{"id":7311,"date":"2019-07-06T05:57:04","date_gmt":"2019-07-06T05:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=7311"},"modified":"2021-06-15T13:24:15","modified_gmt":"2021-06-15T13:24:15","slug":"14-most-common-signs-and-symptoms-of-cervical-spondylosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-most-common-signs-and-symptoms-of-cervical-spondylosis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cervical spondylosis is the medical term for a health condition which is believed to affect as much as 85% of people who are older than the age of 65, and might even affect many of the younger population who have damaged their vertebrae in accidents or live with connective tissue disorders or conditions which affect the bone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a common condition which happens to many people as they age, and while there are some cases that don\u2019t experience any symptoms at all, most people will experience the condition with associated symptoms such as pain in the neck and changes in the gait. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition can be managed, and usually with medication instead of needing to resort to surgery \u2013 but early diagnosis of the condition as well as proper monitoring of its progression are essential in managing the condition right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 of the most common signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Sometimes Asymptomatic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not all cases of cervical spondylosis will show the same symptoms, and it\u2019s true that a large percentage of cases out there won\u2019t show any associated symptoms of the condition at all. Cases like these that don\u2019t show as many symptoms as other manifestations of the condition have to be watched especially carefully to ensure that the condition doesn\u2019t progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asymptomatic cases of cervical spondylosis<\/a> are often much harder to diagnose, and might only be spotted when going for a doctor\u2019s appointment or scan to see something completely unrelated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why regular doctor\u2019s appointments are vital for the betterment of your health, and why you should see your doctor even when you believe your health is in perfect condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health conditions such as cervical spondylosis are best spotted early on, and will most likely appear during these routine appointments. It can potentially save a lot of time when it comes to starting the right treatment.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Pain in the Neck<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cervical spondylosis is a health condition that will affect the vertebrae <\/a>in the neck, and the degradation that this leads to can cause a lot of associated pain and discomfort. If you have the condition, then one of the first places in which you will experience pain in the neck \u2013 and you might notice that this becomes worse in cold weather, or when you experience flare-ups of other types of joint pain at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience any type of pain in the neck that you aren\u2019t used to, make an appointment with your doctor in order to establish the cause. In cases where it\u2019s being caused by a condition like cervical spondylosis, the condition is usually easy enough to treat without having to resort to surgical measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the majority of diagnosed spondylosis cases related to age, anti-inflammatory medications are enough to treat the symptoms associated with the condition.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Discomfort in the Back<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The discomfort <\/a>felt in the back is a symptom that can be commonly associated with cases of cervical spondylosis, and it\u2019s true that the majority of diagnosed cases will experience this together with neck pain as associated symptoms. You might also experience some of the other symptoms that are described on this list, and you should make an appointment with your doctor the moment you do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any kind of discomfort in the back should be taken as a serious symptom and reported to your doctor; you should also take a look at what could be placing any further strain on your back and try to cut down on anything that could be a risk factor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes any positions which cause repetitive strain, as well as things like sleeping on the wrong type of mattress for your back. Speak to your doctor if you aren\u2019t sure what your risk factors are or what can be done about them.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Numbness in the Extremities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Numbness <\/a>or tingling in the extremities is a common symptom experienced with cases of cervical spondylosis. This happens due to the fact that the vertebrae degrade over time, and this leads to trapped or damaged nerves which can cause numbness and some associated symptoms mentioned in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience neck pain together with numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, it\u2019s likely due to something wrong with nerves \u2013 and it might be causing permanent damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience any tingling or numbness together with symptoms like sleepiness or increased urination, it might be an early warning sign of diabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many other things (including circulation problems and heart-related conditions) which can cause tingling and numbness. To establish which condition is behind your associated symptoms, it\u2019s best to see your doctor first with a comprehensive list of symptoms to make diagnosis of the condition easier for your doctor.  
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Changes in the Gait<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Conditions such as cervical spondylosis don\u2019t just affect the neck but can affect a range of other parts of the body at the same time as the neck as a result. One of the first ways in which someone might notice that they are being affected by the condition is changes in the way they walk or noticing that they are off-balance more than they would normally be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just clumsiness: It\u2019s the body trying to compensate for things when it notices weakness or damage in a muscle <\/a>or joint, and it\u2019s something that you should always pay attention to because of the range of different health conditions that it might indicate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Report to your doctor as soon as you can if you are experiencing any changes in the way you walk, any associated pain or any of the symptoms mentioned on this list. This is usually easy to treat when diagnosed.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Loss of Bladder Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Loss of bladder <\/a>control is a symptom that can be associated with a range of different health conditions from bladder infections through to more serious ones like nerve damage or spinal conditions. If you have cervical spondylosis, then it\u2019s true that a loss of bladder control (either partial or complete) might be one of the symptoms you experience as the condition advances and causes damage to nerves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might be an embarrassing symptom for most, but it\u2019s not something you should avoid mentioning to your doctor because of fear. The cause of this can be cervical spondylosis, and even when it\u2019s not the conditions causing loss of bladder control are mostly easy to treat with medication so that a better quality of life can be regained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also some other more serious health conditions that can cause the same, and it\u2019s vital to see your doctor first to establish the cause.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Increased Risk of Spinal Injury<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have been diagnosed with a condition such as cervical spondylosis, one of the first things that you\u2019ll hear from a doctor is that you are at an increased risk of injuring the neck or spine <\/a>\u2013 and you should take this warning seriously and make adaptations to your life in order to reduce the amount of strain that\u2019s placed on the affected vertebrae. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Placing more pressure on already-affected joints and vertebrae can only make the degradation of joints take place faster, and it can make the condition much worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cut down on your risk factors and reduce pressure placed on the back by doing things like changing your seating to more comfortable ones, traveling with a pillow to sit on and trading your current pillows for more comfortable ones made for memory foam (and perfect for easing pain associated with conditions like this). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your doctor and ask for more ways to make the condition more manageable.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Joint Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Joint pain<\/a> is a symptom that many people with cervical spondylosis will experience, and this isn\u2019t just related to the neck but might occur in many other parts of the body at the same time. If you experience joint pain as a chronic symptom, make an appointment with your doctor and do what you can to reduce associated strain on the joints and muscles at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a lot that can be done to control joint pain and conditions like arthritis, including the introduction of anti-inflammatory medication and some changes to a diet which decreases the number of risk factors present in your life and diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where joint pain goes together with spondylosis-related conditions, careful monitoring and tests such as x-rays might be needed to help control the condition. The direct application of pressure and heat can also bring a lot of relief to the pain and discomfort experienced.  
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>