Such damage to the spine, i. e. intervertebral discs, such as 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.
The fact that in the absence of appropriate treatment, osteochondrosis actively provokes the development of a whole series of accompanying diseases is particularly unpleasant. Among them are arterial hypertension, neuralgia, increased intracranial pressure, metabolic disorders, limited mobility of the head and back, and a number of others. Sometimes the patient's condition reaches a critical level, there is a serious risk to life.
In representatives of different sexes, the course of osteochondrosis has its own characteristics. Out of five patients with osteochondrosis, three are women. At the same time, the weaker sex suffers from more pronounced symptoms and is also much more likely to experience the side effects of the disease. This trend is explained by the specifics of the work of the female body.
Characteristics of the disease
According to statistics, osteochondrosis in women affects mainly the cervical region. This is because the cervical vertebrae are much more fragile than the others. Also in the neck area there are extremely fragile muscles and a rather thin bone structure. Because of this, constant pressure, loading of the spinal column has a faster and stronger effect on this area.
Women often do work that is considered risky in terms of neck osteochondrosis: cashier, seamstress, computer operator, accountant. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to notice the initial stages of the disease development, because the patient may not feel serious pain or special discomfort. Meanwhile, while the symptoms are revealed, osteochondrosis can already lead to significant degenerative processes, disrupt the work of the nervous system and blood flow, and this is overwhelmed by the deterioration of nutrition of brain tissues.
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 tissue;
- genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis, other similar diseases;
- hematopoietic problems;
- hormonal disorders;
- metabolic disease;
- scoliosis, curvature of the posture;
- overweight.
Reasons
There are a number of factors that, with prolonged exposure, will inevitably lead to illness. Considering the characteristics of the organism, very specific causes of the development of osteochondrosis in women can be singled out. They are based on three stages of disease development in ascending order.
- The first stage. It is provoked by regular overstrain of the muscle fibers of the neck due to an uncomfortable position.
- The second stage. It is caused by the beginning of tissue degeneration in the intervertebral discs, as well as the vertebrae themselves. There is a feeling of numbness, worsening of the sensitivity of the limbs, limited mobility of the spine.
- The third phase. Associated with the development of intervertebral hernia. Motor activity is blocked, fibrous rings are torn. Pain covers the neck, head, chest, vertebral artery syndrome develops.
Main factors
The main provocateurs of female osteochondrosis include the following:
- strong emotional and physical stress;
- forced regular and prolonged stay in a position in which the neck is tightened or there is a need to tilt the head forward;
- spinal injury;
- increased pressure on the spine (for example, during pregnancy, excess weight);
- 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 unable to cause it.
- hormonal disorders;
- age-related degenerative changes;
- autoimmune, vegetative problems;
- menopause;
- adynamia;
- frequent hypothermia of the body;
- excess weight;
- diabetes.
Symptoms of the disease
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 painful or paroxysmal acute pain in the neck (less often - the back of the head, as well as on the face). The sensation intensifies if you try to move your head.
- There is often limited mobility, spasms in the neck, thoracic region.
- After the age of 50, many patients have tinnitus, impaired vision, hearing and intense snoring.
- Sometimes the disease causes a strong crunch when turning the neck.
- Another common symptom is dizziness, a gradual loss of coordinated movements.
The very first signs of the disease should lead a woman to understand the need to take urgent measures. A set of diagnostic and therapeutic methods can only be chosen by a doctor, so the listed symptoms are a reason for urgent medical help.
The condition is considered particularly dangerous if these manifestations are accompanied by a constant state of lack of air, a coma in the throat, blocked ears, blurred vision.
Treatment
The elimination of the disease or its main symptoms must be preceded by a complete diagnosis. Computed tomography, ultrasound and Doppler, and sometimes X-ray machines are used for this. A prerequisite is a preventive diagnosis of osteochondrosis in older women, the rest should be resorted to if the disease is suspected.
Effective therapeutic measures are based on an integrated approach, as well as on taking into account the individual characteristics of a particular clinical case. Depending on the stage of development of osteochondrosis, certain approaches can be effective.
The following points must be considered in the treatment of women:
- Age;
- the presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- the quality of the endocrine system.
Medicines
Therapy with classical drugs is the standard, simplest, but at the same time very effective approach. However, the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with drugs is carried out in women only if more benign options have shown their ineffectiveness.
Before turning to medical preparations, a woman is invited to turn to herbal infusions (chamomile, dandelion root, celandine), natural compresses (from wax, burdock or horseradish leaves, cloves of garlic, cottage cheese with vinegar, honey). They also resort to aromatic baths, lifestyle and diet correction, stress relief.
They cover the lack of effectiveness of these drugs with classical medicine. These are analgesics, as well as non-steroidal 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 is increased. For menopausal women, analgesics are constantly recommended in higher doses. At the same time, for pregnant women, as well as at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, analgesics are reduced to a minimum.
The specificity of the treatment of female osteochondrosis is the regular use of sedatives. Mood swings, irritability, as well as stress greatly hinder the progress of any therapeutic or preventive technique, if it is a question of a weaker field.
The most severe cases are the additional intake of chondroprotectors and corticosteroids.
exercise therapy
Correctly selected gymnastic complexes are an integral part of balanced therapy. The treatment of the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis in women is aimed, among other things, at restoring mobility to this part of the body, and this is where the exercise therapy complex is the main help.
Specific exercises are always chosen by the doctor. In this case, both classic (tilts and turns of the head, shoulder rotation) and specific movements can be included. Often yoga poses are used to relieve pain. Such treatment is also allowed at home, if the complex is carried out regularly and clearly according to the doctor's prescriptions.
In addition to exercise therapy, cervical massage, manual therapy and a special diet work well against osteochondrosis. These training methods can give an additional effect. The method of massage sessions for women is selected taking into account the cycle. Also, with special attention, the massage technique is determined for women in menopause.
After recovery, it is extremely important to strictly adhere to preventive measures. This will help to avoid relapses, which are common in osteochondrosis, mainly due to the constant influence of causative factors.