According to medical observations, 50% of people over the age of 25 suffer from mild cervical osteochondrosis. This clinical picture emerges over the years and the percentage of patients increases every year. Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are attributed to fatigue and physical exertion, thus postponing treatment to oblivion. A progressive disease is a serious threat to the spine and the whole organism. Reveal the first signs of osteochondrosis in time and not be long in going to the doctor. He will prescribe you a course of treatment and conduct a detailed examination.
What is osteochondrosis?
The relevance of the topic of cervical osteochondrosis and its treatment is difficult to overestimate. Today, this is perhaps one of the major problems of society. As a result of the disease, the intervertebral discs and bone tissues are affected. According to statistics, osteochondrosis most often affects office workers, writers, programmers. The disease is dangerous for people with a fixed sedentary lifestyle. Especially in the thoracic region. This is one of the inactive parts of the body, surrounded by ribs on all sides, which makes diagnosis difficult.
Causes
Despite medical advances, a clear answer has not been found to the question Why does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occur? Based on data from a clinical practice study, 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, neurosis;
- spine injury;
- wrong shoes - pressure on the spine;
- strong cooling of the body;
- lack of a healthy and balanced diet;
- age-related changes;
- home medical treatment;
- heredity.
From the above list, it is clear that there can be many reasons. Therefore, complaints can be received even in adolescence. Treatment of osteochondrosis at an early stage is effective, fast and painless.
The article reveals the basic concepts of cervical osteochondrosis, touches on a comparison with thoracic osteochondrosis. The signs that every person needs to know are described in detail and clearly.
Complete picture of the disease
The signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differ slightly from the signs of the disease in other vertebral regions. The main reason is the proximity of the intervertebral discs and their height. Common causes include pressure in the spinal cord and compression of the nerve roots. This leads to the manifestation of clinical symptoms, which sometimes require immediate hospitalization.
Most popular signs
Pain syndrome
These are periodic aching pains that have a different dislocation. They can be located in one place and can affect the skeletal structure as a whole. When nerve roots are involved in the process, shooting in the extremities is characteristic. Frequent headaches are the cause of spasms of the cervical muscles of the occipital bone. As a result, there is a violation of blood circulation.
Damage to the nerve root
They stimulate the work of the muscles and the innervating effect on the skin of the hands. In this case, it is not possible to lift heavy objects, physically overload and not delay treatment. As a result, you will achieve complete muscle atrophy.
Numbness in the fingers
He usually worries when the disease acquires a stable symptomatology and character. It can 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.
Crisp
It limits our cervical spine movements and a person's physical capabilities. The reduction in height of the vertebral discs is the result of bone growth. The smaller joints of the cervical vertebrae are affected.
Loss of coordination and weakness in the body
These are signs of vertebral artery injury. It passes through its canal, which is 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 reduced circulation. The head and the occipital part of the cerebellum suffer.
Frequent dizziness
They are symptomatic and can be observed in osteochondrosis of the vertebral arteries. A large percentage of patients complain of excruciating migraine-like headaches. Patients try to get rid of painful symptoms by taking antibiotics and pain relievers, which rarely make them feel better. This is a signal from the body about the rapid development and progression of osteochondrosis. Treatment in this case occurs immediately.
Blackheads or flickering flies in front of the eyes
Precursors of a severe headache. With sudden movements, small colored spots and shoots appear in the head. Many confuse this symptom with lack of sleep or fatigue, drink drugs. As a rule, home medical treatment in this case is always impotent.
Aching chest pain
Some confuse them with heart pains, because they are localized in the region of the heart. Others confuse it with a disease of other internal organs. Doctors urge you not to carry out self-treatment and methods of traditional medicine. This leads to serious consequences and difficulties in the examination.
At the first visits to the attending physician, the patient is given a primary diagnosis, a study of the spine is carried out and the degree of damage to her is determined. First of all, the doctor examines the human torso, structural features, the contours of the waist and neck, the relief of the muscles, the level of protrusion of the spinous processes. Basically, I examine and establish a diagnosis with the help of my hands, but there are more advanced modern methods:
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance;
- radiography.
All methods are good, they have their drawbacks and advantages. With their help, you can finally approve or refute the diagnosis. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor. Effective treatment can only occur if medical recommendations are followed.