Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed more often in women than in men. And this is due not only to less strength of the ligamentous tendon apparatus, but also to the weakness of the muscular corset. During 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 proceeds according to the same scenario as in men. Intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture, begin to slowly collapse, including bone structures, ligaments, tendons in a destructive process. But due to weak neck muscles, fragile segments of the vertebrae, 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 stress resistance of women of any age. After learning about the impossibility of a complete cure of osteochondrosis, experiences can lead to depression. Therefore, antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, and sedatives are often included in therapeutic regimens.
Causes of diseases 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 cartilage and bone tissue biosynthesis, gradually decreases. The decrease in estrogen levels in menopause leads to damage to the discs, causing 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 you follow a diet, not only does your body weight decrease, but there is also a lack of the most important trace elements and vitamins, which causes premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
In the first phase of the X-ray, the signs of osteochondrosis are weakly expressed. Only the uneven surface of the intervertebral discs is noticeable. Therefore, a woman feels only a slight discomfort in the neck, which occurs after physical exertion or a long stay in a lowered head position. 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 constantly progressing. As a result of injury to osteophytes, displaced discs of the vertebral artery, the following clinical manifestations occur:
- spikes in blood pressure;
- headaches (cervical migraines), dizziness, 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 the 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 done in 2 projections. The study is informative not only for detecting osteochondrosis, but also for determining its stage, degree of damage to discs and vertebrae. Discography enables a precise examination of the affected intervertebral discs, and if there is a suspicion of damage to nerve pathways, patients are shown electrophysiological diagnostics:
- evoked potentials;
- electroneurography;
- electromyography.
CT, MRI serve as additional diagnostic methods, they are 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 the recurrence of cervical osteochondrosis, such severe pain occurs 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 body position in which the pain subsides. If, according to 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, taking a tablet of any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) will help. Ointments and gels with NSAIDs have a pronounced analgesic effect.
When providing first aid, the use of cold or heat is undesirable. Relapses often occur 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 the meaning and principles of the upcoming therapy to the woman. Treatment is aimed at achieving a phase of stable 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 drugs, because means for restoring discs and vertebrae have not been synthesized yet. It is necessary to comply with all the doctor's prescriptions - attend physiotherapy, massage, 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 movement of the vertebral structures, thus reducing the likelihood of recurrence.
Overview of treatment medications
Sometimes, during exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis, there are burning, stabbing pains due to injury to the root of the spine. 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 mild pain, a woman will be allowed 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 for reducing doses of systemic drugs.
| A group of drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis | Therapeutic effect |
|---|---|
| Chondroprotectors | They partially restore the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs |
| Means that improve blood circulation | Eliminates lack of oxygen and nutrients, stimulating regeneration |
| B vitamins | Normalize the transmission of impulses to the central, peripheral nervous system |
| Muscle relaxants | Relax skeletal muscles, remove muscle spasms |
| Fats for heating | They speed up blood circulation, have an analgesic, anti-exudative effect |
| Antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives | 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 muscle corset is strengthened, tissue blood supply 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 physiotherapy doctors recommend:
- sit up straight, put your hand under your chin. Try tilting your head, resisting with the brush;
- in a sitting position, place your hand on your cheek. Tilt your head to the side, resisting with the brush;
- stand up, put your hands on your belt. Turn your head first in one direction and then in the other direction without tipping it too far back.
For patients with osteochondrosis, swimming, yoga, pilates, water aerobics, Nordic walking are recommended. It is forbidden to ride a bicycle, run, lift weights.
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 salty mineral waters, fruit compotes and jellies, vegetable juices, and berry drinks. 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 meat, fatty meat. The daily menu should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereal grains, dried white or rye bread and fermented milk products. Useful turkey, chicken breast, rabbit meat, lamb. 2-3 times a week you must eat fatty fish, such as salmon or Norwegian herring.
It is better to completely abandon fried food. The most useful products are baked in foil, stewed in water or steamed.
Physiotherapy
In the rehabilitation phase, patients are assigned 5-10 sessions of physiotherapy. Electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis with chondroprotectors, solutions of calcium salts, group B vitamins is carried out to restore cartilage tissue, improve innervation and increase the strength of the ligament 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 placement of medicinal leeches has proven itself well in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Massages
During the massage, a mechanical effect is exerted on the muscles of the entire back, not just the cervical region. But it is precisely on them that the expert directs special attention. As a result of kneading, smoothing, performing pressing and chopping movements, spasmodic skeletal muscles are relaxed, ligaments are strengthened and blood circulation is improved. The following types of manual and hardware massage are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- classic;
- point;
- vacuum;
- Swedish;
- segmental.
Pharmacies and medical supply stores sell handheld electric massagers. They are equipped with special nozzles, speed regulators. And the comfortable long handle of the device allows you to independently massage the back of the neck.
Folk remedies
In folk medicine, homemade ointments, alcohol and oil rubs, poultices, decoctions, and tinctures are used to treat osteochondrosis. Representatives of official medicine are skeptical of such methods of treatment of degenerative-dystrophic pathology due to their low clinical effectiveness. Exceptions are herbal teas made from chamomile, St. John's wort, rosehip 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 chooses drugs whose use 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 an injury to the spinal roots and the vertebral artery, which supplies the brain with nutrients.
With cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd severity, spinal roots are often injured, which leads to acute pain, loss of reflexes and reduced 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 carrying, the load on the spine is unevenly distributed, which leads to microtrauma of the cartilage tissue. Women also often suffer from hypothermia, 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.