Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed more often in women than in men.And this is not only due to the low strength of the ligamentous-tendon apparatus and the weakness of the muscle corset.Throughout her life, a woman's body is subject to fluctuations in hormonal levels, which can negatively affect the condition of cartilage and bone tissue.However, the methods of conservative and surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in representatives of both sexes are practically the same.
Features of female osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women develops and continues according to the same scenario as in men.Intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture and slowly begin to deteriorate, involving bone structures, ligaments and tendons in a destructive process.However, due to weaker neck muscles and more fragile spinal segments, the first signs of the disease appear earlier in women.Already at the initial stage of development, serious discomfort may arise that limits mobility.
It should be noted that women of any age have less resistance to stress.Having learned the impossibility of complete healing of osteochondrosis, they can make themselves depressed with their worries.Therefore, antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, and sedatives are often included in therapeutic regimens.
Causes of the disease in women
The main reason why intervertebral discs are more often damaged in women is the 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 tissue, gradually decreases.Declining estrogen levels during menopause cause disc damage and lead to the development of osteoporosis (increased bone fragility).
Women watch their weight, so they often refuse foods high in calcium - sour cream, cheese, peas, soy, beans.When following a diet, not only body weight decreases, but also there is a lack of important trace elements and vitamins, which leads to the premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
At the first radiographic stage, signs of osteochondrosis are poorly expressed.Only the uneven surface of the intervertebral discs is noted.Therefore, a woman feels a slight discomfort in the neck area, which occurs after physical exertion or after staying with the head down for a long time.But gradually the intensity of pain increases.It is visible not only when turning and tilting the head, but also at rest.In the absence of medical intervention, the pathology progresses continuously.As a result of strangulation by osteophytes and displaced discs of the vertebral artery, the following clinical manifestations occur:
- blood pressure rises;
- headache (cervical migraine), dizziness, vertigo;
- decreased visual and hearing acuity, double vision of objects in front of the eyes, tinnitus;
- fatigue, apathy, sleep disorder;
- feeling of pain, "coma" in the throat.
Also, a creaking sound is heard when bending or turning the head, and the mobility of the cervical spine is limited.
Diagnosis of pathology
The initial diagnosis can be made based on external examination, patient complaints, and the results of a series of functional tests to assess range of motion, reflexes, and sensitivity.To confirm this, radiography is performed in 2 projections.The study is informative not only for identifying osteochondrosis, but also for determining its stage, the degree of damage to 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 assess the condition of the spinal cord and detect complications - protrusions or intervertebral tears.These studies are carried out in order to differentiate cervical osteochondrosis from tuberculous spondylitis, osteomyelitis, benign and malignant neoplasms, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatism.
First aid during an exacerbation
During the relapse of cervical osteochondrosis, such severe pain occurs in the neck that the woman is afraid to turn or bend her head.Lie down on a hard surface to reduce its intensity.It is necessary to adopt a body position in which the pain decreases.If a Shunt collar or semi-rigid bandage has already been purchased on the doctor's recommendation, then it should be worn while moving.
Taking a tablet of any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) will help relieve a painful attack.Ointments and gels with NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic effect.
It is not advisable to use cold or heat when providing first aid.Relapse often occurs due to muscle spasm, and cold compresses will only increase the tension in the skeletal muscles.Dry heating is an effective way to relieve 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 the meaning and principles of the upcoming therapy to the woman.Treatment is aimed at achieving a stable remission stage.At this stage, any painful sensations occur extremely rarely, and the range of motion is completely preserved.
You can't limit yourself only to taking drugs, because drugs that restore discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized.It is necessary to follow all the instructions of the doctor - to do physiotherapy, massage measures, physiotherapy and gymnastics.
From the first days of treatment, patients are recommended to use the Shants collar - orthopedic devices that stabilize discs and vertebrae.They prevent displacement of the vertebral structures and thereby reduce the likelihood of relapse.
Review of drugs for treatment
Sometimes, during exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, burning, piercing pain occurs due to compression of the spinal roots.They can be eliminated only 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 they have a negative effect 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, as well as to reduce the dose of systemic drugs.
| A group of drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis | Therapeutic effect |
|---|---|
| Chondroprotectors | It partially restores the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs |
| Medicines that improve blood circulation | Eliminate oxygen and nutrient deficiency, stimulate regeneration |
| B vitamins | Normalize the transmission of impulses to the central and peripheral nervous systems |
| Muscle relaxants | It relaxes skeletal muscles and relieves muscle spasms |
| Warming ointments | Accelerates blood circulation, has an analgesic, exudative effect |
| Antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives | Eliminates 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 dosed loads on the cervical spine, the muscle corset is strengthened, blood supply of tissues with nutrients is improved, and the risk of exacerbation is reduced.It is necessary to start gymnastics immediately after the elimination of acute pains.The doctor of physical therapy creates a series of exercises individually 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 will strengthen the muscles without damaging the cartilage tissue.What exercises do physiotherapists recommend:
- Sit up straight and place your palm under your chin.Try to bend your head while resisting with your hand;
- In a sitting position, place your palm on your cheek.Tilt your head to the side, resisting with your hand;
- stand up, put your hands on your belt.Without throwing your head back too far, turn it first in one direction and then in the other.
Swimming, yoga, Pilates, water aerobics and Nordic walking are recommended for patients with osteochondrosis.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 prevent the absorption of calcium and quickly remove it from 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 to drink is 2-2.5 liters per day.
You should avoid fast food, processed foods, smoked meats and fatty meats.The daily diet menu should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereal porridge, dried white or rye bread and dairy products.Turkey, chicken breast, rabbit, lamb are healthy.2-3 times a week you need to eat a little fatty fish, for example, salmon or Norwegian herring.
It is better to completely avoid fried foods.The most useful products are baked in foil, boiled in water or steamed.
Physiotherapy
In the rehabilitation phase, patients are prescribed 5-10 sessions of physiotherapy.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 ligamentous-tendon apparatus.The same procedures, but in the subacute period, are designed to relieve pain and inflammation with glucocorticosteroids, analgesics, anesthetics.
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 healing mud and mineral waters and the placement of medicinal leeches have proven themselves well in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Massages
During the massage, the mechanical effect is applied not only to the neck, but to all back muscles.But the specialist pays special attention.As a result of kneading, smoothing, squeezing and chopping movements, spastic skeletal muscles are relaxed, ligaments are strengthened, blood circulation is improved.The following types of manual and apparatus massage are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- classic;
- point;
- vacuum;
- Sweden;
- segmental.
Pharmacies and medical equipment stores sell handheld electric massagers.They are equipped with special attachments and speed regulators.The convenient long handle of the device allows you to massage the back of the neck independently.
Folk treatment
Home-made ointments, alcohol and oil rubs, compresses, decoctions, tinctures are used in folk medicine for the treatment of osteochondrosis.Representatives of official medicine are skeptical of such methods of treating degenerative pathology due to low clinical effectiveness.Exceptions are herbal teas from chamomile, St. John's wort and rose hips.
Features of treatment for elderly women
Therapy for elderly patients is carried out using the same methods as for 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 that have a mild effect on the internal organs, and the risk of negative reactions is reduced.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
The leading symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are similar in representatives of both sexes.But neurological symptoms are more pronounced in women.They are often diagnosed with damage to the spinal roots and the vertebral artery that supplies the brain with nutrients.
With cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd degree, compression of the spinal roots often occurs, which causes severe pain, loss of reflexes and reduced sensitivity.Severe complications of pathology are intervertebral hernia, radicular syndrome and discogenic myelopathy.
Preventive measures
Cervical osteochondrosis is often detected in women who prefer narrow shoes with high heels.When wearing it, the load on the spine is unevenly distributed, which causes microtrauma of the cartilage tissue.Women also often suffer from hypothermia and are acutely 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.