the cervical-thoracic spine.
• High blood pressure.
• Acute venous outflow disorder.
• Increased fatigue.
• Prolonged stay in an unnatural position.

Headaches worsen during exacerbations and in patients, including men. By nature, it can be constant, dull in the form of seizures or throbbing. In older people, this symptom requires great attention, as it may indicate an initial stroke, angina pectoris, heart attack or hypertension. Therefore, in the first place, these conditions are ruled out before starting treatment for osteochondrosis.

In cardiac pathologies, patients also complain of compression in the chest area, irregular heart rhythm, 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, compressed nerve endings. The brain does not receive the necessary amount of oxygen, which negatively affects the functioning of the vestibular apparatus.

As a result of the deviation of the condition the symptom is:

• Systemic vertigo.They appear as a sensation of rotation of the whole body and surrounding objects. 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 unsteady state in an upright position. There is usually no circular rotation.

Dizziness is a serious symptom that should be treated immediately by a doctor. In the presence of tingling in the shoulders, paralysis of the facial muscle tissue, loss of consciousness, emergency hospitalization.

Shortness of breath and shortness of breath

Another serious symptom of advanced osteochondrosis in the shoulder area is a constant feeling of shortness of breath. Breathing problems occur when compressing nerve endings and receptors that do not transmit impulses from the pharynx to the esophagus. Shortness of breath occurs when the vertebrae are displaced, it increases in a state of stress, accompanied by a lump in the throat. After taking a sedative, health returns to normal.

Lack of air provokes radicular syndrome. Diaphragmatic spasm affects the depth and rhythm of breathing. The patient suffocates and has difficulty breathing, there are 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 collection of nerve endings where an artery runs, which is responsible for transporting nutrients to the brain. In osteochondrosis, bumps and intervertebral hernias gradually form, which affects the blood pressure and as a result, the patient experiences an attack of nausea.

Prolonged damage to normal circulation leads to vomiting, loss of consciousness and causes stroke and injury. Therefore, the appearance of such a symptom, which is not associated with eating errors, requires immediate medical attention.

High blood pressure

For cervical osteochondrosis, a typical symptom is a jump in pressure during the day. Elevated or decreased blood pressure is not maintained for a long time, which is a characteristic sign of degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. The daily dynamics of blood pressure is spasmodic, as irritation of 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;
• decreased sensitivity in the collar area;
• Muscle tension after a long time in one position.

All this is taken into account when making a diagnosis. The rapid deterioration of the condition and sudden changes in pressure are the basis for hospitalization of the patient and assistance in a hospital setting.

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 the connective tissue in the vertebrae, the following diseases can develop:

• Glaucoma.The patient was diagnosed with increased intraocular pressure, damage to the optic nerve. It is impossible to completely eliminate pathologists, only to achieve stable remission with complex treatment.
• Cataract.This pathological process leads to the destruction of the lens. The changes are related to metabolic processes and acute damage to 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 disease.Hypoxia in the occipital region is considered to be one of the causes of the lesion. The main signs of a pathological condition are a decrease in the pupil reaction or a difference in the size of the pupil in different eyes. Some patients complain that they cannot completely close their eyes for a night's rest, and twilight also suffers.

The ophthalmologist prescribes treatment after a thorough examination. But the therapy is performed only in a complex aimed at eliminating the cause of the disorder. Only then can the problem be solved 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. The signs show a malfunction of the neurovascular trunks that come from the spinal cord. But the symptoms are not considered characteristic and can be observed in pathological disorders such as inflammation, swelling.

Change in body temperature

Osteochondrosis, as it progresses, leads to a rise in body temperature. These symptoms occur when the vertebral artery is damaged, stenosis of the spinal canal or protrusion of the disc. It provokes changes in neurosis and concomitant neurological disorders.

Against the background of fever there is tingling in the tongue or hands, an inflammatory process in the lymph nodes, a burning sensation on the tongue.

The characteristic crunch when turning the neck suggests osteochondrosis.

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 strength of compression of the nerve endings and the process of disc deformation. It provokes the appearance of symptoms of spinal artery compression 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:

1. Initially.Degenerative processes in the spinal discs go unnoticed by the patient. It is quite difficult to notice the first changes, as these can be a slight headache (more severe in women), discomfort in the neck, a slight deterioration of vision or loss of sensitivity in the collar area. At this stage, patients rarely see a doctor, attributing symptoms of fatigue, lack of sleep, or stress.
2. Second stage.As the pathology progresses and the protrusion of the disc protrudes, more pronounced symptoms appear. The destruction of annular fibrosis 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 a characteristic crisis, swallowing problems, sleep disturbances and decreased clarity of reflexes. Keeping the head in one position is very uncomfortable, which requires consultation with a doctor.
3. Third stage.Gradually intervertebral hernias form, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed, there is a deformation of the vertebrae, displacement of bone segments, dislocations, instability. The patient complains of acute neck pain, pronounced shoulder syndrome, paralysis of the upper limbs, 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 manifests itself in various symptoms. The cause always lies in compressed nerve endings, circulatory disorders and deformity of the intervertebral discs. Protrusion, hernia and displacement gradually lead to loss of mobility of the vertebrae.

Age directly affects the severity of symptoms. The older the patient, the stronger the changes in connective and bone tissue. This is due to muscle fiber weakness, nutritional deficiencies and chronic inflammatory diseases in the body.

Patient feedback

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a common disease, as the nerve roots are constantly exposed to stress due to excessive mobility of the segment. Early detection of pathology avoids serious complications, so many people read patient reviews and compare them to their symptoms.

It is strictly forbidden to diagnose without laboratory and hardware tests. Any information should only be taken as a note.

Cervical osteochondrosis presents with a large number of symptoms, but most of them are easily confused with similar pathologies. It is therefore recommended to consider the patient's complaints in a complex and to make a differential diagnosis, which allows to identify the disease in a timely manner and to prescribe the correct treatment, which includes physiotherapy, gymnastics and medical treatment.