Osteochondrosis is about twice as common in women as in men. The reasons for this lie in the peculiarities of anatomy and physiology, as well as in the way of life, the traditional ideas.
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women and its treatment are usually similar to those seen in men. But there are also special cases due to biological differences.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in young and mature women
It was previously thought that most cases of osteochondrosis occurred in women "over 50". But in recent years, cervical osteochondrosis has sharply "rejuvenated", its detection in a 30-year-old woman is no longer uncommon.
The manifestations of osteochondrosis in women and men are similar: pain during movement, crunching, headache, visual and hearing impairment, tingling in the limbs, chin, part of the face. Women are less likely than women to experience nausea. But the preconditions for the manifestation of symptoms of the disease in members of different sexes are different. In men, this is more often caused by injuries and excessive stress.
In women, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis depend on other factors.
- Objectively, women have weaker muscles and bones - that's physiology. Therefore, a woman's spine is subjected to more stress. From the male. Due to the lack of a muscular corset.
- Hormonal factor affects the condition of the spine. Therefore, the appearance and exacerbation of osteochondrosis in young women provoke pregnancy and menstruation, in mature women - the onset of menopause.
- Women traditionally do many types of housework that require a slight tilt of the head. It is harmful to the neck. One of the signs of damage to the 7th cervical vertebra has even received a "female" name - "widow's hump" or "housewife's roller". In men, this symptom is practically absent.
- Other types of work with a slightly tilted head forward lead to the same result. This position must be taken in front of a computer or desk, and among women there are many representatives of "sedentary" professions (teachers, secretaries, cashiers, dispatchers).
- Older women who have reached retirement age, under the influence of unreasonable traditions, "wave their hands". They stop monitoring their weight and lead a sedentary lifestyle. These are favorable conditions for osteochondrosis.
- Women suffer from diet mania much more often than men. Disruption of the nutritional balance leads to the appearance of osteochondrosis and its exacerbations.
These factors cannot be avoided. But you can detect the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women in time and its treatment will give a positive result.
Pain syndrome: what pains in cervical osteochondrosis can occur
Pain is one of the main symptoms of osteochondrosis. But it is important to know what pain can occur with cervical osteochondrosis. This is necessary in order not to treat ineffective non-existent disease instead of osteochondrosis and not to miss the threatening symptoms disguised as osteochondrosis.
More often in osteochondrosis there is pain in the neck: sharp when moving or dull, painful for a long time. But this pain immediately suggests a spinal lesion. It is worse when it gives to completely different organs. This is due to the compression of the deformed vertebrae and discs of the nerve roots and blood vessels.
- The head can hurt in different areas (depending on which vertebrae are damaged). Such pain can be confused with migraine, neuritis, manifestation of VSD.
- Occasionally there is pain in the shoulders, especially when trying to raise the arm. There is no point in treating bursitis.
- Pain can radiate all over your arm. This symptom usually works on one side only.
- The most dangerous option is pain in the chest or under the shoulder blade. It can be confused with signs of heart disease, even a myocardial infarction. It is good if osteochondrosis forces you to worry unnecessarily about the cardiologist. It is worse if the first signs of a heart attack are confused with osteochondrosis.
The intensity of the pain can vary. In the initial stages there is periodic lumbago and dull pain from muscle stretching. But with the development of the disease, lumbago can become literally unbearable and deprive the patient of the ability to move his head at all.
Osteochondrosis with radicular syndrome in women
If this phenomenon occurs in the lower back, it is usually called radiculitis. Its essence is in the compression of the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord through deformed vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Radicular syndrome is manifested by an acute severity of symptoms - severe pain and inflammation, dizziness, fainting, panic attacks. This only happens if the disease has been poorly treated or has not been treated at all. This is the increased danger for women in our country - they tend to "tolerate", "do not pay attention to small things" or be satisfied with public funds, and this is not always acceptable.
Osteochondrosis with radicular syndrome cannot be treated alone. It occurs when the altered discs are already protruding, forming a hernia and growths form on the vertebral bodies. Serious diagnosis and professional impact on the spine are needed to stop this process. And the expressed symptoms cannot be eliminated by home methods.
Cervical osteochondrosis in women in the acute stage
Exacerbations of osteochondrosis occur periodically in all patients. It is possible to determine the onset of exacerbation by increasing the onset of symptoms and the appearance of new ones (the pain intensifies, headaches or seizures occur, vision is impaired, insomnia occurs. . . ). In women, snoring during sleep can also be a sign of exacerbation. But it is more important to know what causes can cause exacerbations. And avoid them or be prepared to fight the disease.
Typical cases - a sharp change in lifestyle, intense physical activity, infectious disease, stress, trauma. But women also have specific body conditions that can cause a deterioration in well-being.
- Worried about being overweight, women are more likely to resort to grueling diets. And no one cares how this will affect health. And a radical diet can cause serious damage to the spine.
- If there is osteochondrosis, women should wait for it to worsen during menstruation or pregnancy.
- The same can happen when using hormonal contraceptives - osteochondrosis is sensitive to hormonal balance. Affects joint health.
- Menopause is a serious factor affecting the spine. Older ladies need to be especially careful about themselves. However, the majority of patients with osteochondrosis are their age.
Cervical osteochondrosis in women in the acute stage is treated in the same way as in men. In some cases, hormone therapy (or withdrawal) may be needed. You do not have to act alone, home treatment is used during the period of remission.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck in women: characteristics
Strictly speaking, there are none. Women are shown the same medicines as men:
- analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- muscle relaxants for muscle relaxation;
- drugs to normalize blood pressure and relieve vascular spasms;
- vitamin complexes;
- chondroprotectors to restore cartilage tissue.
Sedatives are most often prescribed to women. Although women (contrary to popular belief) are more resistant to stress, their nervous reactions are more pronounced. Hot temper, depression, panic can adversely affect treatment.
Folk remedies for osteochondrosis of the neck
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women and its treatment are often associated with nervous reactions. Soothing teas should be especially recommended for women. They can be prepared from balm, chamomile, mint. There are ready-made herbal preparations on sale. This will improve overall health, sleep and the setting to fight the disease.
You can use folk remedies for pain relief - horseradish leaf or burdock, brewed celandine steamed. Compresses should not be too hot - it is dangerous for the cerebral vessels. Homemade ointments are also suitable as a warming agent. You can prepare a mixture of mummy and oil (1: 1) or Vaseline with the addition of honey, mint and paprika (in grams: 100: 20: 3: 2). Suitable for grinding and vodka-pepper.
Baths with pine needles (you can use ready-made extract) or sea salt and oak leaves are suitable for the period of remission or for temporary pain relief.
And naturally, women need to exercise regularly and lead a moderately active lifestyle to strengthen the muscular corset around the spine.
It is not so difficult to identify the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women and its treatment is not impossible. It is more important for women to be more careful with themselves and to lead a rational lifestyle.