Osteochondrosis of the spine is a disease in which the structure and functionality of the intervertebral discs and cartilage are altered. It is accompanied by regular painful sensations, because the affected tissues must provide mobility and flexibility to the spine. According to ICD 10, it belongs to the group of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, code - M42. The essence of the disease lies in the compression of the discs during loading on the spine, which leads to their destruction or deformation. This leads to damage to the nerve endings, resulting in pain and swelling. A neglected form of spinal osteochondrosis can lead to disability.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the spine.
What is this disease and where does it come from? Most often, this disease appears in people after 40 years. This is due to age-related salt metabolism disorders and dehydration of the body. Factors provoking the development of the disease:
- stooping, leading to curvature of the spine;
- undeveloped spinal muscles;
- being in an awkward position for a long period of time;
- carry heavy objects regularly;
- a sedentary lifestyle associated with the specificities of work;
- metabolic disorders in the body;
- genetic predisposition;
- the negative effect of chemicals on the body;
- transmitted diseases of an infectious nature;
- nervous overstrain, stress with neurological manifestations;
- hormonal disturbances in the body;
- professional sports related to power loads;
- spinal injury;
- a sudden change in position.
It is important to know!Unfavorable weather conditions, periodic hypothermia can contribute to the development of the disease! Therefore, you should protect yourself as much as possible from these factors.
Common symptoms of the disease.
Osteochondrosis is always accompanied by pain and numbness. Such ailments can also appear:
- sharp, cutting, stabbing pain;
- sore limbs;
- dizziness, sometimes loss of consciousness;
- dryness and exfoliation of the skin;
- heavy sweating
- low temperature of the extremities.
Depending on which part of the spine the disease develops, other specific symptoms appear.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: signs.
This is the most dangerous place of defeat. After all, it is in the cervical region that an artery passes, which contributes to the normal function of the brain. Due to the onset of the disease, this artery becomes compressed and prevents the blood supply to the brain. Due to this, the patient experiences severe headaches, dizziness, general weakness of the body. The concentration of attention decreases, the ability to memorize worsens.
It is accompanied by pain in the back of the neck, under the shoulder blades, in the forearm, sometimes the upper extremities go numb.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.
This type of disease is quite rare, most often in conjunction with damage to other parts of the spine. It can be accompanied by such ailments:
- pain between the shoulder blades;
- sharp pain with a deep breath;
- weakness and numbness in the fingers.
There are situations in which a disease in the thoracic region can cause discomfort in the region of the heart.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
The most common type of disease, because the lower back assumes the maximum load throughout a person's life. May cause osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome. This ailment is characterized by pinching the nerve roots in the lower back, accompanied by a variety of pain, and can radiate to the thigh and buttock area.
During the development period, the normal work of the lower extremities is disrupted and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- tingling sensation in the back of the leg;
- weakness of the lower extremities;
- numbness of the toes
Disorders of the genitourinary system and intestinal functionality can also occur.
Important to remember!At the first symptoms, you should seek the help of a specialist! After all, an advanced form of the disease in a certain department can develop polysegmental osteochondrosis of the spine, which consists in the defeat of all departments at once.
Stages of osteochondrosis of the spine.
In modern medicine, there are 4 stages of the disease:
- Degree of osteochondrosis of the spine. At this stage, the disease is difficult to detect. There are no obvious signs. There are only general ailments, slight weakness in the back with uncomfortable sensations, which are attributed to overwork. The disease is slow and is usually caught randomly at the time of a routine checkup.
- 2nd degree spinal osteochondrosis. Pain symptoms appear due to the initial process of tissue destruction. If you go to specialists in time for help, this degree of the disease can be cured quickly enough thanks to medications.
- Third degree spinal osteochondrosis. An irreversible process of deformation of cartilaginous tissues begins, which is the cause of the development of scoliosis, lordosis and the appearance of a hump. Treatment at this stage will improve the condition and minimize curvature.
- Fourth degree spinal osteochondrosis. In this final stage, a person experiences irreversible processes of destruction of the tissues of the spine. It becomes very difficult for the patient to move, this causes excruciating pain.
It is important to know!Stage 4 of the disease leads the patient to disability! Therefore, at the first manifestations, it is necessary to consult a doctor and start timely treatment.
Diagnosis of the disease
Emerging patient complaints require contacting a specialist. To establish a diagnosis, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist or traumatologist, who, after a detailed survey and examination, will send you for such studies:
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- Ultrasound;
- electrocardiogram;
- bone scan;
- general analysis of blood and urine.
Based on the research carried out, the doctor comes to a conclusion and prescribes an effective treatment, depending on the stage of the disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine.
There are many ways in which you can influence the course of the disease. They are intended not only to relieve discomfort, but also for full recovery. The most effective treatments are:
Drug treatment
They are intended to relieve painful sensations, relieve inflammatory processes, restore cartilaginous tissues and prevent the dynamic development of the disease. It is very important to take vitamins during this period.
Chondroprotectors
The therapeutic effect does not appear immediately, therefore, a course is prescribed, the duration of which is about 2 months.
Injections
Its use is aimed at eliminating pain syndrome; the injection has no therapeutic effect.
Ointment
Using various ointments, creams, or gels helps eliminate inflammation. They also have an analgesic and warming effect.
Acupuncture
For such procedures, the patient is referred to a chiropractor. After all, only an experienced specialist can qualitatively perform this manipulation. Acupuncture helps to relieve even excruciating and excruciating pain, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and normalizes hormones.
Cupping massage
The essence of the procedure is to apply a vacuum to the skin, which helps to restore blood flow, eliminate toxins and improve the condition of the body as a whole. Effectively relieve painful sensations. This type of massage cannot be performed on the spine, mammary glands, heart, and kidneys. Contraindications to the use of this procedure: patients with skin rashes, heart disease and pregnancy.
- Magnetotherapy. It is used as an additional method in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Helps to weaken the inflammatory process, relieves swelling, tones the muscles of the spine.
- Physiotherapy. It aims to restore the mobility of the spine, strengthen the back muscles and normalize the metabolism. It is very important not to work too hard while exercising.
- Massage. Required to eliminate pain and strengthen muscles.
Important to remember!Regardless of the stage of osteochondrosis, only a specialist prescribes methods of treatment! You can choose a complex method or treatment.
Treatment with home remedies.
To combat the disease, you can use traditional medicine recipes that are easy to prepare at home. For this, only natural ingredients are used.
Garlic
To prepare the drug, you will need 200 g of minced garlic, which must be poured with 0. 5 liters of vodka or alcohol. Leave in a cool dark place for 1 week, shake every day. After a period of time, use it as a back massage. Helps relieve pain.
Bay leaf and juniper
You should take 1 tsp. the original ingredients, grind to a powdery consistency. Grind with softened unsalted butter in the amount of 100 g Spread the affected areas with the resulting ointment 3 times a day.
Sagebrush
1 tbsp will be needed. l. wormwood, pour 1 glass of boiling water. Insist 3 hours. Strain the resulting broth and rub your back before going to bed.
Important to remember!Regardless of the prescription chosen for treatment, you should consult your doctor! You may consider using home remedies as a complementary treatment.
Spinal and army osteochondrosis
Are they drafted into the military after that diagnosis has been made? In order for a young man not to serve in the military, the following times must be present:
- intervertebral osteochondrosis;
- sharp, stabbing pain during physical exertion;
- clear signs of spinal deformity;
It is important to know!Painful sensations should be confirmed by seeking medical help regularly! Only in this situation, the young man is unfit for military service.
Complications of the disease.
Since the spine is the foundation of the musculoskeletal system, osteochondrosis can cause irreparable damage to health. The consequences that the disease can have:
- herniated discs;
- rachiocampsis;
- displacement of the vertebrae.
This can lead to disturbances in the functioning of the organs, a decrease in the immune system, which leads to new serious diseases.
It is important to know!Ignoring osteochondrosis leads to disability! Therefore, when illness occurs, therapy should be started immediately.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine.
To avoid the development of the disease, the following preventive measures should be taken:
- Diet. This is especially true for the elderly. It is required to minimize the consumption of spicy, fatty, canned and smoked foods. You should also avoid excessive use of salt, coffee, chocolate, alcoholic beverages. Proper nutrition helps remove salts from the body.
- Daily morning exercises. Light exercise will help keep the body in good shape and strengthen the muscular system.
- Orthopedic mattress. To rest it is advisable to buy it, because a healthy sleep and complete relaxation reduce the possibility of developing the disease to a minimum.
Particular attention should be paid to the position in which you want to sleep. The most comfortable position for the spine is the embryo. In this case, it relaxes completely. It is better to use a small pillow. In this way, you can protect your spine from excessive stress and give it the necessary rest.