With osteochondrosis, gradual destruction of spinal tissue occurs, which leads to disruption of its function.Typically, such degenerative processes develop in its most mobile parts.Young people most often experience cervical osteochondrosis.The instability of this department, combined with increased physical activity, explains its susceptibility to injury and various degenerative processes.In 3 out of 10 cases, it is the cause of sudden headaches.Osteochondrosis provokes metabolic disorders in the spine.Because of this, the discs in it bulge and then crack.
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 with light load.
- Numbness in the limbs.
- Crunching when turning the neck.
- Headache, localized mainly in the back of the head and temples.
- Fainting, chronic fatigue.
- Tinnitus, hearing loss.
- Loss of visual acuity.
Nagging pain in the heart area can also indicate cervical osteochondrosis.The patient often experiences sensations similar to angina pectoris.When the spinal root is pinched, other disorders occur.For example, loss of tongue sensitivity or decreased neck muscle tone, breathing problems.If treatment is not prescribed in time, the patient may develop a protrusion or hernia.
There are four stages of osteochondrosis.The first is characterized by instability in the intervertebral discs.On the second, the main symptom is considered to be protrusion.At the same time, the gaps between the vertebrae become smaller.Pain syndrome occurs, which may be associated with pinched nerve roots.
At the third stage, destruction of the fibrous ring, which is an integral part of the intervertebral disc, occurs.That is why its deformation subsequently occurs.A patient with the fourth stage of cervical osteochondrosis experiences severe pain with any movement.It is worth noting that a decrease in its intensity does not indicate recovery.On the contrary, this indicates that the process of formation of osteophytes connecting the vertebrae has begun.As a rule, this leads to disability.Treatment is prescribed based on the clinical signs and 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 in it 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;
- 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 avoid the development of complications, at the first signs of pinched nerve roots of the spine, you should seek help from a medical specialist.Cervical osteochondrosis and its symptoms are treated by neurologists, chiropractors, and osteopaths.
Additionally, you may need to consult a neurosurgeon, traumatologist, therapist, or cardiologist.To differentiate the diagnosis, the doctor analyzes the patient’s complaints.At this stage, he asks the patient the following questions:
- When did neck pain first appear?
- Are cervical osteochondrosis accompanied by other symptoms?
- Does the patient's professional activity involve lifting heavy objects or keeping the neck immobile for a long time?
- What is the patient's fitness level?
- Does the patient have signs of neurological disorders?
To assess the condition of the spine, the doctor prescribes x-rays, CT or MRI.Depending on the symptoms and stage of the disease, treatment may include massage, swimming and exercise therapy.Local destruction processes are affected using acupuncture.In case of severe pain, the doctor prescribes anesthetics.Tension in the muscles 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 if the disease is not treated?
In the absence of 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 circulation.This often provokes ischemia and spinal strokes.The patient's vision and hearing also deteriorate, migraines and vegetative-vascular dystonia appear.
By studying cervical osteochondrosis and its clinical symptoms, doctors often diagnose radiculopathy.It leads to partial or complete loss of vertebral mobility.The occurrence of exacerbations is a reason for hospitalization of the patient.The most severe consequence of cervical osteochondrosis is considered to be compression of the spinal cord.The risk of death is quite high.To avoid the development of complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.The work schedule should be gentle.You should do special exercises every day, and, if possible, morning exercises.