In osteochondrosis, the tissue of the spine is gradually destroyed, which leads to a disturbance of its function.Usually, such 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 is the cause of sudden headaches.Osteochondrosis causes metabolic disorders in the spine.This causes the discs in it to bulge and then rupture.
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, nape, shoulder.Stronger even with a light load.
- Numbness of limbs.
- Creaking when turning the door.
- Headache, localized mainly in the back of the head and temples.
- Fainting, chronic fatigue.
- Tinnitus, hearing loss.
- Loss of visual acuity.
Agonizing pain in the region of the heart can also indicate cervical osteochondrosis.The patient often experiences feelings similar to angina pectoris.When the spinal root is pinched, other disorders also occur.For example, loss of tongue sensitivity or reduced neck muscle tone, 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.On the second, the main symptom is considered to be a bulge.At the same time, the gaps between the vertebrae are getting smaller.A pain syndrome appears, which may be related to pinching of nerve roots.
In the third stage, the fibrous ring, which is an integral part of the intervertebral disc, is destroyed.Because of this, its deformation subsequently occurs.A patient with the fourth stage of cervical osteochondrosis feels severe pain with any movement.It is worth noting 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 clinical signs and the stage of development of the pathology.
Causes of disease
Sitting work is most often accompanied by cervical osteochondrosis.This part of the spine is quite compact, and even a small tension of the muscles in it leads to compression of nerve endings and blood vessels.Against this background, osteophytes are often formed, which only worsens the situation.In addition to a sedentary lifestyle, the disease can be caused by:
- metabolic disorders;
- unhealthy diet;
- salt deposition in the cervical spine;
- hypothermia;
- hereditary predisposition;
- cervical spine injuries;
- 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 entrapment of the nerve roots of the spine, you should seek help from a specialist doctor.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.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 occupational activity involve lifting heavy objects or holding the neck still for long periods of 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.Acupuncture affects the local processes of destruction.In case of severe pain, the doctor prescribes anesthetics.Muscle tension is relieved with the help of 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 causes ischemia and spinal cord injury.The patient's vision and hearing worsen, migraines and vegetovascular dystonia occur.
By studying cervical osteochondrosis and its clinical symptoms, doctors often diagnose radiculopathy.This leads to a partial or complete loss of vertebral mobility.The occurrence of exacerbations is the reason for hospitalization of the patient.Compression of the spinal cord is considered the most serious consequence of cervical osteochondrosis.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.Special exercises should be done every day, and preferably morning exercises as well.