With osteochondrosis of the spine, the bone and cartilage tissue of one or more spine departments are destroyed.This disease is chronic and develops in almost all elderly people.This is due to the usual aging of the body.
Intervertebral discs are subjected to atrophic changes, and at what age this will happen depends on many factors:
- injuries;
- Diseases and overload of the spine.
The spinal overload belongs to:
- Walking with a curved back;
- improper seat;
- features of the structure of the spinal column;
- insufficient nutrition of tissues of the spine due to hereditary anomalies.
With osteochondrosis, the nucleus located between vertebrates loses part of the water.Because of this, metabolic disorders are disturbed in the nucleus and various minerals and vitamins are difficult to access.
After some time, cracks appear in the disk, it becomes flat.Next, nearby joints and ligaments begin to be affected, forming tissue inflammation.Due to inflammation, a displacement of neighboring vertebrae occurs.This is dangerous to the appearance of radicular symptoms: pain along the affected nerve.
The appearance of intervertebral hernia is also possible, and it, in turn, can provoke compression of the spinal cord.Osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of osteophytes - bone growths on vertebral bodies.These growths can squeeze the spinal cord and cause rooser syndrome.
Most often, the cervical and lumbar parts are subject to osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis
Reasons:
- sports activities (heavy athletics);
- Excess weight;
- metabolic violation;
- Sedentary work (programmers, accountants, drivers, etc.);
- flat feet;
- spine injuries;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are pain in the head and neck.The person is concerned about severe headaches, pain in the neck, giving in the hand, pain in the sternum.The patient can complain about the shelters - the appearance of a sharp pain in the neck, a spasm of muscle muscles and the restriction of movement.
Also, a person can hear a crunch when turning the neck.Due to the pinching of nerves and blood vessels, a person may have a numbness of the tongue and fingertips.The patient will complain of a decrease in hearing and vision, increased blood pressure and weakness in the muscles of the arms and legs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
This type of osteochondrosis is quite rare.This is due to the anatomical structure of the thoracic spine.It consists of 12 vertebrae, which are connected to the ribs due to the joints.Ahead of the ribs are connected by the sternum.Thus, an excellent frame of the spine, sternum and ribs is created, which protects the internal organs from various injuries.
The vertebrae of the thoracic region have a small height and long spicy processes that are located above the other, like a tile.Due to this structure, this spine is small mobility.The intervertebral discs of the thoracic region are rarely injured.
The reasons for the formation of this type of osteochondrosis:
- irrational load distribution;
- delay in the diet of intervertebral discs;
- Sedentary work;
- The presence of scoliosis.
Symptoms
As with other types, the leading symptom of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is pain.
But with thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain can be different.Dorsalgia - long discomfort and weak pain along the chest vertebrae.Pain can affect the cervical and lumbar areas.
Dorsago is one of the signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, in which the pain occurs in the form of an attack.By nature, it is intense, acute, leads to difficulty breathing, leads to limiting muscle movements.In addition to pain, patients may have a feeling of numbness in the chest, impaired sexual function, pain in the heart, kidneys and stomach.
Why is the damage to the thoracic region dangerous?
The vertebral column is arranged so that in the thoracic region it narrows, so the hernias that occur due to osteochondrosis will quickly lead to compression of the spinal cord.This will easily lead to problems from the heart, pancreas, liver and kidneys, because the thoracic region is associated with all these organs of nerve fibers.That is why it is very important to consult a doctor in time.It will help to find out where the signs of osteochondrosis that bother you came from and will conduct competent treatment of the disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs due to lifting severity.Normally, in the center of the intervertebral disc is a core containing a large amount of water.Due to the liquid, the core becomes little compressed, and for its break it will be compressed 500 kg.
However, the disk hit by osteochondrosis becomes weaker, and only 200 kg will be needed to break it.If a person weighing 70 kg lifts 15 kg of cargo in a bent position, and for the spine this is a load of 200 kg, the intervertebral disk can burst.That is why the first symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine are manifested when lifting severity.
Symptoms
- lumbar pain;
- the impossibility of movement in the lower back;
- impaired sleep;
- irritability;
- fatigue;
- the impossibility of making household needs;
- decrease in sexual function in men;
- violation of the menstrual cycle;
- Cold legs syndrome.
In the transition of osteochondrosis to the sacral region, the patient has pain in the kidneys and urination.
Diagnostics
Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out by a neurologist.To begin with, he examines the spinal column, pays attention to the presence of scoliosis.After feeling, the doctor will be able to understand how amazed the spinal column, tendons and nerves.
After the neurologist will suspect osteochondrosis of the spine, he will direct the patient for additional examination.This includes the passage of radiological examination, magneto-resonance imaging.In case of suspicion of the destruction of the intervertebral disc, discography is performed.It is also prescribed to determine the degree of damage to the nerve paths.
In general, the diagnosis of “osteochondrosis of the spine” is very difficult.After all, a person can complain about pain in the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas or sexual dysfunction.But still, upon careful examination, an experienced doctor will be able to suspect this disease and prescribe the correct treatment.
Treatment
Osteochondrosis therapy is a very long and severe process.In the acute period, the patient needs the peace of the affected segment.If the cervical department is affected, then the patient should wear a fixing collar of Shants.If the lumbar region hurts, the patient needs bed rest.It is best to place the patient in a hospital.Only there he will be able to fully observe the appointed regime.The bed of such a patient should be hard.To do this, put a wooden shield under the mattress.
Drug treatment
As mentioned above, the main symptom of the disease is pain.Therefore, an analgesics are prescribed to the patient to relieve pain and other symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs are also prescribed.
Unfortunately, the prolonged use of these drugs causes damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and the patient has the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- vomit;
- pain in the stomach;
- Feeling in the stomach.
Gastric ulcer can also exacerbate or gastric bleeding appears.Therefore, before using these drugs, you need to consult a doctor.If the pain caused by osteochondrosis lasts for 3 months, antidepressants are prescribed along with these drugs.It was established that in addition to a soothing effect, they are able to reduce pain.
All the above drugs can be attributed to symptomatic therapy.They will help relieve pain, but will not save a person from the disease itself.
To restore intervertebral discs and cartilage, chondroprotectors are prescribed.These drugs improve metabolism in connective tissue and contribute to the restoration of cartilage.The drugs take a long period of time, on average - 4 - 6 months.
In addition to restoring tissues and improving metabolism in them, these drugs also have an analgesic effect.Another group of drugs necessary for osteochondrosis of the spine is drugs that improve blood circulation.Their use contributes to the expansion of blood vessels, and if antioxidant preparations are taken in combination with them, then the metabolism of nerve cells will improve in humans.
As with any disease, patients need calcium preparations.It will restore the activity of bone tissue, increase the strength of the ligaments and tendons, and also become a prevention of osteoporosis - a disease that accompanies osteochondrosis.
Medical physical education
The dosed load on the spinal column will improve the patient's condition.But you need to perform exercises extremely carefully.In the acute period, physical education classes are contraindicated.Only with the subsidence of pain can begin to be engaged in a little.
Exercises will improve blood circulation in the spine, strengthen the muscles.Due to the blood flow, the metabolism will improve and the restoration of damaged intervertebral discs will begin.But we must also remember that classes should be held regularly, otherwise there will be no result.
Exercises for the damage to the cervical region
- Lie on your back and straighten.Put one hand on the stomach, and the second on the chest and take a breath, pick up your breath for 10 minutes, then exhale and relax.The duration of the exercise is 3 - 5 minutes.Per day you need to perform 3-5 times.
- Lie on the stomach and straighten your legs.Based on the stomach and legs, you need to raise the head and upper chest.Exercise do 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 30 seconds.
- Lie on your back and bend your knees.In this position, turn to the right and left side.Exercise do 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 30 seconds.
Exercises for damage to the thoracic region
- Lie on the stomach.Put your hands on the floor and bend back.Hold in this position for 5 -10 seconds.Exercise do 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
- Lie on your back.Raise your head and legs upward ("boat").Lying for 10-20 seconds.Exercise do 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
Exercises for damage to the lumbar
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and press them to your chest.Swing back and forth and roll from the back to the sacrum and back.Swing up to 2 minutes.Then you need to calmly lie down and relax.
- It is necessary to stand on all fours and bend as much as possible.Exercise do 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
- In a standing position, imagine that twist the hoop for 2 - 3 minutes.Exercise perform 10 times a day.
Surgical treatment
In the absence of the effect of conservative treatment and the appearance of complications of osteochondrosis, surgical treatment is prescribed.During the operation, stabilization of the spine is performed, the pressure on the spinal cord and roots are eliminated.If a person has an intervertebral hernia, it is removed.Since when performing this operation, damage to the spinal cord and nerves is possible, it is carried out only according to vital indications.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
The appointment of physiotherapeutic procedures positively affects the course of the disease and accelerates the recovery process.With osteochondrosis, it is allowed:
- Visiting a sauna or bath;
- swimming in the pool;
- massage;
- paraffin therapy;
- manual therapy;
- laser therapy;
- various baths;
- mud;
- electrophoresis with anti -inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants;
- magnetotherapy;
- D ’Arsonval.
All these procedures improve blood circulation in the diseased area, allow you to relax to the muscles and get relaxing the whole organism.Physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed in the rehabilitation period, when the patient is not disturbed by severe pain.
Prevention
No one is safe from osteochondrosis.After all, we are all aging, and with us our whole body is aging.In order for the disease not to destroy your plans, you still need to play sports since youth.Moderate physical activity helps to improve blood circulation, normal metabolism.In addition, he trains muscles that protect the spinal column.For the prevention of osteochondrosis, everyone must:
- Eating correctly - vitamins and minerals necessary for the body;
- abandon bad habits;
- engage in physical education;
- Do not stoop;
- protect your back from hypothermia;
- Do not raise too heavy objects;
- take a contrast shower and harden;
- Avoid stress.
It is especially important for people suffering from this disease to follow all the recommendations, because their failure to compliance with an exacerbation.When back pain, which does not pass for a long time, it is necessary to seek help from a specialist.Only a doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Do not tighten with a visit to the clinic, because it is better to treat the disease in the early stages.Also, do not self -medicate - any drug has its own contraindications, which you may not know about.Strictly observe all the doctor's recommendations and then the disease will soon retreat!