The cervical spine has weak muscle support, while at the same time it is the most mobile. That is why chondrosis in this part of the spine develops more often than in others. In addition, there are major blood vessels supplying the brain, as well as a lot of nerve bundles, so the symptoms of cervical chondrosis can be manifested by impaired vision and other nonspecific signs.
What is the difference between the symptoms of cervical chondrosis and the manifestations of this disease?
In the usual situation, we can consider all the symptoms of an illness in the anamnesis as symptoms, but with chondrosis, there are often factors indirectly indicating the possibility of developing this disease. For example, dizziness - not a symptom of cervical chondrosis, but only one of the reasons to suspect the disease. Dizziness can be caused by completely different reasons. Here is a list of nonspecific manifestations of chondrosis of the cervical spine, which may be the reason for a visit to the vertebrologist:
- sharp deterioration of vision;
- "Flies" and colored spots before the eyes;
- hearing impairment;
- dizziness;
- headache;
- numbness of the extremities, especially of the fingers;
- pain in the chest and shoulder joint.
It is also important to know what factors provoke degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs and vertebrae, so as not to fall into the risk group:
- passive lifestyle;
- overweight ;
- sports injuries;
- unbalanced nutrition;
- uncomfortable posture during work and sleep;
- deficiency of calcium and B vitamins;
- frequent stress;
- age over 50 years.
- Each of these points increases the risk of developing the disease several times.
The main symptoms of chondrosis of the cervical spine
Directly the symptoms of cervical chondrosis in women and men can be divided into two groups - medical and general. The first group includes such subspecies:
- radicular symptoms ;
- syndrome of compression of the vertebral artery;
- irrational-reflex symptoms;
- cardiac disorders.
To radicular symptoms are various kinds of paresis and paralysis, caused by damage and jamming the roots of nerve endings. This can also be manifested by numbness of the neck and fingers. Also in this category are the pain sensations called "cervical radiculitis" in the people. Pain can extend to the shoulder belt and the zone of the shoulder blades.
The symptom of the vertebral artery is characterized by a pulsating headache and noise in the ears. Painful sensations can be so strong that nausea and loss of consciousness are possible.
Irritative reflex symptoms include a burning and sharp pain from the back of the neck to the neck, which occurs suddenly and for a short period of time several times a day.
Symptoms of cardiac disturbances are expressed by dull pain, which gives to the chest, rapidity of the pulse, and other signs characteristic of angina pectoris.
All these symptoms of cervical chondrosis can be observed together or one by one, in many respects it depends on the stage of the disease:
- Usually the first degree of chondrosis is characterized by decreased neck mobility and posture changes.
- The second degree, when there are protrusions of the intervertebral disc, can be accompanied by a slight tingling and mild pains on an irregular basis.
- At the third degree there are intervertebral hernias, which can affect the nerve endings and interfere with normal blood supply. Usually, at this stage of the disease, the patient manifests most of her symptoms.
- The fourth degree of chondrosis makes the head inclinations and other motor activity in the neck area almost impossible due to severe pain. Often leads to disability.