Osteochondrosis of the neck and other areas of the spine, which is widespread in the world, affects to one degree or another both women and men aged thirty or more, as well as more than half of children. For a child, this is a particularly dangerous disease that affects the intervertebral discs and joints, leading to disastrous consequences for the resulting spine. Complications caused by the disease are of different degrees. One of them may be a hernia, the symptoms of which should be considered separately.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis cause the most problems for a person. This is due to the location of a large number of nerve endings and fibers in this part. In addition, the most important blood vessels supplying the brain are concentrated here. So, the main symptoms of the disease in question:
- pain;
- dizziness;
- pharyngeal symptoms, "swelling in the throat";
- nausea and vomiting;
- noise and ringing in the ears;
- loss of consciousness (fainting);
- lack of air;
- jumps 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 spine, as well as the age of patients with osteochondrosis "young" and "adult". Cervical osteochondrosis has a general code of M42. Using the ICD-10 table on the Internet, you can find the necessary information, including all the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Pain during osteochondrosis
Pain attack in cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code -10 - M42) is a very common symptom. This attack may be limited only to the cervical region and may spread to the shoulders and neck muscles.
However, in most cases, patients complain of pain in the head. This pain (pain, bursting) of varying degrees may increase when turning the head. A person feels pressure in the eyeball, discomfort in the heart area, under the shoulder blades, numbness of the hands. The pain attack is explained by strong mechanical irritation of the nerve endings passing between the vertebrae.
The branched nervous system ensures thermoregulation, control of motor and sensory functions, is responsible for coordination of movements, muscle tone. Even disruption of receptors with fragments of intervertebral discs or bone protrusions 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 slept on a high pillow. An attack of vertigo can also cause sudden movements of the head (they can be accompanied by compression of the vertebrae). With this phenomenon, there is a sharp darkening of the eyes, the patient loses his orientation in space. Also, dizziness can be combined with nausea, vomiting, other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and can cause fainting. Of course, it is not the dizziness itself that needs to be treated, but its cause, that is, osteochondrosis.
Pharyngeal symptoms, "swelling in the 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 ("tumor in the throat"), as well as dryness, itching, difficulty swallowing.
"Swell in the throat" and other pharyngeal symptoms are caused by degeneration and degeneration of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine located at the level of the throat.
In addition, it causes disruption of the nerve endings of the spinal cord, inflammation of the nerves, lack of blood circulation, and pathological tension of the pharyngeal muscles.
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 places with poor ventilation or with a sharp change in body position. Sometimes the patient has not only nausea, but also intractable vomiting, which can be provoked by dizziness, bending over, and even ordinary 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, nausea and vomiting in women during pregnancy have a completely different nature. Therefore - diagnostics and once again - diagnostics. And sick leave if necessary.
Noise (ringing) in the ears.
The vestibular apparatus is supplied with blood only from the system of vertebral arteries, therefore, in the case of cervical osteochondrosis (ICD code -10 - M42), symptoms related to the dysfunction of the inner ear are very often observed. In common parlance, they are called "ringing (or ringing) in the ears. "To this, hearing impairments of various degrees can be added, which often occur. And all together it was called "cochlear (cochlear) syndrome".
"Noise and ringing" and the general deterioration of hearing to varying degrees are manifested due to the patient's long stay in an uncomfortable position, which is favorable for the development of this disease.
Fainting (fainting)
It is better to go on sick leave without waiting for it. In patients with cervical osteochondrosis (ICD-10 code - M42), sudden loss of consciousness occurs due to severe spasm of vessels. This spasm occurs in response to the disruption of the nerve endings by the deformed processes of the vertebral bones.
As a rule, when providing emergency care, the patient can recover quickly enough. For this, a person should be transferred to a "lying" position and raise his legs. This is done to improve blood flow through the veins of the legs.
There are cases that after losing consciousness, the patient has various degrees of motor and (or) speech disorders.
Lack of air
An attack of lack of air during osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae (ICD-10 code - M42) is a symptom of irritation of the phrenic nerve (this nerve is involved in regulating the depth and frequency of breathing). A person begins to experience a lack of oxygen and shortness of breath until suffocation. An attack of respiratory arrest is possible at night. If there is a chronic lack of oxygen, an irreversible change in brain tissues is possible. The latter leads to inattention and memory impairment. And this is much more dangerous than, for example, nausea, vomiting or "a lump in the throat".
Breathing and other exercises, including yoga, have proven effective in relieving this symptom. However, yoga should only be practiced under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Jumps in blood pressure
Hypertension is a fairly common diagnosis as a result of the exacerbation of osteochondrosis (ICD code 10 - M42), that is, the development of intervertebral hernias or protrusions of the cervical region.
In this case, one of the main symptoms should be considered a drop in blood pressure, accompanied by jumps, dizziness and a headache attack. Arterial hypertension (hypertonia) is often intensified by the so-called starvation of the brain, 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 arteries, but also by the carotids, disturbances in their work due to osteochondrosis of the cervical region (ICD code -10 - M42), let's say, are somewhat rare. "a lump in the throat. "But these cases should not be ignored, and the opportunity to take sick leave to fight the disease should not be overlooked. With complications in the eyes with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, patients most often complain of a coating in front of their eyes, a decrease in acuity and visual acuity, and flashing points, swimming "motes".
Vision may improve in a short time, and then vice versa.
Temperature changes
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD code -10 - M42), the general body temperature usually does not deviate from the norm. Its increase, "tumor in the throat" may indicate other diseases (for example, with a cold) when it is necessary to apply for sick leave. However, an increase in skin temperature in a certain area of the body can also occur in the area of direct damage to the spine with osteochondrosis. This requires an accurate diagnosis.
Features of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in children
The main manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis in children are the same as in adult men and women. But, for example, a headache attack in a child has a slightly different character. Adults suffer from painful sensations of varying degrees, first occurring in the occipital region, and then spreading to the forehead, eyes and ears. Pain increases when turning the head. However, there is no such clear pattern in children, the pain is less localized.
A headache attack in a child can be so severe that it will not allow him to do homework, do homework, go to school normally, and you need to take a sick leave. With osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra in children, patients try to fix their head in a certain position and are afraid to move it. Other symptoms of the disease are less pronounced in children. However, it is very common for a child to have a crackling and crackling sensation during dizziness.
General osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in children can be the result of a birth injury to the spine.
Diagnosing the disease in children at an early age is not so difficult.
If the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are 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 recovery of the cervical spine and prevent possible complications. Fighting methods include special procedures, gymnastics, yoga classes.
Exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis requires urgent treatment. A preliminary examination is carried out to confirm the diagnosis. It is important to determine the stage, localization and complexity of the process.
The reasons
Osteochondrosis is damage to the spine caused by damage to the inner surfaces of the joints of the spine. This disease is very common and can occur at any age. More often, the pathology affects people working in difficult conditions. The risk group includes people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
To varying degrees, the pathology of the spine appears in all people - it is a physiological manifestation of the aging of the body. Atrophic changes appear in the vertebral discs, but injuries and diseases cause the pathology to progress earlier. Often there is osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar spine.
Experts identify 6 main reasons for exacerbation of osteochondrosis:
- Fatiguing stressful situations - constant and long-term experiences have been proven to cause spasm of the neck muscle apparatus. Due to this, the physiological blood flow in the vessels is disturbed, sleep, full activity of the intervertebral discs, headache occurs.
- Long-term stress in the cervical region - the reasons for exacerbation of osteochondrosis lie in long-term muscle leakage.
- Sharp turns of the head - recurrence of the disease occurs after an awkward turn of the head. Shots are visible in the head, which indicates serious structural changes in the neck. They last a few minutes.
- Acute lesions, hormonal imbalance, exacerbation of chronic diseases - such situations weaken the body, intensifying the course of osteochondrosis. In this case, the asymptomatic course turns into a bright clinical picture.
- The season. It has been proven that autumn is the most common time for exacerbation of spinal diseases. This is associated with sudden temperature changes, frequent hypothermia of the neck, and resetting of the body's biological clock.
- Ineffective fight against the disease - exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis often occurs in cases that cannot be done with non-professional massage, gymnastics or physiotherapy. Such procedures cause deterioration due to displacement of the vertebrae, compression of nerves or blood vessels.
Unfavorable heredity, natural aging of the body and anomalies in the development of bone and cartilage tissue are selected as the 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, and their condition worsens. An attack of osteochondrosis occurs acutely. Suddenly a person gets sick, there are complaints about such deviations:
- stiffness, pain in the cervical region;
- weakness in the legs;
- dizziness, ringing in the ears;
- the appearance of emotional swings;
- memory impairment;
- pain in the head;
- intestinal problems;
- urinary disorders;
- the development of pathological changes.
The sooner the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is detected, the better. The fact is that it is easier to treat the initial manifestations of the disease. The progression of the lesion inevitably leads to more serious manifestations that are difficult to treat (cardialgia, arterial disease).
A neglected pathology is the main cause of frequent pain in the head, between the shoulder blades and in the heart region.
In severe cases, an attack of cervical osteochondrosis can be chronic. Painful manifestations will accompany a person constantly. Ignoring the disease leads to irreversible structural changes in the spine itself.
With exacerbation of osteochondrosis, the symptoms are always similar. It is important to determine the location of the lesion before starting therapy. Shoulder blades and pain in the heart region can be a manifestation of not only neck, but also thoracic spine damage. Therefore, only a specialist can choose diagnostic methods and adequate therapy for the disease.
Treatment with exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis involves the use of painkillers. It is important to relieve pain, then fight other manifestations of the disease.
Therapy methods
The therapy course includes a number 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. Block with pain relievers. This allows to reduce the pain to a minimum, to lighten 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 insidiousness of the disease is in the long and hidden course of the disease. If you experience recurring episodes of head pain, it is important to immediately consult a professional for advice.
Osteochondrosis can worsen at any time. The fight against the disease is multi-stage. The first step is to prescribe medication. A number of drugs are used to combat the pathology:
- anti-inflammatory;
- anesthetics;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxant;
- vitamins;
- different types of local drugs (ointments, gels, sprays).
Non-drug therapy
In the second stage, after the condition stabilizes, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is treated conservatively. As soon as pain and muscle tension disappear, they switch to other ways to fight 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 at the base of the nerve, compresses from horseradish leaves are prescribed. Cabbage leaves, burdock are used to eliminate 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 made from herbs and hot water. Doctors recommend using a decoction of sunflower root 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 this, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations. Massage should be done from top to bottom. It is better to have a therapeutic massage before going to bed. This will allow a relaxed body to fully relax. Ideally, kneading the back of the head and the sides of the neck ends with a massage of the shoulders.
Disease prevention
It is possible to activate blood flow and muscle condition at home. An additional cup of massage therapy is perfect for this. Treatment should continue until you feel better. This is a widespread and effective folk technique. All movements during such procedures should be smooth. You cannot touch the spine.
It is easier to prevent the symptoms of the disease than to treat it. In order to avoid such a disease, it is important to follow some recommendations:
- refusal of soft beds for sleeping;
- hard back in the work chair;
- you can't be in one position for a long time: you need to move from time to time;
- it is important to keep a safe distance when reading a book or on a computer monitor;
- avoid excessive tension, do not be nervous.
Following such simple recommendations will protect against painful symptoms of aggravated osteochondrosis. Recurrence of the disease is successfully treated. It is important to choose the right therapy method for this. You should consult a specialist at the first signs of pathology.