Cervical osteochondrosis in women

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

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women

Symptoms of female osteochondrosis can be detected 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 have serious consequences - complications and even death. This is because arteries run through the neck region that supply the brain, nerve trunks and roots that connect with 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 pay attention to the following signs:

• During head turns, the neck tightens and unpleasant painful sensations occur;
• Frequent recurrent occipital and temporal headaches;
• Shooting pains that radiate to the neck;
• Rapid fatigue, weakness and fatigue;
• High temperature;
• Severe stiff neck, difficulty turning head;
• With a light 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 during sleep;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Unreasonable anxiety, fear;
• Mood swings independent of cycle;
• Sleep disturbances;
• Strong deterioration of memory and attention;
• Blood pressure jumps (increase or decrease);
• Pain in the region of the heart, hearing impairment and ringing in the ears, vision complications are much less common.
• Nausea, vomiting;
• The skin takes on a bluish tinge.

Cervical osteochondrosis can cause fever and poor health.

Important!Particularly acute cervical osteochondrosis is experienced by women during the climacteric period.

Characteristics of female osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disorder of the musculoskeletal system, due to which the 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 area of ​​men is wider, it supports the entire spine, helping not to overload the neck.

The female cervical vertebral 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. The deformation of the intervertebral discs causes rapid pressure on the roots of the fibers of the nerve endings. Basically, women have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue.

Important!Pregnancy followed by childcare also aggravates the problem. During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases, and breastfeeding in an uncomfortable position and constant carrying of the baby in your arms causes 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-liquid and gelatinous tissue).
2. Muscles and ligaments sag, causing an imbalance, that is, a displacement of the vertebrae.
3. Protrusion of the intervertebral discs (towards the outside of their contents) and osteoarthritis.
4. The human body tries to help the spine to put back the "loose" vertebrae, to remove the barriers of support and protection. For this, osteophytes appear on the vertebrae - bony growths. Fibrous tissue also grows. As a result, the motor segment of the spine is in a kind of shell which interferes with activity.

Causes of the disease in women

There is an opinion that the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis in women is associated with salt deposits, but this is not the case. The main cause of salt deposits is osteochondrosis itself. Scientists claim, however, that there are many reasons for the appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Consider the main ones:

• Climax. The fact is that the progesterone entering the body decreases less and less, and the muscles in the cervical region also decrease. All this leads to a weakening of the spinal section;
• Weakened immune system, frequent illnesses;
• Overweight;
• Circulatory disorders;
• Spinal artery abnormalities occurring in the context of birth trauma, infections and heredity;
• Sedentary work, in particular at the computer;
• Flat feet;
• Bad posture;
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
• Excessive exercise;
• Heavy load on the spine during pregnancy;
• Incorrect and unbalanced diet;
• Poor metabolism, metabolic problems;
• Any damage to the neck;
• Rheumatism or injury;
• Hormonal disorders in the body;
• Hypothermia;
• Heredity.

Excess weight puts extra strain on ligaments and joints and also causes problems with the cardiovascular system.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

Lack of treatment can lead to a woman's disability. 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 pain in the head, dizziness.
2. Sudden, regular loss of consciousness.
3. Hearing and vision problems.
4. Blood circulation in the brain area will be impaired.
5. Frequent increase in blood pressure.
6. Problems can begin in the central nervous system: speech disorders, coordination and behavioral disturbances.
7. Radiculitis and other diseases of the back.
8. The vessels will be squeezed into the brain section.
9. Displacement of the vertebrae.
10. Gait disorder due to spinal stenosis.
11. Hernias and intervertebral protuberances.
12. Schmorl's hernia.

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

Examination and treatment

Cervical osteochondrosis has many symptoms that are common with other diseases. Therefore, before treatment, the neuropathologist listens carefully to the patient and collects a history.

Next, diagnostic tests are performed:

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

Usually, processing takes place in stages:

1. Drugs.Restoration of cartilage tissue using chondroprotectors. For the blood supply to the brain, vasodilator 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 gel or tablets are used as first aid. They may prescribe nootropics and medications containing magnesium. With osteochondrosis, you can take sedatives, as long-term illness can cause stress and depression. Sometimes it is enough to drink a tincture of motherwort or valerian.
2. Physiotherapy.Intended to eliminate disorders in the affected areas of the spine, relieve pain syndromes, 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 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 effect after the 3rd procedure, the general condition improves, insomnia, headaches and ringing in the ears disappear.
3. Manual therapy.The treatment has good efficacy and grateful reviews. A chiropractor will put the vertebrae in their place in several sessions, ensure their mobility and correct posture.
4. Acupuncture.It is also called reflexology. The aim is to influence dystrophic transformations in muscle tissue, get rid of inflammation and pain, and normalize blood circulation. Women with a low pain score have a good chance of recovery, their lymphatic flow is accelerated, and blood flow normalizes.
5. Orthopedic treatment.The specialist prescribes special pillows to relieve the spine. Underwater spinal traction (traction) is also recommended to relax muscles from the action of hot water. Traction involves the use of various devices in order to enlarge the intervertebral space.

6. Correct and clean food.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 mobility to the cervical area and blood supply. It corrects posture and strengthens the muscle corset. In addition, regular physical activity, for example at the gym, will prevent cervical osteochondrosis from progressing.
8. Wear a corset.There is a special device for the cervical spine called a collar. It is rigid 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, it is necessary to measure the distance between the collarbone and the angle of the lower jaw.

Home treatment

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

To remedy the situation, 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 should be applied to the cervical spine, where it hurts the 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 more effect, the procedure should be repeated for 3 or more days.

Cervical gymnastics should be practiced to strengthen the muscles of the neck and restore mobility to the spine. Exercises can be performed for the purpose of prophylaxis, but you should exercise gently and without sudden movements to avoid muscle spasms:

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.
2. Lean on your side.Sitting down, place a 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. Turn on its side.Sitting in a chair or standing, lower your arms down to your torso. Gently turn your head to the far right, then to the far left. Repeat 10 times.
4. Lift your shoulders.Sitting or standing with the arms lowered to the side of the body, raise the shoulders as much as possible and hold them in this position for 10 seconds. Then lower your shoulders, inhale deeply, relax for 15 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
5. Lean towards your chest.Sitting or standing, the arms are lowered to the side of the body. Gently lower your head, trying to rest your chin as much as possible against your chest. With good mobility of the cervical vertebrae, you can feel the thoracic notch with the chin. Repeat about 10 times.
6. Touch ear to 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 against your neck. Turn your head 7 times to the left, then 7 times to the right.
8. Resistance of the neck muscles.Throw your head back, but not completely. Slowly press your chin against your chest, overcoming resistance from muscles in the cervical region. Do this 5-7 times.
9. Swing your arms.You have to make circular movements with both hands in one direction, then in the other.
Massage
10. .Sitting or lying down, massage the area between the occiput bone and its soft part, at the conditional junction of the head and neck, alone or with the help of someone else. The impact must be strong enough, complete within 4 minutes.

Important!In case of cervical osteochondrosis, you should not under any circumstances make circular movements with your head, as this can lead to injury.

Prevention

1. Doctors say that prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should take place even in utero, during the development of the embryo. The pregnant woman is forced to exclude the risk factors associated with future fetal disease, to monitor her state of health in order to prevent intrauterine infections, hypoxia and poisoning.
2. Both mother and father should monitor the child's injuries and see a doctor in time for the diagnosis to rule out possible complications in the future.
3. It is very important that adult girls and women pay attention to the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, because it is worth changing your lifestyle. You need to start walking a lot, taking at least 10, 000 steps a day, gradually increasing the time spent walking. If work activity is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, then 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 in a high-back chair with a headrest. It is also important to avoid excessively soft upholstery as the body must be supported by the ischial tubercles.
4. When driving a car, it is important that your back is well supported, you can put a roll between the lower back and the seat. Try to keep your head straight and sit relaxed.
5. It is dangerous to be in the same position in front of a computer screen and a television screen. Every now and then you need to change your position so that the muscles can flex.
6. For people with cervical osteochondrosis, it is best if possible to do household chores such as ironing or cooking while sitting down.
7. To prevent osteochondrosis, it is necessary to prevent excessive stress on the spine and cervical column. Bags and packages must be carried with both hands or alternatively. When working in the garden and vegetable patch, every 1. 5 hours you need to take a 20-minute break and rest, preferably in a horizontal position.
8. To soften the shock when walking, you should choose comfortable or orthopedic shoes with elastic soles.

9. During the cold season, a woman should protect the cervix area from hypothermia with a scarf and hat.
10. The sleeping pad should be firm and you can also place a pillow 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. This will help prevent the onset of the disease and cure it at the initial stage.
12. It is important for a woman to manage stress and monitor psychostability, as nervous shock can damage the cervical spine.
13. To prevent disease, it is important to eat foods that will be good for the spine, to synthesize its cartilage tissue. Proteins, mucopolysaccharides, minerals and vitamins can be obtained from meat, legumes, nuts, vegetables, gelatin, fish, eggs, cottage cheese.

When choosing a mattress that is right for you, there are many factors to consider, for example skin tone, height, weight, filling 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 sauna during an exacerbation.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of all women, the problem of which is a sedentary lifestyle. There are many jobs: accountants, cashiers, seamstresses, musicians, writers and others. During 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, the vascular system and heal the body. A timely visit to a doctor is the key to a successful recovery.