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 weaker sex, the disease develops more frequently 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 start a 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. Thus, it is much easier to choose the ideal therapeutic 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 perform the problem, 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, guarantee yourself a full and active future, 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 cartilaginous tissue of intervertebral discs. This disease 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 comprehensive diagnosis.
The cervical spine is considered the most mobile. This area is often subject to several degenerative 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 to the neck. Hormones have a great effect on tissue structure, so osteochondrosis develops differently in women and men.
According to statistics, 60-70% of the world's mature population suffers from this disease and, in 30% of cases, the cause of constant headaches, migraines, is precisely the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
To know 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 tissue is not as developed and pumped in women as 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 a position at the computer;
- The hormonal origin of the female body is radically different from that of the male; 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 eliminated 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 the cartilage and bone are destroyed at the same time, the consequences can be dire.
For this reason, it is recommended that women from 40-45 years of age have annual tests to check the level of calcium in the blood, check the condition of the bones and cartilage. Certain preventive measures will help to eliminate the manifestations of the disease, to restore the integrity of the cervical spine in a timely manner.
In osteochondrosis, the structure of the cartilage tissue changes, it becomes more dense and rigid. The flexibility and mobility of the vertebrae are lost. If this disease passes to the intervertebral weight, the contents of the disc protrude beyond the fibrous ring. 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 early and late stages of development. At first, the disease hardly disturbs, but it is still worth paying attention to minor symptoms.
This list includes:
- Discomfort in the neck, especially in the morning;
- Crunch during circular movements of the head, curving to the side;
- Frequent headaches;
- Slight dizziness with a sudden turn of the head to the side.
Due to structural changes in the tissues, the nerve roots are pinched, which causes headache.
The neck is no longer flexible. In women, progress is often seen.
It is increasingly difficult to maintain posture, sometimes even a slight bulge appears in the transition from the neck to the shoulder girdle. All of this clearly indicates the development of osteochondrosis.
Instead of making an appointment with a neurologist, women go through various massage courses. This effect has a short-term effect. If you do the massage incorrectly, over time it will cause further damage to the body.
Specificity of the course of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women may be asymptomatic for a long time. The limited mobility of the neck is attributed to fatigue, muscular obstruction, headaches are still not very disturbing. And if they occur, then stress, bad sleep is called the culprit. A provocative factor for the transition of the disease from a latent to an acute form may be acute hypothermia, a mild injury. Often, the disease develops at a reactive rate. Yesterday the woman was still feeling well, but today she can't get her head off the pillow because of the severe pain. Do not wait for this state to pass by itself. Run to see a doctor. Even at this stage, it is possible to completely get rid of the manifestations of osteochondrosis, causing its factors.
It is strictly forbidden to get in touch with bone definers and osteopaths. There is no concept of "reduction of the vertebrae" in official medicine. These aspiring specialists will only do harm. Due to excessive mechanical stress, cracks in the thickness of cartilage and bone tissue can appear. During the first session with an osteopath, you will really feel better, but all your actions over time will only lead to the fact that osteochondrosis turns into a major hernia.
Traditional treatment consists of several stages, it is always performed consistently, without pain. Any activity is prohibited during the acute period. To get rid of limited movement and severe pain, just listen to your doctor's top recommendations. it 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 grown cartilage tissues press on the nerve endings, compressing the large arteries that run along the spine to the brain, feeding it. the lack of oxygen is manifested by frequent fainting. Possible loss of short-term memory, disorientation in space.
Due to the clamping of nerve endings, sensitivity in the limbs is lost. A sensation 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 partial paralysis. The patient stops feeling the upper limbs completely.
If you see a doctor at this stage, at first all of his efforts will be directed towards stabilizing the patient's condition.
After the withdrawal of the acute period of the disease, several methods of therapy are prescribed, which include taking medications, undergoing various physiotherapeutic procedures.
Exercise therapy is highly effective if classes are taught 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 comprehensively. When visiting a doctor for the first time, you describe in detail all the disturbing symptoms. The doctor can already draw certain conclusions about the development of the disease based on this information. The final diagnosis can be made only after further research. In medical practice, innovative methods of functional diagnosis are increasingly used. This includes computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. With the help of a special device, spinal tissues are examined in real time. The technique allows to make three-dimensional images in different projections, to study an organ, system or department in depth. the patient receives photos and records with the exam record. The diagnostician gives a detailed description, but your doctor is responsible for the final decoding.
Based on these tests, it is already possible to judge the degree of development of the disease, the affected segments of the intervertebral discs. Control tests are performed every six months to assess the dynamics of 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 magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography is too expensive. In most cases, this type of exam is paid for, as high-powered, high-quality devices are expensive and used in private diagnostic centers. In patients, a natural question arises whether it is possible to have a regular X-ray.
Only a panoramic radiograph can provide certain information about the development of the disease
The cost of this procedure is not much less than an MRI or CT scan. Bone tissue is clearly visible here, but it is problematic to draw well-founded conclusions about the state of the cartilaginous and connective tissue. That is why experts prescribe more modern diagnostic methods. You should not refuse them, because MRI is also much safer. It can be performed several times at short intervals, because no dangerous radiation is used in the study.
You can 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 the doctor, the greater the chances of a quick and successful cure.
A complex of anti-inflammatories, decongestants, active use of medicines 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 way of life, changing the attitude towards 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 intensification of this complex disease. If you play sports, eat well, walk a lot outdoors, monitor all the systems and functions of the body, then the disease will never hit you.
If you train at the gym, do it under the supervision of an experienced and qualified instructor who will always make sure that the basic exercises are performed correctly.
Yoga and Pilates work well in preventing osteochondrosis.
The signs of osteochondrosis are already visible in the early stage of development of the disease. it is important not to lose them and start treatment in a timely manner, so the health of the musculoskeletal system will be guaranteed.