Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed in women more often than in men.And this is not only due to the lower strength of the ligamentous-tendon apparatus and the weakness of the muscular corset.Throughout 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 are practically the same.
Features of female osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women develops and proceeds in the same way 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 destructive process.But due to weak neck muscles and more fragile spinal segments, the first symptoms of the disease appear more quickly in women.Already in the initial phase of development, severe discomfort may occur that limits mobility.
It is noteworthy that women of any age have less resistance to stress.Having learned about the impossibility of completely curing osteochondrosis, they can come to a depressive state with their worries.Therefore, antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers and sedatives are often included in therapeutic regimens.
Causes of the disease in women
The main reason for more frequent damage to 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, so they often refuse foods rich in calcium - sour cream, cheese, peas, soybeans, beans.And when following a diet, not only does body weight decrease, but a deficiency of essential microelements and vitamins also occurs, which provokes premature destruction of intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
In the first radiographic phase, signs of osteochondrosis are weakly expressed.Only the uneven surface of the intervertebral discs is noted.Therefore, the woman only feels slight discomfort in the neck, which occurs after physical exertion or staying in a lowered head position for a long time.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 continuously.As a result of strangulation by osteophytes and displacement of the vertebral artery discs, the following clinical manifestations occur:
- blood pressure spikes;
- headaches (cervical migraines), dizziness, vertigo;
- decreased visual and auditory acuity, double vision of objects in front of the eyes, tinnitus;
- fatigue, apathy, sleep disturbances;
- feeling of pain, “coma” in the throat.
In addition, when tilting or turning the head, a crunching sound is heard and the mobility of the cervical spine is limited.
Diagnosis of pathology
The primary diagnosis can be made based on an external examination, the patient's complaints and the results of a series of functional tests to assess range of motion, reflexes and sensitivity.To confirm, the x-ray is performed 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 a targeted examination of the affected intervertebral discs, and if damage to the nerve tracts is suspected, electrophysiological diagnosis is indicated for patients:
- evoked potentials;
- electroneurography;
- electromyography.
Computed tomography 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 neoplasms, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatism.
First aid for exacerbations
During a 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 adopt a body position in which the pain decreases.If, on the doctor's recommendation, a Shants collar or a semi-rigid bandage has already been purchased, it must be used during movement.
Taking a tablet of any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) will help relieve a painful attack.Ointments and gels with NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic effect.
When providing first aid, it is not advisable to use cold or heat.Often a relapse occurs due to muscle spasm, and cold compresses only increase tension in the skeletal muscles.Dry warming 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 still cannot be completely cured.A neurologist or vertebrologist will definitely explain to the woman the meaning and principles of the upcoming therapy.Treatment aims to reach a stable remission stage.At this stage, any painful sensations occur extremely rarely and the range of motion is completely preserved.
You cannot limit yourself to just taking medications, as drugs that restore discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized.It is necessary to follow all the doctor's instructions - attend physiotherapy, massages, practice physiotherapy 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, thereby reducing the likelihood of relapses.
Review of medications for treatment
Sometimes, during exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis, burning and stabbing pain occurs due to compression of the spinal roots.They can only be eliminated by intramuscular injection of NSAID solutions.And if they are ineffective, drug blocks with anesthetics and hormonal agents are used.Glucocorticosteroids are not used frequently 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 medications in the form of gels and ointments are prescribed for 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 | Eliminate oxygen and nutrient deficiency, stimulating regeneration |
| B vitamins | Normalize the transmission of impulses to the central and peripheral nervous systems |
| Muscle relaxants | Relaxes skeletal muscles, eliminates muscle spasms |
| Warming ointments | Accelerate blood circulation, have analgesic and anti-exudative effects |
| Antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives | Relieves increased anxiety, restlessness and sleep disorders |
Physiotherapy, gymnastics, exercises
The most effective way to treat osteochondrosis is daily physiotherapy exercises.With the help of dosed loads on the cervical spine, the muscular corset is strengthened, the blood supply to tissues with nutrients is improved, and the risk of exacerbations is reduced.It is necessary to start gymnastics immediately after acute pain relief.The physiotherapist creates a set of exercises individually for the 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 tilting 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.Turn your head first in one direction and then in the other, without tilting it too far back.
For osteochondrosis, patients are recommended swimming, yoga, Pilates, water 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, quickly eliminating it from the body.Preference should be given to slightly salted mineral waters, fruit compotes and jellies, vegetable juices and berry drinks.The ideal amount of liquid to drink is 2 to 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 porridge, dry white or rye bread and dairy products.Turkey, chicken breast, rabbit and lamb are healthy.2-3 times a week you need to eat fatty fish, such as salmon or Norwegian herring.
It is best to avoid fried foods completely.The most useful products are baked in foil, cooked in water or steamed.
Physiotherapy
In the rehabilitation phase, patients receive 5 to 10 physical therapy sessions.Electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis with chondroprotectors, solutions of calcium salts, B vitamins are carried out to restore cartilaginous tissue, improve innervation and increase the strength of the tendon-ligamentous apparatus.The same procedures, but only with glucocorticosteroids, analgesics, anesthetics in the subacute period are aimed at relieving 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 mud and mineral waters and the placement of medicinal leeches have proven to be good in treating cervical osteochondrosis.
Massages
During the massage, a mechanical effect is applied to the muscles of the entire back, and not just the cervical region.But it is to them that the specialist pays special attention.As a result of kneading, smoothing, pressing and cutting movements, spastic skeletal muscles relax, ligaments are strengthened and blood circulation improves.The following types of manual and hardware massage are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- classic;
- point;
- vacuum;
- Swedish;
- segment.
Pharmacies and medical equipment stores sell manual 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 head.
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 such methods of treating degenerative pathology due to their low clinical effectiveness.The exceptions are herbal teas from chamomile, St. John's wort and rose hip infusion.
Features of treatment for elderly women
Therapy for elderly patients is carried out using the same techniques as treatment for 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 medicines, the use of which has a moderate 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 both sexes.But neurological symptoms are more pronounced in women.They are most often diagnosed with infringement of the spinal roots and the vertebral artery, which supplies the brain with nutrients.
In cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd severity, pinching of the spinal roots often occurs, which leads to acute 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 using it, the load on the spine is unevenly distributed, which leads to microtraumas of the cartilaginous tissue.Women also frequently suffer from hypothermia and are severely affected by common everyday conflicts.And these factors are prerequisites for the development of pathology.Therefore, its exclusion from the usual lifestyle becomes an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis of any localization and its consequences.