CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS
Spondylosis is a kind of arthritis induced by wear and tear of the spine. It is a common condition that worsens with age. This happens when the bone spurs grow on the vertebrae or when the discs and joints degenerate. These changes might lead to impairment of the spine and its functions.
Cervical spondylosis is the most common type of spondylosis that affects the neck. Cervical spondylosis is also known as neck arthritis or cervical osteoarthritis. This condition affects the joints and discs in the cervical spine. As age is a factor that causes this condition, it is mainly seen in people who are aged 60 above. Mainly this condition causes pain and stiffness in the neck.
WHAT CAUSES CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS?
Disc degeneration can also be called as dehydration of the discs. The disc acts like cushion between vertebrae of the spine. As one grows older and age, the spinal discs begin to dry out and starts shrinking. These result in bone to bone contact and rubbing.
Due to disc degeneration, the spine starts producing extra amounts of bone to make increase the strength of the spine. These extra bones may press on to delicate areas of the spine like the nerves and spinal which causes pain. Even the bone may start rubbing to each other.
Spinal disc may develop cracks which can leads to leakage of internal cushioning material. This material might press on to the nerves, spinal cords, causing pain and numbness in arms. Also cracks can lead to bulging disc which causes pressure on spinal cords and nerves.
Ligaments are cords of tissue which connects bone to bones or forms joints. These ligaments might become stiff with age resulting in lack of flexibility of the neck.
If at all you had any neck injury due to any accident , this can also result in cervical spondylosis
Certain occupation or hobbies that consist of repetitive movements and heavy lifting can also harm the cervical spine. This can put extra pressure on the spine resulting in early wear and tear.
CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS SYMPTOMS
Based on the severity of the symptoms, treatments including medication, therapy and surgery are provided. For knowing more about the symptoms keep up with the information presented by the best medicine app in India.
Some of the common symptoms of cervical spondylosis are:
Pain in the shoulder blade
Pain along arm and fingers
Headache originating from neck
Difficulty in turning the head fully
Grinding sensation or noise while turning neck
Less common symptoms are:
When cervical spondylosis results in pressure on the spinal cord, a condition called stenosis. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause the condition called cervical myelopathy. Symptoms seen in cervical spondylosis along with myelopathy include:-
Numb and weak hands, arms, legs or feet.
Difficulty in walking and lack of coordination
Reflexes not in a normal condition
Loss of control over the bowel and bladder muscle movements.
CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS TREATMENT
According to the severity of the condition and age of the patients, treatments differ person to person. Some of the common treatments provided are:
Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAISs) – these are given to reduce pain and inflammation associated with cervical spondylosis.
Cortocsteroids – for severe pains, corticosteroid injections are given like prednisone.
Anti-seizure medications – certain eplilepsy medicines like gabapentin and pregabalin can help in reducing the pain of damaged nerves
Anti-depressants – some of the antidepressants are found to ease neck pain.
Muscle relaxants – drugs like cyclobenzaprine helps to relieve muscle spasms
All these medicines are available in the online pharmacy store in India with door to door deliver services.
Physical therapies and certain exercises can relieve the pain and stiffness. Professional physical therapist helps to stretch and relax the muscles. Some patients may benefit the use of neck tractions that increases space between cervical joints relieving the pressure on cervical discs and nerves.
In severe conditions, surgery might be needed to remove the bone spurs or herniated discs to give more room for your spine. Surgery is only adopted when the symptoms worsens and when other treatments aren’t providing necessary relief.
Mild cervical spondylosis can be cured through some regular exercise and home remedies. Applying heat or ice can ease neck pain and stiffness. Also soft neck braces can be worn for some short duration to provide necessary relaxation to neck muscles. Cervical spondylosis is an age related condition and therefore treatments cannot reverse the condition to the original form; treatments can only help you to cope with symptoms and overcome the discomforts.