How do the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifest themselves?

In severe cases, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are generally surprising, although the initial conditions of the disease are observed long before the onset of the main symptoms and are the result of degenerative changes in the structure of the vertebrae. Nerve roots of levels C5, C6, C7 (cervical spine) are often affected.

Clinical manifestations

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into radical and reflex.

Reflex Syndrome

Lumbago is characteristic of reflex symptoms. Their main feature is a sudden appearance with an awkward movement, a concussion or a prolonged stay of the head in one position. The lumbago of the cervical spine literally leads a person astray, movements are limited, the patient takes a forced position due to severe pain.

Frequent patient complaints:

• squeezing headaches that spread to the temples or pupils;
• reduced visual acuity, as if "everything floats" in front of the eyes;
• possible pressure increase.

Vertebral artery syndrome occurs when the nerve plexus is irritated, which is often misdiagnosed as a cerebrovascular accident. Manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis with a similar syndrome are frequent dizziness with a sharp dizziness, almost always accompanied by an unpleasant nausea and even vomiting.

When making a diagnosis, it is important to rule out cerebrovascular accident, because the treatment of osteochondrosis is completely different from diseases of the vascular system.

In the clinic of reflex syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis, a patient with a cardiac symptom has sensations reminiscent of an attack of angina pectoris, but there are no difficulties in accurate diagnosis, because the cardiac symptom is accompanied by a number of symptoms characteristic of spinal osteochondrosis.

Radical Syndrome

In radicular syndrome, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur in proportion to the "number" of compressed nerves.

Symptoms, sensory and motor changes depend on which nerve root is affected:

1. C1- there is a sensitivity disorder in the occipital region;
2. C2- the patient feels pain in the parietal and occipital regions;
3. C3- pain appears in the middle of the neck where the violation occurred. Symptoms: loss of sensitivity, impaired function and touch of the tongue, speech disorders;
4. C4- there is pain in the shoulder-scapular region, sensitivity is impaired, there may be pain in the heart and liver;
5. C5- the patient does not feel well on the outer surface of the shoulder, is worried about pain in this area;
6. C6- pain in osteochondrosis at the level of the 6th vertebra extends to the forearm, scapula, radial surface and "descends" to the thumb;
7. C7- the pain "spreads" from the neck to the scapula, passes along the back of the shoulder and arm, passes to 2-4 fingers of the hand, the sensitivity in this area worsens;
8. C8- the pain is localized from the neck to the shoulder and even to the little finger.

Inseparable pathological connection

VSD and cervical osteochondrosis are closely related, and vegetative-vascular dystonia can manifest itself as damage to the cervical articular cartilage that empties the human nervous system. At the same time, dystonia and osteochondrosis can be a common disease or VSD for common reasons.

Osteochondrosis is one of the factors that causes VSD, but it is not necessary for the latter to arise from the former.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia often manifests itself in various types of osteochondrosis, especially cervical spine disorders. However, this can also occur as a result of injury, nerve compression in the cervical spine, impaired blood flow and increased intracranial pressure.

Diagnostic Errors

VSD, osteochondrosis and thoracic pain are treated in different ways. Expensive (and often unnecessary) tests show nothing but problems in the cervicothoracic region and disturbances in the functioning of blood vessels. Treatment for this condition often remains the same - heart complexes, vitamins, antidepressants. Chiropractors relieve pain, build the patient in an optimistic mood, but panic attacks, stress and fatigue go nowhere.

More and more people are falling victim to improper therapy, panic attacks (or VSD attacks) are almost the norm for them, but still most patients turn to "doctors" who are not self-medicating or trying to recover from the disease. "They prefer to apply, only to enrich themselves.

Characteristic groups of manifestations

The main clinical signs of cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into several groups:

first
• .Neurological symptoms occur as a result of complications of cervical osteochondrosis and direct pressure on the nerve roots, nerve plexuses;
• seconds.symptoms manifest themselves in direct contact with the spinal cord;
• third.Symptoms occur in the brain, affecting blood vessels, structures, membranes and the body.

Each of the groups listed has its own clinical signs and manifestations, but there is a common set of symptoms, which makes it possible to make a correct diagnosis.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae often appear as a neurological complication, characterized by pain in the shoulder joint. This pathology is called "periarthritis of the shoulder scapula. "

Distinctive features of spinal cord compression in the cervical region are large lesions in the tissues and a strong decrease in vital functions. Sensitivity of the skin and muscles is impaired, paresis develops and paralysis occurs in complex pathological conditions.

Therefore, at the first suspicion of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to consult such a specialist, take the necessary diagnostic measures and undergo a course of treatment. Remember that pathology detected in time is eliminated quickly and ineffectively.