Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed more often in women than in men.And this is not only due to the lower strength of the ligament-tendon apparatus and the weakness of the musculature.Throughout her life, a woman's body is exposed 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 are practically the same for representatives of both sexes.
Features 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 slowly deteriorate, involving bony structures, ligaments and tendons in the destructive process.But due to weak neck muscles and more fragile spinal sections, the first symptoms of the disease appear faster in women.Already at the initial stage of development, severe discomfort can occur, which limits mobility.
It should be noted that women at any age have a lower resistance to stress.After learning about the impossibility of a complete cure of osteochondrosis, they can bring themselves into a state of depression with their worries.Therefore, antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives and tranquilizers are often included in therapeutic treatments.
Causes of the disease in women
The main reason for more frequent damage to the intervertebral discs in women is the decrease or increase in hormone levels in the body.After the onset of natural menopause, the production of estrogens, which are involved in the regulation of the biosynthesis of cartilage and bone tissue, gradually decreases.A drop in estrogen levels during menopause leads to disc damage and causes osteoporosis (increased bone fragility).
Women watch their weight, so they often refuse foods with a high calcium content - sour cream, cheese, peas, soy, beans.In addition to following the diet, not only does the body weight decrease, but also the lack of essential microelements and vitamins occurs, which causes the premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
In the first radiographic stage, signs of osteochondrosis are weakly expressed.Only the uneven surface of the intervertebral discs can be observed.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 down.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 continues to develop.As a result of strangulation by osteophytes and displacement of the vertebral artery, the following clinical symptoms appear:
- drops in blood pressure;
- headache (cervical migraine), dizziness, lightheadedness;
- reduced visual and hearing acuity, double vision of objects in front of the eyes, tinnitus;
- fatigue, apathy, sleep disorders;
- painful feeling, "coma" in the throat.
In addition, a grinding sound is heard when the head is tilted or turned, and the mobility of the cervical spine is limited.
Diagnosis of pathology
The primary diagnosis can be established on the basis of an external examination, the patient's complaints, and the results of functional tests to assess range of motion, reflexes, and sensitivity.To confirm this, an X-ray is taken in 2 views.The study serves not only to identify osteochondrosis, but also to determine its stage, the degree of damage to the discs and vertebrae.Discography enables a targeted examination of the affected intervertebral discs, and if damage to the nerve pathways is suspected, electrophysiological diagnostics is recommended 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 hernia.These tests are performed to distinguish between cervical osteochondrosis and spondylitis, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, benign and malignant tumors, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatism.
First aid in case of exacerbation
During the relapse of cervical osteochondrosis, such severe pain occurs in the neck that the woman is afraid to turn or tilt her head.To reduce the intensity, lie down on a hard surface.It is necessary to assume a body position in which the pain is alleviated.If a Shants collar or semi-rigid bandage has already been purchased on medical advice, it must be worn when moving.
Taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) pill can help relieve painful attacks.Ointments and gels containing NSAIDs have a pronounced pain-relieving effect.
It is not advisable to use cold or heat when providing first aid.Often a relapse occurs due to muscle spasm, and cold compresses only increase the tension in the skeletal muscles.Dry heating is an effective way to eliminate symptoms, but only if there is no 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 definitely explain to the woman the meaning and principles of the upcoming therapy.The goal of treatment is to achieve stable remission.At this stage, painful sensations occur extremely rarely, and the range of motion is completely preserved.
You can not limit yourself to taking drugs, since drugs that restore discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized.Follow all the doctor's instructions - take part in physiotherapy, massage, take part in physical therapy 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 the vertebral structures from moving, thereby reducing the likelihood of falls.
Overview of drugs for treatment
Sometimes, when cervical osteochondrosis worsens, there is a burning, stabbing pain due to pinching of the roots of the spine.They can only be removed by intramuscular injection of NSAID solutions.And if they are ineffective, drug blockades with anesthetics and hormonal agents are used.Glucocorticosteroids are not often used because of 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 for mild pain and to reduce the dose of systemic drugs.
| A group of drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis | Therapeutic effect |
|---|---|
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restores the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs |
| Medicines that improve blood circulation | Eliminates oxygen and nutrient deficiency, stimulates regeneration |
| B vitamins | It normalizes the transmission of impulses to the central and peripheral nervous system |
| Muscle relaxants | It relaxes skeletal muscles and eliminates muscle spasms |
| Warming ointments | It speeds up blood circulation, has an analgesic and anti-exudative effect |
| Antidepressants, sedatives, tranquilizers | It relieves increased anxiety, restlessness and sleep disorders |
Physiotherapy, gymnastics, exercises
The most effective way to treat osteochondrosis is daily physical therapy exercises.With the help of loads applied to the cervical spine, the muscle ligament is strengthened, the blood supply of the tissues with nutrients is improved, and the risk of exacerbations is reduced.Gymnastics should be started immediately after acute pain relief.The physiotherapist prepares an individual set of exercises for a woman, taking into account her physical fitness and the severity of the pathology.All movements are performed smoothly with a small amplitude.This strengthens the muscles without damaging the cartilage tissue.What exercises do physiotherapists recommend:
- Sit up straight and place your palms under your chin.Try to tilt your head while resisting with your hands;
- In a sitting position, place your palms on your face.Tilt your head to the side, resisting with your hands;
- stand up, put your hands on your belt.Turn your head first one way and then the other, without throwing it too far back.
In case of osteochondrosis, swimming, yoga, pilates, water aerobics and Nordic walking are recommended for patients.Cycling, running and lifting heavy objects are prohibited.
Nutrition and diet
In the case of cervical osteochondrosis, nutritionists recommend limiting the consumption of alcohol, coffee and strong tea.These drinks interfere with the absorption of calcium, quickly flushing it out of the body.Preference should be given to lightly salted mineral waters, fruit compotes and jellies, vegetable juices, and berry fruit drinks.The optimal amount of fluid is 2-2.5 liters per day.
You should give up junk food, processed food, smoked meats and fatty meats.The daily diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, dried white or rye bread and dairy products.Turkey, chicken breast, rabbit and lamb are healthy.Eat some fatty fish such as salmon or Norwegian herring 2-3 times a week.
It is better to avoid fried foods altogether.The most useful products are baked in foil, steamed or stewed in water.
Physiotherapy
In the rehabilitation phase, patients are prescribed 5-10 physiotherapy sessions.Electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis is performed with chondroprotectors, solutions of calcium salts, B vitamins to restore cartilage tissue, improve innervation and increase the strength of the ligament-tendon apparatus.The same procedures, but only with glucocorticosteroids, painkillers, anesthetics in the subacute period, are used to relieve pain and inflammation.
The following physical procedures can also improve a woman's well-being:
- UHF therapy;
- magnet therapy;
- galvanic currents;
- laser therapy;
- shock wave therapy.
Applications with ozokerite, bischofite and paraffin are used.The use of medicinal mud and mineral waters, as well as the placement of medicinal leeches, are well proven in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Massages
During the massage, a mechanical effect is exerted on the muscles of the entire back, and not only on the neck region.But the specialist pays special attention to them.As a result of the kneading, smoothing, pressing and chopping movements, the spasmodic skeletal muscles relax, ligaments become stronger, and blood circulation improves.The following types of manual and hardware massages are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- classic;
- point;
- vacuum;
- Swedish;
- segmental.
Pharmacies and medical supply stores sell handheld electric massagers.They are equipped with special accessories and speed controllers.And the comfortable long handle of the device enables independent massaging of the back of the neck.
Folk remedies
In folk medicine, homemade ointments, alcohol and oil rubs, poultices, 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.Exceptions to this are herbal chamomile teas, St. John's wort and rosehip infusions.
Characteristics of the treatment of elderly women
The therapy of older patients is carried out using the same techniques as the treatment of young women.However, 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, the use of which has a mild effect on the internal organs, and the risk of side effects is reduced.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
The leading signs of cervical osteochondrosis are similar for representatives of both sexes.But the neurological symptoms are more pronounced in women.It is more often diagnosed with damage to the spinal cord roots and the vertebral artery that supplies the brain with nutrients.
In cases of cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd severity, pinching of the spinal roots often occurs, which leads to acute pain, loss of reflexes and reduced sensitivity.Serious complications of the pathology are intervertebral hernia, radicular syndrome and discogenic myelopathy.
Preventive measures
Cervical osteochondrosis is often observed in women who prefer narrow, high-heeled shoes.When wearing it, the load on the spinal column is unevenly distributed, which leads to microtrauma of the cartilage tissue.Women often suffer from hypothermia and are acutely affected by everyday conflicts.And these factors are prerequisites for the development of pathology.Therefore, their exclusion from the usual lifestyle serves as an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis of any localization and its consequences.