Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed more often in women than in men. And this is only due to the low 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 negatively affect the condition of cartilage and bone tissues. However, 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 continues according to the same scenario as in men. Intervertebral discs lose their ability to retain moisture, begin to collapse slowly, involving bone structures, ligaments, and tendons in the destructive process. However, due to weaker neck muscles and more fragile vertebral segments, the first signs of the disease appear earlier in women. Already at the initial stage of development, there can be an obvious discomfort that limits mobility.
It should be noted that women of all ages have a lower stress resistance. After learning that it is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis, they can become depressed with the experience. Therefore, antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, and sedatives are often included in therapeutic regimens.
Causes of the disease in women
The main reason why intervertebral discs are more often damaged 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 tissues, gradually decreases. A decrease in estrogen levels during menopause causes disc damage, leading to the development of osteoporosis (increased bone fragility).
Women control their weight, so they often refuse foods high in calcium - sour cream, cheese, peas, soy, beans. If the diet is followed, not only the body weight decreases, but also there is a deficiency of the most important trace elements and vitamins, which leads to the premature destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms
In the first X-ray stage, signs of osteochondrosis are poorly expressed. Only the uneven surface of the intervertebral discs is noted. Therefore, a woman feels only a slight discomfort in her neck, which occurs after a long stay in a position with her head down from physical exertion. But gradually the intensity of pain increases. It is visible not only when turning and tilting the head, but also at rest. In the absence of medical intervention, the pathology develops continuously. As a result of disruption of osteophytes, displaced discs of the vertebral artery, the following clinical manifestations occur:
- jumps in blood pressure;
- headache (cervical migraine), dizziness, fainting;
- decrease in visual acuity and hearing, double vision of objects in front of the eyes, tinnitus;
- fatigue, apathy, sleep disorder;
- tickling sensation, "coma" in the throat.
Also, when bending or turning the head, a crunch is heard and the mobility of the cervical region is limited.
Diagnosis of pathology
Initial diagnosis can be made based on 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 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 check 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, they are often used to assess the condition of the spinal cord, detect complications - protrusions or intervertebral tears. These studies are conducted in order to distinguish cervical osteochondrosis from tuberculous spondylitis, osteomyelitis, benign and malignant neoplasms, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatism.
First aid during an exacerbation
During the recurrence of cervical osteochondrosis, there is such severe pain in the neck that a woman is afraid to turn or bend her head. Lie down on a hard surface to reduce its intensity. It is necessary to take the position of the body where the pain decreases. If a Shunt collar or semi-rigid bandage has already been purchased on the doctor's recommendation, then it should be worn while moving.
Stopping the 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.
It is undesirable to use cold or heat when providing first aid. Relapse often occurs due to muscle spasm, and cold compresses will only increase the tension of the skeletal muscles. Dry heating is an effective method to relieve symptoms, but only if there is no 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 a woman. Treatment is aimed at achieving a stable remission stage. At this stage, any painful sensations occur extremely rarely, and the range of motion is completely preserved.
It is not possible to be limited to taking only drugs, because the means that restore discs and vertebrae have not been synthesized yet. It is necessary to follow all the doctor's prescriptions - participate in physiotherapy, massage activities, exercise therapy and gymnastics.
From the first days of treatment, patients are recommended to wear a Shants collar - orthopedic devices that stabilize discs and vertebrae. They prevent displacement of the vertebral structures and thereby reduce the likelihood of relapse.
Overview of drugs for treatment
Sometimes, during the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, burning and 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 they have a negative effect on internal organs, cartilage and bone tissue.
A woman may be allowed to take NSAIDs in tablet or capsule form to relieve mild to severe pain. Nonsteroidal agents in the form of gels and ointments are prescribed for mild pain, as well as to reduce the dose of systemic drugs.
| A group of drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis | Therapeutic activity |
|---|---|
| Chondroprotectors | Partially restore the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs |
| Means that improve blood circulation | Eliminate the lack of oxygen and nutrients that stimulate regeneration |
| B vitamins | Normalize the transmission of impulses to the central and peripheral nervous systems |
| Muscle relaxants | Relax skeletal muscles, eliminate muscle spasms |
| Warming ointments | Accelerates blood circulation, has an analgesic, exudative effect |
| Antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives | Eliminate 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 muscle corset is strengthened, the tissues are supplied with nutrients and blood, and the risk of exacerbation is reduced. After stopping acute pain, you should start gymnastics immediately. An exercise therapy doctor designs a series 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 physiotherapists recommend:
- sit up straight, put your hand under your chin. Try to bend your head, resisting with a 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. Without throwing your head back too far, turn first in one direction and then in the other direction.
Swimming, yoga, Pilates, water aerobics, Nordic walking are recommended for patients with osteochondrosis. It is forbidden to ride a bicycle, run, lift weights.
Nutrition and diet
Nutritionists with cervical osteochondrosis recommend limiting the use of alcohol, coffee and strong tea. These drinks prevent the absorption of calcium and quickly remove it from the body. Preference should be given to lightly salted mineral waters, fruit compotes and jellies, vegetable juices, and berry fruit drinks. The optimal amount of fluid to drink is 2-2. 5 liters per day.
Fast food, semi-finished products, smoked meats, fatty meats should be avoided. The daily diet menu should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, 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 a little fatty fish, for example, salmon or Norwegian herring.
It is better to completely avoid fried foods. The most useful products are baked in foil, boiled in water or steamed.
Physiotherapy
In the rehabilitation phase, patients are prescribed 5-10 sessions of physiotherapy. Electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis is performed with chondroprotectors, solutions of calcium salts, vitamins of group B to restore cartilage tissues, improve innervation and increase the strength of the ligamentous tendon apparatus. The same procedures, but in the subacute period, are designed to relieve pain and inflammation with glucocorticosteroids, analgesics, anesthetics.
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 establishment of therapeutic leeches have proven themselves well in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Massages
During the massage, not only the neck area, but all the back muscles are mechanically affected. But the specialist pays special attention. As a result of performing kneading, smoothing, squeezing and chopping movements, spasmodic skeletal muscles are relaxed, ligaments are strengthened, and blood circulation is improved. The following types of manual and apparatus massage are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- classic;
- point;
- vacuum;
- Swedish language;
- segmental.
Pharmacies and medical equipment stores sell handheld electric massagers. They are equipped with special nozzles, speed regulators. The comfortable long handle of the device allows you to massage the back of the neck independently.
Folk treatment
In folk medicine, home-made ointments, alcohol and oil rubs, compresses, decoctions and tinctures are used for the treatment of osteochondrosis. Representatives of official medicine are skeptical of such therapy methods of degenerative-dystrophic pathology due to low clinical effectiveness. Exceptions are herbal teas from chamomile, St. John's wort, rose hips.
Features of treatment of elderly women
The treatment of elderly patients is carried out using the same methods as the treatment of young women. However, 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 the drugs, their use has a gentle effect on the internal organs, and the risk of negative reactions is reduced.
What is dangerous cervical osteochondrosis
The leading symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are similar in both sexes. But neurological symptoms are more pronounced in women. They are often diagnosed with damage to the spinal roots and the vertebral artery that supplies the brain with nutrients.
With cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd degree, the spinal roots are often disturbed, which leads to the appearance of acute pain, loss of reflexes and reduced sensitivity. Serious complications of pathology are intervertebral hernia, radicular syndrome, discogenic myelopathy.
Preventive measures
Cervical osteochondrosis is often detected in women who prefer narrow shoes with high heels. When wearing it, the load on the spine is unevenly distributed, which causes microtrauma of cartilage tissues. Women also often suffer from hypothermia, acutely experience the usual domestic conflicts. And these factors are prerequisites for the development of pathology. Therefore, their exclusion from the usual lifestyle becomes an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis of any localization and its consequences.