Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion localized in the vertebral tissues. The disease causes a pathological process in the intervertebral discs, adjacent surfaces of the joints, as well as in the ligaments of the spine.
The disease significantly affects human health. Bones and ligaments are damaged. The onset of the disease is signaled by painful symptoms, muscle atrophy, and dysfunction of internal organs. The most common age at which a person develops osteochondrosis is over 30 years of age.
Why does osteochondrosis occur?
In medicine, there is a lot of information about the causes of the disease. These include a mechanical injury, a hereditary factor, a disturbed metabolism. It is very difficult to find a cause that contributes to the development of the disease, since osteochondrosis can occur in both adults and adolescents.
A common factor in the development of the disease is the deposition of vertebral salts. With the help of an X-ray, growths on the vertebrae are diagnosed, while the joints crunch and creak when walking.
Osteochondrosis can also occur with an existing infectious disease, with constant overloading of the spine, exposure to a chemical and poor posture. At risk are people who lead an unhealthy lifestyle, abuse smoking and alcohol, are overweight and are in constant stressful situations.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis are determined depending on what type(s) of the disease is present. What types of osteochondrosis exist and how they manifest themselves, we will analyze in more detail.
Cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- Headache;
- impaired coordination;
- violation of the auditory, vocal and visual systems;
- the occurrence of snoring.
The most common symptom is a headache, which negatively affects a person's usual lifestyle. The most common pain is the neck, throat and teeth. The pain spreads to the shoulders and arms and increases with movement.
Medicine divides all the symptoms of the manifestation of cervical osteochondrosis into several groups:
root symptoms. In other words, cervical sciatica. The pain originates in the neck, descends along the shoulder blades and back along the whole body to the fingers.
reflex symptoms. A common symptom is pain, which is characterized by a sharp and burning character. Place of localization - cervical or occipital zone. Often, pain radiates to the heart and thoracic spine, moreover, a person confuses osteochondrosis with the presence of heart disease.
Vertebral artery symptoms. The most common symptom is a headache. Possible impairment of the hearing and visual systems.
cardiac symptoms. It seems that the heart aches, but it is not. This is only a radiation of pain in the heart, but not heart disease. In this case, the symptoms are similar to angina pectoris. There are cases where a doctor mistakenly diagnoses and treats a disease that doesn't 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 eliminating the source of the disease, as well as the symptoms.
The early stage of the disease involves manual therapy and exercise therapy. Ongoing osteochondrosis requires more thorough treatment, and sometimes surgical intervention. As soon as the main treatment is over, the doctor prescribes gymnastics.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
The disease of the thoracic spine is characterized by attacks of pain in the heart, sternum, back, side of the trunk, upper abdomen. In other words, the pain of the whole body.
Painful sensations in the heart can raise suspicions of a pathological process such as angina pectoris. The difference is that pain in the heart region with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is not stopped by nitroglycerin, and electrocardiography does not show 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 that depend on the location of the pathological process:
Radiculopathy develops in connection with a herniated disc. When intercostal osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine covers the upper segment, pain in the shoulders, shoulder blades, back and heart appears.
When compressing the spinal cord. In other words, compression myelopathy. A rather rare phenomenon, manifested by pain, numbness and weakness of the lower extremities.
Clinical symptoms that belong only to osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are as follows:
Neurological symptoms - constant pain, which increases with a deep cough and inhalation.
- costovertebral osteoarthritis;
- spinal symptoms.
Visceral syndromes - pain in the heart, aggravated by physical exertion, 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 and back areas of the body. Irradiation can be observed in the thighs, buttocks, lower legs, very rarely in the heart.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is characterized by impaired urination, defecation, impaired sweating, tingling in the lower extremities, dryness and peeling of the skin.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is carried out by a neurologist. Before starting treatment, the doctor carries out the necessary diagnostic measures, which consist of a personal examination and probing the vertebrae. X-rays, MRI, and CT scans are also required. Based on the results of such studies, treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should include measures to eliminate pain and restore normal functioning of the affected area.
The comprehensive treatment includes:
- medical method. With the help of medication, you can reduce pain, inflammation and swelling.
- Physiotherapeutic treatment. Also, with the help of such treatment, you can relieve pain and discomfort, and make significant progress towards full recovery.
- exercise therapy. Prevention and treatment with the help of a therapeutic and sports complex will help to significantly improve health and achieve full recovery. It is forbidden to conduct exercise therapy during an exacerbation of the disease! Along with physical education, it is necessary to follow a healthy lifestyle, eat right and avoid stress.
diagnostic measures
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis usually consists of several stages:
- Stage 1. The doctor listens to the person's discomfort and determines the medical history: the affected area, the time the discomfort is felt, the cause of the pain, the reason for the pain relief.
- Stage 2. The doctor examines the skin to determine or determine the absence of redness, peeling and rashes. The doctor conducts palpation of the affected area to determine the temperature regime of the skin, detect swelling and painful compaction.
- Stage 3. An X-ray examination is necessary to determine the pathological mobility of the vertebrae, displacements, salt deposits and the formation of osteophytes.
- Stage 4. CT helps to detect nerve root compression, ruptures, all kinds of changes, marginal growths.
MRI helps to study the condition of blood vessels, nerve processes and intervertebral discs.
treatment at home
When painful sensations are 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 needs to be provided with rest: take the most comfortable position in which minimal pain is manifested. It also requires muscle relaxation. Sometimes the doctor will recommend using a corset for more comfortable movement.
With thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis, it is recommended to warm up the affected area. The most effective method of warming up is to use a belt made of dog or sheep wool. Thanks to the belt, pain is eliminated and the inflammatory process is weakened. You can find the belt in almost every pharmacy. In some cases, it is possible to visit the bath, so it is good to warm up the affected area. The bath is allowed only in the period when the exacerbation of the disease is eliminated.
The old grandmother's recipes are also effective. You can apply various tinctures by rubbing the affected area. no less effective are various ointments that can be made at home or bought at a pharmacy. However, such ointments should be used with caution, as they can cause burns on the skin. It is therefore important to read the instructions for use before use.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy contributes to the treatment of osteochondrosis, and is also an excellent prophylactic. Physical education should be specially designed and selected individually for each case of illness.
The therapeutic and physical culture complex should be carried out only at the stage of remission, but not during the period of exacerbation. At the same time, physical education classes help to strengthen the ligaments and muscular corset of the back. Thanks to physical education, you can bypass the main drug treatment.
Precautions
In order not to worsen your health and prevent the development of osteochondrosis of any part of the spine, there is a special prevention. Its main rules are:
Drink water before engaging in physical activity or exercising. This is necessary to maintain moisture exchange in the panes and prevent them from drying out.
A good means of prevention is back massage, which can be done by the person himself at home. Massage helps increase blood flow throughout the body and speed up metabolic processes.
Under no circumstances should you lift and hold heavy objects and things at arm's length. This increases the load. To pick up an object, you can squat while keeping your spine straight.
It is not recommended to perform sudden movements, turns and tilts.
Even load distribution is required.
Prevention of osteochondrosis includes a proper lifestyle and good nutrition. No need to run any disease. Timely treatment in the hospital will help to avoid negative consequences.