Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that develops in adults after the age of 25 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.
Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. 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. Then it is much easier to choose the optimal therapy 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 alteration of well-being is reason to go to the doctor. If you run the problem, then over time, the osteochondrosis will turn into a bulge or a hernia, the patient will be on the operating table. The consequences of the disease will remain for life. At an early stage in the development of the disease, its symptoms can be completely eliminated. It is in your power to improve your health, ensure that you have a full and active future without injury, dystrophic tissue changes, 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 joint, but most often affects the spine. There are clear signs of osteochondrosis in women, but final conclusions about the development of the disease can only be drawn after a comprehensive diagnosis.
The cervical spine is considered the most mobile. This area is usually prone to various dystrophic injuries, 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 is a soft "layer" - the intervertebral disc, which provides flexibility and mobility to the neck. Hormones have a great effect on the structure of tissues, therefore, osteochondrosis develops differently in women and men.
According to statistics, 60-70% of the adult 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 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 with more attention, because the weaker sex suffers more from the disease.
This is due to the structure of the female body:
- The muscular tissues are 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 a 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 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 removed from the bones and its stores 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 are recommended to undergo annual tests to determine the level of calcium in the blood, monitor the condition of bones and cartilage. Certain preventive measures will help to 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 cartilage tissue changes, it becomes denser and more rigid. The flexibility and mobility of the vertebrae is lost. If this ailment passes to the intervertebral weight, then the contents of the disc protrude beyond the fibrous ring. Getting rid of such a complication without surgery is troublesome. It is not worth taking it 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 is almost not bothersome, but still it is worth paying attention to minor symptoms.
This list includes:
- Neck discomfort, especially in the morning;
- Crunch during circular movements of the head, leaning to one side;
- Frequent headaches;
- Slight dizziness with a sharp turn of the head to one side.
Due to structural changes in tissues, nerve roots are pinched, causing headache.
The neck is no longer flexible. In women, it is often seen to progress.
It is increasingly difficult to maintain the posture, sometimes a small 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 massage incorrectly, it will cause even more damage to the body over time.
Specificity of the course of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women can be asymptomatic for a long time. Limited neck mobility is attributed to fatigue, muscle obstruction, headaches are not very bothersome yet. And if they do occur, then stress, bad sleep is considered your culprit. A provoking factor for the transition of the disease from a latent to an acute form can be acute hypothermia, a minor injury. Often the disease develops at a reactive rate. Yesterday the woman still felt fine, but today she cannot remove her head from the pillow due to severe pain. Don't expect this state to pass alone. 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 osteopathy, osteopaths. There is no concept of "reduction of the vertebrae" in official medicine. These would-be specialists will only do harm. Due to excessive mechanical stress, cracks may appear in the thickness of cartilage and bone tissue. 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 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. 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.
In this stage, the overgrown cartilage tissues press on nerve endings, squeeze the large arteries that run along the spine to the brain, and feed it. Lack of oxygen is manifested by frequent fainting spells. Possible short-term memory loss, disorientation in space.
Due to pinching of the nerve endings, sensation is lost in the extremities. 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 stops feeling the upper extremities completely.
If you see a doctor at this stage, all your efforts at first will be aimed at stabilizing the patient's condition.
After retiring from the acute period of the disease, various methods of therapy are prescribed, including taking drugs and undergoing a course of various physiotherapeutic procedures.
Exercise therapy is very effective if the 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 you visit a doctor for the first time, describe in detail all the disturbing symptoms. The doctor can already draw certain conclusions about the development of the disease on the basis of this information. The final diagnosis can only be made after further investigation. In medical practice, innovative methods of functional diagnostics are increasingly used. These include CT and MRI scans. 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 receives images and discs with the examination record. The diagnostician gives 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 the treatment.
Sometimes additional biochemical blood tests are prescribed. They help to understand if an inflammatory process develops in the body.
MRI or X-ray
Some patients complain that MRI or CT scans are too expensive. In most cases, such an examination is performed for a fee, because high-quality, high-power devices cost a lot and are used in private diagnostic centers. In patients, a natural question arises as to whether it is possible to take 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 that of an MRI or CT scan. The bone tissue is clearly visible here, but it is problematic to draw reasoned conclusions about the state of the cartilaginous connective tissue. That is why specialists prescribe more modern diagnostic methods. You should not refuse them, because MRI is much safer too. It can be done several times at short intervals because no dangerous 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 goes to the doctor, the better the chances of a quick and successful cure.
A complex of anti-inflammatory and decongestant drugs, the active use of drugs based on natural collagen, increasing the elasticity of connective tissue, nutritional correction, moderate physical activity and exercise therapy are the main areastreatment.
Only by correcting the habitual 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 escalation of this complex disease. If you play sports, eat right, walk a lot in the fresh air, monitor all the systems and functions of the body, then the disease will never get over you.
If you train in the gym, do so under the supervision of an experienced qualified instructor who will always ensure that the basic exercises are performed correctly.
Yoga and Pilates work well in preventing osteochondrosis.
The signs of osteochondrosis are already visible in the initial stage of the development of the disease. It is important not to get lost and start treatment in a timely manner, then the health of the musculoskeletal system will be ensured.