The incidence of osteochondrosis in women is twice that of men. The reason lies not only in the particularity of anatomy and physiology, but also in the traditional concept of lifestyle.
The symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women are usually similar to those in men. However, due to biological differences, there are special circumstances.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in young and mature women
Previously, it was thought that most cases of osteochondrosis occurred in women "over 50 years of age". However, in recent years, cervical osteochondrosis has been rapidly "rejuvenated", and it is no longer uncommon to detect it in 30-year-old women.
The manifestations of osteochondrosis in men and women are similar: pain during exercise, crunch, headache, visual and hearing impairment, numbness of the limbs, jaw, part of the face. Women are less sick than men. However, the prerequisites for showing disease symptoms in representatives of different genders are different. In men, this is usually caused by injuries and excessive stress.
In women, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis depend on other factors.
- Objectively, women have weaker muscles and bones-this is physiology. Therefore, women's spine is under more pressure. Than men's. Corset due to lack of muscle.
- Hormonal factors affect the condition of the spine. Therefore, the appearance and aggravation of osteochondrosis in young women can cause pregnancy and menstruation, while mature women can cause menopause.
- Traditionally, women do many types of housework and need to tilt their heads slightly. Not good for the neck. One of the signs of damage to the seventh cervical spine is even given the name of "female"-"widow's hump" or "housewife's roller". In men, this symptom does not actually occur.
- Other types of work with the head tilted slightly forward can achieve the same result. This position must be held at the computer or desk. There are many representatives of "fixed" occupations (teacher, secretary, teller, dispatcher) among women.
- Under the influence of unreasonable traditions, elderly women reaching retirement age "wave to themselves". They stopped monitoring their weight and lived a sedentary lifestyle. These are the favorable conditions for osteochondrosis.
- Women are more likely to suffer from eating disorders than men. Violation of nutritional balance can lead to the appearance and aggravation of rickets.
These factors cannot be avoided. But you can find the symptoms of cervical chondrosis in women in time, and treatment of them will get positive results.
Pain Syndrome: What pains will occur in cervical osteochondrosis
Pain is one of the main symptoms of osteochondrosis. But it is important to know what pains caused by cervical osteochondrosis. This is necessary in order not to treat ineffective non-existent diseases other than osteochondrosis, and not to miss threatening symptoms disguised as osteochondrosis.
More commonly, due to osteochondrosis, neck pain: sharp, long-term pain when moving or dull. But this pain immediately indicates spinal disease. The situation is worse when it is given to completely different organs. This is due to compression of the deformed vertebrae and the intervertebral discs of nerve roots and blood vessels.
- The head may be injured in different areas (depending on the damaged vertebrae). This pain can be confused with migraine, neuritis, and VSD manifestations.
- Sometimes shoulder pain occurs, especially when trying to raise the arm. There is no point in treating bursitis.
- The pain radiates to the entire arm. This symptom usually only works on one side.
- The most dangerous option is pain in the chest or under the shoulder blades. It may be confused with symptoms of heart disease or even myocardial infarction. If osteochondrosis forces you to disturb the cardiologist unnecessarily, that's fine. It is even worse if the first signs of a heart attack are mistaken for osteochondrosis.
The intensity of the pain may vary. In the initial stage, there will be periodic low back pain and dull pain due to muscle strain. However, as the disease progresses, low back pain actually becomes unbearable and deprives the patient of the opportunity to move their head completely.
Osteochondrosis in women with radiation syndrome
If this phenomenon occurs in the lower back, it is usually called radiculitis. Its essence lies in the compression of the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord by deformed vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Root syndrome shows severe symptoms-severe pain and inflammation, dizziness, fainting, panic attacks. It only occurs when the disease is poorly treated or not treated at all. This is a growing danger for women in our country-they tend to "endure", "not paying attention to small things" or being satisfied with folk remedies, but this is not always acceptable.
Osteochondrosis with radiation syndrome cannot be treated alone. When the altered disc has bulged out, formed a hernia, and formed a growth on the vertebral body, it will show up. To stop this process requires careful diagnosis and professional influence on the spine. And the obvious symptoms cannot be eliminated by family methods.
Cervical osteochondrosis of women in acute stage
All patients experienced regular exacerbations of osteochondrosis. By increasing the appearance of symptoms and the appearance of new symptoms (increased pain, headache or fainting, impaired vision, insomnia. . . ), it can be determined that the condition is getting worse. In women, beating during sleep may also be a sign of aggravation. However, it is more important to know what causes the disease to get worse. And avoid them or prepare to fight the disease.
Typical case-drastic changes in lifestyle, extreme physical activity, infectious diseases, stress, trauma. But women also have specific physical conditions that may lead to a decrease in happiness.
- Ladies are worried about being overweight, so they are more likely to resort to a tired diet. No one is interested in how this will affect health. Excessive eating can seriously damage the spine.
- If osteochondrosis is present, women should wait for the deterioration of osteochondrosis during menstruation or pregnancy.
- The same happens when using hormonal contraceptives-osteochondrosis is sensitive to hormonal balance. It affects the health of joints.
- Menopause is an important factor affecting the spine. Older ladies should pay special attention to themselves. However, most patients with osteochondrosis are of their age.
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in acute stage women is the same as that of men. In some cases, hormone therapy (or drug withdrawal) may be required. You should not act on your own and should use home therapy during remission.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women: characteristics
Strictly speaking, no. Women and men were shown the same drugs:
- Analgesics;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Muscle relaxants, used for muscle relaxation;
- Drugs used to normalize blood pressure and relieve vasospasm;
- Vitamin complex;
- Cartilage protective agent, used for cartilage tissue repair.
These medicines may be provided in the form of injections (in severe cases), tablets or topical treatments. They are prescribed by a doctor. He also recommends massage and physical therapy procedures-without these procedures, treatment of osteochondrosis would not be possible. Remedial gymnastics is necessary, as are men and women.
In most cases, women are prescription drugs. Although women (contrary to popular belief) are more resistant to stress, their neurological responses are more pronounced. Grumpy, frustration, and panic can adversely affect treatment.
Folk remedies for neck osteochondrosis
The symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women are usually related to neurological reactions. It is especially recommended for women to use soothing tea. They can be made with balsam, chamomile, and mint. There are ready-made herbal preparations on sale. This will improve overall health, improve sleep, and fight disease.
You can use folk remedies to relieve pain-horseradish leaves or cow d, steamed celandine herbs. The compress should not be too hot-it is dangerous to the blood vessels of the brain. Homemade ointment is also suitable as a warming agent. You can prepare a mixture of mummy and butter (1: 1) or petroleum jelly, then add honey, mint and red pepper (g: 100: 20: 3: 2). Suitable for grinding and vodka pepper.
A bath with pine needles (you can use a ready-made extract) or sea salt and oak leaves are very suitable for use during remission or temporary pain relief.
Of course, women need to exercise regularly and live a moderately active lifestyle to strengthen the muscles around the spine.
It is not difficult to identify the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women, and it is not an impossible treatment. More importantly, women themselves should be more attentive to themselves and lead a rational lifestyle.