Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women, treatment methods.

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

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 provoke 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, therefore 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.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics (related 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.A therapist and a neurologist treat various manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis (sleep, vision, hearing, pressure changes).

Symptom Overview

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, fatigue of the neck muscles and increased headaches.

As the disease progresses in women, symptoms intensify to severe pain in the neck, nape, shoulders, shoulder blades, and a pronounced cracking sound 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 extremities (up to the point of complete immobility), weakened vision and numerous other symptoms.

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

1. Painful muscle tension is a response to the "sinking" of the intervertebral discs, to the displacement of the vertebrae.The body tries to compensate, align, and maintain the spine in the correct position, which results in overtension of the muscles and subsequent atrophy (weakness).

2. Sharp burning or tearing, squeezing 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, going to the occipital region of the head).The pain syndrome is not well relieved by analgesics, can intensify after prolonged stay in a forced position and radiates to the chest and arms.
3. Creaks, creaks during movements and limited mobility of the spine in the cervical region occur against the background of "sinking" of the intervertebral discs and the growth of the bone surface of the vertebral body.
4. Disturbance in skin sensitivity, weakening of the muscles of the upper extremities and fingers and shoulder girdle (up to the point of 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. Mild and loud 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 occiput).
6. The appearance of hiccups and shortness of breath (it is not possible to “inhale” completely) is due to irritation of the phrenic nerve.

With advanced cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms may include:

• incorrect position, deviation of the head (torticollis);
• difficulties 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, 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 therapy approach is comprehensive:

• with the help of drug therapy, they eliminate severe manifestations of osteochondrosis (pain, tension);
• physiotherapy improves nutrition of paravertebral tissues, restores spinal mobility;
• Therapeutic exercises strengthen the muscles, "stretch" the spine and reduce the load on the discs (at the stage of stable remission or asymptomatic course).

It is recommended to perform gymnastics constantly (throughout 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 using conservative methods;Pronounced signs of the disease (pain, cerebral circulation disorders, sensitivity) are relieved by medications.

drug group	What is it prescribed for?
Non-hormonal pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications.	Reduce inflammation and pain.
Angioprotectors	Improve blood circulation, promote oxygen saturation of tissues.
muscle relaxants	Relaxes the muscles of the cervical region, improves blood circulation.
B vitamins	Stimulate the rapid restoration of nervous tissue, improve the effect of anti-inflammatories and analgesics, improve metabolism.
Chondroprotectors	With prolonged use, the destruction of cartilage tissue stops.

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

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic 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 delivery of the drug through the skin barrier to the source of pain, quickly relieves pronounced and residual signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
Therapeutic massage of the neck area.	Relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, stimulates oxygen saturation of tissues.
acupuncture	It stimulates biologically active points in the body and 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. Warming applications (paraffin therapy).
4. Balneotherapy (therapeutic baths).

Patients are categorically not recommended to cool down too much (especially after physiotherapy).

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis.

Physiotherapy exercises can stop the progress of osteochondrosis.They are performed to relieve muscle tension, strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the cervical spine, and relieve tension in the vertebrae.

The basic exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are performed sitting or standing, gently, without jerks and efforts (2-3 minutes every day):

• Tilt your head to the left and right (towards 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 and touch your chin to your chest.Rotate it left and right from shoulder to shoulder and back (as if "turning" your head on your chest).
• Move your head back, turn left, 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 (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 pronounced manifestations of the disease: pain, swelling, inflammation).

If, while performing the exercises, unpleasant signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women occur (“floaters” before the eyes, nausea, dizziness), take a break from the exercises.If these sensations occur constantly, you should consult a physical therapist 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 should 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 pain.

What products are recommended for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

Substances necessary in the composition.	Product List
Natural glycosaminoglycans	Chicken, beef, red fish, hard cheeses, 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 meats, 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, shellfish, legumes, milk, hard cheeses.
sulfur	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 (sweets, sweets, sugar), fatty meats, lard and margarine.