Cervical osteochondrosis

With osteochondrosis, there is a gradual destruction of the spinal tissue, which leads to a violation of its function.Typically, such degenerative processes develop in its most mobile parts.Young people are most often faced with cervical osteochondrosis.The instability of this department, together with increased physical activity, explains its susceptibility to injury and various degenerative processes.It is the cause of sudden headaches in 3 out of 10 cases.Osteochondrosis causes metabolic disorders in the spine.Because of this, the discs in it become bulging and then crack.

Symptoms

Several symptoms may indicate dystrophic changes in the spine.Depending on the stage of the disease, they are expressed more or less.Cervical osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:

• Pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder.It is strengthened even with a light load.
• Numbness in limbs.
• Wheezing when turning the neck.
• Localized headache mainly in the back of the head and temples.
• Fainting, chronic fatigue.
• Tinnitus, hearing loss.
• Loss of visual acuity.

Nagging pain in the heart region can also indicate cervical osteochondrosis.The patient often experiences feelings similar to angina pectoris.When the spinal cord is compressed, other disorders occur.For example, loss of language sensitivity or decreased neck muscle tone, breathing problems.If the treatment is not prescribed in time, the patient may develop a protrusion or hernia.

There are four stages of osteochondrosis.First, it is characterized by instability in the intervertebral discs.Second, the main symptom is considered to be protrusion.At the same time, the spaces between the vertebrae become smaller.A pain syndrome occurs, which can be associated with compression of nerve roots.

In the third stage, the fibrous ring, which is a part of the intervertebral disc, is destroyed.Therefore, its deformation occurs later.A patient with the fourth stage of cervical osteochondrosis experiences severe pain with any movement.It should be noted that a decrease in its intensity does not indicate recovery.On the contrary, it indicates the beginning of the process of formation of osteophytes connecting the vertebrae.As a rule, it causes disability.Treatment is determined based on the clinical signs of the pathology and the stage of development.

Causes of the disease

Sedentary work is most often accompanied by cervical osteochondrosis.This part of the spine is quite compact, and therefore the slightest muscle tension in it causes compression of nerve endings and blood vessels.Against this background, osteophytes often appear, which worsens the situation.In addition to a sedentary lifestyle, it can cause the disease:

• metabolic disorders;
• unhealthy diet;
• deposition of salts in the cervical spine;
• hypothermia;
• hereditary tendency;
• injuries of the cervical spine;
• rheumatism.

The development of the disease can also be caused by curvature of the spine or excess weight.People with poor physical fitness or athletes who make mistakes in the training process are at risk.

Which doctor treats cervical osteochondrosis?

To prevent the development of complications, you should seek help from a medical professional at the first signs of compressed nerve roots of the spine.Cervical osteochondrosis and its symptoms are treated by neurologists, chiropractors and osteopaths.

In addition, you should consult a neurosurgeon, traumatologist, therapist or cardiologist.To distinguish the diagnosis, the doctor analyzes the patient's complaints.At this stage, he asks the patient the following questions:

1. When did the neck pain first occur?
2. Is cervical osteochondrosis accompanied by other symptoms?
3. Does the patient's occupation involve lifting heavy objects or keeping the neck immobile for long periods of time?
4. What is the patient's fitness level?
5. Does the patient have signs of neurological disorders?

To evaluate the condition of the spine, the doctor prescribes X-ray, CT or MRI.Depending on the symptoms and stage of the disease, treatment may include massage, swimming, and exercise therapy.Using acupuncture, local destruction processes are affected.In case of severe pain, the doctor prescribes anesthetics.Muscle tension is relieved with muscle relaxants.In advanced cases, when the patient has a hernia that compresses the roots of the spinal cord, surgical intervention is necessary.

What will happen if the disease is not treated?

In the absence of qualified medical assistance, the patient eventually develops chronic pain in the cervical spine.It emits radiation to the upper and lower extremities, which can cause paralysis.As osteophytes grow, they compress nerve canals, veins and arteries.This can disrupt the process of brain circulation.This often leads to ischemia and spinal strokes.The patient's vision and hearing also deteriorate, migraine and vegetative-vascular dystonia appear.

By studying cervical osteochondrosis and its clinical signs, doctors often diagnose radiculopathy.This causes partial or complete loss of vertebral mobility.The occurrence of exacerbations is a reason for hospitalization of the patient.The most serious consequence of cervical osteochondrosis is spinal cord compression.The risk of death is quite high.In order to prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.Work schedule should be flexible.You should do special exercises every day, if possible in the morning.