Important! Information from this section cannot be used for self -diagnosis and self -medication.In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic examinations should be prescribed only by the attending physician.To make a diagnosis and properly prescribed treatment, you should contact your doctor.
Pain in the neck is the causes of the appearance of what diseases there are, diagnosis and methods of treatment. Honor of two -thirds of people at least once in their lives experienced pain in the neck - cervicalgia.Such pain does not always indicate a serious disease.But if relapses arise more and more often, it can become an alarming signal.
Varieties of pain
Conditionally, the causes of cervicalgia are divided into two groups:
- arising from diseases of the spine (hernia of the intervertebral discs, arthrosis, impaired function of the intervertebral joints) and subluxation of vertebrae (whip trauma).The consequences of such injuries can manifest itself throughout life;
- arising from other causes: infectious and endocrine diseases, tumor processes, rheumatism.
Possible reasons
Miofascial syndrome
Long -term overstrain of the neck muscles, ligaments, hypothermia lead to pain, which are distinguished by moderate intensity and shortness.In this case, there is often a limitation of the mobility of the head and the spasm of the cervical muscles, in which seals and soreness are felt when pressed.
As a rule, pain in myofascial syndrome pass on their own within a few days.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine, which occurs due to the deformation and destruction of the intervertebral discs.Loss of elasticity, compression and destruction of discs lead to overloading the intervertebral (facet) joints, arthrosis, pinching of nerve roots and pain syndrome.
With age, due to the drying of the cartilage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, which causes damage to the intervertebral joints and ligaments.
Dysfunction of the facet joints
The defeat of the structure of intervertebral, or facet, joints is one of the most common causes of pain in the neck.
The thinning of the cartilage on the joint surfaces leads to the appearance of bone growths - osteophytes.They narrow the lumen of the intervertebral holes and compress the nerve endings.As a rule, there is a dull pain (gradually increasing, low intensity), especially in the morning after sleep in an uncomfortable position (on a high pillow, while lying on the stomach).When moving, it intensifies, and at rest weakens.Pain can be given to the back of the head, ear, temple or shoulder.
Hernias and protrusion of the intervertebral discs
The compression of the intervertebral discs that have lost elasticity leads to their protrusion (protrusion) into the spinal canal and the subsequent formation of a hernia.
As a result, the spinal cord is compressed, leading to impaired hands' sensitivity (numbness, burning, weakness) and pain syndrome.Firing (irregular one -sided) pain intensifies when tilted, rotated or thrown back, so that a person instinctively tilting his head forward and towards the localization of pain.
Cervical myelopathy
A long compression of the hernia of the spinal cord leads to a violation of cerebrospinal circulation.
Painful sensations arise not only in the neck, but also give out between the shoulder blades, to the shoulders.They intensify when moving and do not stop even after taking painkillers.Characteristic features are the appearance of goosebumps, numbness of the limbs, problems with fine motor skills.Dizziness, memory deterioration, gait changes are possible.
Hlying injury
The whip trauma of the cervical spine occurs in a person with a sharp bending of the neck forward or backward with subsequent return in the opposite direction.Such damage most often happens with an accident.In this case, there is a tensile and damage to the muscles, ligaments, intervertebral discs and vertebrae of the cervical region.In the most severe cases, dislocations and fractures of the cervical vertebrae occur.
The consequences of injuries can be pain in the cervical region and shoulders, migraines, cramps of the neck muscles, violation of its mobility.
The concomitant symptoms include visual impairment, fatigue, and headaches.
Neck pain due to muscle-tonic syndromes
The muscle-tonic syndrome is a condition that is caused by prolonged spasm of several groups of the muscles of the head, neck and chest.The compression of vascular-naval bundles leads to pulling, sometimes severe pain.In particular, the stair muscle syndrome is a symptom complex in which the innervation and blood supply of the stairs of the neck, coming from the cervical vertebrae to the first and second ribs, are disrupted.This syndrome is characterized by pain and stiffness in the neck, more often in the morning, a certain position of the head (the head is tilted forward and slightly towards the tense muscle).The pain can be mild, aching, but sometimes also sharp, intensifying at night, with a deep breath, when tilting the head to the healthy side.Sometimes pain is transmitted to the shoulders, to the axillary and inters -bearing areas, to the front parts of the chest.
Neck pain caused by other reasons
Constant and prolonged pain in the neck can be caused not only by diseases of the spine. First of all, infectious diseases should be excluded, in particular, non -specific or tuberculosis spondylitis, an epidural abscess.Persistent pain that intensifies, and not weaken at rest, can serve as a sign of metastatic vertebral damage.These symptoms are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, general weakness, sweating.When pressed on spinous processes, local pain occurs.
Damage to the spine is possible with rheumatoid arthritis.As a rule, at the early stage of the disease, pain in the neck, nape and head occurs.Pain can be given to the forehead and eye sockets, intensify when bending and turning the head.Sensitivity in the neck and hands is lost.
Diagnostics and examinations
First of all, the doctor draws attention to the clinical symptoms: localization and spread of pain, impaired sensitivity in the neck, shoulders, hands, decrease in reflexes, general condition, the nature of the pain (intensifies during movement or at rest).
The doctor may prescribe:
- General blood test.