According to medical observations, 50% of people over the age of 25 suffer from mild cervical osteochondrosis. Such a clinical picture develops over the years, and the percentage of patients is increasing every year. Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are attributed to fatigue and physical exertion, which puts treatment on the back burner. A progressive disease is a serious threat to the spine and the entire organism. Show the first signs of osteochondrosis in time and do not hesitate to go to the doctor. He will prescribe you a treatment and conduct a detailed examination.
What is osteochondrosis?
The relevance of the topic of cervical osteochondrosis and its treatment can hardly be overestimated. Today this is perhaps one of the main problems facing society. As a result of the disease, intervertebral discs and bone tissue are affected. According to statistics, osteochondrosis most often affects office workers, writers and programmers. The disease is dangerous for people with a fixed, sedentary lifestyle. Especially in the chest area. This is one of the inactive parts of the body surrounded by ribs on all sides, making it difficult to diagnose.
causes
An unequivocal answer to the question "Why does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occur? " has not been found despite medical advances. Based on data from a study of clinical practices, there are several main causes of the disease:
- bad habits, smoking, alcohol, drugs;
- immobile lifestyle;
- intoxication of the body;
- defeat by infection;
- hard daily physical work;
- stress, neuroses;
- spinal injury;
- wrong shoes - pressure on the spine;
- strong cooling of the body;
- lack of a balanced healthy diet;
- age-related changes;
- home medical treatment;
- inheritance.
It is clear from the above list that there can be many reasons. Therefore, complaints can also be received in adolescence. Treatment of osteochondrosis in the early stages is effective, quick and painless.
The article reveals the basic concepts of cervical osteochondrosis and touches on a comparison with thoracic osteochondrosis. The signs that every person must know are described in detail and clearly.
Complete clinical picture
The signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are slightly different from the signs of the disease in other regions of the vertebrae. The main reason is the proximity of the intervertebral discs and their height. Common causes are pressure in the spinal cord and compression of the nerve roots. This leads to the manifestation of clinical symptoms, sometimes requiring immediate hospitalization.
The most popular characters
pain syndrome
These are aching periodic pains that have a different dislocation. They can be localized in one place and affect the skeletal framework as a whole. When the nerve roots are involved in the process, shooting in the extremities is characteristic. Frequent headaches are the cause of spasms in the neck muscles of the occipital bone. As a result, there is a violation of blood circulation.
Damage to the nerve root
They stimulate muscle work and have an innervating effect on the skin of the hands. In this case, you can not lift heavy objects, do physical exertion and delay treatment. As a result, you get complete muscle atrophy.
numbness of fingers
It is usually of concern when the disease assumes a stable symptomatology and character. May be accompanied by discomfort in the hands and on the entire surface of the hands. In the advanced stage of osteochondrosis, numbness is a precursor to fainting and headaches. This sign indicates a significant decrease in sensitivity.
crunch
It limits our movements of the cervical spine and a person's physical abilities. The reduction in the height of the intervertebral discs is the result of bone growth. The smallest joints of the cervical spine are affected.
Loss of coordination and weakness in the body
These are signs due to vertebral artery lesions. It passes through its canal, located in the cervical vertebrae. The development of cervical osteochondrosis stimulates changes in the spine and the growth of fibrous tissue. The result is a lack of oxygen and circulatory disorders. The head and occipital part of the cerebellum suffer.
Frequent dizziness
They are symptomatic and can be observed with osteochondrosis of the vertebral arteries. A large percentage of patients complain of an excruciating headache similar to a migraine. Patients try to get rid of painful symptoms by taking antibiotics and painkillers, which rarely make them feel better. This is a signal from the body about the rapid development and progression of osteochondrosis. In this case, treatment is immediate.
Black dots or flickering flies in front of the eyes
Precursor of a severe headache. With sudden movements, small colored spots and shots appear in the head. Many confuse this symptom with lack of sleep or fatigue, they drink drugs. As a rule, home medical treatment is always powerless in this case.
chest pain
Some confuse it with heart pain because it is localized in the region of the heart. Others confuse it with a disease of other internal organs. Doctors strongly do not recommend self-treatment and methods of traditional medicine. This leads to serious consequences and difficulties in the examination.
During the first visits to the attending physician, the patient is given a primary diagnosis, an examination of the spine is performed and the degree of its damage is determined. First of all, the doctor examines the human torso, structural features, the contours of the waist and neck, the relief of muscles, the degree of protrusion of the spinous processes. Basically, I examine and make a diagnosis with the help of my hands, but there are more advanced modern methods:
- CT scan;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- radiography.
All methods are good, have their disadvantages and advantages. With their help, you can finally confirm or refute the diagnosis. Don't hesitate to see a doctor. Effective treatment can only be given if medical recommendations are followed.