Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion localized in the tissues of the spine. The disease causes a pathological process in the intervertebral discs, adjacent surfaces of the joints, as well as in the ligamentous apparatus of the spine.
The disease has a significant impact on human health. Bones and ligaments are damaged. The onset of the disease is characterized by painful symptoms, muscle atrophy, dysfunction of internal organs. The maximum age for the development of osteochondrosis in a person is over 30 years.
Why does osteochondrosis occur?
There is a lot of information in medicine about the causes of the disease. These include mechanical injury, hereditary factors, impaired metabolism. It is very difficult to find a cause that contributes to the development of the disease, because osteochondrosis can occur in both adults and adolescents.
A common factor in the development of the disease is the deposition of vertebral salts. With the help of X-rays, growths are diagnosed in the vertebrae, and the joints crack and tear when walking.
In the case of an existing infectious disease, you can also get osteochondrosis with constant overloading of the spine, exposure to chemicals and impaired posture. The risk group includes people who lead unhealthy lifestyles, smoke and drink, are overweight, and are under constant stress.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis are determined depending on the type (s) of the disease. 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;
- impaired coordination;
- disorders of hearing, sound and visual systems;
- occurrence of snoring.
The most common symptom is a headache, which negatively affects a person's normal lifestyle. Often there is pain in the neck, throat and teeth. The pain spreads to the shoulders and arms and increases with movement.
Medicine divides all the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis into several groups:
Root symptoms. In other words, cervical sciatica. The pain originates in the neck, descends along the shoulder blades and extends to the fingers throughout the body.
reflex symptoms. A common symptom is pain, which is characterized by a sharp and burning character. Location - neck or occipital zone. Pain often spreads to the heart and thoracic spine, and a person confuses osteochondrosis with heart disease.
Symptoms of the vertebral artery. The most common symptom is a headache. Possible impairment of hearing and vision systems.
heart symptoms. It seems to hurt, but it's not. It's just radiation to heart pain, but not heart disease. In this case, the symptoms are similar to angina pectoris. There are cases when a doctor mistakenly diagnoses and treats a disease that does not exist.
Self-medication for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not recommended.
The doctor makes a diagnosis before prescribing the necessary treatment. The main method of diagnosis is X-ray. Treatment should be comprehensive, including eliminating the source of the disease as well as symptoms.
The early stages of the disease include manual therapy and exercise therapy. Running osteochondrosis requires more comprehensive treatment, and sometimes surgery. As soon as the main treatment is completed, the doctor prescribes gymnastics.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic spine disease is characterized by exacerbation of pain in the heart, sternum, back, side of the body, upper abdomen. In other words, pain in the whole body.
Painful feelings in the heart can increase the suspicion of a pathological process such as angina pectoris. The difference is that in osteochondrosis of the chest, pain in the heart region is not stopped by nitroglycerin, and electrocardiography does not reveal pathological changes in the heart. There is no pain after taking heart medication.
Intercostal osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by symptoms depending on the location of the pathological process:
Radiculopathy develops with disc herniation. While the thoracic spine covers the upper segment of intercostal osteochondrosis, there is pain in the shoulders, shoulder blades, back, and heart.
While squeezing the spinal cord. In other words, compression myelopathy. Pain, numbness and weakness of the lower extremities is a very rare phenomenon.
The only clinical symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are:
Neurological symptoms - deep cough and constant pain that increases during inhalation.
- costovertebral arthrosis;
- vertebral symptoms.
Visceral syndromes - pain in the heart, increased physical strength, turning the body.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis should be comprehensive. Manual therapy, exercise therapy, physiotherapy have a special place.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar intercostal osteochondrosis is characterized by pain in the lumbar region and dorsal region of the body. Radiation can be seen in the thighs, hips, lower legs, and very rarely in the heart.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is characterized by impaired urination, defecation, sweating, tingling in the lower extremities, dryness and peeling of the skin.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is performed by a neurologist. Before prescribing treatment, the doctor performs the necessary diagnostic measures, including an individual examination, examination of the vertebrae. X-rays, MRI and CT scans are also required. Based on the results of such studies, treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should include measures to relieve pain and restore normal function of the affected area.
The complex treatment includes:
- medical method. With the help of medication you can eliminate pain, inflammation, swelling.
- Physiotherapy treatment. With the help of such treatment, you can both relieve pain and discomfort, as well as make significant progress towards full recovery.
- exercise therapy. Prevention and treatment with the help of therapeutic and sports complex helps to significantly improve health and achieve full recovery. Exercise therapy is prohibited during an exacerbation of the disease! Along with physical training, it is necessary to follow a healthy lifestyle, eat properly and prevent stress.
Diagnostic measures
As a rule, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis consists of several stages:
- Stage 1. The doctor listens to the person's complaints and learns the history of the disease: the area of concern, when the discomfort is felt, the cause of the pain, the reason for the elimination of pain.
- Step 2. The doctor examines the skin to determine or mark the absence of redness, peeling and rash. The doctor performs palpation of the affected area to determine the temperature regime of the skin, swelling, painful density.
- Stage 3. X-ray examination is required to determine the pathological mobility, displacement, salt deposits and formation of osteophytes in the spine.
- Stage 4. CT helps to identify compression of nerve roots, fractures, any changes, marginal growths.
MRI helps to study the condition of blood vessels, nerve processes and intervertebral discs.
Home treatment
When painful sensations are observed (in other words, a period of exacerbation), various active actions are strictly prohibited. It is not recommended to knead or massage the affected area, as the pain may only intensify. The body should be provided with rest: keep the most comfortable position with minimal pain. This requires muscle relaxation. Sometimes a doctor recommends using a corset to move more comfortably.
In thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis, warming of the affected area is recommended. The most effective way to warm up is to use a belt made of dog or sheep wool. Thanks to the belt, the pain is eliminated and the inflammatory process is weakened. The belt can be found in almost every pharmacy. In some cases, it is possible to visit the bath, so it is better to warm the affected area. Bathing is allowed only when the exacerbation of the disease is eliminated.
Old grandmother's recipes are also effective. You can apply various tinctures by rubbing on the affected area. various ointments that can be prepared at home or purchased at a pharmacy are no less effective. However, such ointments should be used with caution, as they can cause skin burns. Therefore, it is important to read the instructions before use.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy helps treat osteochondrosis and is also an excellent prophylactic. Physical education should be specially prepared and selected individually in each case of the disease.
Therapeutic and physical training complex should be carried out only in the remission phase, but not in the period of exacerbation. At the same time, physical training helps to strengthen the ligamentous apparatus and the back muscle corset. Thanks to physical training, you can undergo basic medication.
Preventive measures
There is a special prophylaxis to avoid aggravating your health and preventing the development of osteochondrosis of any part of the spine. Its main rules are:
For water before physical activity or exercise. This is to maintain the moisture exchange in the discs and prevent them from becoming dehydrated.
A good tool for prevention is a back massage, which can be done by the person himself at home. Massage helps to increase blood flow throughout the body, as well as accelerates metabolic processes.
Under no circumstances should you lift heavy objects or objects at arm's length. This increases the load. You can squat by holding your back straight to lift an object.
Sudden movements, turns and inclinations are not recommended.
Equal distribution of loads is required.
Prevention of osteochondrosis includes a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition. There is no need for any disease. Timely hospitalization will help prevent adverse outcomes.