Narrowing of the cervical spine: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is a narrowing of the cervical spine (cervical spinal stenosis)?

Narrowing of the cervical spine or cervical spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the cervical vertebrae. The human spine consists of a cluster of nerves that extend from the base of the brain to the lower back.

These nerves allow you to move around, control the digestive and urinary systems, etc.

The spine consists of a series of connected bones and shock-absorbing discs. This protects the spinal cord, which is the part of the central nervous system that connects the brain to the body.

In a narrowing of the cervical spine, the vertebrae can pinch nerve roots or damage the spine itself. This can cause disruption of spinal function and develop pain, stiffness, numbness, or weakness in the neck, arms, and legs. This condition can also make it difficult for you to control urination and bowel movements.

For most people, stenosis occurs due to arthritis. The spinal canal may be narrowed. The open space between the vertebrae then starts to get smaller.

There is no cure for cervical spinal stenosis. However, various non-surgical treatments and exercises can keep the pain at bay. Most people with this condition can live a normal life.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a cervical spinal stenosis?

Many people over the age of 50 experience this, but the symptoms do not appear. This condition usually will only cause symptoms if your spine or nerves are pinched. These symptoms will also develop slowly and include:

The neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and feet feel stiff, painful, numb, or weak
Balance and coordination problems, eg giddiness or frequent tripping. If it gets worse, narrowing of the cervical spine can cause paralysis.
Unable to hold or control bowel movements and urination.

If the spinal cord is severely pinched, you can experience constant arm pain, numbness, and weakness. The pressure on the nerves is generally worse when you stick your neck or rest your chin in front of your chest.

Spinal pressure can cause myelopathy. This is the weakness and loss of most of the muscles in the arms, hands, and legs. As a result, you can experience balance and coordination problems, as well as bladder problems.

The symptoms of a narrowing of the cervical spine may be very mild. This is because the spinal cord has the capacity to hold it to some extent. However, sudden and severe forces, such as a car accident or fall, can cause severe cervical spinal stenosis symptoms.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes narrowing of the cervical spine (cervical spinal stenosis)?

Narrowing of the cervical spine can be caused by the aging process and gradual damage to the spine. Quoted from the Michigan Medicine website, the aging process can cause "protrusion of discs", namely the disc between the vertebrae protrudes more than usual.

Aging can also cause damage to the tissue covering cartilage and overgrowth of bone in the joints. This condition can narrow the spinal canal.

Other causes of narrowing of the cervical spine include:

When the pads crack, outside material can seep in and press on your spinal cord.
An injury that occurs during an accident can fracture your spine or become inflamed.
With Paget's disease, your bones grow abnormally large and brittle. The result is narrowing of the cervical spine and nerve problems.

Some people are born with a narrowing of the cervix or other disease that causes it. The condition begins to cause problems between the ages of 30 and 50.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do doctors diagnose cervical spinal stenosis?

The diagnosis is usually confirmed after examining your physical condition and medical history. The doctor will check if neck movements are causing pain, numbness, or weakness. If the doctor suspects narrowing of the cervical spine, the doctor will recommend a neck scan to determine the cause.

Recommended scans include x-rays (X rays), MRI, or CT scans. The doctor will use the results of this test and possibly a blood test to make sure the cause is not another disease, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or vitamin B12 deficiency.

How to treat narrowing of the cervical spine (cervical spinal stenosis)?

The doctor may start non-surgical treatment before deciding to perform surgery. Following are the treatment options:

Non-surgical

In less severe cases, the symptoms can be relieved by giving pain relievers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen. Everything you can buy at the pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.

Other medications including muscle relaxants and anti-seizure medications can treat narrowing of the cervical spine, such as muscle spasms and damaged nerves. You can also do physical exercise to restore strength and flexibility.

Operation

If the symptoms are serious or the narrowing is too severe, your doctor may recommend decompressive (dilation) surgery. This surgery may be done from the front or back of your neck.

This process involves removing the discs (disks), bone, and / or tissue pressing on the nerve roots. Then, the vertebrae are joined to stabilize the spine.

Narrowing of the cervical spine can be a major problem for your nervous system, including problems with bowel and urination (incontinence) or paralysis of the arms, hands, and feet.

Therefore, doctors will not wait until the symptoms get worse and then give you the treatment and treatment you need.