In osteochondrosis of the spine, bone and cartilage tissue in one or more parts of the spine are destroyed. This disease is chronic and occurs in almost all elderly people. This is due to the normal aging of the body.
The intervertebral disc undergoes atrophic changes, and the age at which this occurs depends on many factors:
- trauma;
- Spine disease and overload.
Spinal overload includes:
- Bend over to walk
- Improper sitting posture;
- The characteristics of the spine structure;
- Due to genetic abnormalities, the spine tissues are undernourished.
In osteochondrosis, the cell nuclei located between the intervertebral discs lose some water. Therefore, metabolic disorders occur in the nucleus, and the acquisition of various minerals and vitamins is hindered.
After a while, the disc cracked and became flat. Next, nearby joints and ligaments begin to be affected, causing tissue inflammation. Due to inflammation, adjacent vertebrae are displaced. This is dangerous for radicular symptoms: pain along the affected nerve.
There may also be an intervertebral hernia, which in turn will cause compression of the spinal cord. Osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of osteophytes-bone growth on the vertebral bodies. These hyperplasias can compress the spinal cord and cause nerve root syndrome.
In most cases, the cervical and lumbar spine areas are prone to osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis
reason:
- Physical activity (weightlifting);
- Excess weight;
- Metabolic disease
- Sedentary jobs (programmers, accountants, drivers, etc. );
- flatfoot;
- Spinal injury;
- Low temperature.
symptom
The main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is head and neck pain. A person is worried about severe headaches, neck pain, radiating to the arms, and breastbone pain. Patients may complain of low back pain-severe neck pain, muscle cramps, and restricted movement.
In addition, when turning the neck, one can hear a crunching sound. A person may feel numbness of the tongue and fingertips due to the compression of nerves and blood vessels. Patients complain of hearing and vision loss, high blood pressure, and muscle weakness in the arms and legs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
This type of osteochondrosis is very rare. This is due to the anatomy of the thoracic spine. It consists of 12 vertebrae connected to the ribs through joints. In the front, the ribs are connected to each other through the breastbone. Therefore, the spine, sternum and ribs form an excellent frame to protect the internal organs from various injuries.
The vertebrae in the thoracic region are low in height and have long spinous processes, which are located above one another like shingles. Due to this structure, the mobility of this part of the spine is low. Thoracic intervertebral discs are rarely injured.
Causes of this type of osteochondrosis:
- Unreasonable load distribution;
- Delayed disc nutrition;
- Sedentary work
- The presence of scoliosis.
symptom
Like other types, pain is the main symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis.
But for chest osteochondrosis, the pain may be different. Back pain-long-term discomfort and mild pain along the thoracic spine. The pain affects the cervical and lumbar spine areas.
Dorsago is one of the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, in which the pain occurs in the form of episodes. By its nature, it is intense and acute, causing difficulty breathing and restricting muscle movement. In addition to pain, patients may experience chest numbness, impaired sexual function, heart, kidney, and stomach pain.
What is the danger of affecting the chest area?
The design of the spine makes it narrow in the thoracic spine area, so a hernia caused by osteochondrosis can quickly cause compression of the spinal cord. This can easily cause problems with the heart, pancreas, liver, and kidneys, because the chest area is connected to all these organs through nerve fibers. This is why it is very important to see the doctor on time. He will help find the source of the signs of osteochondrosis that bothers you and will effectively treat the disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs as a result of weightlifting. Usually, there is a nucleus pulposus that contains a lot of water in the center of the intervertebral disc. Due to the liquid, the core becomes slightly compressible, and to rupture it requires 500 kilograms of compression.
However, the intervertebral discs affected by osteochondrosis will become weak, and it only takes 200 kg to rupture it. If a person weighing 70 kg lifts a load of 15 kg in a bent position, which is a load of 200 kg for the spine, the intervertebral disc may rupture. This is why the first symptom of osteochondrosis of the spine appears when lifting weights.
symptom
- Waist pain;
- Unable to move in the lower back;
- sleep disorder;
- irritability;
- Fatigue;
- Unable to meet the needs of the family;
- Decline in male sexual function;
- Violation of the menstrual cycle;
- Cold foot syndrome.
With the transition of osteochondrosis to the sacrum area, the patient develops pain in the kidney area and urination disorders.
diagnosis
Osteochondrosis is treated by a neurologist. First, he examines the spine and draws attention to the presence of scoliosis. After feeling, the doctor can understand how the spine, tendons, and nerves are affected.
After the neurologist suspects osteochondrosis of the spine, he will refer the patient for additional examinations. This includes X-ray examinations, magnetic resonance imaging. If disc destruction is suspected, discography is performed. It is also prescribed to determine the degree of damage to the nerve pathway.
Generally speaking, it is very difficult to diagnose spinal osteochondrosis. After all, a person will complain of pain in the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, or sexual dysfunction. However, through a thorough examination, an experienced doctor will still be able to suspect this disease and prescribe the correct treatment.
treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis is a very long and difficult process. In the acute phase, the patient needs the rest of the affected part. If the cervical spine is affected, the patient should wear a Shants immobilization collar. If the lumbar spine is painful, the patient needs to rest in bed. It is best to place the patient in a hospital. Only there can he fully comply with the prescribed system. The bed for this patient should be hard. To this end, a wooden board was placed under the mattress.
medical treatement
As mentioned above, the main symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to patients to relieve pain and other symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Unfortunately, long-term use of these drugs can cause damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa, and patients will experience the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- Vomit;
- stomach ache;
- A feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
Stomach ulcers may also get worse or have stomach bleeding. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before using these drugs. If the pain caused by osteochondrosis lasts for 3 months, antidepressants are prescribed together with these drugs. It has been found that in addition to their sedative effects, they can also reduce pain.
All drugs can be classified as symptomatic treatment. They will help relieve the pain, but will not free the person from the disease itself.
Cartilage protectors are used to repair intervertebral discs and cartilage. These drugs can improve the metabolism of connective tissue and help repair cartilage. These drugs need to be taken for a long time, on average-4-6 months.
In addition to repairing tissues and improving tissue metabolism, these drugs also have analgesic effects. Another type of drugs necessary for spinal osteochondrosis is drugs that improve blood circulation. Their use helps to expand blood vessels. If combined with lipoic acid, the metabolism of nerve cells in the human body will be improved.
As with any disease, patients need calcium supplements. It will restore the vitality of bone tissue, increase the strength of ligaments and tendons, and prevent osteoporosis, a disease that accompanies osteochondrosis.
physiotherapy
The dose load on the spine will improve the patient's condition. But you need to practice very carefully. In the acute phase, physical education is taboo. Only when the pain subsides, you can start to practice a little.
Exercise will improve blood circulation in the spine and strengthen muscles. Due to the flow of blood, the metabolism will be improved and the damaged intervertebral disc will begin to recover. But you must also remember that classes must be conducted regularly, otherwise there will be no results.
Exercise for cervical spine injury
- Lie on your back and straighten your body. Place one hand on the abdomen, the other hand on the chest and inhale, hold your breath for 10 minutes, then exhale and relax. The practice time is 3-5 minutes. You need to do it 3-5 times a day.
- Lie on your stomach and straighten your legs. Leaning on your belly and legs, you need to lift your head and upper chest. Practice for 3 to 5 minutes at 30 second intervals.
- Lie on your back and bend your knees. In this position, turn to the right and left. Practice for 3 to 5 minutes at 30 second intervals.
Exercises for thoracic spine lesions
- Lie on your stomach. Place your hands on the floor and bend backwards. Maintain this position for 5-10 seconds. Practice for 3 to 5 minutes at 20 second intervals.
- Lie on your back. Raise your head and legs ("boat"). Hold for 10-20 seconds. Practice for 3 to 5 minutes at 20 second intervals.
Exercise for lumbar disease
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and place them on your chest. Swing back and forth, from the back to the sacrum and then roll back. Swing for up to 2 minutes. Then you need to lie down calmly and relax.
- You need to be on all fours and bend as much as possible. Practice for 3 to 5 minutes at 20 second intervals.
- When standing, imagine twisting the hoop for 2 to 3 minutes. Exercise 10 times a day.
Surgery
In cases where conservative treatment is ineffective and complications of osteochondrosis occur, surgical treatment is prescribed. In the process of stabilizing the spine, the pressure on the spinal cord and roots is eliminated. If a person has an intervertebral hernia, it is removed. Since this surgery may damage the spinal cord and nerves, it should only be performed for important reasons.
Physiotherapy treatment
The designated physical therapy procedures have a positive effect on the progression of the disease and speed up the recovery process. For osteochondrosis, allow:
- Go to the sauna or bath;
- Swimming in the pool;
- massage;
- Paraffin therapy
- Manual therapy
- Laser Treatment;
- Various baths;
- Mud therapy
- Electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants;
- Magnetic therapy;
- Dasenval.
All these procedures can improve blood circulation in the affected area, relax the muscles and relax the entire body. Physical therapy procedures are prescribed during the recovery period, at which time the patient will not be disturbed by severe pain.
prevention
No one is immune to osteochondrosis. After all, we all grow old, and the whole body will grow old with us. In order to prevent disease from ruining your plan, you need to participate in sports from an early age. Moderate physical activity can promote blood circulation and normal metabolism. In addition, it can exercise the muscles that protect the spine. To prevent osteochondrosis, everyone should:
- Eat right-vitamins and minerals the body needs;
- Reject bad habits;
- Engaged in physical education;
- Don't slacken
- Protect your back from the effects of hypothermia;
- Don't mention heavy items;
- Take a contrast shower and temper;
- Avoid stress.
It is especially important for people with this disease to follow all the recommendations, because their failure will worsen the condition. If your back pain does not go away for a long time, you need to seek expert help. Only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Don't delay the visit, because it is better to treat the disease at an early stage. Also, do not self-medicate-any medicine has its own contraindications, which you may not know. Strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations, the disease will soon subside!