Cervical spine syndrome symptoms

One speaks of a cervical spine syndrome when symptoms occur that are caused by the cervical spine. However, it is less a precise diagnosis than a description of the symptoms. Symptoms can occur in the area of the cervical spine itself, but also in the shoulder-neck area or even in the arms. The diagnosis of cervical spine syndrome does not explain the exact cause of the complaints, it only defines that the symptoms are caused by the cervical spine

Symptoms

Among the classic complaints in a cervical spine syndrome are: Often the symptoms of the cervical spine syndrome are triggered by such movements. By irritating the nerves exiting the cervical spine, pain can also radiate into the arms. It is not uncommon for a cervical spine syndrome to cause headaches, tense muscles (tension headaches) or changes in blood circulation.

For similar reasons, a cervical spine syndrome can also lead to dizziness or visual or hearing problems. The neck muscles are also involved in the swallowing process, so this too can be affected by a cervical spine syndrome.

  • Localized pain in the area of the cervical spine, but which can also radiate into the upper thoracic spine.
  • This often leads to muscular tension and the resulting pain in the surrounding tissue, for example in the neck or shoulders.
  • Sometimes the mobility of the head may also be restricted.

    This restriction of movement can also be painful.

  • Mostly the tilting or turning is limited, also the tilting backwards, the extension can cause complaints.

Headaches are often caused by a cervical syndrome. One speaks of tension headaches when the complaints are caused by the constantly tense shoulder-neck muscles. The nerves that sensitively innervate our scalp emerge in the upper back of the neck, and the increased tension in the muscles can affect and irritate them, leading to the classic symptom of tension headache.

Tension headaches run from behind sideways over the head to the forehead and often occur on both sides. The intensity of the headache is rather mild to moderate, but it occurs over a longer period of time. Their pain quality is described as dull or oppressive.

Changes in the spinal column directly can also affect the blood flow to the meninges, which can also lead to headaches. Are you looking for comprehensive information about headaches? Then read these articles:

  • Headaches caused by a cervical spine syndrome
  • Headaches caused by the cervical spine

Nausea caused by a cervical spine syndrome is usually not directly caused by the problem of the cervical spine, but by the accompanying symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Swindle
  • Circulatory disorder of the brain
  • Tensions in the shoulder neck muscles, which are common in the cervical spine syndrome, can also cause nausea, especially if they persist over a long period of time.
  • Nausea can be caused by a disturbance of the vestibular system or the visual organ, for example it often occurs in connection with dizziness, which can also be a concomitant symptom of the cervical spine syndrome.
  • Persistent headache can also cause a feeling of nausea, which is due to irritation of the autonomic nervous system.

    Irritability and nervousness can then also occur, as well as increased sweating or a certain amount of restlessness.

The visual disturbance as a symptom of a cervical syndrome is often caused by circulatory disorders. Within the cervical spine runs an important vessel, which supplies blood to the corresponding areas of the brain responsible for vision. If a functional disorder of the cervical spine occurs in a cervical spine syndrome, this vessel (A. Vertebralis) can also be restricted and a lack of blood supply to the corresponding regions can result.

Short-term visual field failures or asterisks can be the result. If the visual disturbances occur independently of cervical movements or complaints, or have not yet been clarified by a doctor, this should be done urgently to exclude another cause for the complaints. The impairment of the organ of balance, which depends on the state of tension of the neck muscles, can also cause visual complaints in the case of a cervical spine syndrome.Since nerves that are important for the movement of the hyoid bone also emerge from the cervical spine, blockages or dysfunctions of the cervical spine can also cause discomfort when swallowing.

This is known as the “infrahyal musculature”. When swallowing, the hyoid bone must be able to move freely. If the muscles are tense or their function is impaired, the swallowing process can be unpleasantly restricted.

Patients then complain about the feeling of a swallowing blockage. Due to the purely anatomical conditions, a change in the statics of the cervical spine can also lead to swallowing disorders. Depending on the defective position of the cervical spine, this can have a considerable influence on the neck organs such as the esophagus and larynx. The swallowing process can be impaired by this. If the patient suffers from swallowing disorders for more than 1-2 weeks, feels like there is a lump in the throat, or has accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, fever or acute sore throat, an ENT doctor should be consulted urgently to clarify the cause of the swallowing problems.