The most common disease of the musculoskeletal system, which has no age, is osteochondrosis.Back disease can appear in people as early as 15 years old, and it can be latent in the initial stages of the disease.
About 90% of the world's population suffers from this disease.This statistical number is related to the modern lifestyle: improper diet, lack of time for sports, etc.Damage to the locomotor system can cause serious complications, limited abilities and disruption of the functioning of internal organs.
What is osteochondrosis and what is its cause?
Osteochondrosis of the spine is defined as a disease that begins with inflammation of the intervertebral discs and then affects the tissues of the spine.The cartilage tissue and bone tissue of the spine are affected by the process of degenerative changes.
When the disease occurs, the normal structure of the vertebral tissues changes.The disc changes its structure and consistency, loses its elasticity, and the space between the discs narrows.In this regard, the nerve processes of the spinal cord are compressed, which causes a painful sensation.Then the smaller joints of the spine change, degenerative bone growths are formed, which subsequently prevent the patient from bending and cause pain.
The main causes of the disease:
- The main reason for the manifestation of the disease is unevenly distributed load on the spine (carrying a bag, obesity, heavy lifting, pregnancy).
- This can be caused by prolonged sitting or lying in an incorrect posture (uneven resting surface, sedentary lifestyle, consequences of injuries).
- The cause of the disease can also be flat feet.
- I have an innate tendency to the disease.
- Poor and unhealthy diet.
- Previous back injuries cause the disease.
- Frequent stress and overexertion can also cause the disease.
Today, a not very favorable trend can be observed;Osteochondrosis begins at a young age, when the correct posture is not observed, when the musculoskeletal system is not yet fully formed.Young patients cannot take their health completely seriously, so it is their parental duty to teach their children the correct posture and the rules of a healthy lifestyle.If you do not take care of your health, the disease can develop into an advanced form, which manifests itself as more severe symptoms over the years.
Osteochondrosis of the back: classification of the disease, main stages
Given that the human back can be divided into several parts, osteochondrosis of the back is accordingly classified into several types.
There are several types of osteochondrosis:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spineit is characterized by painful sensations in the neck and shoulder girdle, as the degenerative processes of the vertebral plates in the neck region progress.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine- the affected thoracic part of the spine causes pain not only in the chest, but also between the shoulder blades, muscular dystrophy can be observed in this area.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spineoccurs in people with increased physical activity, which may affect reproductive function.
- Osteochondrosis of the sacral spineIt is dangerous because nerve endings and blood vessels can be compressed as a result of the course of the disease.
- Extensive osteochondrosis of the spineit is characterized by a combination of changes in two or more of its parts.This case is the most serious and the most difficult to treat.
Like many other diseases, osteochondrosis of the back is painful and progresses to different stages of severity.
In medicine, back pain has several stages:
- First stage- the onset of the disease.The patient does not notice any special changes in the body;only mild discomfort is felt in one part of the back during an unusual body position or active movement.These symptoms are usually not given much importance and are related to other causes of manifestation.
- Second stageit is characterized by the manifestation of pain, since the process of cartilage tissue destruction begins at this stage;without timely medical intervention, the process of reducing the intervertebral space can be accelerated, resulting in pinching of nerves, lymphatic vessels or blood vessels.
- In the third stagethere is a pronounced deformation of the spine.Treatment at this stage will slow the progression of the disease and possibly stop further curvature of the spine.
- Last stagethe development of the disease entails the patient's complete disability.At this stage, all processes related to the disease are irreversible.The patient may have difficulty moving, every movement is accompanied by insurmountable pain, the spine shifts significantly, the cartilage tissues become denser, and the bone tissue grows abnormally.
Osteochondrosis: symptoms and diagnosis
Many symptoms of the disease can be confused with other diseases.
The fact is that the deformed parts of the back put pressure on the nearby organs, which cause corresponding pain.
Some young patients do not even know and do not even realize that they have such a disease, and they believe that osteochondrosis is a big part of old age, which, of course, is wrong.
Symptoms of the disease:
- pain and discomfort in the neck region, sternum or lower back;
- secondary symptom is muscle atrophy in the affected area;
- due to the deformation of the posture, the internal organs suffer, which in turn also show dysfunction;
- there is numbness in the arms or legs;
- increased feeling of coldness in the lower limbs;
- headache, dizziness occurs;
- nausea appears;
- the patient may lose consciousness;
- the appearance of floaters or spots in the eyes is possible;
- Arterial spasm of the leg occurs.
With advancing age, the secretion of intervertebral fluid decreases, the intervertebral discs become less flexible and flatten, which is an intervertebral hernia.
This is important.If similar symptoms appear, contact the appropriate specialist!
To carry out the examination, the following specialists should be contacted when the first signs are detected: neurologist, neurosurgeon, traumatologist.They are sent for examination and an accurate diagnosis is made.
In order to prevent the development of the disease in time, it must be identified at an early stage of development.For this, we perform fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance or computed tomography of the spine.Sometimes further examination of blood vessels and nerve endings is necessary.
Treatment of osteochondrosis: medication and surgery
Back pain can be treated in different ways depending on the severity of the injury.Treatment methods and other areas of health promotion and prevention are selected by a specialist who first performs diagnostic measures.The treatment of osteochondrosis uses an integrated approach.Above all, the main goal is to relieve pain and distribute the load on the spine.
To keep the spine in the right position and due to muscle atrophy, it is necessary to purchase and wear a special support brace.In case of an acute course of the disease, strict bed rest on a hard surface is recommended.
In some cases, a conservative approach to treatment is not appropriate, and surgical intervention must be used.In addition, sometimes specialists diagnose spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that was previously considered incurable.Currently, a drug has appeared that can cope with this disease.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment without medication is almost impossible, as inflammation and pain can only be alleviated with appropriate medication.Medicines block pain.There are blockades for intramuscular, point, epidural, intraosseous.Only a professional can determine what type of blockade is needed in your case.Restorative vitamin therapy is carried out comprehensively.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis
It happens that the conservative treatment of osteochondrosis is unsuccessful, and the pain interferes with life, the disease progresses, takes a complex form, and there is nothing left but a surgical solution.The main goal of such an intervention is to reduce the pressure on the spinal cord, which is most often caused by a hernia.This approach to the treatment of the disease can only be determined by the attending physician.
Massage and manual therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis should be carried out in a complex way.This may include massage and manual therapy.These procedures should be performed by a qualified professional who will not damage or worsen the existing condition.
Massage and hydromassage help to normalize the general condition, muscle tone, improve blood circulation and normalize the functioning of the nervous system.
Treatment is possible with manual therapy.Manual therapy is used in an individually developed treatment program.The therapy improves blood circulation, lymph circulation, strengthens the immune system, and improves the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
Osteochondrosis disease: treatment with traditional methods, complications and prevention
Osteochondrosis can be treated in combination with specially selected physical therapy exercises.Certain exercises with a measured load strengthen the muscles in the desired areas of the body and create a muscular corset for the spine.Thus, the metabolism and blood circulation are normalized, and the nutrition of the intervertebral discs is restored.Osteochondrosis disease stops after therapeutic physical training.
It would be a useful habit to start the morning with therapeutic exercises that prepare the motor system for the upcoming loads.
In this case, swimming as a therapeutic sport will have a beneficial effect on the health of the spine.
Physiotherapy
The therapy also affects osteochondrosis.Physiotherapy enhances the effect of drugs and relieves pain.The procedures are performed with laser, electricity, ultrasound and magnet.The therapeutic dose is specially selected and adjusted individually.The therapy can be performed at any stage of osteochondrosis.
Treatment with folk remedies
The disease of osteochondrosis can also be treated with folk remedies, but be sure to consult your doctor.Folk remedies have minimal side effects, but allergic reactions to some components are possible.
There are many herbal recipes that help in the treatment of the disease.The collection helps relieve inflammation and eliminate pain.You can choose ready-made preparations for the treatment of the disease, in a certain dose.
According to the recipe, you can make your own ointment, rubbing mixture or poultice.For example, a mixture for rubbing: radish juice (200-300 ml), honey (200-300 g), vodka (100 ml).
You can also make a tincture of cinnamon and rub it on the painful area before going to bed, then wrap it with a warm scarf.
Compressed sea salt (300 g), dry seaweed (5-6 packets).The listed ingredients are poured with water at about 50 degrees, left to boil for about 30 minutes, then covered with polyethylene and applied to the affected area with a warm cloth.The poultice is left for 5-6 hours, the course consists of 10 procedures.
Burdock leaves are steamed over steam for 10-15 minutes, then covered with polyethylene and a warm cloth, apply to the painful area.
Half a glass of elderberry is infused with 0.5 liters of vodka for 7 days, then rubbed into the skin in the affected area.
This is important.Do not forget that treatment with folk remedies alone will not achieve the desired effect;treatment should be comprehensive.
Diet
Everyone has known for a long time that a healthy diet is the key to health, but not everyone understands the connection between nutrition and musculoskeletal diseases.In order to prevent the further progression of the disease and the occurrence of complications, a diet must be followed.Given that excess weight puts a strain on the affected spine, it is necessary to regulate fluid and food intake and output, as well as body weight.
The menu should include foods that satisfy hunger and help cleanse the intestines (vegetables, fruits, cereals, dairy products and fermented milk products).
It is worth avoiding foods that retain salts in the body and promote fluid accumulation (pickles, smoked foods, coffee, alcohol, soda).
Do not overuse baked goods and sweets, as their consumption will lead to overweight.
Meals can take place 4-6 times a day.If the body weight is not excessive, then 4-5 times are enough;if your weight exceeds the norm, you should eat small portions 5-6 times a day.
The drinking regime should be limited to the following: 2-2.5 liters per day, no more, no less.
Some chondroitin-containing products can be used to strengthen the ligaments of the intervertebral discs and restore the cartilage structure (jelly, jellied meat, chicken wing broth, jellied fish).
Proper nutrition is the key to preventing diseases such as osteochondrosis.
Complications
If you start osteochondrosis, complications are more likely to occur.
Complications resulting from osteochondrosis are serious and irreversible.
- The first complication can be vertebral hernia as a result of the reduction of the intervertebral fluid and the flattening of the discs.
- Protrusions appear - the protrusion of the disc into the spinal canal.
- Salt deposits in the spine.
- Spinal cord stroke may occur.
- Atrophy of the limbs.
- Paralysis of the lower limbs.
- Vertebral subluxations are possible.
- Kyphosis, scoliosis and other pathological curvatures of the spine occur.
- Sciatica may occur.
In order to avoid complications, regular preventive treatment should be carried out in accordance with diet and physical activity.
Prevention
It is much easier to prevent the disease than to treat it later.
In order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis, you must follow a number of rules:
- Lead an active lifestyle: do sports (swimming is especially good for back health), do exercises in the morning.
- If you are sitting for long periods of time, take breaks to warm up.
- Pay attention to diet, drink and excess weight.
- Take care of the correct posture while working and walking.
- Minimize wearing high heels.
- Try to adopt a comfortable and correct body position while sleeping.
- Buy an orthopedic mattress or pillow.
- Try to reduce carrying heavy objects or make sure you lift weights correctly.
- Choose a seat with a comfortable backrest for support.
It is worth noting that spinal disease is quite serious and does not have a specific age.Osteochondrosis can occur both at a young age and at an old age.When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should consult a neurologist or traumatologist.
If the disease has already manifested itself, do not forget that you should regularly visit a doctor who will monitor the course of the disease, give recommendations and prescribe appropriate treatment or preventive measures.In case of existing osteochondrosis, seasonal treatment and preventive courses are carried out twice a year.
By following simple rules, you can maintain your health or avoid complications and the further development of the disease.
The spine is the foundation of our body, which we must protect.Exercise, proper nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle are the key to health!