Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that develops in adults after 25 years of age due to structural changes in cartilage tissue. In the fairer sex, the disease develops more often 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. He assigns additional studies to determine not only the stage of development of the disease, but also the cause of its development. Then it is much easier to choose the optimal therapy 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 in well-being is a reason to see a doctor. If you run the problem, then over time, osteochondrosis will turn into protrusion or hernia, the patient will be on the operating table. The consequences of the disease will remain for 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, to ensure an active full-fledged future for yourself without injuries, dystrophic changes in 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 ailment can affect any joints, but most often it affects the spine. There are clear signs of osteochondrosis in women, but final conclusions about the development of the disease can be made only after a comprehensive 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 consists 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 big effect on the structure of tissues, therefore, osteochondrosis develops in different ways in women and men.
According to statistics, 60-70% of the mature population of the planet suffers from this ailment, and in 30% of cases, the cause of constant headaches and migraines is precisely osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
To understand when to see a doctor, you need 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 tissues are not so developed and pumped out 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 at the computer;
- The hormonal background of the female body is radically different from that of the male; during menopause, dystrophic changes in the thickness of the cartilaginous 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 tests annually for the level of calcium in the blood, check the condition of bones and cartilage. Certain preventive measures will help get rid of the manifestations of the disease, in a timely manner to restore the integrity of the cervical spine.
With osteochondrosis, the structure of the cartilaginous tissue changes, it becomes denser and more rigid. The flexibility and mobility of the vertebrae is lost. If this ailment passes into the intervertebral weight, then the contents of the disc protrude beyond the annulus fibrosus. To get 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 at the initial and late stages of development. At first, the disease is almost not annoying, but it is still worth paying attention to minor symptoms.
This list includes:
- Neck discomfort, especially in the morning;
- Crunch during 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 nerve roots are pinched, which provokes a headache.
The neck is no longer flexible. In women, its forward movement is often observed.
It is more and more difficult to maintain posture, sometimes even a slight hump appears at 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 go through numerous massage courses. This effect has a short-term effect. If you do the massage incorrectly, then over time it will cause even more harm 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 clogging, headaches are not yet very disturbing. And if they do occur, then 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 a sharp hypothermia, minor injury. Often, the disease develops at a reactive speed. Yesterday the woman still felt well, but today she cannot take her head off the pillow because of severe pain. Do not expect that this state will pass by itself. 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 "reduction of the vertebrae" in official medicine. Such would-be 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 movement, severe pain, you just need to listen to the main recommendations of your doctor. can be observed simultaneously by a neurologist and a vertebrologist. These highly qualified doctors with higher medical education implement complex treatment methods.
Acute symptoms
When the disease becomes acute, the symptoms of cervical chondrosis in women change.
At this stage, 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 nerve endings, sensitivity in the limbs is lost. A feeling of numbness in the shoulder girdle, tingling in the fingers is very alarming.
If you do not rush to start treatment at this stage, there is a possibility of developing partial paralysis. The patient ceases to feel the upper limbs altogether.
If you consult a doctor at this stage, then at first all his efforts will be aimed 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, undergoing a course of various physiotherapeutic procedures.
Exercise therapy is highly effective if classes are conducted by a certified instructor who has sufficient experience in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal injuries.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is carried out in a comprehensive manner. When you first visit a doctor, you describe in detail all the disturbing symptoms. The doctor, already on the basis of this information, can draw certain conclusions about the development of the disease. The final diagnosis can be made only after additional research. In medical practice, innovative methods of functional diagnostics are increasingly being 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 make three-dimensional images in different projections, study an organ, system or department thoroughly. the patient is given pictures and discs with the examination record. The diagnostician makes a detailed description, but your doctor is responsible for the final decoding.
Based on 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 assess the dynamics of treatment.
Sometimes, additional biochemical blood tests are prescribed. They help to understand whether an inflammatory process is developing in the body.
MRI or X-ray
Some patients complain that MRI or CT are too expensive. In most cases, such an examination is carried out on a paid basis, because high-power high-quality 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 X-ray can give certain information about 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 regarding the state of the cartilaginous and connective tissue. That is why specialists prescribe more modern diagnostic methods. You should not refuse them, because magnetic resonance imaging is also much safer. It can be done several times at short intervals because no hazardous radiation is used in the study.
Is it possible to get rid of osteochondrosis forever
Knowing the main symptoms and manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis in women, it will be much easier for you to get rid of the disease. The sooner the patient turns to the doctor, the more chances for successful, quick healing.
A complex of anti-inflammatory, decongestant drugs, active use of drugs based on natural collagen, which increases the elasticity of connective tissue, nutritional correction, moderate physical activity, exercise therapy are the main areas of treatment.
Only by correcting the usual mode of life, changing the attitude to physical activity, you can achieve positive results.
Prevention
Knowing that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine often develops in women, it is advisable to use preventive measures in order to prevent the intensification of this complex disease. If you go in for sports, eat right, walk a lot in the fresh air, monitor all systems and functions in the body, then the disease will never overtake you.
If you train in the gym, do it under the supervision of an experienced, qualified 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 miss them and start treatment in a timely manner, then the health of the musculoskeletal system will be ensured.