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 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 scenario as in men. The intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture, begin to slowly collapse, and bone structures, ligaments, and tendons are involved in the destructive process. But due to weak neck muscles, more fragile spinal segments, the first symptoms of the disease in women appear faster. Already at the initial stage of development, there may be marked discomfort that limits mobility.
It should be noted the lower stress resistance of women at any age. Having learned about the impossibility of completely curing osteochondrosis, they can bring themselves to a depressed state with experiences. Because of this, antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, and sedatives are often included in therapeutic regimens.
Causes of the disease in women
The main reason for the more 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, provoking the development of osteoporosis (increased bone fragility).
Women monitor their weight, so they often refuse foods with a high calcium content - sour cream, cheese, peas, soy, beans. And if the diet is followed, not only does the body weight decrease, 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 slight discomfort in the neck area, which appears after physical exertion or a long stay in a position with the head bent. 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 continuously progresses. As a result of damage from osteophytes, displaced discs of the vertebral artery, the following clinical manifestations occur:
- spikes in blood pressure;
- headache (cervical migraine), dizziness, preceding fainting;
- reduced 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 crunch is heard and the mobility of the cervical region 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 number of functional tests to assess range of motion, reflexes, and sensation. To confirm it, radiography is performed in 2 projections. The study is informative not only for detecting osteochondrosis, but also for establishing its stage, the degree of damage to the discs and vertebrae. Discography allows accurate examination of the affected intervertebral discs, and if damage to the nerve pathways is suspected, 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 conducted to differentiate cervical osteochondrosis from tuberculous spondylitis, osteomyelitis, benign and malignant neoplasms, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatism.
First aid for exacerbations
During a relapse 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 should be worn when moving.
To stop a pain attack will allow you to take 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. Relapse often 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 is still not completely cured. A neurologist or vertebrologist will definitely explain to the woman the meaning and principles of the upcoming therapy. Treatment is aimed at achieving a stage of stable remission. At this stage, painful sensations appear extremely rarely, and the range of motion is completely preserved.
It is impossible to limit it only to taking drugs, because the means for restoring discs and vertebrae have not yet been synthesized. It is necessary to follow all the prescriptions of the doctor - attend physiotherapy, massage activities, exercises and gymnastics.
From the first days of treatment, patients are recommended to wear Shants collars - orthopedic devices that stabilize discs and vertebrae. They prevent spinal structures from shifting, thus reducing the likelihood of relapses.
Overview of treatment drugs
Sometimes during an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, burning, piercing pains occur 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 impact on internal organs, cartilage and bone tissues.
To get rid of mild pain, a woman will be able 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 | Partial restoration of the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs |
| Means that improve blood circulation | Eliminate the lack of oxygen and nutrients, stimulating regeneration |
| B vitamins | Normalizes the transmission of impulses to the central, peripheral nervous system |
| Muscle relaxants | Relax skeletal muscles, eliminate muscle spasms |
| Warming ointments | They speed up blood circulation, have an analgesic, anti-exudative effect |
| Antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives | Relief of increased anxiety, restlessness, sleep disorders |
Physical therapy, gymnastics, exercises
The most effective way to treat osteochondrosis is daily exercise therapy. With the help of dosed loads on the cervical spine, the muscle corset is strengthened, the blood supply to the tissues with nutrients is improved and the risk of exacerbations is reduced. It is necessary to start gymnastics immediately after the cessation of acute pain. The exercise therapy doctor compiles 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, put your hand under your chin. Try to tilt your head, resisting with a brush;
- in a sitting position, put a 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, without throwing it too far back.
Patients with osteochondrosis are recommended swimming, yoga, pilates, water aerobics, Nordic walking. Cycling, running, weight lifting 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 expelling it from the body. Preference should be given to slightly salted mineral waters, fruit compotes and jellies, vegetable juices, fruit drinks from berries. The optimal amount of liquid 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, dried white or rye bread and fermented milk products. Healthy turkey, chicken breast, rabbit meat, lamb. 2-3 times a week you should eat some fatty fish, such as salmon or Norwegian herring.
It is better to completely give up fried foods. The most useful products are baked in foil, stewed in water or steamed.
Physiotherapy
At the rehabilitation stage, patients are prescribed 5-10 sessions of physiotherapy. Electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis with chondroprotectors, solutions of calcium salts, vitamins of group B are performed to restore cartilaginous 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 designed to relieve pain and inflammation.
The following physical therapy 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 medicinal mud and mineral waters, the application of medical leeches have proven themselves well in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Massages
During the massage, a mechanical effect is performed on the muscles of the entire back, not just the neck. But it is precisely on them that the specialist pays special attention. As a result of kneading, smoothing, pressing 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 apparatus massage are used:
- classic;
- point;
- vacuum;
- Swedish;
- segmental.
Hand-held electric massagers are sold in pharmacies and medical supply stores. They are equipped with special nozzles, speed regulators. And the comfortable long handle of the devices allows you to independently massage the back of the neck.
People's funds
In folk medicine, home-made ointments, alcohol and oil rubs, compresses, decoctions and tinctures are used to treat osteochondrosis. Representatives of official medicine are skeptical about such methods of treating degenerative-dystrophic pathology due to their low clinical effectiveness. Exceptions are herbal teas made from chamomile, St. John's wort, rosehip infusion.
Features of the treatment of elderly women
The therapy of adult 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 side effects 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 damage to the spinal roots and the spinal artery that supplies the brain with nutrients.
With cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd degree of severity, the spinal roots are often disturbed, 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
Cervical osteochondrosis is often found in women who prefer narrow shoes with high heels. When wearing it, the load on the spine is unevenly distributed, which leads to microtraumas of the cartilaginous tissues. Women also often suffer from hypothermia, they acutely experience ordinary household 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 location and its consequences.