Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed more often in women than in men.And this is not only due to the lower resistance of the ligamento-tendinous apparatus and the weakness of the muscular corset.Throughout her life, a woman's body is subject to hormonal fluctuations that can negatively affect the condition of cartilage and bone tissue.But the methods of conservative and surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in both sexes are practically the same.
Characteristics of female osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women develops and progresses according to the same scenario as in men.The intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture and begin to slowly deteriorate, involving bone structures, ligaments and tendons in the destruction process.But due to the weakness of the neck muscles and more fragile spinal segments, the first symptoms of the disease appear more quickly in women.Already at the initial stage of development, severe discomfort may occur, limiting mobility.
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 disease in women
The main reason for more frequent damage to the 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 monitor their weight and therefore often refuse foods rich in calcium - sour cream, cheese, peas, soy, beans.And when dieting, not only body weight decreases, but also a deficiency of essential microelements and vitamins occurs, which causes premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
At the first radiographic stage, signs of osteochondrosis are weakly expressed.Only the uneven surface of the intervertebral discs is noted.Therefore, a woman feels only slight discomfort in the neck area, which occurs after physical exertion or a long stay in the head down position.But little by little 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 progresses steadily.As a result of strangulation by osteophytes and displaced discs of the vertebral artery, the following clinical manifestations appear:
- blood pressure spikes;
- headache (cervical migraines), dizziness, dizziness;
- decreased visual and hearing acuity, double vision of objects in front of the eyes, tinnitus;
- fatigue, apathy, sleep disturbances;
- feeling of pain, “coma” in the throat.
Additionally, when you tilt or turn your head, a cracking sound is heard and the mobility of the cervical spine is limited.
Pathology diagnosis
The main diagnosis can be made on the basis of an external examination, patient complaints and the results of a number of functional tests aimed at assessing the range of movements, reflexes and sensitivity.To confirm this, an 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 targeted examination of affected intervertebral discs, and if damage to nerve pathways is suspected, electrophysiological diagnostics are indicated for patients:
- evoked potentials;
- electroneurography;
- electromyography.
CT and MRI serve as additional diagnostic methods and are often used to assess the condition of the spinal cord and detect complications - protrusions or intervertebral hernias.These studies are carried out with the aim of differentiating cervical osteochondrosis from tuberculous spondylitis, osteomyelitis, benign and malignant tumors, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatism.
First aid for exacerbations
During a relapse of cervical osteochondrosis, such severe pain in the neck 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 subsides.If, on the recommendation of a doctor, a Shants collar or semi-rigid bandage has already been purchased, then it must be worn when moving.
Taking a tablet of any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) will help relieve a painful attack.Ointments and gels containing NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic effect.
When providing first aid, it is not recommended to use cold or heat.Often a relapse occurs due to muscle spasms and cold compresses will only increase tension in the skeletal muscles.Dry heating 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, regardless of its location, cannot yet be completely cured.A neurologist or vertebrologist will certainly explain to the woman the meaning and principles of the upcoming therapy.Treatment aims to achieve a stage of stable remission.At this stage, painful sensations occur extremely rarely, and the range of movements is completely preserved.
You cannot limit yourself to taking medications, because drugs that restore discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized.It is necessary to follow all the doctor's instructions - attend physiotherapy sessions, massage, practice physiotherapy and gymnastics.
From the first days of treatment, patients are recommended to wear Shants collars, orthopedic devices that stabilize the discs and vertebrae.They prevent spinal structures from moving, thereby reducing the risk of relapse.
Review of drugs for treatment
Sometimes, during exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis, burning and 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, drug blockades using 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.Non-steroidal drugs in the form of gels and ointments are prescribed to relieve mild pain, as well as to reduce doses of systemic medications.
| 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 deficiencies, stimulating regeneration |
| B vitamins | Normalize the transmission of impulses to the central and peripheral nervous systems |
| Muscle relaxers | Relaxes skeletal muscles, eliminates muscle spasms |
| Warming ointments | Accelerates blood circulation, has 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 muscular corset is strengthened, the blood supply to the tissues of nutrients is improved, and the risk of exacerbations is reduced.It is necessary to start gymnastics immediately after the acute pain is relieved.A physiotherapist 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 physical therapy doctors recommend:
- Sit up straight and place your palm under your chin.Try tilting your head while resisting with your hand;
- While seated, place your palm on your cheek.Tilt your head to the side, resisting with your hand;
- stand up, put your hands on your belt.Rotate your head first in one direction, then the other, without throwing it back too much.
For osteochondrosis, patients are recommended to swim, do yoga, Pilates, aqua 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 and quickly eliminate it from the body.Preference should be given to lightly salted mineral waters, fruit compotes and jellies, vegetable juices and red fruit drinks.The optimal amount of fluid to drink is 2-2.5 liters per day.
You need to give up fast food, processed foods, smoked meats and fatty meats.The daily diet menu should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereal porridges, dried 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's best to avoid fried foods altogether.The most useful products are baked in foil, stewed in water or steamed.
Physiotherapy
At the rehabilitation stage, patients are prescribed 5-10 sessions of physiotherapy.Electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis with chondroprotectors, solutions of calcium salts, B vitamins is carried out to restore cartilage tissue, improve innervation and increase the strength of the ligamento-tendinous apparatus.The same procedures, but only with glucocorticosteroids, analgesics and anesthetics in the subacute period, are intended to relieve pain and inflammation.
The following physical procedures can also improve a woman's well-being:
- UHF therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- galvanic currents;
- laser therapy;
- shock wave therapy.
Applications with ozokerite, bischofite and paraffin are used.The use of therapeutic muds and mineral waters as well as the placement of medicinal leeches have proven themselves well in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Massage
During massage, a mechanical effect is applied to the muscles of the entire back, not just the cervical region.But it is on them that the specialist pays special attention.Through the movements of kneading, smoothing, pressing and chopping, spastic skeletal muscles relax, ligaments are strengthened and blood circulation improves.The following types of manual and hardware massages are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- classic;
- indicate;
- empty;
- Swedish;
- segmental.
Pharmacies and medical supply stores sell handheld electric massagers.They are equipped with special accessories 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 oil rubs, compresses, decoctions and tinctures are used to treat osteochondrosis.Representatives of official medicine are skeptical of these methods of treating degenerative pathologies due to their low clinical effectiveness.The exceptions are chamomile teas, St. John's wort and rosehip infusion.
Features of treatment for elderly women
The treatment of 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 elderly people, a decrease in the functional activity of the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.The doctor chooses drugs, the use of which 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 more often diagnosed with damage to the spinal roots and vertebral artery, which supply nutrients to the brain.
With cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd severity, pinching of the spinal roots often occurs, which leads to sharp 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, the load on the spine is unevenly distributed, which leads to microtrauma of the cartilage tissue.Women also often suffer from hypothermia and are seriously affected by ordinary daily 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.