Cervical osteochondrosis in women

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

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women

The symptoms of female osteochondrosis can already be recognized in the early stages, since the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine are close to each other and are low in height. Cervical osteochondrosis can have serious consequences - complications and even death. In fact, arteries run through the neck region that supply the brain, nerve trunks, and roots that connect to the lungs, arms, and heart, as well as the spinal cord. Therefore, you should not postpone treatment with a good doctor.

In order for a woman to recognize cervical osteochondrosis, she must look out for the following signs:

• While turning the head, the neck crunches and unpleasant painful sensations occur.
• Frequently recurring occipital and temporal headaches;
• Shooting pains that radiate to the throat;
• Quick fatigue, weakness and tiredness;
• high temperature;
• Severe stiffness in the neck, head difficult to turn;
• Uncomfortable shoulder pain occurs when the arm is lightly stressed or when you cough.
• numbness and tingling of the limbs and tongue;
• dizziness, darkening of the eyes;
• snoring while sleeping;
• difficulty swallowing;
• Inappropriate fear, fear;
• Mood swings independent of the cycle;
• sleep disorders;
• Severe deterioration in memory and attention;
• jumps in blood pressure (either increase or decrease);
• Pain in the heart, hearing impairment and ringing in the ears as well as complications with sight are far less common.
• nausea, vomiting;
• The skin takes on a bluish hue.

Cervical osteochondrosis can cause a fever and poor health.

Important!A particularly acute cervical osteochondrosis occurs in women in the climacteric phase.

Features of female osteochondrosis

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

The female cervical region is characterized by high activity and the presence of a large number of nerve fibers that act as conductors between the brain and other organs. Deformation of the intervertebral discs leads to 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 childcare also exacerbates the problem. During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases, and breastfeeding in an uncomfortable position and constantly carrying the baby in your arms make the disease worse.

There are several stages in the development of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Decreased position of the spine due to dehydration of the nucleus pulposus (the inside of the intervertebral disc that should normally be filled with semi-fluid and gelatinous tissue).
2. Muscles and ligaments sag, which is the cause of an imbalance, that is, a displacement of the vertebrae.
3. protrusion of intervertebral discs (outside their content) and osteoarthritis.
4. The human body tries to help the spine to reposition the "loose" vertebrae, to remove support and protective barriers. For this, osteophytes appear on the vertebrae - bone growth. Fiber tissue also grows. As a result, the motor segment of the spine is in a kind of shell that interferes with activity.

Causes of disease in women

There is an opinion that the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis in women is associated with salt build-up, but it is not. It is osteochondrosis itself that is the main cause of salt build-up. Scientists argue that there are many reasons for the appearance of cervical osteochondrosis. Let's look at the main ones:

• climax. The fact is that the progesterone entering the body becomes less and less, and the muscles in the cervical area also decrease. All of this leads to a weakening of the spinal section;
• weakening of the immune system, common diseases;
• overweight;
• circulatory disorders;
• anomalies of the vertebral artery that have arisen on the background of birth trauma, infection and heredity;
• Sedentary work, especially at the computer;
• flat feet;
• Wrong posture;
• smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
• Excessive exercise;
• Heavy stress on the spine during pregnancy;
• Wrong and unbalanced diet;
• Bad metabolism, metabolic problems;
• damage to the neck;
• rheumatism or injury;
• Hormonal disorders in the body;
• hypothermia;
• inheritance.

Being overweight puts additional strain on the ligaments and joints and also leads to problems with the cardiovascular system.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

Lack of treatment can lead to a woman becoming disabled. If you do not start treatment for osteochondrosis on time, there is a risk of complications - from the smallest to the most serious:

1. Constant headache, dizziness.
2. Regular sudden loss of consciousness.
3. hearing and vision problems.
4. The blood flow to the brain region is impaired.
5. Frequent rise in blood pressure.
6. Problems can occur in the central nervous system: language, coordination and behavior disorders.
7. Radiculitis and other back disorders.
8. vessels are compressed in the area of ​​the brain.
9. Shifting the vertebrae.
10. Impaired gait due to a stenosis of the spine.
11. intervertebral hernias and protrusions.
12. Schmorl's hernia.

An increase in blood pressure in osteochondrosis can 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 in other diseases. Therefore, before treatment, the neuropathologist carefully listens to the patient and collects an anamnesis.

Then diagnostic tests are carried out:

• Radiography.The doctor determines the location of the disease based on an X-ray of the cervical spine. In the picture he sees 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 tomography.Today, these are the most effective methods of finding out what defects are and where they are in the spine.
• myelography.For the examination, a contrast fluid is injected into the spinal canal. The procedure is unsafe: the patient can develop allergies and there is a risk of spinal cord injury if the puncture is unsuccessful. However, in cervical osteochondrosis, such a study is rarely done unless you need to look at the entire spine.

MRI helps to accurately diagnose and determine the degree of development of the pathology.

To cure cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes complex treatment. The goal of therapy is to relieve muscle spasms, relieve pain, and lower intradiscal pressure. Different types of therapy are used at different stages of disease development.

As a rule, the treatment goes through the following phases:

1. Medicines.Restoration of the cartilage tissue with chondroprotectors. Vasodilating drugs are used to supply blood to the brain. All of this eliminates inflammation, pain syndromes and improves metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of a gel or tablet are used as first aid. You can prescribe nootropics and drugs containing magnesium. Sedatives can be taken for osteochondrosis, as a long-term illness can cause stress and depression. Sometimes it is enough to drink a tincture of feverfew or valerian.
2. Physiotherapy.The aim is to eliminate disorders in the affected areas of the spine, relieve pain syndromes and improve blood circulation. A good massage by a competent specialist, electrophoresis with anesthetic solutions, as well as laser therapy can help in the early stages of disease development. The procedures relieve muscle tension and stimulate blood circulation. In severe cases, magnetotherapy, diadynamic currents, ultrasound, electroanalgesia, and ultraviolet light are used. The physiotherapy takes effect after the 3rd procedure, the general condition improves, insomnia, headaches and ringing in the ears disappear.
3. Manual therapy.The treatment has good efficiency and grateful reviews. A chiropractor brings the vertebrae back into place in several sessions, ensuring their mobility and correct posture.
4. acupuncture.It is also called reflexology. The aim is to influence dystrophic transformations in muscle tissue, eliminate inflammation and pain and normalize blood flow. Women with a low pain score have a good chance of recovery, their lymph flow is accelerated and the blood flow normalizes.
5. Orthopedic treatment.The specialist will prescribe special sleeping pillows to relieve the spine. Underwater spinal traction (traction) is also recommended to help relax muscles from exposure to warm water. Various devices are used in traction to increase the intervertebral space.

6. Proper and clean nutrition.By supplying the body with healthy fats, carbohydrates and proteins, as well as minerals and vitamins, a woman can accelerate the healing process considerably.
7. Physical activity.The doctor can prescribe both physical therapy exercises and special exercises for the cervical spine. Physical education is aimed at restoring neck and collar mobility and blood supply. It corrects posture and strengthens the muscle corset. In addition, regular exercise, for example in the gym, prevents the progression of cervical osteochondrosis.
8. wear a corset.There is a special device for the cervical spine called a collar. It's stiff and stable. Wearing a collar eliminates pain syndromes, improves posture, and speeds recovery.

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

Treatment at home

In order for the disease not to manifest itself or to be diagnosed in the early stages, a woman needs to closely monitor her health, diet and lifestyle.

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

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

Cervical exercises should be performed to strengthen the neck muscles and restore mobility to the spine. Exercises can be done for prophylaxis, but you should practice smoothly and without sudden movements to avoid muscle spasm:

1. Tilt forward.Sit with one palm on your forehead and tilt your head forward while resisting with your palm. One slope - 10 seconds. After a short break, repeat the exercise again.
2. Lean to the side.Sit in the temple area with the palm of your hand on your head. Tilt your head to one side as you push and resist with your palm. Continue for 10 seconds. After the break, repeat the exercise.
3. Turns to the side.Sit or stand in a chair and lower your arms along your torso. Gently twist your head to the extreme right position, then to the extreme left. Repeat 10 times.
4. Lift your shoulders.When sitting or standing, the arms are lowered along the body, the shoulders raised as much as possible and held in this position for 10 seconds. Next, lower your shoulders, take a deep breath, and relax for 15 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
5. Tilt towards your chest.When sitting or standing, the arms are lowered along the body. Gently lower your head down and try to press your chin against your chest as much as possible. With good mobility of the cervical vertebrae, you can feel the chest notch with your chin. Repeat about 10 times.
6. Touch the shoulder with your ear.Tilt your head back. Try to touch your left shoulder with your left ear and repeat five times. Do the same with the right side.
7. Tilt down.Let go of your chin on your neck. Turn your head left 7 times and then right 7 times.
8. Neck muscle resistance.Throw your head back, but not completely. Slowly press your chin against your chest and overcome the resistance of the muscles of the neck region. Do it 5-7 times.
9. Swing your arms.It is necessary to make circular movements with both hands in one direction and then in the other.
10. massage.Sit or lie down and massage the area between the back of the head bone and its soft part in the area of ​​the conditional connection between head and neck, alone or with the help of others. The impact should be strong enough to perform within 4 minutes.

Important!If you have cervical osteochondrosis, you should never make circular movements with your head as this can lead to injuries.

Prevention

1. Doctors say that prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should also be done in the uterus during the development of the embryo. The expectant mother is required to rule out risk factors for future fetal diseases, monitor her health to prevent intrauterine infections, hypoxia and poisoning.
2. Both the mother and the father must 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. Hence, it pays to change your lifestyle. You have to run a lot, take at least 10, 000 steps a day, and gradually increase the time. If work activity is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, you need to do simple office worker exercises right at the table, as well as getting up every hour, warming up, and walking. Sit in a high-backed chair with a headrest. It is also important to avoid overly soft furniture, as the body needs to be supported by the sciatic tubercles.
4. When you drive a car, it is important that your back has good support. You can place a roll 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 television screen. From time to time you will need to change position to allow muscles to flex.
6. For people with cervical osteochondrosis, it is best to sit down and do household chores such as ironing or cooking.
7. To prevent osteochondrosis, excessive stress on the spine and cervical spine must be prevented. 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 20-minute break and rest, preferably in a horizontal position.
8. To reduce the shock of walking, you need to choose comfortable or orthopedic shoes with elastic soles.

9. In the cold season, a woman should protect the collar area from hypothermia with a scarf and a hat.
10. The sleeping mattress should be firm and, depending on your position, you can also place a pillow under your lower back, knee joint or stomach.
11. A general strengthening massage course is worthwhile to prevent osteochondrosis. It will help prevent the disease from occurring and cure it at the initial stages.
12. It is important for a woman to deal with stress and monitor psychostability, since nerve shock can damage the cervical spine.
13. To prevent the disease, it is important to eat food that is useful for the spine to synthesize its cartilage tissue. Proteins, mucopolysaccharides, minerals and vitamins can be obtained from meat, legumes, nuts, vegetables, gelatin, fish, eggs and cottage cheese.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a mattress that is right for you, such as: B. skin color, height, weight, bulking agent and, above all, the degree of osteochondrosis development.

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

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of all women whose problem 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 muscles of the neck, vascular system and heal the body. A timely doctor visit is key to a successful recovery.