According to medical observations, 50% of people over the age of 25 suffer from mild cervical osteochondrosis. Such a 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, which puts treatment on the back burner. A progressive disease is a serious threat to the spine and the whole organism. Reveal the first signs of osteochondrosis in time and do not delay in going to the doctor. He will prescribe 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 tissues are affected. According to statistics, osteochondrosis most often affects office workers, writers and programmers. The disease is dangerous for people with a fixed and sedentary lifestyle. Especially in the thoracic region. This is one of the inactive parts of the body, surrounded by ribs on all sides, making it difficult to diagnose.
Causes
Despite medical advances, no clear answer has been found to the question Why does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occur? . According to data from a study of clinical practices, there are several main causes of the disease:
- bad habits, smoking, alcohol, drugs;
- stationary lifestyle;
- intoxication of the body;
- 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 healthy and balanced diet;
- age-related changes;
- home medicine treatment;
- inheritance.
From the above list, it is clearly seen that there can be many reasons. Therefore, complaints can be received even in adolescence. Treatment of osteochondrosis at an early stage is effective, quick and painless.
The article reveals the basics 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.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differ slightly from 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 on 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 may be localized to one place and may affect the skeletal framework as a whole. When nerve roots are involved in the process, firing 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 the work of the muscles and the innervating effect on the skin of the hands. In this case, you can not lift heavy objects, exert yourself physically and do not delay treatment. As a result, you will get complete muscle atrophy.
finger numbness
It is usually worrying 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.
Crunch
It limits our movements of the cervical spine and the physical capabilities of a person. The reduction of the vertebral discs in height is the result of bone growth. The smallest joints of the cervical vertebrae are affected.
Loss of coordination and weakness in the body.
These are signs due to injuries of the vertebral artery. 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 circulation problems. The head and the occipital part of the cerebellum suffer.
frequent dizziness
They are symptomatic and can be seen in osteochondrosis of the vertebral arteries. A large percentage of patients complain of excruciating migraine-like headaches. Patients try to get rid of the 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. Treatment in this case occurs immediately.
Black dots or flies blinking before the eyes.
Precursors of a severe headache. With sudden movements appear small spots of color and jerks on the head. Many confuse this symptom with lack of sleep or tiredness, they drink medication. As a rule, folk medicine treatment in this case is always powerless.
sore chest pain
Some confuse them with heartaches, because they are located 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 traditional medicine methods. This leads to serious consequences and difficulty in the exam.
At the first visits to the attending physician, the patient receives a primary diagnosis, a study of the spine is performed, and the degree of damage is determined. First of all, the doctor examines the human torso, the 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:
- computed tomography;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- bone scan.
All methods are good, they have their drawbacks and advantages. With their help, you can finally prove or disprove the diagnosis. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor. Effective treatment can only occur if medical recommendations are followed.