Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women, methods of treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women is a common phenomenon after 40 years.Its development is caused by a combination of several factors (age, sedentary lifestyle, load on the cervical spine).Under their influence, the elasticity and strength of the intervertebral discs are lost (degenerative-dystrophic changes), their elasticity and height decrease.

At first, the symptoms of osteochondrosis can be almost invisible (muscle tension, numbness of the skin), then they intensify and the patient shows signs of cerebral circulation problems (headaches, deterioration of vision, hearing, memory, pressure).Such violations are dangerous - they can cause the development of:

• persistent hypertension (high blood pressure).
• hypertensive crisis (bleeding in the brain tissue).
• neurovascular pathology (reduced 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 are no particular differences 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 at the time of 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.At an early stage, its development can be stopped with special gymnastics and other physiotherapeutic procedures.After the appearance of intervertebral hernias, surgical restoration of the height of the vertebrae is recommended.

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

At the first signs of the disease, consult a spondylologist 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 the initial stage of the pathology is quite difficult to diagnose.The first to appear are tension, neck muscle fatigue and increased headaches.

As the disease progresses in women, the symptoms intensify into severe pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, shoulder blades and severe tingling when turning the head.

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

Listed below are the most common manifestations of pathology, starting with the most common:

1. Painful muscle tension is a response to the "settlement" of the intervertebral discs, displacement of the vertebrae.The body tries to compensate, to align, to keep the spine in the correct position, because of this, overstrain of the muscles occurs and then their atrophy (weakness).

2. Acute burning or tearing, pressing pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulders, shoulder blades is a result of muscle spasm (tension), compression of blood vessels and nerve endings (for example, going to the occipital region of the head).The pain syndrome is poorly relieved by painkillers, can be intensified by a long stay in a forced position, and radiates to the chest and arms.
3. Cracking, tingling during movements and limited mobility of the spine in the cervical region - occur against the background of "settling" of the intervertebral discs and the development of the bony surface of the vertebral body.
4. The reduced sensitivity of the skin, the weakening of the muscles of the upper limbs and fingers and the shoulder girdle (to the point of complete immobility) is explained by the participation in the pathological process of the nerve endings that provide communication between these organs and the spine.
5. Smooth and strong tinnitus, dizziness, nausea (up to vomiting), impaired coordination of movements, changes in blood pressure - a result of deformation (narrowing, compression) of the large vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain (in the cerebellum and occipital).
6. Hiccups and shortness of breath (not being able to fully "inhale") are caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve.

With advanced cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms may include:

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

Treatment methods

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

The treatment approach is comprehensive:

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

It is recommended to do gymnastics constantly (throughout your life), this will help you stop the final deformation of the vertebrae and the development of all kinds of complications.

Pharmacotherapy

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is carried out by conservative methods.severe signs of the disease (pain, disturbances of cerebral circulation, sensitivity) are relieved by drugs.

Drug group	What is it prescribed for?
Non-hormonal painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs	Reduce inflammation and pain
Vasoprotectors	Improve blood circulation, promote tissue saturation with oxygen
Muscle relaxants	It relaxes the muscles of the neck area, improves blood circulation
B vitamins	Stimulates rapid recovery of nerve tissue, enhances the effect of anti-inflammatory and painkillers, improves metabolism
Carboprotectors	With long-term use, the destruction of cartilaginous tissue is stopped

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

Physiotherapy

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

Methods	What functions do they perform?
Magnetic therapy	Stimulates blood circulation, relieves swelling and pain
Ultrasound	Stimulates local blood circulation, improves tissue healing
Electrophoresis with drugs	Provides drug delivery through the skin barrier at the source of pain, quickly relieves severe and residual signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic massage in the collar area	It relaxes the muscles, improves blood circulation, stimulates tissue saturation with oxygen
Acupuncture	Stimulates biologically active points in the body, quickly relieves residual symptoms of the disease

Women with cervical osteochondrosis benefit from:

1. Sanatorium-resort treatment in specialized sanatoriums (up to 2 times a year).
2. Mud therapy.
3. Heating applications (paraffin therapy).
4. Bath therapy (therapeutic baths).

Patients are strongly discouraged from supercooling (especially after physiotherapy).

Exercise for cervical osteochondrosis

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

The basic exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are performed sitting or standing, smoothly, without jerking or straining (2-3 minutes every day):

• Tilt your head left and right (toward your 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 over your right shoulder) and to the left (look over your left shoulder).
• Lower your head down, touch your chin to your chest.Roll it left and right from shoulder to shoulder and back (like "rolling" your head over your chest).
• Move your head back, turn left and right and back ("roll" along your back from shoulder to shoulder).
• Make a complete circular rotation with your head from left to right and then from right to left.
• Raise your shoulders up (at the same time), lower them.
• Move your shoulders forward and then back.

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

If, while doing the exercises, unpleasant signs of cervical osteochondrosis appear in women ("floating" in front of the eyes, nausea, dizziness), take a break from the exercises.If such sensations occur constantly, you should consult a physiotherapist or your doctor.

Nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis

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

• You need to introduce food into 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 pain.

Which products are recommended for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

Necessary substances in the composition	Product list
Natural glycosaminoglycans	Chicken, beef, red fish, hard cheese, avocado, soy, products with gelatin
Vitamin E and A	Eggs, liver, fish, vegetable oils, nuts, seeds
Vitamin C	Citrus fruits, berries, vegetables
B vitamins	Lean meat, seafood, nuts, cereals, cheese, milk
Vitamin D	Sea fish, sea fish liver, butter, raw yolk
Vitamin PP	Vegetables, grains, seafood, 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

To maintain normal weight, it is recommended to limit the consumption of fast carbohydrates (confectioneries, sweets, sugar), fatty meats, lard and margarine.