Osteochondrosis is now considered one of the most common diseases, often affecting women over 25 years of age. The disease is characterized by an acute, rapid course, especially when comparing the course of the disease in male patients.
The pathological processes that accompany the disease are the destruction of joint tissues, intervertebral discs. Pathology in 30% of cases is the cause of headaches. If women develop symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, you should seek medical attention immediately, this will help avoid further development of the disease.
What is cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease accompanied by damage to one or more parts of the spine. Depending on this, the clinical manifestations of the disease differ.
The main load falls on the lower back, but with the defeat of the cervical region there are many more problems. This is due to the anatomical features of the body, in the cervical region there are many fibers and nerve endings, there are vessels that depend on blood circulation in the brain.
The cervical region is considered more vulnerable due to the proximity of the vertebrae and their proximity to the arteries involved in the supply of nutrients to the brain. Dislocation of the vertebrae leads to compression of the nerve roots and arteries, followed by changes in the intervertebral cartilage, hernias and bulges develop. These changes in the intervertebral discs are often age-related, the disease can occur at a young age.
Predisposing factors
There are a number of reasons for the development of cervical osteochondrosis in women, and predisposing factors include the following:
- taking hormonal drugs - this leads to metabolic disorders;
- increased load on the spine and spinal muscles (develops as a result of improperly organized workplace, working in hazardous industries or weightlifting, professional sports);
- dietary disorders, use of unhealthy foods, nutrient deficiencies;
- insufficient water intake (clean, without harmful additives and impurities) - this leads to drying of cartilage tissues, ligaments, which leads to clogging of the body with toxins;
- low physical activity - against the background of lack of exercise there is a violation of blood circulation in the muscles, insufficient nutrition of the intervertebral discs;
- genetic predisposition, congenital curvature of the spine;
- previous diseases (arthritis, osteoarthritis, neuralgia, vasospasm, etc. );
- transferred injuries to the spine;
- constant stress - they are often psychosomatic in nature, against the background of tension there is an uncontrolled muscle contraction, as a result of which blood circulation processes, lymph fluid flow are slowed down, deposits of toxins and toxins are observed.
Secondary risk factors:
- incorrect position of the spine during sleep and rest, wrong choice of mattress and pillow;
- sleeping without a pillow;
- pregnancy;
- Overweight.
Age - with the age of the body there is wear and tear of the vertebrae, wear of cartilage, leaching of calcium, improper distribution of body weight on the feet, uneven load on the spine.
Symptoms of cervical chondrosis in women
Cervical osteochondrosis can be asymptomatic for a long time, many attribute the limitation of motor activity to fatigue, pain in the early stages of the disease is often absent.
The onset of pain is often associated with poor sleep, frequent stress. In some cases, the signs of ordinary cervical osteochondrosis in women appear quite quickly. The day before, the woman may feel well, and the next day the severe pain does not allow her to move freely, until she is unable to lift her head from the pillow. This condition is a reason to seek medical help, at this stage you can easily deal with the signs of the disease.
General symptoms of the disease
The symptoms of the acute stage of cervical osteochondrosis in women are more pronounced. Cartilage puts pressure on nerve roots, puts pressure on arteries running along the spine. There is a risk of short-term memory loss due to oxygen starvation, frequent seizures occur. Lack of therapy in the presence of pain, numbness in the shoulders, numbness of the fingers and other symptoms can lead to paralysis.
Reflex syndrome
Manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis in women are often associated with reflex syndromes, the symptoms of which occur against the background of constant irritation of spinal cord receptors, as a result of which neurons are reflexively excited.
This leads to malnutrition, metabolic processes, at the same time compresses blood vessels and nerves.
Reflex syndromes are divided into:
- Painful - back pain, neck pain, back of the head, simultaneous pain in the neck, shoulder / forearm.
- Muscle tonic - constant muscle tension, which leads to oxygen starvation, bloating, seals.
Spasms of the head, cervical and shoulder girdle may also occur periodically.
In the initial stage of the disease often appear syndromes of the lower oblique muscle of the head, scapular-skeletal syndrome, vertebral artery syndrome, rock muscle tension.
radicular syndrome
In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women, radicular syndrome often occurs, which is accompanied by compression of the vessels of the nerve roots of the spinal cord. The pathology is accompanied by impaired movements in the hands, loss of sensitivity. In this case, there are disorders of internal organs (pathology of urination, sexual dysfunction, hypertension, memory impairment). Disruption of blood vessels can occur unexpectedly, with sudden movements in the affected area.
Vascular syndrome
Against the background of symptoms of compression of the vessels of the spinal cord in women appears a symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, in extreme cases develops ischemic stroke. This complication is accompanied by impaired motor activity of the limbs, there is a decrease in sensitivity, deterioration of the functioning of internal organs. Sometimes the organs stop functioning and if the kidneys fail, there is a high probability of death.
Stages of development of osteochondrosis
There are four stages of the disease, all of which are accompanied by certain pathological changes.
1 stage
In the first stage of the disease, damage to the pulpal nucleus of the intervertebral disc is observed. This phenomenon occurs against the background of disruption of metabolic processes in the body, as a result of dehydration, the nucleus dries out, decreases in size and becomes less durable. The spine becomes more vulnerable to physical stress, at this stage there is no pain syndrome. Diagnosis at this stage does not require medication.
Stage 2
At this stage, the fibrous ring is damaged, tears and cracks appear on the surface of the intervertebral disc due to loads on the spine. The ring becomes thinner, the core is displaced in tears and cracks, which leads to their expansion. The enlarged disc protrudes beyond the vertebrae, there is a disc protrusion, the process is accompanied by pain.
Stage 3
In third-degree osteochondrosis, an intervertebral hernia forms, and the fibrous ring ruptures. The pulpal nucleus moves into the subglottic cavity, leading to a herniated disc. The pathological process leads to damage to nearby vascular, muscle tissues, ligaments and nerves.
Stage 4
This stage is accompanied by degenerative recovery of the spine, its duration reaches 12 months. During this period there is a change in the nature of bone growth, they begin to grow in width, which leads to an increase in the area of the vertebrae. In this way the formation of osteophytes occurs, as a result of which the mobility of the spine decreases, the destructive processes stop.
Methods of treatment
Treatment at each stage of cervical osteochondrosis in women should be aimed primarily at eliminating the causes of the disease. Therapy should be comprehensive, this approach will help to avoid further spread of the pathological process.
The effect of treatment should be aimed at restoring or activating lymphatic and venous outflow from the affected areas. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is considered an excellent prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. As part of first aid, painkillers have been shown, and NSAIDs are very effective.
After providing first aid, you should consult a doctor, he will help you prescribe the right treatment.
medical
The following drugs are prescribed for the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tablets, injections) - their action is aimed at reducing pain, eliminating the inflammatory process. Therapy can take several months while they have a negative impact on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (hormones) - prescribed for severe pain. They show effectiveness in eliminating inflammation, pain, but also have side effects in the form of a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Antispasmodics - effectively relieve muscle spasms, have a relaxing effect on muscles, activate blood circulation.
- Epidural blockade - during its implementation is shown the introduction of painkillers, hormones in the space between the meninges and the periosteum of the vertebrae.
As part of the treatment of osteochondrosis is shown and the use of chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, dosage and duration of therapy are prescribed by the doctor.
Gymnastics
Physiotherapy exercises for symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are recommended to be done according to the doctor's instructions. All movements should be discussed with a specialist, as incorrect positioning of the neck and arms can worsen the situation.
Effective neck exercises:
- Lie with arms outstretched, lift them up with slight twists of the body. The right palm should reach the left and vice versa, repeat 5-6 times.
- Lie on your stomach with outstretched arms on your body, try to relax your muscles, turn your head in different directions. The ends of the ears should touch the floor, do 10 repetitions.
- Standing straight with outstretched shoulders, slowly turn your head in different directions, repeat 6-7 times.
- With closed fingers in the back of the head, gather the elbows, attach the chin to the forearms, do 6-7 repetitions.
All exercises are recommended to be performed regularly, only in this case the effectiveness of the therapy is achieved.
Physiotherapy and massage
Vertebral pinching is accompanied by severe pain, to eliminate the pathological manifestations of the disease, the doctor prescribes physiotherapy methods. Their action is aimed at eliminating pain, reducing discomfort and activating circulatory processes.
The following physiotherapeutic methods are most often prescribed for osteochondrosis:
- shock wave therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- acupuncture;
- laser therapy;
- balneotherapy;
- massage.
The massage shows effectiveness in eliminating the pain, as a result of which the lost mobility is restored. Physical impact on the affected area activates blood circulation, reduces tone, strengthens muscles. The application of the method minimizes the risk of pathological processes in the future.
During the treatment different methods of massage are used, much depends on the clinical picture, the characteristics of the patient's body, the stage of the disease.
Massage has contraindications that must be considered before prescribing the procedure. Care should be taken in vascular pathologies, high blood pressure, injuries, skin inflammations are also considered contraindications.
Food
An important role in osteochondrosis plays a diet, it must be balanced, it is best to contact a nutritionist. Consumption of salty foods and mineral water should be kept to a minimum. It is recommended to eat 5-6 times a day in small portions, fried, baked, spicy dishes should be replaced by steamed. It is recommended to give preference to protein products (legumes, dairy), chondroitin, sprouted grains, sesame. No coffee, alcoholic beverages, strong tea.
Alternative treatment
Alternative treatments are also recommended in combination with traditional methods. A doctor's consultation is required first. Such methods can reduce the severity of symptoms, but not eliminate the cause of the pathological process. Ointments, infusions, decoctions, compresses, rubbing, baths are widely used as part of folk medicine. In their production various herbs, alcohol, oils, honey, etc. are used.
Effective recipes:
- Put a handful of chopped celery in 200 ml of boiling water, insist 5 hours, drink the strained mixture 1 tbsp. l. daily.
- Heat the green leaves of burdock or horseradish on a steam bath, apply on the neck for an hour.
- Mix honey and grated potatoes in equal proportions, use the mixture for compresses.
Therapeutic baths
The effect of therapeutic baths:
- thermal - under the influence of elevated temperature, circulatory processes are accelerated, intensified, the sensitivity of receptors increases, enzymes are activated, inflammatory processes are reduced;
- mechanical - under the pressure of water activates blood circulation, as a result of which tissues are saturated with oxygen and nutrients;
- chemical - after adding salt, minerals, plants, water acquires healing properties, baths also have a stimulating effect on the urinary system, resulting in increased resistance to disease.
Coniferous, salty, mustard baths show high efficiency, the duration of the procedure is 20-30 minutes. After the session, it is recommended to lie down in a warm bed, as the cold can nullify the entire effect of therapy. The procedure should be abandoned in the presence of cancer, heart and blood vessel problems.