Osteochondrosis is a process of degeneration, aging, decomposition of cartilage tissue and its transformation into a kind of bone.
To understand the problem of osteochondrosis, you need to imagine the structure of the spine: it consists of 35 vertebrae that are placed one above the other in the column and form the spinal column. Between the vertebrae are "pads" - cartilaginous discs (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 structure of the spine becomes thinner closer to the head. The upper vertebrae that make up the cervical area are long, refined, 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 always hidden in these loads.
How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifests itself also depends on the type of load and the location of the spinal disc damage: each nerve root is responsible for a particular function, which is why the manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are so diverse. The development of the disease takes place in 4 stages. Each subsequent one is heavier than the previous one.
Stage 1 cervical osteochondrosis:
How can our spine be protected from overuse and destructive physical activity (or inactivity)?
First of all, discomfort: stretching, tingling, cracking - all these are 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 mild pain, crunching when turning and tilting his head. Often such discomfort is perceived as "probably chilled" or "Something is enough for me".
Remember! Pain is a sign, we can say the signal of our body, if it acted, it is not just that. The pain cannot be ignored or stunned by pills!
Phase 2:
The patient already feels more intense pain when turning and tilting the head. Sometimes the pain radiates (spreads) to the right or left arm, shoulder joint, sometimes to the arm.
From part of the nervous system there are still rare headaches, fatigue, tiredness, lack of consciousness (the initial symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are very similar to the cyclical symptoms of the reproductive system: headache, dizziness, feeling weak, tired).
Even if the signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine have already become apparent, in the second stage there is still every chance to prevent the development of the disease and the occurrence of complications. It is especially important to prevent the development of hernias, which in the cervical spine can be dangerous with loss of mobility and impaired blood supply to the brain.
Phase 3:
In the third stage, the disease can already be considered neglected, because 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 intervertebral hernias begin to appear.
Constant weakness and dizziness - due to pinching of nerves and large vessels that feed the cerebral cortex, are also intensified. Pain is often given to the hands. The innervation of the muscles of the upper extremities is disturbed, as a result of which they weaken. Numbness and tingling in the hands are a common symptom of third-degree degenerative disc disease of the neck.
Phase 4:
The intervertebral discs are already significantly destroyed and have undergone major changes, hernias and protrusions of each of them have a significant impact on patient well-being. Instead of destroyed discs, connective tissue appears, which deprives the spine of flexibility.
Compression of nerves and blood vessels leads to impaired coordination. Pain, drowsiness, lethargy and dizziness are worse. A ringing in their ears was also added. There is a huge risk of diseases that can be caused by osteochondrosis:
- When a spinal artery is compressed by a hernia, it leads to cerebral ischemia and develops into a stroke;
- Pinching of blood vessels can lead to malnutrition of the cortex or lower parts of the brain. As a result - impaired perception, loss of consciousness;
- Spinal cord compression can even be fatal.