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 are reduced.

At first, the symptoms of osteochondrosis may be almost invisible (muscle tension, numbness of the skin), 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 (decreased muscle strength 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.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics (related to the fragility and small size of the vertebrae of the department), but 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 neurologist.

Symptom overview

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, fatigue of the neck muscles 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 crunch 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 (to the point of complete immobility), weakened vision and other numerous symptoms.

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

1. Painful muscle tension is a response to “subsidence” of the intervertebral discs, displacement of the vertebrae.The body tries to compensate, align, maintain the spine in the correct position, because of this, muscle overstrain occurs, and subsequently 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 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 painkillers, can intensify from a long 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 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 the shoulder girdle (to the point of complete immobility) is explained by the involvement in the pathological process of nerve endings that provide communication between these organs and the spinal column.
5. Smooth 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 provides blood delivery to the brain (to the cerebellum and occiput).
6. The appearance of hiccups and lack of air (it is not possible to fully “inhale”) are caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve.

With advanced cervical osteochondrosis, the 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 disorder, mood swings, depression, panic attacks;
• weakening of attention, memory;
• rapid heartbeat.

Treatment methods

The pathology cannot be completely cured, since the changes occurring 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 the paravertebral tissues, restores the mobility of the spine;
• therapeutic exercises strengthen 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 constantly (throughout your 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 with medications.

Group of drugs	What is it prescribed for?
Non-hormonal painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs	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, enhance the effect of anti-inflammatory and painkillers, 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 in the paravertebral muscles.The neck is immobilized using a special orthopedic collar or a Shants splint (it reduces the load on the muscles of 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 collar area	Relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, stimulates oxygen saturation of tissues
Acupuncture	Stimulates biologically active points on 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. Warming applications (paraffin therapy).
4. Balneotherapy (therapeutic baths).

Patients are categorically not recommended to overcool (especially after physiotherapy).

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis

Physical therapy exercises can stop the progress 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, smoothly, without jerking or straining (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 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 chin to your chest.Turn it 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 (“roll” along your 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, while doing the exercises, any unpleasant signs of cervical osteochondrosis occur in women (“floaters” before the eyes, nausea, dizziness), take a break from the exercises.If such sensations occur constantly, 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, observing the basic rule - food should be complete and varied:

• You need to introduce foods into your diet - sources of amino acids, vitamins, minerals that take part 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	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, cereals, cheese, milk
Vitamin D	Sea fish, sea fish liver, butter, raw yolk
Vitamin PP	Vegetables, grains, sea fish, legumes
Calcium	Cottage cheese, cheeses, milk, fermented milk products
Magnesium	Dark chocolate, rice bran, legumes, cereals
Phosphorus	Sea fish, seafood, legumes, milk, hard cheese
Sulfur	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 (confectionery, sweets, sugar), fatty meats, lard, and margarine.