The spine performs the most important functions in the human body. From this article, you will learn everything about what osteochondrosis is, its symptoms and treatments, pathological signs and causes of the disease.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the intervertebral disc and other tissues of the spine. The malnutrition process is triggered inside the spine. The vertebrae compress as they are, crushing these intervertebral discs, gradually causing the nerve endings of the spinal cord to be compressed.
Important! If rickets are not treated, the pathology may cause disability.
About 80% of the world’s population suffers from spinal disease. Osteochondrosis is most common in people between 15 and 30 years of age. Although this disease can occur in both men and women, a large proportion of humans are more difficult to tolerate this disease.
When a person leads an active life, the disease begins to develop and manifests in relative adulthood. Although osteochondrosis may occur in children, it occurs much less frequently than in adults.
Despite the concerted efforts of experts from all over the world to eradicate the disease, new cases of osteochondrosis are recorded every year. Whether the problem arises depends largely on the individual's personal efforts.
Existing categories
There are many types of osteochondrosis, so different doctors may use different classifications.
According to the affected spine, there are:
- Cervical osteochondrosis;
- Thoracic osteochondrosis;
- Lumbar osteochondrosis; z Osteochondrosis.
Extensive osteochondrosis is also obvious. This is a form of pathology, several departments are affected at the same time. For example, osteochondrosis of the waist s is often found because it is this part of the spine that bears the increasing load.
No matter what kind of disease people encounter, complications are always serious. Therefore, it is important to detect the disease as soon as possible and provide qualified first aid.
When the doctor made a diagnosis, he recorded at what stage the pathology was detected. For osteochondrosis, it can be divided into 3 stages based on X-ray images and 4 stages based on changes in symptoms.
What happens during the pathological process
Almost all vertebrae have similar structures. They are composed of vertebral bodies and arches. All the vertebrae "folded" together form a spinal canal. The intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae-jelly-like tendons that act as shock absorbers.
The pathological changes started in the disc with osteochondrosis. The fiber part gradually becomes brittle. Under the pressure of the vertebrae, the nucleus pulposus seems to move on its own, looking for the easiest position.
In most cases, the intervertebral disc enters the spinal canal. This causes compression of the spinal cord and the nerves located there. The result is pain and symptoms in the organs responsible for these nerves.
In response to internal pressure, it triggers the process of accelerated division of bone tissue. As a result, osteophytes begin to develop-bone growth leads to osteochondrosis.
Therefore, for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the consequences may be sad because the pathological process affects both the nerve and vascular system.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Since osteochondrosis is a dangerous enemy, it is important to understand the cause of the disease. No matter where the disease is located, its cause is always similar.
The main causes of osteochondrosis are as follows:
- Premature aging of intervertebral disc tissue;
- The muscles that support the spine continue to be overworked;
- Lack of reasonable pressure on these muscle groups;
- The uneven load distribution between the various parts of the spine leads to the development of imbalance and pseudo spondylolisthesis;
- The development of genetic susceptibility in the degradation process of cartilage tissue;
- The existence of autoimmune diseases, because autoimmune diseases destroy the nutrition of the spine.
There is no doubt that hormonal imbalance and poor diet can also affect the health of the spine. When the workload increases, some women experience the symptoms of the disease first during pregnancy.
Risk Group
Acute osteochondrosis usually develops after exposure to negative factors. The following factors can trigger the onset of symptoms:
- Wrong posture;
- a sedentary lifestyle;
- placed in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
- Weightlifting;
- Scoliosis;
- Muscular corset lacking the spine;
- Lack of vitamins and minerals needed for bone and cartilage tissue regeneration;
- Emotional experience;
- Serious infection;
- Unfavorable ecological impact;
- Hypothermia;
- Injured;
- Sudden change of body position;
- Strength exercise;
- Wearing shoes that are uncomfortable with high heels;
- Overweight;
- Metabolism disorder;
- Rheumatism;
- Congenital malformations.
As you can see, many factors can stimulate the development of osteochondrosis. However, the sooner the first signs of the disease are detected and diagnosed, the better the chances of curing the disease and maintaining the quality of life.
Disease characteristics by stage
The disease is divided into 4 stages, each stage has its own symptom intensity:
- With grade 1 disease, the patient has no general symptoms, but may only have local pain;
- Suffered from grade 2 osteochondrosis, pain worsened, intervertebral disc herniation and vertebral body subluxation, static invasion was observed;
- Grade 3 osteochondrosis is characterized by obvious symptoms, including general symptoms, and the disease has reached the developmental stage of intervertebral disc hernia;
- In the four stages of pathology, there will be disability, and no medicine can alleviate it.
Of course, if osteochondrosis is detected in the initial stage, it is likely to prevent the development of the disease.
However, the classification of intervertebral disc cartilage depends on the damage to the vertebral body:
- No violation at stage 0;
- The interference in the first stage is negligible, sometimes there are cracks inside the vertebrae;
- In the second stage, the changes of the intervertebral disc are very obvious and expressed, but the outer surface is preserved;
- In stage 3, the intervertebral disc is completely affected and is squeezed out into the spinal cord area or out.
If you have mild symptoms, even lumbar instability or discomfort in any other part, you should consult an expert for advice.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
As mentioned earlier, the intensity of symptoms depends on the degree of damage to the vertebral body and the location of the damage. Most patients report similar symptoms.
When the pathological process is located in the cervical spine, the following symptoms may appear:
- Blurred vision;
- Ear congestion;
- Head noise;
- ringing in the ear;
- dizziness;
- Headache;
- Sleep apnea;
- Hearing impaired;
- Fainted;
- Weakness of the vocal cords;
- neck cramps;
- Changes in blood pressure; Tongue numbness;
- Swelling of the neck;
- Eye pain;
- Insomnia;
- Cervical vasospasm;
- Dental problems.
In the case of spinal lesions in the thoracic spine area, the following phenomena will occur:
- Muscle cramps, similar to cuts, stab wounds, and sharp heart pain;
- The patient has difficulty breathing; Sternal pain and burning;
- There is a lump in the throat;
- may have cough and nausea;
- Pain in the abdomen, especially when breathing deeply and exhaling;
- Severe weakness in arms and legs;
- The discomfort increases with changes in body position.
The following complaints about the bone or lumbar spine problems:
- Lumbago radiates to the legs;
- Freeze the lower limbs at normal body temperature;
- Numbness in the legs;
- The leg muscles continue to tense;
- Varicose veins;
- Yang imp;
- pale skin;
- Dysmenorrhea.
As osteochondrosis on the back progresses, multiple vertebrae may fuse. Then the symptoms gradually disappeared, but reappeared during the spring and autumn period when the condition got worse.
If the vagus nerve is pinched, digestion, rapid heartbeat, and bladder and bladder problems can occur.
Osteochondrosis syndrome
Doctors are used to dividing symptoms into groups, syndromes. Intercostal osteochondrosis:
- Vertebral syndrome;
- Vertebral artery syndrome;
- Heart or shoulder cap rib syndrome;
- Radial.
It is worth studying each syndrome carefully.
Vertebrae
For vertebral syndrome, the following pictures can be observed:
- Inconvenience, neck pain;
- Changes in the state of the vertebrae can be seen on the x-ray;
- The patient cannot turn his head to the side without pain.
Important! Due to the similar clinical conditions, myositis and vertebral syndrome should be distinguished in diagnosis, but the treatment methods are different.
Vertebral artery
When suffering from osteochondrosis syndrome, the following manifestations are observed:
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Pressure fluctuations;
- dizziness;
- Migraine;
- Fly in the eyes;
- lethargy;
- lethargy;
- Fatigue;
- Violation of emotional stability.
Doctors should distinguish this syndrome from atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels and tumor processes.
Heart
The characteristics of this syndrome are:
- burning;
- Shortness of breath;
- Tired;
- Fast heartbeat.
When going to the hospital, ECG and angiography must be performed to confirm that there is no atherosclerosis.
root
The pathological signs depend on the changed root. Usually, this group of symptoms includes:
- Occipital area
- Discomfort;
- The unpleasant feeling of language;
- Difficult to chew food;
- Pain when swallowing;
- Difficult to perform hand movements;
- does not have 4 or 5 fingers.
Because certain parts of the spine are usually involved in the pathological process of osteochondrosis, a whole set of symptoms appears.
Diagnosis
When symptoms of osteochondrosis appear, examinations are usually not performed.
Some of the following tests are sufficient to make a diagnosis:
- X-ray;
- Computer tomography;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
During the exacerbation and planned treatment period, treatment should be comprehensive. Applies to:
- Medication;
- Manual therapy;
- Exercise therapy to treat osteochondrosis.
The most common treatment is at home. The most important thing is that the patient strictly abides by the doctor's prescription. When a patient needs an injection, it is recommended that you go to a day hospital.
The particularity of drug treatment
Medications involve the use of several groups of medicines at once. Prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
NSAID was originally specified as an ointment. As the disease progresses, tablets, injections, or other forms of antispasmodics may be recommended. Almost all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have obvious analgesic effects.
In order to relax the spine, you need to relieve muscle spasms. For these purposes, muscle relaxants are used.
If treatment is started in the early stages of the disease, and the cartilage tissue has not been destroyed, a chondroprotective agent should be selected.
Important! In order for all these drugs to be effective, they must be taken systematically for at least six months.
Vitamin B complex has a positive effect on recovery.
The following drugs may also be prescribed:
- Expand blood vessels and improve nutrition;
- Fight against vertigo;
- Topical gel can improve blood circulation.
Pressure ulcers, mustard cream and special anesthetic cream with medicinal ingredients are placed on the affected area.
Perform manual treatment
Although it is considered a folk method to massage the neck and other affected areas, this judgment is wrong. Such procedures can only be performed after a doctor has prescribed it and has been carefully trained. Wrong actions may cause more damage.
You can massage with honey or any medicinal oil. The following techniques are used:
- Tap with your fingertips, from head to upper back.
- There is friction;
- Squeeze to join deep tissues;
- Knead.
Cupping massage is effective. You can perform self-massage. It is very undesirable to use a massager without consulting a doctor, because the indiscreet influence can damage the already fragile disc.
The value of exercise therapy in osteochondrosis
In order to get rid of the symptoms of osteochondrosis, it is important to do regular back exercises. Now, there are many popular techniques that can be used to form lumbar and cervical corsets. Let us consider only the most effective method and briefly discuss its essence.
Exercise therapist’s neck exercise helps to improve blood circulation, relieve pain and restore freedom of movement. Did not produce rapid results, only after long-term treatment. In addition to exercise, it is important to consider prescribed treatment and follow a diet. All exercises are performed at a very slow speed. During this process, ensure proper muscle stretching.
The exercise performed on the neck of another osteochondrosis doctor is not only useful for people with osteochondrosis, but also for many other problems. This complex is similar to more neck exercises, and classes are available even at lunchtime. In order to achieve results and build muscle, you must exercise regularly and only after appointing a doctor.
General advice for treating osteochondrosis
As osteochondrosis patients need to be warmed up regularly, it is useful to bathe such patients. It is important to consider the stage of the disease and the existence of other pathologies. Before performing this step, you should consult a doctor.
To strengthen the muscles of the corset, you can use push-ups, fitness and Pilates with your trainer. It is necessary to visit the swimming pool regularly. Each swimming time must not be less than 20 minutes, otherwise it will be invalid.
Folk remedies are allowed for treatment, but an agreement must be reached with the attending doctor as adjuvant therapy. Physical therapy, including electrophoresis, can be performed as directed by the doctor.
Prevention
Even if the spine problems seem trivial or the patient is still a child, it is still important to actively prevent osteochondrosis.
It is important to follow the following best practices:
- Use orthopedic sleeping pillows;
- Live an active lifestyle;
- Set aside time for exercise, especially swimming;
- Warm up several times a day;
- Be careful when doing manual labor;
- Give up bad habits.
Diet is very important, because certain foods increase the risk of illness, namely:
- salted;
- Smoked meat;
- Spices;
- Candy;
- Fat and fried foods.
It is important to limit soda and coffee, and it is best to give priority to tea and broth. Proper nutrition will help protect the body from damage to bone and cartilage tissue.
Since this process can be stopped or even reversed in the initial stage of osteochondrosis, when the initial symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor and perform an examination immediately. This is the only way to maintain physical exercise for many years!