Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women, treatment methods

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women is a common occurrence after 40 years;its development is caused by a combination of many 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, skin numbness), then they intensify and the patient develops signs of cerebral circulation problems (headache, deterioration of vision, hearing, memory, increased pressure).Such violations are dangerous - they can cause the development of:

• persistent hypertension (high blood pressure);
• hypertensive crisis (bleeding in brain tissue);
• neurovascular pathology (decreased muscle strength up 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 more often seek medical help 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 (in relation to the fragility and small size of the vertebrae of the department), but it almost does not differ from the treatment of thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.

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

Overview of symptoms

Signs of neck damage 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 to severe pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, shoulder blades and a pronounced crackling when turning the head.

In the future, osteochondrosis in women manifests itself as 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.

The most common manifestations of the pathology are listed below, starting from the most common:

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

2. Acute burning or tearing, squeezing pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulders, shoulder blade is the 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 sedatives, can be intensified by a long stay in a forced position and radiates to the chest and arms.
3. Cracking, cracking during movements and limited mobility of the spine in the cervical region - occur against the background of "lowering" of the intervertebral discs and an increase in the bone surface of the vertebral body.
4. Impaired sensitivity of the skin, weakening of the muscles of the upper limbs and fingers and shoulder girdle (up to complete immobility) is explained by the involvement in the pathological process of the nerve endings that ensure 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 - the result of deformation (narrowing, compression) of the large vertebral artery, which ensures the distribution of blood to the brain (cerebellum and occiput).
6. The appearance of hiccups and lack of air (it is not possible to "suck" completely) are caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve.

With advanced cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms may include:

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

Treatment methods

The pathology cannot be completely cured, as 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 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 paravertebral tissues, restores the mobility of the spine;
• therapeutic exercises strengthen the muscles, "stretch" the spine, reducing the load on the discs (in the stage of stable remission or asymptomatic course).

It is recommended to perform gymnastics continuously (throughout life), this will help to 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 using conservative methods;Pronounced signs of the disease (pain, cerebral circulation disorders, sensitivity) are alleviated with medications.

Drug group	What is it prescribed for?
Non-hormonal painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs	Reduce inflammation and pain
Angioprotectors	Improving blood circulation, promoting tissue saturation with oxygen
Muscle relaxants	Relaxes the muscles of the cervical region, improves blood circulation
B vitamins	Stimulate the rapid restoration of nerve tissue, improve the effect of anti-inflammatories and pain relievers, improve metabolism
Chondroprotectors	With long-term use, the destruction of cartilage tissue is stopped

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

Physiotherapy

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

methods	What functions do they perform?
Magnetotherapy	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 to the source of pain, quickly relieves the pronounced and residual signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic massage of the collar area	Relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, stimulates tissue saturation with oxygen
Acupuncture	Stimulates biologically active points in the body, quickly relieves the remaining 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. Heat applications (paraffinotherapy).
4. Balneotherapy (therapeutic baths).

Excessive cooling is categorically not recommended for patients (especially after physiotherapy).

Gymnastics 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.

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

• Tilt your head to the left and right (in the direction of the shoulder).
• Turn 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, touch your chin to your chest.Turn left and right from shoulder to shoulder and back (as if "rolling" your head over your chest).
• Move your head back, turn left and right and back ("rotate" along the back from shoulder to shoulder).
• Make a full 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 down.
• Move your shoulders forward and then back.

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

If during exercise, women experience any unpleasant signs of cervical osteochondrosis ("floaters" before the eyes, nausea, dizziness), take a break from exercise.If such sensations appear repeatedly, 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, respecting the basic rule - food should be complete and varied:

• You should 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 restoration 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.

What products are recommended for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

Necessary substances in the composition	List of products
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, seafood, 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
magnesia	Dark chocolate, rice bran, legumes, whole grains
Phosphorus	Seafood, seafood, legumes, milk, hard cheese
Sulphur	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 (sweets, sweets, sugar), fatty meat, lard and margarine.