Features of osteochondrosis in pregnancy: what risks a woman?

Fattening a child is a serious stress for the whole body, so most diseases are aggravated at this time.

One of the most common problems of pregnant women is osteochondrosis.

It significantly complicates this period and delivers a huge number of unpleasant sensations.

Briefly about the disease

This term is commonly understood as a pathology in which the articular cartilage loses its characteristics and loses its elasticity.

In addition, the volume of the intervertebral fluid decreases, which leads to thinning and erasing of the discs. As a result, nerve endings are impaired, which provokes pain in the spine.

Because the deformed intervertebral discs squeeze the blood vessels, the blood circulation is disturbed in the affected area. Attacks of pain greatly worsen the condition of a pregnant woman.

Pregnancy as a risk factor

During pregnancy, osteochondrosis is diagnosed often enough.

There are following causes of osteochondrosis during pregnancy:

• increased load on the spine due to weight gain and child bearing;
• imbalance of hormones;
• increased physical activity, lifting of heavy objects;
• metabolic disturbances in the body;
• flat feet;
• violation of posture;
• inadequately active way of life;
• presence of pathology before pregnancy.

Manifestation of the disease

Pain sensations in pregnancy are transferred much worse than the rest of the time. This can be explained by the overall stress of the nervous system.

So, for osteochondrosis is characterized by such manifestations:

• aching back pain, increasing with sudden movements or physical exertion;
• sensation of numbness and aches in hands and feet;
• muscle spasms;
• restriction of motor activity;
• reduced reflexes and loss of sensitivity in the affected area.

The nature of the symptoms is greatly influenced by the localization of pathological changes in pregnancy:

1. Cervical osteochondrosis appears with pain in the arms and shoulders. In addition, this condition is characterized by severe headaches. Sometimes there is a noise in the head, dizziness, colored spots before the eyes.
2. Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is accompanied by pain in the legs and sacrum. Also, muscle spasms, leg cramps, problems with sweating, burning sensation in the lower limbs may appear.
3. Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs very rarely and is characterized by pain in the chest area. Discomfort can be worse when walking. In addition, painfulness of breathing, skin peeling and brittle nails are often observed. Sometimes there are pains in the heart on the background of the absence of pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

Diagnostic methods

To make the correct diagnosis, the physician should conduct a clinical examination. A specialist can reveal an osteochondrosis in a pregnant woman, focusing on changing the physiological curves of the spine.

In this disease asymmetry of the pelvic line, folds of the buttocks is observed. In addition, the doctor necessarily evaluates the reflexes. Based on the study of the medical history and visual examination, the specialist prescribes treatment.

This is due to the negative effect of the magnetic field or radioactive radiation on fetal development.

Therapy of the disease

Treatment of osteochondrosis during this period is quite difficult, because most drugs and methods of treatment for pregnancy are contraindicated.

Therefore, it is recommended to take care of health at the planning stage of pregnancy.

If osteochondrosis does appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Drug therapy can be performed by a limited number of medications. These include traumel and paracetamol.

These drugs will help to eliminate inflammation, swelling and pain.

In extreme cases, drugs containing diclofenac sodium may be prescribed. They can be used in the first and second trimesters after consulting with a gynecologist, therapist and neurologist.

Neck section - troubles of

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region can be treated with self-massage and compresses. Thanks to the massage, it is possible to stimulate blood circulation, eliminate pain and relieve fatigue.

For compresses, you can use decoctions of medicinal plants - dandelion, parsley, burdock. Such therapy can be used at the initial stages of pregnancy.

Usually the compress is applied for 20 minutes. To improve the effectiveness of the procedure, it is recommended to wrap the neck with a towel.

How and how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar region?

The only way to treat such a pathology can be therapeutic gymnastics.

Thanks to the systematic implementation of the exercises, it is possible to establish microcirculation and restore the mobility of the spine.

Such occupations are borrowed from yoga, and they do not require significant physical exertion. Exercise is allowed not longer than 30-40 seconds.

For pregnancy, the "fish", "kitty" and "twist" exercises are especially useful:

1. For the first exercise, you need to sit on your knees, then exhale and lean back gently. Fix in this position for a short time and return to the starting position.
2. "Kitty" is the arching of the back, standing on all fours.
3. "Twists" are made in a standing position. In this case, the body should be turned left and right, and in the same direction, pull the hands. The main thing is that all movements are carried out as accurately and smoothly as possible.

Special bandages to help

Also doctors advise in case of osteochondrosis to wear pregnant women a special bandage. With the help of this device, it will be possible to significantly reduce the load on the spine.

In some cases it is recommended to use orthopedic footwear. Involving a chiropractor is not always welcome by doctors. However, for some girls, such procedures are of great help.

Exacerbation of the disease during pregnancy - what to do?

The main cause of exacerbation of osteochondrosis during pregnancy is an increase in the load on the spine.

That's why the main way to ease the condition of a future mother is to use a special bandage. It is this device that allows you to minimize the load on the spine.

In addition to the bandage, you can use other orthopedic products - corsets and special shoes. It is equally important to regularly engage in physical therapy.

Preventive measures

From the very beginning of pregnancy, you need to perform special measures that will help improve the spine and reduce the consequences of high loads.

Doctors advise adhering to such rules:

• regularly perform physical exercises, engage in swimming and other feasible sports;
• use special devices - bandage or corset;
• to control posture;
• to consume vitamins and trace elements in sufficient quantities;
• regularly take breaks with sedentary work or prolonged stay on legs;
• abandon shoes with high heels.

Osteochondrosis is very common in expectant mothers, because it is during this period that the load on the spine increases significantly.

To avoid negative health effects and improve the condition of the future mother, you need to practice therapeutic gymnastics and wear a special bandage.