Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that develops in adults after the age of 25 due to structural changes in cartilage tissue. At fairer sex, the disease develops more frequently due to the uniqueness of the hormonal background. We all need to know the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women to diagnose the disease in a timely manner and immediately begin complex treatment.
An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a doctor. Experienced neurologists are involved in treatment. He provided additional studies to determine not only the stage of development of the disease, but also the cause of its development. It is therefore easier to choose the optimal therapeutic 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 disturbance in well-being is a reason to see a doctor. If you have a problem, then over time, osteochondrosis will turn into a protrusion or hernia, the patient will be at the operating table. The consequences of this disease will last a lifetime. In the early stages of the development of the disease, the symptoms can be completely eliminated. You can improve health, ensure an active future for yourself without injury, dystrophy changes and constant pain.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a common disease characterized by changes in the structure of cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc. The disease can strike any joint, but often it attacks the spine. There are obvious signs of osteochondrosis in women, but a final conclusion about the development of the disease can be made only after a thorough diagnosis.
The cervical spine is considered the easiest to move. This area is often prone to various dystrophic lesions, as this area is the least protected. There is no large muscle to protect and support the spine. The department consists of seven separate spines. They are based on bone tissue. Between each vertebra there is a soft "layer" - the intervertebral disc, which provides flexibility and movement of the neck. Hormones play a major role in tissue structure, therefore, osteochondrosis develops in different ways in women and men.
According to statistics, 60-70% of the planet's mature population suffers from this disease, and in 30% of cases, the cause of persistent 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 this disease.
Why osteochondrosis is dangerous for women
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis in women are considered more cautious, as the weaker sex suffers more from this disease.
This is due to the structure of the female body:
- Muscle tissue is less developed and pumped in women than in men, this is a condition that worsens the development of the disease;
- Women tend to work in offices, spending a lot of time sitting in one position at a computer;
- The hormonal background of the female body is radically different from that of men; during menopause, dystrophic changes in cartilage tissue thickness become more pronounced.
In adulthood, women gradually deteriorate bone tissue. This is due to the development of osteoporosis. Calcium is washed out of the bone, and its storage is not replenished. The female body no longer produces special hormones that stimulate the absorption of trace elements. If the cartilage and bone are destroyed at the same time, the consequences can be terrible.
For this reason, women aged 40-45 years are advised to undergo an annual test for calcium levels 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 cartilage tissue changes, it becomes denser, rigid. Flexibility and movement of the vertebrae are lost. If the disease enters the intervertebral weight, then the contents of the disc protrude beyond the annulus fibrosus. To get rid of such complications without surgery is a problem. Not fit to be brought into such a situation. 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 non-irritating, but small symptoms still need to be noted.
This list includes:
- Neck discomfort, especially in the morning;
- Cramps during circular movement 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 tissue, the nerve roots pinch, which causes headaches.
The neck is no longer flexible. In women, it is often observed moving forward.
It is more difficult to maintain posture, sometimes even when there are slight bumps during the transition from the neck to the shoulder belt. All this clearly indicates the development of osteochondrosis.
Instead of making an appointment with a neurologist, women undergo many massage courses. This effect has a short-term effect. If you do the massage incorrectly, then over time it will cause more harm to the body.
Specific course of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women can be asymptomatic for a long time. Limited neck mobility due to fatigue, muscle blockage, headache has not been too bothering. And if it happens, then they call them the perpetrators, the stress, the bad sleep. Factors provoking the transition of the disease from latent to acute form can be acute hypothermia, mild injury. Often, the disease develops at a reactive speed. Yesterday the woman was still healthy, but today she could not get her head off the pillow due to severe pain. Do not expect this situation to pass by itself. See a doctor right away. Even at this stage, you can completely get rid of the manifestations of osteochondrosis, provoking its factors.
It is strictly forbidden to contact a bone binder, an osteopath. There is no concept like “vertebral reduction” in formal medicine. Such a potential expert will only be dangerous. Due to excessive mechanical stress, cracks may appear on the thickness of cartilage and bone tissue. During the first session with an osteopath, you will feel better, but all of his actions over time will only cause osteochondrosis to turn into a large hernia.
Traditional treatment consists of several stages, it is always done consistently, without pain. Any activity is prohibited in the acute period. To get rid of limited movement, severe pain, you just need to listen to your doctor's main recommendations. can be observed simultaneously by neurologists and vertebrologists. These highly qualified doctors with higher medical education use complex treatment methods.
Acute symptoms
When the disease becomes acute, the symptoms of cervical chondrosis in women change.
At this stage, too much cartilage tissue presses on the nerve endings, squeezing the large arteries that run along the spine into the brain, feeding it. oxygen starvation is indicated by frequent fainting. Possible short-term memory loss, disorientation in space.
Due to pinching the nerve endings, the sensitivity in the limbs is lost. Numbness in the shoulder straps, tingling in the fingers is very worrying.
If you are not in a hurry to start treatment at this stage, there is a possibility of partial paralysis. The patient stops feeling the upper limbs altogether.
If you see a doctor at this stage, then at first all efforts will be aimed at stabilizing the patient's condition.
After withdrawing from the acute period of the disease, various methods of therapy are prescribed, which include taking medication, undergoing various physiotherapy procedures.
Exercise therapy is very effective if the class is conducted by a qualified instructor who has sufficient experience in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal injuries.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is done thoroughly. When you first see a doctor, you describe in detail all the annoying symptoms. Doctors can already draw certain conclusions about the development of the disease based on this information. A final diagnosis can be made only after additional investigation. In medical practice, innovative functional diagnostic methods are increasingly being used. These include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. With the help of special tools, the tissues of the spine are examined in real time. This technique allows you to make three-dimensional pictures in different projections, studying the organ, system or department carefully. patients were given photographs and disks with examination records. The diagnostician makes a detailed description, but your doctor is responsible for the final decoding.
Based on this examination, it is possible to assess the stage of disease progression, the affected intervertebral disc segment. Control checks were performed every six months to assess treatment dynamics.
Sometimes additional biochemical blood tests are prescribed. They help to understand whether the inflammatory process is developing in the body.
MRI or X-ray
Some patients complain that MRI or CT is too expensive. In most cases, such inspections are done on a paid basis, as high-quality high-powered devices require a lot of cost and are used in private diagnostic centers. In patients, the natural question arises as to whether it is possible to take conventional X-rays.
Only panoramic X-rays can provide certain information on 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 state of cartilage connective tissue. That is why experts prescribe more modern diagnostic methods. You can not deny it, because magnetic resonance imaging is also much safer. It can be done several times at short intervals as no harmful radiation is used in this study.
Is it possible to get rid of osteochondrosis forever
Knowing the main symptoms and manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis in women, it will be easier for you to get rid of this disease. The sooner the patient turns to the doctor, the more chances of success and recovery.
The complex of anti-inflammatory drugs, decongestants, active use of drugs based on natural collagen, which increases the elasticity of connective tissue, dietary correction, moderate physical activity, exercise therapy are the main indications of treatment.
Only by correcting a normal way of life, changing attitudes to physical activity, you can achieve positive results.
Prevention
Knowing that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine often develops in women, it is recommended to use preventive measures to prevent the progression of this complex disease. If you exercise, eat properly, walk a lot in the fresh air, monitor all the systems and functions in the body, then the disease will not happen to you.
If you are training in the gym, do it under the supervision of an experienced qualified instructor who will always ensure that basic training is followed.
Yoga and Pilates work well in the prevention of osteochondrosis.
Signs of osteochondrosis are already visible in the early stages of the development of the disease. it is important not to miss them and start treatment on time, then the health of the musculoskeletal system will be guaranteed.