Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women, treatment methods

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women is a frequent occurrence after the age of 40;its development is caused by a combination of many factors (age, sedentary lifestyle, strain on the cervical spine).Under their influence, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and firmness (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 shows signs of problems with cerebral circulation (headaches, deterioration of vision, hearing, memory, pressure spikes).Such violations are dangerous - they can cause the development of:

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

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 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.At an early stage, its development can be stopped by special gymnastics and other physiotherapeutic procedures.After the appearance of intervertebral hernias, it is recommended to surgically restore the height of the vertebrae.

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics (related to the fragility and small size of the department's vertebrae), 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, changes in pressure) 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.First, tension, neck muscle fatigue and increased headaches appear.

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

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

Below are the most common manifestations of the pathology, starting with the most common:

1. Painful muscle tension is a response to the "slumping" of the intervertebral discs, the movement of the vertebrae.The body tries to compensate, align, maintain the spine in the correct position, which causes overstrain of the muscles, and then their atrophy (weakness).

2. Acute burning or tearing, squeezing pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulders, shoulder blades is the result of muscle spasms (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, it can intensify from a long stay in a forced position and radiates to the chest and arms.
3. Cracking, creaking during movement and limited mobility of the spine in the cervical region - occur against the background of "slumping" of the intervertebral discs and the growth of the bone surface of the vertebral body.
4. Impairment of skin sensitivity, weakening of the muscles of the upper limbs and fingers, and of the shoulder girdle (up to complete immobility) is explained by the involvement in the pathological process of the nerve endings that provide communication between these organs and the spinal column.
5. Smooth and strong ringing in the ears, dizziness, nausea (up to vomiting), impaired coordination of movements, changes in blood pressure - this is the result of deformation (narrowing, compression) of the large vertebral artery, which provides blood flow to the brain (to the cerebellum and the back of the head).
6. Hiccups and shortness of breath (it is not possible to "breathe in") are caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve.

In advanced cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms may include:

• irregular position, deviation of the head (torticollis);
• difficulty swallowing (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, because 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:

• severe manifestations of osteochondrosis (pain, tension) are solved with the help of drug therapy;
• 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 phase of stable remission or asymptomatic course).

It is recommended to constantly perform gymnastics (all your 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 by conservative methods;pronounced signs of the disease (pain, cerebral circulation disorder, sensitivity) are alleviated by medication.

A group of drugs	What is it prescribed for?
Non-hormonal painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs	Reduce inflammation and pain
Angioprotectors	Improves blood circulation, promotes tissue saturation with oxygen
Muscle relaxants	Relaxes the muscles of the cervical region, improves blood circulation
B vitamins	It stimulates the rapid renewal of nerve tissue, enhances the effect of anti-inflammatory and painkillers, improves metabolism
Chondroprotectors	Long-term use stops the destruction of cartilage tissue

In case of severe pain in the area of the pinched nerve, an analgesic, anti-inflammatory blockade is given in the paravertebral 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 in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

Methods	What functions do they perform?
Magnetotherapy	It stimulates blood circulation, relieves swelling and pain
Ultrasound	Stimulates local blood circulation, improves tissue healing
Electrophoresis with drugs	Enables drug delivery through the skin barrier to the source of pain, quickly alleviates pronounced and residual signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic massage of the neck area	It relaxes the muscles, improves blood circulation, stimulates oxygen saturation of tissues
Acupuncture	Stimulates biologically active points on 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. Warming (paraffin therapy).
4. Balneotherapy (therapeutic baths).

Patients are categorically not recommended to catch a cold (especially after physiotherapy).

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis

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

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

• Tilt your head left and right (towards 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 at your right shoulder) and to the left (look at your left shoulder).
• Lower your head down, touch your chest with your chin.Turn it left and right from shoulder to shoulder and back (as if you are "crossing" your head over your chest).
• Move your head back, turn left-right and back ("roll" on your back from shoulder to shoulder).
• Make a full circular head rotation 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 in the period of stable remission (when there are no pronounced manifestations of the disease - pain, swelling, inflammation).

If any unpleasant signs of cervical osteochondrosis ("floating" in front of the eyes, nausea, dizziness) appear during the exercises in women, take a break from the exercises.If such feelings persist, you should consult a physiotherapist or 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 must introduce foods 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 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 the pain.

Which 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, products with gelatin
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 egg yolk
Vitamin PP	Vegetables, grains, sea fish, legumes
Calcium	Fresh cheese, cheeses, milk, fermented milk products
Magnesium	Dark chocolate, rice bran, legumes, cereals
Phosphorus	Sea fish, seafood, legumes, milk, hard cheese
Sulphur	Nuts, chicken, hard cheese, legumes
Potassium	Nuts, legumes, prunes, bananas, garlic

To maintain a normal weight, it is recommended to limit the consumption of fast carbohydrates (confectionery, sweets, sugar), fatty meat, fat and margarine.