Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years old.But the disease can appear earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed at the age of 20 to 30 years.There are also earlier cases of manifestation of the disease.
How does osteochondrosis develop?
Depending on individual development, the human spine has 33-34 vertebrae.The special structure (S-shaped, separation of vertebrae from intervertebral discs) makes the spine flexible and able to occupy different positions.The spine is connected with intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).At the center of the disk is a semi-fluid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.Above and below the disc are the cartilaginous endplates.
As the disease progresses, metabolic processes are disrupted.As a result of poor blood circulation, the intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.With the further development of the pathology, the fibrous ring cannot cope with the general load and is deformed.Then it can rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, the mobility of the spine decreases and disc displacement can occur.
Causes of osteochondrosis
For proper functioning, the spine needs a constant moderate load.Severe overexertion or improper distribution of pressure can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.
Internal causes of the disease:
- genetic predisposition;
- disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
- overweight, obesity;
- age-related changes;
- bad posture, curvature of the spine;
- flat feet.
External factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sudden movements with a large amplitude;
- incorrect position of the body when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
- high load on the spine during sports or a certain type of activity;
- injuries to any part of the spine;
- improperly organized sleeping place, including sleeping on a soft mattress and a high pillow;
- walking in high heels;
- smoking;
- vibrational effects on the body, for example drivers of heavy equipment;
- hypothermia.
Active sports do not always contribute to the health of the spine.The disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive physical exertion.People from certain professions are at risk - loaders and construction workers.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on which part of the spine is affected, osteochondrosis is classified into the following types:
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is serious stress on the sacrum and low back.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae.It develops due to improper loading of the cervical vertebrae.The blood circulation of the brain and the functioning of the thyroid gland are disturbed.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as often as the first two.In the chest area, the discs are not so active, and the muscle corset is stronger.It is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are more similar to heart disease.
- Frequent 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, different symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.
In the case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient observes the following signs of the disease:
- various types of lower back pain;
- stabbing pain radiating to legs and buttocks;
- movement disorders.Changing the position of the body, bending or turning causes severe pain in the lumbar region.Therefore, one 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 pathology of the cervical spine:
- neck pain, especially in the evening;
- crunching 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 blocked;
- dizziness with sudden changes in neck position.
The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- thoracic neuralgia, a feeling of pain in the heart;
- pressing pain in the upper part of the chest;
- difficulty breathing;
- reflex tension on the back and chest;
- sensation of coldness in the upper limbs, intermittent tingling, starting from the shoulders and ending in the fingers;
- increased pain at night;
- increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity.
Stages of osteochondrosis
In the initial stage, a loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs is observed.They shrink and bulge.The patient does not experience any particular discomfort, except for a slight stiffness of the spine after sleep.
The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.Destruction of the discs continues, the annulus fibrosus deforms and cracks.There is stiffness of movements and sharp pain when changing the usual position.
With the development of the third stage, the fibrous ring is torn.The gelatinous contents come out.An intervertebral hernia is formed.If treatment is not started at this stage, pinching of the roots and damage occurs.
Complications of osteochondrosis
The lack of treatment of osteochondrosis leads to various types of complications - radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which can press the nerve endings and lead to paralysis of the lower limbs or other parts of the body.
Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and blood pressure spikes.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of heart attack and stroke.
Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that leaves serious consequences for the whole organism: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, development of intercostal neuralgia.
Osteochondrosis of any part is dangerous.Lumbar 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 pressure on the blood vessels.As a result, general blood circulation is disturbed.The most dangerous moment is the compression of the vertebral artery.
Methods of diagnosing osteochondrosis
Specialists identify osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:
- MRI.Nuclear magnetic resonance
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Laboratory studies
Treatment of osteochondrosis
It is better to treat osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic under the supervision of specialists.Currently, both conservative and surgical methods are used to treat osteochondrosis.
Each patient undergoes individual therapy.When choosing a treatment scheme, 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 scheme is intended for an average of no more than 1.5 months.The 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 treatment consists of the following procedures:
- UHF Resonance Wave Therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic impact on the water environment of the body with electromagnetic waves of low intensity and high frequency.
- Injections of chondroprotectors.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 of special simulators.Treatment of the spine and joints using a simulator will restore the mobility of the limbs in a short period of time without expensive treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
- Blockade of joints and spine.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 the joints and spine is used in a wide range and in combination with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injections, blockades and droppers.
Treatment of osteochondrosis helps to achieve the following
- allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation;
- improves nutrition of the intervertebral discs;
- stops the destruction of discs, restores their structure;
- releases compressed nerve roots;
- relaxes tense muscles;
- restores the flexibility of the spine;
- prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernia;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- corrects and strengthens the muscle corset;
- straightens the posture;
- normalizes metabolism.
After completing the course of treatment, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a set of exercises to 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, race walking, fitness;
- When sitting in front of a computer or table, keep your back straight and your 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 kicks;
- do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
- when training on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to train on it properly;
- choose shoes with shock-absorbing soles for sports;
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
- do abdominal exercises.
Nutrition in osteochondrosis
For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to eat small portions 6 times a day.In your diet, adhere to the following principles:
- include in your diet dairy products and lean meat - beef, rabbit, chicken;
- limiting the consumption of grapes, legumes, peas, beans, meat broths;
- eat jelly, jellied meat, jellied fish.With them you get chondroprotectors - substances that participate 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;
- give preference to boiled or steamed dishes;
- eat more often sunflower seeds, nuts, avocado and raw spinach;
- season the salad with olive oil;
- prepare dishes from lobsters, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, grains;
- try to eat less salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar and hot spices.