Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed more often in women than in men. And this is not only due to the lower resistance of the ligament tendon apparatus, the weakness of the muscle corset. Throughout her life, a woman's body is subject to fluctuations in hormonal levels, which can adversely affect the condition of cartilage and bone tissue. But the methods of conservative and surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in both sexes practically do not differ.
Features of female osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women develops and proceeds according to the same pattern as in men. Intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture, begin to slowly collapse, involving bone structures, ligaments, tendons in the destructive process. But due to the weakness of the neck muscles, more fragile vertebral segments, the first symptoms of the disease in women appear faster. Already at the initial stage of development, there may be pronounced discomfort that limits mobility.
It should be noted the lower stress resistance of women of any age. Having learned about the impossibility of completely curing osteochondrosis, they can put themselves into a depressive state with experiments. Therefore, antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, and sedatives are often included in treatment regimens.
Causes of the 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 are involved in the regulation of the biosynthesis of cartilage and bone tissues, gradually decreases. A decrease in estrogen levels in menopause leads to damage to the discs, causes the development of osteoporosis (increased fragility of the bones).
Women watch their weight, so they often refuse foods rich in calcium - sour cream, cheeses, peas, soy, beans. And if the diet is followed, not only the body weight decreases, but also a deficiency of the most important trace elements and vitamins occurs, which causes premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
At the first stage of the x-ray, the 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, which occurs after physical exertion or a long stay in a head-down position. 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 progresses steadily. As a result of damage by osteophytes, displaced discs of the vertebral artery, the following clinical manifestations occur:
- blood pressure jumps;
- headache (cervical migraine), dizziness, pre-fainting;
- decreased visual acuity and hearing, double vision of objects in front of the eyes, tinnitus;
- fatigue, listlessness, sleep disturbances;
- tickling sensation, "coma" in the throat.
Also, when tilting or turning the head, a creak is heard, and the mobility of the cervical region is limited.
Pathology diagnosis
The primary diagnosis can be made based on an external examination, patient complaints, and the results of a number of functional tests to assess range of motion, reflexes, and sensitivity. To confirm this, the x-ray is performed in 2 projections. The study is informative not only for the detection of osteochondrosis, but also for establishing its stage, the degree of damage to the discs and vertebrae. Discography makes it possible to accurately examine the affected intervertebral discs, and in case of suspected damage to the nerve pathways, an electrophysiological diagnosis is shown to patients:
- evoked potentials;
- electroneurography;
- electromyography.
Computed tomography, MRI serve as additional diagnostic methods, which are often used to assess the condition of the spinal cord, 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, rheumatism.
First aid for exacerbations
With a recurrence of cervical osteochondrosis, the pain in the neck is such 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 take a position of the body in which the pain subsides. If, on the recommendation of a doctor, a Shants collar or a semi-rigid bandage has already been purchased, it should be worn when moving.
To stop a pain attack will allow taking a tablet of any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ointments and gels containing NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic effect.
In first aid, the use of cold or heat is undesirable. Often a relapse occurs due to muscle spasms, and cold compresses will only increase skeletal muscle tension. 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 of any localization has not yet been completely cured. A neurologist or vertebrologist will certainly explain to a woman the meaning and principles of the upcoming therapy. Treatment is aimed at achieving a stable stage of remission. At this stage, painful sensations occur extremely rarely, and range of motion is completely preserved.
It is impossible to limit yourself only to taking medication, since the means for the restoration of discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized. It is necessary to follow all the prescriptions of the doctor - attend physiotherapy, massage activities, exercise therapy and gymnastics.
From the first days of treatment, patients are recommended to wear Shants collars - orthopedic devices that stabilize discs and vertebrae. They prevent the displacement of spinal structures, thereby reducing the likelihood of relapses.
Overview of drugs for treatment
Sometimes during exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis, burning and piercing pains occur due to violation of the roots of the spine. They can only be eliminated by intramuscular administration of NSAID solutions. And if they are ineffective, drug 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.
To get rid of pain of mild severity, a woman will be allowed to take NSAIDs in the form of tablets or capsules. Nonsteroidal agents in the form of gels and ointments are prescribed for mild pain, as well as to reduce doses of systemic drugs.
| A group of drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restore the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs |
| Means that improve blood circulation | Eliminates the lack of oxygen and nutrients, stimulating regeneration |
| B vitamins | Normalize the transmission of impulses to the central and peripheral nervous systems |
| Muscle relaxants | Relax skeletal muscles, eliminate muscle spasms |
| Heating ointments | Accelerates blood circulation, has an analgesic, anti-exudative effect |
| Antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives | Relieve increased anxiety, restlessness, sleep disturbances |
Therapeutic exercise, gymnastics, exercises
The most effective way to treat osteochondrosis is daily exercise therapy. With the help of metered loads on the cervical spine, the muscle corset is strengthened, the blood supply of tissues with nutrients improves, and the risk of exacerbations is reduced. It is necessary to start gymnastics immediately after the acute pain stops. The exercise therapy doctor establishes 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 up straight, put your hand under your chin. Try tilting your head while resisting with a brush;
- in a seated position, put your hand on your cheek. Tilt your head to the side, resisting with a brush;
- stand up, put your hands on your belt. First turn your head in one direction, then in the other direction, without throwing it back too much.
With osteochondrosis, patients are recommended to swim, do yoga, Pilates, water aerobics, Nordic walking. Cycling, running, lifting weights are prohibited.
Food and Diet
With cervical osteochondrosis, nutritionists recommend limiting the consumption of alcohol, coffee and strong tea. These drinks interfere with the absorption of calcium, rapidly removing it from the body. Preference should be given to lightly salted mineral waters, fruit compotes and jellies, vegetable juices, berry drinks. The optimal amount of fluid to drink is 2-2. 5 liters per day.
It is necessary to abandon fast food, semi-finished products, smoked meats, fatty meats. The daily diet menu should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, white bread or dried rye and fermented milk products. Useful turkey, chicken breast, rabbit meat, lamb. 2-3 times a week you need to eat fatty fish, such as salmon or Norwegian herring.
It is better to completely abandon fried foods. The most useful products are baked in foil, boiled or steamed.
Physiotherapy
At the stage of rehabilitation, patients are assigned 5-10 sessions of physiotherapy. Electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis with chondroprotectors, solutions of calcium salts, vitamins of group B is carried out to restore cartilaginous tissues, improve innervation and increase the strength of the ligament tendon apparatus. The same procedures, but only with glucocorticoids, analgesics, anesthetics in the subacute period, are intended to relieve pain and inflammation.
The following physiotherapy procedures can also improve a woman's well-being:
- UHF therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- galvanic currents;
- laser therapy;
- shock wave therapy.
Applications with ozokerite, bischofite, paraffin are used. The use of therapeutic muds and mineral waters, the placement of medical leeches have proven themselves in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Massage
When massaging, a mechanical effect is exerted on the muscles of the entire back, and not only on the cervical region. But it is on them that the specialist pays special attention. As a result of kneading, smoothing, performing pressing and chopping 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;
- indicate;
- empty;
- Swedish;
- segmental.
Pharmacies and medical supply stores sell hand-held electric massagers. They are equipped with special nozzles, speed regulators. And the comfortable long handle of the devices allows you to independently massage the neck.
Folk remedies
In folk medicine, for the treatment of osteochondrosis, homemade ointments, alcohol and oil rubs, compresses, decoctions and tinctures are used. Representatives of official medicine are skeptical of these methods of treating degenerative-dystrophic pathology due to their low clinical efficacy. Exceptions are chamomile teas, St. John's wort, rosehip infusion.
Features of the treatment of older women
The therapy 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 the elderly, a decrease in the functional activity of the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. The doctor selects drugs, the use of which has a slight effect on the internal organs, and the risk of adverse reactions is reduced.
What is dangerous cervical osteochondrosis
The main signs of cervical osteochondrosis are similar in both sexes. But neurological symptoms are more pronounced in women. They are more often diagnosed with damage to the spinal roots and the vertebral artery, which supplies the brain with nutrients.
With cervical osteochondrosis of 2nd and 3rd severity, the vertebral roots are often violated, which leads to the appearance of sharp pains, loss of reflexes and decreased sensitivity. Serious complications of the pathology are intervertebral hernia, radicular syndrome, discogenic myelopathy.
Preventive actions
In women who prefer narrow shoes with high heels, cervical osteochondrosis is often detected. When wearing, the load on the spine is distributed unevenly, which leads to microtrauma of the cartilage tissues. Women also often suffer from hypothermia, they acutely experience ordinary domestic conflicts. And these factors are prerequisites for the development of pathology. Therefore, their exclusion from the usual way of life becomes an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis of any localization and its consequences.