According to medical observations, 50% of people over the age of 25 suffer from mild cervical osteochondrosis. Such a clinical picture occurs over the years, and the percentage of patients increases every year. Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are attributed to fatigue and physical exertion, thus delaying treatment on the back. Progressive disease is a serious threat to the spine and the whole organism. Discover the first signs of osteochondrosis in time and do not delay going to the doctor. He will prescribe you treatment and perform a detailed examination.
What is osteochondrosis?
The importance of the topic of cervical osteochondrosis and its treatment is difficult to overestimate. Today, this is perhaps one of the main problems of 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 who have 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, no clear answer has 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;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- body intoxication;
- defeat by infection;
- hard daily physical work;
- stress, neurosis;
- spinal cord injury;
- wrong shoes - pressure on the spine;
- strong cooling of the body;
- lack of a balanced healthy diet;
- age changes;
- treatment with home remedies;
- heredity.
From the above list it is clear that the reasons can be many. Therefore, complaints can be received even in adolescence. Early treatment of osteochondrosis is effective, fast and painless.
The article reveals the basic concepts of cervical osteochondrosis, touches on comparisons 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 are slightly different from the signs of disease in other vertebrae. The main reason is the proximity of the intervertebral discs and their height. Common causes include spinal cord pressure and nerve root compression. This leads to the appearance of clinical symptoms, sometimes requiring urgent hospitalization.
The most popular characters
Pain syndrome
These are painful periodic pains that have different dislocations. They can be localized in one place and can affect the skeletal framework 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.
Nerve root damage
They stimulate muscle work and innervate the skin. In this case, you cannot lift heavy objects, overexert yourself physically and not delay treatment. As a result, you will get complete muscle atrophy.
Numbness of the fingers
It is usually worrying when the disease acquires stable symptoms 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 headache. This sign indicates a significant decrease in sensitivity.
Crunching
It limits our movements of the cervical spine and the physical abilities of the person. The reduction in the height of the vertebrae is the result of bone growth. The smallest joints of the cervical vertebra are affected.
Loss of coordination and weakness in the body
These are signs of vertebral artery lesions. It passes through its canal located in the cervical vertebrae. The development of cervical osteochondrosis stimulates changes in the spinal column and the growth of fibrous tissue. The result is a lack of oxygen and impaired circulation. The head and occipital part of the cerebellum are damaged.
Frequent dizziness
They are symptomatic and can be seen in osteochondrosis of the vertebral arteries. A large percentage of patients complain of painful migraine-like headaches. Patients try to get rid of painful symptoms by taking antibiotics and painkillers, which rarely make them feel better. This is a signal to the body about the rapid development and progression of osteochondrosis. Treatment in this case occurs immediately.
Black dots or flickering flies in front of the eyes
Severe headaches are imminent. With sudden movements, small colored spots and cracks appear in the head. Many confuse this symptom with lack of sleep or fatigue, taking medication. As a rule, home treatment in this case is always powerless.
Chest pain
Some people confuse them with heart pain, because they are localized in the area of the heart. Others confuse it with disease of other internal organs. Doctors urge you not to carry out self-medication and methods of traditional medicine. This leads to serious consequences and difficulties in review.
During the first visits to the doctor, the patient is given a primary diagnosis, a study of the spinal column is performed and the degree of its damage is determined. First of all, the doctor examines the human torso, structural characteristics, contours of the waist and neck, muscle relief, the level of protrusion of spinous processes. Basically, I examine and diagnose with the help of my hands, but there are more advanced modern methods:
- CT scanner;
- M. R. I;
- radiography.
All methods are good, they have their disadvantages and advantages. With their help, you can finally approve or deny the diagnosis. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor. Effective treatment can only be achieved if medical recommendations are followed.