Such damage to the spine, or rather to the intervertebral discs, like osteochondrosis, is increasingly common in our time. This is one of the diseases from which absolutely no one is immune. The risk increases with age, however, young people can also suffer from osteochondrosis.
Especially unpleasant is the fact that in the absence of proper treatment, osteochondrosis actively provokes the development of a whole range of concomitant diseases. Among them are high blood pressure, neuralgia, increased intracranial pressure, metabolic disorders, limited mobility of the head and back and many others. Sometimes the condition of patients reaches a critical level, there is a serious risk to life.
In representatives of different sexes, the course of osteochondrosis has its own characteristics. Of the five patients with osteochondrosis, three are women. The weaker sex at the same time suffers from more pronounced symptoms and is also much more susceptible to the side effects of the disease. This tendency is explained by the specificities of the work of the female body.
Characteristics of the disease
According to statistics, osteochondrosis in women mainly affects the cervical region. Indeed, the cervical vertebrae are much more fragile than the others. Also in the neck area are extremely fragile muscles and a fairly thin bone structure. Due to this, constant pressure, a load on the spine has a faster and stronger effect on this area.
Women often work in occupations deemed to be at risk in terms of osteochondrosis of the neck: cashier, seamstress, computer scientist, accountant. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to notice the early stages of the development of the disease, since the patient may not feel any serious pain or special discomfort. Meanwhile, by the time the symptoms are detected, osteochondrosis can already lead to significant degenerative processes, disrupt the functioning of the nervous system and blood circulation, which leads to a deterioration in the nutrition of brain tissue.
It is extremely dangerous if, in addition, a woman encounters one or more of the following manifestations.
- menopause and related problems of cellular metabolism in cartilage and bone tissues;
- genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis, other similar diseases;
- hematopoietic problems;
- hormonal disturbances;
- metabolic disease;
- scoliosis, curvature of posture;
- Overweight.
The reasons
There are a number of factors which, with prolonged exposure, will inevitably lead to disease. Considering the characteristics of the organism, quite specific causes of the development of osteochondrosis in women can be distinguished separately. They are based on three stages of disease development in ascending order.
- First stage. It is caused by a regular overload of the muscle fibers of the neck due to an uncomfortable position.
- Second stage. It is caused by the appearance of tissue degeneration in the intervertebral discs, as well as in the vertebrae themselves. There is a feeling of numbness, deterioration of the sensitivity of the limbs, limited mobility of the spine.
- Third step. Associated with the development of an intervertebral hernia. Motor activity is blocked, fibrous rings are torn. The pain covers the neck, head, chest region, vertebral artery syndrome develops.
Main factors
The main provocateurs of female osteochondrosis are:
- strong emotional and physical stress;
- regular and prolonged forced stay in a position in which the neck is pinched or it is necessary to tilt the head forward;
- Spinal injury;
- increased pressure on the spine (for example, during pregnancy, overweight);
- abnormal changes in the structure of the skeleton;
- scoliosis.
Secondary factors
This is a group of general causes that contribute to the development of the disease, but without the first group of factors they are not able to provoke it.
- hormonal disorders;
- age-related degenerative changes;
- autoimmune vegetative problems;
- menopause;
- adynamia;
- frequent hypothermia of the body;
- overweight;
- Diabetes.
Disease symptoms
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear in women in the same way as in men. Below are the main ones.
- The main alarm is pain. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by frequent or paroxysmal sharp pains in the neck (less often - in the back of the head, as well as on the face). The sensation intensifies if you try to move your head.
- Often there is limited mobility, spasms of the neck, chest region.
- After the age of 50, many patients suffer from tinnitus, impaired vision, hearing and intense snoring.
- Sometimes the disease causes a loud crack when turning the neck.
- Another common symptom is vertigo, a gradual loss of coordinated movement.
The very first signs of the disease should lead the woman to understand the need for urgent action. A set of diagnostic and therapeutic methods can only be selected by a doctor, so the listed symptoms are a reason for urgent medical attention.
The condition is considered especially dangerous if a constant state of lack of air, a feeling of coma in the throat, clogged ears, clouding of the eyes are added to these manifestations.
Treatment
The elimination of the disease or its main symptoms is necessarily preceded by a comprehensive diagnosis. For this, computed tomography, ultrasound and doppler, and sometimes x-ray machines are involved. A prerequisite is the preventive diagnosis of osteochondrosis in older women, the rest should be used if a disease is suspected.
Effective therapeutic measures are based on an integrated approach, as well as taking into account the individual characteristics of a particular clinical case. Depending on the stage of development of osteochondrosis, certain approaches may be effective.
The following points should be considered in the treatment of women:
- age;
- the presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- the quality of the endocrine system.
Medications
Therapy with classical drugs is the standard approach, the simplest, but at the same time very effective. However, drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out in women only if more benign options have shown their ineffectiveness.
Before turning to medical preparations, a woman is advised to turn to herbal infusions (chamomile, dandelion roots, celandine), natural compresses (based on wax, burdock leaves or horseradish, garlic cloves, pickled cottage cheese, honey). They also resort to aromatic baths, lifestyle and nutrition correction, stress relief.
They cover the lack of effectiveness of these drugs with conventional medicine. These are painkillers, as well as nonsteroidal drugs. The intake of both groups of drugs is always carried out taking into account the phase of the menstrual cycle.
At the end of the cycle, with an increase in sensitivity to pain, a decrease in the body's defenses, the dose of analgesics increases. For postmenopausal women, painkillers are routinely recommended in higher doses. At the same time, for pregnant women, as well as at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, painkillers are reduced to a minimum.
The specificity of the treatment of female osteochondrosis is the regular intake of sedatives. Mood swings, irritability, as well as stress greatly interfere with the progress of any therapeutic or preventive technique, if it is a weaker field.
The most difficult cases include the additional intake of chondroprotectors, as well as corticosteroids.
exercise therapy
Properly selected gymnastic complexes are an integral part of a balanced therapy. Treatment of the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis in women is focused, among other things, on returning mobility to this part of the body, and here it is the exercise therapy complex that is the main help.
Specific exercises are always selected by the doctor. In this case, classic (tilts and rotations of the head, rotation of the shoulders) and specific movements may be involved. Often, yoga poses are used to eliminate pain. Such treatment is also allowed at home, if the complex is carried out regularly and clearly according to the prescriptions of doctors.
Along with exercise therapy, cervical massage, manual therapy and a special diet work well against osteochondrosis. These exercise methods can give an additional effect. The mode of massage sessions for women is selected taking into account the cycle. Also, with special care, a massage technique for women during menopause is determined.
After recovery, it is extremely important to follow the preventive measures with utmost clarity. This will help to avoid relapses, and they are common with osteochondrosis, mainly due to the repeated influence of causative factors.