Such damage to the spine, or more precisely, to the intervertebral discs, as osteochondrosis, is becoming more and more common nowadays.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.
Particularly unpleasant is the fact that in the absence of proper treatment, osteochondrosis quite actively provokes the development of a whole complex of concomitant diseases.Among them are arterial hypertension, neuralgia, increased intracranial pressure, metabolic disorders, limited mobility of the head and back, as well as a number of others.Sometimes the patient’s condition reaches a critical level and there is a serious risk to life.
In representatives of different sexes, the course of osteochondrosis has its own characteristics.Of the five patients with osteochondrosis, three were women.The weaker sex suffers from more pronounced symptoms and is also much more likely to encounter side effects of the disease.This trend is explained by the specifics of the female body.
Features of the disease
If you believe statistics, osteochondrosis in women affects mainly the cervical region.This is explained by the fact that the cervical vertebrae are much more fragile in relation to others.Also in the neck area there are extremely fragile muscles and a rather thin bone structure.Due to this, constant pressure and load on the spinal column have a faster and stronger effect on this area.
Women often engage in work that is considered risky in terms of neck osteochondrosis: cashier, seamstress, computer operator, accountant.At the same time, the initial stages of the development of the disease are extremely difficult to notice, since the patient may not feel any serious pain or special discomfort.Meanwhile, by the time symptoms are identified, osteochondrosis can already lead to significant degenerative processes, disrupt the functioning of the nervous system and blood flow, and this can lead to a deterioration in the nutrition of brain tissue.
It is extremely dangerous if in addition a woman experiences one or more of the following manifestations.
- menopause and related problems of cell metabolism in cartilage and bone tissues;
- genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis and other similar diseases;
- hematopoiesis problems;
- hormonal imbalances;
- metabolic disorders;
- scoliosis, curvature of posture;
- overweight.
Reasons
There are a number of factors that, with prolonged exposure, will inevitably lead to illness.Due to the characteristics of the body, very specific reasons for the development of osteochondrosis in women can be identified separately.They are based on three stages of disease development in increasing order.
- First stage.It is provoked by regular overstrain of the muscle fibers of the neck due to being in an uncomfortable position.
- Second stage.It is caused by the onset of tissue degeneration in the intervertebral discs, as well as the vertebrae themselves.There is a feeling of numbness, deterioration in the sensitivity of the limbs, and limited mobility of the spine.
- Third stage.Associated with the development of intervertebral hernia.Motor activity is blocked, fibrous rings are torn.The pain covers the neck, head, thoracic region, and 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 pinched or there is a need to tilt the head forward;
- spinal injuries;
- increased pressure on the spine (for example, during pregnancy, excess body weight);
- abnormal changes in skeletal structure;
- 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 not capable of triggering it.
- hormonal disorders;
- age-related degenerative changes;
- autoimmune, vegetative problems;
- menopause;
- adynamia;
- frequent body hypothermia;
- excess weight;
- diabetes mellitus
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 signal is pain.Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by frequent aching or paroxysmal acute pain in the neck (less often in the back of the head, as well as on the face).The sensation intensifies if you try to move your head.
- Limitation of mobility, spasms of the neck and thoracic region are often encountered.
- After 50 years, many patients experience tinnitus, weakened 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 first signs of the disease should lead a woman to understand the need to urgently take action.Only a doctor can select a set of diagnostic and therapeutic methods, so the listed symptoms are a reason for urgent medical attention.
The condition is considered especially dangerous if, to these manifestations, there is added a constant state of lack of air, a feeling of a lump in the throat, stuffy ears, and blurred vision.
Treatment
Elimination of the disease or its main symptoms is necessarily preceded by a full diagnosis.For this, computed tomographs, ultrasound and Doppler, and sometimes X-ray machines are used.A prerequisite is the preventive diagnosis of osteochondrosis in older women; others should resort to it if the disease is suspected.
Effective treatment measures are based on an integrated approach, as well as taking into account the individual characteristics of a particular clinical case.Based on the stage of development of osteochondrosis, one or another approach may be effective.
The following points must be taken into account when treating women:
- age;
- presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- quality of the endocrine system.
Medicines
Therapy with classical medications is the standard, simplest, but at the same time very effective approach.However, drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out in women only if more gentle options have shown to be ineffective.
Before turning to medications, a woman is encouraged to turn to herbal infusions (chamomile, dandelion roots, celandine), natural compresses (made from wax, burdock or horseradish leaves, cloves of garlic, cottage cheese with vinegar, honey).They also resort to aroma baths, lifestyle and nutrition adjustments, and stress relief.
They cover up the lack of effectiveness of these drugs with classical medicine.These are analgesics, as well as non-steroidal drugs.Both groups of medications are always taken taking into account the phase of the menstrual cycle.
At the end of the cycle, with an increase in pain sensitivity and a decrease in the body's defenses, the dose of analgesics increases.For postmenopausal women, analgesics are consistently recommended in higher dosages.At the same time, for pregnant women, as well as at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, analgesics are taken to a minimum.
The specific treatment for female osteochondrosis is regular use of sedatives.Mood swings, irritability, and stress greatly interfere with the progress of any therapeutic or preventive technique when it comes to the weaker sex.
The most complex cases require additional use of chondroprotectors and corticosteroids.
Exercise therapy
Properly selected gymnastic complexes are an integral component of balanced therapy.Treatment of the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis in women is focused, among other things, on restoring mobility to this part of the body, and here it is the exercise therapy complex that acts as the main help.
The doctor always selects specific exercises.In this case, both classical (tilts and turns of the head, rotation of the shoulders) and specific movements can be involved.Yoga poses are often used to relieve pain.Such treatment is also allowed at home, if the complex is performed regularly and strictly according to medical instructions.
Along with exercise therapy, cervical massage, manual therapy, and a special diet work well against osteochondrosis.These methods can give additional effect to exercises.The regime of massage sessions for women is selected taking into account the cycle.Also, massage techniques for women during menopause are determined with special care.
After recovery, it is extremely important to strictly follow preventive measures.This will help avoid relapses, and with osteochondrosis they occur often, mainly due to the repeated influence of causative factors.