In osteochondrosis, there is a gradual destruction of spinal tissue, leading to dysfunction.Typically, such degenerative processes develop in the most moving parts.Cervical osteochondrosis most often occurs in young people.The instability of this department in combination with increased physical activity explains its susceptibility to injuries and various degenerative processes.In 3 out of 10 cases it is the cause of sudden headaches.Osteochondrosis leads to metabolic disorders in the spine.This causes the disks inside to bulge and burst.
Symptoms
Several signs may indicate dystrophic changes in the spine.Depending on the stage of the disease, they are more or less pronounced.Cervical osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:
- Pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder.Strengthens even under light loads.
- Numbness in the limbs.
- Crunching when turning the neck.
- Headache, mainly localized in the back of the head and temples.
- Fainting, chronic fatigue.
- Tinnitus, hearing loss.
- Loss of visual acuity.
Stabbing pain in the heart area can also indicate cervical osteochondrosis.The patient often experiences angina-like sensations.When the spinal root becomes pinched, other disorders occur.For example, loss of tongue sensitivity or reduced tone of the neck muscles, breathing problems.If treatment is not prescribed on time, the patient may develop a bulge or hernia.
There are four stages of osteochondrosis.The first is characterized by instability of the intervertebral discs.In the second, the main symptom is considered a bulge.At the same time, the gaps between the vertebrae become smaller.A pain syndrome occurs that can be accompanied by pinched nerve roots.
In the third stage, the fibrous ring, which is an integral part of the intervertebral disc, is destroyed.That is why its deformation occurs later.A patient in the fourth stage of cervical osteochondrosis feels severe pain with every movement.It is worth noting that a decrease in intensity does not indicate recovery.On the contrary, this suggests that the process of forming osteophytes connecting the vertebrae has begun.This usually leads to disability.Treatment is prescribed based on the clinical symptoms and the stage of development of the pathology.
Causes of the disease
Sedentary work is most often accompanied by cervical osteochondrosis.This part of the spine is quite compact and therefore even slight muscle tension leads to compression of nerve endings and blood vessels.Against this background, osteophytes often form, which only worsens the situation.In addition to a sedentary lifestyle, the disease can be triggered by:
- metabolic disorders;
- unhealthy diet;
- Deposition of salts in the cervical spine;
- hypothermia;
- hereditary predisposition;
- Cervical spine injuries;
- Rheumatism.
The development of the disease can also be caused by a curvature of the spine or excess weight.People with poor physical fitness or athletes who make mistakes in training are at risk.
Which doctor treats cervical osteochondrosis?
To avoid the development of complications, you should consult a specialist at the first signs of a pinched spinal nerve root.Cervical osteochondrosis and its symptoms are treated by neurologists, chiropractors and osteopaths.
In addition, you may need to consult a neurosurgeon, traumatologist, therapist or cardiologist.To differentiate the diagnosis, the doctor analyzes the patient's complaints.In this phase he asks the patient the following questions:
- When did neck pain first appear?
- Is cervical osteochondrosis accompanied by other symptoms?
- Does the patient's job involve lifting heavy objects or keeping the neck immobile for long periods of time?
- What is the patient's fitness level?
- Does the patient show signs of a neurological disorder?
To assess the condition of the spine, the doctor prescribes an X-ray, CT or MRI.Depending on the symptoms and stage of the disease, treatment may include massage, swimming and exercise therapy.Acupuncture influences local destruction processes.If the pain is severe, the doctor will prescribe anesthetics.Tension in the muscles is relieved by muscle relaxants.In advanced cases, when the patient has a hernia that compresses the roots of the spinal cord, surgical intervention is required.
What if the disease is not treated?
Without qualified medical care, the patient eventually develops chronic pain in the cervical spine.It radiates to the upper and lower extremities, which can lead to paralysis.As osteophytes grow, they compress nerve canals, veins, and arteries.This can disrupt the process of cerebral blood flow.This often leads to ischemia and spinal infarctions.The patient's vision and hearing also deteriorate, migraines and vegetative-vascular dystonia appear.
By examining cervical osteochondrosis and its clinical symptoms, doctors often diagnose radiculopathy.There is a partial or complete loss of vertebral mobility.The occurrence of exacerbations is a reason for the patient's hospitalization.The most serious consequence of cervical osteochondrosis is compression of the spinal cord.The risk of death is quite high.To avoid the development of complications, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible.The work schedule should be gentle.You should do special exercises every day, including morning exercises if possible.