Osteochondrosis is a process of degeneration, aging, breakdown of cartilage tissue and its transformation into a kind of bone.
To understand the problem of osteochondrosis, one has to imagine the structure of the spine: it consists of 35 vertebrae, which are placed on top of each other in a column, forming a spine. Between the vertebrae there are "pads" - cartilaginous discs (they act as a shock absorber and lubricant when the vertebrae move), the discs consist of a rigid multilayer ring and a liquid gelatinous core in the center.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
Everyone knows that the spine thins in its structure closer to the head. The upper vertebrae that make up the cervical region are long, slender, but very strong and mobile. However, their strength is not unlimited, especially when the daily stress on the neck exceeds the norm. The main causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are still hidden in these loads.
How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifests itself also depends on the type of load and where the spinal discs are injured: each nerve root is responsible for a particular function. Therefore, the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the neck are so diverse. The development of the disease takes place in 4 stages. Each of the following is more difficult than the last.
Stage 1 cervical osteochondrosis:
How can our spine protect itself against overuse and destructive physical activity (or inactivity)?
First of all, the discomfort: stretching, tingling, pulling - these are all the first signs of any disease of the spine.
Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the cervical spine begins with a feeling of tension in the muscles of the neck, their fatigue. The patient may feel a slight pain, crackles when turning and tilting the head. Very often such discomfort is perceived as "probably freezing" or "I am tired of something".
Remember! Pain is a sign, we can say the signaling of our body, if it worked, it's not just that. Pain cannot be ignored or numbed with pills!
2nd step :
The patient already feels more intense pain when he turns and tilts his head. Sometimes the pain radiates (spreads) to the right or left arm, to the shoulder joint, sometimes to the hand.
From the side of the nervous system, there are still rare headaches, fatigue, fatigue, a state of distraction (the initial symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are very similar to the cyclic symptoms of the reproductive system. : headache, dizziness, feeling of weakness, fatigue).
Even if the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine have already become evident, at the second stage there is still every chance to prevent the development of the disease and the appearance of complications. It is especially important to prevent the development of hernias, which can be dangerous in the cervical spine with loss of mobility and decreased blood supply to the brain.
Step 3:
At the third stage, the disease can already be considered neglected, since the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at this stage is already much more difficult, and the destruction is often irreversible. The pain increases as the intervertebral hernias begin to appear.
The constant weakness and dizziness - due to pinching of the nerves and large vessels that supply the cerebral cortex, also intensifies. Pain is often given to the hands. The innervation of the muscles of the upper extremities is disturbed, which weakens them. Numbness and tingling in the hands is a common symptom of third degree degenerative neck disc disease.
Step 4:
The intervertebral discs have already been considerably destroyed and have undergone major modifications, the hernias and protuberances of each of them have a significant impact on the well-being of the patient. In place of the destroyed discs, connective tissue appears, which deprives the spine of its flexibility.
Compression of nerves and blood vessels results in impaired coordination. Pain, drowsiness, lethargy, and dizziness are worse. To this is added ringing in the ears. There is a huge risk of diseases that can be caused by osteochondrosis:
- When a vertebral artery is compressed by a hernia, it leads to cerebral ischemia and develops to a stroke;
- Pinched blood vessels can lead to malnutrition in the cortex or lower parts of the brain. As a result - impaired perception, loss of consciousness;
- Compression of the spinal cord can even be fatal.