Cervical osteochondrosis in women

Cervical osteochondrosis in women is a common disease. Representatives of the fair sex over 30 are most susceptible 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

The symptoms of female osteochondrosis can be detected at an early stage, since the cervical spine discs are located close to each other and are small in height. Cervical osteochondrosis can have serious consequences - complications and even death. After all, the arteries pass through the neck region that feeds the brain, trunks and nerve roots that connect to the lungs, arms and heart, in addition to the spinal cord. Therefore, you should not postpone treatment with a good doctor.

For a woman to be able to recognize cervical osteochondrosis, she needs to pay attention to the following signs:

• During head turns, the neck twists and unpleasant painful sensations occur;
• Frequent recurrent occipital and temporal headaches;
• Shooting pains that radiate to the neck;
• Fast fatigue, weakness and fatigue;
• High temperature;
• Strong neck stiffness, difficulty turning the head;
• Unpleasant shoulder pain occurs when the arm is slightly loaded or when coughing;
• Numbness and tingling in limbs and tongue;
• Dizziness, darkening of the eyes;
• Snoring during sleep;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Irrational anxiety, fear;
• Mood changes independent of the cycle;
• Sleep disorders;
• Marked deterioration of memory and attention;
• Increase in blood pressure (increase or decrease);
• Pain in the heart region, hearing loss and ringing in the ears, complications with vision are much less common.
• Nausea, vomiting;
• The skin has a bluish tint.

Cervical osteochondrosis can cause fever and health problems.

Important!Especially acute cervical osteochondrosis is experienced by women in the climacteric period.

Characteristics of female osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disorder of the musculoskeletal system, due to which intervertebral discs and joints can collapse. Due to the structural characteristics of the body, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are more pronounced than in men. The fact is that the man's shoulder area 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. Deformation of the intervertebral discs causes rapid pressure on the fiber roots of nerve endings. Roughly speaking, women have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue.

Important!Pregnancy followed by childcare also exacerbates the problem. During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases, and breastfeeding in an uncomfortable position and the constant carrying of the baby in the arms cause 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 pulpal nucleus (the interior of the intervertebral disc, which should normally be filled with semi-fluid and gelatinous tissues).
2. The muscles and ligaments fall, which is the cause of the imbalance, that is, the displacement of the vertebrae.
3. Protrusion of intervertebral discs (out of their contents) and arthrosis.
4. The human body is trying to help the spine put the "loose" vertebrae in place, remove the support and protective barriers. For this, osteophytes appear in the vertebrae - bone growth. Fibrous tissue also grows. As a result, the motor segment of the spine is in a kind of shell that 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. Osteochondrosis itself is the main cause of salt deposits. Scientists argue that there are many reasons for the appearance of cervical osteochondrosis. Let's consider the main ones:

• Climax. The fact is that the progesterone that enters the body becomes smaller and smaller and the muscles of the cervical region also decrease. All of this leads to the weakening of the spinal section;
• Weakening of the immune system, frequent illnesses;
• Excess;
• Circulatory disorders;
• Anomalies of the vertebral artery that arose in the context of birth trauma, infections and heredity;
• Sedentary work, mainly on the computer;
• Flat feet;
• Incorrect posture;
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
• Excessive exercise;
• Heavy spine load during pregnancy;
• Incorrect and unbalanced nutrition;
• Deficient metabolism, metabolic problems;
• Any damage to the neck;
• Rheumatism or injury;
• Hormonal disorders in the body;
• Hypothermia;
• Heredity.

Excess weight puts additional pressure on the ligaments and joints and also causes problems in the cardiovascular system.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

Lack of treatment can lead a woman to a disability. If you don't start treatment for osteochondrosis in time, there is a risk of complications - from the most insignificant to the serious ones:

1. Constant pain in the head, dizziness.
2. Sudden loss of regular consciousness.
3. Hearing and vision problems.
4. Blood circulation in the brain region will be impaired.
5. Frequent increase in blood pressure.
6. Problems can start in the central nervous system: speech, coordination and impaired behavioral disorders.
7. Radiculitis and other diseases in the back.
8. The vessels will be squeezed in the section of the brain.
9. Displacement of the vertebrae.
10. Disorder of walking due to spinal stenosis.
11. Hernias and intervertebral protrusions.
12. Schmorl's hernia.

An increase in blood pressure in osteochondrosis may be associated with a low permeability of blood in the arteries en route to the brain. Clamped arteries occur due to osteochondrosis.

Examination and treatment

Cervical osteochondrosis has many common symptoms with other diseases, so before treatment, the neuropathologist listens carefully to the patient and makes an anamnesis.

After that, 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 a 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 they are located in the spine.
• Myelography.For examination, a contrast fluid is injected into the spinal cord channel. The procedure is not safe: the patient may develop allergies and there is a risk of spinal cord injury if the puncture is not successful. However, with cervical osteochondrosis, this study is rarely performed unless it is necessary to view the entire spine.

Magnetic resonance imaging will help to accurately establish the diagnosis and determine the degree of development of the pathology.

To cure cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes a complex treatment. The goals of therapy are to relieve muscle spasms, relieve pain and reduce intradiscal pressure. At different stages of disease development, different types of therapy are used.

Usually, treatment goes through stages:

1. Medication.Restoration of cartilaginous tissue using chondroprotectors. For blood supply in the brain, vasodilator drugs are used. All of the above will eliminate inflammation, pain syndrome and improve metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories in the form of gel or tablets are used as first aid. They can prescribe nootropics and drugs with magnesium. With osteochondrosis, you can take sedatives, as prolonged illnesses can cause stress and depression. Sometimes, just drink a tincture of motherwort or valerian.
2. Physiotherapy.It aims to eliminate disturbances in the affected areas of the spine, relieve pain syndromes and improve blood circulation. A good massage from a competent specialist, electrophoresis with anesthetic solutions, as well as laser therapy can help in the early stages of disease development. 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, improves the general condition, insomnia, headaches and ringing in the ears disappear.
3. Manual therapy.The treatment has good efficacy and grateful criticism. A chiropractor will return the vertebrae to their place in several sessions, providing their mobility and correct posture.
4. Acupuncture.It is also called reflexology. The goal is to influence dystrophic changes in muscle tissues, get rid of inflammation and pain and normalize blood circulation. Women with a low pain index have a good chance of recovery, their lymphatic flow is accelerated and blood flow normalizes.
5. Orthopedic treatment.The specialist prescribes special sleeping pillows to relieve the spine. Traction of the underwater spine (traction) is also recommended to relax the muscles from the action of hot water. Traction involves the use of various devices to enlarge the intervertebral space.

6. Proper and clean nutrition.By providing the body with healthy fats, carbohydrates and proteins, as well as minerals and vitamins, the woman can significantly accelerate the healing process.
7. Physical activity.The doctor may prescribe physiotherapy exercises and special exercises for the cervical spine. Physical education aims to restore mobility in the collar area and blood supply. Corrects posture and strengthens the muscular corset. In addition, regular exercise, for example, at the gym, prevents the progression of cervical osteochondrosis.
8. Wearing a corset.There is a special device for the cervical spine called a collar. It is rigid and stable. Wearing a collar eliminates pain syndromes, improves posture and speeds recovery.

When choosing a collar, it is necessary to choose the correct height of the product. To do this, you need to measure the distance from the clavicle to the angle of the jaw.

Home treatment

In order for the disease not to appear or to be diagnosed in the initial stage, the woman needs to closely monitor her health, diet and lifestyle.

To ease the condition, at home, you can use popular recipes:

1. Grate the peeled potatoes on a fine grater, add a little honey and mix. The resulting mixture should be applied to the cervical spine, where it hurts most. Repeat the treatment once a week.
2. Rinse the horseradish leaves and apply to the affected area. Fix the dressing with a bandage and sleep with it all night. Usually in the morning you can feel relief and improve. For greater effect, the procedure must be repeated for 3 days or more.

Cervical gymnastics should be performed to strengthen the neck muscles and restore mobility of the spine. Exercises can be performed for prophylaxis, but you should practice gently and without sudden movements so that muscle spasm does not happen:

1. Lean forward.Sitting, place your palm on your forehead and tilt your head forward while resisting with your palm. An inclination - 10 seconds. After a short rest, repeat the exercise.
2. Tilt to the side.While seated, place your palm on your head at the temple area. Tilt your head to the side while pressing it with your palm, resisting. Continue for 10 seconds. After the rest, repeat the exercise.
3. Turn to the side.Sitting in a chair or standing, lower your arms by your sides. Gently turn your head to the far right and then to the far left. Repeat 10 times.
4. Lift your shoulders.Seated or standing, your arms are lowered along your body, raise your shoulders as far as possible and hold them in this position for 10 seconds. Then, lower your shoulders, take a deep breath and relax for 15 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
5. Tilt to the chest.Seated or standing, the arms are lowered along the body. Gently lower your head, trying to press your chin against your chest as much as possible. With good mobility of the cervical vertebrae, you can feel the chest notch with the chin. Repeat about 10 times.
6. Touching the ear on the shoulder.Tilt your head back. Try to touch your left ear on the left shoulder, repeat 5 times. Do the same with the right side.
7. Tilt down.Loosen your chin on your neck. Turn your head 7 times to the left and 7 times to the right.
8. Strength of the neck muscle.Throw your head back, but not quite. Slowly press your chin against your chest, overcoming the resistance of the muscles of the cervical region. Do it 5-7 times.
9. Swing your arms.It is necessary to make circular movements with both hands in one direction and then in the other.
10. Massage.Sitting or lying down, massage the area between the occipital bone and its soft part, in the area of ​​the conditional junction of the head and neck, alone or with the help of another person. The impact should be strong enough, run in 4 minutes.

Important!In the case of cervical osteochondrosis, under no circumstances should you make circular movements with your head, as this can cause injuries.

Prevention

1. Doctors say that prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine must still occur in the uterus, during embryo development. The pregnant woman is obliged to exclude risk factors associated with future fetal diseases, to monitor her health in order to prevent intrauterine infections, hypoxia and intoxications.
2. Both the mother and the father need to monitor the child's injuries and see a doctor in time for diagnosis in order to rule out possible complications in the future.
3. It is very important that girls and adult women are attentive to the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, for that it is worth changing their lifestyle. It is necessary to start walking a lot, taking at least 10, 000 steps a day, gradually increasing the walking time. If work activity is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, you need to do simple exercises for office workers right at the table, in addition to getting up, warming up and walking every hour. Sit in a high-back chair with a headrest. It is also important to avoid excessively soft furniture, as the body must be supported by ischial tubers.
4. When driving a car, it is important that your back has good support, you can put a roller between your back and the seat. Try to keep your head straight and feel relaxed.
5. It is harmful to be in the same position in front of the computer and TV screen. From time to time, you need to change position so that the muscles can flex.
6. For those with cervical osteochondrosis, it is best, if possible, to do household chores such as ironing or cooking while sitting.
7. To prevent osteochondrosis, it is necessary to prevent excessive stress on the spine and cervical spine. Bags and packages must be carried with both hands or alternately. When working in the garden and in the garden, every 1. 5 hours it is necessary to take a 20-minute break and rest, preferably in a horizontal position.
8. To alleviate the shock when walking, it is necessary to choose comfortable or orthopedic shoes with elastic soles.

9. In the cold season, the woman must protect the neck area from hypothermia with a scarf and hat.
10. The sleeping mattress must be firm, and you can also place a pillow on your lower back, knee joint or belly, depending on the position.
11. For the prevention of osteochondrosis, it is worth taking a general strengthening massage course. It will help to prevent the onset of the disease, as well as to cure it in the initial stage.
12. It is important for women to deal with stress and monitor psychostability, because a nervous shock can cause damage to the cervical spine.
13. To prevent the disease, it is important to eat foods that are good for the spine, to synthesize your cartilage tissue. Proteins, mucopolysaccharides, minerals and vitamins can be obtained from meat, vegetables, nuts, vegetables, gelatin, fish, eggs, cottage cheese.

When choosing the mattress that is right for you, you must take into account many factors, for example, skin, height, weight, padding 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 a sauna during an exacerbation.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of all women, whose problem is sedentary lifestyle. There are many professions: 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 spas, where they can strengthen the neck muscles, the vascular system and heal the body. A timely visit to the doctor is the key to a successful recovery.