Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed more often in women than in men. And this is due not only to the lower strength of the ligamentous tendon apparatus, the weakness of the muscular 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. But the methods of conservative and surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in both sexes practically do not differ.
Characteristics 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, begin to slowly collapse, involving bone structures, ligaments, tendons in the destructive process. But due to weak 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 resistance to stress of women of any age. Having learned about the impossibility of complete healing of osteochondrosis, they can bring themselves to a depressed state with experiences. Therefore, antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives and tranquilizers are often included in therapeutic regimens.
Causes of the disease in women
The main reason for the most frequent damage to the intervertebral discs 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. The decrease in estrogen levels in menopause leads to disc damage, provokes the development of osteoporosis (increased bone fragility).
Women monitor their weight, so they often refuse foods rich in calcium - sour cream, cheeses, peas, soy, beans. And if the diet is followed, not only does the body weight decrease, but also a lack of trace elements and the most important vitamins appears, which provokes the premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
In the first stage of radiography, the signs of osteochondrosis are weakly expressed. Only the uneven surface of the intervertebral discs is noted. Therefore, a woman feels only a slight discomfort in the neck that occurs after a physical strain 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 is steadily progressing. As a result of damage from osteophytes, displaced discs of the vertebral artery, the following clinical manifestations occur:
- jumps in blood pressure;
- headache (cervical migraine), dizziness, pre-connection;
- decreased visual acuity and hearing, double vision of objects in front of the eyes, tinnitus;
- fatigue, apathy, sleep disorders;
- tickling sensation, "coma" in the throat.
Also, when tilting or turning the head, a crackling sound is heard and the mobility of the cervical region is limited.
Pathology diagnosis
The primary diagnosis can be made on the basis of an external examination, the patient's complaints and the results of a series of functional tests to assess the range of motion, reflexes and sensation. To confirm it, radiography is performed in 2 projections. The study is informative not only for the detection of osteochondrosis, but also for determining its stage, the degree of damage to the discs and vertebrae. Discography allows you to accurately examine the affected intervertebral discs, and if there is a suspicion of damage to the nerve pathways, patients are shown electrophysiological diagnostics:
- evoked potentials;
- electroneurography;
- electromyography.
CT, MRI serve as additional diagnostic methods, often used to assess the condition of the spinal cord, to detect complications - protrusions or intervertebral hernias. These studies are performed to differentiate cervical osteochondrosis from tuberculous spondylitis, osteomyelitis, benign and malignant neoplasms, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatism.
First aid for irritations
During a recurrence of cervical osteochondrosis, there is such severe pain in the neck that the woman is afraid to turn or tilt her head. To reduce its intensity, lie on a hard surface. It is necessary to take a position of the body in which the pain decreases. If, on the doctor's recommendation, a Shants collar or a semi-rigid bandage has already been purchased, then it must be worn when moving.
To stop a pain attack will allow taking a tablet of any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAID ointments and gels have a pronounced analgesic effect.
When giving first aid, the use of cold or heat is undesirable. Often, a relapse occurs due to muscle spasm, 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 definitely explain to a woman the meaning and principles of future therapy. Treatment is aimed at achieving a phase of sustained remission. At this stage, any painful sensations occur extremely rarely, and the range of motion is completely preserved.
It is impossible to limit yourself only to taking medicines, since the means that restore the discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized. It is necessary to follow all the doctor's prescriptions - take part in 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 displacement of the vertebral structures, thus reducing the possibility of relapse.
Overview of drugs for treatment
Sometimes during exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis, burning, piercing pain occurs due to damage to the spinal roots. They can be eliminated only 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 because of 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. Non-steroidal 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 restores the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs |
| Means that improve blood circulation | Eliminate the lack of oxygen and nutrients, stimulating regeneration |
| B vitamins | It normalizes the transmission of impulses in the central and peripheral nervous system |
| Muscle relaxants | Relax skeletal muscles, eliminate muscle spasms |
| Warming ointment | They accelerate blood circulation, have an analgesic, antiexudative effect |
| Antidepressants, tranquilizers, tranquilizers | Relieve increased anxiety, restlessness, sleep disorders |
Therapeutic exercises, gymnastics, exercises
The most effective way to treat osteochondrosis is daily exercise therapy. With the help of dosed loads on the cervical spine, the muscular corset is strengthened, the blood supply of the tissues with nutrients improves and the risk of irritations decreases. It is necessary to start gymnastics immediately after stopping the acute pain. The exercise therapy doctor designs a group of exercises individually for a woman, taking into account her physical ability 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, put your hand under your chin. Try to tilt the head, resisting with a brush;
- in a sitting 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. Turn your head first in one direction, then in the other direction, without throwing it too far back.
With osteochondrosis, patients are recommended swimming, yoga, Pilates, water aerobics, Nordic walking. Cycling, running, lifting weights are prohibited.
Nutrition and diet
With cervical osteochondrosis, nutritionists recommend limiting the use of alcohol, coffee and strong tea. These drinks interfere with the absorption of calcium, quickly removing it from the body. Preference should be given to slightly salty mineral waters, fruit compotes and jellies, vegetable juices, berry fruit drinks. The optimal amount of fluids to drink is 2-2. 5 liters per day.
It is necessary to abandon fast food, semi-finished products, smoked meat, fatty meat. The daily diet menu should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, dry white or rye bread and fermented milk products. Useful turkey, chicken breast, rabbit meat, lamb. 2-3 times a week you should eat some oily fish, such as salmon or Norwegian herring.
It is better to completely abandon fried foods. The most useful products are baked in noodles, boiled in water or steamed.
Physiotherapy
In the rehabilitation phase, patients are assigned 5-10 physiotherapy sessions. Electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis with chondroprotectors, solutions of calcium salts, group B vitamins is performed to restore cartilage tissue, improve innervation and increase the strength of the ligamentous tendon apparatus. The same procedures, but only with glucocorticosteroids, analgesics, anesthetics in the subacute period, aim 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 mud and mineral waters, the placement of medical leeches has proven itself well in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Massages
During the massage, a mechanical effect is made on the muscles of the entire back, and not only on the cervical region. But it is to them that the specialist pays special attention. As a result of boiling, softening, performing compressive and cutting movements, spasmodic skeletal muscles are relaxed, ligaments are strengthened and blood circulation is improved. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, the following types of manual and hardware massage are used:
- classical;
- point;
- vacuum;
- Swedish;
- segmental.
Pharmacies and medical supply stores sell manual electric massagers. They are equipped with special nozzles, speed controllers. And the long comfortable handle of the equipment allows you to independently massage the back of the neck.
Folk remedies
In folk medicine, for the treatment of osteochondrosis, household ointments, rubbing with alcohol and oil, compresses, decoctions and tinctures are used. Representatives of official medicine are skeptical about such methods of therapy for degenerative-dystrophic pathology due to their low clinical effectiveness. Exceptions are herbal teas from chamomile, St. John's wort, rose hip infusion.
Features of treatment of elderly 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 mild effect on the internal organs and the risk of negative 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. Most often they are diagnosed with damage to the spinal roots and the vertebral artery, which supplies the brain with nutrients.
With cervical osteochondrosis of the second and third severity, the spinal roots are often damaged, which leads to the appearance of acute pain, 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 you wear it, the load on the spine is unevenly distributed, which leads to microtrauma of cartilage tissue. Women also often suffer from hypothermia, they are experiencing acute common 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.