Widespread worldwide osteochondrosis of the cervical and other areas of the ridge to one degree or another affects more than half of both women and men aged thirty and over, as well as children. For a child, this is a particularly dangerous disease that affects the intervertebral discs and joints, which leads to catastrophic consequences for the developing spine. The complications that the disease leads to are of varying degrees. One of them may be a hernia, the signs of which should be considered separately.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis cause the most problems for a person. This is due to the fact that in this part there is a huge number of nerve endings and fibers. In addition, the most important blood vessels for supplying the brain are concentrated here. So, the main signs of the disease in question:
- pain;
- dizziness;
- pharyngeal symptoms, "lump in the throat";
- nausea and vomiting;
- noise and ringing in the ears;
- loss of consciousness (fainting);
- lack of air;
- spikes in blood pressure;
- visual impairment;
- local temperature changes.
According to the 10th International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), cervical osteochondrosis has several positions, each of which corresponds to a separate code. The classification is made according to the affected areas of the spinal column, as well as according to the age of the patients, according to which osteochondrosis is "youthful" and "adult". Cervical osteochondrosis has a general code of M42. On the Internet, using the ICD-10 table, you can find the necessary information, including all signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
Pain in osteochondrosis
Pain attack in cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code -10 - M42) is a very common symptom. This attack can be limited only to the cervical region, and can also spread to the shoulders, neck muscles.
However, most often patients complain of a headache. This pain of varying degrees (pain, shooting) can increase when turning the head. A person feels pressure in the eyeball, discomfort may occur in the region of the heart, under the shoulder blades, numbness of the hands. The pain attack is explained by strong mechanical irritation of the nerve endings that pass between the vertebrae.
The branched nervous system provides thermoregulation, control over motor and sensory functions, is responsible for coordination of movements, muscle tone. Even the violation of receptors by fragments of intervertebral discs or bone growths causes pain in cervical osteochondrosis.
Vertigo
Vertigo, as a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis (ICD-10 code - M42), can occur after sleep, but not only. Especially if the person slept on a high pillow. An attack of vertigo can also cause sudden movements of the head (they can be accompanied by a grinding of the vertebrae). With this phenomenon, there is a sharp darkening of the eyes, the patient loses orientation in space. Also, dizziness can be combined with nausea, vomiting, other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and lead to fainting. Of course, one should not treat dizziness itself, but its cause, namely osteochondrosis.
pharyngeal symptoms, "lump in the throat"
Sometimes almost the only manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae (ICD code -10 - M42) is the so-calledpharyngeal symptoms. There is a sore throat, the presence of a foreign body ("lump in the throat"), as well as dryness, itching, difficulty swallowing.
"Lump in the throat" and other pharyngeal symptoms are caused by degeneration and degeneration of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, which are located at the level of the throat.
In addition, they arise due to injury to the nerve endings of the spinal cord, inflammation of the nerves, failure of circulation, pathological tension of the muscles of the pharynx.
Nausea and vomiting
An attack of nausea in cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code -10 - M42), as well as a "lump in the throat", can occur suddenly, especially in closed spaces with poor ventilation or with a sharp change in body position. Sometimes the patient has not only nausea, but also uncontrollable vomiting, which can be triggered by turning the head, leaning over, and even just walking. Again, nausea and vomiting, as well as a "lump in the throat", are characteristic not only of osteochondrosis, but also of a number of other conditions of the body. For example, during pregnancy in women, nausea and vomiting are completely different in nature. So - diagnostics, and once again - diagnostics. And, if necessary, sick leave.
Noise (ringing) in the ears
The vestibular apparatus is supplied with blood only from the system of vertebral arteries, so in the case of cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code -10 - M42), symptoms associated with disturbed function of the inner ear are very often observed. In common parlance, they are called "noise (or ringing) in the ears". To this can be added frequent hearing impairments of varying degrees. And all together it was called "cochlear (cochlear) syndrome".
"Noise and ringing" and general hearing deterioration of varying degrees are manifested due to the long stay of the patient in an uncomfortable position suitable for the development of this disease.
Loss of consciousness (fainting)
It is better to go on sick leave without waiting. Sudden loss of consciousness occurs in patients with cervical osteochondrosis (ICD-10 code - M42) due to severe spasm of arteries. This spasm occurs in response to damage to the nerve endings by deformed processes of the vertebral bones.
As a rule, the patient can recover quite quickly when given emergency care. For this, the person must shift to a "lying" position and raise his legs. This is done to improve blood flow from the leg veins.
There are cases when, after fainting, the patient has some motor and (or) speech disorders of varying degrees.
Lack of air
An attack of lack of air in the case of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae (ICD-10 code - M42) is a symptom of irritation of the phrenic nerve (this nerve is involved in the regulation of the depth and frequency of breathing). A person begins to feel a lack of oxygen and shortness of breath, up to suffocation. An attack of respiratory arrest is possible at night. If there is a chronic lack of oxygen, then an irreversible change in the brain tissues is possible. The latter leads to distraction and memory impairment. And that is already much more dangerous than, say, nausea, vomiting or a "lump in the throat".
Breathing and other exercises, including yoga, have been shown to be effective in overcoming this symptom. However, yoga should only be practiced under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Blood pressure spikes
Hypertension is a fairly common diagnosis, as a result of worsening osteochondrosis (ICD code 10 - M42), that is, with the development of intervertebral hernias or protrusions of the cervical region.
One of the main signs in this case should be considered jumps, a drop in blood pressure, which accompanies an attack of dizziness and headache. Arterial hypertension (hypertension) is often aggravated by so-called brain starvation, which occurs when the cervical region is affected to varying degrees.
visual impairment
Given that the organs of vision are supplied with blood not only by the vertebral arteries, but also by the carotid arteries, disturbances in their work due to osteochondrosis of the cervical region (ICD code -10 - M42) are somewhat rarer than, for example, "lump in the throat. "But these cases should not be ignored either and the possibility of going on sick leave to fight the disease should not be ignored. In addition to complications in the eyes with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, patients most often complain of a veil before the eyes, a decrease in acuity and visual acuity and flickering points, swimming "motes".
In a short period of time, vision can improve, and then vice versa.
Temperature changes
In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD code -10 - M42), usually the general body temperature does not deviate from the norm. Its increase, "lump in the throat" may indicate other diseases (for example, a cold), when you should apply for sick leave. But an increase in skin temperature in a certain part of the body can occur in the area of direct damage to the spine with osteochondrosis. This requires an accurate diagnosis.
Characteristics of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in children
The main manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis in children are the same as in adult men and women. However, for example, a headache attack in a child has a somewhat different character. Adults suffer from painful sensations of varying degrees, which first appear in the occipital region, and then spread to the forehead, eyes and ears. When turning the head, the pain intensifies. But in children there is no such clear pattern, the pains are of a less local nature.
A headache attack in a child can be of such a degree that it will not allow you to do your homework, to do your homework, to go to school normally and you will have to take sick leave. With osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae in children, patients try to fix their head in a certain position and are afraid to move. Other symptoms of the disease are less pronounced in children. But the feeling of crunching and cracking when turning the child's head is very common.
Frequent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in children may be the result of birth injury to the spine.
Diagnosing the disease in children at an early age is not so difficult.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, if detected in time, diagnosis of the disease in women, men and children is the real key that will allow you to fight for the healing of the cervical spine and prevent possible complications. Among the fighting methods are special procedures, gymnastics, yoga classes.
Worsening of cervical osteochondrosis requires urgent treatment. To confirm the diagnosis, a preliminary examination is carried out. It is important to identify the stage, localization and complexity of the process.
Reasons
Osteochondrosis is a lesion of the spine, caused by damage to the inner surfaces of the vertebral joints. This disease is very common and can appear at any age. Pathology more often affects people who work in difficult conditions. The risk group includes people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Spine pathology to varying degrees occurs in all individuals - it is a physiological manifestation of the aging of the body. Atrophic changes occur on the vertebral discs, but injuries and diseases cause earlier progression of the pathology. There is often osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar spine.
Experts identify 6 main causes of deterioration of osteochondrosis:
- Exhausting stressful situations - it has been proven that constant and long-term experiences cause spasm of the muscular apparatus of the neck. Because of this, the physiological blood flow in the vessels, sleep, full activity of the intervertebral discs and headaches are disturbed.
- Long-term stress on the cervical region - the causes of exacerbation of osteochondrosis lie in prolonged muscle leakage.
- Sharp turns of the head - relapse of the disease occurs after an inconvenient turn of the head. Shots appear in the head, indicating serious structural changes in the neck. They last a few minutes.
- Acute lesions, hormonal imbalance, exacerbation of chronic diseases - such conditions weaken the body, worsen the course of osteochondrosis. In this case, the asymptomatic course turns into a vivid clinical picture.
- The season. It has been proven that autumn is the most common time for spine diseases to worsen. It is associated with sudden changes in temperature, frequent hypothermia of the neck and restructuring of the body's biological clock.
- Ineffective fight against the disease - exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis often occurs with unprofessional massage, gymnastics or physiotherapy in cases where they cannot be done. Such procedures cause aggravation due to displacement of the vertebrae, compression of nerves or blood vessels.
Unfavorable heredity, natural aging of the organism and anomalies in the development of bone and cartilage tissue are distinguished as causes of the disease.
Main features
Acute osteochondrosis of the cervical spine does not manifest itself in any way. Therefore, patients lead a normal life, worsening their condition. An attack of osteochondrosis occurs suddenly. Suddenly a person gets sick, there are complaints about such deviations:
- stiffness, pain in the cervical area;
- weakness in limbs;
- dizziness, ringing in the ears;
- appearance of emotional swings;
- memory impairment;
- headache;
- bowel problems;
- violation of urination;
- development of pathological changes.
The earlier the deterioration of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is detected, the better. The thing is that the primary manifestations of the disease are much easier to treat. The progression of the lesion inevitably leads to more serious manifestations that are difficult to cure (cardialgia, arterial disease).
Neglected pathology is the main cause of frequent pains in the head, between the shoulder blades and in the area of the heart.
In severe cases, an attack of cervical osteochondrosis can become chronic. Painful manifestations will constantly follow a person. Ignoring the disease leads to irreversible structural changes in the spine itself.
With the worsening of osteochondrosis, the symptoms are always similar. Before starting therapy, it is important to determine the location of the lesion. Pain in the area of the shoulder blades and heart can be a manifestation of not only cervical, but also thoracic spine lesions. Therefore, only a specialist can choose diagnostic methods and adequate therapy for the disease.
With the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, treatment includes the use of painkillers. It is important to alleviate the pain, and then fight against other manifestations of the disease.
Therapeutic methods
The course of therapy includes a series of procedures aimed at improving blood flow and metabolism in the affected area. Physiotherapy is additionally included. Worsening of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine always needs to be treated with drugs. Do a block with painkillers. This allows you to reduce pain, relieve the tone of the muscles of the spine.
How long does an exacerbation last? Everything depends on the timeliness and adequacy of the therapy. The insidiousness of the disease is in the long and latent course of the disease. If you experience recurring episodes of head pain, it is important to seek specialist advice immediately.
Osteochondrosis can worsen at any time. The fight against the disease is multi-level. The first step is to prescribe medication. Numerous drugs are used to fight the pathology:
- anti-inflammatory;
- anesthetics;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- vitamins;
- various types of local medicines (ointments, gels, sprays).
Therapy without drugs
In the second stage, after stabilization of the condition, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is treated conservatively. As soon as the pain and muscle tension disappear, they move on to other ways of fighting the disease:
- manual therapy;
- acupuncture;
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- laser therapy.
It is recommended to treat osteochondrosis according to the above scheme under the supervision of a doctor. The course of treatment is at least 2 weeks. Folk remedies are available that are easy to use. Horseradish leaf compresses are often prescribed for osteochondrosis on the nerve base. Cabbage leaves and burdock are used to alleviate inflammatory changes. The mixture of dry mustard and propolis has a warming effect.
Many traditional medicines are taken internally. It can be an infusion of celery, which is prepared from the plant and warm water. Doctors recommend using sunflower root infusion for back pain.
How to increase the effectiveness of therapy? Each patient is able to increase the effectiveness of each method of conservative therapy. For that, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations. The massage should be performed from top to bottom. Therapeutic massage is better to be done before going to bed. This will allow the relaxed body to completely relax. Ideally, if the kneading of the back of the head and the sides of the neck ends with a shoulder massage.
Disease prevention
Activation of blood flow and muscle condition is possible at home. Additional cupping massage therapy is perfect for that. Treatment should be continued until you feel better. This is a folk technique, widely known and effective. During such procedures, all movements should be smooth. You cannot touch the spine.
Signs of disease are easier to prevent than to treat. To avoid the occurrence of such a disease, it is important to follow some recommendations:
- refusal of soft beds to sleep on;
- firm back on the work chair;
- you can't stay in one position for long: you have to move occasionally;
- it is important to keep a safe distance while reading books or at the computer monitor;
- you should avoid overexertion, don't be nervous.
Compliance with such simple recommendations will protect against painful symptoms of aggravated osteochondrosis. Recurrence of the disease is successfully treated. To do this, it is important to choose the right method of therapy. At the first signs of pathology, you should contact a specialist.