Spinal osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, treatment

Spinal osteochondrosis is a disease in which the structure and functionality of the intervertebral discs and cartilage is impaired. It is accompanied by regular painful sensations because the affected tissues must provide mobility and flexibility of the spine. According to ICD 10, belongs to the group of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, code - M42. The essence of the disease lies in the compression of the discs during loading on the spine, which leads to their destruction or deformation. This leads to damage to the nerve endings, resulting in pain and swelling. A neglected form of spinal osteochondrosis can lead to disability.

Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the spine

What is this disease and where does it come from? Most often, this disease appears in people after 40 years. This is due to age-related disorders of salt metabolism and dehydration of the body. Factors that provoke the development of the disease:

• flexion, leading to curvature of the spine;
• underdeveloped spinal muscles;
• staying in an uncomfortable position for a long period of time;
• regular carrying of heavy items;
• a sedentary lifestyle related to job specifics;
• metabolic disorders in the body;
• genetic predisposition;
• the negative effect of chemicals on the body;
• transferred diseases of an infectious nature;
• nervous overload, stress with neurological manifestations;
• hormonal disorders in the body;
• professional sports related to power loads;
• spinal cord injury;
• a sharp change in position.

It is important to know!Unfavorable climatic conditions, periodic hypothermia can contribute to the development of the disease! Therefore, you need to protect yourself as much as possible from these factors.

Common symptoms of the disease

Osteochondrosis is always accompanied by pain and numbness. Such diseases may also occur:

• sharp pains, stabbing, shooting;
• aching limbs;
• dizziness, sometimes loss of consciousness;
• dryness and exfoliation of the skin;
• heavy sweating;
• low limb temperature.

Depending on which part of the spine the disease develops, other specific symptoms appear.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: signs

This is the most dangerous place to lose. After all, it is in the cervical region that an artery crosses, which contributes to the normal functioning of the brain. Due to the onset of the disease, this artery is congested and impedes the blood supply to the brain. Because of this, the patient experiences severe headaches, dizziness, general weakness of the body. Concentration decreases, the ability to memorize deteriorates.

It is accompanied by pain in the back of the neck, under the edges of the shoulders, in the forearm, sometimes the upper limbs become numb.

Osteochondrosis of the chest region

This type of disease is quite rare, most often along with damage to other parts of the spine. It can be associated with such diseases:

• pain between the edges of the shoulders;
• severe pain with deep breathing;
• weakness and numbness in the fingers.

There are situations in which a disease in the chest region can cause discomfort in the heart region.

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis

The most common type of disease because the lower back receives the maximum load throughout a person's lifetime. May cause osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome. This disease is characterized by tightening of the nerve roots in the lumbar region, accompanied by various pains and can radiate to the thigh and buttocks area.

During the developmental period, the normal work of the lower extremities is interrupted and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• tingling sensation in the back of the foot;
• weakness of the lower extremities;
• numbness of the toes.

Disorders of the genitourinary system and intestinal function may also occur.

Important to remember!At the first symptoms, you should seek the help of a specialist! After all, an advanced form of the disease in a given department can develop polysegmental osteochondrosis of the spine, which consists in the loss of all departments at once.

Stages of spinal osteochondrosis

In modern medicine, there are 4 stages of the disease:

1. The degree of osteochondrosis of the spine. At this stage, the disease is difficult to detect. There are no visible signs. There are only general diseases, slight weakness in the back with unpleasant sensations, which are attributed to overwork. The disease is slow, usually detected accidentally at the time of a routine checkup.
2. Second degree spinal osteochondrosis. Symptoms of pain appear due to the initial process of tissue destruction. If you turn to specialists in time for help, then this degree of the disease can be cured quite quickly thanks to medication.
3. Grade 3 spinal osteochondrosis. An irreversible process of cartilage tissue deformation begins, which is the cause of the development of scoliosis, lordosis and the appearance of the lump. Treatment at this stage will improve the condition and minimize bending.
4. Grade 4 spinal osteochondrosis. In this final stage, a person experiences irreversible processes of destruction of spinal tissue. The patient's movement becomes very difficult, this brings him excruciating pain.

It is important to know!Stage 4 of the disease leads the patient to disability! Therefore, in the first manifestations, it is required to consult a doctor and start treatment on time.

Diagnosis of the disease

Complaints displayed by the patient require contacting a specialist. To make a diagnosis, you should make an appointment with a neurologist or traumatologist, who, after a thorough study and examination, will send you to undergo such studies:

• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• Ultrasound;
• electrocardiograms;
• radiography;
• general blood and urine analysis.

Based on the research conducted, the doctor draws a conclusion and prescribes an effective treatment, depending on the stage of the disease.

Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis

There are many ways in which you can influence the course of the disease. They are intended not only to alleviate anxiety, but also complete healing. The most effective treatments are:

Drug treatment

They aim to relieve painful sensations, alleviate inflammatory processes, restore cartilage tissue and prevent the dynamic development of the disease. Taking vitamins during this period is very important.

Chondroprotectors

The therapeutic effect does not appear immediately, therefore, a course is prescribed, the duration of which is about 2 months.

Injections

Their use is aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome; injection has no therapeutic effect.

Ointment

The use of various ointments, creams or gels helps to get rid of inflammation. They also have an analgesic and warming effect.

Acupuncture

For such procedures, the patient is referred to a chiropractor. After all, only an experienced specialist is able to perform this manipulation qualitatively. Acupuncture helps to relieve even excruciating excruciating pain, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and normalizes hormones.

Cup massage

The essence of the procedure is to apply a vacuum to the skin, which helps restore blood flow, eliminate toxins and improve the condition of the body as a whole. Effectively relieves painful sensations. This type of massage can not be done on the spine itself, mammary glands, heart and kidneys. Contraindications to the use of this procedure: patients with skin rash, heart disease and pregnancy.

1. Magnetotherapy. Used as an adjunct method in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Helps weaken the inflammatory process, relieves swelling, tones the muscles of the spine.
2. Physiotherapy. It aims to restore spinal mobility, strengthen back muscles and normalize metabolism. It is very important not to overload yourself during the exercises.
3. Massage. It is required to eliminate pain and strengthen muscles.

Important to remember!Regardless of the stage of osteochondrosis, only a specialist prescribes treatment methods! He can choose either a method or a complex treatment.

Treatment with folk remedies

To fight the disease, you can use traditional medicine recipes that are easily prepared at home. For this, only natural ingredients are used.

garlic

To prepare the medicine, you will need 200 g of chopped garlic, which should be poured with 0, 5 liters of vodka or alcohol. Leave in a cool, dark place for 1 week, shaking daily. After a period of time, use as a back rub. Helps relieve pain.

Laurel leaf and juniper

You should take 1 tablespoon. original ingredients, grind to a powdery consistency. Grind with softened butter without salt in the amount of 100 gr. Apply the resulting ointment to the affected areas 3 times a day.

Sagebrush

You will need 1 tablespoon. l. wormwood, pour 1 cup boiling water. Insist 3 hours. Drain the resulting liquid and rub your back before bed.

Important to remember!Regardless of which prescription is chosen for treatment, you should consult your doctor! He may consider the use of home-made medicines as a complementary treatment.

Osteochondrosis of the army and spine

Are they recruited into the military after such a diagnosis has been made? In order for a young man not to go to serve in the army, the following moments must be present:

• intervertebral osteochondrosis;
• severe pain during exercise;
• clear signs of spinal deformity;

It is important to know!Painful sensations should be confirmed by seeking medical help regularly! Only in this situation, the young man is not suitable for military service.

Complications of the disease

Since the spine is the basis for the musculoskeletal system, osteochondrosis can cause irreparable damage to health. Consequences that the disease can lead:

• disc herniation;
• rachiocampsis;
• displacement of the vertebrae.

This can lead to disruption of organ function, weakening of the immune system, which leads to new serious diseases.

It is important to know!Ignoring osteochondrosis leads to disability! Therefore, when an illness occurs, therapy should be started immediately.

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine

To avoid the development of the disease, the following preventive measures should be taken:

1. Diet. This is especially true for the elderly. It is required to minimize the consumption of spicy, fatty, canned and smoked foods. You should also avoid excessive use of salt, coffee, chocolate, alcoholic beverages. Proper nutrition helps to remove salts from the body.
2. Daily exercises in the morning. Light exercise will help keep the body in good shape and strengthen the muscular system.
3. Orthopedic mattress. For rest, you should buy it, because healthy sleep and complete relaxation reduce to a minimum the possibility of developing the disease.

Special attention should be paid to the position in which you want to sleep. The most comfortable position for the spine is the embryo. In this case, he relaxes completely. It is better to use a small pillow. In these ways, you can protect your spine from excessive stress and give it the rest it needs.