Osteochondrosis is considered one of the most common diseases today, often affecting women over the age of 25. The disease is characterized by an acute and rapid course, especially when comparing the course of the disease in male patients.
The pathological processes accompanying the disease are the destruction of joint tissues, intervertebral discs. Pathology in 30% of cases is the cause of headache. If symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur in women, you should immediately seek medical help, this will help to avoid further development of the disease.
What is cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, it is 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 much 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 also vessels on which blood circulation in the brain depends.
The cervical region is considered more vulnerable due to the proximity of the vertebrae and their proximity to the arteries involved in the delivery of nutrients to the brain. The displacement of the vertebrae leads to compression of the nerve roots and arteries, after which changes in the intervertebral cartilage, hernias and protrusions occur. These changes in the intervertebral discs often have an age-related character, the disease can manifest itself even at a young age.
Predisposing factors
There are a large number of reasons for the development of female cervical osteochondrosis, predisposing factors include the following:
- taking hormonal drugs - this leads to metabolic disorders;
- increased load on the spine and muscles of the spine (develops due to an improperly organized workplace, when working in dangerous industries or with weightlifting, professional sports);
- violation of diet, use of unhealthy food, deficiency of nutrients;
- insufficient water intake (pure, 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 physical exercises, 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, arthrosis, neuralgia, vasospasm, etc. );
- transferred injuries of the spine;
- constant stresses - they are often psychosomatic in nature, against the background of tension, uncontrolled muscle contraction occurs, as a result the processes of blood circulation, the flow of lymphatic fluid slow 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;
- sleep without a pillow;
- pregnancy;
- overweight.
Age - as the body ages, wear of the vertebrae occurs, cartilage tissues wear out, calcium is washed away, 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 initial 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 normal cervical osteochondrosis in women appear quite quickly. One day ago a woman might feel well and the next day a severe pain does not allow her to move freely, to the point of being unable to lift her head from the pillow. This condition is a reason for seeking medical help, at this stage you can easily cope with the signs of the disease.
General symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of the acute stage of cervical osteochondrosis in women are more pronounced. Cartilage puts pressure on the nerve roots, puts pressure on the arteries that run along the spine. There is a risk of short-term memory loss, due to lack of oxygen, frequent fainting occurs. Lack of therapy with pain, numbness in the shoulder area, tingling 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 the spinal cord receptors, as a result of which neurons are reflexively in an excited state.
This leads to malnutrition, metabolic processes, and at the same time blood vessels and nerves are compressed.
Reflex syndromes are divided into:
- Painful - back pain, pain in the neck, back of the head, simultaneous pain in the neck, shoulder / forearm.
- Muscle tonic - constant muscle tension, resulting in oxygen starvation, swelling, seals.
Periodically, spasms may also occur in the muscles of the head, cervical region, and shoulder girdle.
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, syndromes of the lower oblique muscle of the head, scapulo-costal syndrome, vertebral artery syndrome, tension of the scalene muscle often occur.
radicular syndrome
With 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. Pathology is accompanied by impaired movements of the hands, loss of sensation. In this case, there are also violations of the functioning of internal organs (pathology of urination, sexual dysfunction, hypertension, impaired memory). Violation of blood vessels can occur unexpectedly, with sudden movements in the affected area.
Vascular syndrome
Against the background of the symptoms of compression of the vessels of the spinal cord, a symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs in women, in extreme cases an ischemic stroke of the spine develops. This complication is accompanied by a violation of the motor activity of the limbs, there is a decrease in sensitivity, a deterioration in the functioning of internal organs. Sometimes the organs stop working 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 some pathological changes.
1 stage
In the first stage of the development of the disease, damage to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc is observed. This phenomenon occurs against the background of a violation of metabolic processes in the body, due to dehydration, the core dries up, 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.
2 stages
At this stage, the fibrous ring is damaged, tears and cracks appear on the surface of the intervertebral disc due to the 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, protrusion of the disc occurs, the process is accompanied by pain.
3 stages
With third-degree osteochondrosis, an intervertebral hernia is formed, the fibrous ring is torn. The nucleus pulposus moves into the subglottic cavity, causing a herniated disc. The pathological process leads to damage to nearby vascular, muscle tissues, ligaments and nerves.
4 stages
This stage is accompanied by a degenerative restoration 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 vertebra. Thus, the formation of osteophytes occurs, as a result of which the mobility of the spine decreases, the destructive processes stop.
Methods of treatment
Treatment of any 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 action of the treatment must be aimed at restoring or activating the lymphatic outflow 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, pain relievers are indicated and NSAIDs are highly effective.
After providing first aid, you should consult a doctor, who will help prescribe the correct treatment.
Doctor
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, the following drugs are prescribed:
- 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 efficacy in eliminating inflammation, pain, but also have side effects in the form of a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Antispasmodics - effectively relieves muscle spasms, has a relaxing effect on the muscles, activates the processes of blood circulation.
- Epidural block - during its implementation, the introduction of painkillers, hormones into the space between the meninges and the periosteum of the vertebrae is indicated.
As part of the treatment of osteochondrosis, the use of chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants is also indicated, the dosage and duration of therapy is prescribed by the doctor.
Gym
Physiotherapy exercises for cervical osteochondrosis symptoms in women are recommended to be performed as directed by the doctor. All movements should be discussed with a specialist, as incorrect positioning of the neck and arms can aggravate the situation.
Effective Neck Exercises:
- Lying with your arms outstretched to the sides, lift them up with gentle turns of the body. The right palm should reach the left and vice versa, repeat 5-6 times.
- Lying on your stomach with your arms extended along the body, try to relax the muscles, turn your head alternately in different directions. The edges of the ears should touch the floor, perform 10 repetitions.
- Standing straight with shoulders straightened, slowly turn your head in different directions, repeat 6-7 times.
- With fingers closed at the back of the head, join the elbows, attach the chin to the forearms, perform 6-7 repetitions.
It is recommended to perform all exercises regularly, only in this case the effectiveness of the therapy is achieved.
Physiotherapy and massage
Pinching of the vertebrae is accompanied by severe pain, in order to eliminate the pathological manifestations of the disease, the doctor prescribes physiotherapeutic methods. Their action is aimed at eliminating pain, reducing feelings of discomfort and activating blood circulation processes.
With osteochondrosis, the following physiotherapeutic methods are often prescribed:
- shock wave therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- acupuncture;
- laser therapy;
- balneotherapy;
- massage.
The massage shows effectiveness in eliminating pain, as a result, the lost mobility returns. Physical impact on the affected area activates the processes of blood circulation, reduces the tone, strengthens the muscles. Application of the method minimizes the risk of pathological processes in the future.
During treatment, different massage methods are used, much depends on the clinical picture, the characteristics of the patient's body, the stage of the disease.
Massage has contraindications, which must be taken into account before prescribing the procedure. Care should be taken in case of vascular pathologies, hypertension, lesions, skin inflammations are also considered contraindications.
Food
An important role in osteochondrosis is played by the diet, it must be balanced, it is best to contact a nutritionist. The consumption of salty foods and mineral water should be minimized. It is recommended to eat 5-6 times a day in small portions, fried, baked and spiced dishes should be replaced with steamed ones. It is recommended to give preference to protein products (legumes, dairy products), chondroitins, sprouted cereals, sesame. Forbidden coffee, alcoholic beverages, strong tea.
Alternative treatment
It is also recommended to use an alternative treatment in conjunction 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 development of the pathological process. As part of the folk treatment, ointments, infusions, decoctions, compresses, rubs, baths are widely used. In their manufacture, 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 filtered mixture 1 tbsp. L. daily.
- Warm the green leaves of burdock or horseradish in a steam bath, apply on the neck for an hour.
- Mix honey and grated potatoes in equal proportions, use the mixture for wraps.
Therapeutic baths
The effect of therapeutic baths:
- thermal - under the influence of high temperature, blood circulation processes are accelerated, intensified, the sensitivity of the receptors increases, enzymes are activated, inflammatory processes are reduced;
- mechanical - under the pressure of water blood circulation is activated, as a result the tissues are saturated with oxygen and useful elements;
- chemical: after adding salt, minerals, plants, water acquires healing properties, baths also have a stimulating effect on the excretion system, as a result, the body's resistance to diseases increases.
Coniferous, salt and mustard baths show high efficiency, the duration of the procedure is 20-30 minutes. After the session, it is recommended to lie down on a warm bed, as the cold can negate the entire effect of the therapy. The procedure should be abandoned in the presence of cancer, heart and blood vessel problems.