Deafness

Deafness is, besides pain, a symptom that often occurs with herniated discs in the cervical area. The feelings of numbness can spread from the neck over the entire arm to the hands in case of a herniated disc of the cervical spine. Deafness is usually described as a loss of perception of certain external stimuli.

Patients often have the feeling that the arm can no longer be properly perceived and used by them. Often a loss of muscle strength is also associated with the deafness. The feeling of numbness is a sign of reduced activity or a loss of function of the affected nerves. A restricted blood flow in the area of the arm can also lead to a feeling of numbness.

Paralysis and “tingling”

Among the symptoms that manifest themselves in a herniated disc of the cervical spine are also sensations that in the worst case can turn into paralysis. These discomforts are often described as a permanent or recurring tingling sensation that spreads over the whole arm and feels as if ants were walking on the skin. The herniated disc of the cervical spine causes increased irritation of the nerves. This over-activity of the nerve fibres is passed on via the sensitive nerve endings in the skin and thus triggers a prickly and pinching tingling sensation in the specific skin regions. In many cases the tingling occurs before a feeling of numbness manifests itself in the further course of the treatment.

Tiredness

The brain is constantly in work and consumes a lot of energy. Therefore it is dependent on a sufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen. It takes up 20-25% of the total oxygen in our blood.

Since it must never be undersupplied with oxygen, this value must always be kept fairly constant. If the brain receives too little oxygen, this leads in chronic cases to fatigue, acutely even to unconsciousness. In addition to the carotid arteries, there is also the arteria vertebralis, which supplies the brain with blood.

It originates from the arteria subclavia (a large vessel supplying blood to the arm) and approaches the spinal column at about the level of the 6th cervical vertebra. It runs in pairs in a kind of channel on the right and left along the cervical spine and from there it enters the skull. A herniated disc can not only depress nerve roots, but also vessels. Since the arteria vertebralis runs very close to the vertebrae, it can be constricted in a herniated disc. As a result, less blood reaches the brain and therefore less oxygen, which explains the fatigue.

Shortness of breath

Our most important muscle for breathing is the diaphragm or diaphragm. Since the lungs cannot expand passively to take in air, the expansion of the lungs must be done with muscle work. The diaphragm is located under the lung and separates the chest from our abdominal cavity.

When the diaphragm becomes tense, it contracts and moves further down. This creates a negative pressure in the thorax, the lung expands and air flows in. The diaphragm is innervated by the phrenic nerve (from the spinal cord segments C3-5).

If a slipped disc occurs in this area, the diaphragm can be paralysed on one or both sides. Breathlessness is usually only developed in cases of bilateral paralysis. Breathing is then only possible with the help of the respiratory muscles (muscles of the thorax) and is therefore more difficult.