The "pearl necklace" of the spine requires careful attention, if there is no proper prevention of spinal diseases, the symptoms of osteochondrosis appear. The treatment in this case is long, it is impossible to completely restore the integrity of the spine and cartilaginous discs.
In general, osteochondrosis is considered to be a change in bone tissue, ligament apparatus, cartilage and intervertebral discs of the spine. This process is long, the changes do not appear "suddenly", but are already felt at the first signs and characteristic symptoms. It is most often primarily pain that occurs when nerve fibers, soft tissues or blood vessels are damaged. The signs of osteochondrosis directly depend on the stage of the disease and the area of the lesion, the treatment of each stage is different.
Clinical picture
Upright walking is a characteristic feature of a person as homo sapiens, and at the same time the vertical position is the main reason for the development of osteochondrosis. No representative of the fauna walking on 4 legs is familiar with the symptoms of osteochondrosis. When walking upright, the intervertebral cartilage experiences a colossal load, and over time they change, deformations occur, the spine ceases to fully perform its functions.
Four groups of characteristic changes:
Neurological syndrome
Symptoms of nerve damage may result in loss of skin sensitivity or loss of muscle strength. In osteochondrosis of the spine, the first sign of neurological disorders can be considered the appearance of pain, which is a consequence of compression or irritation of the spinal roots. The first signs were localized in a limited part of the back, where pathological changes began. As it progresses, the pain gradually "spreads" to all parts of the body that are in the innervation zone of the compressed nerve root.
In neurological syndrome, symptoms of impaired motor function develop less frequently than sensitive ones. If this happens, then symptoms of partial or complete loss of mobility of the arm or leg may be observed, for example: in sacro-lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine, paresis of the left or right lower extremity is manifested.
Static syndrome
The first symptom occurs when the changes in the vertebrae begin. As a result, improper posture developed: lordosis, kyphosis or scoliosis. In severe cases, there is a limitation of the mobility of the articular surfaces of the spinal column, the signs of which are the impossibility of completely straightening or turning the head.
Vascular syndrome
Spine problems occur for the following reasons:
- Low tone of sympathetic NS (signs of chronic ischemia of internal organs).
- With local compression of blood vessels altered vertebrae or their processes. Signs of osteochondrosis in this case are expressed in the violation of the blood supply to the brain when large vessels are compressed. Symptoms of oxygen deficiency include dizziness, poor blood supply to the inner ear, or nausea. Symptomatic treatment, as a rule, does not give serious results.
Trophic syndrome
Such symptoms of osteochondrosis are characterized by the appearance of ulcers on the skin, which is a consequence of tissue malnutrition. Skin lesions occur in combination with neurological and vascular factors. The exact signs depend on which part of the back is affected.
Typical manifestations of pathology
Each part of the spine has its own typical signs of osteochondrosis, according to which a vertebral neurologist diagnoses the disease in both men and women. According to these symptoms, you can understand which parts of the back are affected and which treatment is needed first.
There are several types of osteochondrosis: thoracic, cervical, lumbar, sacral and mixed, when the localization of signs is not in one department, but has a diffuse character. The first signs of the development of osteochondrosis in women and men begin to feel less dull pain, discomfort, creaking, often with thoracic osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the heart area. Ideally, treatment should be started at this stage, then it will be possible to avoid all back problems in the future.
Furthermore, the signs of osteochondrosis become clear, painful sensations begin to appear in the arms or legs. The pain in the spine increases with any load, and it gradually becomes problematic to perform movements that are associated with bending forward. The more osteochondrosis manifests itself, the more limited the mobility of the back, the thinned intervertebral discs lose flexibility, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and their mobility is lost. The muscles begin to work in "emergency mode", they are constantly in tension, supporting the vertebrae to prevent them from coming together and completely destroying the intervertebral discs.
Tight muscles cause even greater discomfort for a person, increase tension, pain, and intensify the symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Cervical pathology
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are often "hidden" under the guise of other diseases. The first sign of neck pathology is a headache that cannot be relieved with conventional pain medications. It starts at the nape of the neck, going to the temples. Unpleasant sensations intensify after a long stay in one position, numbness of the arm, shoulder blade and shoulders often occurs. With severe pinching of nerve fibers, paresis or paralysis of the hand may develop.
When blood vessels are damaged, signs of cerebrovascular infarction appear:
- Tinnitus, dizziness - speak of poor blood flow in the cochlea and semicircular tubules.
- Reduced vision, flies in front of the eyes - indicate poor nutrition of the optical apparatus.
- Severe oxygen starvation of the brain - may be manifested by sudden loss of consciousness, especially if cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by atherosclerosis of blood vessels.
Hiccups, shortness of breath, shortness of breath and panic attacks "speak" of phrenic nerve damage. The phrenic nerve is part of the cervical plexus and is directly related to the regulation of the frequency and depth of respiration.
Breast pathology
The signs of thoracic osteochondrosis are quite varied, although this part of the spine is less commonly affected, in both women and men. Painful sensations have a clear localization: the upper abdomen, the shoulder blade area and between the ribs. But often osteochondrosis "hides" behind the signs of intestinal or renal colic, angina pectoris or cholecystitis.
Symptoms indicating a lesion of one or another thoracic segment:
- Upper thoracic segment. Feeling of a lump in the throat, violation of the act of swallowing, cough.
- Middle thoracic segment. Symptoms that mimic gastritis and ulcers (gastralgia) and symptoms with arrhythmia and hypertension (cardialgia).
- Lower thoracic segment. Symptoms of intestinal motility disorders and signs similar to those of appendicitis appear.
Lumbar pathology
Signs of damage to this part are extensive, but most often the first signs are pain in the lower back and legs, loss of sensitivity and numbness of the skin of the lower extremities.
Changes in the lumbosacral region, characteristic symptoms:
- Pain and lumbago occur after physical exertion.
- When the motor nerve fibers are tightened, paresis and paralysis of the legs develop.
- Compression of nerves and blood vessels in men and women leads to disorders of the pelvic organs.
It should always be borne in mind that osteochondrosis of the spine is a hidden and insidious disease. You can treat the respiratory, genitourinary or gastrointestinal tract for years, but you will not get positive results from the therapy. Therefore, in case of signs of the disease, it makes sense to consult primarily a neurologist, and not a cardiologist, therapist or gastroenterologist.