Cervical osteochondrosis in women

Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease in women. The fairer sex over the age of 30 are the most vulnerable. 75% of women suffer from this unpleasant disease, but the results and severity of the disease can be completely different.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women

Symptoms of female osteochondrosis can already be detected at an early stage, because the cervical spine discs are close to each other and have a small height. Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to serious consequences - complications and even death. In fact, the arteries pass through the neck, which feeds the brain, nerve trunks, and the roots and spinal cord that connect the lungs, arms, and heart. Therefore, you should not delay treatment with a good doctor.

In order for a woman to recognize cervical osteochondrosis, she must pay attention to the following symptoms:

• During dizziness, the neck is crushed and unpleasant painful sensations occur;
• Frequent occipital and temporal headaches;
• Pain in the neck;
• Rapid fatigue, weakness and tiredness;
• High temperature;
• Severe stiffness in the neck, difficult to turn the head;
• A light load on the arm or an unpleasant pain in the shoulder when coughing;
• Numbness and tingling of limbs and tongue;
• Dizziness, darkening of the eyes;
• Snoring in sleep;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Unfounded anxiety, fear;
• Period-independent mood swings;
• Sleep Disorders;
• Acute deterioration of memory and attention;
• Jump in pressure (increase or decrease);
• Pain in the heart area, hearing impairment, and noise and vision complications in the ears are less common.
• Nausea, vomiting;
• The skin turns blue.

Cervical osteochondrosis can cause fever and malaise.

Important!Especially acute cervical osteochondrosis is experienced by women during menopause.

Features of female osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system in which the intervertebral discs and joints can collapse. Due to the structural features of the body, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are more pronounced in women than in men. The truth is that men's shoulder area is wider, supporting the entire spine by helping the neck not to be overloaded.

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 roots of the nerve endings. Roughly speaking, women have a more fragile spine and thinner bone tissue.

Important!Child care after pregnancy also exacerbates the problem. During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases, and breastfeeding and the constant carrying of the baby in your arms in an uncomfortable position aggravates the disease.

There are several stages in the development of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Reduction of spinal disorders due to dehydration of the pulposus nucleus (inside the intervertebral disc, which should normally be filled with semi-fluid and gelatinous tissues).
2. The muscles and ligaments that cause imbalance are shaken, ie the displacement of the vertebrae.
3. Dislocation of intervertebral discs (inside and outside) and osteoarthritis.
4. The human body tries to help the spine replace the "empty" vertebrae, remove support and protective barriers. To do this, osteophytes appear in the vertebrae - bone growths. Fibrous tissue also grows. As a result, the motor segment of the spine is in a kind of cortex that interferes with activity.

Causes of the disease in women

It is believed that the development of cervical osteochondrosis in women is associated with salt deposits, but this is not the case. The main cause of salt deposits is osteochondrosis itself. Scientists claim that there are many causes of cervical osteochondrosis. Let's look at the main ones:

• Climax. The fact is that the amount of progesterone entering the body gradually decreases, and the muscles in the cervical region also decrease. All this leads to weakening of the spine;
• Weakening of the immune system, frequent diseases;
• Overweight;
• Circulatory disorders;
• Spinal artery anomalies due to birth trauma, infections and heredity;
• Especially sitting at a computer;
• Straight legs;
• Wrong posture;
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
• Excessive sports;
• Heavy spinal load during pregnancy;
• Wrong and unbalanced diet;
• Poor metabolism, metabolic problems;
• Any damage to the neck;
• Rheumatism or injury;
• Hormonal disorders in the body;
• Hypothermia;
• Heredity.

Being overweight puts extra stress on the joints and causes problems with the cardiovascular system.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

Lack of treatment can lead to disability. If you do not start treatment for osteochondrosis on time, there is a risk of complications from the most insignificant to severe:

1. Persistent pain in the head, dizziness.
2. Permanent sudden loss of consciousness.
3. Hearing and vision problems.
4. Blood circulation is disrupted in the brain.
5. Frequent increase in blood pressure.
6. Problems with the central nervous system can begin: poor speech, coordination and behavioral disorders.
7. Radiculitis and other back diseases.
8. Vessels will be compressed in the brain.
9. Vertebral displacement.
10. Walking disorder due to spinal stenosis.
11. Intervertebral hernias and protrusions.
12. Schmorl hernia.

Increased blood pressure in osteochondrosis may be associated with poor blood flow in the blood vessels in the brain. Compressed arteries are caused by osteochondrosis.

Examination and treatment

Cervical osteochondrosis has many common symptoms with other diseases, so before treatment, the neurologist listens carefully to the patient and collects a medical history.

After that, diagnostic tests are performed:

• Radiography.Using a cervical radiograph, the doctor determines the location of the disease. In the picture you will see a change in the shape of the vertebral segment, the presence of osteophytes and narrowing of the intervertebral discs.
• Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.These are the most effective ways to find out what defects are present and where they are located in the spine today.
• Myelography.Contrast fluid is injected into the spinal canal for examination. The procedure is not safe: the patient may develop allergies and there is a risk of spinal cord injury if the piercing fails. However, with cervical osteochondrosis, such work is rarely done unless you need to look at the entire spine.

MRI will help to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the degree of development of the pathology.

For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes a complex treatment. The goal of therapy is to relieve muscle spasms, reduce pain, and reduce intradiscal pressure. Different types of therapy are used at different stages of the disease.

Typically, treatment goes through stages:

1. Medication.Reconstruction of cartilage tissue using chondroprotectors. Vasodilators are used to supply blood to the brain. All of the above will eliminate inflammation, pain syndrome and improve metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of gels or tablets are used as first aid. They can prescribe nootropics and medications with magnesium. Sedatives can be taken with osteochondrosis because long-term illness can lead to stress and depression. Sometimes it is enough to drink breast milk or valerian tincture.
2. Physiotherapy.Aims to eliminate disorders in the affected areas of the spine, eliminate pain syndromes, improve blood circulation. A good massage from an authorized specialist, electrophoresis with anesthetic solution and laser therapy can help in the early stages of the disease. The procedures relieve muscle tension and stimulate blood circulation. In severe cases, magnetotherapy, diadynamic currents, ultrasound, electroanalgesia and ultraviolet radiation are used. Physiotherapy has an effect after the 3rd procedure, the general condition improves, insomnia, headaches and ringing in the ears.
3. Manual therapy.The treatment is well effective and appreciated. A chiropractor will restore the vertebrae in several sessions, ensuring mobility and proper posture.
4. Acupuncture.This is also called reflexology. The purpose is to affect dystrophic changes in muscle tissue, get rid of inflammation and pain, and normalize blood circulation. Women with low pain scores have a better chance of recovery, lymph flow is accelerated and blood flow is normalized.
5. Orthopedic treatment.The specialist will prescribe special sleeping bags to relax the spine. Underwater traction of the spine (traction) is also recommended to relax the muscles from the effects 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, a woman can significantly speed up the healing process.
7. Physical activity.Your doctor may prescribe both physiotherapy exercises and special exercises for the cervical spine. Physical training is aimed at restoring the mobility of the cervical region and blood supply. Corrects posture & strengthens muscle corsetIn addition, regular exercise in the gym, for example, will prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
8. Wear a corset.There is a special device for the cervical spine called a collar. It is hard and stable. Wearing a collar will relieve pain syndromes, improve posture and speed healing.

When choosing a

collar, you need to choose the height of the product correctly. To do this, you need to measure the distance from the clavicle to the angle of the lower jaw.

Home treatment

In order for the disease not to manifest itself or to be diagnosed at an early stage, a woman needs to closely monitor her health, diet and lifestyle.

You can use folk recipes at home to ease the situation:

1. Peel the potatoes through a fine grater, add a small amount of honey and mix. As a result, the mixture should be applied to the cervical spine, where it hurts the most. Repeat the treatment once a week.
2. Rinse the horsadad leaves and apply to the affected area. Secure the density with a bandage and sleep with it all night. Generally you can feel comfort and improvement in the morning. For greater effect, the procedure should be repeated for 3 days or more.

Cervical gymnastics should be done to strengthen the neck muscles and restore the mobility of the spine. Exercises can be done for prevention, but you should train without smooth and sudden movements to avoid muscle spasms:

1. lean forward.Sit down, place one palm on your forehead, and turn your head forward as you resist with your palm. One bend - 10 seconds. Repeat the exercises after a short rest.
2. Bend to the side.Sit down and place a palm on your head in the temple area. Turn your head to the side as you press down with your palm, resisting. Continue for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercises after rest.
3. Turns to the side.Sit in a chair or stand on your feet, lower your arms along your torso. Turn your head smoothly to the extreme right position, then to the extreme left. Repeat 10 times.
4. Raise your shoulders.While sitting or standing, the arms are lowered across the body, raise your shoulders as much as possible, and hold this position for 10 seconds. Then lower your shoulders, take a deep breath, relax for 15 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
5. bend your chest.Sitting or standing, arms are lowered across the body. Lower your head smoothly, trying to press your chin to your chest as much as possible. With good mobility of the cervical vertebrae, you can feel the chest notches with the chin. Repeat about 10 times.
6. touch the shoulder to the ear.Turn your head back. Try to touch your left ear to your left shoulder, repeat 5 times. Do the same on the right side.
7. Bend down.Put your chin on your neck. Turn your head 7 times to the left, then 7 times to the right.
8. Resistance of neck muscles. Throw your head back, but not at all. Slowly press your chin to your chest, overcoming the resistance of the muscles of the cervical region. Do it 5-7 times.
9. Shake your arms.You need to make circular movements with one hand in one direction and then the other.
10. Massage.Sit or lie down, massage the area between the occipital bone and the soft part, at the junction of the head and neck, yourself or with the help of someone else. The effect should be strong enough, exercise for 4 minutes.

Important!Under cervical osteochondrosis, you should never move your head in a circular motion, as this can cause injury.

Prevention

1. Doctors say that prevention of cervical osteochondrosis should occur, even in the uterus, during embryonic development. The expectant mother should rule out risk factors associated with future fetal diseases and monitor her health to prevent intrauterine infections, hypoxia and poisoning.
2. Both mother and father should monitor the child's injuries and consult a doctor in time to rule out possible complications in the future.
3. It is very important for girls and adult women to pay attention to the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, for which it is worth changing your lifestyle. You need to start walking a lot, gradually increase the time spent on walking and take at least 10, 000 steps a day. If your work activity is related to a sedentary lifestyle, you should do simple exercises for office workers at the table, while getting up, warming up and walking every hour. Sit in the back seat with the headrest. It is also important to avoid excessively upholstered furniture as the body needs to be supported by ischial tubercles.
4. When driving a car, it is important that your back is well supported, you can put a roll between your waist and your seat. Try to keep your head straight and sit comfortably.
5. It is harmful to be in the same position in front of a computer screen and a TV screen. From time to time, you need to change your position so that the muscles can bend.
6. For those with cervical osteochondrosis, it is best to do household chores, such as ironing or cooking, in a sitting position.
7. To prevent osteochondrosis, it is necessary to prevent excessive stress on the spine and cervical spine. Bags and packages should be carried in both hands or in turns. When working in the garden and vegetable garden, you should take a 20-minute break every 1. 5 hours, preferably in a horizontal position.
8. You should choose comfortable or elastic orthopedic shoes to alleviate the shock while walking.

9. In the cold season, a woman should protect her neck area from hypothermia with a scarf and hat.
10. The mattress should be firm and, depending on the position, you can place a pillow under the lower back, knee joint or stomach.
11. To prevent osteochondrosis, it is worth a course of general strengthening massage. In addition to preventing the onset of the disease, it will help to treat it at an early stage.
12. It is important for a woman to deal with stress and monitor her psychostability, as nervous shock can cause cervical spine damage.
13. To prevent the disease, it is important to synthesize cartilage tissue, eating foods that will be useful for the spine. Proteins, mucopolysaccharides, minerals, vitamins can be obtained from meat, legumes, nuts, vegetables, gelatin, fish, eggs, cottage cheese.

When choosing a mattress that suits you, you need to consider many factors, such as skin, height, weight, filler and most importantly the degree of development of osteochondrosis.

Important!Swimming in the pool or pool will be a very useful activity for women with cervical osteochondrosis. But it is better to refrain from baths and saunas in case of ignition.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of all women with a sedentary lifestyle. These are many professions: accountants, cashiers, tailors, musicians, writers and others. During the recovery period, it will be useful for women to visit sanatoriums and resorts where they can strengthen the neck muscles, vascular system and heal the body. Seeing a doctor on time is the key to a successful recovery.