With osteochondrosis of the spine, destruction of the bone and cartilage tissue of one or more parts of the spine occurs. This disease is chronic and occurs in almost all the elderly. This is due to the normal aging of the body.
The intervertebral discs undergo atrophic changes and at what age this occurs depends on many factors:
- wound;
- diseases and overload of the spine.
Spinal overload includes:
- walking with bent back.
- inappropriate sitting;
- characteristics of the structure of the spine;
- inadequate nutrition of spinal tissues due to hereditary abnormalities.
With osteochondrosis, the nucleus between the vertebral discs loses some of its water. Because of this, metabolic disorders occur in the nucleus and access to various minerals and vitamins is impeded.
After a while, cracks appear in the disk, it becomes flat. Then the nearby joints and ligaments begin to be affected, forming inflamed tissues. Due to inflammation, the adjacent vertebrae are displaced. This is dangerous with the onset of radical symptoms: pain along the affected nerve.
An intervertebral hernia can also occur and this, in turn, can cause compression of the spinal cord. Osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of osteophytes - bone growths in the vertebral bodies. These growths can compress the spinal cord and cause radical syndrome.
Most often, the cervical and lumbar regions are susceptible to osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis
Causes:
- sports activities (weightlifting).
- overweight?
- metabolic disease;
- sedentary work (programmers, accountants, guides, etc. )
- flatfeet;
- spinal cord injury;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are headache and neck pain. A person worries about severe headaches, neck pain, radiation to the hand, chest pain. The patient may complain of lumbar spine - the appearance of sharp pain in the neck, muscle spasm and restriction of movement.
Also, a person may hear a squeak when the throat turns. Due to the pressed nerves and blood vessels, a person may experience numbness of the tongue and fingertips. The patient will complain of impaired hearing and vision, high blood pressure and weakness in the muscles of the arms and legs.
Chest 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 nerves through joints. In front, the ribs are connected to each other by the sternum. This creates an excellent frame from the spine, sternum and ribs, which protects the internal organs from various injuries.
The vertebrae of the thoracic region are low in height and have long spiny protuberances, which are located on top of each other, like shingles. Due to this structure, this part of the spine has low mobility. The intervertebral discs of the thoracic region are rarely injured.
The reasons for the formation of this type of osteochondrosis:
- unreasonable load distribution.
- delay in feeding of the intervertebral discs.
- sedentary work;
- the presence of scoliosis.
Symptoms
As with other types, pain is the main symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis.
But with osteochondrosis in the chest, the pain can be different. Rachalgia - long-term discomfort and mild pain along the thoracic vertebrae. Pain can affect the cervical and lumbar regions.
Dorsago is one of the signs of thoracic osteochondrosis, in which the pain appears in the form of an attack. By its nature, it is intense, acidic, leads to difficulty breathing and leads to restriction of muscle movements. In addition to pain, patients may experience numbness in the chest, decreased sexual function, pain in the heart, kidneys and stomach.
What is the risk of affecting the chest area?
The spine is designed to narrow in the chest area, so hernias resulting from osteochondrosis will quickly lead to compression of the spinal cord. This can easily lead to problems with the heart, pancreas, liver and kidneys, because the chest area connects to all these organs through nerve fibers. That is why it is very important to visit a doctor in time. It will help you find out where the signs of osteochondrosis that bother you came from and will carry out the appropriate treatment of the disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs due to weight lifting. Normally, in the center of the intervertebral disc there is a nucleus that contains a large amount of water. Due to the liquid, the core becomes slightly compressible and for its rupture a compression of 500 kg is required.
However, the disc affected by osteochondrosis becomes weaker and will only need 200 kg to rupture. If a person weighing 70 kg lifts 15 kg of load in a bent position and for the spine this is a load of 200 kg, the intervertebral disc may break. This is why the first symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine appear when lifting weights.
Symptoms
- lumbar pain;
- inability to move in the lower back.
- Sleep disorder;
- irritable?
- fatigue;
- inability to meet the needs of the household.
- decreased sexual function in men.
- violation of the menstrual cycle.
- Cold foot syndrome.
With the transition of osteochondrosis to the sacrum, the patient develops pain in the kidney area and violation of urination.
Diagnostics
Osteochondrosis is treated by a neurologist. First, examine the spine, draw attention to the presence of scoliosis. Once felt, the doctor will be able to understand how much the spine, tendons and nerves were affected.
After the neurologist suspects osteochondrosis of the spine, he will refer the patient for additional examination. This includes undergoing an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging. If there is a suspicion of destruction of the intervertebral disc, a discography is performed. It is also prescribed to determine the degree of damage to the nerve pathways.
In general, it is very difficult to diagnose osteochondrosis of the spine. Ultimately, a person may complain of pain in the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas or sexual dysfunction. However, with a thorough examination, an experienced doctor will be able to suspect this disease and prescribe the right treatment.
Treatment
Treating osteochondrosis is a very long and difficult process. In the acute period, the patient needs the rest of the affected part. If the cervical spine is affected, then the patient should wear a Shants fastening collar. If the lumbar spine hurts, the patient needs bed rest. It is best to place the patient in a hospital. Only there will he be able to fully comply with the regime assigned to him. The bed of such a patient should be hard. For this, a wooden board is placed under the mattress.
Medication
As mentioned above, the main symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, the patient is prescribed analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and other symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Unfortunately, long-term use of these drugs causes damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and the patient experiences the following symptoms:
- motion sickness;
- vomit;
- stomach ache;
- feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
Gastric or peptic ulcer: It is also possible that the stomach ulcer may become infected. Therefore, before using these medicines, you should consult your doctor. If the pain caused by osteochondrosis lasts for 3 months, antidepressants are prescribed along with these medications. It has been found that, in addition to their soothing action, they are able to reduce pain.
All drugs can be classified as symptomatic treatment. They will help relieve pain, but will not relieve a person of the disease itself.
Chondroprotectants are prescribed to repair the intervertebral discs and cartilage. These drugs improve connective tissue metabolism and help repair cartilage. Medications are taken for a long time, on average - 4-6 months.
In addition to repairing tissues and improving their metabolism, these drugs also have analgesic effects. Another group of drugs that are necessary for osteochondrosis of the spine are drugs that improve blood circulation, their use helps to dilate blood vessels and if sulfuric acid is taken in combination with it, then the metabolism of nerve cells in aperson will improve.
As with any disease, patients need calcium supplements. It will restore bone tissue activity, increase the strength of ligaments and tendons, and also prevent osteoporosis - a disease that accompanies osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy
Dosed load on the spine will improve the patient's condition. But you have to do the exercises extremely carefully. In the acute period, physical therapy is contraindicated. Only when the sensations of pain subside can you begin to exercise a little.
Exercise will improve blood circulation to the spine and strengthen muscles. Due to the blood flow, the metabolism will improve and the repair of the damaged intervertebral discs will begin. But you must also remember that the lessons must be conducted regularly, otherwise there will be no result.
Exercises for injuries of the cervical spine
- Lie on your back and straighten. Place one hand on the stomach and the other on the chest and inhale, hold your breath for 10 minutes, then exhale and relax. The duration of the exercise is 3-5 minutes. You should do it 3-5 times a day.
- Lie on your stomach and straighten your legs. Leaning on your stomach and legs, you should lift your head and upper chest. Do the exercise for 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. Do the exercise for 3-5 minutes with an interval of 30 seconds.
Exercises for chest injuries
- Lie on your stomach. Place your hands on the floor and bend backwards. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. Do the exercise for 3-5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
- Lie on your back. Lift your head and legs ("boat"). Hold for 10-20 seconds. Do the exercise for 3-5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
Exercises for lumbar spine injuries
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and bring them to your chest. Shake back and forth and roll from behind to the sacrum and back. Rotate for up to 2 minutes. Then you should lie down calmly and relax.
- You have to climb on all fours and bend as much as possible. Do the exercise for 3-5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
- When standing, imagine turning the hoop for 2 to 3 minutes. Exercise 10 times a day.
Surgery
In the absence of effect from conservative treatment and the appearance of complications of osteochondrosis, surgical treatment is prescribed. During the stabilization of the spine, the pressure on the spinal cord and the roots is eliminated. If a person has an intervertebral hernia, it is removed. Because this surgery can damage the spinal cord and nerves, it is performed only for vital reasons.
Physiotherapy
The appointment of physiotherapy procedures has a positive effect on the course of the disease and accelerates the recovery process. With osteochondrosis, it is allowed:
- visit to sauna or bath.
- swimming in the pool;
- massage;
- paraffin therapy;
- manual therapy;
- laser treatment;
- various baths;
- mud therapy;
- electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants.
- magnetotherapy?
- darsonval.
All these procedures improve blood circulation to the affected area, allow the muscles to relax and unwind the whole body. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed during the recovery period, when the patient is not bothered by severe pain.
Prophylaxis
No one is immune to osteochondrosis. After all, we all grow old and our whole body ages with us. In order for the disease not to spoil your plans, you should be involved in sports from an early age. Moderate physical activity improves blood circulation, normal metabolism. In addition, it trains the muscles that protect the spine. To prevent osteochondrosis, every person should:
- eat right - vitamins and minerals necessary for the body.
- to give up bad habits.
- engage in physical education;
- Do not bend;
- protect your back from hypothermia.
- do not lift very heavy objects.
- Take a shower of contrast and composure.
- avoid stress.
It is especially important for people suffering from this disease to follow all the recommendations, because their failure will lead to exacerbation. If you have back pain that does not go away for a long time, you should seek help from a specialist. Only a doctor can make the right diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Do not delay the 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 be aware of. Strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations and then the disease will subside soon!