With osteochondrosis, a gradual destruction of spinal tissue occurs, which leads to a disruption in its function.Generally, these degenerative processes develop in its most mobile parts.Young people most often suffer from cervical osteochondrosis.The instability of this department, combined with increased physical activity, explains its susceptibility to injuries and various degenerative processes.In 3 out of 10 cases, it causes sudden headaches.Osteochondrosis causes metabolic disorders in the spine.As a result, the discs it contains swell 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.
- Cracking when turning the neck.
- Headaches, localized mainly at the back of the head and temples.
- Fainting, chronic fatigue.
- Tinnitus, hearing loss.
- Loss of visual acuity.
Persistent pain in the heart region may also indicate cervical osteochondrosis.The patient often experiences sensations similar to angina.When the spinal root is pinched, other disorders occur.For example, loss of sensitivity of the tongue or decreased muscle tone of the neck, breathing problems.If treatment is not prescribed on time, the patient may develop a protrusion or hernia.
There are four stages of osteochondrosis.The first is characterized by instability of the intervertebral discs.According to the second, the main symptom is protrusion.At the same time, the gaps between the vertebrae decrease.Pain syndrome appears, which may be associated with pinched nerve roots.
At the third stage, the destruction of the annulus fibrosus occurs, which is an integral part of the intervertebral disc.This is why its deformation occurs subsequently.A patient with the fourth stage of cervical osteochondrosis experiences severe pain with every 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.Typically, this leads to disability.Treatment is prescribed based on clinical signs and the stage of development of the pathology.
Causes of 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 are often formed, which only aggravate 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 provoked by curvature of the spine or excess weight.People who are out of shape 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 pinching of the spinal nerve roots, you should seek help from a specialist doctor.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?
- Is cervical osteochondrosis accompanied by other symptoms?
- Does the patient's work activity involve lifting heavy objects or holding the neck still for a long period of 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 scan or MRI.Depending on the symptoms and stage of the disease, treatment may include massage, swimming and therapeutic exercises.Local destructive processes are influenced by acupuncture.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, surgery is necessary.
What to do 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 limbs, which can lead to paralysis.As osteophytes grow, they compress nerve channels, veins and arteries.This can disrupt the cerebral circulation process.This often causes ischemia and stroke.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 causes a partial or total loss of spinal mobility.The occurrence of exacerbations is a reason for hospitalization of the patient.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 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.