Osteochondrosis gradually destroys spinal tissue, causing its function to be impaired.Typically, this degradation process occurs in its most active parts.Cervical osteochondrosis most commonly occurs in young people.The instability of this sector, coupled with increased physical activity, explains its susceptibility to injury and various degenerative processes.Sudden headaches are the cause of three out of ten cases.Osteochondrosis causes metabolic disorders of the spine.As a result, the discs inside them bulge and then break.
symptom
Some signs may indicate dystrophic changes in the spine.They are more or less obvious depending on the stage of the disease.Cervical osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:
- Pain in neck, back of head, shoulders.Enhanced even under light loads.
- Numbness of limbs.
- A crunching sound when turning the neck.
- Headache, mainly concentrated in the back of the head and temples.
- Fainting, chronic fatigue.
- Tinnitus and hearing loss.
- Loss of vision.
Persistent pain in the heart area may also indicate cervical osteochondrosis.Patients often experience angina-like sensations.Other conditions can occur when the base of the spine becomes compressed.For example, loss of tongue sensitivity or neck muscle tone, breathing problems.If left untreated, patients may develop a herniation or hernia.
There are four stages of osteochondrosis.The first characteristic is disc instability.In the second, the main symptom is considered prominent.At the same time, the gaps between the vertebrae become smaller.The occurrence of pain syndrome may be related to nerve root compression.
In the third stage, the annulus fibrosus (component of the intervertebral disc) is destroyed.This is the reason for its subsequent deformation.Patients with stage IV cervical osteochondrosis experience severe pain with any activity.It is important to note that a reduction in intensity does not mean recovery.Rather, it indicates that the process of osteophyte formation that connects the vertebrae has begun.Often, this results in disability.Treatment plans are formulated based on clinical symptoms and pathological development stages.
disease cause
Cervical osteochondrosis is most commonly associated with sedentary work.This part of the spine is very compact, so even slight muscle tension can cause compression of nerve endings and blood vessels.Against this background, osteophytes often form, which only make the situation worse.In addition to a sedentary lifestyle, this disease may be triggered by:
- Metabolic disorders;
- unhealthy diet;
- Salt deposits in the cervical spine;
- low temperature;
- genetic predisposition;
- Cervical spine injury;
- Rheumatism.
The development of the disease may also be caused by curvature of the spine or excess weight.People with poor physical fitness or athletes who make mistakes during training are at risk.
Which doctor treats cervical osteochondrosis?
To avoid complications, you should seek help from a medical professional at the first sign of spinal nerve root compression.Cervical osteochondrosis and its symptoms are treated by neurologists, chiropractors, and osteopaths.
Additionally, you may need to consult with a neurosurgeon, traumatologist, therapist, or cardiologist.To differentiate a diagnosis, doctors analyze the patient's complaints.At this stage, he will ask the patient the following questions:
- When did neck pain first occur?
- Are cervical osteochondrosis associated with other symptoms?
- Does the patient's occupational activity involve lifting heavy objects or holding the neck still for long periods of time?
- What is the patient's fitness level?
- Does the patient have signs of neurological disease?
To evaluate the condition of your spine, your doctor will take an X-ray, CT, or MRI.Depending on the symptoms and stage of the disease, treatment may include massage, swimming, and exercise therapy.Acupuncture can influence local destructive processes.If the pain is severe, your doctor will prescribe narcotics.Muscle relaxants relieve muscle tension.In advanced cases, when the patient has a hernia compressing the root of the spinal cord, surgical intervention is required.
What happens if the disease is not treated?
Without qualified medical care, patients can eventually develop chronic pain in the cervical spine.It radiates to the upper and lower limbs and can cause paralysis.As osteophytes grow, they can compress the neural tube, veins, and arteries.This disrupts brain circulatory processes.This often leads to ischemia and spinal cord stroke.Patients also experience worsening of vision and hearing, migraines, and vegetative vascular dystonia.
Doctors often diagnose radiculopathy by studying cervical osteochondrosis and its clinical symptoms.It results in partial or complete loss of mobility in the vertebrae.The occurrence of exacerbations is a reason for hospitalization.The most serious consequence of cervical osteochondrosis is considered to be spinal cord compression.The risk of death is quite high.To avoid complications, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible.Work arrangements should be moderate.You should do dedicated exercise every day and, if possible, morning exercises.