Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis, sometimes referred to as arthritis of the neck, is a condition characterized by wear and tear affecting the cervical spine (the seven stacked bones in your neck). Let’s explore it in more detail:
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Overview:
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Cervical spondylosis occurs as you age and may involve issues like herniated disks, arthritis, or bone spurs in the neck.
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Healthcare providers sometimes use terms like osteoarthritis of the neck or arthritis of the neck to describe this condition.
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While cervical spondylosis cannot be cured, healthcare providers can help manage it and prevent it from worsening.
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Symptoms:
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Symptoms of cervical spondylosis can include:
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Neck pain
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Stiff neck
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A bump or knot in your neck
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Muscle spasms
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Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when you move your neck
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Dizziness
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Headache
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Causes and Risk Factors:
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The most common cause is age-related changes in the spine.
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Contributing factors include:
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Degenerative disk disease
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Herniated disks
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Osteoarthritis
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Bone spurs
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Spinal stenosis
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Risk factors include:
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Being 60 or older
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Smoking
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Repetitive neck strain
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Family history of cervical spondylosis
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History of neck injury
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Complications:
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Cervical spondylosis increases the risk of:
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Cervical myelopathy: Compression of the spinal cord in the neck.
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Cervical radiculopathy: Pinched nerves in the neck.
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It does not directly affect the brain.
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