Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are among the most common diseases on earth.Few people can avoid them completely, especially after 40 years, although experts admit that problems with the spine, muscles and joints have become "younger" and very young people increasingly complain of pain.
This is due to the lifestyle that has become familiar to many people: inactivity, being in a prolonged position (most often behind devices and monitors), lack of physical activity.As a result, posture is disturbed, salt and other harmful substances accumulate in the body, the functions of the musculoskeletal system are disrupted, and as a result, internal organs can be deformed.
The most common of these diseases is osteoarthritis, which affects both the elderly and quite young people, and among the degenerative diseases - problems with the lumbar spine and cervical spine.The second most common type of osteoarthritis, cervical, is an unpleasant disease, moreover, it progresses gradually, without treatment the lifestyle will worsen significantly, even to the point of disability.This means that you need to promptly recognize the symptoms of this disease and promptly contact an orthopedist or spine specialist for treatment.
How does cervical spondylosis develop?
If a person has a sedentary lifestyle or has to stay in one position for a long time due to their occupation, the risk of developing osteoarthritis is very high.As the disease develops, changes occur in the intervertebral discs, they become deformed and their structure changes.
Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae, their job is to support the spine, helping the spine stay flexible and strong.There are seven vertebrae in the neck, thanks to which the head is supported and rotated, the neck bends, etc.The cervical vertebrae are located very close together so they are easily injured and displaced even by mild exertion.The danger of the disease lies in the fact that it affects the nerve endings of the spinal nerves, damaging the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.In turn, the brain does not receive enough essential substances, and this can lead to the development of a number of other more serious diseases, which can cause disability and even death of the patient.
There are many causes leading to the appearance and development of cervical spondylosis.Among the most common and frequent reasons are:
- impaired metabolism in the body, especially in the cervical area, hormonal imbalance;
- salt deposition;
- low physical activity, sedentary lifestyle;
- staying in one position for a long time (at the computer, driving, etc.);
- poor nutrition;
- overweight;
- neck injuries and bruises;
- hypothermia of the body.
Osteoarthritis also occurs due to chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as scoliosis or rheumatism.
In addition, the body's genetic predisposition often leads to osteonecrosis.
But whatever the reason, osteoarthritis must be treated as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Signs of cervical spondylosis
Osteoarthritis in this part of the spine does not always happen suddenly and unexpectedly.Usually, it develops slowly and symptoms gradually increase over time and their number increases.The more severely the vertebrae are damaged and the nerve roots are compressed, the more noticeable the symptoms are.
The first symptom that you need to pay attention to is pain of varying degrees in the cervical spine, spreading to other parts of the body - back of the head, forehead, ears, forearms, shoulders, chest, etc.If you feel pain, you should consult a doctor to determine whether it is truly osteoarthritis, which often has symptoms similar to other diseases.
Other signs of osteoarthritis
- Neck pain increases with exertion or turning the head;
- The patient feels numbness, burning or tingling in the limbs;
- Headaches and dizziness, asthenia are common, patients may complain of dark circles and spots in the eyes, tinnitus;
- You may faint if you turn your head suddenly.
Cervical osteonecrosis is also characterized by:
- lack of coordination;
- pain in the heart area;
- impaired vision and hearing.
Types of osteoarthritis
Depending on the type of nerve compression and the nature of the disease, doctors distinguish several syndromes:
- root syndrome;
- vertebral artery syndrome;
- heart syndrome.
Nerve root syndrome is compression of the first pair of cervical nerve endings.Pain in the neck, spreading to the shoulder blades, lower back, shoulders and forearms.
With vertebral artery syndrome, the patient feels a sharp pain in the back of the head or temples, or burning pain in the neck, back of the head, severe pain when turning the head, when sleeping, when coughing and spreading to the chest and shoulders.
With cardiac syndrome, the initial symptoms resemble angina, but the pain does not go away after taking nitroglycerin, lasts for several hours and can intensify with movement and deep breathing.
Symptoms of specific vertebrae damage
Treatment for osteoarthritis is prescribed based on which nerve ending is damaged.There are eight in total, each located above the cervical vertebrae.You can determine which vertebra is affected by symptoms that correspond to a specific nerve root.
Damage to nerve endings and its characteristic pain
- first and second parts: decreased sensitivity of the back of the head, pain in the occipital and occipital regions;
- third stage: numbness in the neck at the compressed area, difficulty speaking, sensitive tongue;very rare;
- fourth part: pain and numbness in the collarbone and/or shoulder, respiratory system disorders, pain in the heart area;
- fifth stage: shoulder pain, pain on the outside of the shoulder, weakness of the limbs;
- sixth and seventh parts: pain in the neck, shoulder blades, forearms, back, lower back, impaired sensitivity of hands and fingers;most common lesions;
- Eighth segment: pain in the neck, back, elbows, numbness of the little finger in all limbs, purple color in the legs and arms due to poor circulation, lack of skin sensitivity, spreading to the legs.
Diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylosis
To reliably determine the diagnosis of “cervical osteochondrosis”, you must consult a doctor.Many symptoms of osteoarthritis are similar to signs of other diseases, so it is important not only to start treatment of osteoarthritis on time, but also not to neglect other pathologies.
If cartilage degeneration is suspected and there are signs of compression of nerve endings, the doctor will prescribe an X-ray;if insufficient data, computed or magnetic resonance imaging, Doppler ultrasound, and duplex scanning.
Based on research data, the nature of the pain syndrome and the combination of other symptoms, it is possible to determine which intervertebral disc is damaged and initiate the necessary treatment aimed at restoring the affected vertebrae and nerve roots, and preventing the development of complications of osteoarthritis.
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor and is often complicated.First of all, it must relieve pain symptoms, which in the case of cervical spondylosis are sometimes almost unbearable and spread not only to the neck, but also to other parts of the body.
For this purpose, painkillers in tablets are used, but in case of severe pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as warming and analgesic ointments, are prescribed.
Because drugs and ointments only relieve pain and other symptoms of cervical osteoarthritis, they do not eliminate its cause.After the pain subsides, the patient is prescribed massage, physiotherapy and physiotherapy.Patients are prescribed a diet, drugs that improve blood circulation and support body functions, in the form of tablets and injections, as well as chondroprotective drugs that help protect and restore disc tissue.
In some cases, as additional treatment, patients are prescribed baths, paraffin baths, acupressure and hirudotherapy.Traditional methods of treating cervical spondylosis also often quickly help the patient return to a normal lifestyle, but they should be used only in combination with traditional methods and after consulting a doctor, since traditional medicine may have contraindications and the use of its formulations can harm a body already weakened by the disease.
Complications and ways to prevent the disease
Don't forget: treatment of cervical spondylosis should be started as early as possible.The longer you wait to see a doctor, the more difficult it will be to cure the disease and can cause many different complications.Cervical spondylosis is very dangerous because this segment contains many blood vessels and nerve plexuses that supply blood to the brain.
Any disturbance can cause problems with cerebral circulation, neurological disorders, including migraines and hypertension, and affect the heart, respiratory system, hearing and vision.
If you begin to suffer from osteoarthritis, more serious consequences can occur - cerebral ischemia, spinal stroke or radiculopathy - a disease in which the processes formed on the vertebrae are affected, partially or completely losing the sensitivity and mobility of the body.But this is not the worst, because in severe cases of osteoarthritis, compression of the spinal cord can cause the patient's death.
Therefore, it is very important to listen to the symptoms as soon as possible and contact a specialist who will help you return to a full life.And to avoid a disease like cervical spondylosis, you need to move more, not avoid physical activity, monitor your weight, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and regularly visit an orthopedist or spine specialist.