Cervical Spondylosis
This is a degenerative condition of the cervical spine found almost universally in persons over 50 years of age. It occurs early in persons pursuing white collar jobs or those susceptible to neck strain because of keeping the neck constantly in one position while reading, writing etc.
Causes
As people age, the structures that make up the backbone and neck gradually develop wear and tear. These changes can include:
Dehydrated disks: Disks act like cushions between the vertebrae of the spine. By the age of 40, most people's spinal disks begin drying out and shrinking. As the disks become smaller, there is more bone-to-bone contact between the vertebrae.
Herniated disks: Cracks also appear on the exterior of the spinal disks. The soft interior of a disk can squeeze through these cracks. Sometimes, it presses on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Bone spurs: As the disks break down, the body may produce extra amounts of bone in misguided effort to strengthen the spine. These bone spurs can sometimes pinch the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Stiff ligaments: Ligaments are cord of tissues that connect bone to bone. Spinal ligaments can stiffen with age, making the neck less flexible.
Risk Factors:
Risk factors for cervical spondylosis include:
Age: Cervical spondylosis occurs commonly as part of aging.
Occupation: Jobs that involve repetitive neck motions, awkward positioning or a lot of overhead work put extra stress on the neck.
Neck injuries: Previous neck injuries appear to increase the risk of cervical spondylosis.
Genetic Factors: Some individuals in certain families will experience more of these changes over time.
Smoking: Smoking has been linked to icrease neck pain.
Symptoms
Complaints are often vague. Following are the common symptoms:
Pain and stiffness: This is the commonest presenting syptmom, initialy intermittent but later persistent. Occipital headache may occur if the upper-half of the cervical spine is affected.
Radiating pain: Patient may present with pain radiating to the shoulder or downwards on the outer aspect of the forearm and hand. There may be paraesthesia in the region of a nerve root, commonly over the base of the thumb (along the C nerve root). Muscle weakness is uncommon.
Giddiness: Patient may present with an episode of giddiness because of vertebro-basilar syndrome.
Complications:
If cervical spondylosis severely compresses your spinal cord or nerve roots, the damage can be permanent.
Treatments
Homoeopathic medicine: it helps in reducing the inflammation caused pain, swelling, stiffness and restriction in range of motion. Homeopathic medicine strengthens the bones, joints, muscle and nerves and helps in speedy recovery. It also helps in preventing further progress of disease.
Exercise: Neck muscle exercises helps in improving the neck posture.
Proper neck posture: patient must avoid situations where he has to keep neck in one position for a long period of time. Only a thin pillow should be used at night.
