Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that develops in adults after 25 years of age due to structural changes in the cartilage tissue. In the fair sex, the disease most often develops due to the peculiarities of the hormonal background. We all need to know the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women in order to diagnose the disease in a timely manner and immediately begin complex treatment.
An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a doctor. An experienced neurologist is involved in the treatment. Assign additional studies to determine not only the stage of development of the disease, but also the cause of its development. So it is much easier to choose the optimal treatment regimen, saving the patient from the main manifestations of the disease.
Obvious signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women appear when the disease is already actively developing in the body. The slightest disturbance of well-being is a reason to see a doctor. If you run the problem, over time the osteochondrosis will turn into protrusion or hernia, the patient will be on the operating table. The consequences of the disease will remain throughout life. At an early stage of the development of the disease, its symptoms can be completely eliminated. It is in your power to improve your health, ensure an active and complete future without injuries, dystrophic changes in the tissues and constant pain.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a common disease characterized by changes in the structure of the cartilage tissue in the intervertebral discs. This disorder can affect any joint, but most often it affects the spine. There are clear signs of osteochondrosis in women, but the final conclusions about the development of the disease can only be made after a complete diagnosis.
The cervical spine is considered the most mobile. This area is often prone to various dystrophic lesions, because it is the least protected. There are no large muscles to protect and support the spine. The department is made up of seven separate vertebrae. They are based on bone tissue. Between each vertebra there is a soft "layer" - the intervertebral disc, which provides flexibility and mobility of the neck. Hormones play a great effect on the structure of tissues, so osteochondrosis develops differently in women and men.
According to statistics, 60-70% of the mature population of the planet suffers from this disorder and in 30% of cases, the cause of continuous headaches, migraine is precisely osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
To understand when to see a doctor, it is necessary to study the list of symptoms of the disease.
Why osteochondrosis is dangerous for women
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis in women are considered more carefully, because the weaker sex suffers more from the disease.
This is due to the structure of the female body:
- Muscle tissue is not as developed and pumped in women than in men, this is an aggravating circumstance in the development of the disease;
- Women are more likely to work in the office, spending a lot of time sitting in one position in front of the computer;
- The hormonal background of the female body is radically different from the male one; during menopause, dystrophic changes in the thickness of cartilage tissue become more pronounced.
In adulthood, women gradually deteriorate bone tissue. This is due to the development of osteoporosis. Calcium is washed out of the bones and its reserves are not replenished. The female body no longer produces a special hormone that promotes the absorption of the trace element. If both cartilage and bone are destroyed at the same time, the consequences can be dire.
For this reason, women after 40-45 years of age are recommended to take annual tests for the level of calcium in the blood, check the condition of the bones and cartilage. Some preventive measures will help get rid of the manifestations of the disease, restore the integrity of the cervical spine in a timely manner.
With osteochondrosis, the structure of the cartilage tissue changes, becomes denser and more rigid. Flexibility and mobility of the vertebrae are lost. If this disorder passes into the intervertebral weight, the contents of the disc protrude beyond the fibrous annulus. Getting rid of such a complication without surgery is problematic. It is not worth bringing to such a state. try to monitor your health.
The main manifestations of the disease at an early stage
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women differ in the early and late stages of development. At first, the disease is almost not bothersome, but still it is worth paying attention to minor symptoms.
This listing includes:
- Neck discomfort, especially in the morning;
- Crunch during the circular movements of the head, bending to the side;
- Frequent headaches;
- Slight dizziness with a sharp turn of the head to the side.
Due to structural changes in the tissues, the roots of the nerve endings are pinched, causing headaches.
The neck is no longer flexible. In women, it is often observed moving forward.
It is increasingly difficult to maintain posture, sometimes even a slight hump appears in the transition from the neck to the shoulder girdle. All this clearly indicates the development of osteochondrosis.
Instead of making an appointment with a neurologist, women take numerous massage courses. This effect has a short-term effect. If you perform the massage incorrectly, over time it will cause even more damage to the body.
Specificity of the course of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women can be asymptomatic for a long time. The limited mobility of the neck is attributed to fatigue, muscle blockages, headaches are still not very annoying. And if they do occur, stress, bad sleep is called their culprit. A provoking factor for the transition of the disease from a latent to an acute form can be acute hypothermia, minor injuries. Often the disease develops at a reactive rate. Yesterday the woman was still feeling well, but today she cannot take her head off the pillow due to the severe pain. Don't expect this state to disappear on its own. Hurry to see a doctor. Even at this stage, you can completely get rid of the manifestations of osteochondrosis, provoking its factors.
It is strictly forbidden to contact bone setters, osteopaths. There is no such concept as "vertebrae reduction" in mainstream medicine. Such aspiring specialists will only harm. Due to excessive mechanical stress, cracks may appear in the thickness of the cartilage and bone tissue. During the first session with an osteopath, you will really feel better, but all his actions over time will only lead to the fact that osteochondrosis turns into a large hernia.
Traditional treatment consists of several stages, it is always carried out consistently, without pain. Any activity is prohibited during the acute period. To get rid of limited movements, severe pain, you just need to listen to the main recommendations of your doctor. it can be observed simultaneously by a neurologist and a vertebrologist. These highly trained doctors with higher medical education implement complex treatment methods.
Acute symptoms
When the disease becomes acute, the symptoms of cervical chondrosis in women change.
In this phase, the overgrown cartilage tissues press on the nerve endings, squeeze the large arteries that run along the spine to the brain, feeding it. oxygen starvation is manifested by frequent fainting. Possible short-term memory loss, disorientation in space.
Due to pinching of the nerve endings, the sensitivity of the limbs is lost. A feeling of numbness in the shoulder girdle, tingling in the fingers is very alarming.
If you are not in a hurry to start treatment at this stage, there is a possibility that partial paralysis will develop. The patient completely stops feeling the upper limbs.
If you consult a doctor at this stage, initially all your efforts will be directed at stabilizing the patient's condition.
After withdrawal from the acute period of the disease, various methods of therapy are prescribed, which include taking medications, the course of various physiotherapeutic procedures.
Physical therapy is very effective if the classes are led by a certified instructor who has sufficient experience in rehabilitating patients with spinal injuries.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is carried out comprehensively. When you first visit a doctor, describe all bothersome symptoms in detail. The doctor can already draw some conclusions about the development of the disease based on this information. The final diagnosis can only be made after further research. In medical practice, innovative methods of functional diagnostics are increasingly used. These include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. With the help of a special apparatus, the tissues of the spine are examined in real time. The technique allows you to create three-dimensional images in different projections, to study an organ, a system or a department in depth. the patient is provided with images and discs with the exam recording. The diagnostician gives a detailed description, but the doctor is responsible for the final decoding.
On the basis of these examinations it is already possible to judge the degree of development of the disease, the affected segments of the intervertebral discs. Control examinations are carried out every six months to evaluate the dynamics of the treatment.
Sometimes additional biochemical blood tests are prescribed. They help to understand if an inflammatory process is developing in the body.
MRI or X-ray
Some patients complain that MRI or CT is too expensive. In most cases, such an examination is performed on a paid basis, since high-quality, high-power devices cost a lot and are used in private diagnostic centers. In patients, a natural question arises whether it is possible to take a conventional x-ray.
Only a panoramic radiograph can provide certain information on the development of the disease
The cost of this procedure is not much lower than an MRI or CT scan. Bone tissue is clearly visible here, but it is problematic to draw reasoned conclusions about the state of cartilage connective tissue. That is why specialists prescribe more modern diagnostic methods. You shouldn't refuse them, because MRI is also much safer. It can be done several times at short intervals because no dangerous radiation is used in the study.
It is possible to get rid of osteochondrosis forever
Knowing the main symptoms and manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis in women, it will be much easier to get rid of the disease. The sooner the patient goes to the doctor, the greater the chances of a quick and successful recovery.
Complex of anti-inflammatory drugs, decongestants, active use of drugs based on natural collagen, which increases the elasticity of the connective tissue, nutritional correction, moderate physical activity, physical therapy are the main areas of treatment.
Only by correcting the usual way of life, changing the attitude to physical activity, can you achieve positive results.
Prevention
Knowing that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine often develops in women, it is advisable to use preventive measures to prevent the intensification of this complex disease. If you play sports, eat well, walk a lot in the fresh air, check all the systems and functions of the body, the disease will never overtake you.
If you train in the gym, do it under the supervision of a qualified expert instructor who will always make sure that the basic exercises are followed.
Yoga and pilates classes help in the prevention of osteochondrosis.
Signs of osteochondrosis are visible already at the initial stage of the development of the disease. it is important not to lose them and to start treatment in a timely manner, then the health of the musculoskeletal system will be ensured.