According to medical observations, 50% of people over the age of 25 suffer from mild cervical osteochondrosis. Such a clinical picture emerges with age, and the percentage of patients increases every year. Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are due to fatigue and physical exertion, thus delaying treatment in the background. Progressive disease is a serious threat to the spine and the whole body. Discover the first signs of osteochondrosis in time and do not delay 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 main problems of society. As a result of the disease, the intervertebral discs and bone tissue 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 chest area. This is one of the inactive parts of the body, surrounded by ribs on all sides, which makes it difficult to diagnose.
Reasons
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 study of clinical practices, there are several main causes of the disease:
- bad habits, smoking, alcohol, drugs;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- intoxication of the body;
- defeat by infection;
- heavy 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-related changes;
- treatment at home;
- heredity.
The above list clearly shows that there can be many reasons. Therefore, complaints can be obtained even in adolescence. Early treatment of osteochondrosis is effective, fast and painless.
The article reveals the basic concepts of cervical osteochondrosis, affects the comparison with thoracic osteochondrosis. The signs that everyone should 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 nerve roots. This results in clinical symptoms, sometimes requiring immediate hospitalization.
The most popular characters
Pain syndrome
These are painful intermittent pains that have a different dislocation. They can be located in one place and can affect the skeletal frame as a whole. When nerve roots are involved in the process, shooting in the limbs is typical. Frequent headaches are the cause of spasms of the neck muscles of the occipital bone. As a result, there is a violation of blood circulation.
Damage to nerve roots
They stimulate muscle function and the innervating effect on the skin of the hands. In this case, you can not lift heavy objects, overexert yourself and do not delay treatment. As a result, you will get complete muscle atrophy.
Numbness of the fingers
He usually worries when the disease acquires stable symptoms and character. It may be accompanied by discomfort in the hands and on the entire surface of the hands. In advanced osteochondrosis, numbness is a precursor to seizures and headaches. This sign indicates a significant reduction in sensitivity.
Crunching
It restricts our movements of the cervical vertebrae and the physical abilities of a person. The reduction in the height of the spinal discs is a result of bone growth. The smallest joints of the cervical vertebra are affected.
Loss of coordination and weakness in the body
These are signs due to vertebral artery lesions. It passes through its canal, which is located in the cervical spine. The development of cervical osteochondrosis stimulates changes in the spine and the growth of fibrous tissue. The result is a lack of oxygen and impaired circulation. The head and back 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 painkillers, which rarely make them feel better. This is a signal to the body for the rapid development and progression of osteochondrosis. Treatment in this case is carried out immediately.
Black dots or flickering flies in front of the eyes
Precursors of severe headaches. With sudden movements, small colored spots and shots appear in the head. Many confuse this symptom with lack of sleep or fatigue, taking medication. As a rule, treatment with home medicine in this case is always powerless.
Painful chest pain
Some confuse them with heart pain because they are located in the heart area. Others confuse it with disease of other internal organs. Doctors urge you not to perform self-medication and methods of traditional medicine. This leads to serious consequences and difficulties in research.
At the first visits to the patient's doctor, a primary diagnosis is made, a study of the spine is performed and the degree of its damage is determined. First of all, the doctor examines the human torso, structural features, contours of the waist and neck, the relief of the muscles, the level of protrusion of the vertebrae. In general, I research and diagnose with my hands, but there are more modern methods:
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance;
- radiography.
All methods are good, have their disadvantages and advantages. With their help, you can finally approve or reject the diagnosis. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor. Effective treatment can only be achieved if medical recommendations are followed.