Cervical Myelopathy: Treatment, Causes and Symptoms
Cervical myelopathy is a disease that results in damage to the spinal cord, accompanied by impaired motor and/or sensory innervation along with pain. Simply put, there is a complication in the supply of organs and tissues with nerves, which guarantees their connection to the central nervous system (innervation). As a consequence, cardiovascular and other pathologies can develop. Myelopathy of the cervical spine often arises from degenerative-dystrophic diseases suffered before, especially osteochondrosis and its complications.
The discs that are located among the vertebrae in different parts of the spine are called fibrocartilage layers. They help maintain flexibility and cushioning.
Because fibrocartilage layers do not have their own blood vessels, they often lack nutrients and thus quickly deteriorate. When oxygen levels in the body or individual organs and tissues are lowered (hypoxia) and metabolism is disturbed, the elasticity of the disc's fibrous ring is lost and the disc begins to gradually dry out. As a result, the disc extends beyond the vertebral bodies and begins to compress the spinal cord. Unnatural slippage of the disc (protrusion) can lead to vertebral instability, which places increased stress on the spinal cord and causes ischemia.
The myelopathy described is dangerous in that it causes the spinal cord segments at the very top to be affected. This can lead to absolute paralysis of the body and cessation of respiratory and/or cardiac function. As a result, death of the body occurs.
Causes of cervical myelopathy
Cervical myelopathy can be found at any age. However, statistically, it most often occurs in the elderly. The fact is that older people have an accelerated degenerative process in the spine (due to natural aging), accompanied by the influence of pathologies corresponding to this process. Myelopathy in adolescence can form due to a variety of viral infections, as well as due to disproportionate formation or disorders of hormonal background. In addition, cervical myelopathy can be caused by:
- Diseases of the central nervous system resulting from infection (tick-borne encephalitis, various forms of syphilis and tuberculosis);
- Damage to the intervertebral joints;
- Displacement of vertebral bodies, their instability;
- Trauma of the thoracic and cervical spine;
- contraction of the spinal canal (congenital anatomical feature or acquired condition due to scarring changes);
- flat feet, excessive weight, and various other pathologies that increase the load on the spine and/or initiate metabolic disorders;
- Posture disorders (e.g., scoliosis);
- Osteochondrosis and its possible complications;
- Large tumor masses pressing on the spinal cord.
Symptoms of myelopathy
Signs of cervical myelopathy are divided into two groups - neurological and inflammatory.
Inflammatory symptoms may include tissue swelling and pain syndrome, as well as minor swelling.
Neurological symptoms may include:
- Dysphagia (seen in severe cases);
- formation of cardiovascular abnormalities;
- reduction of muscle tone of the upper extremities;
- numbness of the upper extremities;
- feeling of shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing due to pain.
In addition, there are general signs of myelopathy, which are nonspecific and may also act as symptoms of some other diseases:
- body pain;
- headaches;
- general weakness, decreased capacity for work;
- mood swings.
If you notice yourself the appearance of any signs of the disease that are listed above, try in the near future to make an appointment with a doctor to record the presence of the disease in time to begin its treatment. Do not rely on folk remedies and advice from others. Only a specialist will be able to conduct a complete examination of your body and prescribe the treatment appropriate to your diagnosis. How soon you will be able to feel relief from your pain or get rid of it completely depends on how soon you see a specialist and how soon you start treatment of your spine. You will have a better chance of a full recovery from the disease if you seek treatment soon after you notice the first signs of illness.
Treatment
In order to treat cervical myelopathy, you should seek help from a neurologist. This doctor will be able to look at all of your symptoms and prescribe the necessary tests and further treatment.
There are different medical treatments that can be used to treat cervical myelopathy. These may include medications (such as painkillers), relaxation treatments. Various types of physical therapy are also actively used. Closer to the end of treatment, the patient may be prescribed therapeutic exercise. Exercises and an exercise plan are prescribed according to the patient's physical fitness and in accordance with his diagnosis. Throughout treatment, the doctor treating the patient with cervical myelopathy conducts periodic examinations and, if necessary, changes, adds or cancels some treatments.
The result of treatment depends on the doctor's qualifications and on how responsibly the patient himself has treated. Compliance with all recommendations of a specialist helps to get rid of myelopathy in a short time and avoid relapse of the disease in the future. It will also help avoid complications of myelopathy, which may include disability and death.
Treat your health responsibly and seek help from specialists in a timely manner.
Author Roger Walker
Author Roger Walker
Advertise on APSense
This advertising space is available.
Post Your Ad Here
Post Your Ad Here
Comments