The human body is like a very finely tuned machine, where all body parts are finely interconnected. Any malfunction, either due to external or internal factors, and the body suffers. This is what we call the 'diseased' or 'afflicted' state.

One of the things about machinery is that constant use will result in wear and tear of the parts of the machine. This is true about the human body to. As we grow older, through constant use over the years, different parts of the body show physical signs of wear and tear.

Most of this wear and tear manifests itself in the form of aches and pains. One such manifestation is cervical spondylitis.

What is Cervical Spondylitis?

Let us start with defining spondylitis. The word 'spondylitis' originates from the Greek word 'Spondylo', meaning vertebra. Spondylitis occurs as a result of changes in the joints of the vertebral column, mostly due to wear of the discs in between the different vertebrae, which in turn results in changes in the bones and tissues of the vertebral column.

The cervix or the cervical column, near the neck, is the beginning of the spinal cord. Degeneration and wear and tear of the discs in the cervical spine causes cervical spondylitis. Cervical spondylitis is a degenerative disease that progresses with advancement in age.

Earlier on, cervical spondylitis was seen usually in people around 50 to 55 years of age. However, of late, there have been numerous cases where the patient age has been lower than 55 years, in some instances even 35 years.

Nowadays a large number of young executives are seen to be having this condition.

Risk of cervical spondylitis increases with age

As a person grows older, the chances of having cervical spondylitis increases. It goes up to 100% for a 70 year old man, and 96% in the case of a 70-year old woman.

In America, the number of people suffering from cervical spondylitis is 1 in 2000. Also, men are more susceptible to cervical spondylitis than women.

What Actually Happens

Usually in older people, the discs between the vertebrae (intervertebral discs) get dehydrated. As a result, they lose their elasticity and become more compressible. Mineral deposits, usually calcium, start accumulating at these discs, thereby causing stiffness.

The next question is - what causes the loss of elasticity and the resultant compression? While there has been no definite reason found for cervical spondylitis, there are many factors that can influence the occurrence. These factors individually or in combinations can cause cervical spondylitis to occur.

Causes of Cervical Spondylitis >>