Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women, treatment methods

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women is common after 40 years of age;its development is caused by the combined effect of many factors (age, sedentary lifestyle, stress on the cervical spine).Due to their influence, the flexibility and strength of the intervertebral discs are lost (degenerative-dystrophic changes), their flexibility and height decrease.

At first, the symptoms of osteochondrosis can be almost invisible (muscle tension, skin numbness), then they intensify, and the patient shows signs of cerebral circulation disorders (headache, vision, hearing, memory impairment, pressure surges).Such violations are dangerous - they can cause the following to develop:

• persistent hypertension (high blood pressure);
• hypertensive crisis (bleeding in the brain tissue);
• neurovascular pathology (decrease in muscle strength to complete immobility of the arm).

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men begins and develops according to the same scenario;there is no particular difference in the causes, symptoms and treatment of the disease.Some experts note that women seek medical help more often during menopause: in 2/3 of patients, almost all chronic pathologies worsen during hormonal changes, and cervical osteochondrosis is no exception.

Age-related changes in the tissues of the intervertebral disc are irreversible, so it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology.Its development can be stopped at an early stage with special gymnastics and other physiotherapy procedures.After the appearance of intervertebral hernias, surgical restoration of the height of the vertebra is recommended.

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis has its own peculiarities (related to the fragility and small size of the vertebrae of the class), but it is almost no different from the treatment of thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.

At the first signs of the disease, consult a vertebrologist or orthopedist.Various manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis (sleep, vision, hearing, pressure changes) are treated by a therapist and a neurologist.

Overview of symptoms

Signs of damage to the neck in women are almost invisible at first, so it is quite difficult to diagnose the initial stage of the pathology.The first to appear is tension, fatigue of the neck muscles and an increased headache.

In women, as the disease progresses, the symptoms intensify and cause severe pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, shoulder blades, and severe cracking when turning the head.

In the future, osteochondrosis in women manifests itself in the form of impaired mobility (it is difficult to turn the head, this causes pain), weakness of the upper limbs (up to complete immobility), impaired vision and many other symptoms.

Below is a list of the most common manifestations of the pathology, starting with the most common:

1. The painful muscle tension is a response to the "sinking" of the intervertebral discs, the displacement of the vertebrae.The body tries to compensate, adjust and keep the spine in the right position, which causes muscle overload and then their atrophy (weakness).

2. Acute burning or tearing pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulders, and shoulder blades is the result of muscle spasm (tension), compression of blood vessels and nerve endings (for example, the occipital region of the head).The pain syndrome can be poorly alleviated with painkillers, it can be aggravated by staying in a forced position for a long time, and it radiates to the chest and arms.
3. Cracking, crunching during movement and limited mobility of the spine in the cervical region - occur against the background of the "sinking" of the intervertebral discs and the growth of the bony surface of the vertebral body.
4. Impaired sensitivity of the skin, weakening of the muscles of the upper limbs and fingers, as well as the shoulder girdle (up to complete immobility) can be explained by the involvement of the nerve endings that provide communication between these organs and the spinal column in the pathological process.
5. Smooth and strong tinnitus, dizziness, nausea (up to vomiting), movement coordination disorder, blood pressure changes - the result of deformation (narrowing, compression) of the large vertebral artery, which provides blood supply to the brain (cerebellum and occiput).
6. The appearance of hiccups and the lack of air (it is not possible to fully "inhale") are caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve.

In advanced cervical osteochondrosis, the symptoms may be as follows:

• incorrect position, deviation of the head (torticollis);
• swallowing difficulties (if the nerves of the pharynx and larynx are involved in the process);
• sleep disorder, mood swings, depression, panic attacks;
• weakening of attention, memory;
• rapid heartbeat.

Treatment methods

The pathology cannot be completely cured, as the changes occurring in the intervertebral discs are irreversible.The treatment algorithm for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women is the same as in men.

The approach to therapy is comprehensive:

• with the help of drug therapy, they get rid of severe manifestations of osteochondrosis (pain, tension);
• physiotherapy improves the nutrition of the paravertebral tissues, restores the mobility of the spine;
• the therapeutic exercises strengthen the muscles, "stretch" the spine, reducing the load on the discs (in the stage of stable remission or asymptomatic course).

We recommend that you do gymnastics continuously (throughout your life), this will help stop the final deformation of the vertebrae and the development of all kinds of complications.

Drug therapy

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is carried out by conservative methods;pronounced signs of the disease (pain, cerebral circulation disorders, sensitivity) are alleviated with medicines.

A group of drugs	What is it prescribed for?
They are non-hormonal pain relievers and anti-inflammatories	Reduce inflammation and pain
Angioprotectors	Improves blood circulation, promotes oxygen saturation of tissues
Muscle relaxants	It relaxes the muscles of the neck region and improves blood circulation
B vitamins	Stimulates rapid recovery of nerve tissue, enhances the effect of anti-inflammatory and pain relievers, improves metabolism
Chondroprotectors	With long-term use, the destruction of cartilage tissue stops

In case of severe pain, an analgesic and anti-inflammatory blockade is administered in the area of the pinched nerve in the paravertebral muscles.The neck is fixed with a special orthopedic collar or Shants splint (reduces the load on the muscles of the collar area).

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy treatment gives good results in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

Methods	What functions do they perform?
Magnetotherapy	It stimulates blood circulation, relieves swelling and pain
Ultrasound	It stimulates local blood circulation and improves tissue healing
Electrophoresis with drugs	Ensures the delivery of the drug through the skin barrier to the source of pain, quickly alleviates the pronounced and residual signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic massage of the collar area	It relaxes the muscles, improves blood circulation, and stimulates tissue oxygenation
Acupuncture	It stimulates the body's biologically active points and quickly alleviates the residual symptoms of the disease

The benefit for women with cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Sanatorium holiday treatment in special sanatoriums (maximum 2 times per year).
2. Mud therapy.
3. Warming applications (paraffin therapy).
4. Balneotherapy (therapeutic baths).

It is categorically not recommended to overcool patients (especially after physiotherapy).

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis

Physiotherapy exercises can stop the progression of osteochondrosis.They are used to relieve muscle tension, strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the cervical spine, and relieve stress on the vertebrae.

Basic exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, sitting or standing, smoothly, without pulling or straining (2-3 minutes every day):

• Tilt your head to the left and right (toward the shoulder).
• Tilt your head forward (touch your chin to your chest) and then back (touch the back of your head).

• Turn your head to the right (look at your right shoulder) and to the left (look at your left shoulder).
• Lower your head, touch your chin to your chest.Turn right and left from shoulder to shoulder and back (as if rolling your head on your chest).
• Move your head back, turn left-right and back ("roll" on your back from shoulder to shoulder).
• Make a full circular rotation with your head from left to right, then from right to left.
• Raise your shoulders (at the same time), lower them.
• Move your shoulders forward and then back.

Gymnastics is performed during the period of stable remission (when there are no pronounced manifestations of the disease - pain, swelling, inflammation).

If during the exercises any unpleasant symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear in women (floating before the eyes, nausea, dizziness), take a break from the exercises.If such feelings persist, consult a physiotherapist or your doctor.

Nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you can follow the general principles of a healthy diet, observing the basic rule - the food should be complete and varied:

• You need to include foods in your diet - sources of amino acids, vitamins, minerals that participate in the synthesis of collagen, glycosaminoglycans (important for cartilage), improve metabolism and stimulate the rapid recovery of damaged tissues.
• Limit the consumption of alcohol, strong tea and coffee, salty, smoked and fried foods.These products irritate the inflamed tissue and increase the pain.

What products are recommended for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

Necessary materials in the preparation	Product list
Natural glycosaminoglycans	Chicken, beef, red fish, hard cheese, avocado, soy, gelatin products
Vitamin E and A	Eggs, liver, fish, vegetable oil, nuts, seeds
Vitamin C	Citrus fruits, berries, vegetables
B vitamins	Lean meat, sea fish, nuts, cereals, cheese, milk
Vitamin D	Sea fish, sea fish liver, butter, raw yolk
Vitamin PP	Vegetables, cereals, sea fish, legumes
calcium	Cottage cheese, cheeses, milk, fermented milk products
Magnesium	Dark chocolate, rice bran, legumes, cereals
Phosphorus	Sea fish, seafood, legumes, milk, hard cheese
Sulfur	Nuts, chicken, hard cheese, legumes
Potassium	Nuts, legumes, prunes, bananas, garlic

In order to maintain a normal body weight, it is recommended to limit the consumption of fast carbohydrates (pastry, sweets, sugar), fatty meats, lard, and margarine.