Osteochondrosis is one of the few diseases unique to humans. The reason for this is the distinguishing characteristic of such a person as straight feet. The vertical position of the spine causes the vertebrae to squeeze against each other, and the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine is gradually destroyed and deformed. Early treatment of osteochondrosis is recommended.
The human spine begins in the neck region. From the first to the seventh, there are a total of seven vertebrae in this sector. The vertebrae are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. The cervical spine is one of the particularly vulnerable parts, mainly due to the increased mobility of the vertebrae in this area. In the cervical region, the disease is mainly reflected in the intervertebral disc, a weak point in the structure of the spine.
Factors such as small vertebrae and relatively weak neck muscles also contribute to the spread of cervical osteochondrosis. In addition, the development of cervical osteochondrosis is largely affected by insufficient blood supply to cartilage tissue.
Therefore, the development of the disease is a complex and lengthy process, and there is no single cause. Although there is a link between a person's sedentary work and the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, the disorder is often seen in trained individuals, especially athletes, due to the increased load on the cervical spine during weightlifting.
Generally, in the elderly, degeneration of vertebral structures is an inevitable process associated with physical aging and weakened defenses. However, the most common pathological type of cervical osteochondrosis is mainly caused by external or internal unfavorable factors.
Factors that lead to the development of cervical osteochondrosis:
- bad posture
- lazio camps
- back injury
- overweight
- hard physical labor
- sedentary work
- Violation of metabolic processes
- Frequent hypothermia
- uncomfortable posture while sleeping
- stress, fatigue
- genetic factors
- infectious disease
- Physical characteristics such as a long or short neck
The degree of development of cervical osteochondrosis
The disease has four stages. Determining the stage of the disease by analyzing symptoms is not always easy because sometimes the degree of degeneration of bone and cartilage tissue may not match the symptoms observed by the patient.
first level
The destructive process begins in the bone and cartilage tissue of the vertebrae. Usually, symptoms are mild at this stage of cervical osteochondrosis. Patients either don't notice them at all, or don't associate them with spinal disease, but attribute them to stress and overwork.
second degree
The height of the disc began to decrease, and cracks appeared on its surface. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at this stage are persistent pain, weakness, and numbness in certain parts of the face.
Three degrees
A herniated disc forms and the blood vessels and muscles in the neck are damaged. The patient was dizzy and had pain in the back of the head.
fourth degree
Osteophytes appear - bone growths that protect the vertebrae from stress, which can cause compression of nerves, which can lead to stiffness and damage to adjacent joints.
symptom
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- neck and shoulder pain
- muscle weakness
- increased sweating
- Numbness in the hand
- impaired coordination
- Dizziness
- visual and hearing impairment
- High blood pressure
- Headache
These symptoms are characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis and may appear in all stages of the disease. In most cases, there are only a few symptoms on the list, and the rest may not be present. A person who encounters signs of the disease for the first time does not always suspect that he has cervical osteochondrosis. As a result, he has access to all kinds of doctors - therapists, cardiologists, neuropathologists, surgeons. Therefore, a correct diagnosis can be made very late.
cervical osteochondrosis syndrome
With cervical osteochondrosis, several syndromes, ie typical conditions with complex features, appear. Their appearance depends on the nerves and arteries affected by the disease:
- vertebral artery syndrome
- heart syndrome
- Hypertensive syndrome
- radiculopathy
- cervical migraine syndrome
Vertebral artery syndrome is one of the most unpleasant and dangerous complications of cervical osteochondrosis. This is due to reduced blood flow in the arteries that run along the spine and supply blood to the brain. The syndrome presents with symptoms such as generalized or periodic dizziness, hearing and vision impairment. In some cases, fainting may occur. There is often a syndrome that implies that blood flow in the arteries is normal under normal conditions, but it drops sharply when the head is turned in one direction or the other.
High blood pressure is also one of the most dangerous complications. Unlike vertebral artery syndrome, it's caused by compressed arteries rather than arteries, making it difficult for blood to drain from the head. The syndrome causes increased intracranial pressure, which manifests as nausea, vomiting, and headache.