An Introduction To Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative spine disease in the neck. This disorder occurs due to changes in bones and intervertebral discs in the cervical region. With increasing age you are more prone to suffer from the cervical spondylosis. People above the age group of 40 years have high chances of facing such a disorder. According to the statistics, men face cervical spondylosis at an earlier age as compared to women. Acute cervical spondylosis majorly affects the spinal cord.
Causes of cervical spondylosis:
There are great chances of cervical despondency if you face repetitive trauma in the neck. Trauma may consist of work and routine stress, especially working in the following areas:
* Professional dancers
* Carrying heavy load on head * Professional gymnasts Some of the congenital and other factors for cervical spondylosis identified by researchers are: * Hereditary problem: This problem runs in family. * The risk to develop cervical spondylosis with myelopathy increases when the spinal canal narrows down. In such a case very less space is left to fit into the bone column. * The spinal ligaments and bones tend to become thick with age, which narrows down the spinal canal. * Degenerative disc disease may occur due to smoking. * History of trauma also causes cervical spondylosis. Symptoms of cervical spondylosis:
Pain in the neck is one of the most common symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis. Different types of neck and shoulder pains are: * Stiffness in the neck. With time the stiffness tends to get worse. * Pain that radiates from bottom of the skull to the shoulder and reaches down the arm. This pain gives burning or stabbing sensation. Cervical spondylosis is followed by paresthesias and weak muscle in the neck, hands and arms. In Cervical spondylosis with myelopathy, the legs are affected. It leads to asymmetrical spasticity and problem while walking. You tend to waste muscle in Cervical spondylosis with myelopathy, and also tend to lose your balance. When to consult the professionals:
At times you might take things simple and easy. But when you suffer from any of the following problems, you should immediately rush to the medical professional to seek his/her advice. The cases may include: * Your pain increases with time * Your medicine does not give any relaxation * You tend to develop numbness in your legs and/or arms. Treatment for cervical spondylosis:
To reduce your pain, irritation in the spinal cord and nerves and increase ADL (activities of daily living), multiple treatments are there for cervical spondylosis. Treatment for advanced cervical spondylosis includes: * Medication * Surgery, but only in severe cases * Immobilizing the neck using neck brace * Physical therapy * After the medical result, possible traction and epidurals are given.
Degenerative Spine
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