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 fair 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 timely diagnose the disease and start complex treatment immediately.
An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a doctor. An experienced neurologist is involved in the treatment. He attributes 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 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 in well-being is a reason to consult a doctor. If you run the problem, then over time the osteochondrosis will turn into a protrusion or 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, to ensure an active and full future without injuries, dystrophic tissue changes and constant pain.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a common disease characterized by changes in the structure of cartilage tissue in the 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 drawn after a full diagnosis.
The cervical spine is considered to be the most mobile. This area is often prone to various dystrophic lesions, because it is the least protected. There are no big muscles to protect and support the spine. The department consists of seven distinct 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 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 disease, and in 30% of cases the cause of constant headaches, migraine 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 examined more carefully, since 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 the same 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 washed 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 disastrous.
For this reason, women between the ages of 40 and 45 are recommended to have annual tests to determine the level of calcium in the blood, to check the condition of 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 cartilage tissue changes, it becomes denser and more rigid. The flexibility and mobility of the vertebrae is lost. If this disease passes into 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
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 circular movements of the head, leaning to the side;
- Frequent headaches;
- Mild dizziness with a sudden turn of the head to the side.
Due to structural changes in the tissue, the nerve roots are pinched, causing a headache.
The neck is no longer flexible. In women, there is often a progression.
It is more and more difficult to maintain the posture, sometimes even a slight bump 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 take many massage courses. This effect has a short term effect. If you do not massage properly, 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 clogging, headaches are not very disturbing yet. And if they do occur, then stress, poor sleep is called their culprit. A factor provoking the transition of the disease from a latent form to an acute form may be acute hypothermia, a minor injury. Often the disease develops at a reactive rate. Yesterday the woman was still feeling good, but today she cannot lift her head from the pillow due to severe pain. Don't expect this state to go away on its own. Hurry up 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 concept of "reduction of the vertebrae" in official medicine. Such potential specialists will only hurt. Due to excessive mechanical stress, cracks can appear in the thickness of the cartilage and bone tissue. In 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.
The traditional treatment consists of several steps, it is always carried out in a consistent manner, without pain. All 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. can be observed simultaneously by a neurologist and a vertebrologist. These highly qualified doctors with superior medical training implement complex treatment methods.
Acute symptoms
When the disease becomes acute, the symptoms of cervical chondrosis change in women.
At this point, the invaded cartilage tissue presses on the nerve endings, squeezing the large arteries that run along the spine to the brain, supplying it with fuel. oxygen deprivation is manifested by frequent fainting. Possible short-term memory loss, disorientation in space.
Due to the 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 do not rush to start treatment at this point, there is a possibility of developing partial paralysis. The patient completely ceases to feel the upper limbs.
If you see a doctor at this point, all efforts will first be directed to stabilize the patient's condition.
After the withdrawal of the acute period of the disease, various methods of treatment are prescribed, including taking medications and a series of 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 cord injuries.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is carried out comprehensively. When you see a doctor for the first time, you describe in detail any worrying symptoms. The doctor can already draw some conclusions about the development of the disease on the basis of this information. The final diagnosis can only be made after further research. In medical practice, innovative methods of functional diagnosis are increasingly used. These include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Using 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 thoroughly study an organ, system or department. the patient receives images 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. Follow-up examinations are carried out every six months to assess the dynamics of the treatment.
Additional biochemical blood tests are sometimes ordered. They help to understand if an inflammatory process is developing in the body.
MRI or X-ray
Some patients complain that the MRI or CT scan is too expensive. In most cases, such an examination is carried out on a paid basis, since high-quality high-power devices are expensive 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 x-ray can give some information about the development of the disease
The cost of this procedure is not much less than an MRI or CT scan. The bone tissue is clearly visible here, but it is problematic to draw reasoned conclusions about the condition of the cartilage 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. This can be done multiple 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 for you to get rid of the disease. The sooner the patient turns to the doctor, the more chance there is for a quick and successful recovery.
A complex of anti-inflammatory and decongestant drugs, the active use of drugs based on natural collagen, which increases the elasticity of connective tissue, nutritional correction, moderate physical activity, therapythrough exercise are the main areas of treatment.
Only by correcting the habitual lifestyle, changing the attitude towards 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 avoid the intensification of this complex disease. If you play sports, eat well, walk a lot in the fresh air, monitor all the systems and functions of the body, the disease will never get past you.
If you are training in the gym, do so under the supervision of an experienced qualified instructor who will always ensure that the basic exercises are followed.
Yoga and Pilates work well in preventing osteochondrosis.
Signs of osteochondrosis are already visible at the initial stage of disease development. it is important not to miss them and to start treatment in a timely manner, then the health of the musculoskeletal system will be assured.