Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed in women more often than in men.And this is due not only to the lower resistance of the ligament-tendon apparatus and the weakness of the muscular corset.Throughout her life, a woman's body is subject to fluctuations in hormone levels, which can negatively affect the condition of cartilage and bone tissue.But the methods of conservative and surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in representatives of both sexes are practically the same.
Characteristics of female osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women develops and proceeds according to the same scenario as in men.Intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture and begin to slowly deteriorate, involving bone structures, ligaments and tendons in the destructive process.But due to the weakness of the neck muscles and fragility of the spinal segments, the first symptoms of the disease appear faster in women.Already in the initial phase of development, serious discomforts that limit mobility can occur.
It should be noted that women of any age have lower resistance to stress.Having learned about the impossibility of completely curing osteochondrosis, they can bring themselves into a depressive state with their worries.Therefore, antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, and sedatives are often included in treatment regimens.
Causes of the disease in women
The main reason for the most frequent damage to intervertebral discs in women is a decrease or increase in the level of hormones in the body.After the onset of natural menopause, the production of estrogens, which participate in the regulation of the biosynthesis of cartilage and bone tissue, gradually decreases.A decrease in estrogen levels during menopause leads to disc damage and causes the development of osteoporosis (increased bone fragility).
Women watch their weight, so they often refuse foods rich in calcium: sour cream, cheese, peas, soybeans, beans.And when following a diet, not only does body weight decrease, but also a deficiency of essential microelements and vitamins occurs, which causes premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
In the first radiographic stage, signs of osteochondrosis are weakly expressed.Only the irregular surface of the intervertebral discs is noticeable.Therefore, a woman feels only slight discomfort in the neck, which occurs after physical exertion or a long stay in a position with the head lowered.But gradually the intensity of the pain increases.It appears not only when turning and tilting the head, but also at rest.In the absence of medical intervention, the pathology constantly progresses.As a result of strangulation by osteophytes and displacement of the vertebral artery discs, the following clinical manifestations occur:
- changes in blood pressure;
- headache (cervical migraine), dizziness, dizziness;
- decreased visual and auditory acuity, double vision of objects in front of the eyes, tinnitus;
- tiredness, apathy, sleep disturbances;
- sensation of pain, “coma” in the throat.
Also, when you tilt or turn your head, you hear a crunch and the mobility of the cervical spine is limited.
Pathology diagnosis
The primary diagnosis can be made based on an external examination, the patient's complaints, and the results of a series of functional tests to evaluate range of motion, reflexes, and sensation.To confirm this, the x-ray is taken in 2 projections.The study is informative not only for identifying osteochondrosis, but also for establishing its stage, the degree of damage to the discs and vertebrae.Discography allows a targeted examination of the affected intervertebral discs and, if damage to the nerve pathways is suspected, electrophysiological diagnostics is indicated for patients:
- evoked potentials;
- electroneurography;
- electromyography.
CT and MRI serve as additional diagnostic methods and are often used to evaluate the condition of the spinal cord and detect complications: protrusions or intervertebral hernias.These studies are conducted with the aim of differentiating cervical osteochondrosis from tuberculous spondylitis, osteomyelitis, benign and malignant neoplasms, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatism.
First aid for exacerbations
During a recurrence of cervical osteochondrosis, such severe neck pain occurs that the woman is afraid to turn or tilt her head.To reduce its intensity, lie down on a hard surface.It is necessary to adopt a body position in which the pain eases.If, on the recommendation of the doctor, you have already purchased a Shants collar or a semi-rigid bandage, then it is necessary to wear it when traveling.
Taking one tablet of any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) will help relieve a painful attack.Ointments and gels with NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic effect.
When providing first aid, it is not recommended to use cold or heat.Relapse often occurs due to muscle spasm, and cold compresses will only increase tension in the skeletal muscles.Dry warming is an effective way to eliminate symptoms, but only in the absence of an inflammatory process in the soft tissues of the neck.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis in women
Osteochondrosis of any localization cannot yet be completely cured.A neurologist or vertebrologist will certainly explain to the woman the meaning and principles of the upcoming therapy.Treatment is aimed at reaching a stable remission stage.At this stage, any painful sensations occur extremely rarely, and the range of motion is completely preserved.
You can not limit yourself to taking only drugs, since drugs that restore discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized.It is necessary to follow all the doctor's instructions: participate in physiotherapy, massage events, engage in physiotherapy and gymnastics.
From the first days of treatment, patients are advised to wear Shants collars, orthopedic devices that stabilize the discs and vertebrae.They prevent the displacement of the vertebral structures, thus reducing the likelihood of relapses.
Review of drugs for treatment
Sometimes during exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis, burning, piercing pain occurs due to pinching of the spinal roots.They can only be eliminated by intramuscular injection of NSAID solutions.And if they are ineffective, pharmacological blockades with anesthetics and hormonal agents are used.Glucocorticosteroids are not often used due to their negative effects on internal organs, cartilage and bone tissue.
A woman can get rid of mild pain by taking NSAIDs in the form of tablets or capsules.Nonsteroidal drugs in the form of gels and ointments are prescribed for mild pain and to reduce doses of systemic drugs.
| A group of drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis | Therapeutic effect |
|---|---|
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restores the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs |
| Medicines that improve blood circulation | Eliminates oxygen and nutrient deficiency, stimulating regeneration |
| B vitamins | Normalizes the transmission of impulses to the central and peripheral nervous system |
| Muscle relaxants | Relaxes skeletal muscles, eliminates muscle spasms |
| Warming ointments | Accelerates blood circulation, has an analgesic and anti-exudative effect |
| Antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives | Relieves increased anxiety, restlessness and sleep disturbances |
Physiotherapy, gymnastics, exercises
The most effective way to treat osteochondrosis is daily physiotherapy exercises.With the help of metered loads on the cervical spine, the muscle corset is strengthened, the blood supply to the tissues with nutrients is improved, and the risk of exacerbations is reduced.It is necessary to start gymnastics immediately after relieving acute pain.A physiotherapy doctor creates a set of exercises individually for a woman, taking into account her physical form and the severity of the pathology.All movements are performed smoothly, with a small amplitude.This will strengthen the muscles without damaging the cartilage tissue.What exercises do physiotherapy doctors recommend:
- Sit with your back straight and place your palm under your chin.Try tilting your head while resisting with your hand;
- In a sitting position, place the palm of your hand on your cheek.Tilt your head to the side, holding on with your hand;
- stand up, put your hands on your belt.Rotate your head first in one direction, then in the other, without throwing it too far back.
For osteochondrosis, patients are recommended swimming, yoga, pilates, water aerobics and Nordic walking.Cycling, running and lifting heavy objects are prohibited.
Nutrition and diet
For cervical osteochondrosis, nutritionists recommend limiting the consumption of alcohol, coffee and strong tea.These drinks interfere with the absorption of calcium, rapidly flushing it out of the body.Preference should be given to slightly salted mineral waters, fruit compotes and jellies, vegetable juices and berry drinks.The optimal amount of fluids to drink is 2-2.5 liters per day.
You have to give up fast food, processed foods, smoked meats and fatty meats.The daily dietary menu should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereal porridge, dry white or rye bread and dairy products.Turkey, chicken breast, rabbit and lamb are healthy.2-3 times a week you should eat fatty fish, such as salmon or Norwegian herring.
It is best to avoid fried foods completely.The most useful products are cooked in foil, boiled in water or steamed.
Physiotherapy
In the rehabilitation phase, patients are prescribed 5-10 physiotherapy sessions.Electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis with chondroprotectors, solutions of calcium salts, B vitamins is carried out to restore cartilaginous tissue, improve innervation and increase the strength of the ligament-tendon apparatus.The same procedures, but only with glucocorticosteroids, analgesics, anesthetics in the subacute period are aimed at relieving pain and inflammation.
The following physical procedures can also improve a woman's well-being:
- UHF therapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- galvanic currents;
- laser therapy;
- shock wave therapy.
Applications with ozocerite, bischofite and paraffin are used.The use of therapeutic mud and mineral waters and the application of medicinal leeches have proven effective in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Massages
During the massage, a mechanical effect is applied to the muscles of the entire back, and not just the cervical region.But it is on them that the specialist focuses special attention.As a result of kneading, smoothing, pressing and shredding movements, spastic skeletal muscles relax, ligaments strengthen and blood circulation improves.In the treatment of osteochondrosis, the following types of manual and hardware massage are used:
- classic;
- point;
- empty;
- Swedish;
- segmental.
Pharmacies and medical equipment stores sell portable electric massagers.They are equipped with special attacks and speed regulators.And the comfortable long handle of the device allows you to independently massage the back of the neck.
Folk remedies
In folk medicine, homemade ointments, alcohol and oils, compresses, decoctions and tinctures are used to treat osteochondrosis.Representatives of official medicine are skeptical about such methods of treating degenerative pathology due to their low clinical effectiveness.The exceptions are chamomile, St. John's wort and rosehip infusions.
Features of treatment for older women
Therapy for elderly patients is carried out using the same techniques as the treatment of young women.But when determining the dosage regimen, the neurologist takes into account the presence of chronic pathologies in the elderly, a decrease in the functional activity of the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.The doctor chooses drugs whose use has a mild effect on internal organs and the risk of adverse reactions is reduced.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
The main signs of cervical osteochondrosis are similar in representatives of both sexes.But neurological symptoms are more pronounced in women.They are often diagnosed with a violation of the spinal roots and vertebral artery, which supplies nutrients to the brain.
With cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd severity, pinching of the spinal roots often occurs, which leads to acute pain, loss of reflexes and decreased sensitivity.Serious complications of the pathology are intervertebral hernia, radicular syndrome and discogenic myelopathy.
Preventive measures
In women who prefer narrow shoes with high heels, cervical osteochondrosis is often detected.When wearing it, the load on the spine is distributed unevenly, which leads to microtraumas of the cartilaginous tissue.Women also often suffer from hypothermia and are severely affected by normal everyday conflicts.And these factors are prerequisites for the development of pathology.Therefore, their exclusion from the usual lifestyle becomes an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis of any localization and its consequences.