According to medical observations, 50% of people over 25 years old suffer from mild cervical osteochondrosis. This clinical picture appears 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 in the background. 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 going to the doctor. He will prescribe you a course of treatment and carry out 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, programmers. The disease is dangerous for people with a sedentary and fixed lifestyle. Mainly 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 progress, 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;
- 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 healthy and balanced diet;
- age-related changes;
- drug treatment at home;
- heredity.
From the list above, it is clearly seen that there can be many reasons. Therefore, complaints can be received even in adolescence. Treatment of early-stage osteochondrosis is effective, quick, and painless.
The article reveals the basic concepts of cervical osteochondrosis, discusses a comparison with thoracic osteochondrosis. The signs that every person needs to know are described in detail and clearly.
Full 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 on the spinal cord and compression of nerve roots. This leads to the manifestation of clinical symptoms, sometimes requiring immediate hospitalization.
most popular signals
pain syndrome
These are painful periodic pains that have a different displacement. They can be located in one place and can affect the skeletal structure 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 cannot lift heavy objects, physically overload and not delay treatment. As a result, you will get complete muscle atrophy.
finger numbness
It usually worries when the disease acquires a stable symptomatology and character. It may be accompanied by discomfort in the hands and the entire surface of the hands. In the advanced stage of osteochondrosis, numbness is a precursor to fainting and headaches. This signal indicates a significant decrease in sensitivity.
Crunch
It limits our cervical spine movements and a person's physical abilities. The reduction of vertebral discs in height 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 due to vertebral artery injuries. 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 impaired circulation. The head and 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 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.
Black dots or fluttering flies in front of the eyes
Precursors of a severe headache. With sudden movements, small colored spots and headshots appear. Many confuse this symptom with lack of sleep or tiredness, ingesting medication. As a rule, treatment with home remedies in this case is always powerless.
chest pains
Some confuse them with heart pains, as they are located in the heart region. Others mistake it for a disease of other internal organs. Doctors recommend that you do not carry out self-treatment and traditional medicine methods. This leads to serious consequences and difficulty in the exam.
In the first visits to the attending physician, the patient receives a primary diagnosis, a study of the spine is carried out 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 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;
- radiography.
All methods are good, they have their pros and cons. With their help, you can finally approve or disprove the diagnosis. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor. Effective treatment can only occur if medical recommendations are followed.