Widespread in the world cervical osteochondrosis and other areas of the ridge to one degree or another affects more than half of both women and men at the age of thirty or more, as well as children. For children, this is a dangerous disease that affects the discs and intervertebral joints, which leads to bad consequences for the newly emerging spine. Complications that lead to this disease are of various levels. 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 large number of nerve endings and fibers. In addition, the most important blood vessels to supply the brain are concentrated here. So, the main symptoms of the disease in question:
- sick;
- dizziness;
- pharyngeal symptoms, "lump in the throat";
- dizziness and vomiting;
- noise and ringing in the ears;
- loss of consciousness (fainting);
- lack of air;
- jump 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. Classification occurs according to the affected area of the spinal column, as well as the age of the patient, according to which osteochondrosis is "young" 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 the signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
Pain in osteochondrosis
Attacks of pain in cervical osteochondrosis (ICD -10 code - M42) are very common symptoms. This attack can be limited only in the cervical region, and can spread to the shoulders, neck muscles.
However, often patients complain of pain in the head. Varying pain (aching, bursting) can increase when turning the head. A person feels pressure on the eyeballs, there may be discomfort in the heart area, under the shoulder blades, numbness of the hands. Pain attacks are explained by strong mechanical irritation of the nerve endings that pass between the vertebrae.
The branched nervous system provides thermoregulation, control over motor, sensory functions, is responsible for coordination of movements, muscle tone. Even violation of receptors by intervertebral disc fragments or bone growth causes pain in cervical osteochondrosis.
Dizziness
Dizziness, as a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis (ICD-10 code - M42), can occur after sleep, but not only. Especially if the person sleeps on a high pillow. Dizziness attacks can also cause sudden head movements (they may be accompanied by vertebral spasms). With this phenomenon, there is a sharp darkness in 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. Naturally, it is not the dizziness itself that needs to be treated, but its cause, that is, osteochondrosis.
Pharyngeal symptoms, "lump in throat"
Sometimes almost the only manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae (ICD code -10 - M42) is the so-called pharyngeal 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 disc of the cervical spine, which is located at the level of the throat.
In addition, it is caused by a violation of the nerve endings of the spinal cord, nerve inflammation, blood circulation failure, pathological tension of the pharyngeal muscles.
Dizziness and vomiting
Nausea attacks in cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code -10 - M42), as well as "lump in the throat", can occur suddenly, especially in closed spaces with poor ventilation or with sudden changes in body position. Sometimes patients have not only nausea, but also inevitable vomiting, which can be provoked by turning the head, tilting and even normal walking. Again, nausea and vomiting, as well as "lump in the throat", are characteristic not only of osteochondrosis, but also of some other conditions of the body. For example, during pregnancy in women, nausea and vomiting are completely different properties. Therefore - diagnostics, and again - diagnostics. And, if necessary, sick leave.
Sound (ringing) in the ears
The vestibular apparatus is supplied with blood only from the vertebral arterial system, therefore, in the case of cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code -10 - M42), symptoms related to inner ear dysfunction are observed very often. In common language, they are called "noise (or ringing) in the ear. "This can be accompanied by hearing disorders that often occur in various stages. And it's all called "cochlear (cochlear) syndrome. "
"Noise and ringing" and a general deterioration in hearing to varying degrees is shown due to the patient staying for a long time in an uncomfortable position that is suitable for the development of this disease.
Loss of consciousness (fainting)
Better to go on sick leave without waiting for it. Sudden loss of consciousness occurs in patients with cervical osteochondrosis (ICD-10 code - M42) due to severe arterial spasm. This spasm occurs as a response to the violation of the nerve endings by the process of deforming the vertebral bone.
As a rule, patients can recover quickly when providing emergency care. For this, a person must be moved to a "lying down" 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 several motor and (or) speech disorders in various degrees.
Lack of air
Attacks of lack of air in the case of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae (ICD-10 code - M42) are symptoms of irritation of the phrenic nerve (this nerve is involved in the regulation of the depth and frequency of breathing). A person begins to experience a lack of oxygen and shortness of breath, until suffocation. Attacks of respiratory arrest become possible at night. If there is a chronic lack of oxygen, then irreversible changes in brain tissue are possible. The latter leads to loss of mind and memory impairment. And this is already much more dangerous than, say, nausea, vomiting or "lump in the throat. "
Breathing and other exercises, including yoga, have been shown to be effective in treating these symptoms. However, yoga should only be practiced under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Jump in blood pressure
Hypertension is a relatively common diagnosis, as a result of exacerbation of osteochondrosis (ICD code 10 - M42), that is, with the development of intervertebral hernia or protrusion of the cervical region.
One of the main signs in this case should be considered jumping, a drop in blood pressure, which accompanies the 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
Since the organs of vision are supplied with blood not only by the vertebral artery, but also by the carotid, disturbances in their work due to osteochondrosis of the cervical region (ICD code -10 - M42) are somewhat less common than, say, "lump in the throat. "But the case-this case should also not be ignored and the opportunity to take sick leave to fight illness should not be ignored. With complications in the eyes with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, patients most often complain of veils in front of their eyes, decreased acuity and visual acuity and flashing points, swimming "motes".
In a short period of time, vision may improve, and then vice versa.
Temperature changes
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD -10 code - M42), usually the general body temperature does not deviate from the norm. Increasingly, a "lump in the throat" may indicate another illness (for example, with the flu), when you need to apply for sick leave. But an increase in skin temperature in certain areas of the body may occur in areas of direct damage to the spine with osteochondrosis. This requires an accurate diagnosis.
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, headache attacks in children have a slightly different character. Adults experience painful sensations of various levels, which first occur in the occipital region, and then spread to the forehead, eyes and ears. When turning the head, the pain increases. But in children there is no such clear pattern, the pain is less localized.
Attacks of headaches in children can be of such a degree that it will not allow you to do homework, do homework, attend school as usual 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 it. Other symptoms of this disease are less noticeable in children. But throbbing and rattling sensations during dizziness in children are very frequent.
Common osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in children may be caused by birth injuries of the spine.
Diagnosing the disease in early childhood is not so difficult.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, if detected in time, the diagnosis of the disease in women, men and children is the right key that will allow you to fight for the healing of the cervical spine and prevent possible complications. Among the methods of struggle are special procedures, gymnastics, yoga classes.
Exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis requires immediate treatment. To confirm the diagnosis, a preliminary examination is carried out. It is important to identify the stage, localization and complexity of the process.
The reasons
Osteochondrosis is a lesion of the spine, provoked by damage to the inner surface of the vertebral joints. This disease is very common and can occur at any age. More often, pathology affects people who work in difficult conditions. The risk group includes people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Spine pathology to varying degrees appears in all individuals - this is a physiological manifestation of the aging of the body. Atrophic changes appear in the vertebral disc, but injuries and diseases cause the early development of pathology. Often there is osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar spine.
Experts identify 6 main causes of exacerbation of osteochondrosis:
- Fatiguing stressful situations - it has been proven that continuous and prolonged experiences cause spasms in the neck muscle apparatus. Due to this, the physiological blood flow in the vessels is disturbed, sleep, full activity of the intervertebral discs, and headaches occur.
- Long-term pressure on the cervical region - the cause of the severity of osteochondrosis lies in prolonged muscle leakage.
- Sharp turning of the head - recurrent disease occurs after an awkward turning of the head. Shots appear on the head, which indicate serious structural changes in the neck. They last for several minutes.
- Acute lesions, hormonal imbalance, exacerbation of chronic diseases - such conditions weaken the body, worsening the course of osteochondrosis. In this case, the asymptomatic course turns into a clear clinical picture.
- season. It has been proven that autumn is the most frequent time to aggravate spinal diseases. This is associated with sudden temperature changes, frequent neck hypothermia 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 impairment due to vertebral displacement, compression of nerves or blood vessels.
As the cause of the disease, unfavorable heredity, natural aging of the body and anomalies in the development of bone tissue and cartilage are chosen.
Main characteristics
Acute osteochondrosis of the cervical spine does not manifest itself in any way. Therefore, patients lead a normal life, worsening their condition. Attacks of osteochondrosis occur suddenly. Suddenly, a person becomes ill, there are complaints about such deviations:
- stiffness, cervical zone pain;
- weakness in limbs;
- dizziness, ringing in the ears;
- the appearance of emotional changes;
- memory impairment;
- headache;
- intestinal problems;
- urinary disorders;
- development of pathological changes.
The earlier the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is detected, the better. The problem is that the main manifestations of this disease are easier to treat. The development of lesions inevitably leads to more serious manifestations that are difficult to cure (cardialgia, arterial disease).
Ignored pathology is the main cause of frequent pain in the head, pain between the shoulder blades and in the heart area.
In severe cases, attacks of cervical osteochondrosis can become chronic. Painful manifestations will accompany a person constantly. Ignoring this disease leads to irreversible structural changes in the spinal column itself.
With exacerbation of osteochondrosis, the symptoms are always similar. Before starting therapy, it is important to determine the location of the lesion. Pain in the shoulder blade and heart area can be a manifestation of not only cervical, but also thoracic spine injuries. Therefore, only specialists can choose adequate diagnostic and therapeutic methods for this disease.
With exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, treatment includes the use of painkillers. It is important to relieve pain, and then fight other manifestations of the disease.
Therapy Methods
The course of therapy includes a set of procedures aimed at improving blood flow and metabolism in the affected area. In addition, physiotherapy is included. It is always necessary to treat the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with drugs. Do restrictions with painkillers. This allows you to minimize pain, relax the tone of the muscles of the spine.
How long does the exacerbation last? It all depends on the timeliness and adequacy of therapy. The peculiarity of this disease lies in the long and latent course of the disease. If you experience recurring episodes of pain in the head, it is important to immediately see a specialist for advice.
Osteochondrosis can worsen at any time. The fight against this disease is multi-level. The first step is to prescribe medication. To combat pathology, several drugs are used:
- anti-inflammatory;
- anesthetics;
- chondroprotector;
- muscle relaxants;
- vitamins;
- various types of local medicine (ointment, gel, spray).
Therapy is not medicine
In the second stage, after stabilization of the condition, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is treated conservatively. Once the pain and muscle tension have disappeared, they turn to other ways to deal with 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. There are folk remedies available and easy to use. Often, with osteochondrosis on the nerves, compresses from horseradish leaves are prescribed. Cabbage leaves, burdock are used to relieve inflammatory changes. A 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 hot water. Doctors recommend using sunflower root infusion for back pain.
How to increase the effectiveness of therapy? Each patient can improve the effectiveness of each method of conservative therapy. For this, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations. Massage should be done from top to bottom. It is better to do a therapeutic massage before going to bed. This will allow the relaxed body to fully 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 ideal for this. Treatment should be continued until you feel better. This is a folk technique, widely known and effective. During such a procedure, all movements should be smooth. You can't touch the spine.
Disease symptoms are easier to prevent than to treat. To prevent the occurrence of such diseases, it is important to follow some recommendations:
- refusal of a soft bed to sleep;
- hard back in work chair;
- you can't stay in one position for a long time: you need to move periodically;
- it is important to keep a safe distance when reading a book or at a computer monitor;
- too much energy should be avoided, don't be nervous.
Compliance with such simple recommendations will protect against aggravating painful symptoms of osteochondrosis. Recurrence of the disease was successfully treated. To do this, it is important to choose the right method of therapy. At the first sign of pathology, you need to consult a specialist.