Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that develops in adults after the age of 25 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 comprehensive treatment.
An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a doctor. An experienced neurologist is involved in the treatment. He commissions additional research 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 treatment regimen, saving the patient from the main manifestations of the disease.
The obvious signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women appear when the disease is already actively developing in the body. The slightest violation of well-being is a reason to visit a doctor. If you start the problem, over time the osteochondrosis will turn into a bulge or hernia, the patient will be on the operating table. The effects of the disease will last a lifetime. At an early stage of the disease, its symptoms can be completely eliminated. It is in your power to improve your health, to ensure an active full future for yourself without injuries, dystrophic tissue changes and constant pain.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a common disease characterized by changes in the structure of cartilage in the intervertebral discs. This disease can affect any joint, but most commonly 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 complete diagnosis.
The cervical spine is considered the most mobile. This area is often the subject of various degenerative lesions, as 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 major effect on tissue structure, which is why osteochondrosis develops differently in women and men.
According to statistics, 60-70% of the adult population of the planet suffers from this disease and in 30% of cases the cause of persistent headaches, migraine is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
To find out 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, as the weaker sex suffers more from the disease.
This is due to the structure of the female body:
- Muscle tissues are not as developed and pumped in women as in men, this is an aggravating circumstance for 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 that of the male; during menopause, dystrophic changes in cartilage thickness become more pronounced.
In adulthood, women gradually deteriorate bone tissue. This is due to the development of osteoporosis. Calcium is washed away from 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 cartilage and bone are destroyed at the same time, the consequences can be dire.
For this reason, women after the age of 40-45 are recommended to take tests annually for the level of calcium in the blood, to check the condition of the bones and cartilage. Certain preventive measures will help to get rid of the symptoms of the disease in time to restore the integrity of the cervical spine.In osteochondrosis the structure of the cartilage tissue changes, it becomes denser and harder. The flexibility and mobility of the vertebrae is lost. If this disease progresses to the intervertebral weight, then the contents of the disc go beyond the annular fibrosis. 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
The signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women differ in 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:
- Discomfort in the neck, especially in the morning;
- Crunching in 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 headaches.
The neck is no longer flexible. In women, forward movement is often observed.
It is increasingly difficult to maintain a posture, sometimes even a slight hump appears during 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 multiple massage courses. This effect has a short-term effect. If you do 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. Limited mobility of the neck due to fatigue, muscle clogging, headache is still not very disturbing. And if they do appear, then stress, bad sleep are called their culprit. A provoking factor for the transition of the disease from latent to acute form may be acute hypothermia, mild injury. 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 severe pain. Do not expect this condition to go away 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 associate with bonfires, osteopaths. There is no such thing as "vertebral reduction" in official medicine. Such potential professionals will only do harm. Due to excessive mechanical stress, cracks in the thickness of cartilage and bone tissue can occur. 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, always carried out sequentially, 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 basic recommendations of your doctor. can be observed simultaneously by a neurologist and a vertebrologist. These highly qualified doctors with higher medical education apply complex methods of treatment.
Acute symptoms
When the disease becomes acute, the symptoms of cervical chondrosis in women change.
At this stage, the overgrown cartilage tissue compresses the nerve endings, squeezing the large arteries that run down the spine to the brain, feeding it. oxygen starvation is manifested by frequent seizures. Possible short-term memory loss, disorientation in space.
Due to pinching of nerve endings, sensitivity in the limbs is lost. The feeling of tingling in the shoulder girdle, tingling in the fingers is very disturbing.
If you are not in a hurry to start treatment at this stage, there is a possibility of developing partial paralysis. The patient ceases to fully feel the upper limbs.
If you consult a doctor at this stage, initially all his efforts will be focused on stabilizing the patient's condition.
After withdrawal from the acute period of the disease, various methods of therapy are prescribed, which include taking drugs undergoing a course of various physiotherapeutic procedures.
Exercises are very effective if the classes are conducted by a certified instructor who has sufficient experience in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal injuries.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is made in a comprehensive manner. When you first see 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 tests. Innovative methods for functional diagnostics are increasingly used in medical practice. These include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. With the help of a special device, the tissues of the spine are examined in real time. The technique allows you to make three-dimensional images in different projections, to study in depth an organ, system or department. the patient is given photos and disks with the examination report. The diagnostician makes a detailed description, but your doctor is responsible for the final decoding.
Based on these studies it is now possible to assess the degree of development of the disease, the affected segments of the intervertebral discs. Follow-up examinations are performed 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 performed on a paid basis, as high-quality high-quality devices cost a lot and are used in private diagnostic centers. Patients have a natural question as to whether it is possible to take a conventional X-ray.
Only a panoramic X-ray can give some 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 reasonable conclusions about the condition of cartilage, 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 performed several times at short intervals, as 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 to get rid of the disease. The sooner the patient sees a doctor, the better the chances of a successful, quick cure.
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 directions of treatment.
Only by adjusting the usual way 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 to prevent the aggravation of this complex disease. If you do sports, eat right, walk a lot in the fresh air, observe all the systems and functions in the body, then the disease will never catch up with you.
If you train in the gym, do it under the supervision of an experienced qualified instructor who will always monitor compliance with the basic exercises.
Yoga and Pilates work well to prevent osteochondrosis.
Signs of osteochondrosis are visible in the early stages of the disease. it is important not to miss them and start treatment in time, then the health of the musculoskeletal system will be ensured.