Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years old.But the disease can manifest itself earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed between 20 and 30 years of age.There are also previous cases of manifestation of the disease.
How does osteochondrosis develop?
Depending on individual development, the human spine has 33 to 34 vertebrae.The particular structure (S shape, separation of the vertebrae by intervertebral discs) makes the spine elastic and capable of taking various positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).At the center of the disk is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.The cartilaginous end plates are located above and below the disc.
As the disease develops, metabolic processes are disrupted.Due to poor circulation, the intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.With the further development of pathology, the annulus fibrosus can no longer withstand the full load and becomes deformed.It can then rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, spinal mobility decreases and disc displacement may occur.
Causes of osteochondrosis
To function properly, the spine needs a constant and moderate load.Significant overexertion or poor pressure distribution can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.
Internal causes of illness:
- genetic predisposition;
- disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
- overweight, obesity;
- age-related changes;
- poor posture, curvature of the spine;
- flat feet.
External factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sudden movements of large amplitude;
- incorrect body position when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
- high load on the spine when playing sports or a certain type of activity;
- injuries to any part of the spine;
- poorly organized place to sleep, including sleeping on a soft mattress and high pillow;
- walk in high-heeled shoes;
- smoking;
- effects of vibration on the body, for example in operators of heavy equipment;
- hypothermia.
Active sports do not always promote spinal health.The disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive exercise.People in certain professions are at risk - loaders and builders.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the part of the spine affected, osteochondrosis is classified into the following types:
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is significant stress on the sacrum and lower back.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Develops due to improper load on the cervical spine.Blood circulation to the brain and the functioning of the thyroid gland are disrupted.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as common as the first two.In the thoracic region, the discs are less active and the muscular corset is stronger.Difficult to diagnose because the symptoms more closely resemble heart disease.
- Common osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology affects not one part of the spine, but several at once.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Depending on which part of the spine the disease is localized, various symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.
In the case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient observes the following signs of the disease:
- pain of various types in the lower back;
- piercing pain radiating to legs and buttocks;
- movement disorders.Changing body position, bending or turning causes severe pain in the lumbar region.Therefore, a person tries to maintain the same posture;
- loss of sensation in the legs.This happens due to pinched roots and nerve endings.
The main symptoms of cervical spine pathology:
- pain in the neck, especially in the evening;
- cracking when moving the neck;
- headache, especially in the back of the head;
- pain, numbness in the shoulders and chest;
- visual impairment;
- noise, ringing in the ears, feeling of choking;
- dizziness with sudden changes in neck position.
The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- thoracic neuralgia, feeling of pain in the heart;
- pressing pain in the upper thoracic region;
- difficulty breathing;
- reflex tension of the back and chest;
- a feeling of cold in the upper extremities, periodic numbness, starting from the shoulders and ending with the fingers;
- increased pain at night;
- increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity.
Stages of osteochondrosis
At the initial stage, a loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs is observed.They shrink and swell.The patient does not experience much discomfort, except for slight spinal stiffness after sleep.
The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.The destruction of the discs continues, the annulus fibrosus deforms and cracks.There is stiffness in movements and sharp pain when changing the usual position.
With the development of the third stage, the annulus fibrosus ruptures.The gelatinous contents come out.An intervertebral hernia forms.If treatment is not started at this stage, pinched roots and disability occur.
Complications of osteochondrosis
Lack of treatment for osteochondrosis leads to various types of complications - radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which can compress nerve endings and lead to paralysis of the lower extremities or other parts of the body.
Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and increases in blood pressure.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of developing heart attacks and strokes.
Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that leaves serious consequences on the entire body: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, development of intercostal neuralgia.
Osteochondrosis of any part is dangerous.Lower back problems can lead to diseases of the pelvic organs, which will affect a person's reproductive abilities.Inflammation of the sciatic nerve develops.
A herniated disc causes compression of the blood vessels.As a result, general blood circulation is disrupted.The most dangerous moment is clamping the vertebral artery.
Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis
Experts identify osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:
- MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Laboratory research
Treatment of osteochondrosis
It is better to treat osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic under the supervision of specialists.Currently, conservative and surgical methods are used to treat osteochondrosis.
Each patient undergoes individual therapy.When choosing a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs, in which part of the spine the pathology develops, the patient's age, the presence of other concomitant diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is designed for an average duration of no more than 1.5 months.Procedures are carried out 2-3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment, the pain syndrome is blocked.The standard course of therapy includes the following procedures:
- UHF resonance wave therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic effects on the water environment of the body with low-intensity, high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
- Chondroprotector injections.Intra-articular injections are an effective method of treating various diseases of the musculoskeletal system by introducing a drug (chondroprotector) into the affected joint.
- Rehabilitation on special simulators.Treatment of the spine and joints using a simulator will restore limb mobility in a short time without expensive treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
- Joint and spinal blockade.Joint blockade is a type of drug treatment of the spine and joints aimed at relieving acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasms.
- Drug treatment.Drug treatment of joints and spine is used in a wide range and in combination with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injections, blockages and droppers.
Treatment of osteochondrosis allows you to achieve the following goals
- allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation;
- improves nutrition of intervertebral discs;
- stops the destruction of discs, restores their structure;
- releases compressed nerve roots;
- relaxes tense muscles;
- restores flexibility to the spine;
- prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- corrects and strengthens the muscular corset;
- straightens posture;
- normalizes metabolism.
After completing the treatment, the doctor gives the patient a manual containing a set of exercises that must be performed independently at home.The specialist will explain in detail how to change your usual lifestyle to prevent the disease from returning.
Prevention
To maintain a healthy spine, follow these rules:
- do swimming, yoga, fitness walking, fitness;
- When sitting at a computer or table, keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed;
- choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine;
- every 2 hours or more often, take breaks from work, walk, tilt your head and torso in different directions;
- when lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat and do not make sharp jerks;
- do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
- when training on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to train on it correctly;
- choose shoes with cushioning soles for sports;
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
- do abdominal exercises.
Nutrition for osteochondrosis
For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to eat small portions 6 times a day.In your diet, respect the following principles:
- include dairy products and lean meats in your diet - beef, rabbit, chicken;
- limit the consumption of grapes, legumes, peas, beans, meat broths;
- eat jelly, jellied meat, jellied fish.With them you get chondoprotectors - substances involved in the synthesis of cartilage tissue;
- drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day;
- eat fresh fruits and vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
- favor cooked or steamed dishes;
- eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocado and raw spinach more often;
- season the salad with olive oil;
- prepare dishes based on lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, cereals;
- try to eat salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar and hot seasonings less often.