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 and in the ligament 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.
Why does osteochondrosis occur?
In medicine, there is a lot of information about the causes of the disease. These include the reception of a mechanical injury, a 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 vertebral salts. With the help of an x-ray, growths on the vertebrae are diagnosed, while the joints creak and creak when walking.
You can also contract osteochondrosis in the case of an existing infectious disease, with constant overloads of the spine, exposure to chemicals and altered posture. At risk are people who lead an unhealthy lifestyle, abuse smoking and alcohol, are overweight and are in constant stressful situations.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis are determined based on the type (s) of the 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;
- impaired coordination;
- violation of the auditory, speech and visual systems;
- the occurrence of snoring.
The most common symptom is headache, which negatively affects a person's usual lifestyle. 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 the manifestation of cervical osteochondrosis into several groups:
Root symptoms. In other words, cervical sciatica. The pain originates in the neck, travels down the shoulder blades and travels all over the body to the fingers.
reflex symptoms. A common symptom is pain, characterized by a sharp and burning character. Place of localization: neck or occipital area. Often the pain radiates to the heart and thoracic spine, in addition, a person confuses osteochondrosis with the presence of heart disease.
Vertebral artery symptoms. The most common symptom is headache. Possible impairment of the auditory and visual system.
cardiac symptoms. It would seem that the heart hurts, but it doesn't. This is only an irradiation of pain in the heart, 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 non-existent disease.
Self-treatment is not recommended for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Before prescribing the necessary treatment, the doctor makes a diagnosis. The main method of diagnosis is radiography. Treatment should be comprehensive, including eliminating the source of the disease and symptoms.
The initial stage of the disease involves manual therapy and physical therapy. Performing osteochondrosis requires more thorough treatment and sometimes surgery. As soon as the main treatment is finished, the doctor prescribes gymnastics.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic spine disease is characterized by attacks of pain in the heart, sternum, back, sides of the trunk, upper abdomen. In other words, the pain of the whole body.
Painful sensations in the heart can raise the suspicion of a pathological process such as angina pectoris. The difference is that the pain in the heart region in case of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is not stopped by nitroglycerin, and electrocardiography did not reveal any pathological changes in the heart. And the pain doesn't go away after taking heart medication.
Intercostal osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by symptoms that depend on the location 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 is pain in the shoulders, shoulder blades, back, heart.
When the spinal cord is squeezed. In other words, compression myelopathy. A rather rare phenomenon, manifested by pain, numbness and weakness in the lower limbs.
Clinical symptoms belonging only to osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are as follows:
Neurological symptoms: constant pain, which increases in case of deep cough and inhalation.
- costovertebral arthrosis;
- vertebral symptoms.
Visceral syndromes - pain in the heart, aggravated by physical exertion, turning the body.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be comprehensive. A special place is occupied by manual therapy, physical therapy, physiotherapy.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Intercostal osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by pain in the lumbar region and in 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 reduced urination, defecation, reduced sweating, tingling in the lower limbs, dryness and peeling of the skin.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is carried out by a neurologist. Before starting 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 such 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 medicines, you can relieve pain, inflammation, swelling.
- Physiotherapy treatment. With the help of such treatment, you can also relieve pain and discomfort, as well as significantly advance towards full recovery.
- physical 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 physical therapy during an exacerbation of the disease! Along with physical education, it is necessary to follow a healthy lifestyle, eat well 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 affected area, the time during which the discomfort is felt, the cause of the pain, the reason for the pain relief.
- Step 2. Doctors examine the skin to identify or notice the absence of redness, flaking, and rashes. The doctor performs palpation of the affected area to determine the temperature regime of the skin, identify swelling, painful compaction.
- Stage 3. An X-ray examination is required to determine the pathological mobility of the vertebrae, displacement, salt deposits and osteophyte formation.
- Stage 4. CT helps to identify nerve root compression, ruptures, all kinds of changes, marginal growths.
MRI contributes to the examination of the state 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. It is not recommended to knead or massage the affected area, because the pain can only intensify. The body must be equipped with rest: take the most comfortable position in which the least 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 wool belt. Thanks to the belt, the 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 bathroom, so it is good to heat the affected area. Bathing is allowed only during the period when the exacerbation of the disease is eliminated.
The recipes of the old grandmother are also effective. You can apply various dyes by rubbing the affected area. no less effective are various ointments that can be made at home or bought at the pharmacy. But such ointments should be used with caution, because they can cause skin burns. That is why it is important to read the instructions before use.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
Physical therapy contributes to the treatment of osteochondrosis and is also an excellent prophylaxis. Physical education should be specially designed and selected individually in each case of the disease.
The complex of therapeutic and physical culture should be carried out only in the phase of remission, but not during the period of exacerbation. At the same time, physical education helps to strengthen the ligament apparatus and the muscular corset of the back. Thanks to physical education, you can bypass the main drug treatment.
Preventive measures
In order not to aggravate 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 himself, while 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 a safe distance. 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 inclinations.
An even distribution of loads is required.
Prevention of osteochondrosis includes a correct lifestyle and good nutrition. There is no need to run any disease. Timely treatment in the hospital will help avoid negative consequences.