Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that is rapidly becoming younger. While it used to occur mainly after 40 years, people between the ages of 25 and 26 are now at risk.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are more pronounced than in men. This is due to the structural features of the body. In the stronger sex, this part of the body is better developed, which supports the entire vertebral structure, preventing its deformation and overload.
Types of osteochondrosis and the dangers involved in the disease
There are various types of osteochondrosis, which differ in the degree of danger of the consequences.
- thoracic. It is considered to be the safest type of disease. This type of osteochondrosis almost never leads to such unpleasant consequences as protrusions or hernias. This is explained by the low mobility of the thoracic region. For this reason, its deformation does not cause serious inconvenience to the patient.
- Lumbar. It occurs most often due to the high mobility of this part of the body. In addition, it is on the vertebral section that the main load falls. Without timely treatment, this disease can have serious complications: herniated disc and protrusion, as well as radicular syndrome, which is often the main cause of paralysis. The main danger of this type of osteochondrosis is a late manifestation, which is why time is often lost for intensive treatment.
- Cervical. It occurs predominantly in the female half. This prevalence is associated with a high activity of the cervical spine, with the presence in this part of the body of a considerable number of nerve fibers that act as a conductor between the brain and other organs. The consequences of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are the most serious, from dangerous complications to death. That is why the treatment of this disease must be timely and effective.
Factors influencing the development of the disease
Scientists identify many reasons that lead to the appearance of osteochondrosis in women. The main one is menopause and the changes that occur at this stage. The volume of progesterone entering the body, which is extremely important for women, decreases. In addition, over the years, the size of the muscles in this area of the body decreases, which leads to a weakening of the support of the spine.
There are also other causes of osteochondrosis in women that are not age related:
- circulatory failure;
- weakening of the immune system;
- hormonal imbalance;
- inheritance;
- any injury to the spine;
- excessive physical activity;
- hypothermia;
- passive lifestyle;
- excess weight.
Such a number of disease-causing factors contribute to a rapid increase in the number of women suffering from cervical osteochondrosis.
Signs of illness
In order not to miss the beginning of the development of the disease, you should know the main symptoms of osteochondrosis in women:
- pain in the cervical region;
- recurring headaches;
- feeling of stiffness in the neck area;
- shooting pains that radiate to the cervical region;
- discomfort in the fingers and shoulder;
- feeling of numbness in the limbs or tongue;
- sudden onset of snoring during sleep.
Depending on the level of sensitivity of the body, other signs of cervical osteochondrosis may also appear in women:
- nausea, which sometimes leads to vomiting;
- a sharp increase or decrease in pressure;
- bluish skin tone.
It is important to consider that these signs of osteochondrosis are quite serious, although at first glance they are not associated with the development of the disease. That is why if you have these symptoms, you should immediately contact a specialist to rule out the development of the disease.
Due to the fact that the discs of this spine are located close enough to each other and do not differ in height, the symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis in women can be determined already at the initial stage of the disease.
The deterioration of general well-being is explained by the fact that the deformation of the intervertebral discs causes immediate pressure on the roots of the fibers of the nerve endings. It depends on the degree of their defeat, how painful the sensations will be, how long the attack can last.
- If the pain is short-term in nature, which is replaced by a short rest, it is back pain.
- If you feel aching pain, you will need to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Headache is due to excessive pressure on the occipital nerve, as well as on the vertebrae of the highest row.
- Unpleasant sensations in the hands, elbows and forearm are characteristic of the deformation of the middle vertebral region.
In addition, the patient may experience weakness in the hands and loss of skin sensation. This happens when the spinal cord is compressed. This symptom is typical for women after 40. They also often feel a lack of energy when they walk.
If the disease is not treated in time, it can give the following complications:
- squeezing of blood vessels in the brain;
- problems in the functioning of the central nervous system, characterized by disorders of behavior, coordination, language;
- violation of the process of blood circulation in the brain.
In the latter case, accompanying symptoms may occur, such as:
- causeless anxiety and fear;
- a sharp deterioration of memory;
- frequent mood swings.
In addition, disruptions in the blood circulation of the brain can cause sudden loss of consciousness, regular headaches, and feelings of dizziness. All of these problems are quite serious and require immediate hospitalization. Additionally, cervical osteochondrosis can cause difficulty swallowing, hearing and vision problems, as well as a sensation of regular tinnitus.
Principles of therapy
The treatment of this disease is complex. Various forms of therapy are used at different stages of the development of the disease.
- In the initial stage, vasodilator drugs are highly effective. They contribute to normal blood circulation in the brain. Cartilage tissue is restored with the help of chondroprotectors.
- Manual treatment has a high level of effectiveness. A well-experienced specialist will easily return the vertebrae to their place.
- Physiotherapy is another effective treatment option. It consists of a massage, laser therapy and electrophoresis course.
- Acupuncture is very popular with women. This method has a high rate of effectiveness with a low pain rate.
- Sports activities are of great importance for proper treatment. Depending on the type of disease and its severity, the specialist prescribes a complex of physiotherapy exercises or a recharging scheme for the cervical region.
- Of particular importance is a change in lifestyle. By starting to exercise and eat right, you will greatly speed up the recovery process. It is very important to provide the body with the intake of useful substances and nutrients in sufficient quantities.
It is believed that women are more attentive to their health, which means that the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, which increases the chances of a complete recovery.
Folk methods
Folk recipes are very effective in the treatment of this disease.
- Fresh horseradish leaves should be washed thoroughly and applied to the cervical region. It is necessary to fix the compress with a soft bandage and leave it overnight. As a rule, in the morning there is a significant improvement in the condition. To consolidate the effect, the procedure must be repeated for at least 3 consecutive days.
- Potatoes must be peeled and grated on the fine side of the grater. Add a little honey to the resulting mass and mix thoroughly. You will get a pasty remedy that should be applied to a sore spot. You can do such a compress no more than once a week.
Such methods will alleviate your condition without the use of drugs. In addition, it is extremely useful to perform special therapeutic exercises. It will greatly strengthen the muscles, thanks to which the mobility of the spinal region will return. When choosing exercises, you should take into account your fitness level and overall health. To achieve the effect, gymnastics should be done regularly.
Disease prevention
Given the mass prevalence of the disease, special attention should be paid to the prevention of osteochondrosis. First of all, you need to reconsider your lifestyle. If you spend most of your time in a sitting position, this needs to be corrected. There are special exercises for employees that are performed directly at the table while working. With high efficiency, they do not require a lot of time or special conditions for training.
Also, you have to walk a lot. If there is no free time, try walking any part of the road to get to work. The more you increase it, the more noticeable your efforts will be.
It is also useful to periodically undergo a preventive course of massage. In addition to the general strengthening of the body, this will allow you to catch the disease early and receive effective treatment.
Therefore, every woman must carefully monitor her health and, at the slightest sign of the development of osteochondrosis, immediately take therapeutic measures. If done in a timely manner, you can achieve full recovery without any complications.