Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women, treatment methods

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is common in women over the age of 40;Its development is caused by a combination of many factors (age, lack of exercise, load on the cervical spine).Under their influence, the elasticity and strength of the intervertebral discs is lost (degenerative-dystrophic changes), their elasticity and height decrease.

The symptoms of osteochondrosis can be almost invisible at first (muscle tension, numbness of the skin), then they intensify and the patient develops signs of cerebral circulation disorders (headaches, deterioration in vision, hearing, memory, pressure surges).Such violations are dangerous – they can lead to the development of:

• persistent hypertension (high blood pressure);
• hypertensive crisis (bleeding in brain tissue);
• neurovascular pathology (reduced 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 seek medical help more often during menopause: in 2/3 of patients, almost all chronic diseases worsen at the time of hormonal changes, and cervical osteochondrosis is no exception.

Age-related changes in the tissue of the intervertebral disc are irreversible, so it is impossible to completely eliminate the pathology.The development can be stopped early through special gymnastics and other physiotherapeutic procedures.After the occurrence of intervertebral hernias, surgical restoration of vertebral height is recommended.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics (related to the fragility and small size of the vertebrae of the department), but differs little from the treatment of thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.

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

Symptom overview

Signs of neck damage in women are initially almost invisible, 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, the symptoms in women worsen, including severe pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, shoulder blades and a pronounced crunching sound when turning the head.

In the future, osteochondrosis in women is manifested by limited mobility (turning the head is difficult, this causes pain), weakness of the upper limbs (up to complete immobility), poor vision and other numerous symptoms.

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

1. Painful muscle tension is a reaction to the “sinking” of the intervertebral discs and the displacement of the vertebrae.The body tries to balance, align and keep the spine in the correct position.This leads to overloading of the muscles and, as a result, to their atrophy (weakness).

2. Acute burning or tearing, pressing pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulders and shoulder blades is the result of muscle spasms (tension), compression of blood vessels and nerve endings (e.g. in the occipital area of the head).The pain syndrome is poorly relieved by painkillers, can worsen with prolonged stay in a forced position and radiates to the chest and arms.
3. Cracking, crunching during movements and limited mobility of the spine in the neck area occur against the background of the “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, as well as the shoulder girdle (up to complete immobility) are explained by the involvement in the pathological process of nerve endings that ensure communication between these organs and the spine.
5. Soft 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 provides blood supply to the brain (to the cerebellum and back of the head).
6. The appearance of hiccups and lack of air (it is not possible to completely “inhale”) are caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve.

With advanced cervical osteochondrosis, the following symptoms may occur:

• incorrect position, deviation of the head (torticollis);
• Difficulty swallowing (if the nerves of the pharynx and larynx are involved);
• Sleep disorders, mood swings, depression, panic attacks;
• Weakening of attention, memory;
• rapid heartbeat.

Treatment methods

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

The therapeutic approach is comprehensive:

• With the help of drug therapy, severe manifestations of osteochondrosis (pain, tension) are eliminated.
• Physiotherapy improves the nutrition of the paravertebral tissue and restores mobility of the spine;
• Therapeutic exercises strengthen the muscles, “stretch” the spine and reduce the load on the intervertebral discs (at the stage of stable remission or asymptomatic course).

It is recommended to do gymnastics constantly (for life) in order to 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 using conservative methods;Significant signs of illness (pain, cerebral circulation problems, sensitivity) are alleviated with medication.

group of drugs	What is it prescribed for?
Non-hormonal painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs	Reduce inflammation and pain
Angioprotectors	Improve blood circulation and promote tissue oxygen saturation
Muscle relaxants	Relaxes the muscles of the cervical spine, improves blood circulation
B vitamins	Stimulate the rapid recovery of nervous tissue, enhance the effects of anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, and improve metabolism
Chondroprotectors	Long-term use stops the destruction of cartilage tissue

If there is severe pain in the area of the pinched nerve, a pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory blockade of the paravertebral muscles is carried out.The neck is immobilized with a special orthopedic collar or a shants splint (it reduces the strain on the muscles in the collar area).

Physiotherapy

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

Methods	What functions do they fulfill?
Magnetic field therapy	Stimulates blood circulation, relieves swelling and pain
Ultrasonic	Stimulates local blood circulation and improves tissue healing
Electrophoresis with medication	Provides delivery of the drug through the skin barrier to the source of pain, quickly relieving pronounced and residual signs of cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic massage of the collar area	Relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation and stimulates oxygen saturation of tissues
acupuncture	Stimulates biologically active points on the body and quickly relieves remaining symptoms of illness

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 (paraffin therapy).
4. Balneotherapy (healing baths).

Patients are generally advised against overcooling (especially after physiotherapy).

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis

Physiotherapeutic exercises can stop the progression of osteochondrosis.They are performed to relieve muscle tension, strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the cervical spine, and relieve pressure on the vertebrae.

Basic exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are performed while sitting or standing, gently, without jerking or straining (2-3 minutes daily):

• Tilt your head left and right (toward your shoulder).
• Tilt your head forward (touching your chin to your chest) and then back (touching 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 you were “rolling” your head over your chest).
• Move your head back, twist left and right and back (“roll” along your back from shoulder to shoulder).
• Make a full circle turn with your head from left to right and then right to left.
• Raise and lower your shoulders (at the same time).
• 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 unpleasant signs of cervical osteochondrosis appear in women during exercises (“swimming” in front of the eyes, nausea, dizziness), take a break from exercise.If such 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 need to include foods in your diet - sources of amino acids, vitamins, minerals involved in collagen synthesis, glycosaminoglycans (important for cartilage), improving metabolism and stimulating the rapid recovery of damaged tissues.
• Limit 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	Product list
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, sea fish, nuts, grains, cheese, milk
Vitamin D	Sea fish, sea fish liver, butter, raw egg yolk
Vitamin PP	Vegetables, grains, sea fish, legumes
calcium	Cottage cheese, cheese, milk, fermented milk products
magnesium	Dark chocolate, rice bran, legumes, grains
phosphorus	Sea fish, seafood, legumes, milk, hard cheese
sulfur	Nuts, chicken, hard cheese, legumes
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.