Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed in women more often 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 adversely affect the condition of cartilage and bone tissues. 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 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 that women of any age are less resistant to stress. Having learned about the impossibility of completely curing osteochondrosis, they can bring themselves to a depressive state with experiences. 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 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 the menopause leads to damage to the discs, provokes the development of osteoporosis (increased fragility of the bones).
Women monitor their weight, so they often refuse foods high in calcium - sour cream, cheeses, peas, soybeans, beans. And if the diet is followed, not only body weight decreases, but also a deficiency of the most important trace elements and vitamins occurs, which provokes premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
At the first x-ray stage, 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 physical exertion or a long stay in a position with her head down. But gradually the intensity of 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 infringement by osteophytes, displaced discs of the vertebral artery, the following clinical manifestations occur:
- jumps in blood pressure;
- headaches (cervical migraines), dizziness, pre-fainting;
- decreased visual acuity and hearing, double vision of objects before the eyes, tinnitus;
- fatigue, apathy, sleep disorders;
- feeling of tickling, "coma" in the throat.
Also, when tilting or turning the head, a crunch is heard, and the mobility of the cervical region is limited.
Diagnosis of pathology
The primary diagnosis can be made on the basis of an external examination, patient complaints, and the results of a number of functional tests to assess range of motion, reflexes, and sensitivity. To confirm it, radiography 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 allows 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, detect complications - protrusions or intervertebral hernias. These studies are carried out in order to differentiate cervical osteochondrosis from tuberculous spondylitis, osteomyelitis, benign and malignant neoplasms, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatism.
First aid for exacerbations
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 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, 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). Ointments and gels with NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic effect.
When providing first aid, the use of cold or heat is undesirable. Often, a relapse occurs due to muscle spasm, and cold compresses will only increase the tension of the skeletal muscles. 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 the upcoming therapy. Treatment is aimed at achieving a stage of stable remission. At this stage, any painful sensations occur extremely rarely, and the range of motion is completely preserved.
It is impossible to be limited only to taking drugs, since the means that restore 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 vertebral structures, thereby reducing the likelihood of relapses.
Overview of drugs for treatment
Sometimes during exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis, burning, piercing pains occur due to infringement of 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 tissues.
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 the doses of systemic drugs.
| A group of drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restore cartilaginous tissues of intervertebral discs |
| Means that improve blood circulation | Eliminate the lack of oxygen and nutrients, stimulating regeneration |
| B vitamins | Normalize the transmission of impulses to the central, peripheral nervous systems |
| Muscle relaxants | Relax skeletal muscles, eliminate muscle spasms |
| Warming ointments | Accelerate blood circulation, have an analgesic, anti-exudative effect |
| Antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives | Relieve increased anxiety, restlessness, sleep disorders |
Therapeutic exercise, 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, blood supply to tissues with nutrients improves, and the risk of exacerbations is reduced. It is necessary to start gymnastics immediately after stopping acute pain. The exercise therapy doctor draws up a set 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 physiotherapy doctors recommend:
- sit up straight, put your hand under your chin. Try to tilt your 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. Rotate your head first in one direction, then in the other direction, without throwing it back much.
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 flushing it out of the body. Preference should be given to lightly salted mineral waters, fruit compotes and jelly, vegetable juices, berry fruit 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, cereal cereals, dried white or rye bread, and fermented milk products. Useful turkey, chicken breast, rabbit meat, lamb. 2-3 times a week you need to 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 foil, stewed in water 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 cartilage tissues, improve innervation, and increase the strength of the ligamentous tendon apparatus. The same procedures, but only with glucocorticosteroids, 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;
- magnetotherapy;
- galvanic currents;
- laser therapy;
- shock wave therapy.
Applications with ozokerite, bischofite, paraffin are used. The use of therapeutic mud and mineral waters, the setting 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 just the cervical region. But it is on them that the specialist focuses special attention. As a result of kneading, smoothing, performing pressing and chopping movements, spasmodic skeletal muscles relax, ligaments strengthen, and blood circulation improves. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, the following types of manual and hardware massage are used:
- classical;
- point;
- vacuum;
- Swedish;
- segmental.
Pharmacies and medical equipment stores sell manual electric massagers. They are equipped with special nozzles, speed controllers. And the comfortable long handle of the devices allows you to independently massage the back of the neck.
Folk remedies
In folk medicine, for the treatment of osteochondrosis, home-made ointments, alcohol and oil rubbing, compresses, decoctions, tinctures are used. Representatives of official medicine are skeptical about such methods of therapy for degenerative-dystrophic pathology due to their low clinical effectiveness. An exception is herbal teas from chamomile, St. John's wort, infusion of rose hips.
Features of the treatment of older women
Therapy of age 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 chooses drugs, the use of which has a mild effect on the internal organs, and the risk of adverse reactions is reduced.
What is dangerous cervical osteochondrosis
The leading signs of cervical osteochondrosis are similar in both sexes. But neurological symptoms are more pronounced in women. They are more often diagnosed with infringement of the spinal roots and the vertebral artery, which supplies the brain with nutrients.
With cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd severity, often the spinal roots are infringed, which leads to the appearance of acute pain, loss of reflexes, and a decrease in sensitivity. Severe 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 it, the load on the spinal column is distributed unevenly, which leads to microtrauma of cartilaginous tissues. Women also often suffer from hypothermia, they are acutely experiencing 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.