Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion located in the vertebral tissue. The disease causes pathological processes in the intervertebral disc, the adjacent surface of the joint, as well as the ligament apparatus of the spine.
The disease significantly affects human health. Damaged bones and ligaments. The onset of the disease is marked by painful symptoms, muscle atrophy, dysfunction of internal organs. The most common age for a person to develop osteochondrosis is over 30 years.
Why does osteochondrosis occur?
In medicine, there is a lot of information about the causes of disease. These include receiving mechanical injuries, hereditary factors, impaired metabolism. It is very difficult to find the causes that contribute to the development of this disease, because osteochondrosis can occur in adults and adolescents.
A common factor for the development of this disease is the deposition of vertebral salts. With the help of x-rays, tumors on the vertebrae are diagnosed, while the joints crack and squeak when walking.
You can also get osteochondrosis in cases of pre -existing infectious disease, with constant strain on the spine, exposure to chemicals, and impaired posture. At risk are people who lead unhealthy lifestyles, abuse smoking and alcohol, are overweight, and are in constant stressful situations.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis are determined depending on the type (s) of the disease present. What is the type of osteochondrosis and how it manifests itself, we will analyze in more detail.
Cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Headache;
- impaired coordination;
- violations of the auditory, vocal and visual systems;
- snoring incident.
The most common symptom is a headache, which negatively affects a person’s habitual lifestyle. Often, the neck, throat and teeth ache. The pain spreads to the shoulders and arms and increases with movement.
Medicine divides all the symptoms of manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis into several groups:
Root symptoms. In other words, cervical sciatica. The pain originates from the neck, descends along the shoulder blades and back along the rest of the body to the fingers.
reflex symptoms. The usual symptom is pain, characterized by a sharp and burning character. Place of localization - neck or occipital zone. Often, pain radiates to the heart and thoracic spine, moreover, one confuses osteochondrosis with the presence of heart disease.
Symptoms of vertebral arteries. The most common symptom is a headache. Possible damage to the auditory and visual systems.
heart symptoms. It seems that this heart hurts, but it doesn't. This is just a radiation of pain in the heart, but not heart disease. In this case, the symptoms are similar to angina pectoris. There are cases when doctors mistakenly diagnose and treat diseases that do not exist.
Self -treatment is not recommended for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Before prescribing the necessary treatment, the doctor conducts a diagnosis. The main method of diagnosis is x-ray. Treatment should be comprehensive, including elimination of the source of the disease, as well as symptoms.
The early stages of the disease involve manual therapy and exercise therapy. Carrying out osteochondrosis requires more thorough treatment, and sometimes surgical intervention. Once the main treatment is complete, the doctor prescribes gymnastics.
Osteochondrosis of the thorax
Thoracic spine disease is characterized by attacks of pain in the heart, sternum, back, sides of the trunk, upper abdomen. In other words, the whole body hurts.
Painful sensations in the heart can raise suspicion of pathological processes such as angina pectoris. The difference is that pain in the heart area in the case of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is not stopped by Nitroglycerin, and electrocardiography does not reveal pathological changes in the heart. And the pain does not go away after taking heart medication.
Intercostal osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by symptoms depending on the location of the pathological process:
Radiculopathy develops along with herniated discs. In cases when intercostal osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine covers the upper segment, there is pain in the shoulders, shoulder blades, back, heart.
When squeezing the spinal cord. In other words, compression myelopathy. A relatively rare phenomenon, indicated by pain, numbness and weakness in the lower legs.
The only clinical symptoms of thoracic spine osteochondrosis are as follows:
Neurological symptoms - persistent pain, which increases in case of coughing and deep inhalation.
- costovertebral arthrosis;
- vertebral symptoms.
Visceral syndrome - pain in the heart, worsened if doing physical exercise, turning the body.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be comprehensive. A special place is occupied by manual therapy, exercise therapy, physiotherapy.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Intercostal osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by pain in the lumbar region and the dorsal region of the body. Radiation can be observed in the thighs, buttocks, lower legs, very rarely in the liver.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is characterized by impaired urination, defecation, impaired sweating, tingling in the lower legs, dryness and peeling of the skin.
Treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis is carried out by a neurologist. Before prescribing treatment, the doctor carries out the necessary diagnostic measures, which consist of a personal examination, examining the vertebrae. X-rays, MRI scans and CT are also required. Based on the results of such studies, treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should include measures to eliminate pain, restore normal function of the affected area.
Comprehensive treatment includes:
- medical methods. With the help of medications, you can relieve pain, inflammation, swelling.
- Physiotherapy treatment. With the help of such treatments, you can also relieve pain and discomfort, as well as progress significantly towards full recovery.
- exercise therapy. Prevention and treatment with the help of therapeutic and sports complexes help to significantly improve health and achieve full recovery. It is forbidden to carry out exercise therapy during the exacerbation of the disease! Along with physical education, it is necessary to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, eat properly, and prevent stress.
Diagnostic measures
As a rule, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis consists of several stages:
- Stage 1. The doctor listens to the person’s complaint and finds out the medical history: area of concern, time at which discomfort was felt, cause of pain, reason for pain relief.
- Stage 2. The doctor examines the skin to identify or notice the absence of redness, exfoliation and rash. The doctor performs palpation of the affected area to determine the skin temperature regime, identify swelling, painful compaction.
- Stage 3. X-ray examination is required to determine vertebral pathological mobility, displacement, salt deposits, and osteophyte formation.
- Stage 4. CT helps identify nerve root compression, rupture, all kinds of changes, marginal growth.
MRI contributes to the examination of the condition of blood vessels, neural processes and intervertebral discs.
Treatment at home
In cases when a painful sensation is observed (in other words, a period of exacerbation), various active actions are strictly prohibited. Kneading or massaging the affected area is not recommended, as the pain can only increase. The body must be provided with rest: take the most comfortable position where minimal pain is shown. It also requires muscle relaxation. Sometimes doctors recommend using a corset for more comfortable movement.
In thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis, it is recommended to warm the affected area. The most effective method of warming up is to use a belt made of dog or sheep fur. Thanks to the belt, the pain is eliminated and the inflammatory process becomes weaker. Belts are available at almost every pharmacy. In some cases, it is possible to visit the bath, so it is good to warm the affected area. Bathing is allowed only during the period of exacerbation of the disease is eliminated.
The old grandmother's recipe was also impressive. You can use various tinctures by rubbing the affected area. no less effective are a variety of ointments that can be made at home or purchased at a pharmacy. But such an ointment should be used with caution, as it can cause burns on the skin. That is why it is important to read the instructions before use.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy contributes to the treatment of osteochondrosis, and is also an excellent prophylaxis. Physical education should be specially designed and selected individually in each case of the disease.
Therapeutic and physical culture complexes should be carried out only in the remission stage, but not during the period of deterioration. At the same time, physical education helps strengthen the ligaments and corset muscles of the back. Thanks to physical education, you can bypass major drug treatments.
Preventive measures
In order not to worsen your health and prevent the development of osteochondrosis of any part of the spine, there are special prevention. The main rules are:
Drink water before doing physical activity or exercising. This is necessary to maintain moisture exchange in the disc and prevent its dehydration.
A good preventative measure is a back massage, which can be done by the person himself, while at home. Massage helps increase blood flow throughout the body, as well as speed up metabolic processes.
Never lift and hold objects and objects as heavy as your arm. This increases the load. To lift objects, you can squat, keeping your spine straight.
It is not recommended to perform sudden movements, turns and inclinations.
Even load distribution is required.
Prevention of osteochondrosis includes proper lifestyle and good nutrition. No need to suffer from any disease. Timely treatment to the hospital will help avoid negative consequences.