Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women, treatment methods

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women is a common phenomenon 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 decrease.

At first, the symptoms of osteochondrosis can be almost invisible (muscle tension in the skin, numbness of the skin), then they intensify and the patient develops symptoms of cerebral circulation problems (headache, hearing, memory, pressure, pressure increases).Such violations are dangerous - they can lead to their development:

• persistent hypertension (high blood pressure);
• hypertensive crisis (hemorrhage in brain tissue);
• Neurological pathology (decreased muscle strength to compensate for immobility of the arm).

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men begins and develops according to the same scenario;There are no special differences in the causes, symptoms and treatment of the disease.Some experts note that women are more likely to seek medical help 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, surgical restoration of the height of the vertebra is recommended.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics (related to the roughness and small size of the vertebra of the branch), but it is almost no different from the treatment of thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.

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

Symptom Overview

Symptoms of neck damage in women are almost invisible, so it is very difficult to diagnose the initial stage of the pathology.The first to appear, increased neck muscle tension, fatigue and headache.

As the disease progresses in women, the symptoms intensify, severe pain in the neck, severe pain in the back of the head, a pronounced crisis in the shoulders, shoulder blades and dizziness.

In the future, osteochondrosis in women manifests itself due to immobility (it is difficult to turn the head, it causes pain), weakness of the upper limbs (to the point of complete immobility), impaired vision and many other symptoms.

Listed below are the most common manifestations of the most common pathology:

1. Painful muscle tension is a response to the displacement of intervertebral discs, vertebrae.The body tries to keep the spine in the correct position, align, align, protect, this is the spine excessive amount, muscle overstrain occurs and later atrophy (weakness).

2. Acute burning or tearing, pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulders, shoulder blades are the result of muscle spasm (tension), compression of blood vessels and nerve endings (for example, in the occipital region of the head).The pain syndrome is poorly relieved by painkillers, it requires a long stay in the forced position and light on the chest and arms.
3. During movements in the cervical region and limited mobility of the spine, cracking, cracking occurs against the background of the "descend" of the intervertebral discs and the growth of the bones of the vertebral body.
4. The sensitivity of the skin, the weakening of the muscles of the upper extremities and fingers, and the shoulder girdle (to the point of complete immobility) are explained by the involvement of the nerve endings that provide communication between these organs and the spinal column.
5. Smooth and strong tinnitus, dizziness, nausea (to the point of vomiting), coordination of movements, changes in blood pressure - the result of blood flow (constriction, compression) to the brain (cerebellum and occiput).
6. The appearance of hiccups and lack of air (inhale "it is impossible to inhale") is caused by irritation of the braking nerve.

Symptoms with advanced cervical osteochondrosis 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;
• Weakness of attention, memory;
• rapid heartbeat.

Treatment methods

The pathology cannot be completely cured since 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 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 paravertebral tissues, restores mobility of the back;
• Therapeutic exercises strengthen the muscles, reduce the spine, reduce the load on the discs (in the stage of stable remission or asymptomatic course).

It is recommended to do gymnastics constantly (throughout your life), it will help to stop the final deformation of the vertebra and the development of all kinds of complications.

Drug therapy

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is carried out using conservative methods;Symptoms of the disease (pain, cerebral circulation disorders, sensitivity) are relieved by drugs.

Narcotics	Why is it prescribed?
Non-hormonal pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs	Reduce inflammation and pain
Angioprotectors	Improve blood circulation, promote oxygen saturation of tissues
Muscle streamers	It relaxes the muscles of the cervical region and improves blood circulation
B vitamins	Stimulate rapid regeneration of nerve tissue, increase the effect of anti-inflammatory and pain relievers, improve metabolism
Chondroprotectors	With long-term use, the destruction of cartilage tissue is stopped

In the case of severe pain in the area of the radiating nerve, an analgesic, anti-inflammatory blockade is given to the Panavertebral muscles.The neck is immobilized using a special orthopedic collar or a shunt splint (reduces the load on the muscles of the collar region).

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy treatment gives good results for 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	Provides drug delivery through the skin barrier to the source of pain in the skin barrier, quickly with unusual symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Therapeutic massage of the intimate area	It relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, and stimulates oxygen saturation of tissues
Acupuncture	Stimulates biologically active points in the body, quickly relieves the residual symptoms of the disease

Women with cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Sanatorium-resort treatment in special sanatoriums (up to 2 times a year).
2. Mud therapy.
3. Warming applications (paraffin therapy).
4. Calneotherapy (therapeutic bath).

Patients are strictly not recommended (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.

The main exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are sitting or standing, smooth, 2-3 minutes every day)

• Tilt your head left and right (toward your shoulder).
• Bend 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 over your right shoulder) and to the left (look over your left shoulder).
• Lower your head, tap your chin to his chest.Turn from shoulder to shoulder and from the back to the left and right (as if "rolling your head on the chest).
• Move your head back, turn left and right and back ("Roll" from shoulder to shoulder along the back).
• Make a full turn with your head from left to right, then from right to left.
• Raise your shoulders up (at the same time), lower them.
• Pull your shoulders forward and then back.

Gymnastics is performed during a period of stable remission (in the absence of obvious manifestations of the disease - pain, swelling, inflammation).

When performing the exercises, if any unpleasant symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur in women ("watery" eyes, nausea, dizziness), take a break from the exercises.If such feelings occur constantly, you should consult a physiotherapist or your doctor.

Nutrition for cervical osteochondrosis

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you can follow the general principles of a healthy diet, the main rule - food should be complete and varied:

• You should introduce foods to your diet - Amino acids, sources of vitamins, in the synthesis of collagen, glycosaminoglycans (important for cartilage), improve metabolism and stimulate the rapid recovery 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:

Contains essential ingredients	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, seafood, nuts, cereals, cheese, milk
Vitamin d	Sea fish, sea fish liver, butter, raw yolk
Vitamin pp	Vegetables, grains, sea fish, legumes
Calcium	Curd cheese, cheese, milk, fermented milk products
Magnesium	Dark chocolate, rice bran, legumes, cereals
Phosphorus	Sea fish, seafood, legumes, milk, hard cheese
Sulphur	Nuts, chicken, hard cheese, beans
Potassium	Nuts, legumes, beans, bananas, garlic

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