Can cervical spondylosis cause neck stiffness and vertigo?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 31-year-old female. For the past year, I have been suffering from heaviness of the head and neck stiffness. Even though I am living my normal life, sometimes the heaviness in my head becomes extreme. I feel it is spinning even at the slightest movement of my neck, and it is accompanied by bowel movements.

I feel that I may faint, and the feeling subsides only after passing the stool. It is only normal stool in most cases. Initially, this incident used to happen on a daily basis, especially during office hours. Now, it is happening at the rate of one to two times per week.

I did an MRI of the brain and cervical spine, and also had an echocardiogram. Everything came out to be normal except the detection of mild scoliosis of the neck. In the morning, when I wake up, I do not feel so bad, but as the day progresses, my neck stiffness and heavy-headedness increase.

An orthopedician told me that I am facing cervical vertigo, while the neurologist said it was posture problems, and the GP diagnosed it as a phobic disorder. I want to know the following:

Am I suffering from any gastrointestinal disorder?
Sometimes, I have lower abdomen pain, and it usually goes away in a day or two, but there is no loss of appetite. Can cervical arthritis cause gas problems?
Is it possible for intestinal gas to hit the brain?
In such cases, when the bowel is not passed at the right time, can the patient die?
Do I have cervical spondylosis?

A cracking sound is heard when I move my head too much, and my head spins too. Sometimes, it seems balance is losing ground. Cervical spine MRI shows with convexity to the right a small central posterior disc bulge at C5-C6 indenting the thecal sac. There is no cord compression or central canal stenosis. While at home, I do not feel so bad, but in the confined space of the office, my head starts to spin, the back of my head feels tight, and I feel my motion is restricted. Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

According to the history and information given by you, it does not look like you have a gastrointestinal disorder. But it is better to get an ultrasonography of your abdomen and rule it out. In the cervical spine, you have only a small disc. So, it is just the start of arthritis, and it does not cause gas problems. Intestinal gas does not hit the brain. If the bowel is not passed for so many days, then there is a chance of infection, and the patient can die.

But two to three days do not matter. You have only early cervical spondylosis, and it seems that you have vertigo. So, you need to be treated for vertigo. Also, you will need core, shoulder, and neck strengthening exercises to support your head so that you will not get vertigo due to cervical spine problems. You should just visit a doctor and take tablets for vertigo, and then start physiotherapy initially for a period of three weeks.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Just like your hair grays with age, cervical spondylosis will also increase with age. It is just an aging disease, so do not worry about it. Regular exercise will help to reduce the rate of cervical spondylosis. Now you should consult a neurologist or a general medicine physician and take the tablets prescribed by him or her. Also, consult your gynecologist and inform them about the medicines prescribed. It is not much of an orthopedic problem. Just follow up after consultation with these two doctors. I am sure you will do well.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.