With osteochondrosis, there is a gradual destruction of the tissues of the spine, which leads to a violation of their function. Typically, these degenerative processes develop in your most mobile departments. In young people, cervical osteochondrosis is more often seen. The instability of this department, combined with the increase in physical activity, explains its susceptibility to injuries and various dystrophic processes. In 3 out of 10 cases, it causes sudden headaches. Osteochondrosis causes a metabolic disorder in the spine. Because of this, the discs protrude and then crack.
Symptoms
Several signs can indicate dystrophic changes in the spine. Depending on the stage of the disease, they are more pronounced or weaker. Cervical osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:
- Neck pain, neck, shoulder. Strengthens even with a light load.
- Numbness in the limbs.
- Cracks when turning the neck.
- Headache located mainly in the occiput and temples.
- Fainting, chronic fatigue.
- Noise in the ears, hearing loss.
- Loss of visual acuity.
Cervical osteochondrosis can also be indicated by pulling pains in the heart region. The patient often has feelings similar to angina pectoris. When the spinal root is pinched, other disorders also occur. For example, loss of tongue sensation or decreased tone of the neck muscles, 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. In the second, the bumps are considered the main sign. In this case, the spaces between the vertebrae become smaller. There is a pain syndrome, which may be associated with pinched nerve roots.
In the third stage, the destruction of the annulus fibrosus, which is an integral part of the intervertebral disc, occurs. That's why it later deforms. 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 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 disease
Sedentary work is most often accompanied by cervical osteochondrosis. This section of the spine is quite compact and therefore even slight muscle tension leads to compression of nerve endings and blood vessels. In this context, osteophytes often form, which only makes the situation worse. In addition to a sedentary lifestyle, the disease can be triggered by:
- metabolic disorders;
- malnutrition;
- salt deposition in the cervical spine;
- hypothermia;
- hereditary predisposition;
- cervical spine injuries;
- rheumatism.
The cause of the development of the disease can also be a curvature of the spine or excess weight. The risk group includes people with low physical fitness or athletes who make mistakes in the training process.
Which doctor treats cervical osteochondrosis?
To avoid the development of complications at the first signs of compression of the spinal nerve roots, you should seek the help of a specialist doctor. Cervical osteochondrosis and its symptoms are treated by neurologists, chiropractors, osteopaths.
Also, you may need to consult a neurosurgeon, traumatologist, therapist, 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?
- Do Other Symptoms Accompany Cervical Osteochondrosis?
- Is the patient's professional activity associated with lifting weights or keeping the neck in an immobile position for a long time?
- What is the patient's fitness level?
- Does the patient show signs of neurological disorders?
To assess the condition of the spine, the doctor prescribes x-rays, CT scans or MRIs. Depending on the symptoms and stage of the disease, treatment may include massage, swimming, and exercise therapy. Local destruction processes are affected by acupuncture. With severe pain syndrome, the doctor prescribes anesthetics. Tension in the muscles is relieved by muscle relaxants. In advanced cases, when the patient has a hernia that compresses the spinal cord roots, surgical intervention is required.
What if the disease is not treated?
In the absence of qualified medical care, the patient ends up developing chronic pain in the cervical spine. It radiates to the upper and lower limbs, which are fraught with paralysis. As osteophytes grow, they compress nerve channels, veins, and arteries. This can interrupt the brain circulation process. This often causes ischemia and effusions in the spine. The patient also deteriorates vision, hearing, migraine and vegetovascular dystonia appear.
By studying cervical osteochondrosis and its clinical symptoms, doctors often diagnose radiculopathy. This leads to partial or complete loss of mobility of the vertebrae. The occurrence of exacerbations is the reason for the patient's hospitalization. The most serious consequence of cervical osteochondrosis is considered spinal cord compression. The risk of death in this case is quite high. To avoid the development of complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible. The working mode must be smooth. Every day you should do special gymnastics and, if possible, morning exercises.