BBC doctor warns 1 million Brits may have spinal condition mistaken for 'old age'

BBC doctor warns 1 million Brits may have spinal condition mistaken for 'old age' A BBC Morning Live doctor just cleared up a massive medical misconception that affects around one million people Brits A BBC expert has urged people not to ignore a series of symptoms that could be mistaken for signs of getting older. He warns that they may point to a spinal condition that can cause damage, and signs may appear in your hands, neck or legs. Cervical myelopathy can affect both men and women, and despite its name, it has nothing to do with the womb. The condition occurs when there is spinal cord compression in your cervical spine or neck. While cervical myelopathy is more common in older people, Dr Tom Naylor has warned that people should not simply put the symptoms down to ageing. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, the expert explained that the name itself can cause confusion, with some people wrongly assuming it affects only women. The name can be misleading "A team in Cambridge estimated it affects one million UK adults", which is around 1 in 25 people over the age of 75, Dr Tom says. He adds: "A lot of people think about cervical being related to the uterus and the womb, but it comes from the Latin for neck. "So that’s where the cervical bit is. Mylo is Greek for spinal cord, and pathy means a disorder. So that’s how we get to that name that people haven’t heard a lot of." What are the symptoms of cervical myelopathy? Dr Tom warned that these are often things that may be missed or are dismissed as part of "getting older". One of the warning signs is a loss of dexterity, such as in the hands, which can make everyday activities increasingly difficult. People may struggle to fasten shirt buttons, tie their shoelaces, turn a key in a lock, or grip objects properly. Other symptoms include: - Pins and needles or tingling in the arms and legs, particularly in the hands and fingertips. This may be especially noticeable when both hands are affected. - Some people may also experience weakness or heaviness in their legs, making walking feel unusual or difficult. Dr Tom says patients say it's as though their legs “don’t seem to do what you want them to do”, while others describe the sensation as walking on cotton wool. - Problems with balance, unexplained falls and neck pain can also be warning signs. - In more serious cases, people may notice changes in their bladder or bowel habits, including accidents where there is no sensation. Although these symptoms can have several different causes, Dr Tom stressed the importance of getting checked rather than assuming they are simply part of growing older. Experts from John Hopkins Medicine also note that some people may experience neck pain, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion. It reassures that while many people experience neck pain, not all neck pain can be traced back to cervical myelopathy. Some patients with this condition don’t have any neck pain at all. Talk to your doctor if you are suffering from persistent neck pain. When should you see a GP? Dr Tom urges people not to brush it off and to seek help if you are worried. He explained: “It is important to get assessed by a GP because there are a variety of symptoms that can be due to a lot of things, but if you’re having new or persistent clumsiness, weakness, loss of balance, falls without causes - it’s useful to keep a diary to build up over time of what’s been going on and then take it to a GP. “But if you have a sudden major weakness and suddenly you can’t walk, you can’t get out of bed - something that changes really quickly, especially that’s affecting your coordination - that’s something that I would suggest you see somebody more urgently, so rather than waiting for a routine GP appointment, seek urgent care through the NHS 111" or similar. For those experiencing persistent symptoms, a GP can carry out a full assessment, including taking a medical history and performing a physical examination. Patients may then be referred to a specialist spinal or orthopaedic team for further investigation. An MRI scan may also be needed to determine whether the spinal cord is being compressed and whether any damage has already occurred. Dr Tom explained: “This is how we pick up on how tight the spinal canal and cord is and whether there has been any damage caused” Can it be treated? The condition can worsen if left untreated, which is why recognising the symptoms early is important. Physiotherapy may help manage certain difficulties, including balance problems, but it cannot relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Dr Tom said: “The early symptoms can be treated early with physiotherapy like the balance issues” However, he explained that the definitive treatment for spinal cord compression is surgery to relieve the pressure, where clinically appropriate. The aim is to prevent further damage. Not everyone with the condition will require an operation, and specialists will assess the severity of symptoms and scan findings before deciding on the most appropriate treatment. The key message is that symptoms such as persistent clumsiness, unexplained falls, weakness, and difficulty walking should never be automatically dismissed as signs of old age. Getting assessed sooner could help identify the condition before lasting damage develops.