Such damage to the spine, or rather to the 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.
Particularly unpleasant is the fact that, in the absence of proper treatment, osteochondrosis actively provokes the development of a whole range of concomitant diseases. Among them are high blood pressure, neuralgia, increased intracranial pressure, metabolic disorders, limited mobility of the head and back, and many others. Sometimes the condition of patients reaches critical, there is a serious risk of life.
In representatives of different sexes, the course of osteochondrosis has its own characteristics. Of the five patients with osteochondrosis, three are women. The weaker sex, at the same time, suffers from more pronounced symptoms and is also much more likely to experience the side effects of the disease. This tendency is explained by the specifics of female body work.
Characteristics of the disease
According to statistics, osteochondrosis in women mainly affects the cervical region. This is because cervical vertebrae are much more fragile than others. Also in the neck area are extremely fragile muscles and a very thin bone structure. Because of this, constant pressure, load on the spine has a faster and stronger effect on that area.
Women often do jobs considered risky in terms of osteochondrosis of the neck: cashier, seamstress, computer operator, accountant. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to notice the early stages of the development of the disease, as the patient may not experience any severe pain or special discomfort. Meanwhile, by the time symptoms are detected, osteochondrosis can already lead to significant degenerative processes, disrupt the functioning of the nervous system and blood flow, and this is fraught with deterioration in the 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 tissues;
- genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis, other similar diseases;
- hematopoietic problems;
- hormonal disturbances;
- metabolic disease;
- scoliosis, curvature of posture;
- overweight.
The reasons
There are a number of factors that, with prolonged exposure, will inevitably lead to illness. In view of the characteristics of the organism, quite specific causes of the development of osteochondrosis in women can be distinguished separately. They are based on three stages of disease development in ascending order.
- First step. It is caused by a regular overload of the muscle fibers in the neck due to an uncomfortable position.
- Second level. 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 of the sensitivity of the limbs, limited mobility of the spine.
- Third stage. Associated with the development of intervertebral hernia. Motor activity is blocked, fibrous rings are broken. Pain covers the neck, head, thoracic region, vertebral artery syndrome develops.
main factors
The main triggers of female osteochondrosis include the following:
- strong emotional and physical stress;
- regular and prolonged forced stay in a position where the neck is compressed or there is a need to tilt the head forward;
- spinal injury;
- increased pressure on the spine (for example, during pregnancy, overweight);
- 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 are not able to provoke it.
- hormonal disorders;
- age-related degenerative changes;
- autoimmune and vegetative problems;
- menopause;
- adynamia;
- frequent hypothermia of the body;
- overweight;
- diabetes.
disease symptoms
The 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 or paroxysmal sharp pain in the neck (less often - in the back of the head and face). The sensation intensifies if you try to move your head.
- There is often limited mobility, spasms of the neck, thoracic region.
- After the age of 50, many patients present with tinnitus, visual and hearing impairment and intense snoring.
- Sometimes the disease causes a strong crisis when turning the neck.
- Another common symptom is dizziness, a gradual loss of coordinated movement.
The first signs of the disease should lead the woman to understand the need to act urgently. A set of diagnostic and therapeutic methods can only be selected by a doctor, therefore, the listed symptoms are a reason for urgent medical attention.
The condition is considered especially dangerous if a constant state of shortness of breath, feeling of a coma in the throat, stuffy ears, cloudy eyes are added to these manifestations.
Treatment
The elimination of the disease or its main symptoms is necessarily preceded by a complete diagnosis. This involves computed tomography, ultrasound and doppler, and sometimes x-ray machines. A prerequisite is the preventive diagnosis of osteochondrosis in older women, the rest must be done if a disease is suspected.
Effective therapeutic measures are based on an integrated approach, in addition to taking into account the individual characteristics of a given clinical case. Based on the developmental stage of osteochondrosis, certain approaches may be effective.
The following points should be taken into account when treating women:
- was;
- the presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- the quality of the endocrine system.
Medicines
Classic drug therapy is the standard approach, simpler but at the same time very effective. However, drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out in women only if the more benign options have shown their ineffectiveness.
Before resorting to medical preparations, a woman is invited to resort to herbal infusions (chamomile, dandelion roots, celandine), natural compresses (from wax, burdock or horseradish leaves, garlic cloves, cottage cheese with vinegar, honey). They also turn to scent baths, lifestyle correction and nutrition, stress relief.
They cover the lack of effectiveness of these drugs with classical medicine. These are pain relievers as well as non-steroidal medications. 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 increased sensitivity to pain, decreased body defenses, the dose of analgesics increases. For menopausal women, pain relievers are consistently recommended in higher doses. At the same time, for pregnant women, as well as at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, painkillers are reduced to a minimum.
The specificity of the treatment of female osteochondrosis is the regular intake of sedatives. Mood swings, irritability and stress greatly interfere with the progress of any therapeutic or preventive technique, if we are talking about a weaker field.
More difficult cases include taking additional chondroprotectors in addition to corticosteroids.
exercise therapy
Properly selected gymnastic complexes are an integral component of a balanced therapy. The treatment of the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis in women is focused, among other things, on the return of mobility to this part of the body, and here it is the exercise therapy complex that is the main help.
Specific exercises are always selected by the doctor. In this case, both classic movements (tilting and turning of the head, rotation of the shoulders) and specific movements may be involved. Yoga poses are often used to eliminate pain. Such treatment is also allowed at home, if the complex is carried out regularly and clearly in accordance with the prescriptions of doctors.
Along with exercise therapy, cervical massage, manual therapy and a special diet work well against osteochondrosis. These exercise methods can give an added effect. The mode of massage sessions for women is selected taking into account the cycle. Also, with special care, a massage technique for menopausal women is determined.
After recovery, it is extremely important to follow preventive measures as clearly as possible. This will help to prevent relapses, and they are common in osteochondrosis, mainly due to the repeated influence of causative factors.