Cervical osteochondrosis in women

Cervical osteochondrosis in women is a common disease. Representatives of the fair sex over the age of 30 are most susceptible to it. 75% of women are faced with this unpleasant ailment, while the consequences and severity of the disease can be completely different.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women

The symptoms of female osteochondrosis can be detected already at the initial stage, since the discs of the cervical spine are located close to each other and have a small height. Cervical osteochondrosis can cause serious consequences - complications and even death. Indeed, arteries pass through the neck area that feed the brain, nerve trunks and roots that have a connection with the lungs, arms and heart, as well as the spinal cord. Therefore, you should not postpone treatment with a good doctor.

For a woman to be able to recognize cervical osteochondrosis, she needs to pay attention to the following signs:

• During head turns, the neck crunches and unpleasant painful sensations occur;
• Frequent recurrent occipital and temporal headaches;
• Shooting pains that radiate to the neck;
• Rapid fatigability, weakness and fatigue;
• High temperature;
• Severe stiffness in the neck, difficult to turn the head;
• With a slight load on the arm or when coughing, unpleasant pain in the shoulder occurs;
• Numbness and tingling of the limbs and tongue;
• Dizziness, darkening of the eyes;
• Snoring in sleep;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Unreasonable anxiety, fear;
• Cycle-independent mood swings;
• Sleep disorders;
• Sharp deterioration of memory and attention;
• Jumps in blood pressure (either increase or decrease);
• Pain in the region of the heart, hearing impairment and ringing in the ears, complications with vision are much less common.
• Nausea, vomiting;
• The skin takes on a bluish tint.

Cervical osteochondrosis can cause fever and poor health.

Important!Especially acute cervical osteochondrosis is experienced by women in the climacteric period.

Features of female osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disorder in the musculoskeletal system, due to which intervertebral discs and joints can collapse. Due to the structural features of the body, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are more pronounced than in men. The fact is that the shoulder region of men is wider, it supports the entire spine, helping not to overload the neck.

The female cervical vertebral column is characterized by high activity and the presence of a large number of nerve fibers that work as conductors between the brain and other organs. Deformation of the intervertebral discs causes rapid pressure on the roots of the fibers of the nerve endings. Roughly speaking, women have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue.

Important!Pregnancy followed by caring for the baby also aggravates the problem. During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases, and breastfeeding in an uncomfortable position and the constant carrying of the baby in your arms cause an exacerbation of the disease.

There are several stages in the development of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Decreased position of the spine due to dehydration of the nucleus pulposus (the interior of the intervertebral disc, which, normally, should be filled with semi-fluid and gelatinous tissues).
2. Muscles and ligaments sag, which is the cause of imbalance, that is, displacement of the vertebrae.
3. Protrusion of intervertebral discs (outward of their contents) and arthrosis.
4. The human body is trying to help the spine return the "loose" vertebrae in place, remove support and protective barriers. For this, osteophytes appear on the vertebrae - bone growths. Fibrous tissue also grows. As a result, the motor segment of the spine is in a kind of shell that interferes with activity.

Causes of the disease in women

It is believed that the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis in women is associated with salt deposits, but this is not the case. It is osteochondrosis itself that is the main cause of salt deposits. Scientists argue that there are many reasons for the appearance of cervical osteochondrosis. Let's consider the main ones:

• Climax. The fact is that the progesterone entering the body becomes less and less, and the muscles in the cervical region also decrease. All this leads to a weakening of the spinal section;
• Weakening of the immune system, frequent illnesses;
• Overweight;
• Circulatory disorders;
• Anomalies of the vertebral artery that have arisen against the background of birth trauma, infections and heredity;
• Sedentary work, especially at the computer;
• Flat feet;
• Incorrect posture;
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
• Excessive exercise;
• Heavy load of the spine during pregnancy;
• Wrong and unbalanced nutrition;
• Poor metabolism, metabolic problems;
• Any damage to the neck;
• Rheumatism or injury;
• Hormonal disorders in the body;
• Hypothermia;
• Heredity.

Excess weight puts additional stress on the ligaments and joints, and also leads to problems with the cardiovascular system.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

Lack of treatment can lead a woman to disability. If you do not start the treatment of osteochondrosis on time, then there is a risk of complications - from the most minor to severe:

1. Constant pain in the head, dizziness.
2. Regular sudden loss of consciousness.
3. Hearing and vision problems.
4. Blood circulation in the brain region will be impaired.
5. Frequent increase in blood pressure.
6. Problems may begin in the central nervous system: impaired speech, coordination, and behavioral disorders.
7. Radiculitis and other back diseases.
8. Vessels will be squeezed in the section of the brain.
9. Displacement of the vertebrae.
10. Walking disorder due to spinal stenosis.
11. Intervertebral hernias and protrusions.
12. Schmorl's hernia.

An increase in blood pressure in osteochondrosis may be associated with poor blood permeability in the arteries on the way to the brain. Pinched arteries occur due to osteochondrosis.

Examination and treatment

Cervical osteochondrosis has many common symptoms with other diseases, therefore, before treatment, the neuropathologist listens carefully to the patient and collects an anamnesis.

After that, diagnostic tests are carried out:

• Radiography.Using an X-ray of the cervical spine, the doctor determines the location of the disease. In the picture, he will see a change in the shape of the vertebral segment, the presence of osteophytes and a narrowing of the intervertebral discs.
• Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.Today, these are the most effective ways to find out which defects exist and where are located in the spinal column.
• Myelography.For examination, a contrast fluid is injected into the spinal cord canal. The procedure is not safe: the patient may develop allergies and there is a risk of spinal cord injury if the puncture is unsuccessful. However, with cervical osteochondrosis, such a study is rarely performed, unless you need to view the entire spine.

MRI will help to accurately establish the diagnosis and determine the degree of development of the pathology.

To cure cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes complex treatment. The objectives of the therapy are to relieve muscle spasms, relieve pain, and reduce intradiscal pressure. At different stages of the development of the disease, different types of therapy are used.

Typically, treatment goes through stages:

1. Medication.Cartilage tissue restoration using chondroprotectors. For blood supply in the brain, vasodilating drugs are used. All of the above will eliminate inflammation, pain syndrome and improve metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of a gel or tablets are used as first aid. They can prescribe nootropics and drugs with magnesium. With osteochondrosis, sedatives can be taken, since a long-term illness can cause stress and depression. Sometimes it is enough to drink a tincture of motherwort or valerian.
2. Physiotherapy.Aimed at eliminating disorders in the affected areas of the spine, relieving pain syndromes, improving blood circulation. A good massage from a competent specialist, electrophoresis with anesthetic solutions, as well as laser therapy can help in the initial stages of the development of the disease. The procedures relieve muscle tension and stimulate blood circulation. In severe cases, magnetotherapy, diadynamic currents, ultrasound, electroanalgesia and ultraviolet light are used. Physiotherapy gives an effect after the 3rd procedure, the general condition improves, insomnia, headaches and ringing in the ears go away.
3. Manual therapy.The treatment has good efficiency and grateful reviews. A chiropractor will return the vertebrae to their place in several sessions, provide their mobility and correct posture.
4. Acupuncture.It is also called reflexology. The goal is to influence dystrophic transformations in muscle tissues, get rid of inflammation and pain, and normalize blood circulation. Women with a low pain score have a good chance of recovery, their lymph flow is accelerated and blood flow normalizes.
5. Orthopedic treatment.The specialist prescribes special sleep pillows to relieve the spinal column. Underwater traction of the spine (traction) is also recommended to relax the muscles from the action of warm water. Traction involves the use of various devices in order to enlarge the intervertebral space.

6. Proper and clean nutrition.By providing the body with healthy fats, carbohydrates and proteins, as well as minerals and vitamins, a woman can significantly speed up the healing process.
7. Physical activity.The doctor can prescribe both physiotherapy exercises and special exercises for the cervical spine. Physical education is aimed at restoring the mobility of the neck-collar zone and blood supply. It corrects posture and strengthens the muscle corset. In addition, regular exercise, for example, in the gym, will prevent cervical osteochondrosis from progressing.
8. Wearing a corset.There is a special device for the cervical spine called a collar. It is stiff and stable. Wearing a collar will eliminate pain syndromes, improve posture and speed up recovery.

When choosing a collar, you need to choose the correct height of the product. To do this, you need to measure the distance from the clavicle to the angle of the lower jaw.

Home Treatment

In order for the disease not to manifest itself, or it could be diagnosed at the initial stage, a woman needs to closely monitor her health, diet, and lifestyle.

To alleviate the condition, at home, you can use folk recipes:

1. Grate the peeled potatoes on a fine grater, add a small amount of honey to it and mix. The resulting mixture must be applied to the cervical spine, to the place where it hurts most. Repeat the treatment once a week.
2. Rinse the horseradish leaves and apply to the affected area. Secure the compress with a bandage and sleep with it all night. Usually in the morning you can feel relief and improvement. For greater effect, the procedure should be repeated for 3 days or more.

Cervical gymnastics should be done to strengthen the neck muscles and restore mobility to the spine. Exercises can be performed for prophylaxis, but you should practice smoothly and without sudden movements so that muscle spasm does not happen:

1. Lean forward.Sitting, place one palm on your forehead and tilt your head forward while resisting with your palm. One tilt - 10 seconds. After a short rest, repeat the exercise again.
2. Tilt to the side.Sitting, place one palm on your head in the temple area. Tilt your head to the side while pressing down on it with your palm, resisting. Continue for 10 seconds. After rest, repeat the exercise.
3. Turns to the side.Sitting on a chair, or standing, lower your arms along your torso. Smoothly turn your head to the extreme right position, then to the extreme left. Repeat 10 times.
4. Raise your shoulders.Sitting or standing, arms are lowered along the body, raise your shoulders as much as possible and hold them in this position for 10 seconds. Next, lower your shoulders, take a deep breath, relax for 15 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
5. Tilt to the chest.Sitting or standing, arms are lowered along the body. Smoothly lower your head down, trying to press your chin to your chest as much as possible. With good mobility of the cervical vertebrae, you can feel the thoracic notch with the chin. Repeat about 10 times.
6. Touching the ear to the shoulder.Tilt your head back. Try to touch your left ear to your left shoulder, repeat 5 times. Do the same with the right side.
7. Tilt down.Release your chin to your neck. Turn your head 7 times to the left, then 7 times to the right.
8. Neck muscle resistance. Throw your head back, but not completely. Slowly press your chin to your chest, overcoming the resistance of the muscles of the cervical region. Do it 5-7 times.
9. Swing your arms.It is necessary to make circular movements with both hands in one direction, then in the other.
10. Massage.Sitting or lying down, massage the area between the occiput bone and its soft part, in the area of ​​the conditional junction of the head and neck, by yourself or with someone else's help. The impact must be strong enough, carry out within 4 minutes.

Important!In case of cervical osteochondrosis, in no case should you make circular movements with your head, as this can lead to injury.

Prevention

1. Doctors say that the prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should take place even in utero, during the development of the embryo. The expectant mother is obliged to exclude risk factors associated with future fetal disease, monitor her health in order to prevent intrauterine infections, hypoxia and poisoning.
2. Both the mother and the father need to monitor the child's injuries and consult a doctor in time for diagnosis in order to rule out possible complications in the future.
3. It is very important for girls and adult women to pay attention to the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, for this it is worth changing your lifestyle. You need to start walking a lot, take at least 10 thousand steps a day, gradually increasing the amount of time spent walking. If the work activity is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, you need to do simple exercises for office workers right at the table, as well as get up, warm up and walk every hour. Sit on a high-backed chair with a headrest. It is also important to avoid overly soft furnishings as the body must be supported by the ischial tubercles.
4. When driving a car, it is important that your back has good support, you can put a roller between your lower back and the seat. Try to keep your head straight and sit relaxed.
5. It is harmful to be in the same position in front of a computer screen and a TV screen. From time to time, you need to change position so that the muscles can flex.
6. For those with cervical osteochondrosis, it is best if possible to do household chores such as ironing or cooking while seated.
7. To prevent osteochondrosis, it is necessary to prevent excessive stress on the spine and cervical spine. Bags and packages should be carried in both hands, or alternately. When working in the garden and vegetable garden, every 1. 5 hours you need to take a break for 20 minutes and rest, preferably in a horizontal position.
8. To soften the shock when walking, you need to choose comfortable or orthopedic shoes with elastic soles.

9. In the cold season, a woman should protect the neck-collar zone from hypothermia with a scarf and a hat.
10. The sleeping mattress should be firm, and you can also place a cushion under the lower back, knee joint or under the stomach, depending on the position.
11. For the prevention of osteochondrosis, it is worth taking a general strengthening massage course. It will help prevent the onset of the disease, as well as cure it in the initial stage.
12. It is important for a woman to deal with stress and monitor psychostability, because a nervous shock can cause damage to the cervical spine.
13. To prevent the disease, it is important to eat food that is good for the spine, to synthesize its cartilage tissue. Proteins, mucopolysaccharides, minerals, vitamins can be obtained from meat, legumes, nuts, vegetables, gelatin, fish, eggs, cottage cheese.

When choosing a mattress that is right for you, you should take into account many factors, for example - complexion, height, weight, filler and, most importantly, the degree of development of osteochondrosis.

Important!Swimming in a pool or pond will be a very useful activity for women with cervical osteochondrosis. But it is better to refuse a bath and a sauna during an exacerbation.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of all women, the problem of which is a sedentary lifestyle. These are many professions: accountants, cashiers, seamstresses, musicians, writers and others. In the period of remission of the disease, it will be useful for women to visit sanatoriums and resorts, where they can strengthen the neck muscles, the vascular system and heal the body. A timely visit to a doctor is the key to a successful recovery.