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 the ligamentous apparatus 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, impaired functioning of internal organs. The most common age for a person to develop osteochondrosis is over 30 years old.
Why does osteochondrosis occur?
In medicine, there is a lot of information about the causes of the disease. These include mechanical injury, hereditary factor, impaired metabolism. It is very difficult to find a cause that contributes to the development of the disease, since osteochondrosis can occur in both an adult and a teenager.
A common factor for the development of the disease is the deposition of spinal salts. With the help of an x-ray, the growths on the vertebrae are diagnosed, while the joints creak and creak when walking.
You can also get osteochondrosis in the case of an existing infectious disease, with constant overloads of the spine, chemical exposure and poor posture. People at risk are those who lead an unhealthy lifestyle, abuse tobacco and alcohol, are overweight and are constantly in stressful situations.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis are determined by the type or types of disease present. What are the types of osteochondrosis and how they manifest themselves, we will analyze in more detail.
Cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- headache;
- coordination disorders;
- 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 way of life. Most often, the neck, throat and teeth hurt. The pain spreads to the shoulders and arms and increases with movement.
Medicine divides all the symptoms of manifestation of cervical osteochondrosis into several groups:
Root symptoms. In other words, cervical sciatica. The pain starts in the neck, goes down along the shoulder blades and goes up along the whole body to the fingers.
reflex symptoms. A common symptom is pain, characterized by a sharp, burning character. Place of localization - neck or occipital area. Often the pain radiates to the heart and thoracic spine. Also, a person confuses osteochondrosis with the presence of heart disease.
Vertebral artery symptoms. The most common symptom is headache. Possible impairment of auditory and visual systems.
heart symptoms. It would seem that the heart hurts, but it does not. It is simply radiation of pain in the heart, but not heart disease. In this case, the symptoms resemble those of angina pectoris. There are cases where a doctor mistakenly diagnoses and treats a disease that does 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 diagnostic method is radiography. Treatment should be comprehensive, including the elimination of the source of the disease, as well as symptoms.
The early stage of the disease involves manual therapy and exercise therapy. Running osteochondrosis requires further treatment and sometimes surgical intervention. As soon as the main treatment is completed, the doctor prescribes gymnastics.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic spine disease is characterized by bouts of pain in the heart, sternum, back, side of the trunk, upper abdomen. In other words, whole body pain.
Painful sensations in the heart can raise suspicion of a pathological process such as angina. The difference is that pain in the region of the heart in case of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is not stopped by nitroglycerin, and electrocardiography did 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 localization of the pathological process:
Radiculopathy develops in conjunction with a herniated disc. In the event that the intercostal osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine covers the upper segment, there are pains in the shoulders, shoulder blades, back, heart.
When compressing the spinal cord. In other words, compression myelopathy. A rather rare phenomenon, manifested by pain, numbness and weakness of the lower limbs.
The clinical symptoms belonging only to osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are as follows:
Neurological symptoms - constant pain, which increases with a deep cough and inhalation.
- costovertebral arthrosis;
- vertebral symptoms.
Visceral syndromes - pain in the heart, aggravated with physical exertion, causing the body to turn.
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. 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 the treatment, the doctor carries out the necessary diagnostic measures, consisting of a personal examination, probing the vertebrae. X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are also needed. Based on the results of these studies, treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should include measures to eliminate pain, restore normal functioning of the affected area.
The complete treatment includes:
- medical method. With the help of drugs you can relieve pain, inflammation, swelling.
- Physiotherapy treatment. With the help of such treatment, you can also relieve pain and discomfort, as well as make significant progress towards full recovery.
- exercise therapy. Prevention and treatment with the help of a therapeutic and sports complex help to significantly improve health and achieve full recovery. It is forbidden to carry out exercise therapy during an exacerbation of the disease! In addition to physical education, it is necessary to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, eat right and prevent stress.
Diagnostic measures
As a rule, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis consists of several stages:
- Step 1. The doctor listens to the person's complaints and finds out the medical history: the area of concern, the time during which the discomfort is felt, the cause of the pain, the reason for pain relief.
- Step 2. The doctor examines the skin to identify or note the absence of redness, scaling, and rashes. The doctor performs palpation of the affected area to determine the temperature regime of the skin, identify swelling, painful compaction.
- Stage 3. X-ray examination is necessary to determine the pathological mobility of the vertebrae, displacement, salt deposits and the formation of osteophytes.
- Stage 4. CT scan helps identify nerve root compression, ruptures, all sorts of changes, marginal growths.
MRI helps to examine the condition of blood vessels, nerve processes and intervertebral discs.
Home treatment
In the event that 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 intensify. The body should be rested: take the most comfortable position in which minimal pain occurs. It also requires muscle relaxation. Sometimes the doctor recommends 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 dog or sheep's wool belt. Thanks to the belt, pain is eliminated and the inflammatory process is weakened. The belt can be found in almost any 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 when the exacerbation of the disease is eliminated.
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 purchased at a pharmacy. But such ointments should be used with caution, as they can cause skin burns. 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 prophylactic. Physical education should be specially designed and selected individually in each case of illness.
The complex of therapeutic and physical culture should be carried out only at the stage of remission, but not during the period of exacerbation. At the same time, physical education makes it possible to strengthen the ligament apparatus and the muscular corset of the back. Through physical education, you can bypass the main drug treatment.
Preventive measures
In order not to worsen your health and prevent the development of osteochondrosis of any part of the spine, there is special prevention. Its main rules are:
Drink water before engaging in physical activity or exercise. This is necessary to maintain the exchange of moisture in the discs and prevent their dehydration.
A good means of prevention is back massage, which can be done by the person themselves, 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 lift an object, you can squat down keeping your spine straight.
It is not recommended to perform sudden movements, turns and tilts.
A uniform load distribution is necessary.
Prevention of osteochondrosis includes proper lifestyle and proper nutrition. No need to run any disease. Prompt treatment in the hospital will help to avoid negative consequences.