Cervical osteochondrosis in women

Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease in women. Representatives of the beautiful gender over the age of 30 are the most receptive 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

Symptoms of female osteochondrosis can be seen in the initial stages because the discs of the cervical spine are located close together and have a low height. Cervical osteochondrosis can have serious consequences - complications and even death. In fact, the arteries pass through the cervical region, which feeds the brain, nerve trunks, and roots, which are connected to the lungs, arms, and heart, as well as the spinal cord. Therefore, you should not delay treatment with a good doctor.

In order for a woman to recognize osteochondrosis of the cervix, she should pay attention to the following signs:

• During head turns, the neck crackles and unpleasant painful feelings occur;
• Frequent recurrent occipital and temporal headache;
• Neck pain;
• Rapid fatigue, weakness, and fatigue;
• High temperature;
• Severe stiff neck, difficult to turn head;
• A slight load on the arm or a cough causes unpleasant pain in the shoulder;
• Numbness and tingling of the limbs and tongue;
• Dizziness, darkening of the eyes;
• snoring during sleep;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Unreasonable anxiety, fear;
• Cycle-independent mood swings;
• Sleep disorders;
• Sharp deterioration in memory and attention;
• Blood pressure jumps (either rises or falls);
• Pain in the heart region, hearing loss and tinnitus, and visual complications are much less common.
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Skin gets a bluish tint.

Cervical osteochondrosis can cause fever and poor health.

Important!Acute cervical osteochondrosis is especially experienced by women during menopause.

Characteristics of female osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disorder of the musculoskeletal system that can cause the intervertebral discs and joints to collapse. Due to the structural features of the body, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck are more pronounced in women than in men. The fact that men’s shoulders are wider supports the entire spine, helping to overload the neck.

The female cervical vertebrae 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 plates exerts rapid pressure on the roots of the fibers of the nerve endings. Roughly speaking, women have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue.

Important!Pregnancy and childcare also exacerbate the problem. During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases, and breastfeeding in an awkward position and wearing the baby on a permanent arm will make the disease worse.

There are several stages in the development of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Decreased spinal position due to dehydration of the nucleus pulposus (the interior of the intervertebral disc, which should normally be filled with semi-liquid and gelatinous tissue).
2. Muscles and ligaments sag, which is the cause of the imbalance, that is, the movement of the vertebrae.
3. Protrusion of the intervertebral discs (outside of their contents) and arthrosis.
4. The human body tries to help the spine to put the "loose" vertebrae back in place, removing the support and protective barriers. For this, osteophytes appear on the vertebrae - bone growths. 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

The incidence of cervical osteochondrosis in women is thought to be associated with salt deposits, but this is not the case. Osteochondrosis itself is the main cause of salt deposits. However, scientists argue that there are several reasons for the appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Consider the most important:

• Climate. In fact, the amount of progesterone that enters the body is less and less, and the muscles in the neck region are also shrinking. All this leads to weakening of the spine;
• Weakening of the immune system, common diseases;
• Overweight;
• Circulatory disorders;
• Vertebral artery abnormalities that underlie birth trauma, infections, and heredity;
• Sitting, especially at the computer;
• Flat legs;
• Improper posture;
• Smoking and alcohol abuse;
• Excessive exercise;
• Spinal load during pregnancy;
• Improper and unbalanced nutrition;
• Poor metabolism, metabolic problems;
• Any damage to the neck;
• rheumatism or injury;
• Hormonal disorders in the body;
• Hypothermia;
• Inheritance.

Being overweight puts additional stress on the ligaments and joints and leads to cardiovascular problems.

Why is osteochondrosis of the neck dangerous?

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

1. Constant headache, dizziness.
2. Regular sudden loss of consciousness.
3. Hearing and vision problems.
4. Blood circulation in the brain region will be damaged.
5. Frequent increase in blood pressure.
6. Problems can start in the central nervous system: speech problems, coordination and behavioral disorders.
7. Radiculitis and other back diseases.
8. The vessels will be pinched in the part of the brain.
9. Displacement of vertebrae.
10. Walking disorder caused by spinal stenosis.
11. Intervertebral hernias and protrusions.
12. Schmorl's hernia.

An increase in blood pressure in osteochondrosis may be associated with poor blood permeability of the arteries leading to the brain. Pinched arteries occur due to osteochondrosis.

Examination and treatment

Cervical osteochondrosis has a number of common symptoms along with other diseases, so the neuropathologist should carefully listen to the patient and collect a history before treatment.

Diagnostic tests are then performed:

• Radiography.An X-ray of the cervical spine will help the doctor determine 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 a narrowing of the intervertebral plates.
• Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.Today, these are the most effective ways to find out which defects are and where they are located in the spine.
• Myelography.Contrast fluid is injected into the spinal canal for the test. The procedure is unsafe: the patient may develop an allergy and there is a risk of spinal cord injury if the defect fails. However, in cervical osteochondrosis, such an examination is rarely performed unless the entire spine needs to be viewed.

MRI helps to accurately diagnose and determine the extent of pathology development.

To treat osteochondrosis of the neck, your doctor will prescribe a complex treatment. The goal of therapy is to relieve muscle cramps, relieve pain, and reduce intradiscular pressure. Different types of therapies are used at different stages of the disease.

Treatment usually goes through stages:

1. Medication.Cartilage tissue repair with chondroprotectors. Vasodilators are used to supply blood to the brain. All of the above eliminates inflammation, pain syndrome, and improves metabolic processes in intervertebral discs. Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of gels or tablets are used as first aid. They can prescribe nootropics and medications with magnesium. For osteochondrosis, you can take sedatives as long-term illness can cause stress and depression. Sometimes it is enough to drink the tincture of the uterus or valerian.
2. Physiotherapy.It aims to eliminate abnormalities 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, and laser therapy can help in the initial stages of the disease. The procedures relieve muscle tension and stimulate blood circulation. In severe cases, magnetotherapy, diadynamic currents, ultrasound, electroanalysis, and ultraviolet light are used. Physiotherapy works after procedure 3, the general condition improves, insomnia, headaches and tinnitus disappear.
3. Manual therapy.The treatment has good efficiency and grateful opinions. The chiropractor returns to the vertebrae at several nodes, ensuring their agility and correct posture.
4. Acupuncture.Also called reflexology. The goal is to influence dystrophic transformations in muscle tissue, get rid of inflammation and pain, and normalize blood circulation. Women with low pain scores have a good chance of recovery, their lymph and blood flow normalizes.
5. Orthopedic treatment.The specialist prescribes special sleeping pillows to relieve the spine. Underwater adhesion (traction) of the spine is also recommended to relax the muscles from the effects of warm water. Traction involves the use of various devices to increase the intervertebral space.

6. Proper and clean nutrition.By providing your 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 physiotherapy exercises and special exercises for the cervical spine. The goal of physical education is to restore the mobility of the neck-collar zone and the blood supply. It improves posture and strengthens the muscle ligament. In addition, regular exercise, such as at the gym, prevents the progression of cervical osteochondrosis.
Wearing a corset
8. There is a special device for the cervical spine called a collar. Rigid and stable. Wearing a collar eliminates pain syndromes, improves posture and accelerates healing.

When selecting the collar, select the appropriate height of the product. To do this, you need to measure the distance between the clavicle and the angle of the lower jaw.

Home Management

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

You can use folk recipes at home to alleviate this condition:

1. Grate the peeled potatoes on a fine grater, add a small amount of honey and mix. The resulting mixture should be applied to the cervical spine, where it hurts the most. Repeat the treatment once a week.
2. Rinse the horseradish leaves and apply to the affected area. Secure the compress with a bandage and sleep with it all night. You can usually feel relief and improvement in the morning. For greater effect, the procedure should be repeated for at least 3 days.

Neck exercise to strengthen neck muscles and restore spinal mobility. Exercises can be done for prophylaxis, but should be done smoothly and without sudden movements to prevent muscle cramps:

1. Tilt forward.While sitting, place one palm on your forehead and tilt your head forward while resisting with your palm. One tilt angle - 10 seconds. After a short rest, repeat the exercise.
2. Tilt to the side.Sit with one palm on your head in the temple area. Tilt your head to the side while pressing it down with the palm of your hand, resisting. Continue for 10 seconds. After resting, repeat the exercise.
3. Turns to a page.While sitting or standing on a chair, lower your arms to your torso. Smoothly turn your head to the far right and then to the left. Repeat 10 times.
4. Raise your shoulders.Sitting or standing with your arms lowered along your body as much as possible, raise your shoulders and hold them in this position for 10 seconds. Then lower your shoulders, take a deep breath, relax for 15 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
5. Tilt to your chest.Sitting or standing, the arms lower along the body. Lower your head smoothly and try to press your chin as close to your chest as possible. With good mobility of the cervical vertebrae, the chest incision can be felt with the chin. Repeat for approx. 10 times.
6. Touch the ear to the shoulder.Tilt your head back. Try touching your left ear to your left shoulder, repeat five times. Do the same with the right side.
7. Tilt down.Lower your chin to your neck. Turn your head 7 times to the left and then 7 times to the right.
8. Cervical muscle resistance.Throw your head back, but not completely. Slowly press your chin to your chest, overcoming the resistance of the muscles in the neck region. Do it 5-7 times.
9. swing.Make circular movements with both hands in one direction and then in the other.
10. Massage.While sitting or lying down, use yourself or someone else to massage the area between the neck bone and its soft part at the conditional junction of the head and neck. The blow must be strong enough to take place within 4 minutes.

Important!In the case of osteochondrosis of the neck, circular movements of the head should not be performed under any circumstances, as this may lead to injury.

Prevention

1. Doctors say prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be prevented even in the uterus during embryonic development. The expectant mother is required to rule out risk factors associated with future fetal disease and to monitor her health to prevent intrauterine infections, hypoxia, and poisoning.
2. Both the mother and the father should monitor the child’s injuries and diagnose the doctor in time for the diagnosis to rule out any possible complications later.
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 their lifestyle. You need to start walking a lot, taking at least 10, 000 steps a day, gradually increasing the time you spend walking. If your work activity is related to a sedentary lifestyle, you should do simple exercises for office workers right at your desk, and you should get up, warm up, and walk every hour. Sit in a high-backed chair with a headrest. It is also important to avoid equipment that is too soft, as the body must be supported by ischial tubercles.
4. When driving, it is important that your back is well supported, you can put a wheelchair between your lower back and the seat. Try to keep your head straight and sit still.
5. Harmful if you are in the same position in front of your computer screen and TV screen. You need to change your position from time to time so that your muscles can bend.
6. For people with osteochondrosis of the neck, it is best to do household chores, such as ironing or cooking, while sitting.
7. Excessive stress on the spine and cervical spine should be prevented to prevent osteochondrosis. Bags and packages should be carried in both hands or alternately. If you work in the garden and vegetable garden, you should take a break and rest for 20 minutes every 1. 5 hours, preferably in a horizontal position.
8. To alleviate the shock, choose comfortable or orthopedic shoes with a flexible sole when walking.

9. In the cold season, a woman with a scarf and cap should protect the neck-collar zone from hypothermia.
10. The sleeping mattress should be firm and you can place a pillow under your lower back, knee joint or stomach, depending on the situation.
11. To prevent osteochondrosis, you may want to take a general strengthening massage course. This will help prevent the development of the disease as well as cure it in the initial stages.
12. It is important for a woman to cope with stress and monitor psycho-stability because nerve shock can damage the cervical spine.
13. To prevent the disease, it is important to eat foods that are good for the spine, you need to synthesize your cartilage tissue. Proteins, mucopolysaccharides, minerals, vitamins can be obtained from meat, legumes, nuts, vegetables, gelatin, fish, eggs, cottage cheese.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right mattress for you, such as complexion, height, weight, filler, and most importantly, the degree of osteochondrosis.

Important!Swimming in the pool or lake will be a very useful activity for women with osteochondrosis of the neck. But it is better to refuse the bath and sauna when it gets worse.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of every woman whose problem is a sedentary lifestyle. It has many professions: accountants, treasurers, seamstresses, musicians, writers and others. During the period of remission of the disease, it will be beneficial for women to visit sanatoriums and resorts where they can strengthen the neck muscles, the vascular system and heal the body. A timely visit to the doctor is the key to successful recovery.