Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women, treatment methods

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women is a common occurrence after the age of 40;its development is caused by a combination of several factors (age, sedentary lifestyle, load on the cervical spine).Under its 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 (headaches, deterioration of vision, hearing, memory, pressure surges).Such violations are dangerous - they can cause the development of:

• persistent hypertension (high blood pressure);
• hypertensive crisis (bleeding in brain tissue);
• neurovascular pathology (decrease in muscle strength until 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 department), 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.

Symptom overview

Signs of neck injuries 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, fatigue in the neck muscles and an increase in headaches.

As the disease progresses in women, symptoms intensify to severe pain in the neck, neck, shoulders, shoulder blades and a pronounced clicking sound when turning the head.

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

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

1. Painful muscle tension is a response to the “sinking” of the intervertebral discs, displacement of the vertebrae.The body tries to compensate, align, keep the spine in the correct position, which is why excessive muscle tension occurs and, subsequently, their atrophy (weakness).

2. Burning or sharp tearing, pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulders, shoulder blades 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 analgesics, can intensify with a long stay in a forced position and radiates to the chest and arms.
3. Cracks, crushing during movements and limited mobility of the spine in the cervical region - occur against the background of “subsidence” 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 and shoulder girdle (up to complete immobility) are explained by the involvement in the pathological process of the nerve endings that provide communication between these organs and the spine.
5. Soft and strong tinnitus, dizziness, nausea (to the point of vomiting), impaired coordination of movements, changes in blood pressure - the result of deformation (narrowing, compression) of the large vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain (to the cerebellum and occipital).
6. The appearance of hiccups and shortness of breath (it is not possible to fully “breathe in”) are caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve.

With advanced cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms may include:

• incorrect position, head deviation (torticollis);
• difficulties swallowing (if the pharyngeal and laryngeal nerves are involved in the process);
• sleep disorder, mood changes, depression, panic attacks;
• weakening of attention, memory;
• accelerated 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 therapy approach is comprehensive:

• with the help of drug therapy, they eliminate severe manifestations of osteochondrosis (pain, tension);
• physiotherapy improves the nutrition of paravertebral tissues, restores spinal mobility;
• 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 do gymnastics constantly (throughout your life), this will help prevent 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 medication.

Group of drugs	What is it prescribed for?
Non-hormonal analgesics, anti-inflammatories	Reduce inflammation and pain
Angioprotectors	Improve blood circulation, promote tissue oxygen saturation
Muscle relaxants	Relaxes the muscles in the cervical region, improves blood circulation
B vitamins	Stimulate the rapid restoration of nervous tissue, enhance the effect of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, improve metabolism
Chondroprotectors	With prolonged use, the destruction of cartilage tissue stops

In case of severe pain in the area of the compressed nerve, an analgesic and anti-inflammatory block is administered to the paravertebral muscles.The neck is immobilized with a special orthopedic collar or Shants splint (reduces the load on the muscles in 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
Drug electrophoresis	Provides drug delivery through the skin barrier to the source of pain, quickly relieves pronounced and residual signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic massage of the collar zone	Relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, stimulates tissue oxygen saturation
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. Balneotherapy (therapeutic baths).

Patients are categorically not recommended excessive cooling (especially after physiotherapy).

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis

Physiotherapy exercises can stop the progress of osteochondrosis.They are made 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, smoothly, without jerks or efforts (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 backward (touch the back of your neck).

• Turn your head to the right (look at your right shoulder) and to the left (look at your left shoulder).
• Lower your head and touch your chin to your chest.Turn it left and right, shoulder to shoulder and back (as if you were “rolling” your head onto your chest).
• Move your head back, turn left and right and back (“roll” along the 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 (at the same time) and lower them.
• Move your shoulders forward and then back.

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

If, while exercising, any unpleasant signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women occur (“floaters” before the eyes, nausea, dizziness), take a break from exercising.If such sensations occur constantly, you should consult a physiotherapist or 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 - food should be complete and varied:

• It is necessary to introduce foods into your diet - sources of amino acids, vitamins, minerals that participate in collagen synthesis, 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 inflamed tissue and increase pain.

What products are recommended for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

Substances required in the composition	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, grains, marine fish, legumes
Calcium	Cottage cheese, cheeses, milk, fermented dairy products
Magnesium	Dark chocolate, rice bran, legumes, cereals
Match	Marine fish, seafood, vegetables, milk, hard cheese
Sulfur	Nuts, chicken, hard cheese, vegetables
Potassium	Nuts, legumes, plums, bananas, garlic

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