Disorders of the musculoskeletal system are among the most common illnesses on earth.Few people can completely avoid them, especially after 40 years, although experts admit that problems with the spine, muscles and joints have become "younger" and that the very young are increasingly complaining of pain.
This is because many people have become accustomed to a lifestyle of inactivity, remaining in one position for long periods of time (most commonly behind gadgets and monitors), and a lack of physical activity.As a result, posture is disrupted, salt and other harmful substances accumulate in the body, the function of the musculoskeletal system is disrupted, resulting in deformation of internal organs.
The most common of these diseases, which affects both older and younger adults, is osteochondrosis, a problem of the lumbosacral and cervical spine.The second most common form of osteochondrosis, cervical spondylosis, is an unpleasant and progressive condition that, if left untreated, can significantly worsen lifestyle, even to the point of disability.This means you need to promptly recognize the symptoms of this disease and contact an orthopedic or chiropractor for prompt treatment.
How does cervical osteochondrosis develop?
If a person leads a sedentary lifestyle or remains in the same position for long periods of time due to their occupation, they are at a very high risk of developing osteochondrosis.As the disease progresses, changes occur in the discs, which deform and alter their structure.
Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae, and their job is to support the spine, making it flexible yet strong.There are seven vertebrae in the neck, with the help of which the head is supported, rotated, the neck bent, etc.The cervical vertebrae are very close to each other, so even minor physical exertion can cause injury and displacement of the cervical vertebrae.The danger of this disease is that it affects the nerve endings of the spinal nerves, thereby damaging the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.In turn, the brain is unable to receive enough vital substances, which can lead to the development of many other more serious diseases that can lead to disability or even death of the patient.
There are many reasons for the occurrence and development of cervical osteochondrosis.The most common and common reasons are as follows:
- Impaired metabolism in the body, especially in the neck area, hormonal imbalance;
- salt deposition;
- Low physical activity and sedentary lifestyle;
- Maintaining one position for a long time (sitting in front of the computer, driving, etc.);
- malnutrition;
- being overweight;
- neck injuries and bruises;
- Hypothermia of the body.
Osteochondrosis can also occur in the context of chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as scoliosis or rheumatism.
In addition, the body's genetic predisposition often leads to osteochondrosis.
But regardless of the cause, osteochondrosis must be treated as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis in this part of the spine does not always occur suddenly and unexpectedly.Most often, it develops slowly, with symptoms worsening and increasing in number over time.The more severe the damage to the vertebrae and the pinched nerve roots, the more pronounced the symptoms will be.
The first symptom to note is pain of varying intensity in the cervical spine, which radiates to other parts of the body - the back of the head, forehead, ears, forearms, shoulders, chest, etc.If you are experiencing pain, you should consult your doctor to determine if it is indeed osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are often similar to those of other conditions.
Other symptoms of osteochondrosis
- Neck pain that worsens with exertion or movement of the head;
- The patient experiences numbness, burning, or tingling in the extremities;
- Headache, dizziness, weakness, and patients may complain of darkening of eyes, spots, and tinnitus;
- If you turn your head suddenly, you may faint.
Cervical osteochondrosis also has the following characteristics:
- lack of coordination;
- Pain in the heart area;
- Vision and hearing worsen.
Types of osteochondrosis
Doctors distinguish several syndromes based on the type of pinched nerve and the nature of the disease:
- Nerve root syndrome;
- Vertebral artery syndrome;
- Heart syndrome.
Radiculitis is a compression of the first pair of cervical nerve endings.Pain is felt in the neck and radiates to the shoulder blades, lower back, shoulders and forearms.
Patients with vertebral artery syndrome will experience pulsating pain in the back of the head or temples, or burning pain in the neck or back of the head, which is aggravated when turning the head, sleeping, or coughing, and radiates to the chest and shoulders.
With cardiac syndrome, symptoms initially resemble angina, but the pain does not go away after taking nitroglycerin, lasts for several hours, and worsens with exercise and deep breathing.
Symptoms of Specific Vertebral Injury
Treatment for osteochondrosis is based on the damage to the nerve endings.There are eight in total, each located above the cervical vertebrae.You can determine which vertebrae are affected by symptoms that correspond to specific nerve roots.
Nerve ending damage and its characteristic pain
- Part I and II: Impaired sensitivity in the back of the head, pain in the parietal and occipital areas;
- Section 3: Numbness in the neck pressure area, speech disorder, tongue sensitivity; rarely occurs;
- Section 4: Pain and numbness in the collarbone and/or shoulders, respiratory problems, pain in the heart area;
- Section 5: Shoulder pain, pain on the outer surface of the shoulder, impaired sensitivity of the limbs;
- Section 6 and 7: Pain in the neck, shoulder blades, forearms, back, and waist, and impaired sensitivity of the hands and fingers; the most common lesions;
- Section 8: Pain in the neck, back, and elbows, numbness in the little fingers of the limbs, cyanosis in the legs and hands due to poor circulation, and lack of sensitivity of the skin, radiating to the legs.
Diagnosis and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
In order to reliably diagnose "Osteochondrosis of the Cervical Spine", you must consult a doctor.Many of the symptoms of osteochondrosis are similar to the signs of other conditions, so it is important not only to start treatment for osteochondrosis on time, but also not to miss other conditions.
If osteochondrosis is suspected and there are signs of compression of nerve endings, the doctor will recommend radiography; if there is insufficient data, computer or magnetic resonance imaging, Doppler ultrasound, and duplex scans may be performed.
Based on the study data, the nature of the pain syndrome, and a combination of other symptoms, it is possible to determine which discs are damaged and initiate the necessary treatment to restore the affected vertebrae and nerve roots and prevent the development of osteochondrosis complications.
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor and is often complex.First of all, it should relieve the symptoms of pain, which in the case of cervical osteochondrosis is sometimes almost unbearable and spreads not only to the neck, but also to other parts of the body.
For this, tablet painkillers are used, but if the pain is too severe, NSAIDs and warming and analgesic ointments are needed.
Since medications and ointments can only relieve the pain and other symptoms of osteochondrosis in the neck, they cannot eliminate its cause.After the pain subsides, the patient is given massage, physical therapy, and physiotherapy.Patients receive a diet, medications (tablets and injections) that improve circulation and support body function, and chondroprotectants that help protect and restore disc tissue.
In some cases, patients receive baths, paraffin baths, reflexology, and leech therapy as additional treatments.Traditional methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine often also quickly help patients return to a normal lifestyle, but should only be used in combination with traditional methods and after consulting a doctor, since traditional medicines may have contraindications and their use in recipes may harm an organism already weakened by the disease.
Disease complications and prevention
Don’t forget: Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis should begin as soon as possible.The longer you wait to see a doctor, the harder it is to cure the disease and may lead to complications.Cervical osteochondrosis is very dangerous because this section contains many blood vessels and nerve plexuses that supply the brain.
Any disruption can cause cerebral circulation problems, neurological disorders (including migraines and high blood pressure), and affect the heart, respiratory system, hearing and vision.
If you begin to develop osteochondrosis, it can lead to more serious consequences, such as cerebral ischemia, spinal cord stroke, or radiculopathy—a disease that forms protrusions on the affected vertebrae, partially or completely depriving the body of sensitivity and mobility.But that's not the worst thing, because in severe cases of osteochondrosis, the spinal cord can become compressed, leading to death.
Therefore, it is important to listen to the symptoms early and contact a specialist who can help you get back to living your full life.To avoid conditions like cervical osteochondrosis, you need to move more rather than avoid physical activity, monitor your weight, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and see an orthopedic doctor or chiropractor regularly.